mintsauce

Cheers Chris

I'm happy for you to PM me Davetrials regardless of the fact that I haven't read any of the 30 pages of this discussion. ------------- I wondered what people thought of this: Roger Pensrose (check out his awards and honours!) co-authored 'The Nature of Space and Time' with Stephen Hawking. Penrose and Hawking , whilst working on 'A Brief History of Time' together, attempted to calculate the probability factor of this structured ordered universe we live in coming about by chance. According to Penrose, the odds against such an occurrence were on the order of 10 raised to the power of 10123 to 1 (which would be 1 followed by 10123 zeros). Roger Penrose comments concerning this mind-boggling number “Even if we were to write a 0 on each separate proton and on each separate neutron in the entire universe- and we could throw in all the other particles for good measure- we should fall far short of writing down the figure needed.” Peace Barlow

A small selection of photos taken from the crowd << Submitted photos >> I'm going to see Paul now regarding the official video... woohoo!

What a fantastic three days!! << ALL FEEDBACK, STORIES, LINKS TO PICS & VIDS >> Barlow

I've just got back from Wood Fest '09 (woodfestwales.co.uk) I just wanted to start a thread in which to share feedback, links to pics, videos, and comments for next years event(s). It's been a huge success. The directors of the festival were overwhelmed by the feedback from the festival goers and were uninimous in their opion that the trials demos really did steel the show. Over three days more than 20,000 people watched trials displays on a crazy custom built trials course - a big thanks to all the course builders!! This has great signifance for the UK trials scene because there is already talk of: 1. Next years course being bigger and better 2. An annual comp held on the grounds using the course and addition kit as sections 3. The possibilty of running... TrialsFest!! Organising such an event took a lot of time and effort but I have got to say that the hard work of all the riders who turned up meant that the three days of demos ran as smoothly as I could have ever hoped. Thanks very much to: Will Arnold Wayne Mahomet Tim Stedman Craig Davies Matt Everett Alex Williams Jamie Williams Josh Robinson (get well soon!) WILL ARNOLD IN WARM UP GAPPING THE BALANCE BEAM I'll post links to more pictures and videos over the next few days which will be available on slowprogress.co.uk ------------- EDIT: I'm heading over to the videographers house now to see the footage he captured. PHOTOS: 1. Photos taken from the crowd << Submitted photos >> 2. Pro shots to follow VIDEOS: 1. Partz's clips << Trials Tube >> 2. Paul Higginson's (resolutionvideo.co.uk) commissioned WoodFest Video << VIMEO >>

Course video added TF VIDEO TOPIC

Last chance to sign up to ride this epic Wood Fest course ALL THE DETAILS OF WOODFEST IN THIS TOPIC check out the course VIMEO

Oh yes!! It'll be a scorcher. Will and I are going to see the course tonight. Hoping I can pluck up the courage to try all the sections. It's no worries if not though, I'll just force Will to try them hehe

<< COURSE CONSTRUCTION SLIDESHOW >> TO SEE ALL 8 IMAGES CLICK THE LINK ABOVE IMPORTANT!! Due to other commitments (DJ ride & Fort Bill Nationals) certain riders have have to forego the wonderful opportunity to ride at the Wood Fest demo. Therefore it's not too late for YOU to join in the action email info@slowprogress if you want to get involved at ride at this massive event!! Peace Barlow

Paul Higginson is a professional film maker based in North Wales. The footage in this video was filmed over three years ago but until now has never been released as a full film (Riders: Matt Barlow, Will Arnold, Aran Cook). Consciousness was shot on a Panasonic DVC30 in 4 x 3. When Paul moved on to a HVX200 he lost interest in 4 x 3 and the project was never finished. Anyone who has ever tried to put together a project of this magnitude will understand the time and effort involved so please take a few moments to give him your feedback. CONSCIOUSNESS ON VIMEO

Really enjoyed that - good riding lads!

Will and I went and rode in the yard of the Wood Fest site on Sunday. We got a chance to talk again to the organisers and course builders and have made some modifications and adjustments. The space he has designated for trials is roughly 75 meters x 17 meters! Here's a link to the official Wood Fest website MTB page: Wood Fest MTB Challenge Here are a few pics of the resources he has available and Will and I messing around:

I'm glad the section ideas are inspiring people to come and ride (or was it the lure of the Saturday night party?!?). Please feel free to apply . Riders must be pre-registered, it is not possible to simply turn up on the day and ride (see initial post). That is only one section, there will be more besides! Yup, that's right. A pedalling gap or rolling bunny hop gap may be the way forward. Whatever method you choose, given that gapping off a see-saw will be a new technique to most, it'll require a wee bit of that old thing called courage. Especially given you'll be gapping at around 11 foot up. If anyone rode/attended the MAD run trials section of the NBS (National Bike Show) then the format with be similar to that: Throughout the event riders will have the opportunity to ride the sections and pick out bits that particularly inspire them or they feel most confident on. Then we will construct an rider appearance order, of increasing difficulty of proposed tricks/lines, and put on demos for the crowds. The idea is not that every rider will gap off the 11 foot high see-saw but rather one or two might do that as big tricks towards the end of the demo. There will be lines on the course for all abilities, which is why Wood Fest has opened this up to everyone through the proposed selection process (detailed in the first post).

It sounds like it'd be worth making the trip simply for the crew party & BBQ on Saturday night!! Roll on Wood Fest

Come and ride at Wood Fest, North Wales June 5th, 6th & 7th 2009 Three days of riding, camping, BBQ's, hanging out and having fun. Ride in front of LARGE crowds on a 100% custom made trials course DETAILS

PICTURE ADDED IN THE INITIAL POST ---------- Just to clear up any confusion: Riders must be pre-registered to ride. Hence the application process (detailed above). It is NOT POSSIBLE to simply turn up on the day and ride without pre-registering and being selected. Every time I speak to the Wood Fest directors it sounds move and more exciting! On Sunday we go test ride the 10 foot balance beam mate - eeek!

Yeah, it's a shame that it'll clash with that. However I don't quite think I have the influence to ask a very established festival with dozens of trade stands and confirmed acts to change their dates on account of the riders! I could always try! I think you may have misunderstood my initial post. This list of riders (above) is those whom I have invited personally thus far. The whole idea to is open up an invitation to ADITIONAL riders to come and enjoy riding at an event, in front of large crowds, alongside the "big names" (as you have put it). Feel free to apply.

Yeah I totally agree Dave. As I said before, it's a shame the events clash. It would have been good to have you being part of the event. Next time maybe or even the Sunday!

I've just read that the DJ Abingdon Memorial Ride will be held on June 6th DJ RIDE DETAILS HERE I'm really sorry about the clash. I'm sure that it'll be fantastic as usual. I had booked all the sunshine for North Wales for that weekend but I guess I can let you have some too. Peace

I appreciate it is a long way for riders to travel. If any of you want to be at the event and travel expenses is the only thing holding you back then don't hesitate to mention that when you register your interest in riding at the event.

The list of riders is looking great so far - thanks to everyone who has already replied. Looks like we'll have a pro film maker at the event too Please get in touch if you want to join in. I'm next going to the show ground on Sunday the 17th so I'll have pictures of the course followng that visit.

Friday June 5th - Sunday June 7th Wood Fest, St Asaph, North Wales << COURSE CONSTRUCTION SLIDESHOW >> This year, for the first time ever, Wood Fest organisers have built a monster MTB course. Without giving too much away, think about: - Wooden Balance Beams running over water - North Shore style sections - Wooden See-Saws - This list goes on... Want to display your riding skills to thousands of people across three days? Alongside a list of invited 'pro' riders, Wood Fest want to extend the opportunity to a few lucky others to come and ride the course and be part of the festival. Anyone who is selected will join the list of 'invited riders' and as such get all the benefits of a free pass into Wood Fest, plus free access to camping and evening BBQ. If you want to be considered for a place on the 'invitational riders' list and to become part of this unique event then please email: info@slowprogress.co.uk You need to include some information about yourself, a link to a video of you riding (if you have one), and how many of the three days you are interested in attending. Preference will be given to those individuals who can attend all three days. More details to follow regarding format plus pictures of the sections! This is going to be fantastic! Considering the resources available to Wood Fest there is hug potential here for our sport to be show cased to thousands. The organisers (passionate ex-riders who are spending a lot of money to add riding to their event) have already said that if it is well supported this year and successful then they will continue to support the riding side of the festival. It could hopefully be the start of a fantastic annual trials spectacle. May I wish you all the best with the selection process. Matt Barlow - slowprogress.co.uk ------------------- EDIT: 14th May A sketch of the North Shore section currently under construction - she's a beauty! Simon, Wood Fest director, testing logs in the yard. He looks pretty pleased with the 12 foot high log he wants to use to gap from.

I don't want to ruin this video for everyone but I think it's my duty to share this information... It's only right that everyone should know... I sold Rowan some invisible brakes a few months back This probably doesn't come as a shock to anyone, I mean honestly, the smooth flowing style and big moves in this video are obviously impossible without brakes. p.s. Amazing! The levels of commitment and bike control shown here are outstanding - great video

VERY nice indeed!! I'd personally go for different (more streety) bars, but the choice is obviously influenced by your intended riding style. Adam; this looks like a fairly lightweight build for a street bike, out of interest what does it weigh?? Enjoy! I'm sure you'll have a fantastic summer with that little beauty.

Worldwide notoriety for trials riding! It couldn't have happened to a nicer more humble guy. Fantastic!