john b

Thanks for that - might try the cobblers in barney to be honest if I can get another year it's worth it cheers john

My son (15) on his TY - second in experts in his class in the Kia champs last year ????

Hi there anyone know of someone who repairs trials boots ? the front of the sole has come apart on my gaernes (they are a year old and had very little use) - I think I've caught the very front on a rock and ripped the stitching. ive tried local cobbler but he said he couldn't do anything ? I'm in north east but don't mind posting if anyone can help cheers john

I had a bad motocross accident which makes it difficult to kick with right foot . I've had a few betas which were ideal, but I find it easier now with right kick bikes to get off the bike and kick with left foot. Not much of an inconvenience as you think ! cheers john

Hi there inhave a set of 33mm paiolis off a Sherco 80 big wheel, with triple clamps - all in excellent condition sounds like they may be ideal let me know if they are of interest cheers john

Speak as you find my son had a 2015 125 that took some hammer including the mintex this year and it never missed a beat ! bought it very cheap at just under a year old - ran it for 18 months and lost £400. Running costs were regular maintenance only csnt complain at that really. saying that he's on a beta now tho !! Ha ha cherrs john

Hi its just a perforated steel guard painted red, to stop mud build up in the head which in the past has lead to mud shorting the plug out chris ' yam has has 2 years of development to where it is now and a very competitive bike ! cheers john

Great bikes - get them right and they can do things you wouldn't believe! Looks like it's in the right direction. My son on his modded 175 he's used successfully in the Kia experts this year

Completely agree with the logic and the rationale that my son can have a championship where he wouldn't score 5555555335555533 etc There are many very capable A class riders who need a youth championship cheers John

My comment This year an A class youth had to ride with British experts, no other choice. Next year there is an A class and B class youth on the same day. Elite A or B I would imagine would choose to ride with the BTC. Hopefully an A and B in youths class will be sufficiently tough for good centre youths leaving the elite to battle it out on a tougher course ( to bring them on). Hopefully this will have increased youth class entries My son is a good centre rider about to go to A class. At this point I would not put him in BTC experts, but would consider in an A class youth championship thanks John

Many thanks for the clarification - appreciated ! cheers john

Is there a list of 2018 dates for youth ? A class for 2017 was only with british experts and not limited to 5 ?

But now there will be two a class ?A class Elites with british t c experts and A class with youth ?

Is there a change next year to put A class back into youth class ? (Having an "elite " A class running worth british experts ). Does this mean good centre riders will have more chance of getting round? Any idea how many rounds are planned next year ? cheers john

Glad it's taking pace ! Great to see it happening I think people are seeing it's not about teaching people to be better at trials (that's what trials schools are for ) it's about the whole event, what goes on, help with lines etc - making it a good first time experience. It doesn't need to be every week, to be honest one (or two) events per month will be enough - if we can get a few riders at each one, and if most carry on trailing that's up to 30 new riders?? Unfotunatley I'm at the national Kia round that day but have said to Glen would love to help at the next one , which I hope there will be a next one soon ! Cheers John

Hi Glen Great idea and many thanks for leading the initiative ! Unfortunately we are a the next Kia round in Llangollen that day - but if its a success and more planned I am more than happy to give up a ride to help look forward to the feedback - I hope its a success cheers John

I really think the conducted beginners conducted would help. 4 or 5 experienced riders, set the sections out as you go, everyone walks them then rides them ........( the same as the kids do, but don't tell anyone) ride with the kids and happy days..... Just needs some organisation - I'm not a good rider but an experienced rider. I'm at at least 2 trials a month in north east so would throw my hat in the ring ....I'm sure other experienced riders would enjoy it...... i agree with Glen, the social aspect of all beginners together would also be good. food for thought ...... If we can get 20 riders a year to take it up..... And continue.... Then maybe entries will rise cheers john

Agree completely with the above, but instead of yet another route (easy easy, dead easy, they have been called lots of things) - take the stigma of conducted route being for kids and call it beginners, There is then a level of tuition from more experienced riders (not necessarily experts), half a dozen sections, everyone rides them together, say 6 times, results available straight after the trial, - and I think it would bring people on no end. As I said, I've been there, 147 in my first trial etc - I would have done a beginners conducted route. cheers John

Great Thread I think a few issues:- 1 - Entries at trials At National level you are catering for the <3% who are competing to win - and setting out accordingly. I know I've found this with my son - he's not a bad rider, great on a twinshock - but against the top riders in his class on a modern bike - he would 5 everything. I've thought on youth there should definitely be an elite class and a national class....and would probably keep more youths in trials and encourage more into riding nationals (great experience, it has been for Chris on Twinshocks). Are National Trials the lifeblood though ? I don't think so - encourage the club riders 2 - New Starters To be honest I disagree that someone who practices regular cannot do an easy route (Talking NE only !) - I know my first trial (After many years of MX) I lost 147 - its was all about getting used to trials - which is massively different to any other motorcycle sport. I got used to it and went from shockingly bad to bad .....but loved it !! Could you do conducted and invite adults as their first introduction ? If they find it far too easy, then the easy route should be fine. Would adults ride in a beginners class on conducted ? I would have. Finding those to organise conducted ? I would help out as I'm sure many others would (my son no longer needs me to ride with him , in fact he doesn't want me to ride with him !!) - get a dozen or so volunteers, you only need 4-5 to run a conducted trial, but needs some centre co-ordination (who ??) to ring round and get a few for each trial 3 - Route marking Please - just leave as is. Easy is easy, clubman is a challenge and Expert is tougher. Accept people will ride easy for the rest of their life and drop single figures - but hey, this isn't a world championship. A few years ago I won easy route trials (honestly !!) - did I move up - no. I wanted to enjoy it and go to work the next day. Did it stop competitive youths moving up as they wanted to win ? no - they want the challenge. Unfortunately experiences comes with time and you know what trials are tough, what are not so bad, what are gully's, what are rocks, etc etc ......and simply pick and choose......but unfortunately easy might be easy and easy might be tough ! To be honest all those in NE Centre who mark out are experienced enough - leave it to them (they don't get paid for it !!) I know a lot of questions and not many answers, but only my thoughts.. yours in sport cheers John

hi glen appreciate the comments -all valid ! regarding promoting trials to the wider public, I'm not sure ... It's a niche sport at the end of the day . It's not a spectator sport at club level - but it's a great sport ! how many times have people said "it's a Bit like kickstart with peter purvis !" I do appreciate there is a point where it's fonancially unsustainable for clubs to put a trial on (and a ball ache when 30 riders turn up !) magic answer I don't know - lets just hope this great sport keeps going ! john

Just my comments..... i honestly just think it's the time of year ! People on holiday, having other stuff to do and In the north east combined with lots of available trials (Wednesday saturday sunday ) means lots of choice. As a north East trailler with my son I don't think there isuch wrong. Youth entries at £5 and adult between £10-£15 - come on .... Try a days sport in any discipline for that !! Regarding getting youths into the sport the problem is simple - kids grow up quick and move onto the main trial leaving a gap for conducted trials. I helped in 2010 for a year or so while my son did conducted - and that group of kids moved on (and most still riding) and need to be replaced. We did have a gap but I'm glad to see conducted trials back on. Richmond have a great asset in Ted who has run conducted trials for years - the culture is there that they do great kids trials. There is also now a tremendous choice of trials - we have done the kia rounds for the last 2 years and they are great value - so we will miss about 8 north east trials because of it. in summary I would say don't panic (at least in North East ) I do understand it's frustrating for organisers to put a trial on for 25 riders but I know that's the minority of trials - we will all too soon be sick of the queuing at the 120+ rider club trials later in the year ! ypurs in sport John

Anyone who has a beer in the middle on winning a gp demands respect!! john

Hi there to be honest we don't practice - there are so many trials it's better just to enter and ride. (And the north east centre is so cheap for youths to enter) This is a rare weekend we aren't riding (I'm away with work !) - but Chris (my son) is riding butsfield tomorrow night if you want to pm me happy to have a chat sometime to help you get started. Cheers John

Hi there Any club would be ok - doesn't restrict you at all, just go along to a trial and speak to the organisers (look for the car with the signing on queue about 10.30 am !!) Get started - it brings the kids on great My son is on my profile pic from about 5 years ago on his ty80 - he's now far better than I will ever be, has some great friends, we ride in North east and also national twinshocks (for him not me !!) Im in Chester le street if you want a chat about it any time cheers John

Must save a fortune in front tyres !??