Evening, My name is Richard. Started riding trials around 1995, learnt the basics with no other riders to practice with, so it took a while!! Got some inspiration from the up-and coming riders at that time, think most of you will know who they were. Not many vids out at that time and no forums etc so all piccy's to study in mbuk!! Was only Essex Trials Club and British Champs then, after going to Bike 97 and chatting to few riders I got some courage up and attended my first comp in 1997, British Champs at Hook Woods. Went straight in on blue section and very much in the deep end (was also raining heavy..lol). Bike at the time was a Specialized Hardrock, 17" frame, 3 middle rings bolted together with teeth grinded off!! lol, some may remember this basic mod... very effective but you always had to carry an adjustable spanner to bend it back... I stopped riding comps about 3 years ago now, I was still enjoying the riding but the atmosphere had changed, sounds silly but it became almost too competetive, I know that doesn't sound right but the days appeared to have gone where it was a bunch of guys meeting up on a rainy sunday in the woods for a muddy pedal and a good laugh. Not having been to any recently I'm sure things may have changed, but I don't feel I'd have time to get the right amount of practice in. I've lost count of how many bikes I've been through or how many comps I've ridden. Most recent bikes have been a Giant Trials Team (had for around 7 years or so No. 313), a 2004 221Ti (still running sweet as) and most recent, a purchase a couple of months ago was an Echo Pure 26. Being an old school rider I'm finding it quite difficult to get used to new style of riding and all the products out at the moment that I wanted to buy for the Pure. So some help was needed from a couple of friends, kinda lost touch really.. lol I'm 27 now, married with a child and soon to be dad of two. I work full time for the local council as a Building Inspector so riding has become more of a hobby. I still ride 2 or 3 times a week but not always on the trials bikes, sometimes bmx, 24, xc or whatever I feel like at the time. (I have 6 different bikes so can pick and choose.. lol)I love riding full stop, so to me it doesn't matter what I'm riding. So as long as I've got a smile on my face and I've got good company, I'll keep going 'till my body says stop. Anyway, enough rambling on, hope to enjoy my time on here and hi to all. Rich