| Getting Started |
| Friday, 15 May 2009 21:08 | |
|
HOW TO START TRIALS RIDING GETTING LEGAL “How do you start riding trials” is the question that most clubs are frequently asked. To some extent it’s easy to answer, but then again, maybe it’s not. a We are assuming that if you fancy having a go at trials, then you will have seen riders actually taking part in a trial, and if that’s so, then there are basic formalities to be undertaken first. So let’s start with the formalities. Before taking part a prospective rider should first of all join a local club and should have an ACU Trials Registration Card. The Auto Cycle Union is the governing body of the sport and they issue all organising permits and cover the insurance implications The best way to do this is to apply online to the ACU (http://www.acu.org.uk) and download a Trials Registration Card application form. Fill this in, but before returning it to the ACU, join your chosen club and upon joining ask the secretary to sign the form. You can’t get a Trials Registration Card without first joining a club. Send the form to the ACU with the required fee (£10 at the moment) and you will be issued with a card by return. You are now all legal and registered! GETTING STARTED If you’ve never ridden trials and maybe you haven’t even seen a trial, then we suggest that you visit a trial and see what it’s all about. At this point, ask questions of the club officials and they’ll tell you all you need to know and probably a lot more. If you think you have the capabilities to take part, then it’s quite simple, enter and ride! However, if you think you need some practice and experience before entering an event, then we suggest you locate a venue where you can try out trials riding, or even better, have a training session at one of the many trials schools that are held up and down the country. There is no easy way in, but in our experience, most riders have some degree of off road ability, and that’s normally enough. Youth riders will usually have the balance and skills found from riding cycles and with some gentle guidance can usually convert these to riding trials. Do not be afraid of taking the easiest route into the sport. Ride the easy routes first – that’s what they are there for. Inevitably, you’ll find some clubs are more suitable for beginners than others, but most clubs have trials aimed at the newcomers, but ask first if you are not sure. THE BIKE Choosing a machine is a minefield and at the end of the day is down to personal choice. Adults can ride any machine of their choice. Currently there are five main trials machine manufacturers, Beta, Sherco, Gas Gas, Montesa, Scorpa but there are many machines available that are no longer made and most of these are very suitable. Please bear in mind that all youth riders are limited to a maximum of 125cc until they reach the end of the calendar year in which they are 17. The full youth class age groups and the machines each can ride are listed in the ACU Handbook which is supplied with the Trials Registration Card in the section Trials Regulations, TSR1. CLOTHING The only officially required clothing is a helmet and knee length boots, preferably of leather, but the practical implications from a comfort and safety point of view are competition clothing and gloves, all of which fit tighter than normal day wear and therefore are less likely to catch on sticks and rocks. ENTERING You’ve got the bike, you’ve got the kit, you’ve got the licence and you’ve chosen your first trial, so what happens now? As far as Lancs County events go, then you simply turn up about an hour before the trial is scheduled to start, fill in the entry form which is supplied, and an envelope for your results, or supply an e-mail address on the entry form, pay the entry fee and wait for the trial to take place. It’s as simple as that. Most trials that Lancs County run are over four short laps of ten sections. Do what you can, and if you feel that you are out of your depth and perhaps only want to ride some of the sections, then do just that. But let the secretary know at the finish what you’ve chosen to do. However, if you’ve managed to ride all sections, every lap, then great, just wait for the results which will appear very quickly on this website and give yourself a well deserved pat on the back, for you will have completed a trial in a sport which could give you life-long satisfaction.
|
|
| Last Updated on Monday, 25 May 2009 22:42 |