IainW

do you guys have a justgiving page or similar to make donations to?

Catch up clip here

couldn't work out how to delete this!

The boys told me about this thread. Its fun hearing where you all think trials is and where it should be. As for the boys not trying at demos, they wouldn't do that and i wouldn't let them! We're always pushing them and pushing their bikes with bigger drops, gaps etc. Just in the middle of building new stuff which is looking pretty scary. Its interesting to hear the debate about what is 'trials' because looking at it from the outside, there does seem to be a bit of an identity problem with the sport. I'm more meaning from people looking from the outside. They don't really know what trials is (as aparently some of you don't ) and because trials is so adaptable to different settings and bikes can be so different it is hard to define it. BMXes all look fairly similar for the layman, as do most mountain bikes. A 20" comp bike looks a lot different to a 26" street machine. The way i see trials is it is the most skillful form of riding i've seen and therefore riders can cross over into all forms of riding, as proved by Danny's Edinburgh vid which has elements of freeride MTB, BMX, comp trials etc etc. So i'm wondering whether you really want to define trials as riders? Iain (The Clan)

Ross forwarded this thread on to me. I'm reading with interest... I am the 'businessman' (cheers Ross!) behind The Clan. And i do ride, a lot, but not trials. Anyway, just wanted to say the guys in our team and others do far more than do tricks for cash, they help inspire a new generation on to trials bikes (and BMXes and MTBs in our case) in various ways. The shows wow people and our guys always chat to folk and help them get into riding on our have-a-go track. We have two Onzas and an Inspired that folk can try for free and we send them away with details of where to get one. I'd also like to think they get more out of it than cash, like Ross says with the people and places and legendary nights out. We made a commitment at the start to charge a decent buck and get as many of our riders making enough of a living out of riding demos to fund their riding and living the rest of the year. After a couple of years, we're starting to get enough demos to do this. All of our clients agree our shows are value for money, but they definitely aren't cheap. No point devaluing the skills of top riders. As for Ali, his riding is perfect for demos and has added a lot to our shows when Danny is away being a big deal. And he doesn't accept 50p tips from kids anymore either Danny has done about four or five shows with us this year and will probably continue to when he is fit and free. As for Ross, he'll always be special to us since his 'performance' on the Children in Need night xxoxx

I want to say things like 'nice vid Ross'. But i'm not allowed. I'm Iain, i run The Clan demo team. I just bought an Onza and an Inspired for crazy kids to try trials. So please people, make me valid!