Barbara

Hi guys Right ... 63 pre-entries (not counting those listed on here in the last couple of hours - I've been watching a film). Pre-entries go to the main signing on desk where your name will be listed and your punchcard ready made out. On the day entries will be accepted tomorrow because its the first trial of the year. Those not entered pre-entered, or need to bring forms or money - come to see me first please. But get there early ... as I will be doing the pre-trial briefing at 10.45 and the trial will start at 11.00am! If you're not all signed in by then, we'll have to do it afterwards. (Just remembering the first trial of last year where over 60 riders signed on on the day without pre-entering with 95 riders!!!) See you all tomorrow - weather looking good, bright and sunny for once! Barbara

Hi guys (and gals) I now have the pre-entries for the trial, but reading this post it sounds like there's a fair few coming who haven't sent their forms off. If you're coming to the trial but haven't pre-entered, please help me so it isn't chaos tomorrow morning by posting here your NAME, LAST YEAR'S MEMBERSHIP NO (if you have one) and the CLASS you want to ride in. At least then I can prepare the punchcards and rider list in advance. Barbara

:$ :$ :$ ooooh - I'm all embarassed now :$ :$ :$ Cheers guys! Oh - and next time you see me struggling to put the banners up ... don't just drive past me!!! See you all next year. Barbara

Well ... what can one say to that!!! Perhaps the one group of three people who complained and retired would like to mark out and run the events next year? Perhaps riders who prefer taped sections would like to come along the day before a trial to do so? Could those who thought it was a little too far please find and arrange new venues closer to home? Then everyone will be happy and I don't have to give up a weekend of my time every month - nor to drive 360 miles to check a venue out, set up the sections, and run the event. (Granted, the first time we sorted out 10 sections in the wrong field that turned out to be a pheasant shoot!) Regrettably, a very good event, enjoyed by the majority, has yet again been marred by a very small number of people. Constructive criticism is always welcome and taken on board. However, one, obviously immature, person posting on a public forum that "the venue was shit" and that "the sections were faggoty" and a "pile of f**king pebbles" cannot be considered as constructive, merely detrimental to the image of the sport and competitions in general and no attention whatsoever will be given to those comments. Too expensive? Entry fee to a competition is £10 - If you can't be bothered to pre-enter it is £15. Club membership is £10 per year - If you can't be bothered to join the club, then day membership is £3. It can't be made any easier - all you have to do is fill the form in and put it in the post. This not only saves you money but shows consideration and courtesy to those who are arranging that event for you. The person who posted "So i went and asked Barbara for a refund, and she didn't let me. f**k knows why?" in fact wanted his money back only after finding that his main championship competitor wasn't entered. How sad! If that person wishes to write to the club committee with his request for a refund then I am sure that his letter will be considered and responded to appropriately. In my opinion, it was more than a little inconsiderate of him, to me having completed all his paperwork, and to other entrants who had had to queue and wait while I did so, to then decide that as his main championship competitor wasn't present he should have his money back (and to make people wait to start the competition while his paperwork was pulled out again). The best outcomes of the day for me, were the 14 new riders who had been enabled to take part in an event closer to home - 4 of them in the under 10's class, and 11 in the Novice class. Without these new and young riders, the sport will, without doubt, die. Also, for the first time ever, all of the observers had volunteered in advance - THANK YOU! There were loads of spectators turned up on the day, including a professional event photography company, and loads of people thanked me for a good day - even some the observers said they'd enjoyed it! Results went on-line at 8.00pm last night, as did photos and a report on the event. Winners:- Elite Chris Boyes (14 dabs) Kieran Donnelly (24 dabs m/c) Karl Donnelly (24 dabs) Expert Sam Oliver (13 dabs) Brett Penfold (25 dabs) Matt Whitten (47 dabs) Intermediate Stephen Thompson (22 dabs) Dean Bromley (24 dabs) Chris Jones (40 dabs) Novice Lee Bell (18 dabs) Steven Kuchczynski (23 dabs) Tom Oliver (25 dabs) Beginner Jacob Robinson (41 dabs) Joe Hiley (45 dabs) Ellis Snowden (75 dabs) Full results on www.biketrialuk.co.uk The professional photographer who was present has promised to email his photos to us within the next day or two - I'll add them here eventually, but in the meantime a few snaps when we were setting up so you can decide on the sections and venue yourselves. NO SH*T - JUST RIDE!!! Barbara

The annual trials-forum gear debate starts again! Every year I post on here in response to "why don't they change it" posts. Every year I say "if you don't like it write to the committee asking for change". NOT ONE LETTER HAS EVER BEEN RECEIVED FROM ANY RIDER ASKING FOR CHANGE. If you're not prepared to do something about it by sitting down and writing a letter, then stop complaining. The committee aren't mind-readers and very few even look at this forum. Sorry for the moan! Barbara

John, I can't walk at all ... one day's riding not good at (over 21)!!! Great fun though and really proud of those two cleans!

Hey - stop taking the p*** - I've been pracitising ........ I don't fall off any more! The football will be sorted!

It's my first time too - I'm riding beginner !!! Cheques payable to TykeTrial. Parents just pay for their food. Final closing date for entry is Wednesday's post.

Cheers John ... I was gonna keep that quiet in case I changed my mind ... looks like I'm gonna have to do it now!

Thanks for all the compliments guys ... although I didn't quite achieve what I set out to do ... 1. A trial that everyone can enjoy - think I managed that. 2. The winner of each class finishing on 10 or under - not quite, but not far off! 3. Entries from more younger riders (the future of the sport) - yep, managed that! 4. Sections that weren't impossible to clean - yep, managed that (except in white route) 5. The highest entry in a national comp for three or more years ... 2003 Rnd 1 Devon = 70 Entries Rnd 2 Derbys = 63 Entries Rnd 3 Yorks = 62 Entries Rnd 4 Lancs = 63 Entries Rnd 5 Surrey = 69 Entries 2004 Rnd 1 Devon = 68 Entries Rnd 2 Derbys = 69 Entries Rnd 3 Yorks = 65 Entries Rnd 4 Surrey = 58 Entries 2005 Rnd 1 Yorks = 71 Entries Rnd 2 Yorks = 62 Entries Rnd 3 Devon = 49 Entries Rnd 4 Surrey = 47 Entries 2006 Rnd 1 Yorks = 73 Entries Thanks for all your support. Barbara

Thanks for a really good day everyone who was there. Top 3 results:- Poussin Class (White) 1st Robbie Peacock (77) 2nd Jacob Robinson (81) 3rd Jonty Tupman (98) Benjamin Class (Blue/white) 1st Tom Swindlehurst (34) 2nd Tom Oliver (59) 3rd Samuel Johnson (117) Femina Class (Blue) 1st Lois Morgan (21) Open Class (Blue) 1st Thomas Rushton (27) Minime Class (Blue) 1st Sam Oliver (5) 2nd Billy Ellis (33) 3rd Ashley Butler (43) Cadet Class (Red) 1st Chris Boyes (12) 2nd Scott Wilson (19) 3rd Joe Parsons (45) Expert Class (Red) 1st Aran Cook (26) 2nd Stan Shaw (33) 3rd James Porter (34) Senior Class (Red) 1st James Sheridan (44) 2nd Joe Seddon (44) 3rd Thomas Astbury (49) Master Class (Yellow) Enquiry taking place Elite Class (Yellow) 1st James Hyland (9) 2nd Chris Walker (28) 3rd Duncan Shaw (46) Full results will be on www.biketrialuk.co.uk tomorrow night. Barbara

Consider your name down - thanks Mike

Forecasting sunshine and 6 degrees! The final decision will be made at 9.00am on Saturday morning so there's time to ring and stop people travelling if necessary. Tykes have only ever cancelled one event and that was at Back Cowm Quarry in a blizzard!!! So get out your thermals, pack some spare socks and the Brandy bottle and stop being a softy Mick!

It's the first round of the British Champs on Sunday 19th March up at Addingham Moorside - it's ok, the snow's almost gone! For information:- Signing on is from 8.30am (not the usual 9.30am)Trial starts at 10.00am (not the usual 11.00am)Food van will be there from 8.00am. Entry closing date has been extended until 6.00pm on Friday because of licence delays - if your licence hasn't arrived, send your entry anyway with "applied for" in the appropriate place (we have ways and means of checking!) PRE-ENTRY ONLY - we cannot accept entries on the day! Entry to the venue is FREE for specators We need just 3 more observers for the day - observers will be provided with hot drinks throughout the day, plus lunch while they're working - and a "thank you" present. If you're over 14, know the rules and want to help - give me a call on 07850 505298.To enter the British Championships you need:- To be a member of an ACU BikeTrial affiliated club (TykeTrial / NBTC / EBTC / Hampshire / WEMC) NBTC club membership application here - annual cost £10 or TykeTrial club membership application here - annual cost £10 A BIU (BikeTrial International Union) licence - annual cost FREE Licence application here An ACU licence (send to the club that you choose - not to the ACU - we have to stamp and sign it) Licence application here Sunday's entry form here. Hope to see you all there! Barbara

Matt, as you are on the BikeTrial UK committee, perhaps it would be more beneficial to the sport to attend the meeting in January and place your vote on the appeal that I'll be making rather than having a rant on here?!

Right, now the world round is well and truly over, I have a little time on my hands before the Fort William comp comes up. I'm hoping to get a new venue on the Lancashire/Yorkshire border, with a provisional date of 21st August. As NBTC is about "doing something different", I thought about perhaps a "Team Fun Trial"? Idea Four classes - White, Blue, Red and Yellow Enter as a team of 4 - one rider from each class Team with lowest number of dabs between them wins whatever prize we can scrounge! Good idea? Comments? Better way to do it? Other ideas?

End of another day building up to the world round so thought I'd report in ... what a day! A Czech rider who couldn't speak a word of English collapsed in town and had to be collected from A&E at the hospital. Three Spanish were picked up walking in the wrong direction away from town with two bikes, tents and loads of bags! Foreigners by the score turning up at Addingam in taxis. The BIU President's luggage got lost at Frankfurt Airport (bike wheels were inside the cases as well as clothes). 400 t-shirts arrive printed complete with a spelling mistake! But hey - wouldn't it be boring if everything went according to plan?! :D The foreigners are arriving in droves and the sections are unbelievable - as Wayne said, well done to the team who've built them. Roll on tomorrow and the official registration starting. :S

That was the Czech Team !!! Just got back now from the event ... what can I say ... the team I'm working with are brilliant and my grateful thanks go to Terry Graves and Stuart Matthews helping with setting up the showers and toilets, putting up signposts, etc ... and particularly to the section-setting team who've been building since Monday morning. The effort and detail that's gone into doing all this is amazing! I've had two newspapers on the phone today wanting information about the event, and a load more spectators wanting directions! Roll on tomorrow when we start putting up the sponsors' banners and the flags of the world arrive in town! DIRECTIONS (specially for Joe) From the A1 (my preferred route, not necessarily what the map book says) Turn off just north of Leeds at the "Otley" turn off (just after the end of the A1(M) bit. Take the Otley turning from the roundabout. Turn left at the T-junction. In Collingham, turn right to Harewood/Harrogate. At Harewood T-junction, turn right towards Harrogate. At the bottom of the first hill, turn left to Otley. From Otley, follow signs for Skipton then pick up the red A4 "BikeTrial Control" signs --- or if going straight to the competition venue ... at Addingham roundabout, pick up the pink "BikeTrial" signs. From the M1 Take the M62 towards Bradford Take the M606 into Bradford Follow signs for Keighley/Skipton till you pick up the signs for the event as above. From the M6 Take the M65 towards Blackburn/Burnley/Colne/Skipton then pick up signs for the event as above. Ok?

Hi Joe It's late now and we're out at 6.00am to put direction signs and banners up. I'll type out directions for you tomorrow night - Ok? Barbara

Well ... things are really moving up here in Yorkshire ... the sections are looking amazing with ground never before used ... the phone never stops ringing with spectators travelling from all over the UK asking for directions. Tomorrow people start moving in to Skipton from all over the world - 15 countries entered with almost 200 riders. The Japanese arrive tomorrow, the Slovaks arrive on Thursday by coach - the Spanish arrive on Thursday by air, and some trade stands start turning up tomorrow! Skipton will never have seen anything like it when the parade goes up the High Street on Saturday night, and Addingham Moorside will never have been as busy as it will be this weekend! A Japanese video company is travelling over to produce a video, as well as at least four known professional photographers. Local support has been great - so let's have support from all you riders. Be there and show Britain how great a sport trials is!!!

Saturday, we're full for those jobs, although would be great to have a couple of spare people to give the full-timers a loo break! Sunday, we really need more people. Take your pick! Please pm me your name and phone number.

You'd be a great help. Time-keeping needs absolutely NO experience - you can be taught in minutes! Same goes for score-keeping - you just punch the card with what the observer tells you to!

You could Tom, (but let me know beforehand please) but you'll probably get so caught up in the atmosphere and what's going on that you won't want to!

I don't think you realise just how BIG this event is - we're even going into the next field for sections !!! 200 riders 28 sections 128 observers/time-keepers 3 on "start" team 5 on "results" team 4 parking attendents 2 on entry gate Trade stands, technical control, hot and cold food, there's at least 4 official photographers coming along, and hopefully a video team. The list goes on! Riders include: MICHAEL Hampel Germany TERAI Kazuki Japan BARTAK Peter Slovak ROS Benito Spain CANAS Cesar Spain COMAS Dani Spain LEZETA Iker Spain DE LA PENA Juan D. Spain GUTIERREZ Raul Spain DIAZ Carles Spain ALONSO Javier Spain SAVAGE Ben UK HYLAND James UK CIHACEK Vlastislav Czech HUSINECKY Ivo Czech HOLLMANN David Czech SIMUNEK Martin Czech POSPISIL Milos Czech CHVOJKA Roman Czech HERMANCE Vincent France REMY Morgan France ACHIM Steinert Germany SIDLIK Jan Slovak PCOLA Stefab Slovak GOMEZ Alberto Spain AKRIGG Chris UK HAWYES Martin UK ASHTON Martyn UK There'll be so much going on you won't want to ride your bike!!! Anyone turning up on bikes (except entered riders) will be asked to leave them in a "bike park" just inside the entrance gate. No riding will be allowed at all on Saturday, but on Sunday after the competition has officially closed (estimated around 5.30pm) and we've all left, then it's up to you! I still need some observers, time-keepers and score-keepers by the way ... any offers? (I need to know now ... not on the day!)

As soon as the organisers send them to me - I don't seem to have received them yet! (XDream - can you send them please?) Just put the Devon national results on-line www.biketrialuk.co.uk