LB208 Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Hi, I’m totally new to trials riding but wanting to do something and get a hobby, I am 45 been round motorbikes all my life, I am worried about starting out at my age with no experience and not knowing anyone, my question is it ok to be a total novice and zero experience not wanting to embarrass myself, can you go practicing and just do easy stuff out of the way and not look silly until I get some confidence? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jonboy883 Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 (edited) Hello and welcome. Trials, as you'll discover, is possibly the friendliest of all the motorsports fields and newcomers are always welcome. We know it's the newcomers that keep the sport alive! Do not be worried or concerned about being "the only newbie in the village" at your first event, everyone will be helpful , offer advice and within long you'll meet some other riders who you tag along with and they will help, guide and advice you. In short you'll be accepted immediately and love the sport. One word of advice first though, try not to practice semi difficult stuff on your own, if you fall and hurt yourself etc., then there will be no one around to help or get help. Before long however, you'll know people to practice with and join a decent club and they may have a practice ground where other riders will also be. embrace and enjoy your new hobby, don't sweat the newness of it, just enjoy it. Take care, keep us posted. Edited December 25, 2020 by jonboy883 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB208 Posted December 25, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Thanks I’m looking forward to getting started know... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
melba26 Posted December 25, 2020 Report Share Posted December 25, 2020 Hi, starting trials at 45 should not be a problem with motorbike experience. I suggest doing some training/experience days. Bumpy Ltd are not far from you. This will give you more confidence and confirm that you will enjoy it before buying a bike and gears. Good luck. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
timdog Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 Everything Jonboy said is true, very friendly sport, lots of people take it up around this age. Details of local clubs are on acu.org in members area. You can join a club and get your licence online. One way to get a bit of practice would be to go to a trial and learn how to observe, then you can observe a few trials with your bike, have a bit of a ride round and practice off road while there. When ready find out which are the easier venues near you and enter, you can always skip anything to really don’t like until confidence builds. Best practice will be taking part, beauty of trials is we all fall off. People will just give you help and advice. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
stpauls Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 Don't worry about winning - just do it for fun. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ftwelder Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 I am 62 and just started a couple months ago. Ride every chance you get, even in circles in the door yard and build balance and core strength. Major fun! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
oldlegs Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 I'm 71 and returned to trials riding after a break of 30 odd years , I feel as though i've got a new gang of good mates and ride every weekend at Hooton Lodge not far from Pontefract, it would be good to see you there , Steve. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Creepytheclutchmaster Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 Doing figures of 8 in second gear feathering the clutch a modulating the brakes is good practice if you can't get out and about at the moment. It helped me out no end. And even something as simple as a scaffolding plank on the floor to get throttle blip timeing down. blip the front wheel off it and try to bunny hop the back over it. You'll be popping little bunny hops in no time. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
feetupsbetter Posted December 26, 2020 Report Share Posted December 26, 2020 I agree with everything said in previous replies. It’s a great friendly sport, take it as the fun thing it is, find some riders at your level and have your own little competition each time you ride. There’ll be lots of advice from other riders, and some laughter when you get it wrong ? I can recommend Huddersfield falcons as a friendly club, I used to ride with them for about 15 years before moving to Cornwall a couple of years ago. They have lots of venues at their disposal, many around the Holmfirth area so easy for you to get to, and they do run some ‘dead easy trials’ for beginners to get the bug. good luck & have fun Simon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cee-B Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 I'll go along with all of that. I got my first trials bike earlier this year, at age 65; I didn't start riding bikes at all till age 55 when I got a dirt bike. After 10 years of riding a few enduros and doing lots of trail riding, I'm OK at going fast, but the skilled 'feet up' stuff is new to me. The first trial I did, I was really impressed by how friendly and welcoming the other riders were. I have a practice ground nearby and very soon met up with another guy of similar ability who I now meet up with regularly for practice sessions. It is not that many sports/activities (not respectable activities anyway) where a 25-yr-old and a 65-yr-old ring each other up to arrange to go out and play ?. Another great thing about trials is that you can practice without even needing to go anywhere. I regularly practice slow riding and full lock turns just in the driveway. Even standing and balancing on the pegs while stationary in the garage is great value - if you can balance at a standstill, you can balance while moving forwards. Go for it, enjoy it, and don't worry if everyone else seems better than you - they won't hold it against you. Col 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yamagodden Posted December 27, 2020 Report Share Posted December 27, 2020 I also have always had motorbikes of some description from a early age, never done a trial yet but will join a club next year. Soon to be 54 and last year had a stroke that took my right leg. I have recovered but now look at things differently now. So get out there and enjoy ! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LB208 Posted December 28, 2020 Author Report Share Posted December 28, 2020 Thanks for all advice everyone took the plunge all sorted for Saturday booked on a practice day, pick bike up tommorow so no excuses know looking forward to it even though a little apprehensive ?? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Moomoo Posted December 28, 2020 Report Share Posted December 28, 2020 Looking forward to the report chap!? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trapezeartist Posted December 29, 2020 Report Share Posted December 29, 2020 45? A mere juvenile! I was 64 when I started and hadn’t been on a motorbike for 47 years. I am totally useless but having so much fun. 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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