British Round 2 Devon

[Waynio]

hes a man of the world though is kenny!!! he ha sbeen there and done that i dont need to read the interview i know how he works and how much of a kool character he is, he is like any joe public he puts himself about because he is HE not because he wants to win everything and HAS to win or it could be life or death, this is how some of the riders in trials can be misinterpretated.

the quiet and keen amongst people and trials riders usually become the best, it is deffinatly the case in Kenny's case and im sure will be in Ben Savage's way too.

but i do agree with what you have said rich! i owe you a beer the very next time i see you my man

i probably spent a full days worth of hours with Kenny & Wesley Belaey in Marseille and it was the best and most fun time of my life, i got to speak and ride and chill with what i would consider the MOST professional PRO trials riders, SO WHAT!!! Wesley may not be multi world champion BUT he comes across level headed and a super kool guy same as Kenny. thats what i like to see, and hopefully at some point this year i think me and ben would possibly travel to belgium to ride/train and hopefully compete in a belgian competition the invite was put upon us and it is something that i wouldnt ever thought i would have been able to dream of doing!!!! would be good to see how the competition scene works overseas, instead of the bitching and stuff that goes on in this country, i know when i come back from Auz back in 2002, it was different over there, everyone was mates and everyone had a laugh and wanted to see each other ride. it truely was amazing. they auzzies i have to say made me feel so at home and we all had a great time and most of all had fun 24/7!!!!

i would like to see it in this country but i think its miles away. one thing i do like to see, that UCI DH,4X etc has incorporated trials into their bikt VERY exciting to be doing events alongside larger biking events of different disiplines.

Waynio............................

[tank_rider]

I wasn't at the devon event, but wanted to add my opinions to the whole future of trials competitions discussion.

I agree with some aspects of what both Dave and Wayne have said. It must be extremely difficult to arrange large events to which large numbers of the general public attend, especially with the locations that most trials are held. I agree with Dave that it for trials to become a larger entity a united front needs to be presented and a single universal set of rules decided upon. I know this would be difficult and i don't know the details behind the reason there are currently two different bodies involved, but having a single larger body governing trials in the country would certainly be more beneficial.

Onto the getting the general public to events, the only realistic way to raise the profile of trials and get people regularly attending to spectate is to piggyback off other larger cycling events that already exist. The bike shows are a prime example of where this happens successfully with the trials arenas always surrounded by a crowd when there are people riding. Integrating trials into events such as the national XC series would certainly raise the awareness of trials hugely, as has been done with dirt jumping and dual at dowhill/xc events in the past.

I see trials being ignored ever year st the BUSA (university) events, which already include xc, dh and now some dual. There is certainly no lack of trials riders at university, as i'm still discovering current or former trials riders around the loughborough campus on a regular basis. The main reason cited to the reason no trials is included is down to the organisation factor, no-one is willing to put the effort in to organise the events. This is where people like dave and wayne are certainly taking posative steps in the same direction, however there are some aspects that need addressing to improve the events. Certainly some publicity wouldn't go amiss, local advertising in papers or fliers etc will generate some interest. Also decent clear signing to events is a must, not only does it allow people to easily find the venues, but it also generates intrigue amongst the public, seeing a large sign to an event may get them to look up and see what is going/went on, the initial hook, which is currently severely missing. Finally having facilities available at events is a must if you want to get the public to attend. The hiring of toilets and arranging of burger vans etc make events a lot more enticing and personally actual enable me to compete (medical condition means i need to be able to get to a toilet regularly). These things will help get people interested, turn up to events, then retain their support, no-one wants to turn up to an event, then have to piss in a bush, and not be able to buy some refreshments.

Their my views on the whole shebang, make of them what you will, if you don't agree, that fine and please add your opinions

[totaltrials]

yer they are dam good points tank rider and the whole trials integrated with DH and XC at UCI events is a dam god thing.

[F-Stop Junkie]

Without wishing to get too far off topic, trials will never be big, because there's almost no-one marketing it. Without Martyn Ashton, it would struggle to get into MBUK, and without that it would be dead.

MBUK/The Bike Show is the only outlet which has really given trials a chance, and I realise this has now been joined by NASS and the Cycle Show, but without MBUK trials would not have had the push it has and a lot of us wouldn't be here doing trials at all.

Almost no-one in Torquay knew the trials national was on because no-one told them! Same goes everywhere in the country. The only way that this would ever change would be if we had a Tony Hawk or Mat Hoffman figure who the mainstream accepted and would follow. This would then be followed by others, more people would go to events, more bikes would be sold, more riders would turn pro and make good money, and more sponsors would come in to the sport.

Instead very little is done to promote the sport outside of our little world where we sell products and events to each other. The biggest form of promotion we get is MAD shows, Onza shows, Ashton's demos, Ben Savage riding at the RPM show, etc... To the outside world though, trials is impossible, especially when you try and do it on a £70 Halfords special. Trials bikes are so specialised that they don't appeal to the majority of parents, where as a skateboard is a lot cheaper, and anyone can easily get on one and try to do an olly or a grind.

'True' trials competitions are also too slow and difficult to televise for the likes of the X-Games. What suprised me most was the World Motorcycles Trials champs last year at Hawkstone Park. It seems to me that motorcyclists are a lot more inclusive and aware of other forms of motorcycle sport than their own. People live and breathe motorbikes and will visit MotoGP, trials competitions and MX all in the same year because they all ride motorbikes. They've all followed Dougie Lampkin - to greater or lesser extents - and they understand trials rules. Ask the majority of mountain bikers about trials and they'll have heard of the Martins, but they'll call us trick riders. Very few understand sections and dabs. I'm sure if they were aware of when and where events were, more may try and watch events, but then again trials competitions are very hard to follow for the casual observer. It's tough to tell who's riding which category and how they're doing. Not a biketrials problem, just a problem with trials unless you have wireless score thingies and a big display board.

[Waynio]

like our long winded convo @ addingham chris

the problem lies where you want "one" person to do it, others will try do it themselves too, and all becomes way too comlplicated and you get people wanting to set their OWN little biketrial UK or whatever you would call it up. therefore the only one person in this country i could think of who would be able to do it, IS Martyn Ashton. there is no other character in trials who is so true to the sport. very kool, comes across the same to everyone and has respect for everyone.

theres not many if any other people in this country i could say is/are like that. instead the sports always in disrepute and always bitching going on. like iv said before and spoke to many people, trials NEEDS no bitching and more getting along. but again a "trials-forum" is ideal to gauge how it would not work in the forefront, too many opinions that are different. would be hard to make it work, i sure wouldnt like to put my ass on the line for it, just to have someone say to me "ah but i could do it better" altho it would be worth a good try.

Yes with what NBTC has achieved at UCI style events over last year and what will be done this year, this does help and incorporates trials into more mainstream events and disiplines.

just my half penny on what has been said in the last few posts really. but hey i might totally be blind to the fact that everyone COULD get on? but iv been in trials for 5years and its not got any better.

Waynio............................

[F-Stop Junkie]

Wayne, there will always be bitching and what have you. This is especially bad in the Internet era. Look at BMX, there's brakeless, pegless, street, racing, and always some forum numpty who'll tell you which way is right, and how the others are wrong.

"instead the sports always in disrepute and always bitching going on."

The sport is in disrepute? With who? I don't see that at all. Sure, people have done things which others don't agree with, but that happens everywhere. Nothing has happened to bring down the whole reputation of the sport as a whole. And even then, amongst who? The other competitors? No-one else has heard of, or has any kind of impression of, competitive trials.

It's not a question of being inwardly united, that has nothing to do with how we're perceived by the public. It's making people realise that it's a good sport for the public to watch, that it's a competition (not just kids mucking about on bikes), and that the people doing it are international athletes.

Man in street doesn't care about singlespeeds and UCI rules. They care about something that is entertaining for them.

At the moment, there is no public interest. The only way that we can gain any is by approaching local media a month before hand, getting local riders to trail the events and persuing follow-up coverage. We can at least then build up riding communities around these events.

How much marketing do you do for the Tykes Wayne? For local series, it's an even bigger reason because you can continually supply the local media, you can increase your rider numbers, and create a bigger scene. It's even more valuable for the Tykes, YMSA and Hampshire series than it is for Torquay where the UK scene visits once a year.

"the problem lies where you want "one" person to do it, others will try do it themselves too, and all becomes way too comlplicated"

Not at all. If there is one person on the comittee who is actioned with looking at, and monitoring, marketing then they can be kept informed of who gets what coverage to make sure there isn't duplication. They can also hold marketing information (info packs, photog contacts, results) centrally and have access to rider details based on licence application. Then in the run up to the Addingham round, they get in touch with you, you say that the local media are coming along, and everyone is happy. For the Devon round, they see that no media coverage is in place, get a local rider or two to attend a photoshoot, and make sure the local media have appropriate information. This also works because people follow personalities. They don't know who you or I are, but if Mat Hoffman decided to ride a trial, there'd be huge media coverage. It's getting people behind a person, even if it's "Local rider Wayne Mohamet is going up against Britain's top riders in this weekend's National Champs event in Silsden". It's local interest. Gets 'em every time.

Getting trials into general cycling events is great, but we need to keep up the education side of it. At the Cycle Show competitions, at least you have a commentator to guide people through. At Rugog farm, it could easily appear as a load of people jumping about on silly bikes in a corner. It will no doubt be a well run trial, but if an XC rider freewheels past and can't understand what's going on and who are good riders to watch, then it could be anyone. Heck, Ot Pi and Jesus could be riding, and 99% of the non-trials riders present wouldn't know.

I'm very much in favour of integrated events. Don't forget that way back when, mountain bike events used to require all riders to do XC on the Saturday, trials sunday morning, and then downhill on the Sunday afternoon. We need (the comittee? Clubs?) to maintain a level of education of the public. Keep them aware of what they are watching, and what it means. Maybe then we can start to attract more riders into our sport.

I've been in trials 11 years, and I've seen it grow substantially, the competition scene embrace UCI rules, media coverage drop substantially, and rider numbers drop. There are less general manufacturers making trials bikes now, less riders at competitions, but still a large desire amongst a group of people to ride trials.

Heck, I remember Addingham in '99 and him signing autographs at a comp while he was chatting with me!

[John planet x]

at least you guys have competitions, we dont have anything, bar a few crap places to ride...

[spunkey_monkey_boy]

i've kept this to myself for a number of weeks now but feel this is the right time and place to discuss it, appologies to barbara, fred and the rest of biketrialuk aswell as all the freeridetrials club riders for you reading this here first but:

i've decided to quit competition trials and the organisation of trials competitions - the reason - lack of respect from the riders and too much bitching. i worked my ass into the ground to organise the 3 indoor events last year, one was a success, one had barely anyone turn up to and third had one entry. i'm not here to whinge but when people start complaining that there aren't enough trials events in north wales or the northwest in general you dont need to ask why, your answer is right here. there are no events in the area any more because i'm not prepared to put the work in and just get crap back. thats my bit from an organisers point of view.

from a competitors point of view - i've quit comps because they cost too much, yes £20 is a fair entry fee but when i add on the bits i usually replace pre comp, the food, drink, fuel money/train fare, memberships and entry i usually spend £100 per comp, thats way too much. if there were comps closer to home i'd ride them but then i've tried that and no one else was interested. i'm also bored of comps because theres so much falseness between riders, i'm sure there are alot of riders out there who dont like me, i'm one of those kind of guys you'll either like or hate, what f**ks me off is that everyones too false to be honest, if you dont like me tell me on here right now 'tom i think your a willy' and i'll remember not to watse my time with you in the future. i think the thing the thing that tipped me over the edge and really spoiled my last comp was when a rider who is pretty well known (no names here) totally blanked me as if i was some shitty little kid trying to get hgis autograph even though he and i had spent a night out on the piss together last year and got on really well, i'm not here to bum top riders but when there are attitudes like that around it does make a difference, you dont know who's being nice to your face and being a twat behind your back etc etc.

the riders need to pull together as one, theres a big rift between the two sides of trials in the uk and its f**king stupid. maybe no one else on here wants to say it out loud but you know what i dont give a shit anymore, would the butler camp and the other camp (cant reallt put a name to it - sorry) stop being f**king kids, grow up and unite trials as one sport in the uk, stop driving a divide in the sport and stop making us all look like amatures

my 5p

*bring on the onslaught*

Edited April 22, 2006 by spunkey_monkey_boy

[billocks]

i enjoyed it,

was a bit annoyed wih myself after the first lap though,

i got a 3 (nearly a 5) on the first section,

(was gutted for a bad start which put me in the wrong frame of mind for the rest of the sectionson my first lap)

i finished lap one on a 16.

lap 2: 2 dropped over all

it jus shows what a change of attitude can do to your riding...

trophy was kinda small... but i dent expect any less..

hope everyone else enjoyed it,

bill

PS: i feel sorry for who ever was in waynes room after him... sounds like he let a big-un' go and it will of probably got absorbed into the carptet

[PaRtZ]

lol, I always love the way theres a really serious post (toms) and then the following one has no comment about it

Anyway tom, you point is fair and valid, cant argue with that. I can't say I understand because I've never been to a comp to appreciate where it is you're coming from, but it sounds to me like you're pretty fed up so i think its reasonable waht you've decided

about our comps i understand as well but I think the main reason we struggled was solely money. When we started the hall was rented out of council generosity but now its gone "private" we can't afford to pay for it, let alone any other costs we have. Even if we charged high rates it would still but un feasible.

Basically (this is the bit you want to read btw ) I don't think there is any point in freeride_trials being an active body anymore. We are too far out of the way for most people to turn up to events, we have too many financial issues to run the club and as you said there isn't as much commitment.

Anyway, dont stop riding normal trials atleast

[Waynio]

tom WILL turn upto tyke trial events. COS i said he will!!!!

hes a character that goes to an event and someone alot of kids look upto PURELY on his, "im not giving up" attitude.

i totally agree with what you are saying Tom, i can be honest with you and iv been there done that and tried to resolve the problem, do you know where it gets me???? BACK to square one, theres one thing in life EVERYONE on here should obide to, number one always comes 1st!!!! and yourself is number one, do what you want to do for yourself. always have fun and enjoy yourself.

for the people who wish to spoil it for others it will become noticeable and people wil just get fed up of it, then will become less irritated by it and it/they may go away. but hey whos to say it will work.

Bill my room was screaming.............i hope im not in that room for the next devon trial............

Waynio.....................

Bill just remind me did you stay in the same Travel lodge as us??? and were you having dinner near us while i was trying to eat that HUGE blinking "Harry Ramsdens Challenge"???? if so that night was funny i couldnt walk or "digest" my food properly that night or the following morning.

[dave33]

as most people will see when they go to comps they will notice the nices guy's like wayne who always try to help out and the guys who always say hello even though you dont really know them, thats what make comps go great but there are a few guys there who dont really bother with saying hello to others.

the tidy people will shin through after a while and will get there deservers in the end.

dont expect every one to be best mates

to tollerate each other would be just great

[spunkey_monkey_boy]

what i find really interesting is none of the people who are ruining our sport have the balls to respond to anything thats been said here or in the freeridetrials_club closure topic...

maybe we've shamed them into silence, hopefully now they'll grow up and stop f**king up our sport...

wayne - your a legend mate, if there were more of you and less of some others this sport would be one of the best in the uk, you'll see me around and i'll probably pop up to the odd event to help out and make sure the little ones keep riding hard but i'm out of competeing and organising

tom

[Matt_Tupman]

My mistake misread! Still very sorry to hear that your no longer running events tom.

Edited April 25, 2006 by Matt_Tupman

[rugbyman]

what i find really interesting is none of the people who are ruining our sport have the balls to respond to anything thats been said here or in the freeridetrials_club closure topic...

maybe we've shamed them into silence, hopefully now they'll grow up and stop f**king up our sport...

wayne - your a legend mate, if there were more of you and less of some others this sport would be one of the best in the uk, you'll see me around and i'll probably pop up to the odd event to help out and make sure the little ones keep riding hard but i'm out of competeing and organising

tom

how many people thought that said RUNNING?

lmao

[Matt_Tupman]

how many people thought that said RUNNING?

lmao

one :$