Trials Training And Technique

Lance Armstong and Michael Phelps are apparently 6% or less....but they don't have to physically handle a 150 pound piece of high-torque machinery over the toughest terrain that any motorized vehicle traverses, like trials riders routinely do. What percent body-fat are Dougie, Bou, Raga, Fuji, etc.? Or better yet, what % would they ideally LIKE to be? At 46 years-old, what body-fat percentage would be the very very best for me, trials-wise? Is it closer to the body-fat percentage of Iggy Pop on free heroin day, or documentary-maker Michael Moore on free Hot Fudge Sunday day? I'm tracking my body fat percentage occasionally (I'm not really looking at my WEIGHT, per se, a…

Ive spoken to the really helpful club chairman of my local club, Yeo Vale MCC today. I've got my first ever trial coming up this Sunday 7th! wish me luck!! what techniques should I work on before then? Also, any tips on bike preparation, stuff worth taking with me etc. to make my day run as smoothly as possible??

I picked myself up a 2001 Beta rev 3 last week and have been watching a bunch of Australian guys on you tube (brilliant video's) and trying to put what iv seen into pratice. Ill put up a little vid, and would welcome any comments. I have no rear brake pedal st the moment, but hope to get one sorted next week. Shay

Hi all, This will probably sound like a silly question , but im fairly new to moto trials , so here goes........................ I live in a fairly congested (neighbors) residential area and to start the bike up after work to practice is proving not a real good idea ( probably fairly so) so my question is is it a good idea to practice balancing the bike without it going as ive heard balance is better achieved with the use of clutch /throttle coordination ?? or should i wait until i can get the bike out and actually start it to practice , and by the way its great to find a forum where i can ask silly questions re trials riding , Thanks

Can anyone suggest a good trials training dvd for a clubman rider. I was looking at Dan Thorpe 'Basic Trials Techniques. Has anyone got it? Would anyone recomend? or suggest another?

Hi all. The wife and I are doing our first Trials event on 15 October. We are practicing turns, ascents, descents and balance as much as we can, but are wondering if any of you have any tips on what else we should be doing in preparation. Maybe riding over small logs or rocks or something to get used to it? I'm not sure how one actually sharpen the skills of walking a section and planning lines, etc so any suggestions would be appreciated.

I know that this is a very advanced technique and most of people can only dream about it, but I just wanna make sure I m on the right track! I can do several complete stops while wheeling like slow holding pressure, lets say 7-8 on a good run. I m not fully controlling the direction but I m also trying to stop for as long as possible each time. My questions are: What gear should I be training this?? I usually use 1st. it seems easier to bring the nose up and requires less distance... anyone out there that hops well on the rear? what gear do you use? is there any terrain I should look for?? like, I thought about few small 4" diameter logs lined up just far…

I had never seen balance training like this. I think it would be beneficial for trials.

interested to hear what you think of this,is this the best way to get up this size of step ? is this good for bigger steps ? he is 10 years old and doesn`t have much weight to transfer !

I might be actually entering a trial in the near future after a long lay-off so I know I am looking at a bit of arm pump (it's inevitable). Apart from the obvious ''just ride..ride..ride..'' does anyone out there have a way/technique/ritual? of reducing the muscle-lock that we all experience from time-to-time?? Any answers greatfully received, Wayne

I'm starting a weight-lifting program, and even though I'll never be a Dougie Lampkin I'm just wondering how much a typical world/national level trials (or enduro/motocross) rider can "bench press". The one where you lie on your back and push the barbell up at a right angle to your body, with both arms. Also, how much can YOU bench press? I'm a bit embarassed at my own bench press figure, so let's just say that it has plenty of room FOR IMPROVEMENT (that's, uh, a good thing, right?) Some athlete by the name of "Tiger Woods" can reportedly bench 300 lbs. Tiger is what, some sort of massive sumo wrestler or something? Probably some massive NFL lineman or "Strong-man co…

Anyone used anything they've found particularly good to either speed up healing or protect it post healing? Am in my 3rd NHS cast so far and I only broke it on Sat. Am considering and Aircast Wrist Cast Aircast Link but haven't used them before and wondered if anyone found it better. I keep working my cast loose and have a fair bit of thumb movement so its not helping the healing process much. The aircast has a pump option which should keep it fixed. I'm also looking at an Allsports Dynamic Wrist Brace to get me back riding in time for the Scottish AllSports Site and limit the damage so I can continue rehabbing it after. It comes with pins to lock wrist extension which i…

Hi everyone I'm fairly new to trials biking. I've done motocross most of my life so far. I am having difficulty approaching highish obstacles from a stand still. Every time i try slipping the clutch and popping it i either smash into the obstacle or just don't it right. Have you guys got any tips on how to tackle this problem Thanks

Hi all, Hoping you can help with a bit of technique,I’ve been practicing the jap zap over some barrels and these tyres. I can’t seem to get the lift I need which is stopping my momentum to get over. its a 300cc and I’ve been trying in second and third gear. any help would be appreciated,thanks

This is something I looked for when I was starting to learn zaps - I couldn't find anything. So now I can make some approximation of a zap I thought I'd have a go at syncing a closeup of the clutch with video of the maneuver. I'm no expert, that's for sure, but I think this gives some idea of when the clutch pop occurs. When I started I think I was always too early popping the clutch and the wheel just drove forward without getting much lift. Still lots to work on, watching this video has already given me a couple of things I want to try to correct. Timing is the hardest thing to get just right I find - it's not so hard to get the movements kind of working but i…

Highly embarrassing, but I can only hop right. I feel like a fish with one flipper cut off. I can basically go in a circle to my right, but when it comes time to go left, I give a few feeble front hops then promptly lose balance. I'm pretty sure it has something to do with the pressure I'm putting on the pegs as relates to keeping the rear brake on, but for the life of me I can't see to figure out how to counteract it. Help!

Hi guys and gals, Do any of you have any tips on floater turns? I was practising them tonight for a change. I have watched, and do watch the Ryan vids, as good as they are, he makes everything look so easy. I am practising up hill, with a steady pace in first or second gear and when ready I am initiating a wheelie, trying to throw the bike over in the direction I want to go, lifting my outside elbow high and trying to look behind me. I know the looking well behind helps tremendously. I keep telling myself "elbow up" and on the approach I keep telling myself to load the inside peg. But I can still not get past about 90 degrees with out a dab to finish…

hi all I have been trying to improve my balance lately and was wondering if anyone has some tips or techniques they use to improve? I have a trials bycicle and i use it alot to try and improve. any help welcomed. max

Hi All , Im looking for trials clubs near Inverness preferebly north west I stay 60+miles from Inverness Any Info, web address would be spot on Help a newbie get some practice on his bike with a club Thanks all

All: I am fairly new to trials. I have been studying up for a couple years waiting till I was able to get my first trials bike. Got the bike. love it to death it's everything I ever wanted. End of the first week on the bike I have a buddy over (4 wheeler rider mainly) and he decides to try some wheelies. Short version he gets into trouble doesn't grab the clutch and doesn't let go of the throttle. Result Rear fender minus about 3 or 4 inches, and the bars are bent all to hell. He lived. On to the important stuff. I take the bars off and proceed to bend them back (this was hard to say the least). Now the weather has gotten nicer and I am logging a lot more …