dabs alot

I rode motorcycles since I was a kid, there was a local trials club here in Marshall MO in the 70's, but going slow never interested me. I got away from dirt bike riding in my 20's when my buddies all quit riding. In my 30's I was getting bored with street riding (I wasn't having fun unless I was breaking the law) so I bought a dirt bike again, before I got too old. The more I rode the more I realized that I liked the slow technical riding so I got on the internet looking at trials and found the Trials Training Center. I booked a weekend of CrossTraining 101 for vacation. Tony Bussing put me on a trials bike and he practically had to drag me to get off of it at the end of the day, the other people in the class were done, back at the lodge relaxing while Tony patiently waited for me to push my limits until I got to the point where he was afraid I was gonna trash his bike, and then he finally said we should probably call it a day. I was hooked, I cam home, called up the local trials club, MATT, came to their next meet on a Sunday, met Dale Malasek, bought a used bike from him the next day, then quickly it was an obsession. Steve Eichelberger

I didn't get to do any trials riding but I got to do some desert riding with some dual sported DRZ's. Once at Standard Wash and once somewhere the other direction from town. Once we sent the ladies back to town in the motorhome while we rode the bikes back through the desert til we hit the city streets. I also got a desert tour on a Rhino which was cool, 5 minutes after unloading at Standard Wash we didn't see another person riding for 2 hours. I would have been lost in the first 15 minutes! Steve Eichelberger

I rode in the desert...is that what it is here??....on some DRZ 400's today....way different than what we have in Missouri! Where are the TREES?? I didn't know you could get lost so fast with no trees to block your view..lol John, I don't think our plane will land at Halfway..... Steve Eichelberger

Are there any trials riders in the Lake Havasu City area? I am vacationing there through Thanksgiving weekend and wondered if anybody did trials around here. Steve Eichelberger

Hmmm......that sounds like a bet with good odds. He could win, 0, 2,3,4,5,6, etc. events and you would be correct! Sneaky!

No the wording is quite clear, I had always thought of it in terms of entry/exit gates only, but this makes it clear.

Under "Machine Requirements" "Motorcycle" "The Motorcycle must rear wheel drive only..." Should that be:"The motorcycle must be rear wheel driven only..."? Is the 4 foot gate width meant for all gates or just the entry gate? I really like the class definiton and lettering system and the tie-in to the NATC class structure. That is awesome!

I am fairly new to trials riding, (3-4 years) who rides 'Intermediate' class in the Midwest, middle class of a 5 class club ( MATT ). I like the proposal of a numbered class with names selected by clubs optional. As long as clubs use the same "spread",5 or 6 classes. If clubs use a different number range, or bottom class number, we have the same problem. I remember first riding in our 'Amatuer' class (one up from bottom) , and if I accidently got in another clubs level of our 'Intermediate' class, I would have been in a world of hurt! What about a '0' line for the riders approaching NATC Champ class level? Wasn't that the designation for the 'Open' line at the Youth Nationals? That way clubs that have one less class on the 'top', their best class riders won't be riding a '2' line. The lettered Classes: A, B, C and so on also sound reasonable, even the AA does not sound bad to me. Hey, trying to pick a name for classes didn't work so well for the AMA Supercross/Motocross premier class, calling the former 125cc 2-stroke class the 'Lites'. If anyone is interested in my opinion, This 'Novice' in the sport votes for numbers 1 to 5 with 1 being the hardest line. And if you have riders approaching Champ class level, use '0' for that class.

With trials, I like to check out the section before riders are there, see where the sun is and where shadows are. And the fun part, finding where the 'peak' of where the action will be. A big splatter, a drop off I can get down from and shoot up to etc. Then find a nice vantage point to compose your shot from. Think about what is in the background. I like to try and get the riders face, very important for me anyways. Then be ready for when the rider gets to that 'peak' of action, many times I pre-set the focus and/or exposure. Then try to get the shutter to trip at that 'perfect' moment. For me it's kinda like riding a section, you read the section, pick your line and try to hit it just right. The enjoyment comes when it all comes together to create that photo you want! Get out there and jump in like you know what you are doing, that's what I do anyway! Put some planning and thought into your shots, you will be pleased with the results.

I am certainly no expert on the subject, and there are others here much more qualified to answer your questions, but I will give it a shot. The lower the F#, the more light that is gathered for a given shutter speed. A lens set at F5.6 gathers more light than one set at F11. A lens with a lower F stop rating, an F2 versus an F4 lens, is said to be 'faster' because it can create the same exposure in a shorter amount of time, or'faster' shutter speed. Shutter speed required to 'stop' a moving subject depends on the speed of the moving subject, direction of movement, focal length of the lens and the desired effect. I think a very general rule of thumb for general hand-held photography is a shutter speed to focal length relationship... a 50mm lens a 1/50th sec... a 200mm lens a 1/200th sec...and so forth. Then if your subject is moving, you need to increase from there. Most of the pics I have posted here were shot at 1/250 sec. or faster. Hope this helps without confusing!

I took most of these pics with my Nikon D-50 with the Nikon DX 18-70 lens. I also use a Nikon 50mm f2 lens for low light. For me I think I need a flash gun more than any different lenses. I tried to get as close to the action as possible. Some required flash, and the pop-up flash was all I had, so I have to get close. Just across the tape on the one with Cody Webb dropping down. http://www.trialscentral.com/gallery/profile.php?uid=161

Look out, you're gonna stir the pot!

I'll be the 40 year old guy with the Nikon D50 trying to snag a press bib....or the guy leaning waaay over the tape trying to get that great shot! If the umberella girls work out for No Jive, look for me lurking around him!

I thought the 4 stroke version was called the Pamtesa

Paddle faster! I hear banjo music.