USA Trials

I was reading a thread on another trials forum that they are changing a rule and that you will no longer be allowed to stop forward motion or you get a point (or maybe 5?). They weren't talking about the details but mostly about several small bike companies lobbying for this in an effort to "save" the sport.

Anyone else out there amused by the number of minders working with support class riders. The average time in the S line in NY had to be less than 15 seconds not much need for a timekeeper so I guess having someone carry the water is worth $40 to some riders.

Craig, hope this renews your faith in the Beave! The arguments against an American 125cc National Championship seems to be two fold and very weak. First that HRC/Montesa does not have a bike, so we can't have an American 125cc Championship without them. Hey, Honda could build a bike faster than anyone if they really wanted too. Then somebody may cheat is the other agument I've read. My reposne would be, do the Europeans cheat in the 125cc class? We have not heard any complaints from the European Championship or 125cc World Championship about building bigger bikes and sneaking them into the 125cc championships. My view is simply, anyone who cheats is only cheating them…

Over the years I've seen all of you debate over how to get an American rider to be competative at a world round. What I haven't seen are suggestions with regards to sponsorship. The reason the other countries are so competative is that the sport of trials pays money over there and is considered a professional sport. Here in America, trials is an amatuer sport. Our professional sports here pays nice little chunks of money like 25 million dollar contracts therefore our kids are motivated and their parents are turned into "soccer parents" doing all the things that create professional sports players out of them. Take motocross for example. Notice all the adds on tv wh…

I read some were that Lance bought a GASGAS, he rides trials? I remember last year he mentioned that buying a dirt bike would be one of the first things he would do during retirement. sam

Is this a true reflection of one of the best in the usa? Is this why none of the other top riders do the ssdt?

With the Euro doing a number against the US $ and sales of trials bikes down, is it time for a rethink of how they are sold?. In our local club only, one 08 model has been sighted, and nearing the end of February this is definitely way down on prior years,I read this is the case in other parts of the world too. Instead of many making nothing, wouldn't it be better for a few, to at least make enough profit to keep afloat and still be able to lower cost to the punter?. My thoughts are! Would it be better for the importer to sell to the public direct cutting out the dealer margin, they could still sell the bike through a dealer and pay a flat commission for bikes that …

Don't remember if I posted this, but I've re-started the mctrials e-group. Eric lost all his data during a virus storm and passed the duty on. I hope I can keep it going half as well as he did. this e-group is dedicated to North America trials riders for correspondence on issues of national and local trials eventsa/bikes/politics etc. To subscribe go to. http://www.micapeak.com/lists/mctrials Lots of folks on already and there are no archives. Les

The 2012 Ahrma Vintage Trials schedule is little more than an insult to the outgoing National Trials Coordinators, Ed and Evelyn Peacock who have worked tirelessly to promote high quality and enjoyable trials during their long stint in office. The article on my blog has created considerable interest in the possible "way ahead" and all comments are welcome from those with a Vintage Trials passion. Tony

From the front page of NATC site " We lowered the entry fees to $75 for riders, $40 for minders. Late fees are $100 on Friday before weekend events and $150 for day of event for riders. Minder late fees are $50. The refund period is extended to two weeks after the event." Correct me if I'm wrong, if a riders arrives at Omaha Friday the 29th and enters for the events on the 30th and 31st, the entry fee is $100 ?. AND " We adopted a twin shock class that will ride the support line" What are the rules on bike requirments, Age of machine, air cooled, twin shock, drum brake ?.

Does anyone know, or have heard if Ossa's are going to be brought into the country? If yes, anyone know who is going to be bringing them in?

Pat goes on the course in about 30 minutes. He's very determined and focused this morning. As usual, you'll be receiving as good of coverage as I can muster. Wish I could say I was as focused. If you know what I mean? LOL.

If you had your choice and money was no object, what brand / size of bike would you ride to compete on, and why? How much would dealer / distributor support influence your decision?

What would it take to get our classes across the US the same. Something interesting (ok, maybe I was a tad aggravated becasue it happens to be a pet peeve of mine) happened at the last trials. My son was asked what class he normally rode, and told he should ride that class, Makes sense, I will agree with that, EXCEPT, Mr. Bill was putting on the event and he operates under the "California" classes (for lack of a better term. So his classes go like this EXPERT: Black Plate. White numbers and letters MASTER; Red Plate. White numbers and letters ADVANCED: White Plate. Black numbers and letters INTERMEDIATE: Yellow Plate. Black numbers…

This forum sucks! When is Andy gonna apologize to Lane so we can get this forum going again? It's all about the LOVE.

What type of training do you participate in to prepare for the trials season? What I am wondering is, do you run, bicycle, lift weights, set up sections and make them harder and harder as you learn to ride them. Just curious, would especially like to know what the guys/girls do who ride nationals. Wayne

Take the 2 top US Trials Riders, Pat and Cody and at their current ability with their current bikes. How many years back would we have to go (and everything else being the same in that era, bikes, riders, etc.) for them to be top 5 World Riders? Or better yet, World Champ?

GO GO Trials riders. In tonights main event which came after a long day of qualifying, whittling down 200 riders to the final 10 we had 2 of our trials guys on the final podium !! Colton Haaker won tonights race, with Cody Webb finishing third. Keith, Nick, and Phil did not have to race today as they all qualified for tomorrows race at the previous rounds in the series. Dustin Hedwall missed the main event by one spot finished 2nd in the LCQ. I'll try and get some photos posted tonight, or tomorrow (hey, we're in Vegas, you don't think I'm going to sit in the hotel room all night weeding out photos) More updates tomorrow !! I think Cody's secret weapon was the key…

After reading this I looked for a local station, they are out there google for ethanol free gas Prohibit Ethanol Blending In All Premium Unleaded Gasoline Every mandatory E10 state has exemptions to their blending law, because there are a number of piston engine applications that should not, and some that cannot, use ethanol blended gasoline. Unfortunately the exemptions are not uniform. They vary from only one exemption in Washington, aircraft, to a universal exemption of premium unleaded in Missouri. All states exempt aircraft usage, but most states like Oregon and Washington make it almost impossible to get unblended gasoline. Oregon is the only state that allows for…

Compare the scores! Women's world champion Laia Sanz had a big impact on the US pro class. Her scores would have given her solid finishes in the US Pro class against America's best male riders. Her great results against America's best underscores the need for a complete overhaul of the US women's championship. Unless US lady trials riders are allowed to move up the men's ranks at the NATC championship and still retain the US ladies title. We will never see another American Women's world champion. It should be obvious that any lady rider wanting to be world trials champion needs to ride at a US pro class level. Not even the US expert class comes even close to her level…