Behaviour At Competitions

[Ducko]

at the end of the day,

if you 5 a section your going to get peed off if you take comp riding seriously, i did a few 5's the other day that i was annoyed about i did have a bit of a moan yeah but was to myself not to anyone else.

i think as long as you hgave a fit then say thanks to observers let them know your moaning about yourself and not them there shouldnt be a problem.

people who rant about people taking comp's seriously are stupid there would be no point if people didnt want to do well..

just have fun and take it easy iu supose i love riding competitions and apprecite all the effot put in by everyone so just take it seriously if you do but have fun too:)

[ramps]

thell have people tip toeing around soon.

Assuming that isn't sarcastic I have seen people tip-toeing around.

Now, the topic of swearing. Personal, I have a huge problem with swearing anywere and so I am probably part of the problem at competitions, any one who has met me or spoken to me will know quite how bad I am at speaking properly. I realize that we should ease up on the language at comps but for me I have to concentrate really hard not to swear.

[hill_393]

I'm fully expecting to get slated for this opinion, but this is my view - I rode Comps about 7 years back, and throughly enjoyed it then - It was a laugh, everyone got on, it was relaxed and easy. that was 7 years ago. i took a couple of years break from comps, to chill out and ride street, etc. I came back last year to comps. At first it started out well,and it seemed to reming me of past experiences. But the 2nd comp onwards it all changed. Arrogance, Temper Tantrums,Swearing,lack of Inspirtation to younger riders, made me realise that i hated being there, and i hated the atmosphere.. I stopped after 3 comps, and will never do them again. Of that i'm sure. To me the greater thrill is going out in the early evening, riding with your mates, and chilling with a beer after.

Darren

[PaRtZ]

swearing is unproffessional regardless of the sport, company, tv show etc

I don't think theres any need to start swearing loudly regardless of what you've done, its not going to change anything

bleh im going to bed

[robster]

everything level pegging sounds good.

a FRESH start for 2006........ sounds fair play.

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

Being one of the dads of the younger riders you are all going on about I have been watching this topic very closely. I am pleased to say that when Rob rode the comp at Bracken Rocks on the bank holiday I was very pleased with how people behaved and conducted themselves( i nearly lost my rag and swore at Robbie for getting upset and crying because he couldn't get his head round the UCI gig) so nobody is perfect.

I hope, as Waynio said that this is going to set the scene for the rest of 2006. You older lads never seem to amaze me with your skills on bikes, you are all with no exeption truly at the top of your game, Rob is 8 and sees you as true comic book heroes. For me to be able take Rob to watch and compete on the same stage as you all is like him playing with Rooney and Owen at Wembley every weekend, it is a great pleasure, but as it has been said before, please lads look around before you start spouting off, I know we are all passionate about the sport. I don't want Rob saying F><>K because he heard one of his heroes say it.

Why don't you lot get together as mates and arrange a day where you all take the younger riders for a bit of a training/fun ride out, put a little back into it, enjoy it, chill out, even have a bit have a laugh if you dare!!( you might enjoy it). Wayne spends a huge amount of his time doing this why don't you all you may even have a bit of fun ?

Believe it or not you lot are helping me to bring little Rob up because trials requires manners, fitness, discipline and most of all RESPECT for others and yourselves . But when you are shouting complaining and swearing out aloud you undo all the great work and make yourselves look like loosers.

Come on lads let us draw a line in the sand, step over it and never go back. Enjoy our sport, and lets try and show the Spaniards how to play there own game because I believe we have the talent to take it to em.

If you lot can't do it then invest some time in the little ones that are set to follow you all because maybee just maybee one of em may well be te next Ot pi or Benito Ros.

Come on groovers you know it makes sense.

John

[Michael Hardman]

Come on whats wrong with this world its even more PC than ever, most people swear its become socially acceptable in most places, little kids are going to learn it from someone at some point so why bother.

Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you - its only words for gods sake.

[Josh Greenan!!!!!!!!!!]

What he said.

John

That was well said john. Your son is the future of biketrials.

[robster]

Come on whats wrong with this world its even more PC than ever, most people swear its become socially acceptable in most places, little kids are going to learn it from someone at some point so why bother.

Sticks and stones may break your bones but names will never hurt you - its only words for gods sake.

I take it from that that you have no kids.

I do agree that sooner or later that they will learn the fine art of the English language, but let them be kids and let us as parents protect them from it for as long as we can.

I swear a lot when at work but we have a duty to teach our kids the rights and wrongs don't we ???

My little girl who is 3 comes to every event and she is Rob's biggest fan, how would it look if her teacher called me to tell me she had been swearing at school and she had learnt it from her big brother who is only 8.

After all this is a familly sport for all ages.

Just curb the language and we will all have a good sport to watch and get involved in.

You may some day have the same opinion as the rest of the parants who take the time out to organise these events for YOU all to enjoy !!!!!!!

Without us you have no sport

[Ash-Kennard]

I swear too much, but usually only in jest or frustration with myself, never at an observer or others aggressively as that is just harsh.

On ride I really couldn't care who I offend, public or other riders, we are all mature (except davetrials) so they can get over it.

Competitions are designed to be competitive, just remember that. There are rules and regulations, people do get annoyed. DEAL WITH IT.

[Waynio]

Why don't you lot get together as mates and arrange a day where you all take the younger riders for a bit of a training/fun ride out, put a little back into it, enjoy it, chill out, even have a bit have a laugh if you dare!!( you might enjoy it). Wayne spends a huge amount of his time doing this why don't you all you may even have a bit of fun ?

i do that as i know im not going to be able to be "world champion" nor "british champion" again i wouldnt think. i dont have the thinking mind of the people such as Akrigg, Savage, Danny Butler. i asked ben if he could explain just what it is like to feel or do what he does and how he does it. and its something he has grown up with and just has the "nak" for it.

i would rather put my time into me having a good time, helping others and riding to my potential weather it be fun street riding or at a competition, i remember this from a couple of years ago AND i did it again last year:

Competition @ Brimham Rocks.

there was a section laid out alot of lads were dropping in and then having to turn around on a really slippy rock, it was good and all the other lads were probably getting through it, but not me i was having none of the "tryiny" to play with slippy rocks syndrome!!!i was going to 180 gap across it, and it would A either work, or B not work at all!!!!in the competition it did not work, after i went up and tried it twice!!!!did it both times but once the rebound of the tyres threw me off, BUT it was more or a talking point "did you see that gap blah blah blah" that more interested me than actually winning or doing well in the trial. it was an "Achievement" that i had tried something "Different" to everyone else.

its good to see when at comps danny butler will ride @ a biu comp UCI, and ben savage does everything so smooth and so safe. its great to watch and as said before it would be great if more of the general public could really get into Watching trials. but like this topic and thread is about, its hard to have foul and abusive language at any level, yes we all do it, but come on @ a competition it doesnt take much to control your temper!!!i was once quite aggrevated and battered a fair few bikes.i then learnt that diciplining myself would cost me less (in bikes and bike parts) then i got to the stage where it wasnt the bike bashing or abusing and throwing, it was more the language barrier, so as of last year, (back end of) i stopped swearing. i can safely say i have only sworn in anger (when no one has been about) when i have come down and injured myself, and its caused me much pain and discomfort. i will not swear in front of people at competitions and if i do i will let someone wrap my bike around my head!!!!

Regards Waynio............................

ash-kennard its easy to say what you have said, whats hard is for YOU to do what i have done, Danny B has/was at the heart of alot of maybe some of the controvesy in the past, but he is controlling and working on it. if danny can why cant others????? its not rocket science.

[robster]

i do that as i know im not going to be able to be "world champion" nor "british champion" again i wouldnt think. i dont have the thinking mind of the people such as Akrigg, Savage, Danny Butler. i asked ben if he could explain just what it is like to feel or do what he does and how he does it. and its something he has grown up with and just has the "nak" for it.

i would rather put my time into me having a good time, helping others and riding to my potential weather it be fun street riding or at a competition, i remember this from a couple of years ago AND i did it again last year:

Competition @ Brimham Rocks.

there was a section laid out alot of lads were dropping in and then having to turn around on a really slippy rock, it was good and all the other lads were probably getting through it, but not me i was having none of the "tryiny" to play with slippy rocks syndrome!!!i was going to 180 gap across it, and it would A either work, or B not work at all!!!!in the competition it did not work, after i went up and tried it twice!!!!did it both times but once the rebound of the tyres threw me off, BUT it was more or a talking point "did you see that gap blah blah blah" that more interested me than actually winning or doing well in the trial. it was an "Achievement" that i had tried something "Different" to everyone else.

its good to see when at comps danny butler will ride @ a biu comp UCI, and ben savage does everything so smooth and so safe. its great to watch and as said before it would be great if more of the general public could really get into Watching trials. but like this topic and thread is about, its hard to have foul and abusive language at any level, yes we all do it, but come on @ a competition it doesnt take much to control your temper!!!i was once quite aggrevated and battered a fair few bikes.i then learnt that diciplining myself would cost me less (in bikes and bike parts) then i got to the stage where it wasnt the bike bashing or abusing and throwing, it was more the language barrier, so as of last year, (back end of) i stopped swearing. i can safely say i have only sworn in anger (when no one has been about) when i have come down and injured myself, and its caused me much pain and discomfort. i will not swear in front of people at competitions and if i do i will let someone wrap my bike around my head!!!!

Regards Waynio............................

ash-kennard its easy to say what you have said, whats hard is for YOU to do what i have done, Danny B has/was at the heart of alot of maybe some of the controvesy in the past, but he is controlling and working on it. if danny can why cant others????? its not rocket science.

The shows not over till the fat bird sings, you stay fit enough and you can do it

[Waynio]

haha

more chance of hitting the moon i could be the first trials rider to ride on the moon, that would be an achievement

it would be nice for sucess but i have so much pleasure out of it helping others and riding my bike as i do now, i dont think i would ever get into it to be MY JOB, it would put way too much stress on me, i do it enjoy it and have alot of fun if everyone could be similar even the Pro's that are doing it more as a job and enjoy it everyones a winner. there is NO LOOSER!!!!!

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

[hill_393]

I read this, and I have to comment on it. Tihs is in no way meaning to be derogitory, and I know I'm going to get a few sarcy replies, but I have to say this.

Having or not caring about who you offend on a ride - (This is true to everyone, not just 1 person - I count myself in this!), is an attitude that is going to change the public opinions of riding - I found it's hard enough getting people interested in how much skill it takes to ride a trials bike, let alone getting new blood to start and continue the sport.

Im reflecting back to 2 rides I've had over the last few years. 1 ride was in Bristol. I remeber it because people were getting really stressed about not being able to rear wheel a wall, and bikes were being thrown, and tempers flared. I remember specifically an old man asking if we could not ride on a particluar wall outside a church - Most agreed ,but the one's who were having a pissy fit were intent on an argument, and thats where the trouble always starts.

The complete opposite of this is the recent London ride at the end of April. It was pissing down with rain, people weren't making lines, but everyone was enjoying it and no one was getting stressed, I remeber a lot of people asking how wee do what we do, and how it seems like fun. This was simply because of the good atmosphere.

Surely, this should be bared in mind?

Darren

On ride I really couldn't care who I offend, public or other riders, we are all mature (except davetrials) so they can get over it.

Competitions are designed to be competitive, just remember that. There are rules and regulations, people do get annoyed. DEAL WITH IT.

[Waynio]

^^ ^^ ^^ ^^

i agree, a good atmosphere at a street ride is very important as that is where the majority of the general public get to see what trials iis about in its street form. shounting and being abusive to people on the street can give "any" trials rider a bad name, its then not JUST that 1 person its the whole group.

BUT if on the other hand it is someone esle causing the trouble IE a chav then yes, its good to ignore and leave them looking stupid argueing with themselves.

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

[tank_rider]

I myself and guilty of swearing a bit at trials, but usually only when talking to mates. I was a lot more aware of myself though at the last YMSA and definately toned down my language after the previous discussions on here. I'm not generally a loud person anyway, so when i do slip up on the swearing side of things its pretty localised and usually not aimed at anyone.

One thing i never do is be rude/offinsive or moan at/to observers, as has been said they are volunteering to do something that benefits me, so it's only polite. If they make a mistake, then there only human too, so maybe pointing out something to them can help clarify things for the future, but do it constructively and in a friendly manner.

[p_rew@theciderbar.na]

I am the first to object when some one kicks, screams and swears in front of children and there is certainly a line that can be crossed when reacting badly to getting a 5 or something, but I think it's foolish to suggest all foul language should be or can be stamped out from trials.

I think many people don't realise how important doing well is to some people. Yes, for many just riding their bikes is enough, but there are those who are naturally more competitive and doing well is how they enjoy themselves in their trials. I don't really think you can criticise different peoples' approaches to their riding.

I think I'm moderately this way inclined, as when I mess up I get a little angry because I just feel that I have let myself down on something that I know I can do. Sometimes it's just an involuntary reaction to shout at yourself, so why should some one be punished for this? Can we really ask people to not be so competitive or psyched up when they're riding in a competition? Anyway, there is scientific evidence (i guarantee) to support the idea that a little swearing after a frustating incident can actually help alleviate aggression, which would otherwise come be expressed in other forms.

There is however a line that can be crossed after such an immediate reaction. Abusing observers, other riders etc is not acceptable and if I'm right it can be punished under the current regulations.

However, what should the punishment be for swearing? How would this be policed? Can the clerk of the course just penalise those who they find swearing, leaving those who are not spotted by them to get away it? There are too many loop holes and that type of irregularity could decide trials and championships.

This doesn't need to be regulated - most people react very normally when they screw up in a trial and I can't think of anyone who has never reacted with a little anger at doing so. If sport became passionless, it would be pointless

[Hurman]

At what age do you think a child picks up bad language? I was clearing my garage out one day with my son, who was 2 ½ at the time, when I kicked over a tin of oil. Of course I expressed my frustration using the f word and in earshot of my son. A week later my son couldn’t do a puzzle and pushed it away followed by a very loud f**k.

I was devastated. I couldn’t believe what he had just said, he had only just mastered daddy!!! It only needs for them to hear something once then it is locked in forever. They hear and see far more than you think (must be the female gene) :$ and remember all the words you don’t want them to. I accept that when he is older he will use the same foul language to express himself as I do but I would rather he learnt it from people other than those he looks upto and who are his heroes.

The excuse that swearing is common amongst other sports, the sport is competitive or that it is socially acceptable nowadays does not mean that it has to be tolerated. Respect for yourself and others around you should be enough to allow you to swear under your breath..

I used to work with a bloke who swore for England and couldn’t make up a sentence without F’ing this or F’ing that but as soon as a female walked into the room he stopped. He respected the fact that they didn’t want to hear that kind of language and kept it clean and he himself was respected for that by his work colleagues.

Yes I swear and if you think messing up a section is frustrating, try encouraging a 5 year old to ride a section without putting both his feet down all the time! It drives you past swearing

I’m looking forward to the Brimham rocks weekend and hearing the grind of pedals on rock and the exclamations of success, not a Gordon Ramsey hopeful at the top of his voice.

Keep it smooth and keep it clean…………

[Rich Pearson]

Totally agree dude, it makes the sport look so bad!! and if the people that other riders idolise go around swearing and shouting then the younger riders are guna think it is ok too!! its not a good look!!

Chris Doney

Sure. 'cos I've never heard you swear in a comp Chris.....

I'd actually like to take this opportunity to apologise for swearing increadibly loudly at the DJ comp on sunday in the presence of several children. Admittedly I had just fallen about seven feet out of a tree some idiot had put in the middle of the elite route, but still no excuse really.

My two cents: someone has already said that this happens in every sport but in my opinion if we're going to taken seriously then we need to be better than every other sport so this needs to stop, and its not that hard to do.

Rich

[Matt_Tupman]

I'd actually like to take this opportunity to apologise for swearing increadibly loudly at the DJ comp on sunday in the presence of several children. Admittedly I had just fallen about seven feet out of a tree some idiot had put in the middle of the elite route, but still no excuse really.

What tree?

Just a point that poeple seem to be missing here, your all going on about swearing is driving the public away and that they don't want to come and listen to that but the fact that we as trials organisers aren't even trying to get large amounts of spectators is surely a much bigger reason for these low numbers.

I think the two proberly go hand in hand but to be honest there are no spectators at trials anyway so I think we need to work on that as the bigger picture. Swearing at comps is not as bad as people make out and as has been before 99.9% of the time it's self directed through frustration not great big brawls between riders and observers as people seem to be trying to make out.

Also I read Mr Ashtons artical for the first time today and was prity shocked by it, he talks about our trial (Devon round of the British Champs) and hearing bad laguage everywhere to qoute 'Foul language, aggressive outbursts and arguing with the officials'

Well i'm not sure were he heard that but we had no complaints from any observers and they all said the riders were very well behaved than in the past, I'm a bit gutted that Mr Ashton couldn't have come and pointed out some of these people to us so we could have taken action.

Anyway as i've said before I don't think we need to make any drastic changes to rules just inforce them were they need to be and just to let the riders know that such attitude is not accepted if we do see it happen.

Matt