I agree that abusive language should not be used and the observer should not be coerced into changing a score.
The AMCA do have a comprehensive rule book which includes Rider Conduct. The first offence for which a suspension from the meeting can be made states. Any act which is of a violent, threatening or abusive nature to any official rider, passenger or any other person.
As said in other posts. Trials should be fun. We don't need these people.
One of my local clubs held thier annual road trial today and I and my five year old daughter observed in the morning and spectated in the afternon. As usual while observing i was firm but fair and everyone smiled expressed thier thanks and rode on, some as usual stopped for a chat or or said hello to me or my daughter. a pleasant way to spend the morning and as the sun was out and the skies blue we spectated at one of the later groups.
the section was tricky, get there early and you had an evens chance of a clean the last 25% of the entry had difficulty getting out of the mudhole, some riders literally having a mudbath. Now as is the norm the 'top' riders were riding together and hanging about waiting for a 'new' line to appear or for the section to develop a brief 'sweet spot' during this period a young lad made a more than fair attempt only to come a right cropper and dove deeper into the morass than Jaques Cousteau ever could.
his riding companions good naturedly pulled him and his bike out while they waited for a couple of thier friends to attempt the section. The lad to next attemt the section had given it a long hard coat of looking at and came back to check the line before attempting to cross the morass.. he fired his bike at the crossing making it across without a dab..
however the line he chose was 6 -8 inches to the right of the red marker and all the specatators shouted ' five' the lad who had previuosly taken a tumble shouted remarks about keeping quiet and a threw a few F words in. he then strode across the morass and ' persuaded ' the observer ( who was in his seventies) that his mate was clean and waited while the 5 was changed to 0, returning to his bike he harangued the dozen or so spectators with the F word and accusations of bias, argued with a grandmother who was chastising him for use of the f word and used it agian toward her and then took on a member of the organisation team of probably the biggest trial in the calendar, who happened to be riding in the trialand used the F word 3 times toward him!
I go to a lot of football matches and swearing is banned now in most grounds and so is abusing officials but it's still often heard and its accepted but not acceptable I work with 7 or 8 other builders and swearing is common there too but i've never heard it or used like it was today toward the spectators ( who were all bar 2 observers from earlier on in the day) but what really disappointed me was the lieing to and 'persuading' the aged observer to change the score.
I'm happy to ride against better riders I'm happy to ride against people with better bikes but if winning means so much that lieing to and ' persuading' officials to that degree is acceptable then trials is nt for me..
I feel the SSDT would loose out if it was moved out of Fort William.
I have not seen a post from a past competitor as yet. Maybe the riders would prefere more space.
I know past competitors who have arranged bed & breakfasts within walking distance of the West End Car Park making life easier after a hard days trialing.
Looking on Google there does not seem to be much in the way of accomodation close to the proposed sight.
Would the riders travel to Fort William for the parade if the weather did happen to be damp as can often happen.
6 Miles each way with fancy dress could be a bit tricky.
270/280 riders seems to be the max that can complete the route per day so the riders side should not get any bigger so its only down to spectators parking and Trade Stands and of course the weather.
AMCA trials riders are required to wear helmets and have been for a long time. The BMCA do not insist that helmets must be worn. They ride early British bikes.
I agree that Helmets and strong boots should be compulary.
I went last year and had a great two days. On the Saturday you get great views of the riders as they practice on some special practice areas. They are all relaxed and watch the lines taken by the other competitors.
I live fairly local for Hawkstone so travelled each day. The camping area was well used but not overcrowded. I should think if you wanted to spend the evening talking bikes you would find plenty of companions and the camp site is only a few yards from the riders paddock.
The sections are on the face of an old quarry so not much chance of standing on folding chairs. There were hugh crowds last year and getting a good view was quite difficult so an early arrival is advised.
Last year they had an arena where Steve Colley rode his one wheel bike over some very difficult sections, very entertaining.
What these riders can do on a bike is breathtaking so definitely worth the effort.
Plenty of food available and lots of trade stands so you won't be bored.
Allow time after the trial to visit the stands and the queues to get out will be much reduced.
Beta Evo 2013 Engine Rattle
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Check all your exhaust pipe mountings and joints are tight.