BikeTrial Federation

Thank you all for your comments. Regarding a southern venue, as the original post says "Round 4 - Venue to be confirmed - 16th August". As always, we are trying to find new venues. In the last two years, after tough negotiations with various councils we have secured the Blackpool venue and the Shipley Glen venue, as well as participation in the Fort William World Championship events. If anyone knows of venues suitable for a British National event, suitable for all abilities, with ample car parking etc, we would be pleased to know about it. Please don't reply here and take over the thread, but email us at info@biketrialuk.co.uk. The main thing is, we would need to know who owns the land - we see lots of venues that we would like to use but can't find out who actually owns it or how to contact them. We welcome all input, so please do email us with any information.

As the title says:- Cup Series Round 1 - Bracken Rocks, Derbyshire - 19th April Round 2 - Fort William, Scotland - 6th June Round 3 - Blackpool, North Shore - 12th July Round 4 - Venue to be confirmed - 16th August Round 5 - Shipley Glen, Yorkshire - 4th October Championship (part of the UCI World Downhill Championship event) Fort William - 7th June - Rider selection to be made from the Cup event on 6th June. Entry forms will be available in due course from www.biketrialuk.co.uk Looking forward to another good year and hope to see you all there riding to the new rules!

It gives the freedom of choice to more riders. In Adam's case, he won the White route Championship in 2008, he can move up a class if you want him to. However, if you were to feel that he isn't old enough or not yet ready for the green route, then the rules incorporate "Exceptions may be allowed for special reasons, ie age, disability, where permission to remain in a class is requested in writing". A simple email requesting permission to stay in white route would be seriously considered, and in Adam's case as he is only 6, would readily be agreed I am sure. The aim is to stop 'pot-hunters' not to penalise the genuine riders!

Over the past two years the independent Biketrial Federation has been listening to their riders, and carefully watching the national and international biketrial scene. At the Annual Meeting on Friday 28th November all of this was taken into account when planning the Federation's future and 2009 events. Firstly, there will be only one series run by the Federation in 2009. To accommodate the needs of the riders, and the needs of British Cycling for British World Team selection this meant an overhaul of the rules. The Federation's traditional rules were carefully scrutinised alongside the UCI rules, and alongside riders' comments and feedback. We believe that the new Rules for 2009 meet all of those needs. Please do read the rules carefully, but key changes are: Self-selection to classes based on rider's own perceived ability. Section time for all classes will be 2 minutes 30 seconds. Addition of a new class, the "Black" route, placed between Blue and Red. (Riders in this class will in fact ride the traditional Red route; see the next point.) Red and Yellow route riders will incur penalty points for bike parts touching the section; Riders in the White, Green, Blue and Black route will not incur penalty points for bike parts touching. Changes have been made to penalty points regarding crossing the boundary and divider tape. British Cycling has requested that the Biketrial Federation be responsible for UCI World selection. This to be based on: (i) World standings and (ii) Domestic standings. Domestic standings will be based on event results. The selection for 2009 to be completed by early July. Dates and venues for the 2009 series have not yet been completed whilst a calendar is put together of important dates in the school/college/university year and consideration taken of international events. The event calendar will be updated as soon as final plans have been made. The appropriate pages on the biketrial website will be updated as soon as possible, but in the meantime, the Minutes of the Meeting and the 2009 Federation Rules can be viewed from the website's homepage www.biketrialuk.co.uk The Federation's organisers would be very interested to hear your views. Please send any comments to info@biketrialuk.co.uk We hope to see you all at events in 2009 - everyone very welcome!

At the Annual Meeting of the Biketrial Federation, held at British Cycling HQ (the governing body of UCI in the UK) on Friday 28th November, changes were made to the Federation's riding rules which will incorporate the requirements of British Cycling's UCI selection policy, whilst meeting the needs of riders of all age groups. These changes incorporate new classes, the abolition of age groups, riding to ability rather than to age, and riding rules adapted to (i) suit the younger riders and (ii) meet UCI standards. The full Minutes of the Meeting and the full Rules 2009 document are currently in draft format and should be posted on the Biketrial Federation's website later today/tomorrow. There will also be an announcement of a major new sponsor for the 2009 series. www.biketrialuk.co.uk

Results are now on-line for all events and for the Championship here Five venues around the UK, starting at Hook Woods, Surrey in the south, Blackpool on the Lancashire coast, Fort William in the north of Scotland, and the final two rounds centrally in Yorkshire. All brilliant venues and ideal for the biketrial sport. With 297 entries to the events, a total of 145 riders took part in the series from the age of 6 up to 30+. Feedback has been excellent, from riders, observers and landowners. Thanks to everyone taking part, for a great atmosphere at events, and for making the UK National's biketrial competition scene as good as it is! Check out the Events page for the winners of this series. Hope to see you all again in 2009.

You don't say whether you mean on the Saturday or Sunday? As there is no class called "Senior" in Saturday's UCI comp, I'll take it you mean Sunday. Most of the Senior (reds) ride 26", quite a few in there, not too many in Senior 20" though. A 3rd place class win would not necessarily mean that you would move to Elite - each person would be reviewed individually and consulted where appropriate.

Post Code: BD17 5BN Matt, you will need to let the Secretary know if you need to cancel.

Its easy to miss items in news so here is a reminder for those that want to enjoy 2 days of Trials at one of the U.K.’s favorite venues…………….. Venue Shipley Glen. Saturday 4th of October. Final round of the UCI National championships, your chance to ride in the last UCI event of the year recognized by British Cycling. Sunday 5th of October. Final round of the Biketrial Federation’s National Championship. Event and Year end trophies presented on the day. Open to all ages and all abilities. Awards for all classes, separate awards for 20” and 26”. Come and enjoy a great days sport, remember those new to competitions can ride out of class to gain experience.

The end of the year is approaching, so before it gets too cold for camping, come along and join in the two days of trials at Shipley Glen. Day 1 - Saturday 4th October Round 3 Final of the British UCI Trials Championship Day 2 - Sunday 5th October Round 5 Final of the UK National Biketrial Championship Entries and payment available on-line. You do not need any membership or licences to enter either of these events. Everyone is welcome on both or either days, from age 6 upwards. There's even an over 30's class!!! Should be a couple of good days riding, and if you enter both days you save a tenner! www.biketrialuk.co.uk

Entry forms for the next round are being prepared as we type ... 2 days at Shipley Glen - what a way to end the year! Saturday 4th October - 3rd and final round of the British UCI Trials Championship 2008 Sunday 5th October - 5th and final round of the UK National Biketrial Championship 2008 If you're on our mailing list you'll get it in the mail in the next week or so, if you aren't, then it will be availble on-line in the next few days. Hope to see everyone there.

Sunshine has been booked

Online entry and payment now available www.biketrialuk.co.uk

Mods, any chance of posting up our news item - its been with you ages.

Round 4 UK National Championships 20th July 08 Addingham Moorside I am sure this venue needs no introduction. The team will be on site well in advance of the date, plotting sections to suit all levels, making full use of this outstanding venue. Link to entry form page; LINK This year our events have attracted an unparalleled number of competitors, please get your entries in early as it is difficult to deal so many people on the day. Don’t forget there is an excellent camp site just a short distance away at Brown Bank. Just Sunday action at Addingham, the date and venue for the final round of the UCI championship will be announced as soon as possible. Fort William feedback; First off, thanks to all that supported our fort William event. I know it’s a difficult, (expensive), place to get to but I hope you found it worth the effort. We have had nothing but positive comments from those involved in the running of the World Cup. It looks as though Trials will be part of the collective action for the foreseeable future.

And for that, I thank you Ross - you're one of the very few! Calls are still being received tonight from people who want to drop their entries in tomorrow!!! Ok, how to get your free entry passes ... check out the news page on www.biketrialuk.co.uk

A full list of competitors will be sent to the event organisers. Together we will decide on a convenient location for all riders to collect their passes. Once the location has been set info will be placed on our web site and the forum. Keep the entries coming – it’s shaping up to be a great weekend. Fred.

Worth a look................. http://www.fortwilliamworldcup.co.uk/fwwc_home.html

Just put some pointers regarding our Fort William Trial in News, but that area can be overlooked. If you plan to come - please see news section.

Some points about the Fort William event. We have held a Trial in conjunction with the World Cup for some years now at the invitation of the event organisers. Each year has offered something different, from a one off club Trial, to a full on World Championship in 07 to a round of our National Championships in 08. Fort William offers Trials riders one opportunity to savour the excitement of International Downhill and FourX without leaving the U.K. In addition to day time cycling activity there is a full schedule of entertainment planned in the town including live music. Those wishing to compete PLEASE NOTE. Our events enjoy significantly higher entries than any other U.K. series, but entries are becoming more and more difficult to administer to due to competitors entering at the last possible opportunity. At Blackpool we achieved close on 100 competitors, four days before the event we had approximately 20 entries. I have to say I was worried at that point, having looked at numbers attending events held by other organisations around that date, (they achieved very low attendance), was 20 riders a reality that we had to contend with? Fortunately not! Events cannot run without the cooperation of the riders. Out of consideration for those that take the trouble to run comps for you the riders to enjoy, you should submit your entry in good time. Fort William is a special case; Passes for riders and minders/companions need to be allocated. This needs to be done in good time. If you turn up without a pass you will face paying a substantial entrance fee to get into the event, so PLEASE get your entries in early. Entry form can be found through link below. ENTRY FORM

Entry forms will soon be available for our Fort William trials event, held in conjunction with the UCI World Cup, 7th – 8th June. We have already secured the use of much of the equipment used at last years World Championships, including the Nissan rig. There will be sections for all abilities. Where else can you enjoy a Trials comp then relax and watch Downhill or Four X of the highest level? There are events to entertain you most nights in For William including free live music. This is an opportunity to compete in a trial help at the heart of a World class event – it’s not to be missed!

Think I'll observe for the UK round though, and enter the comp on the sunday...Ill let you know barbara. Matt, thanks for the offer, its just what we need, it would make running an event so much easier if only more people would offer to observe prior to the event. Our events attract more riders than many other competitions, but still we struggle to man the sections. I would like to ask those that ride to consider putting something back into the sport and try to bring a friend or family member along to help. Without observers events cannot run, if all those that attended Hook Woods at the weekend supplied an observer once a year the problem would not exist. Let’s hope more people come forward to help at Blackpool, it’s shaping up to be the biggest trials event of the year so far………….. But of course we have Fort William to follow. Fred Savage.

To clear up a small element of confusion that exists over our UCI championship; Currently two rounds are on the calendar, placed early in the year to act as World championship qualification events, there will be a third round later in 08, we are still deciding on a date and venue.

What's your suggestion, neither you or Matt have said what rules you would like applied to comps to accommodate new riders. If its workable we may give it a try, we do not run events with the intention of putting people off. This thread is possibly not the right place for this discussion - start a new one outlining your thoughts and we will see what we can do with your ideas.