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My previous post was an opinion of how I think observed trials should be marked for penalties. I think I misinterpreted the direction of the post. That being said, I have another opinion. If the rules state that a stop is penalised with a 5 or with a 1 does not matter for this example. In the case of a trial with no stop rules I personally would believe that a rider that takes a momentary pause with both feet on the pegs that does not get a penalty for stopping would have an unfair advantage over a rider that has the same length of pause with a foot on the ground. If I understand it correctly, with no stop rules a stop is penalised so.... a stop is a stop is a stop. And the observers should score accordingly and fairly. Also would like to thank all the volunteers that do observe so that this sport is possible. Or I am completely off my rocker and don't know anything. (this is possible)

R2W GREAT VIDS Thanks for having those available. But I did notice that the link for Milan routes me to the Gerona link. So basically there are 2 Gerona links. Is there a Milan video? Or am I just being really picky about free trials vids. Once again great vids and I loved the Kickstart stuff from 85 and 86. I was a youngen' then and just trying to keep the rubber down on the ground, but those guys are way better on those older bikes than I ever could be!!

OK my 2 cents (probably not worth that much) Observed trials is about control of the motorcycle. If you can stop and balance without putting a foot down than you are in control of the bike: = No penalty. If you stop and place foot down you are no longer in control of the bike. This is unfortunately where it get kinda subjective. If the foot is dabbed and then placed back on the footpeg and the rider is balancing, this should be a penalty of 1. If the rider stops and dabs and pushes with foot causing forward motion this should also be a penalty of 1. If the rider stops and places foot on ground and surveys the section or discusses the section with someone else or is just taking a rest. This should be a penalty of 5. Reason: The rider is in no more control of the bike than the kickstand would be. At this point the rider's leg is basically a kickstand. Just my opinion, I am not aware of anywhere that this is actually written down as a rule.

I being from the states don't know if you have some of the same problems I am about to complain about but I think the general idea will be easily seen. Trials bikes make a bit of noise, okay not a large amount. My 2000 Sherco is quieter than my riding lawn mower. (I guess I can't mow my lawn anymore) We have these things called "boom cars" cars with loud bass pumping radios. Very annoying in my opinion. The neighbors is out enjoying the yard and the sunshine with radio blasting Tom Jones. Very annoying. My favourite: Someone buys a house near an off-road park Totally legal to ride and use 4x4 trucks, Then they proceed to complain about noise and dust. The park was there first and the new resident should have realised that it would make noise and dust. OK LOUD pipes on street bikes don't help us any either. The neighbor kids are outside making a bunch of racket, of course this happens when I am working 3rd shift and trying to sleep during the day. I guess here is my point: There are alot of people in a small amount of space, too many people believe they are the most important in the world. If these people want to do their noisy activities then they need to put up with my noisey activity, fair is fair. Also just because the majority likes the sounds of the crowd at an american football game friday night under the lights does not mean that they can dictate if we can ride our trials bikes on sunday in the middle of the day. (even if I am trying to take a nap) Noise happens deal with it. (slight disclaimer: obviously there are instances where too much is too much.) Ok sorry too much caffiene in the coffee, I am going to go load up and go crash....I mean practice on the sherco.

Ain't nothin' better than Canadian creek water to cool the inside of a Sherco engine. That's what I get for goofing around on the trial it's not like I even did it in a section. DOH!!

Whoa slow down here. Are we talking internet web site stuff or the programmable ignition mapping of the Montesa 4RT!! I'm having enough trouble understanding my 2000 sherco 2.9 2 stroke. I must be stuck in the dark ages when atari ruled the gaming universe.

Sam, You are right that Patrick is a very valuable part of the team. Silly me for not mentioning him.

Congrats to Daiki Watanabe for taking 3rd on Sat. and for going even better for 2nd on Sun. in the expert class. GOOOOOOOOOO Michigan!!!!!!! Glad to see Biff finished.

I gotta go with 7) War film collection no reel reason, just a feeling.

I believe the key word is "another" to go along with the gasser. LOL When you gonna quit breaking your toys young man.

Man, I remember the swim, still hilarious.... Kinda like this "Hey ya'll watch this. SPLASH!!" I don't know if I could even keep up with you, you is a mad man!!! HAHAHAHAHA SHERCO ALL THE WAY!!! Biff, How would I explain to my sponsor (the wife) either A) bringing home a GasGas to put in the too full garage. or That I now need to buy a 2007 Sherco. Actually, that sounds like it would put some pressure on the participants to try some crazy stuff in order to win and keep their bikes. Might be good TV for a bit.

Biff Sounds like you are riding that gasser like it should be riden!! HAHAHA ride it hard and big steps hope it was fun, and no injury.

Yep Biff, I did forget the nasty crash off the big roll from the Sheffield indoor.......Man that had to hurt. After some thought (this usually take alot of time and smoke out the ears), seeing some of the replies, and talking to the wifey about it, (Don't tell her she was right). I think I was uhhhhhhmmmmm wrong. Trials would do well in the X games, if as some of the other posts stated it was done indoor style, with races, maybe the splatter wall competition, and such. Kinda like thinking outside the box. When I posted the first time I was thinking of the more "normal" events like a club level, national and even the WTC, with section start and finish only one rider at a time, long trail ride loop. I have to adjust that things change. As for my opinion of the "masters of champions".....The skills those guys have are fabulous, the exposure got alot of people talking about trials, I did like the camera angle that was off the helmet and showed exactly how skinny the landing spot was on top of the dresser (I think it was). What I didn't like was the "cheesiness" of riding on furniture, (but it made for good tv) and the whole flat tire thing, seemed a little scripted to me. No TV does not do it justice trials is something best seen in person, or better yet participated in. The golf thing I don't know you got me. I tried golf once played like crap, realized there is alot more to it than just slapping the ball with a stick and hoping it finds the hole. (but that's the way I played it) It was alot more challenging than I thought it would be. Sorry that's enough ramblin' and too many topics in one post.

I agree that trials would be a good addition to the X games but..........the average american wants spectacluar, possible death, huge air stuff. Let's face it Observed trials is the most awesome motorcycle sport for control and skill with the machine, but unfortunately rather boring to watch unless you are a participant and know what to look for. Check here on another thread. http://www.trialscentral.com/forums/index....=9815&st=15 I think the key is where the person states that the rider was balancing so long that the watcher was able to get a cup of tea and come back and the rider is in the same spot. Although an awesome feat of balance and of great interest to myself and other trials riders it is very boring for the average american. If we can get more people to actually try riding trials and find out that it is enjoyable only then will the sport grow. Observed trials is a participant based sport not spectator. We set up sections (club level any way) for the enjoyment and challenge of the rider not for what "looks cool" or may kill somebody. Definition of crash (i saw something like this on the TC postings can't remember who or where but I liked it) "A crash is when parts of the machine are broke and/or a trip to the local hospital." NASCAR big----go fast, turn left, crash. MotoX (super and arena) big ------go fast big jumps crash. Drag racing mid size----- go really fast, some crashes. Freestyle MotoX big-------Huge jumps crazy stunts, big crashes Supermoto getting big------it's different, go fast, jumps, crashes. Trials-----small go slow, big steps, balance, control few crashes (most are unplanned dismounts) I see a pattern the average American wants speed and high danger

Because no matter what part of the world trials riders are all the same. We ain't quite right.

Those pesky guys with the video camera scared that poor bald homeless guy.

Ok first off I agree that starting with a 125cc and getting the technique down is great and then move up to bigger machines. My questions are this: How many "Yanks" are actually interested in contesting the WTC series? How many american youngsters are interested in contesting the 125cc world title? How many of these youngsters are interested in progressing far enough in the sport to contest the WTC series? I think these are important questions because if the answer to all three is none, then there is no point debating over the 125cc class in the US, and there is no point debating how we can get an American on the podium for WTC events.

How about we eliminate skill level as a criteria and just have one line that everyone rides. This is supposed to be the best of the best right? Then we can have a 125 and 250 and 270 class and the various age classes. And how about a open modified machine class that the "pros" can compete in. All with 18 foot splatters. OK enough stupidity from me hope you had a chuckle. :angry:

Is that like "Corporal Klinger" and his quest for a "section 8" on MASH? Section 8 always seems to be a crazy section.

I must be totally demented I "see" sections on my way everywhere. Even on my way to work and I take the same route everyday for the last 7 yrs. I really drive my wife crazy whenever we drive somewhere together.

Mich, your original post stated Mexican in general there were no mention of immigrants. I took offense that a group would be excluded based on skin color and/or ancestry. As far as opinions and political points about immigration this is not the forum for that, this is about observed trials.

Are you implying that because one is of Mexican heritage that they would not ever have an interest in our fine multiculteral sport.

I would have to agree with nsaqam. very well put. NASCAR= go fast, turn left and wait for a crash. I will now crawl back into my own little obscure piece of the world and just enjoy riding and be happy that I can.

OK I will admit that the NATC should do more for supporting american trials riders and if the NATC adopted the same rules as the world rounds this would help our riders compete with the best in the world. We must also remember that it is the riders choice and/or personal drive whether or not to compete at the world level also. There are many factors involved. Mich, after all that about how it is the NATC's fault and how they drop the ball, you still did not answer my question. If it is so important to you what are you doing to assist our world champion caliber riders?

Hey Mich... If you are so fired up that the "young tigers" get the support they need why are you waiting for somebody else to do it? As my opinion is, (yep, we all have one) The NATC is formed for US national events. If someone would like to compete in the world rounds then they need to find the avenues necessary to do so. (training, sponsorship, minder, etc..) Likewise it is not the resposibilty of a local club to train its riders for national competition, the NATC is not responsible to train our national champions for World competition. Would I like to see a US rider in World competition? Of course that would be great! Just some random thoughts that fell off the flat spot of my head.