Trials Training And Technique

I was thinking about if anyone one here knows if there are any good trials training courses/ schools around the Barcelona area. I found a couple of links for trail riding tours in Spain, but not trial specific. Could be a fun trip for a weekend in the spring or autumn with a few mates..?

It's all too brief but here is some footage of JT in the gym (mainly flexibility drills) There are links to all the various parts of the original video...another occasion where I wish I could speak Spanish.

Hi I was practicing my turns yesterday. When negotiating a full lock or tight turn should I be giving it any back brake? I am doing this as it seems to steady the bike but reading elsewhere it seems that pushing the brake might mean my foot is in the wrong position. Comments appreciated. Thanks Pete

Hi All, Got talking to a guy in pushbike shop today. He's an old Trials fan but never actually ridden himself. He told me that in days gone by that Trial riders used to fill their tyres one third up with water? ...and that some riders progressed on to using another fluid that would not slosh around so much when they came to a stand still. Can anyone confirm this myth and tell me what that other fluid was?.....I have no plans to do this myself but I am curious to know if it's true. Best of sloshy balance! Neo

When I go out to practice I find that I always seem to give myself an easier route than I would probably find in a competition. I bought 10 red and 10 blue flags so I could mark my own sections. Any advice on what sort of things I should have in the sections? I'm finding it difficult to make my own sections.

I'm not sure if it is from trials but my mid back muscles tend to be tight and sore. It is the area of arching when standing on the bike. These are the muscles just below the shoulder blades. Are there any exercises or stretches that can loosen up this area? The yoga "plow" helps some but not much seems to reach this area.

I have arthritis in both thumbs. The trapezium bone has been removed in one hand and pending in the other. Some knuckles are not in great shape either. Both hands and wrists are getting quite sore from riding and stay that way afterward. I would think modern suspension would be better but my Beta 4t is harder on my hands than my TY175. On the beta I'm constantly on the clutch and front brake plus ride bigger obstacles. (I did put thinner oil in the forks.) On the TY I'm mostly on throttle only and suspect the skinny forks flex around to help cushion things. I do try to minimize hand pressure when riding. I have thought of an electric bike because you don't need …

Hi all, Just reading about this weekends world round in the amazing setting of the Nevis range, There is a slot on the Saturday that says a Steve saunders trials training session for 2 hours, can someone explain in more detail what this might be? And is it for the public? Looking forward to it now, both days are looking pretty action packed! See you all in fort bill......

I see that some riders can get a very quick almost explosive jump up from the pegs when unloading. When I attempt, it feels kind of slow and mostly like I'm compressing the rear suspension rather than pushing my body up quickly. Does this imply that my timing is off...maybe too early? I get some lift but not as much as I would like. I'm 155 lbs if that makes a difference.

Well I'm new to this world of trials and I need major help with turning. Can anyone give me any tips to help?

Anybody got any ideas for relatively easy, inexpensive obstacles for some backyard practice?

Hi all, anyone got any info re trials schools in Northeast England, anyone help?

Hi guys, a bit of a dumb question. ... When do you guys decide to change your tires, front and rear? Im presuming tire condition is more critical on trials so at whT point will tire wear effect your riding (understand this will differ acording to skill level). Thanks

Probably a stupid question , but, on average, how long does a full fuel tank last on different types of trials bikes?

would it be good if i did weights to help with my trials riding? Josh

I'm thinking there are probably numerous threads on this, but I can't find them right now. I've seen numerous training videos on how to front wheel hops while staying in one place. Doesn't seem like they're doing me much good. I can stationary balance for a couple of minutes on a good day, but when I start hopping (whether from one foot down or from a stationary balance) I can, at the most, do about 5-6 hops before having to put my foot down. I'm definitely doing something wrong. Not only am I not able to keep hopping but I get winded after a few minutes of trying to get going over and over again. I imagine, if I were doing it correctly, it should use just a little bi…

Was at a trial today and one section very slippery long hill climb pretty steep 3 out of4 times I never got grip at all and failed the climb Early just spinning and once I got decent traction but had to much power on or weight to far back and flipped my bike but felt I had enough momentum up until this point to make it any pointers in what I could try

Has anyone made any homemade obstacles? i am tired of riding the same old rocks and logs on my property, and would like something i could possibly move around the driveway to practice in the evenings.

Just a quick one: Which is the best trials training DVD available for a total novice? Cheers, Sam

Hi all again, As the title says.... everytime I ride my wrists and forearms ache like mad, I mean really bad, is this normal or am I a retard?