Sacramento P.I.T.S Board Members
2023 Board Members and contact information-
President
Pat McPhetridge
I started in trials in 2015 with the first ever event at the Frank Raines OHV Park in Patterson, CA. This was after my wife Sandie had surprised me with a very beautiful, slightly used GasGas 250 "Raga" (whoever that guy is) with the intent to compete on it. With a background in off-road and motocross, trials was going to be easy, correct? In those days, we called the Saturday trial the Vintage/Beginner Trial. After consulting with now fellow board member, Alison Hermance while waiting in line to sign-up, she asked me the commensurate questions; "do you ride motorcycles, yes, have you ever ridden trials, no." She then said "great, sign up for the 3-line, it'll be fun!"
Now the 3-line was the second to the easiest line on Saturday, basically I was deemed just a tad better than someone that had never ridden a motorcycle before. Did I get bad advice from Alison? I walked the 3-line prior to the trial as that was what I was told to do to get a feel for what the sections would be like, and especially the "fun 3-line". I saw a few turns here and there in some gravel, some tiny up-hill and down-hill sections and that was about it. Piece of cake, so I thought. I ended up getting two 5's that day, two failures, but now I'm hooked, my mission now is to perfect this sport.
It is now seven years later, have I perfected this sport? Not a chance, but what is perfected are the friendships that have grown over the years to be more like family than anything else, a true sense of community where we watch our youth grow and thrive and where families bond and help one another, it is truly like no other family experience, anywhere. I have been and always will be very proud to serve our trials community as it's what we need to do for us, our families and our future generations.
Phone- 916-824-6562
Board Member
Howard Galbreath
Howard has been on the Sacramento PITS Board of Directors for the past thirty years. He joined Sacramento PITS & started riding trials in November 1975. Starting as a novice A rider at the time, he quickly moved to expert in 1977 and rode expert or master until 2006. He currently rides the advanced A class. Over the years Howard has ridden around 150 National events with 5 National championships within his senior class. He co- organized the 1994 World Round held at Donner Ski Ranch, which from that event, enabled our club to purchase our club property in 1996. He was clerk of the course for the US World Round held at Donner Ski Ranch 1997 and has
organized or helped organize 16 National AMA/NATC Trials events held by Sacramento PITS from 1985-2018. Howard's interests are motorcycle trials, trail & adventure riding, camping, fishing, hunting, bowling & traveling.
Treasurer
Laura Galbreath
I have been the Sacramento PITS Treasurer since late 1979 or early 1980. We incorporated in August 1980 and I’ve been on the board and attending meetings ever since. I don’t know how many club trials I’ve attended and worked but I always manage to have a good time! I have worked on two World Rounds, 18 Nationals & 1 El Trial round and have organized and helped with the year-end awards banquet for 33 years (started in 1988).
I was the NATC National Score Keeper for 9 years with Howard’s help and was honored by Wiltz Wagner to be added to the NATC Hall of Fame.
I have done almost everything related to trials except ride them with one exception at Frank Raines Park on a Reflex in the early 80’s.
Sacramento PITS means family and friends which is everything!
Board Member
Rick Wolff
Rick started riding trials in 1996. He joined PITS in 1996 after the Donner National.
Rick has been a board member since 1997. He has 16 AHRMA Championships: 4 in Trials & 12 Motocross and winning PITS Championships from 1998 through 2018 on Vintage Bikes.
He also have on Sunday championship in senior amateur in 2004.
Rick has organized an a trials event each year since 1997 and been the PITS Event supply organizer since 2004.
Board Member
Ted Gansburger
I’ve been a PITS member for 45 years and a board member since the board was formed.
For more about Ted click HERE to read his NATC hall of fame profile.
Board Member
Paul Master
I joined PITS around 2003 at the Frank Raines Geritol Trial. I still have a very short video clip talking about a couple of 5s but how much fun I was having. This was the next weekend after buying my 2000 Montesa 315R from Adrian.
I rode a few events slowly increasing how far I was going to travel. In 2006 I bought my pop-up trailer (no more trying to sleep in laid back drivers seat).
In the fall of 2005 I decided I was going to try and build an Electric Trials Bike. In 2006 I bought Steve Monaghan's 2000 315R. And by the start of the 2007 season I had iteration 1 of the ETB ready which had 2 miles of range using lead acid batteries and the bike weighed just over 200 lbs. Also came up with the name 'ecotrials' with corresponding logo and catch phrase "Bringing an entirely new meaning to 'clean'". Very long story short, after multiple versions of bikes, frame, batteries, controllers, throttle maps etc, 2023 will be my 17th year of competing on my electric trials bike.
I joined the PITS Board of Directors around 2009 or 2010. Other duties I perform are the Coordinator of the annual competition calendar, Public Relations Director, Master of Ceremonies Awards Dinner, Family Trial Organizer, Training Day Organizer.
Phone- 925.876.9958
Email- ecopmaster@gmail.com
Board Member & Web Mistress
Alison Hermance
I had never been on a motorcycle when I showed up as a guest at the Geritol Trial at the PITS property in 2011. The second I got out of the truck, an organizer ran up and asked if I'd ever been to an event and did I want to check... Having no idea what she was talking about, but always willing to help, I let her lead me to a section. It was so fun! I got to meet everyone in the club and watch the amazing things people can do on trials bikes.
It took three years of attending events and checking before it occurred to me that I could actually ride and compete myself... I got my first bike, a 2002 Sherco 125 in 2014.
Have I progressed since then? Sure! I now ride a Montessa 260 and find myself to be fairly competent until there are tape and markers involved! But that's what I love about trials: no matter what level you are on, there are new skills to learn and practice, and an amazing group of people to cheer and encourage you.
I joined the Board as the Web Mistress in 2017-ish. I now share the job with Erica Pophal. Being part of this club, part of this great Board and part of the trials community has been an incredible experience.
Email: alisonhermance13@gmail.com
Board Member
Mike Slaight
I joined Sacramento PIT’s in 2009. We showed up at our first trials event with my wife Jodi and 2 boys Justin and Riley, then 13 and 11 years old. We knew nobody and nothing about trials. We were welcomed with open arms and we’re met by very friendly people. It was that first impression that I feel makes the PIT’s the wonderful club it is. Over the past 13 years we have enjoyed riding many events and also spent a couple summers traveling all over the US to attend National Trials events. This helped me gain the knowledge, friendships and experience that I have used to organize local PITs events. I was the Youth Trials coordinator from 2015 to 2018 and assisted in the last 2 Nationals the PITs has put on. I became a board member in 2018. I continue to help organize 1 to 2 events per year and also organize the annual awards banquet. When not riding trials I also enjoy Jeeping and riding my dual sport. Please feel free to reach out to me.
Board Member
Mike Lange
My family and I have been active riders and club members since 2016. I'm truly thankful for the opportunities the sport of trials provides for families like ours. I have been fortunate enough to work with many members of our club in the development of our kids trial series, The Small Wheels Championship, of which my daughter is an active participant.
2022 was my first year serving with the Sacramento PITS board of directors. The wellbeing of our club is of paramount importance to me, something I feel we can preserve while fostering healthy growth in the sport. I hope to offer a valuable perspective, drawing on a broad range of professional experience as we continue forward.
Email- tahoelange@gmail.com
Phone- 530-414-0458