Why Dont You?

[El Cristoff]

I Ride 24", and isnt 24" bikes illigal for comps?

[chrishayton]

1. Comps are pretty much to determine who is the best - I already know I'am the best.

2. Sections are too easy for me - especially the natural ones ...

3. People just don't take them seriously enough.

4. Nobody wears full lycra jumpsuits and pixie boots in fluro colours any more so I don't fit in.

I IS A LIAR

lol

I really should enter more comps, I entered one tyketrial and really enjoyed it. I dont drive though so getting to comps is awkward and have to rely on other people. Add to this im always confused about if i need a licence anymore? and now being at uni it just seems like too much effort

edit, pretty much agree with everything mark just put up there. although theres one guy who rode a onza t pro who was hilarious, especially when his dad offered to wrap his bike round his neck infront of a huge group of riders

Edited October 8, 2008 by chrishayton

[Mark W]

I Ride 24", and isnt 24" bikes illigal for comps?

Not any more, but I don't think you can actually win stuff overall, if I read the rules right? Last time I read them I thought you had to ride a sort of 'out of class' category or something?

[Jamie_Neal]

I enter comps and its a great laugh. I love the UK nationals... mostly because I'm now the UK Senior 20" Champion?

Having gone to most of the UK nationals this year, I must say that I've enjoyed all of them even though I haven't ridden/finished overly well (possibly due to going with Dave and going out the night before most of them). There is a great atmosphere and all of the ones I've been to its been dry(ish) as I missed Addingham. I've found that they have definately helped my riding and I'm well up for next year, especially as Tim, Matt, Mike and Dave (some if not all) will go up to elite it should be interesting to watch.

The traveling is an issue, mainly why I didn't do any when I was at Uni, but now it is less of an issue although it still costs a fair amount for the whole weekend.

[Fishy]

I would start going to comps, but travelling is a massive ballache. So I don't bother.

[Luke Rainbird]

Not any more, but I don't think you can actually win stuff overall, if I read the rules right? Last time I read them I thought you had to ride a sort of 'out of class' category or something?

Not what my mantelpiece says

[Dave Anscombe]

BECAUSE the hampshire comps are wet muddy and pooooo.......i like to ride proper sections (boulders) ect ect......most of the good comps are up north .....i cant get to any of the good comps.......IM NOT A COMPETATIVE PERSON EITHER....

I LOVE NATURAL THOUGH.......

Dave

x

[N.Wood]

1. Getting there plus my own personal laziness usually means I can't go unless someone else can give me a lift. Its often not feasible to go via train to a field in the middle of nowhere.

2. I don't like rules

3. People take it too seriously. The one and only comp i've entered we were told by the observer to take it more seriously. (Rich, this happened to be a Tupman comp...)

4. Riding in mud doesn't interest me. Rocks, indoor comps (especially man made ones such as the Exeter comp, really wish I could have gone) and such would be what I'm interested in riding.

[mr ailsbury]

Used to ride comps, but it was just a massive pain getting there/getting back in the end and some people took them wayyyy to seriously so I ended up stopping was quite fun though

I remember going to like an indoor thing that someone organized in Llandudno i think it was, few years back, not a comp but it was absolutly wicked well worth the treck!

[PaRtZ]

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Trials-Forum Video -> Full View • Download • Upload

Used to ride comps, but it was just a massive pain getting there/getting back in the end and some people took them wayyyy to seriously so I ended up stopping was quite fun though

I remember going to like an indoor thing that someone organized in Llandudno i think it was, few years back, not a comp but it was absolutly wicked well worth the treck!

Yeah that was the fruits of the very brief - Freeride trials club we had. Im afraid that event wont be happening again. Ive still got the video to that comp too:

eegoendidee

Edited October 9, 2008 by PaRtZ

[Cookyboy]

1. Getting there plus my own personal laziness usually means I can't go unless someone else can give me a lift. Its often not feasible to go via train to a field in the middle of nowhere.

2. I don't like rules

3. People take it too seriously. The one and only comp i've entered we were told by the observer to take it more seriously. (Rich, this happened to be a Tupman comp...)

4. Riding in mud doesn't interest me. Rocks, indoor comps (especially man made ones such as the Exeter comp, really wish I could have gone) and such would be what I'm interested in riding.

True that! I got told to be more serious and to try harder! when i purely went for a good laf and to meet a few people, not to take anythin to seriously or try and beat anyone, or even to really try and ride my best!! Everyone seems to take it to serious these days! Its just no fun, i would rather organise to go and ride somewhere further away with some good mates, knowing that i was going to have a good laugh and get some good riding done!

[PaRtZ]

True that! I got told to be more serious and to try harder! when i purely went for a good laf and to meet a few people, not to take anythin to seriously or try and beat anyone, or even to really try and ride my best!! Everyone seems to take it to serious these days! Its just no fun, i would rather organise to go and ride somewhere further away with some good mates, knowing that i was going to have a good laugh and get some good riding done!

you were possibly told that because the person thought you had the capability of winning if you tried hard? But to be honest I'd take the same reaction as you, no one can 'make you' take a comp seriously especially if its not the reason you're there. I can understand if that sort of action makes you not want to go, but I've never been told that myself.

[N.Wood]

you were possibly told that because the person thought you had the capability of winning if you tried hard? But to be honest I'd take the same reaction as you, no one can 'make you' take a comp seriously especially if its not the reason you're there. I can understand if that sort of action makes you not want to go, but I've never been told that myself.

He probably could have, but thats not why we ride trials. If he tried his hardest to win, I don't think we would have had such a laugh.

I guess thats an isolated incident, but occured on my first and only comp and although it hasn't put me off them, its just another reason why we should shred the gnar locally.

[Rusevelt]

Because competition riding is non important than having the freedom and opportunity to ride at one's own leisure. In any dedicated sport, the majority groups of participants will always favor those who do it for the love sport, as opposed to the minority groups who are motivated by money, or to prove themselfs who is the best. But you can look at this topic in so many perspectives ie; if there was prize money in competition bike trials that was significantly greater than downhill racing or freeride, how many those currently competing in those disciplines would switch to trials riding?

[Jamie_Neal]

Because competition riding is non important than having the freedom and opportunity to ride at one's own leisure. In any dedicated sport, the majority groups of participants will always favor those who do it for the love sport, as opposed to the minority groups who are motivated by money, or to prove themselfs who is the best. But you can look at this topic in so many perspectives ie; if there was prize money in competition bike trials that was significantly greater than downhill racing or freeride, how many those currently competing in those disciplines would switch to trials riding?

Yet more and more street riders go for the biggest taps, sidehops and gaps they can and currently I would say that they are probably the majority in terms of the type of riding done in trials. It seems that most people who ride go out to push themselves and the people they ride with yet they don't do it in a comp format where you are judged.

I know what you're saying in that generally in sports, there is a small percentage the competes yet there is a large majority that just does it for fun/fitness.

I think in trials it could be different as most of the people who ride trials have the ability to enter a comp and would probably do better than me (making it through two sections is good for me) its just most people prefer too ride street in an informal situation. It would be nice if more people tried comps as they are fun and definately a challenge (I usually ignore the people who take it too seriously).

[Rich Pearson]

He probably could have, but thats not why we ride trials. If he tried his hardest to win, I don't think we would have had such a laugh.

I guess thats an isolated incident, but occured on my first and only comp and although it hasn't put me off them, its just another reason why we should shred the gnar locally.

Duuno what the score was with said observer (was it me just out of curiosity?) but I'm fairly sure that would have been a case of words out of context. Come up to Botter Rock on the 26th and we'll have a proper laugh mate

Rich

[ben_travis]

Distance is the primary factor for me.

I work full time, i have a girlfriend, i have a mortgage, and most competitions (except for 1/year are held 5-6hrs minimum away from me. Which for the day equates to about £80 - £100 petrol as a return journey for the day, means setting off at about 3am minimum, getting home aobut 10-12pm.

Simple as that really.

However, other things that i feel stop me heading to comps is the politics of the competition scene at the moment, two british championships, UCI rules at some comps, BIU at others. I understand a competition is about competing against someone, however in such a minority sport the competitions should be more user friendly.

I would like to see more streety sections (as seen at fort bill world cups). Even if it is logs piled up. Sections more like the UCI world cup trials events. I think this would draw the TGS lot a little more, thus increasing the size of the events, thus leading to bigger and better competitions.

In the UK we have some of the best riders in the world. I have no doubt about that. However, to get these guys to come to comps, they need to be made a little more rideable and varied for them. A competition to me, should include riding bicycles over a variety of sections, not purely natural.

Look at moto trials, the different stuff they have in their events is crazy. We should be aiming to be more like that. IMO

[aener]

I ride a 24", I'm shit, and I'm really shy.

[ben_travis]

I ride a 24", I'm shit, and I'm really shy.

none of them excuses should stop you riding competitions thought.....

• you can ride out of class and just ride for ridings sake
• everyone was 'shit' at some point in time, i remember the days when i thought axle height ups was the best thing on the planet
• meeting new people and facing your confidence issues face on. If you go out and speak to new folk, your confidence will improve. EDIT: then you can be an arsehole like me haha.

Edited October 10, 2008 by ben_travis

[Dan-Walker]

i used to ride comps, but never really liked em that much

i get bored half way through lol

and i take them too serious, cus i wana do well...so i end up not enjoying it

[Balthazor]

I'd love to enter a comp but i've no chance of getting to one unless i got a lift, as i dont drive pluss im not close to any. I think the nearest would be Yorkshire area, but id defo like to try just for the hell of it, i would'nt care if i came last or first to be honest, just think it would be a great day out and chance to meet some new people, and see in the flesh some great riders..

[PaRtZ]

none of them excuses should stop you riding competitions thought.....

yeah! everyone goes to just chat bollocks with everyone else!

Dave kerr goes to try and pull 40 year old wives

[N.Wood]

Duuno what the score was with said observer (was it me just out of curiosity?) but I'm fairly sure that would have been a case of words out of context. Come up to Botter Rock on the 26th and we'll have a proper laugh mate

Rich

Nah it wasn't you Rich, was some bey who looked like Steve Peat.

Anyways, I'll come up to Botter Rock if I can get a lift, I know a couple of people are going so hopefully I'll be there too

[eskimo]

I also would like to ride in comps. The last time i considered it there were loadsa rules like ankle guards being needed and shit. But i'm the same with most people, it's effort to sort it out. And as it's not right in front of me i can't be bothered. Also 3 hours driving time by myself, no thanks.

[Maximus]

B, getting there.

The best comp i went was Andrie burton's indoor event, now that was a comp. It had music and it was just realy fun and cool, compaired with the other comps ive done. Please get him to do another one!!!!!!

max