BikeTrial Federation

Hi everyone, the time has come for me to retire from Biketrial after 19 years! I'll be around for a little while longer in the background, handing things over when the remainder of the organisers decide who is taking over the administrative work. My first handover is of our media pages and in the future Andrew Chai will be taking on this role. Thanks Andrew, and thanks to everyone who has supported us in the past. Do keep checking the website www.biketrialuk.co.uk, I'll be doing my best to keep the calendar up to date for a while as I receive information. Best of luck to everyone in the future. Barbara

Colours just represent the organising club / series. Yellow = British Trials Cup / Championship (organised by the Biketrial Federation) Blue = TykeTrial Club (Yorkshire/Derbyshire based) Green = Scottish Biketrial Club Purple = UCI International Events Orange = BIU International Events There's a couple more British Cup events to be added to the calendar yet, also all the Crowthorne Club dates (in the south). Think Scottish Club and TykeTrial Club have more dates to come yet too. Always great to see new people coming along

Well done. It may not be ... we regularly have prize draws and spot prizes: this year at 4 out of the 5 national events we gave 2 x £50 vouchers as prize draw wins for those who pre-entered at one round this year we handed out £100 worth of spare parts for a variety of special awards to general riders (not comp winners) often over the years we've given 'spot prizes' for things like "the best crash", and one year we had £500 worth to hand out one year we had one BIKE per event donated! There's more goes on at the nationals than just a 'trials comp'! The more riders we get, the more sponsorship we get, the more "prizes" we can offer to everyone

Our annual rider survey is now closed, many thanks to everyone who took part, the information is really helpful. We can't promise to act on all of the suggestions all at once, but they have certainly given us something to think about!The winner of the £20 Tartybikes voucher this year is ....... Matt Ogley. Congratulations!

If you haven't already done it, please complete our survey before Wednesday 23rd November so we can review all your comments at our meeting. Thank you for your support for trials over the years, we hope you enjoyed your time with us! The UK’s trials organisers are meeting soon to plan the 2017 events and we’d like your help. We would be very grateful if you would please complete our survey to help us to understand what you would like from trials events, even if you don’t come along any more; there are some statistical questions that just require a tick, but there are some questions that invite your freehand comments and feedback – the more information you can give us, the better! It will only take a few minutes and, as a ‘thankyou’ for your time, there’s a £20 Tartybikes voucher to be won from a draw of those who leave their name/email address (it won’t be used for anything else). Survey link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y88TRMV Many thanks in advance.

If you haven't already done it, please complete our survey before Wednesday 23rd November so we can review all your comments at our meeting. Thank you for your support for trials over the years, we hope you enjoyed your time with us! The UK’s trials organisers are meeting soon to plan the 2017 events and we’d like your help. We would be very grateful if you would please complete our survey to help us to understand what you would like from trials events, even if you don’t come along any more; there are some statistical questions that just require a tick, but there are some questions that invite your freehand comments and feedback – the more information you can give us, the better! It will only take a few minutes and, as a ‘thankyou’ for your time, there’s a £20 Tartybikes voucher to be won from a draw of those who leave their name/email address (it won’t be used for anything else). Survey link here: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y88TRMV Many thanks in advance.

As yet, no-one, other than the usual organisers, has said they are coming (as per the email sent out)!

Oh dear! Put it down as 5 years. Thank you.

Hi Everyone We’re at the end of another season for trials in the UK and we REALLY want to know what you all think! Have you been to a trials event in recent years? If not, why not? That isn’t a reprimand … it’s a genuine question, we need to know why entries in trials events, both at club and at national level have dropped over recent years. We need to understand, from you the riders, what we need to do to improve what we do in order to make events better and to increase the number of competitive riders. If you have been to a trials event this year, what did you think of it? How do you think it could it be improved? Please help us by clicking on the link below and filling in our short survey, it will only take a few minutes. At the end, there’s the opportunity to win a £20 Tartybikes voucher as a thank you. https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/Y88TRMV Riders’ comments from the 2015 survey were very helpful to us and we believe that we have addressed some of the issues raised and suggested ie: We’ve progressed with man-made obstacles as best we can with putting in the Olde Home Farm round and hope to have more man-made next year. We’ve added none-age-related classes on all route colours (called ‘Senior’ classes). We’ve brought back the 50/50 red/yellow route to make the progression to/from Elite smoother. We try to include a fun element (speed section / hill climb etc) when possible at events. Better section-taping is being done where possible. We want to be able to review your ideas at our annual meeting of organisers which is to be held on 27th November so please do fill in the questionnaire. If you have anything to say which isn’t included in the survey, please do email us to let us know at info@biketrialuk.co.uk before 20th November. Similarly, if you have anything specific that you would like to be discussed at the meeting please email us before 20th November. If you feel that you can help the organisers in a practical sense and would like to attend the meeting, then please email us by 6th November as we need to be sure to have a meeting room large enough to take us all! Many thanks to everyone who has supported the biketrial clubs and nationals over the years, we really do need your views, opinions and ideas to make the sport even better. Biketrial Federation UK

For very brief information: British Cycling were approached in around 2007/8 with regard to running trials through them and their insurance. Everyone competing would have to have the British Cycling membership and licences; this is itself would reduce entries as it would probably only be those who plan on going to international events who would buy the licences. It would cut out those who just want to attend their local event, and those who just want to do it for fun. Several years ago 2007/8/9 we heavily looked into running all our events through British Cycling, and at that time decided against it: British Cycling would need to accept trials officially – this process would take several years to go through all the necessary channels, and acceptance was not guaranteed due to the size of the sport in comparison with other disciplines (and it was bigger in those days than it is now). To run club events everyone would need to hold at least BC Bronze membership (at that time £10, now £22 per annum) To run regional events everyone would need to hold at least BC Silver membership (currently £42) To run national events everyone would need to hold a BC Gold membership (currently £72) To advertise a national event on the UCI calendar would cost 1,000 euros per event. https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/membership/race TykeTrial Club did try the BC insurance for just one year (which was comparable with the ACU that we used at that time, but more expensive than the AMCA); we could do this because at that time they had a deal that Bronze membership was free for one year – so all the riders had to do was fill in the membership form. The following year the charge applied; no-one renewed so we went back to other insurance. We do get support from our contact at British Cycling who does try to promote us to 'the powers that be'; both Barry and I are in regular contact and have a good working relationship. Unless trials is 'officially' recognised by British Cycling, with everything being run through them under their jurisdiction, and everyone holding membership/licences, then we will not get any promotion on their website or other media. I recently strongly expressed my annoyance, disappointment and frustration that there is absolutely no mention of Jack's achievement at the World Championships this year, whilst winners of other disciplines were well reported. I have no recollection of saying this Andrew, and it is not the case, perhaps it has been misunderstood. They are happy to arrange training for us for coaches so that we can do qualified training, but no support in any other way. It's already on its way to you - please note the dates for letting us know.

We have had a message from the guys at Seymours Arena that bike trials riders have jumped the fence and ridden on the arena. This is strictly forbidden. This land is privately owned and the local motorbike club is given permission by the owner to run events on it. These guys have then kindly let us use it for a bike trial event. It is not too be used at any other time. We do not want to lose this venue. Venues are precious to the bike trial community and we must respect them.

We have had a message from the guys at Seymours Arena that bike trials riders have jumped the fence and ridden on the arena. This is strictly forbidden. This land is privately owned and the local motorbike club is given permission by the owner to run events on it. These guys have then kindly let us use it for a bike trial event. It is not too be used at any other time. We do not want to lose this venue. Venues are precious to the bike trial community and we must respect them.

Check out the facebook album for photos from Hook Woods https://www.facebook.com/379772689176/photos/?tab=album&album_id=10154190512779177

And to finish off the day, there'll be a fun cycle-speedway competition - beer and chocolates for the winners! Day entries will be accepted so get down there!

For this 10th anniversary of the British Trials Championship, and for the first time, the awards will be presented this year at the very popular Hook Woods instead of the usual Shipley Glen. Clerk of Course, Graham Tickner, always does a great job with the section building and planning with a mixture of man-made and natural elements. He always manages to put in a few extras to keep you busy while the results are being prepared to add to the fun of the day, such as a hill climb or a speed trial (wonder what he'll come up with this time!) This year, don't forget, there are none-age-related classes for all routes, so no matter how old you are you can enter and enjoy the comp at any level you feel competant in. The sport needs lots more intermediate riders (blue route) - why not give it a go! And to complete the weekend, why not camp with us on Saturday night and join in the social side of the series. Camping is on-site at a cost of just £5 per vehicle/tent (no bonfires though!) - much cheaper than a hotel, and more fun! Also this year, with the help of extra sponsors from various events, we're able to hold a "pre-entry raffle" with prizes for the first two pre-entered names to be pulled out of the hat with a £50 each Tartybikes voucher - well worth entering, and well worth entering before the closing date of 7th September! Enter on-line from www.biketrialuk.co.uk

What a year for those competing in International events this last few weeks and bringing the medals back to the UK - and there's still one round left to go before the UCI World Cup finals! Well done to everyone competing ... UCI Champion World Championship - Jack Carthy (26") - Winner Andrei Burton (26") - 9th & (20") 17th Dave Kerr (26") - 19th & (20") 28th Pat Donovan (26") - 25th Owen Gawthorpe (20") - 22nd UCI Youth Games - Bailey Dacker 16th Poussin Josh McParland 5th Poussin Reece Seymour - 23rd Minime Adam Morewood - 1st Minime Charlie Rolls - 4th Cadet Will Ackerley - 11th Cadet BIU European Cup - Senior 20" Class - Winner - Aaron Duke Junior Class - 3rd - Will Ackerley Minime Class -Winner - Adam Morewood Minime Class - 2nd - Charlie Rolls Benjamin Class - Winner - Josh McParland Poussin Class - 2nd - Finn Johnstone Poussin Class - 3rd - Bailey Dacker BIU World Championship - full results don't seem to have been updated on their website, but provisionally were: Elite 26" - Winner - Ben Savage Elite 26" - 4th - Scott Wilson Senior 20" - 6th - Aaron Duke Junior - 4th - Will Ackerley Minime - Winner - Charlie Rolls Minime - 2nd - Adam Morewood Minime - 14th - Reece Seymour Benjamin - 16th - Bailey Dacker Benjamin - 5th - Josh McParland Benjamin - 19th - Elliott Cooper Benjamin - 22nd - Jake Green Pouissin - 15th - Oliver Cooper

http://www.biketrialacademy.uk/

Good luck to the British Team travelling to the UCI World Championship:- The UCI World Championship in Italy is coming up 29th August to 3rd September, this is an invitation only entry based on (a) Achievements in the British Trials Cup series, and (b) Achievements at international events. The final selection of the British Team is made by British Cycling after recommendations from the Biketrial Federation with team kits being provided by British Cycling. We are only allowed a small number of riders in each class and the UCI World Championship British Team for 2016 is:- Andrei Burton 26" Elite Andrei Burton 20" Elite Dave Kerr 26" Elite Dave Kerr 20" Elite Owen Gawthorpe 26" Elite Owen Gawthorpe 20" Elite Jack Carthy 26" Elite Pat Donovan 26" Elite Will Ackerley 20" Junior Sam Oliver was also on the selected team but due to a very special delivery recently (congratulations Sam and Shauna) he won't be attending this year! Check out the UCI Trials facebook page for photos of brilliant sections ...

Thanks for doing that for us isitafox ... I'm a bit late with this (I took a holiday) but yes, it's Blackpool next Sunday, and it's definitely NOT one to miss! Weather forecast is looking good, visited the site a couple of weeks ago and sections are looking good, along with a new one in the gardens above (with a pond so you could get wet!). Was chatting to the people in the café this morning and a load of you were up there last weekend having a practice! Great for street riders as well as the comp guys so do all come along - pre-entry is available here http://www.biketrialuk.co.uk/ A few pics to follow of the last one there ... hope you can make it!

We had a really good day at the last national at Olde Home Farm at the beginning of June, everyone really enjoyed the man-made sections provided. The TykeTrial Club have asked us to let you know that they are running a two-day event at that same venue next weekend, 2nd and 3rd July, you don’t have to be a club member to join in. As the Saturday includes a free BBQ they really could do with knowing in advance how many people will be there so, if you’re interested, then check out the entry form for full details from http://www.tyketrial.co.uk/events.html The 4th round of the British Cup series is being held on Blackpool Moon Rocks on Sunday 24th July. This is the last round for those hoping to qualify for the UCI World Championship so don’t forget that if you hope to be selected for the team, then this is your last chance to qualify! Besides the official selection stuff, Blackpool is always a fun day, and now with an open age-class for every route colour it’s much easier for everyone to join in at whatever level you want to ride. Just come along and enjoy yourselves! No memberships or licences are needed to put your name down, all you need to do is fill in the on-line entry form and pay the entry fee online and then turn up on the day! The entry form will be available from www.biketrialuk.co.uk tomorrow night after our final site-visit tomorrow. Hope everyone can make it, it would be great to have some new riders coming along.

What a brilliant weekend, fantastic sections, great riders. Results are now on the website www.biketrialuk.co.uk; photos and videos are on our facebook page. Now to get ready for the next round at Blackpool!

Round 3 of the British Trials Cup is at Olde Home Farm, near Pocklington, East Yorkshire on Sunday 5th June. Due to the generosity of our series sponsors and local sponsors we have two £50 vouchers to be spent with Tartybikes and Trialtech, also spot prizes to be handed out. With this third round of the British Trials Cup being held fairly centrally in Yorkshire and still with three rounds to go it would be great to see you there. To be in with a chance of winning one of the vouchers or a spot prize, all you have to do is enter! Lucky winners will be drawn at random so everyone has a chance - it's that simple! We would like to take this opportunity once again to thank both Tartybikes and Trialtech as their support is very much appreciated. The section equipment being prepared for this 3rd round of the British Trials Cup is looking rather interesting, they've even been painting lego bricks for you to ride on ?!!! ... with the prizes and unusual sections it looks like an event not to be missed and entries are coming in fast! The entry form is online on www.biketrialuk.co.uk - closing date Wednesday 1st June.

British Trials Cup - Round 2 2016 - Bob Macgregor Trials Park Another great trial on Sunday 1st May at Bob Macgregor's, a very wet start to the day but the rain stopped shortly after the start leaving the sections a bit muddy for the first lap. The sunshine helped to dry them up in time for the second lap. Everyone completed the course of eight sections with not one person retiring which suggests everyone enjoyed it, backed up by the verbal feedback afterwards. Many thanks to the venue organisers, and to the Clerk of Course and his helpers for such good sections. We had planned on running another fun speed section at the end of the event, but everyone wanted to get off home - perhaps earlier next time! Results on the website www.biketrialuk.co.uk

Getting ready to travel to sunny (?) Scotland to the Bob Macgregor comp and we receive an email asking us to recommend riders for a new TV programme coming out! We'll certainly be watching you all this weekend!!! Late entries still welcome (or is that blackmail?)!