hrmad

Thanks Glenn, yeah it turned out to be pretty good fun by the end of the day Thanks lineaway. I see what you mean about the body positioning, it all seems to go to pot in a section though! More practice and some ryan young vids might cure it, ta for the advice Yeah, once I got my confidence up it was great fun. Seeing some familiar faces and having a chat with the guys in ques was nice too.

Spark plug and plug spanner, a few allen keys, spare links for the chain and connecting link. A little bum bag is useful just in case.

Well, went to my fourth trial today, it's the 2nd one I've managed to complete all 4 laps. Score still probably hopelessly high, but it's all good fun. I decided to go on the middle route as it was an Easy/ dead easy trial and the bottom route wasn't enough of a challenge. I did manage to crash several times, in places no else seemed to be crashing! What gives? But I'd rather challenge myself and get a high score rather than do something easy and clear it. I was nervous for the first two laps, started getting angry at myself on the last two and became a bit more aggressive, which helped loads as I forgot about being afraid. I also went quicker between sections, which was really fun and helped me to get to know the bike better. The main places I was giving away points were on tight turns and up hills. Absolutely hopeless with up hills, I never seem to get enough power on, or use too much and end up spinning. I've included some photos of my crashes, the hill doesn't look that bad and there was plenty of run up. There were ruts at the bottom of the bank which were distracting and I kept wheeling half way up all the time, so ended up paddling. I fived this section 3 times, last time made a determined effort for a three. It's really frustrating, do you guys find that? Stuff you can breeze through or over in practice somehow become impossible in competition? Any tips for climbing hills? And another thing, I get all wobbly at the beginning of a section, is it because I'm using the handle bars to balance and not the pegs? But it was a good day, I did clear a few sections. I had fun riding between them and the last two involved riding up a stream, which was a lot of fun, really enjoyed that

Does any one else keep a wish list going for their bikes? What else is there to spend money on but the bikes? Hehe, at least that's what I tell myself

I've gone and bought one, mind changes direction like the wind! When it's fitted I'll post how I get on, thanks

From watching a few local trials some guys can hope a 4rt and make it look easy, they can grip in mud too- you've just got to be good enough to know how. I had a go on a mates beta 4 stroke today and I must say the engine braking is a nice feature down hills. At any rate, let us know which one you go for in the end

In the uk you can pretty much ride 12 months a year, provided you can get to the venue. Snow isn't as bad as sheet ice... You go down without warning on ice.

It would be more comfortable in hill climbs to use less wrist movement, or getting up short steep banks... I suppose it's cheap enough to try out.

I'd need a new throttle cable too?

I know, I've gone full circle back to where I was at the start. 10/44 was too slow so I just put the 11 back on, rather than remove the rear sprocket. I suppose at least i've got a spare set of 10/41 when the current set wears down or I sell the bike.

Don't tempt me, haha!

The gearing worked out well at 11/44, second and third gear are nice for hill climbs. I'll leave the throttle as a slow throttle for now, I spend enough time crashing and loosing grip as it is. Although the thought of trying a fast one out is still nagging at me! Thanks guys

Why not? Lol, if I had silly money to spend and to maintain a bike I'd go for an ossa, they just look so damn cool! But really, what's wrong with a gasgas or a sherco? Just curious... EDIT: In response to the OP, you've owned versions of both bikes, maybe ask yourself which one you had most fun on? I'll go back to my corner now, hahaha!

why those two bikes in particular?

Thanks, I guess in hindsight it's best to treat the in between parts as a way to improve and spend more time getting to know your bike. Also train and get fit enough to cope with the rides between sections. Trials is hard no matter what way the coin lands, satisfying when you get things right though

There were 3 routes, I phoned up and asked the clerk of the course if their sportsman route was suitable for beginners and he said yes. Most of the sections were doable, apart from one or two, it was getting to them that was the problem! After coming off down a steep back and coming off attempting some hills before the section it's really demoralizing! A rider told me after the club was known for setting out hard trials, I found that out first hand. So yes, I think I can say it was too hard for my noob level. Good job I am not 'soft' or easily put off as I am determined to keep trying at local comps, even if riding over a 'stick' is difficult...

Thanks, it's come through now Practice was hard going today, poor traction, really wet and muddy. I practiced a particular hill climb over and over, it did me a lot of good and improved my confidence a bit. I can't quite get up the same places as my friend yet, but I am pushing beyond my comfort zone at my own pace. Using more speed and momentum now, using 2nd and 3rd gears works the best. Downhills were scary with no grip, went sideways a few times, it was easier just relying on the engine braking and leave the brakes alone in places. Came off probably around 10 times, but it got more fun as the day went on. I tried out my friends 250 beta, I preferred the power to the 200, and the clutch was much lighter! Maybe it's the short levers the previous owner has put on my 200, thinking about trying some full length ones. The 250 wheelies a treat, more fun to ride and easier to muck about on. I know what size bike I'll get next time

Thanks, look forward to it

That's great considering how muddy it was, the expert course looked hard, especially that section with the massive hill (started in a stream at the bottom) and the turns over rocks and tree roots at the top. The only trouble is it would take me about 2 hours to get there, but if you guys are out for a full day it would be worth it, Thanks. Next couple of weeks are busy going to a trial on sunday, project 2000 the week after. Is it ok if I send you a message about it sometime soon? Thanks

I've got a few hills down the farm where I practice, I'll attempt some climbs tomorrow. There are some third gear hills, plus some second gear technical hills with turns. There are also a few steps in some of the hills I haven't attempted, might have a go tomorrow. Along with the balancing, turns and wheelie practice hehe. Yeah, it's getting stuck half way up a hill and having to come back down is pretty daunting, there are some places you don't want to get stuck! On the subject of down-hills, at the trials I went to last sunday a guy came off on a steep muddy descent and broke his handlebar by the clamps- crazy stuff. Thanks, I felt like a bit of a failure for finding it too difficult/ intimidating. All the guys were great though and really helped me out of trouble, I really appreciated the help and how welcoming everyone was. How did you get on points wise? Did you enjoy the trial?

Thanks for the encouragement, I was a real state when I first got on a 125 ybr for my CBT (the first step of getting your license in the uk, a days training on a 125) and when I first tried riding the trials bike, I have attempted hills and obstacles I never thought I would in the beginning. So with more time anything is possible. I agree about the crashing, which is a problem when you want to improve your road riding. Crashing teaches you where the limit is, it's dangerous in a way not to know the limit. Fear stems from the unknown. But you can't go testing your limits on a public road. It's a catch 22, at least with an off road bike usually the consequences aren't as bad. But trials isn't a 'slow' sport in someways, you need momentum and speed to get up big hills- it's easy to underestimate the discipline until you actually try it out yourself. Fair play on the cbr speed front, yes the cbf500 is my road bike. Problem is I'm still riding it like I rode the 125 in most situations (apart from getting past cars and on some more open roads) Don't want to get in trouble for breaking speed limits either and loose my license. Maybe some track days would be fun in the future and a safer way of pushing myself

Hi Dan, I put some Boyesens in a couple of months ago, the new reeds helped the bike a lot, plus adjustments to the carb has meant I haven't had any problems for a few months with the spark plug. Only have to adjust the idle now and again. RE gearing, not sure what to do, keep getting conflicting advice on the matter. I think the standard is 11/42, when I bought the bike it was 11/41, too fast. I changed it to 10/41 and a good twinshock rider told me the bike was still too quick and I should put a 9 on the front. I was concerned about wear on the swing arm so opted for a 44 on the back. Ran 10/44 lovely in second and third gear, a bit short for longer hills though. First was nice to practice tight turns, not so good in competition. It's 11/44 now, I'll try it out tomorrow down the woods, set up some sections, attempt them in the first three gears, see how it goes. 11/44 is quite close to standard, we'll see how it goes, thanks

Hey, your pic hasn't shown up? I'm rubbish at sewing, but a cheaper option would be good, I'd only be going out green laning 2 days a month or so probably.

Don't go with Dan Thorpe then, Jordi Pascuet's 'Learning trial' has a chapter on hopping both wheels and alternating.

Thanks and sorry Michael_T didn't realise it was you crashing! The link has given me some ideas, maybe if I get a jerry can like this http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151535745802?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT strap it to the bike, probably in the middle. Then buy a seat for maybe a twinshock bike or pick something up in a local auctions, get some velco strips or something or straps. You could do it for under 40-50 pounds. It might look terrible, but who cares? Mags, Thanks for the encouragement. Your wife is awesome, my mum is around her age and she wouldn't touch a road bike with a stick, let alone a trials bike. Hats off to her, she's doing amazing. Road riding is fun, blasting past cars, seeing how fast you dare enter a corner, trying to get really smooth on the controls and of course, being switched on to what cars are doing and what the conditions are like 100% of the time. I've always wanted a WR, maybe in the future if I can afford one and when I feel more confident on the trials bike. And yes, a fella told me at the trial I went to last Sunday, it takes years. The ones who seem to move up quickly are the teenagers. So it will be back to basics for me, and practising hill climbs and descents with my riding buddy. It's not only how balanced you are and how you control the bike, mental confidence and commitment to getting up that hill, or down it or over an obstacle is the make or break aspect. I'll just keep practising and relax a bit more, thanks