A little (OK, quite long) introduction to the world of Trials

HOW DO I GET STARTED?
First things first. The land we use for Trials is very precious to us and we expect all club members to be respectful to the land and landowners. Don't leave litter, don't go tearing up a farmers grass land - we set interesting sections for members to ride - there's no need to tear up cow pastures. Don't ever return to venues other than when we have a trial on (exceptions; our practice land in Swaine Woods and official practice sessions at Home Farm).

Download the membership form here,

fill it in and send it to the Club Secretary (see 'Contact') with a tenner. That enables you to practise in Swaine Woods (see 'Locations'). You will need an ACU membership affiliation form from the Secretary which needs signing by a club official. You'll need a passport size photo and a tenner. (You can also get one by going to 'Links', clicking 'ACU' and downloading it from there but you still need it signing/stamping). Look for our next Novice and Beginners trial (in 'Events'). The easy course is just that but bear in mind it is a trial and you must be capable of exercising control of your machine. The bikes and sections aren't dangerous but without a fair degree of practice you might be. So maybe watch a few first until you are confident you (or perhaps more importantly your offspring) can cope with the sections.

WHICH GEAR SHOULD I BE IN (1)

There are probably fewer rules for trials than any other form of motorsport - but there are some: WEAR A LID - either a trials lid or, if you must, an open face motor cycle helmet AT ALL TIMES when you are on the bike. It needs to be fastened properly - its not in the observers job description to scrape brains off the rockery . And only wear a 5 bob helmet if you've got a 5 bob head. Body and legs need covering - not a problem as you look a right pratt in Bermudas on a bike . Youths have to have arms protected. Long boots are needed - Doc Martins won't do. Invest in some proper trials boots. They're not cheap but they'll last for ages if you look after them- wellies might keep your feet dry but offer as much protection as a chocolate fireguard. Gloves are optional (except for youths). Martin Lampkin used to say wearing gloves is like washing your feet with your socks on - but they breed them hard in Silsden. If you prefer the way your hands look with skin over your knuckles , put them on your Christmas list. Just make sure you get the money off Granny and buy the Sammy Miller gloves - leave it Granny and you'll end up with Bart Simpson mittens .

AT THE TRIALS

Do us a favour. Please don't fire up your engine until we've got all the observers and are ready to roll.That helps to avoid the young guns wheelying round the car park too. You won't believe the amount of grief, money and embarrassment it causes if a wayward bike flattens a kid or implants itself in someones pride and joy (and yes, it has happened). So make sure you are well away from the car park (or anyone else) before trying your Dougie impersonations.

Normally you start at section 1 and do the sections in sequence or you risk exclusion. If we have a big entry (usually Beginners trials at Home Farm) we may ask some riders (hard course, odd/even numbers or something) to start at another section to avoid too much queuing on section 1.

Respect the observers who are giving up their time just so you can ride. If you upset them they may not come back.

Some may be inexperienced so you could help them out - replace any flags that get knocked over, help them spot the correct route when they first arrive at the section.

Don't argue if you think you've been marked incorrectly - there are more important things in life to worry about.

Wait until they nod you through before starting the section.

Last but not least, observers (and the rest of us) have got homes to go to so don't dick about. It's not uncommon for some riders to have finished before others have done their second lap - I kid you not. I'm sure some of them have a picnic half way through.

LOOK AT ALL THOSE B----Y FLAGS!
This is easy to sort out but remember that other clubs use different coloured flags. Always ride through all the red and blues except where there is an alternative easier white and yellow gate for the easy (or 50/50) course rider.

The main route HARD course gates have RED on the RIGHT, BLUE on the LEFT

The EASY course alternative gates have WHITE on the RIGHT, YELLOW on the LEFT

This is all well and good but ignores the fact that all our CoC's (clerks of course) are over 7 which leads to the inevitable lapse of memory - so expect the unexpected.
Incidently you can always spot the clerk of the course by the letters 'L' and 'R' written on the back of their gloves. (But not necessarily on the the right ones!). Easiest mistake we make is to have the red flags in the right hand, the blue in the left but stick 'em in when we are facing the wrong way the section. (It will happen to you one day - the onset of senile dementia).

I'VE STARTED SO I'LL FINISH
The marking (observation its called) starts as soon as your front wheel spindle (axle!) crosses between the start flags in a section and ends when it passes the end flags. Yes that right, you just need to get half your front wheel past the end flags.

This leads to some spectacular do or die lunges (good for the spectators) but remember you do actually need to retain some contact with the bike to avoid that 5.

So don't think you can nip out, do a figure of 8 and take a 20 yard run up to that last big rock in the section.
It'll cost you a fiveCAN I TAKE THE WIDE LINE?
On a world round the flags are linked by tapes that you can't ride beyond.
Not surprisingly we don't bother with those at club trials.
So there is a bit of leeway to take a wide line. But the principle still stands,
If in doubt, ask the observer. If the observer is inexperienced, ask a rider who looks as though he knows what he is doing (a rare species I agree).
If all else fails send the posse out out for the C of C (L and R on the gloves remember)

HOW MANY LAPS IS IT?

Wednesday nights - 4 laps of 8

N&B & Champs - 4 laps of 10 or 3 of 12 if we have lots of riders (and observers) or perhaps 5 laps of 8 if we can't get all the observers. PLEASE NOTE, IF IT'S FREEZING COLD, BLOWING A GALE OR CHUCKING IT DOWN (OR ANY COMBINATION OF THOSE) IN THE INTERESTS OF NOT KILLING OFF OUR OBSERVERS WE MIGHT REDUCE THE NUMBER OF LAPS OR APPLY A CLOSURE TIME FOR THE SECTIONS

Group trials - Notified on the day

If we struggle for observers and have to pull some sections you won't get as much of a ride for your money - so if you haven't brought an observer, don't complain.

WHICH GEAR SHOULD I BE IN (2)
"Try fourth - you need the grip!!!"
There's never just one answer - it all depends on you and your bike as much as the section. It might be a good idea to change mid section as we have a habit of mixing tight turns with big climbs. World class riders are famous for 3rd gear and a handful of throttle to leap up that giant rock but it's amazing what they can do in 1st gear as well. All in the throttle control - keep practising!
"WHICH LINE SHOULD I TAKE?"
"Walk the section carefully, watch the other guys, and plan your line."
(Then get on the bike and make it up as you go along.).
Seriously - trials riding is one of the friendliest sports around so if you need help, just ask someone (even the big ugly bugger) and you'll get some good advice. If you want to know the most effective way of keeping your score down, it's not buying the latest bike - or even practising more, just make sure you look at the sections carefully and don't miss any flags. It's amazing how many 5's are lost because folk have gone the wrong way (or missed that end flag we sneakily put round the back of the tree).

HOW DO YOU MARK?

Horsforth run the TRS 22A stop permitted rule. (Observers please note the score cards may well still have ' 5 for a stop' printed on them).

See News section to download a copy of the TRS22A rules

THE OBSERVERS

No Observers - No trial.

Be VERY nice to them.

NEVER, EVER be rude to them or argue with them. (Once is disqualification, twice is a ban).

Remember to say 'Thank You' on your last lap.

Don't set off until you are nodded through.

Give a bit back - Try it yourself sometime.

BRING ONE (Remember we are one of the very few clubs who pay our observers - except for the Charity trial in November)

MARKING OUT

Those little flags don't just grow like toadstools - it's harder than you think to keep everyone happy. Just take a peek at the range of marks on a set of results and you'll see why one mans 'too easy' is another mans 'too bloody hard'. One thing we try to do, even on the beginners course, is to try to make the sections interesting. If anyone wants to lend a hand you will be most welcome. Ring or collar the Smith brothers at a trial. Whatever you think of a trial let us know (Martin or Barrie Fairburn, Graham or Barrie Smith) and hopefully we will keep a few more people happy.

WHERE NOT TO RIDE
The land we use for Trials is very precious to us and we expect all club members to be respectful to the land and landowners. Don't leave litter, don't go tearing up a farmers grass land - we set interesting sections for members to ride - there's no need to tear up cow pastures. Don't ever return to venues other than when we have a trial on (exceptions; our practice land in Swaine Woods and official practice sessions at Home Farm).Some of our trials are close to roads (Redshaw gill, Ramsgill) so if you haven't got a road licence and a taxed, insured (and MOT'd) bike, don't ride on the road.
At Swaine Woods don't ride outside the woods . If the police catch anyone doing that, they will prosecute the rider (which doesn't bother us) then prevent us from using the woods (which does - so the offending rider will get a lifetime ban from the club).