To All Those Who Ride Trials!

[Tim Stedman]

To all those who ride trials!

First of all I want to ask you all to ask yourself a question. WHY do you ride you ride trials? Is it beacuse you simply want to have fun and socialise with friends, or is it that you like to push yourself in new and exciting ways, or, perhaps you enjoy the excitement of competition between friends to see whose best?

I ask this because, at all of the national championship rounds this year that I have attended, whether BIU or Biketrial Federation, I have noticed that the turnout has been very low in comparison to years gone by. I remember a national trial at Back Cowm quarry, 2001 I think... Which so far as I remember was the highest turnout national trial I have ever been to. There must have been 100 or more competitors. I cannot remember seeing so many riders at a uk competition since. I remember the introduction of the shoe rule that year pretty much killed the scene dead, in an instant! I didn't understand the decision back then, and I still don't now, but thats a topic for another day. I know now though, that competitions of today seem much more relaxed about the rules of what you can and can't wear and ride. The only stuff you must wear is a helmet, which is self explanatory, and long trousers, which I also think to be reasonable. You dont have to wear gloves, or shoes with ankle protection, so you can pretty much ride in what you would wear on the street. The rules about what bike you ride are now also nicely relaxed, and pretty much anything goes. you dont need working gears anymore (which is a huge relief for me!). So you can ride comps with your bike setup as it would be on the street!

I ask what is stopping you from riding these events? The sections in the last few rounds have been truly incredible! They have had mixes of both natural and street sections, and in each route a good mix of difficulty. Ranging from nice short easy sections all the way up to damn near impossible marathon sections! If there are sections you dont feel you can't do, or feel are too dangerous, you can just take the easy option and not ride it, take a 5 and move on to the next one. Nobody will mind! There is no pressure on anybody to ride any of the sections, the only pressure put on you is from yourself! If you are afraid that people are going to laugh at you when you fall off, then you are probably right! If you fall off in a funny way, you will get laughed at, if you fall off and actually hurt yourself however, there are always qualified first aiders around that can help, and very often some sort of ambulance service on site, so there really is nothing to worry about!

There is always a great social atmosphere at competitons. You can very easily make new friends, and meet some really great new people along the way. There is always the chance to chat with people you may otherwise not normally get to meet on the street, such as Ben Savage, Ali C, and Nicky G. and many many other great names. There aren't many places you can easily and cheaply learn from some of the BEST trials riders in THE WORLD! I should imagine if you wanted a masterclass from these sorts of people they probably wouldn't come cheap!

I wonder why, that for a few sundays a year, that a great many people take the decision to actually go and ride street, instead of riding a competition. These competions provide the very best in combining all aspects of riding. They test your ability to tap, gap and sidehop, along with your aerobic fitness to ride flat out for two minutes, and your stamina to last for the full 20 sections! Your mental strength will also get tested. There will be times when you're mentally and physically tired, and your will power and determination will be pushed far beyond what you thought possible!

Over the course of this year, I have been pondering the issue of there being both the BIU, and Biketrial Federation national championships. This is an issue which for me actually put me off riding them. After riding in both different series though, I can attest to them both being very well run, with both sections and riders being of the highest standard! I feel despite whatever politics is going on, you could always just ride both! If both become well subscribed this can only be a good thing for the future of the sport, because when they do come together, what has been learned by each party can be contributed towards a much greater series of national rounds. Maybe thats a topic for another discussion though!

I hope that by now you can see that whatever reason you do ride trials, you should still be able to enjoy and have a lot of fun at competions. I hope to see some of you street beasts testing your mettle against the sections sometime soon!

I thank you all for your comments in advance. If you really dont want to ride competitions, and its not your thing, then thats fine! If you would like to ride them, but dont like something about them, then please be brutally honest! I should imagine the organisers would be only too happy to hear how their events can be improved!

Tim Stedman.

[AdamR28]

First off, great post Tim! I agree with almost every point.

I wonder why, that for a few sundays a year, that a great many people take the decision to actually go and ride street, instead of riding a competition.

I think this could be down to accessibility? I know that before I drove, it was really hard to get around to ride new spots/natural venues - relying on parents for lifts (who have nothing to do for 4-5 hours unless they are interested in trials too, hardly appealing to them!)... On the flip side, a train journey lands you in the middle of a city/town and you have riding within a few minutes.

My guess is that the average age of 'street' riders (people who usually ride street) is much lower than that of 'natural' riders. I reckon this is for a few reasons but one of the main ones could be travelling issues. Every rider I know who has had the chance to ride a quality natural spot in decent weather with good company has LOVED the challenge, the almost instant progression in their riding and the stress-free atmosphere (no security!)...

Anyway, bit of a tangent there, but I look forward to seeing other's replies Nice one!

[Tim Stedman]

Thanks Adam,

You're definitely right right about the accessability thing, and it will always be an issue. Thankfully now though, with the invention on the internet, and with a bit of forward planning, it is much easier to find other riders that are going to the same place, or travel to somewhere that you can be picked up from. I expect with the aid of trials-forum, should a rider wish to get to a competition, all he needs to do is ask. More often than not there will be other riders going the same way, that can offer lifts or help with travel arrangements in some way.

I agree with that second point whole heartedly, I can't think of many street riders, if any at all, that have ridden natural, and have not enjoyed it. Also, even if you dont find it fun, or dislike it, at least you can say you tried!

[bikeperson45]

I ride trials pretty much because I have nothing to do

[Tom_]

I took an interest in bikes when I was about 11, rolling around on a muddy fox, one of my brothers friends rode trials and I decided to learn to wheely off stuff. I did it mostly too look cool (lol) but after a while I got a 20 inch bike and started wheelying off stuff on that. This was before I had any sort of internet access, so basically all my riding was for a year or so was wheelieing off things, and bashing up them, obviously this became rather boring after a while so I stopped and rode a 24" jump bike for a long while. However I missed trials, I find that the people in it on the whole are friendlier and the entire comunity as a whole tends to group together and act as just that- a comunity.

So for the past (6months or so?) I have been riding "proper" trials on the streets (and attempting to ride oxford rock, which is about as close to natural as Iv ever been) I think that I (and maybe others aswell) feel that Im not really of a standard to ride comps yet, I know there are different levels and what not but I dont know, even on group rides I am concious of my riding (silly, I know) but I would say alot of its about confidence, riding with 2 or 3 people you know very well on your local homebase pallets is different (I imagine) to riding in front of a fair few people at a comp.

I have been wholeheartedly considering signing up though, but I would like to experience some natural riding first, just to get a feel of it. I and no doubt many others am/are very uneducated as far as trials comps go and I have no idea reallllyyy how it all works, other than the whole 5 dabs thing.

I think itd be a good idea to whack up a couple of sites for people to look at find out how to register/what not, Im sure in typing that Im being very silly as there are no doubt links and things alllll over the forum, but for people who read it and are inspired by what I can only describe as one of the best posts Iv seen on here in a veryy long while it may be usfull to add a couple of links for them to click on (half the forum are un-naturaly lazy)

Thats my (no doubt badly spelt/punctuated) 2 cents.

Edited July 19, 2008 by Tom_

[Ben John-Hynes]

I think Adam got it spot on with his first post, accessibility plays a major part in the turn-out of events.

I don't drive, and don't really like getting the train by myself.

In the posts about competitions in the News/Rides and locations threads, it would be nice to see information about where the nearest train station is and maybe directions from that station.

And I think that the idea of turning up to a place and being told what and how to ride isn't a great feeling, maybe set up a few little sections to mess about and do what you want on. This may spur competition rider's friends to come along, have a look at the sections and take part, and if not, they can ride the other mess about section.

And maybe a BBQ too

Ben

[Ash-Kennard]

i have never found a tap in a hampshire comp, gaps are always small, lots of awkward sidehops and basically just riding in mud. boring as f**k, hence my lack of participation there. if i could afford to travel around, i would do the nationals because they look soo much better

[bikeperson45]

I've never ridden natural just because I don't have any near me. Im not allowed to travel futher than I can on my trials bike pretty much (singlespeed ) I would like to give natural a go. Street on the other hand, is right outside more door.

[Davetrials]

mud and stones, pissed me off far to much, i really hated the "scene" it was to formal nobody talked to you, i found that alot people just rode past you and said hello, did their section and f**ked off, there was a select few who actually seem to have some fun.

koxxdays is a laugh with all the british, nobody seems to care there, but british comps bore the hell out of me.

i find when i go on a big street ride, i have a f**king mint day, i do nothing but laugh and have fun.

when i go to a comp i get pissed of, get bored and get coverd in mud, and have to pay £40 for a sandwhich.

no poundsavers in hook woods!!

[robster]

Price of fuel, the split in the two camps ruined it for me and I am part of it!!!!!

Still I am going to Addingham tomorrow to do the national it will be ace, can't wait.

JP

[manuel]

Is it beacuse you simply want to have fun and socialise with friends, or is it that you like to push yourself in new and exciting ways...

...

...dont like something about them, then please be brutally honest! I should imagine the organisers would be only too happy to hear how their events can be improved!

the national comp I went to (hook woods where Tim Kameled his frame ...) this year, had a pretty low turn out, there werent enough observers (and none of the competitive dads would give up rolling round with their sons to do it) which meant that sections were cut... Im pretty sure that the right number of observers could be arranged in advance and not just rely on people to make up the numbers on the day.

It seemed to me to be a fairly competitive atmosphere (the dads again) with shouting and anger. and as a spectator it didnt really go down well with me. obviously there were many people going round having a laff which was cool ... but above all the BIU rules are a massive let down to the riding - people go to the guard and pedal on purpose - even if they could go to the wheels - its crap to watch and crap to ride. yes if i did compete I could attempt to go clean through the sections (which would give me a shite score i would imagine with a lot of 5's) but whats the point - I may as well just go out and ride on my own. also like everyone else is saying - travel costs prevent it being easy to get to places far away regularily.

Its not all bad but having been to a couple of nationals there is nothing at the moment that would get me personally competing in this country right now.

[Bearded Midget]

the only reason i dont go to the british rounds is because i cant get transport. I go to the essex bike trial rounds and always have a good day out though

[Tim Stedman]

I think that I (and maybe others aswell) feel that Im not really of a standard to ride comps yet

Theres no set standard of how good you need to be to ride comps. If you speak to the organisers beforehand about this, and have a good walk round the sections before the trial starts, you can actually choose what route you want to ride on the day. You will find that by riding competitions, your riding will dramatically improve after even the first one! I know its scary to jump in at the deep end, but unfotunately sometimes its best way to learn!

In the posts about competitions in the News/Rides and locations threads, it would be nice to see information about where the nearest train station is and maybe directions from that station.

A truly excellent idea. Well said.

I think that the idea of turning up to a place and being told what and how to ride isn't a great feeling

You're right there, and I agree that would suck! Thankfully you can choose what route you ride, whether you want to ride the sections, and how you ride them. Everybody attacks the sections differently, some better than others. Its up to you to choose how you ride each section, and thats really the point. The person who has the best ideas about how to ride the sections and executes them most efficiently wins. Most importantly, YOU have the the choice of what you ride, and how you ride it. Aslong as you stick to the route that you've decided on at the start.

above all the BIU rules are a massive let down to the riding - people go to the guard and pedal on purpose - even if they could go to the wheels - its crap to watch and crap to ride.

Some people are always going to take the easy option. I personally believe its best to ride the section without using the pedals or bashguard if possible, because its faster and easier. I wouldn't get caught up in how others ride their sections though, you are best off just concentrating on your own riding, improving it so you can beat the safety bashers!

Its not all bad but having been to a couple of nationals there is nothing at the moment that would get me personally competing in this country right now.

what would make you want to ride them? If people are willing to say what they want, then the organisers may be able to do something about it!

the national comp I went to (hook woods where Tim Kameled his frame ...) this year

oops :$

It did a good couple of years service before that. I should get just as long out of my new frame, but I wont be riding it into dirt walls this time!

the only reason i dont go to the british rounds is because i cant get transport. I go to the essex bike trial rounds and always have a good day out though

Its great to hear that there are people out there who do really enjoy club comps. I think for the most part, those who do ride comps always have a good time. There are always going to be those that dont like competing for whatever reason, but the vast majority of those that do ride them, or have tried them have enjoyed them.

[Davetrials]

the national comp I went to (hook woods where Tim Kameled his frame ...) this year, had a pretty low turn out, there werent enough observers (and none of the competitive dads would give up rolling round with their sons to do it) which meant that sections were cut... Im pretty sure that the right number of observers could be arranged in advance and not just rely on people to make up the numbers on the day.

It seemed to me to be a fairly competitive atmosphere (the dads again) with shouting and anger. and as a spectator it didnt really go down well with me. obviously there were many people going round having a laff which was cool ... but above all the BIU rules are a massive let down to the riding - people go to the guard and pedal on purpose - even if they could go to the wheels - its crap to watch and crap to ride. yes if i did compete I could attempt to go clean through the sections (which would give me a shite score i would imagine with a lot of 5's) but whats the point - I may as well just go out and ride on my own. also like everyone else is saying - travel costs prevent it being easy to get to places far away regularily.

Its not all bad but having been to a couple of nationals there is nothing at the moment that would get me personally competing in this country right now.

ull usually find me being very offensive to some of the bigger boys, as all they seem to do is fag out and take the girls approach, thats hardly pushing ur self is it?

f**k YOU BIU

arms up high for UCI lol

[Tim Stedman]

ull usually find me being very offensive to some of the bigger boys, as all they seem to do is fag out and take the girls approach, thats hardly pushing ur self is it?

f**k YOU BIU

arms up high for UCI lol

mud and stones, pissed me off far to much, i really hated the "scene" it was to formal nobody talked to you, i found that alot people just rode past you and said hello, did their section and f**ked off, there was a select few who actually seem to have some fun.

koxxdays is a laugh with all the british, nobody seems to care there, but british comps bore the hell out of me.

i find when i go on a big street ride, i have a f**king mint day, i do nothing but laugh and have fun.

when i go to a comp i get pissed of, get bored and get coverd in mud, and have to pay £40 for a sandwhich.

no poundsavers in hook woods!!

Dave, clearly you dislike BIU comps. Firstly, if you think that all the top boys take the girls approach to some obstacles, by not riding against them in the competitions surely thats an even more 'girly' approach. If you feel you have a better way, then come along and beat the top boys at there own game. I expect what youll find is that the top guys that take the 'girls approach' know something you clearly dont about the section, and are taking the best option to them to gain the least points. Competitions are as much about strategy as they are about the riding itself.

I personally think your negative attitude towards the competition scene is most likely what stops you enjoying competitions. If you dont like them, dont go. Just plain bitching about them will get you nowhere. If you have any suggestions a to how they can be better, then voice them.

[_Owen.]

I would absolutely love to try comps, i really really would. But they all seem to be soo far away, it would be impossible to get there, unless i fancy leaving in the middle of the night to get there for the early start.

I have thought about getting the train over to somewhere and staying in a b and b or something, but the cost, along with traveling and entering would be insane.

If there was a comp closer to where i live, i would almost deffinately enter.

So basically that post is just elaberating on what others have said.

I ride street because there are a good few spots within about 2 mins of where i live, so its easy and free (unless my bike breaks!) to ride, bairly and traveling and some ok places to go mean there is no desperate need to travel for hours on end and spend a heel of alot of money to go to comps!

However, if there a will there a way, one day i WILL go to a comp!

Owen

[Tim Stedman]

However, if there a will there a way, one day i WILL go to a comp!

Thats the spirit! I'm sure you probably wouldn't need to spend all that much money doing it. Just think about it all properly and plan it all well in advance. There are more than likely others near you, that ride comps, that could help you out with travel arrangements.

[JonMack]

I ride trials because I enjoy it, and I like meeting new people, who have turned into some of my best friends.

I've always had a big interest in bikes, and from the age of about 11 I was building my own, be it jump bike, or XC rig, I was always riding. I started trials because it looked hard, and cool at the same time. Bought an Onza T-Pro in about 2002 and learnt how to pedal kick. I sold that and built up a CBR Gatecrasher with trials spec. Then in christmas 2002 I got a Koxx Levelboss frame, in the summer of 2003 I was working full time, so I got a chance to buy lots of nice bits for it, I was then offered a trade for a Megamo, and I did so. After about 6 months I gave up, because there was no one else to ride with. I didn't know any trials riders, I was only 15-16 years old so couldn't really travel to Bristol on my own (plus I worked at weekends, not good for rides) so I NEVER got to ride with anyone else. Needless to say I never improved, so I gave up and sold up (add to the fact I was about 5ft2, trying to ride a 1065 frame, just wasn't happening).

Fast forward to the beginning of the second year of uni and I had just got my student loan. I bought a Koxx XTP mod off BenLee on here after lots of thought and planning, and never rode it, I wanted to, but Newport isn't the nicest place in the world, and again I had no one to ride with, but I was 19 years old, bigger, stronger, and had a bit more determination. As soon as I moved back to Weston I got in touch with some BMXers and asked if they knew any trials riders, from this I got my friend Ben's myspace. I arranged a ride with him and within a few weeks we were riding almost every day after work, until the end of summer, when I moved back up to uni. Again I wanted to ride, but couldn't, I had a huge bedroom so decided to nab some pallets and start riding. I got a bit of cash together and built up my Megamo which was awesome fun to ride, was a real challenge going from a compy XTP to an 8 year old Megamo, but I loved it. Uni finished and I moved back to Weston. I had ridden the Megamo a couple of times properly (first real ride on it was the DJ ride, not a great place to get used to a bike) but I still had the basics and was improving. I had always wanted a Dob as soon as I saw the 07 models, so when the opportunity arose to be able to get hold of one I grabbed it with both hands. Since then I've been riding at least two evenings a week and most weekends. I'm loving trials and at the moment I'm improving quite a lot which really makes me happy. But the reason I can't get to comps will always be the same, transport.

My mate Ben can drive, but he doesn't enjoy natural that much, I can't drive and the last thing I want to do is rely on my dad to take me to a comp where I end up breaking my bike within a few sections and having a shitty day. I also feel as if I'm only just getting to a level where I would be able to ride comps well. I've been riding since 2002 and I still suck but yeah, most of the events are a long way away from me, and it's pretty much impossible for me to get them, if I were to get a train chances are I'd have to stay overnight on the Saturday and Sunday nights somewhere, because it would take so long to get back that I might not make it back to weston in the evening, meaning I'd end up getting an open return. f**k knows how much an open return to Oxford would be, plus accomodation for 2 nights. I know I could probs find someones house to kip at but I don't know many riders very well and wouldn't expect for someone to put me up for 2 nights.

Basically what I'm trying to say is I can't afford to come to comps, they're all too far away. I dunno if the south west series are still running, if they are, I'd love to do some, but with the nearest comp being Hook Woods the chances of me riding them are slim to none, plus I know there are so many riders better than me its kinda intimidating.

But yeah, it's all good and hopefully one day I will get to some comps, if I can find someone to drive me.

Awesome post though man, we need more like this!

Cheers,

Jon

[Luke Rainbird]

My $0.02:

I definitely want to try and get to some more comps in the coming year or so. I've really enjoyed the chances I've had to ride natural lately, and the single comp I attended before was a really good day.

Transport isn't a massive issue, as I have a car and a railcard, but it can be really expensive if there aren't comps close to you. However, with the riders in this country being so spread out, it's really hard to get a series of comps near to everyone. Obviously organisers want to keep their series in a fairly tight area where possible (in the case of most regional/club scenes at least) which means that it's always the same select few riders who can attend easily.

In order for competitions to get higher turnouts, they need to be made as accessible as possible. A good spread of locations, low prices and relaxed feel will all help to draw in riders

I also think it'd be good to get more 'un-natural' comps sorted. When most people think about the competetive side of our sport, they'll imagine a smattering of rocks and logs and nothing else.

If you think back to the Exeter Indoor event, it was pretty much all mam made from what I can remember, and I've not heard one single bad word against it.

It seems that the comp scene needs to draw in new riders, most of who ride street only at the mo, so why not try to get more of this style of event going, so riders are still getting to ride what they are more 'used to', but bringing in a comp style format to the ride?

I discussed (albeit briefly) the possibility of organising an event in Bristol (the large open area in Castle Park to be precise). Getting in a load of objects, much in the style of the DJ rides/demos, and having perhaps a pound or two entry fee just to cover costs. The public could watch, it'd be both a demo and a competition, but above all it'd be a day or two of having fun on our bikes

Something along those lines, in a few locations and covering as many people as possible, would really open things up a bit, and maybe get higher levels of participation than most 'normal' comps are getting currently

People don't want to feel like they're in a totally new and unusual situation very much, so by giving a few different styles of event many more people will likely show an interest, the number of people looking into the current comp format will rise, and trials will get more public publicity (which can only be a good thing)

[bikeperson45]

Ryan Leech says he dosen't like the set up of comps

[thefletch]

To be completely honest I'd say its because its more difficult.

Street riders who can sidehop 50" are used to going to street rides and people telling them how good they are; if they went to a comp they'd realise they are probably average.

This remark isn't intended to undeter the people here who feel affraid of going because they don't feel good enough, everyone should get good support, and we could do with more people riding comps. I just feel street riders who have never ridden any hard natural know they will suck and where they are used to being better than that on the street scene, don't want their pride taking a battering.

Its the same with some of the 'natural' videos on here. Alot are on big, perfectly square rocks. Whats the difference between sidehopping that, and sidehopping a wall? Its not technical like comps are.

[_Owen.]

Ryan Leech says he dosen't like the set up of comps

In that case, ill never ever ride a comp!

Owen

[psycholist]

I would guess a lot of people ride trials (And take part in other obscure sports) as a direct reaction to being fed up with being pushed to compete by the existing infrastructure of every other sport they've tried but like pushing themselves physically and mentally without all the politics and stress involved in trying to be 'better' than someone else. I'm pretty sure I wouldn't be riding trials or possibly not even MTB's if everyone else was doing it already...

The question I'd ask though is not why loads of people are riding trials and not competing but where all the people that used to compete gone and why have they left?

In terms of attending events I would turn up to a competition/event if it was near me, but the idea of sitting in a car for hours each way (To get to a trials competition from where I live would involve a flight or ferry though) has put me off - it's a dislike of sitting in cars/spending a lot of time traveling that makes me like cycling so much in the first place. I will however travel about 200km each way every so often for a weekend riding trials when I can stay over in a friend's house and the forecast looks good ...

[Chris Elson]

i have never found a tap in a hampshire comp, gaps are always small, lots of awkward sidehops and basically just riding in mud. boring as f**k, hence my lack of participation there. if i could afford to travel around, i would do the nationals because they look soo much better

yep ture!

[manuel]

I just feel street riders who have never ridden any hard natural know they will suck and where they are used to being better than that on the street scene

may be true - but how many street riders do you know, who know how to smash through stuff on their guard and pedals? or for that matter who know how to climb up something with one foot on the obstacle and dangling the other on the right side of the bike ala stratodab? I love to ride a bit of natural every now and again - and yes I suck big time - but i never go out bash into stuff or pick stuff i need to bash.

Trials and trials bikes have moved on... the BIU rules worked for the sport in its infancy because to get over anything slightly tech or bigger than a meter was amazing using the guard or not. This no longer applies - I think it is now unnacceptable in a competition to purposefully land on the guard or pedals - either just for a rest or just for safety...

Who is going to drive 400 miles to ride in a comp where they arent actually competing against anyone else there because they are using a different set of rules ? no-one

I think more than likely the street rider who can hop 50" could get quite good at natural, but is given no real reason to take up the challenge.

just a thought