ACU Discussion

This section of the forums has been set up to allow users POSITIVE interaction with the ACU and to collect that interaction in one place so it is easy to find and so that posts do not get buried amongst other topics in the UK Trials Talk forum (plus it makes it easier for Dicko to find stuff for his editorial) ACU-bashing will not be permitted. If you have nothing constructive to say then say nothing at all. Criticism of things you may feel are wrong is fine, but it must be constructive criticism with appropriate suggestions as to how things could be changed/improved. Both John Collins and Mick Wren of the ACU Trials and Enduro Committee read and post on these forums. …

A big thank you to the ACU and both Pippa Laverty and Simon Welch for organising this. The first event was at Keypitts in Ilfracombe and my OH was very keen to go. It proved to be a very good weekend. Everyone was delighted that one of the trainers was Billy Green, who turned out to be a really nice bloke and a mega bonus for all the riders. It is also a great venue - I wish they would look at pay and play - I would love to ride there. If anyone is thinking of going to the other events I can tell you it is great and well worth the effort. There were a lot of youngsters at the Ilfracombe event and it was fantastic to see so much youth talent coming into our sport…

I've just renewed my trials registration for 2024 and the ACU have come back asking for a medical (because I'm over 70) and an eye test (because I am over 55, though never needed one before). They have to be filled out by a doctor and optician, which is obviously going to be an expensive business. Is this for real? Or another quirky mistake from the Sport 80 system? If it is real I think I will stick to AMCA in future as the cost and hassle won't be worth it for just a couple of trials a year.

Entered a trial via the ACU portal. Now, at least a week later it says that my entry is not valid, due to my not having a rider number. Never been asked for this before. Spent ages on the website, trying to discover how to do this, but with no luck. Anyone know how to do this?

Hello all Just a thought about marking out really with the traditional Red on you right blue on your left and green and yellow flags. I’ve always found this odd when FIM sections are so much easier to read being one colour for your route arrowed to go between them and even have a no entry ⛔️ on the back. I ride clubman and 50/50 so have to change between red/blue green/yellow if required mid route which makes it even more difficult to get it right. As for using yellow and green flags so many people find it hard to see these colours on the ground blending into it. so is it not easier to change to FIM type marking being a white square with a c…

Filling in an ACU entry form... its asking for my name address and what bike I have in my garage... Having had a break in and my bikes stolen in the past, I’m rather hesitant about filling in these details. What happens to these forms and what’s to stop undesirables reading this information?

As a club secretary I'm trying to do the annual download of unique ACU codes so that members can re-affiliate. 2019 codes now appear to be available when I log on - I'm given the option to download either excel or csv, but when I click on either option I'm met with a blank screen and no download. Anyone else having similar problems?

I recently rode a 'Stopping Allowed' trial, and was a bit peeved by having to wait whilst the previous riders juggled their bikes back and fro in the section. Each of these riders had to my idea of the rules gone backwards several times, but were conning the observer into thinking they were still moving. If the Observer had a Whistle, then the rider would know when to give up and leave the section. There were so many riders still attempting the section, after what I saw as their back wheel having gone backwards. Clubs should issue Whistles to all Observers at Stopping Allowed trials, so that there is no fudging of the rules.

So I turned up to this event today, only to be told the trial was last week (aparently it was really good) ... a little while ago there was another trial that appeared on the list for a couple of weeks and then disappeared the day before ... I can understand how difficult it is to co-ordinate the ACU events list, but is this a common problem? Is there anywhere alse I can check for cross-club events in the UK?

Anyone know the dates and venues for this years British trials championship. Might try and go and watch some this year. Cheers

hi, Completely new to trials and yet to join a club but id like to know if I can join more than one club? Im based in the UK and in Cumbria there is more than one club and id like to enter competitions in various clubs but the ACU membership asks for 'club riding for' , so do I have to a main club and then have others as secondaries or can I just do as I please and join them all and leave this blank? many thanks. Scott

Hello, I am intending to start trials riding again. I haven't entered a competition since the 1980's and that was at a club meeting, I was never asked for a licence. The only licence I can find is the ACU Competition Licence international trials, is this the licence I need? I will only be doing club events. Thanks currently restoring a Montesa 349

Was talking trials to a mate today and got onto the subject of the Miller classes. he suggested I have a look at the "revised" rules for 2016. Is it me or has the point been completely missed ? There is STILL no difference in the classes to distinguish between a Pre unit big banger and a sub 190lb James/Bantam/Cub. Or have I read last years regs or the wrong page completely ?

Due to lack of interest. Says it all really.

When I started out all ACU licenses were done on the same form and up until quite recently this was still the case. Now the trials registration has been separated completely from the rest of the form. So my question is do I need both? When it was all on the one form you applied and paid for the highest level/most expensive license and that granted you any open licenses of a lower level. I have a road race national/international B that allowed me to get a motorcross novice, grass track etc and a trials license. Does the old system still apply? Would my road race license cover me for trials or do I have to buy a trials registration separately? If I have to do them separ…

Welcome news from the ACU. For many years the ACU has provided Road Traffic Act insurance cover for riders in events that have included the use of the public highway. With this, until now the Organisers have had to collect premiums from Riders during the Signing On process and the Competitors have been asked to complete and sign additional forms and declarations – this was a necessary evil to ensure the RTA cover was in place and applicable to that event. I say 'until now' - but not anymore! – this h...as now all changed. The RTA cover is still in place but following discussions with our Insurers, the ACU have arranged third party RTA Insurance as a blanket cover …

I’m hoping to start riding trials soon, but I don’t understand how the ACU works with centre groups and A , B (or open) event status? Can I ride in any group, or just the one my club is in? And can I ride in the AMCA trials as well? Could someone explain? Thank you

Hi everyone, As title really, i'm diagnosed with Asperger's Syndrome (an Autistic Spectrum disorder) and I like the idea of having a go at trials riding, I have a road licence already but there are too many cars for my liking! I've tried the ACU and their advice was to submit an application and see what happens. Does anyone reading this have or know someone on the Autistic spectrum who competes regularly? If so i'd be interested to hear how the licence application process worked out for them. Having not ridden bikes for a year or two my 1st port of call would probably be one of the many trials schools around the country to try it for a day and see if I enjoy i…

Does anyone know how much the ACU have raised their trials fees by for 2015 ? I have seen clubs raising entry fees by £2 to cover this years increase.

Not quite sure how many years its been since I had an ACU licence? maybe 4? so renewing it wasn't something I was particularly looking forward to doing based on previous renewals or new licences. I have been very impressed though at the new online system which from start to finish only took possibly 3-4 minutes tops!!! well done the ACU, easy to reregister, brought up all my old info (including a dodgy photo)and reapplying was effortless.