OAP Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Hi all im new to the forum but have been doing quite a bit of lurking so i thought it time i posted. I can't yet post in the other areas but I read through a thread regarding age asking 'is such an age too old to get into trials'. I've dipped in and out of trials for years with out much success due to not knowing any other riders and lack of info. It took me several years to of watching a short clip of ot pi at the beginning of a sheffield indoor video to figure out he was propelling himself forward on the rear wheel by a kicking action to his pedals. fast forward about 20 years and with all the info on the internet, stockists like Tarty it couldn't be easier to get into trials!! so at 38 I bought a mod on ebay and tried again. That was last year, I've recently got a new stock and sold my mod. I've got heaps to learn and perfect but im having fun and keeping fit. But I was hesitant initially due to my age and i do feel a bit of a dick riding street (can't see myself in skinny jeans and retro trainers with my undies hanging out) so i stick to natural. I think the sport of trials could benefit a lot from promoting a few of it's older riders. They may not be at the top skills wise but for a someone out there who is 30, 40 or 50 to see someone of a similar age riding is all the encouragement they need. Like i say im 38, run my own business and have very little time. I ride when I can. Yeh I've got aches and injuries, from motox, climing (both sports that have older participants) but that only makes me more determined. If i get a sore shoulder, I sort out why. Recently got into yoga as a result of an injury. Also I was tiring easy so I've started jogging. I suppose what im trying to say is let's have some older riders supported by the manufacturers, shops etc. No one is ever too old. Trials is great fun, keeps you fit and may even get you into other sports aswel. end of ramble. cheers. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JD™ Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Where's the damn vote button in this new skin? Welcome to the forum, great post 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ateam Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Oh you are so young. I have ridden moto trials for @ 25 years and in 1987 I bought a brand new Ot Pi replica mod. There were a few of us that rode bike trials or Trialsn as we called it. I moved to New Mexico (USA) from Texas and kept the bike but didn't ride it. Fast forward many years and about 2 years ago I bought my son a Simtra mod and decided I needed to ride again. I then bought a Planet X Zebdi and loved it. Not much later I went all out and bought a new Meta stock. Since then I have replaced all components and it is perfect for me now. I will be 50 in 3 months and been riding bicycle trials 2 years. My progression is very slow and injuries or aches and pain associated with bike trials has been a challenge for me. However, there are many folks here in the US that are 50 or older. I have competed in several bike trials competitions and a few nationals, it has been a blast. I have been working on conditioning and bought a mountain bike, run some and of course ride. I have attached a couple of videos. The OTN video is pretty old but it was taken for a video trials contest that I started on our forum in the US - www.observedtrials.net Cheers to Trials Forum - Ateam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellingtj Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Hi all im new to the forum but have been doing quite a bit of lurking so i thought it time i posted. I can't yet post in the other areas but I read through a thread regarding age asking 'is such an age too old to get into trials'. I've dipped in and out of trials for years with out much success due to not knowing any other riders and lack of info. It took me several years to of watching a short clip of ot pi at the beginning of a sheffield indoor video to figure out he was propelling himself forward on the rear wheel by a kicking action to his pedals. fast forward about 20 years and with all the info on the internet, stockists like Tarty it couldn't be easier to get into trials!! so at 38 I bought a mod on ebay and tried again. That was last year, I've recently got a new stock and sold my mod. I've got heaps to learn and perfect but im having fun and keeping fit. But I was hesitant initially due to my age and i do feel a bit of a dick riding street (can't see myself in skinny jeans and retro trainers with my undies hanging out) so i stick to natural. I think the sport of trials could benefit a lot from promoting a few of it's older riders. They may not be at the top skills wise but for a someone out there who is 30, 40 or 50 to see someone of a similar age riding is all the encouragement they need. Like i say im 38, run my own business and have very little time. I ride when I can. Yeh I've got aches and injuries, from motox, climing (both sports that have older participants) but that only makes me more determined. If i get a sore shoulder, I sort out why. Recently got into yoga as a result of an injury. Also I was tiring easy so I've started jogging. I suppose what im trying to say is let's have some older riders supported by the manufacturers, shops etc. No one is ever too old. Trials is great fun, keeps you fit and may even get you into other sports aswel. end of ramble. cheers. Keep it going dude. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwarf Shortage Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 As soon as I'm able to find out how to validate you, you can have a vote from me Whereabouts in Lancashire are you from? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAP Posted February 22, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 As soon as I'm able to find out how to validate you, you can have a vote from me Whereabouts in Lancashire are you from? Blackburn. I tend to ride local quarries, but also travel further afield to lake district and yorkshire when i get the time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ateam Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 OAP, need vids sir. Yea, I own my own business and you have to be dedicated to make time to ride. You need to ride with some of your local friends, you will progress quickly. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dwarf Shortage Posted February 22, 2011 Report Share Posted February 22, 2011 Ha, I'm from Rishton, we'll have to ride as soon as I get my bike sorted Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kevind Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Hi Oap, 38 just a boy? 48 this year and just bought an Onza Limey. Both my boys 10 and 13 can kick my ass, but when I do get some time and the bike revenge will be mine!!!I have riden motorbike trials and enduros on and off since I was 14 so a we bit of a back ground but the techniques are different. Need to get fit so training has started. The guys up here are really helpfull and will spend some time helping/laughing at you but its the only way to progress. I probably wont get to ride as I am organising up here and the few we come down your way to do I will be minding for my two, but probably bing the bike just to ride around with them in the novice class. It would be good to see you at a few and ride around together as the rest are cant communicate without a mobile phone in front of them. (just a joke youths before you get all defensive on my ass) I have my own business as well and this year I just have made a few hours a week to ride. Stop for half day on a Friday now to get out on the motorbike to practice. We are lucky to have a garden big enough to have some sections in so they and me soon get out most nights to have a practice. Yes it does hurt alot and it does take alot longer to heal. I have a customer who is a yoga instructer. Do you find it helps? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
quick_spider Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 As soon as I'm able to find out how to validate you, you can have a vote from me Mods can still validate people with one vote at the moment - use the report button if you think someone is worthy of validation and one of the mods will take a look... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OAP Posted February 23, 2011 Author Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 Mods can still validate people with one vote at the moment - use the report button if you think someone is worthy of validation and one of the mods will take a look... Big thanks to anyone who has given me a vote for validation. I posted just to introduce myself and speak up for us older riders. But i suppose it would be good to get validated at some point and contribute where i can on the rest of the forum. Cheers. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin M S/c Posted February 23, 2011 Report Share Posted February 23, 2011 I'm 42 and get out on my trials bike now and again. First rode a comp on a bicyle when I was 12 in 1981 and never lost interest for it after all these years. I bought the latest one to try and keep up with my son but at 9 years old he is kicking my arse bigtime. Still keeps me a bit fit though Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
isitafox Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 I'm 42 and get out on my trials bike now and again. First rode a comp on a bicyle when I was 12 in 1981 and never lost interest for it after all these years. I bought the latest one to try and keep up with my son but at 9 years old he is kicking my arse bigtime. Still keeps me a bit fit though Not just yours, he's a trials machine! Can't wait to see him when he's Jack Carthy's age, will surely be bringing Trials to the masses, I'm surprised British Cycling hasn't picked up on him yet! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ateam Posted February 24, 2011 Report Share Posted February 24, 2011 Hi Oap, 38 just a boy? 48 this year and just bought an Onza Limey. Both my boys 10 and 13 can kick my ass, but when I do get some time and the bike revenge will be mine!!!I have riden motorbike trials and enduros on and off since I was 14 so a we bit of a back ground but the techniques are different. Need to get fit so training has started. The guys up here are really helpfull and will spend some time helping/laughing at you but its the only way to progress. I probably wont get to ride as I am organising up here and the few we come down your way to do I will be minding for my two, but probably bing the bike just to ride around with them in the novice class. It would be good to see you at a few and ride around together as the rest are cant communicate without a mobile phone in front of them. (just a joke youths before you get all defensive on my ass) I have my own business as well and this year I just have made a few hours a week to ride. Stop for half day on a Friday now to get out on the motorbike to practice. We are lucky to have a garden big enough to have some sections in so they and me soon get out most nights to have a practice. Yes it does hurt alot and it does take alot longer to heal. I have a customer who is a yoga instructer. Do you find it helps? Kevind - Huba huba! I started again at 48. There is such a learning curve even with excellent moto trials skills. How is your body holding up? Good job mate - Ateam Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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