Hi I'm new to Trials and am hoping to enter my first competition this weekend and wondered if anyone could offer any advice on what to expect and any tips????

Thanks,

Rob

Hi Rob,

I like to get to an event in plenty of time before the off, make sure your bikes all working as it should day before (all bolts/nuts tightened,spokes, chain etc) As its your first go early and have a look at the sections well before the start if you can. Always plenty of friendly people at trials to talk to and Iam sure if you had a chat with a few some may even offer to ride round with you for first lap or so, chances are you may not be the first newbee rider there either.

Theres no point in rushing, take your time,watch other riders through a section and see which lines they take, where they get on the throttle, get off it etc, dont be afraid to ask for advise when your walking sections and make sure you know exactly which markers you are following and exactly the line you need to take.

Make sure you drink plenty before and during the trial, you will be surprised possibly how much a first trial can take out of you even if you think its easy going at first glimpse. Good brekkie and snack at refueling is good as well.

If your struggling with an obstacle or section ask someone for their advise, you'll always get help and tips, most observers are a good starting place for a good line,my first call sometimes. Keep an eye out on your fuel, dont run out mid trial, not sure what type of trial or length of loop your doing but at a Midland Centre club trial I'll refuel after lap 1 and that will do the next 3 laps normally.

If your unsure of tyre pressures, 6 in the front 3-4 in the rear(3 if wet and slippy or abit less) and get yourself an accurate tyre guage for the future its important. Make sure your levers are not to tight,if you have a fall a busted lever can end your day pretty quick if you,ve not got a spare, make sure they,re not loose though. Bring some duct/tank/insulating tape with you to fix your numbers onto the bike and helmet, either will do,if you forget someone will give you some though.

If you haven't got a kill switch on your bike get one asap, i dont think its a requirement but a must in my book, soon nip a barrel up if you cant kill it within a few seconds and pulling the plug cap off can be a life changing experience at full chat.

Dont be afraid to ask for a five if you dont fancy something in a section, or better still ride what you can of the section if possible and just miss out the bit your not keen on, can always have a go on a later lap or after the trial.

If you,ve got an ACU registration card take it with you, if not print off the form on the ACU site fill it in night before and make sure your first in line for signing on so the secretary has time to stamp it and join you up for the club.

Good luck fella

You'll soon pick up the art of gardening at trials as well, keep a good eye out for it, some are absolute masters

Just read your what to expect bit sorry, try and turn up at least 40 mins before it starts, find the signing on point usually back of a car or van in the car park area and fill in the entry form if you are entering on the day. Most trials dont allow engines to be started before the start of an event so no warming the bike up unless you are allowed to.

Trials events vary quite alot, but a club trial will usually be 10-14 sections 3 or 4 laps and last 3-4 hours, most of the time you will be marked from an observers board he or she carries, sometimes though you will be given a punchcard you carry yourself (dont loose it during the trial) or forget it after a 4 mile hike accross the moors to the first group of sections carrying a minging hangover from a 5am lockin at the local pub at the Scarborough 2 day hey Legend???? lol

Usually there will be a pre trial talk from the sectretary on which group of riders will start at what sections/number of laps/number of sections etc and then your away.

Make sure you only enter a section when the observer is ready for you to do so, usually its obvious but not always as you may not be able to see him/her so a whislte shout may be your queue. Dont argue with an observer over a score, I pretty much never ask at any stage of the trial what score Ive been given so never know untill the results have arrived, saves any chance of a little discussion on the day. Always thank the observer when you,ve done your last lap of the section, its always appreciated.

Walking a section can take your mind off things at the time, watch out for riders entering or already riding the section as you dont want to get in their way whilst theyre riding it, a "Mind your Backs"call is a good sign someones coming, or "Move it Tubby" in Ralphs case.

Edited October 29, 200916 yr by The Addict

Thanks very much for the tips.....Just gotta get on and do it now :-) I'll let you know how I got on....

Hi Rob,

I like to get to an event in plenty of time before the off, make sure your bikes all working as it should day before (all bolts/nuts tightened,spokes, chain etc) As its your first go early and have a look at the sections well before the start if you can. Always plenty of friendly people at trials to talk to and Iam sure if you had a chat with a few some may even offer to ride round with you for first lap or so, chances are you may not be the first newbee rider there either.

Theres no point in rushing, take your time,watch other riders through a section and see which lines they take, where they get on the throttle, get off it etc, dont be afraid to ask for advise when your walking sections and make sure you know exactly which markers you are following and exactly the line you need to take.

Make sure you drink plenty before and during the trial, you will be surprised possibly how much a first trial can take out of you even if you think its easy going at first glimpse. Good brekkie and snack at refueling is good as well.

If your struggling with an obstacle or section ask someone for their advise, you'll always get help and tips, most observers are a good starting place for a good line,my first call sometimes. Keep an eye out on your fuel, dont run out mid trial, not sure what type of trial or length of loop your doing but at a Midland Centre club trial I'll refuel after lap 1 and that will do the next 3 laps normally.

If your unsure of tyre pressures, 6 in the front 3-4 in the rear(3 if wet and slippy or abit less) and get yourself an accurate tyre guage for the future its important. Make sure your levers are not to tight,if you have a fall a busted lever can end your day pretty quick if you,ve not got a spare, make sure they,re not loose though. Bring some duct/tank/insulating tape with you to fix your numbers onto the bike and helmet, either will do,if you forget someone will give you some though.

If you haven't got a kill switch on your bike get one asap, i dont think its a requirement but a must in my book, soon nip a barrel up if you cant kill it within a few seconds and pulling the plug cap off can be a life changing experience at full chat.

Dont be afraid to ask for a five if you dont fancy something in a section, or better still ride what you can of the section if possible and just miss out the bit your not keen on, can always have a go on a later lap or after the trial.

If you,ve got an ACU registration card take it with you, if not print off the form on the ACU site fill it in night before and make sure your first in line for signing on so the secretary has time to stamp it and join you up for the club.

Good luck fella

You'll soon pick up the art of gardening at trials as well, keep a good eye out for it, some are absolute masters

Just read your what to expect bit sorry, try and turn up at least 40 mins before it starts, find the signing on point usually back of a car or van in the car park area and fill in the entry form if you are entering on the day. Most trials dont allow engines to be started before the start of an event so no warming the bike up unless you are allowed to.

Trials events vary quite alot, but a club trial will usually be 10-14 sections 3 or 4 laps and last 3-4 hours, most of the time you will be marked from an observers board he or she carries, sometimes though you will be given a punchcard you carry yourself (dont loose it during the trial) or forget it after a 4 mile hike accross the moors to the first group of sections carrying a minging hangover from a 5am lockin at the local pub at the Scarborough 2 day hey Legend???? lol

Usually there will be a pre trial talk from the sectretary on which group of riders will start at what sections/number of laps/number of sections etc and then your away.

Make sure you only enter a section when the observer is ready for you to do so, usually its obvious but not always as you may not be able to see him/her so a whislte shout may be your queue. Dont argue with an observer over a score, I pretty much never ask at any stage of the trial what score Ive been given so never know untill the results have arrived, saves any chance of a little discussion on the day. Always thank the observer when you,ve done your last lap of the section, its always appreciated.

Walking a section can take your mind off things at the time, watch out for riders entering or already riding the section as you dont want to get in their way whilst theyre riding it, a "Mind your Backs"call is a good sign someones coming, or "Move it Tubby" in Ralphs case.

This should be fixed for future new starts.

[quote name='The Addict' date='Oct 29 2009, 07:55 PM' post='216236'

get yourself an accurate tyre guage for the future its important. ????????

or forget it after a 4 mile hike accross the moors to the first group of sections carrying a minging hangover from a 5am lockin at the local pub at the Scarborough 2 day hey Legend???? lol

I heard all about it Legend fair play mate, good ride that day as well

Great post from The Addict, +1 for what B40RT said

Wonder how many Red Bulls Justin had drunk by the end of that????

Good Post mate.

9

Thanks again for the advice, it was very useful preparation for the event!!! I had a great day out and really enjoyed myself, the organisers were great, taking time to explain how things worked and the other riders were very helpful with riding tips and gear selection etc. The results aren't yet out but I'll be very surprised if I'm not last, but thats all part of the fun :-)

Thanks to everyone at the Merthyr event!!!

Can't wait till my next one now...

Well done mate, nothing wrong with coming last, I still do it even now in class glad it went well and I said above Trials folk are very helpfull and always willing to give advise no matter what level you ride. (Although never ask the Surgeon gear selection for a section)

Next event will be easier as you don't have to worry what to expect, I have heard Merthyr events are always good, must make the effort next year and do one.

Let us know how the next one goes

Well done Rob.

Vale of Towy this Sat in Carmarthen if you are up for it - same venue I think as the Project 2000 training day

Oggie I popped up to the merthyr event this weekend to have a look, the event in llwydcoed was it? What bike was you riding????? i think i watched you having a go at the hill climb section and the woman doing the marking was praising how well you was doing at your first trial. Im new to trials riding too, well had a bike for a few months but never done a trial, still trying to get on with the basics as its a totally different style from my supermoto. I dont know about you but i thought the venue was great for trials riding, theres loads of scope for different sections. do you know if the owner/farmer lets people practice up there (for a small fee of course)????????? any well done again,

Cheers! Done alot of practicing and thought I'd got the hang of it but there was lots of stuff on Sunday that was way too difficult for my current level but I had a great day and am glad I entered even if I did come 3rd (there were only 3 in my category :-) )

I'm not sure but I asked the same question but nobody seemed to know. The guy that organised Sunday is the best bet but not sure how to get hold of him... I'm hoping to go to the Trial in Carmarthen on Saturday and if I see him I'll ask and let you know...I know of a couple of good places if you wanna meet up I'll show you...