The posting a few days ago by the ACU cancelling the Trials Forum scheduled for last Saturday comes as no surprise. Apparently only four people had shown any interest in turning up, but I believe that such little interest actually shows how strong UK trials are at the moment.
In the past I have been critical of the way some events have gone; indeed, comments by me through this column have reflected the views that I have picked up during my travels to events. When trials are too difficult for the majority of the riders taking part, there tends to be criticism, but when a trial is spot on, or even a touch on the easy side, then there’s nothing to complain about.
I believe that the sport, as I see it at the moment, is very strong with national championships operating at a level which seems to suit those taking part.
Take last Sunday’s British Championship round at Brimham Rocks. The Championship class is supported by less than a dozen riders, but the supporting Expert and Youth classes are inundated with riders, and that alone is a significant improvement on just a couple of years ago.
The dozen or so that ride the Championship category know full well that they are in for a hard time, yet the supporting groups have also learnt that their trial is likely to be sensible, and that appears to be the case recently.
Move over to the Novogar Series and in years past there was much criticism of it being a one route championship. Now, there are two routes, one for the Novogar Championship chasers, and one for good centre riders who have the chance to ride their local national without being forced to tackle stuff that may well have been beyond them.
And of course the Traditional Trials Championship works very well for the twinshocks, pre 75s, and veterans of all ages. Then of course there are the youth rounds, which seem as a general rule to be about right, though of course as age and ability develop at different rates, some will find them too easy whilst others may find them too difficult.
When British Championship events as a whole have found a natural level, is it any wonder that the ACU’s planned Trials Forum attracts a poor response. Perhaps there’s nothing to talk about having made the trip to the ACU’s headquarters
Without mentioning names, I received a phone call last week advising me that any suggestion that the Ossa trials bike will not make production was way off the mark. I was told in no uncertain terms that production is well advanced and that deliveries could well be made once the Spanish holiday season is over. As many will know, Spain seems to shut down for August (as does Italy) but when the country gets back into action, production of whatever a factory makes begins again.
I know that was very much the case when waiting for new Montesas. Between 1997 and 2005 I bought eight new Montesas and I can well remember phoning Caroline Sandiford enquiring when my new bike would arrive. Early October was the usual delivery date, so that’s when I would expect any new production from Spain to arrive.