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TartyBikes Open Trial - Shipley Glen, 14th September


AdamR28

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The TartyBikes Open Trial

A one-off experimental competition using a different scoring system.

Similar events have been run before, such as the Cahors Open Free Trial, but never before in the UK as far as we know. It's a competition format which awards points for making gates (so the winner ends up with the most points), rather than having penalty points for dabs.

Brief overview of rules / format:

- You still have the traditional categories, white through to yellow, but with this system you can ride any colour gates. There are 5 numbered gates of each colour per section, and you attempt up to a maximum of 5 gates, in order. You can pick any colour gates you wish as long as they are done in order. So, for example, you could choose Blue for the first 3 gates, then do a Green, and finish with a Red.

- To promote pushing yourself, the scoring is fairly heavily weighted. So, whatever your 'normal' route, you can choose to attempt to double up your score by clearing the next gate up if you wish:

White gate = 1 point

Green gate = 2 points

Blue gate = 4 points

Red gate = 8 points

Yellow gate = 16 points

Here's a graphical representation of that, in case it helps...

post-5427-0-11772100-1394026861_thumb.jp

- White, Green and Blue gates will be run to BIU rules (a pedal touching the floor is ok), Red and Yellow will be UCI rules (only the tyres can touch the floor).

- If you dab (either strategic or unintentional) or fall at any point it is a fail and you are 'out', however each gate is a checkpoint so if you've managed to get through 3 gates out the maximum of 5 but then dab, fall or run out of time, the points for those first 3 gates are 'in the bag'.

- Time limit of 2:30mins per section, with a 50% 'speed bonus' available if the section is completed in under 1 minute.

Again, here's a representation of what could happen if you dab / fall off / run out of time or get the speed bonus:

post-5427-0-84212900-1394026867_thumb.jp

There some are other detailed rules not listed above which may appear fairly complicated, but in reality it ends up pretty simple we think. You can choose to use all of the time available and complete the hardest possible gates, blast through easier ones in an attempt to complete the section in under 1 minute and get the speed bonus, or a mixture of the two!

It's designed to be a fun competition and a bit of a tester to see if there is any mileage in such a format, so there will be no formal prizes or presentation, however we will try and have the results compiled on the day so you can see how you got on compared to other riders!

The competition will be supported by the BikeTrial Federation, and will run as a standalone (not connected with any trials series) event at Shipley Glen on Sunday 14th September. We will make entry available online in the near future, but for now please shout up with any questions!

Thanks everyone.

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Its a great idea, and the multi format of gates will work a treat. I have been present in this situation in motor trials, where when the kids easy sections were set, we ran the points system backwards. (we used the 5 point, getting to the end was 5, second last gate 4 etc etc ) and kids especially liked the idea of "getting" points, rather than avoiding them...

Brilliant idea to get this going and i hope it brings in more ideas to future competitions. I think competitions are integral to any sport, i can't think of any sports which are big, and only ever done for fun!

One thing i did see however, allowing gates to be "crossed" presents just a little scenario :

1) White, Green and Blue gates will be run to BIU rules (a pedal touching the floor is ok), Red and Yellow will be UCI rules (only the tyres can touch the floor).

If "Jim" went from a blue gate, intending for the red, but put his bash / pedal etc down, so turned to hit a white/green/blue instead, so in effect should have been classed as out.

What this sport needs in competitions is free flowing and easy on the eye. Something this sounds like it has all over! I look forward to entering!


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Cheers Paul, good to have your input! Yeah, we agree it'd be good to have something more flowing and spectator-friendly. In our opinion the 'classical' format can be a bit slow and the public find it hard to grasp the scoring sometimes.

We have some info about the 'crossing' of gates in the full rules, hopefully this makes sense...

The rules you ride to between gates depends on the last gate you just completed - so if you have just done a Red you cannot use a pedal to rest, you must ride UCI rules until a Blue (or 'lower') gate has been completed. Once you are through the Blue gate though, you can use your pedals / bashring again until you pass another Red (or higher) gate. At the start of a new section, it will be clear which gate you are attempting and the rules for that colour gate will apply from the start of the section.

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Whilst this is a great idea and all, Ive never really got the "has to be appealing to the public eye" argument. Why does trials have to look good to the average Joe football lover?

A change in comp format sounds cool but I really couldn’t care less if the next "lad" to come along isn’t bowled over by me hoping up a rock.

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I guess it doesn't have to, but it's the only way the sport will grow - by making it look attractive and therefore making people want to do it. On a personal level I'd rather watch someone actually riding their bike through a section than walking their way through it, too.

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I dab loads too. In other words ill be "out" before I get to the first gate.

Sucks to be me!

I'm sure you could manage the White gates Ross :badger:

That's a fantastic idea. I generally don't like comps but something like this I would take part in with great pleasure.

Cheers dude - good to know it could tempt some oldskool riders out of retirement :wink2:

Long drive from Brighton to Leeds especially in a 22 year old pickup!

Definitely up for it though, expect to see me there. ;)

Yeah that is a bit of a trek! Be good to have some dirty Southerners there :)

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Nice idea, but i don't think it makes any difference. Being able to go through an easier part of a section may help people get through it. But currently if you're going there to win, you'll ride hard on whichever colour you're doing. If you're going there for fun, you won't care where you placed. A "5" on either rule setting still results in a, "get off the section you f**ked it", which i can only see being beneficial to the competitive people for the extra points.

It's often in a location where street riders aren't overly keen on too.

An event where a comp exists, food exists, toilets exist, socialising exists and a fun ride the next day exists would be way more beneficial to kick starting the comp scene better. I went to a comp once. It was fun, but i haven't been to another.

For the record, i have wet weather mod bike even.

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Nice idea, but i don't think it makes any difference.

That's fair enough, everyone will see it differently!

We are of the opinion there is a direct correlation between the amount of time spent riding your bike and the amount of fun you have though, hence the way the rules are structured.

Comps have moved on since you last went I think; toilets, food and socialising is now 'the norm', and it would be easy to arrange with a few mates to stop over and ride the next day (or the day before in the case of comps, as they are held on Sundays). Loads of good venues near Shipley too!

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I'd definitely be up for coming along and supporting this, because it definitely seems like a better format. However, it'll be my first weekend as a husband so I hope I've got better things to do! Hope it's a success :)

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But currently if you're going there to win, you'll ride hard on whichever colour you're doing.

Kind of, but at the same time kind of not. Because of the way it works, the current rule system effectively promotes people choosing dodgy lines (making the most of areas where sections aren't taped out fully, allowing people to take sneaky 'easy' lines where other riders will be trying to ride the route the way the organisers intended) and strategic dabs, both of which aren't particularly desirable. Seeing the way people rode some sections at the Antwerp World Cup made trials look pretty shit to me as a rider, and no doubt also to people watching it for the first time. I've also heard/seen/read complaints from other comp riders about the way some people choose to ride in that manner, complaints I'd fully agree with.

In contrast, this type of comp places more of an emphasis on riding your bike through a section, and trying to push yourself.

EDIT: Hopefully that didn't come across as a "f**k you and your opinion, Nick" haha - just thought I'd mention that side of things :)

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I'm curious to try this, I think it's a definite improvement. I can imagine riding my arcade through some of the lower classed gates but trying to do it fast would be pretty fun! Hopefully I've no demos that weekend!

I remember a comp held at Porthcawl and strato-dabs were not allowed, but people just did a small sideop to dab instead which technically is kinda trying the move, but it still sucked. Your rules should get rid of them completely which would rock! I wonder if the more competitive comp guys will like it?

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