THE SPORT OF TRIALS RIDING

Generally, motorcycling is considered by most people as being fast and noisy but competitive motorcycle trials are neither. There is no speed involved and the machines are very quiet. Trials bikes are very low geared and it is the skill and balance of the rider which plays the greatest part.
Professional world class riders compete all over the world and also at indoor arenas which are often televised. The top rider in the UK is Dougie Lampkin from Yorkshire who has been World Champion a remarkable 8 times.

Trials competitions are run on private land and there are usually about ten to fifteen “sections” marked out in woods, through streams, over logs, up banks, rocks etc. The riders attempt to ride through these sections starting at “Section Begins” to “Section Ends” without putting a foot down or falling off. There is an “Observer” on each section who gives penalty points for this and the rider with the least marks in his particular class at the end of the trial is the winner of that class. There are various routes marked out ranging from easy to the challenging expert class.

I first became interested in riding Trials because my father competed and I used to go along to watch. I got my first motorcycle when I was eight years old, joined a local club and started competing but not very regular. During the last 7 years I have continually improved my riding skills, learning how to cope with different terrain's and conditions. However, over the last couple of years I have become very competitive as I now ride every weekend and currently I am competing in about 6 various regional events. I am a member of the following trials clubs: Surrey Schoolboys, GEST Hastings, Eastbourne, Owls Motor Club and compete in South East region events representing myself and my local club encompassing Hampshire, Sussex, Kent and Surrey.

• I came 1st in all of the 16 South East Centre rounds in 2008, and won overall winning by a large margin.
• I won the South Eastern Centre Youth A series by a large margin in 2009.
• In 2010 I am hoping to compete in the whole series of the Youth A British Schoolboy National Championships which consists of 6 rounds held all over the country, while also competing in local events and South Eastern Centre rounds riding the ‘Elite’ route.

Here are just a few of my achievements over the past couple of years.

2007
I was awarded the Most Improved Rider
1st place Youth B Owls Club
1st GEST Club Evening Championship (3 events)
2nd GEST Club Youth B Championship (12 events)

2008
1st South East Centre Champion (Won all 16 events) Youth B
1st Langmaid Trial Youth B
1st Man of Kent Youth B
1st Eastbourne Championship (12 events) Youth B
2nd Eastbourne Championship Morning (12 events)
1st Owls Club (11 events) Youth A
1st South Coast Group (12 events) Youth B
1st place Camden Cup Team Trial riding as an individual
3rd place Camden Cup Team Trial riding in a team (representing GEST club)
2nd GEST Club Championship (11 events) Youth A
2nd GEST Club Evening Championship (3 events) Youth A

In 2008 I competed in two Nationals:
4th Brian Fowler National held in Surrey, Youth B
24th British B Class Youth National held in Kendal, Cumbria.

2009
1st South Eastern Centre Champion Youth A
1st Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club Youth A (January - June)
1st Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club Youth A (July - December)
1st Eastbourne & DMCC Youth A (Morning championship)
1st Eastbourne & DMCC Youth A (Afternoon championship)
1st Camden Cup Team Trial riding as an individual
1st Camden Cup Team Trial riding in a team (representing Eastbourne club)
1st South Coast Group Youth A
2nd GEST Trials Club + evening Youth A (Didn’t compete in sufficient amount of rounds but won all round competed in)
3rd Owls Motor Club Youth A (Didn’t compete in sufficient amount of rounds but won all round competed in)

2010
I have done three out of six British Championships so far and have achieved a ‘17th’, ‘16th’ and a ‘15th’ position.
I am also competing in the YMSA National series and these Trials are based in and around Derbyshire. They have a 6 round championship and also have a ‘3 day Trial’ to be held in August.

On the 31st October I rode a Trial held at Hook Wood, Surrey. It was a tough Trial but very enjoyable. The terrain is mostly rocks with also logs and sandy banks. At the end of the day I finished 3rd overall out of 16 riders. I also got a trophy to prove it which I was pleased about!

On the 13th November I attended a South East Centre held at Tickfold Farm, Dunsfold. Its known to be a very wet and muddy Trial each year, and it was no suprise to find lots of mud!! It was a very tricky Trial, slippery banks and deep water which made it tricky for grip. I won my class and came 3rd against the adults. Last weekend (5th Dec) we travelled down to Hound Tor, Widdicombe, nr Newton Abbot, Devon for the 2010 Southern Experts Trial. The Southern Experts is held once a year usually on the first Sunday of December. Its a National standard Trial to determine the best Southern Expert. Consisting of two routes, Expert and Clubman Expert. I rode the Clubman Expert route as this was my first time competing in the Trial. All day I was consistent and rode well to come out on top at the end of the day! I am very pleased with my 1st place result especially as it was my first time! To top it off aswell this was also my first ride on my new bike - 2011 Sherco 290 which I like very much!

2011
Currently winning all local championship.

In 2011 I will hope to compete in local events still and Adult British Championship which are also held all over the country including Scotland.