I gotta write that on the calender somebody agreed with me!!
Old trials fanatic Posted Yesterday, 04:25 PM
Your comments on riding out of the boundary of the section then riding back in again would result in a five over here and as i dont know the rules that you ride to in the US i can not comment but will say the problem would be solved by use of a boundary tape. However with more and more multiple routes, because of the wide differential in riding levels i.e. hop skip and jump or not, then this becomes impractical.
I should have been more specific in my original post. Sorry. OK in the club that I ride in we have six separate classes/lines within the same section. Which makes section marking difficult to say the least. So the outside boundaries are marked off with tape and inside is a mess of signs. I will try to use my earlier example. Technically the rider has not left the section and returned but has turned to the right between the trees and then made a wide left to line up straight for the log and then go back through the trees and go over the log. Without crossing their path. Although the intended or correct path would have been the 90 degree left and then over the log. This will probably start some discussion in itself.
Old trials fanatic Posted Yesterday, 04:25 PM
As for what REALLY riles me? If a trial is run under No Stop rules then that should be rigidly enforced. It really riles me when riders ignore the No Stop rule and argue with observers becoming quite aggressive on some occaisions, i have seen full blown shouting matches and even physical aggression, That is not on.
Agreed that the rules is the rules, and that everyone should be made aware of the rules before competing. Arguing with the observer will get you no where. And a shouting match and physical aggression should be punishable with removal from the event. If a rider is that unhappy about their score they need to see the clerk of the course and then accept the clerks judgement. Which should be in favor of the observer.
I like the hop and bop stuff like Barry mentioned, I too would like to be able to ride like that but also can see how some one just getting started would be discouraged by it.
And I mentioned OldTrialsFanatic because I knew he would respond and very eloquently.
Trials is about control, control of machine and body. AND FUN!!! if it ain't fun don't do it.
I will offer my opinion, although it may not solve anything.
Stop= 0 points
Feet up still in control of the machine.
Stop with foot down= 5 points
Agreed the second one is subjective because if someone hits a rock with front tire and ceases forward motion, and then places foot on ground and pushes creating forward motion in my opinion that is ok, but the individual that is basically using their foot and leg as a kickstand so they can take a break or survey the next part of the section is just lazy and deserves the 5.
With the advancment of technology and design of trials machines it is possible for tighter turns and higher steps. I think I am agreeing with Chader on this next bit. The lower classes need to be set up so that hopping front or rear wheels around is not necessary, the middle classes could be set up so that a turn is so tight that there is only one line through it that can be just ridden through the turn but the option of hopping front or rear wheel is there, but the hardest class in the event should be set up as tight as possible and still be able to be ridden, I.E. super tight turns, obstacles less than a bike length apart. These types of sections will test both rider and machine closer to the limit. I don't think that a rider should be penalized just for hopping, sideways, forward, whatever.
I am more irritated by the riders that do not follow what the "intended line" of the section is, I have seen many riders basically back track,(not crossing their path though), or go between a tree and a marker that has just enough room for the bike to pass through twice so that re-entering they have a straight shot at the next log instead of a 90 degree left hand turn, like the rest of the riders in that class will have. Is this a problem anywhere else?
I started riding in the late late 70's , early 80's the general riding style was "no-stop" at the time but stopping and hopping was being toyed with (that might have been mid 80's) Any how, I try to incorporate both styles in my riding although the hopping don't happen much. I will walk a section and decide on my line. When doing this I am also deciding where I will stop and balance to maybe start a full lock turn at just the right spot. Or where I will need to do a "floater" turn, the point is that I am choosing a line and sticking with it, I have just decided where key places I will use other techniques, (and probably take points). I have seen riders that do not plan any farther than the other side of the obstacle and I think that may be what bothers OTF about the hop and bop style. But I may be completly wrong.
The tire was used and on the bike when I bought it. And technically I only used it for 2 1/2 years and one season I got injured and was out for 1/2 of the season so I guess really only 2 yrs of use for me and whatever use it had before I got it. But yea, it is a bit knackered, the nobs are almost totally round, I am not gonna know how to ride the bike now that it is gonna have traction. Yep I am cheap.
I am considering studding my old tires for use on ice next winter.
I find that 2 stroke exhaust has a rather pleasent smell, but if you really want a buzz go with starter fluid!!
Disclaimer: for those not intelligent enough to see the sarcasm and humor intended-- I am not advocating "huffing", but if you are one of those non-intelligent ones I speak of than you deserve what you get from "huffing" Enjoy!
The rear tread knob squares usually wear down more on the front part of the knob. If you reverse the tires there will be a sharper point on the front side of the knob, and a down taper on the back side. Should grip better.
I already did that. I bought my bike used 3 yrs ago turned the tire once. I finally had to break down and buy a new one. Now if I can just find time to put it on. I am soooo cheap.
1973!!!! I was around then. Allbeit I was just gettin' around, that is year that I was brought into this world for the sole purpose of aggrevating my parents. Still doing it too.
a couple years agoish, the day prior to our clubs event we were doing set up. Of course the most important part of set up is riding the sections in. I got stupid I mean challenged myself with the class higher than my current class line. This was towards the end of the day just before heading home, I wanted to get in "one last ride", I had just got off the phone with the wifey and was in a rush. Boy, I can be stupid. The line was over a cement tube and then 90 degree left. After the left there was a 55 gallon drum on it's side. My front tire was pushed against the drum and I had dabbed. I was stopped, well just put foot back on peg, give gas, do all the right leg motions and get the skid plate to touch the drum and ever so gently fall to the right. I tried to step off the bike and ended up twisting my ankle pretty bad. OK big tough guy that I am first thing I did was scream like a little girl! After that my first thought was "There goes the season" next was "What do I tell the wife?" The club members are great 2 of them helped me to my truck and some how my bike and gear were magically loaded into my truck. My wife came to pick me up and Biff (great guy by the way thanks again) drove my truck. I really don't like remembering the screaming like a girl part. But trials riders are always helpful when someone is injured.
Certainly not my first event. More recent than I care to admit... Mid-Michigan, late summer, humid & hot. Rushing to get dressed for the trial I put my leathers on right over my heavy cotton skivvies.(big mistake!) After 1st loop I was drenched in sweat & my a*$ was chapped beyond belief. Rode straight to the pits standing stiff as a board to avoid any pain inducing movement between the two half moons of my hind section.
Desperately rummaged through my buddies van hoping to find a first aid kit with some kind of pain relieving ointment... found it! Burn cream. I grabbed a handfull of the packets and headed for the port-a-potty. Not a soul was around when I locked that door.
With great anticipation I tore open a couple packets and applied liberally... aahhh, cool relief! uh, wait a minute, aaahhhooucchh! Burning, burning, burning! Cold shivvers ran up my spine. My voice instantly became that of a whimpering little girl as the pain increased. Thinking no one was around I continued my pathetic whimpering as I waited out the pain...
Finally, the ordeal was over. I could start the next loop and nobody would be the wiser. Imagine my surprise when I opened the door to find a nice young woman standing there with a look of terror on her face! I can only imagine what she thought I was doing in there, but I did not stick around to find out!
I thank you for the invitation and I will honestly consider it. Not sure with work money whine blah blah....
Anyway that place looks awesome and alot of fun. I am not on a bicycle much so I don't know if I could ride for 4 hours let alone 1 hour. I got a 20" BMX but the brakes are crap!!
I would love to see the footage of Biff jumping into the foam. That dude has no fear. If he thinks he can survive it, he will try anything you put in front of him.
That rider is good, I tip my hat to him. But the ending with the poster on the "water truck" that is hilarious especially if you have followed the 125 national class and Lane's opinion that it will change the face of US trials.
I have replaced the rear brake pedal before this is my second one, I just went to my local Honda dealer and they ordered it and after awhile it showed up. This was approx. 4 yrs ago. Also it was quite expensive...about $50 US (I am a Cheapo)
If you can't find a replacement find somebody to weld a piece on there, it is the best fix. And you can customize the size of the pedal.
My '86 TLR200 has a tab on the frame just in front of the foot peg mount on the kick starter side. There are two holes in it this is where the kick starter stop mounts. About $8 US
I have found this site http://www.bikebandit.com to be a great resource for schematics and I know some people that have ordered parts and been very happy with them. I have no connection with bikebandit.
Why Is It Called "pro" Class?
in USA Trials
Posted
Well, mark this on the calendar I agree with him.