Hurman

What a great day! Mud, Rocks, Rain and plenty of positive spirit to round off the year for Tyketrials. It always astounds me how determined so many of these riders are. The weather on Sunday was wet to say the least but people continued to ride and do the best they could despite the slippy and testing conditions. Even when some of the riders had decided they weren't on their best form they made the most of the day by making some bizarre noises whilst riding the sections and generally having a laugh It was also good to see so many youngsters out and getting round. Without their parents support they wouldn't be able to get there but I didn't hear one of them complaining all day! How about the parents bring their bikes along next year and show the kids the way? It's never too late you know The venue also made the day and with a bit more exploration will be used to its full potential in 2009. A huge thankyou must go out to the observers for putting up with the conditions. Although Dob Park is very picturesque it is just as miserable as any other part of the UK when it is throwing it down, so thankyou all for allowing the event to run. I had a cracking day and have just about dried out. See you all in 2009

All sections set for tomorrows trial. It is going to be superb with lots of variation with some technical stuff, some slippy bits, a big log ride and some superb stream sections! A great way to round the year off See you there........

Do you ever get the feeling you are being humored? I will make the coast guard on the South Coast aware that there may be a UFO with a bald head passing him in about a weeks time shouting profanities and trying to release himself from an out of control kite!! Go for it you silly old git!!

No frikin commitment, that's what I say! And using work as an excuse well that's just poor Robster. Disappointed from Leeds.

For all of you who fancy some bracing fresh Yorkshire air this weekend there is the final round of the TykeTrial championship series up at Dob Park in a small town outside of Leeds called Otley. This venue hasn't been used for many years now and for all of you who rode at Cockhill Mines and Harden Moor the trial will be set with the emphasis on having fun as much as riding a comp. There will be sections to challenge all age groups and rider ability so come and have a laugh and see who can get the most mud on them!! If one day of trials isn't enough you are more than welcome to join the setting out team on the Saturday and have a go a laying a few sections out. Believe it or not this can be as satisfying as riding in the trial especially when the trial goes well. If you are interested then simply PM me and I will let you know when and where. See you all there and if you haven't had a go at riding a comp before now's the time. Hurman

Now then Mr. P. I'm assuming Australian immigration are allowing the over 30's into their country again? Have you increased the average age with your presence?!! You may be basking in 30 deg of heat but we haven't seen the sun for a good week now! Bike Trial wise we had a superb event up at Harden Moor last month with some excellent Andy Boyes set sections along with my own master pieces. We are now looking forward to an equally entertaining event at Dob Park in Otley which is a venue we haven't used for years. You will now no doubt be using your wellies to keep the sheep in place whilst interfering with them in a manly way but the riders at the weekend will need them for the mud!! I have continued to ride and will do so until my new tyres are worn out then I might think about sitting a few out, got to get my moneys worth you know. So none of these excuses of your bike being in a boat get yourself out again and make sure that when we come over you have selected a suitably unachievable rock to try and get up!! Hope Tara and the kids are well and enjoying the sun. Hurman

You can see the sea from the top of that rock!!! Hurman 3rd National BikeTrial Federation over 30's runner up type person 2008 First up the rock Farts that strip wall paper Sponsor: Help The Aged, SAGA

If John owes you money you've got 15 days to get it back!! What a day Sunday was. Completely knackered from a tough, superb trial and then emotionally drained at the end when I beat John...... I mean when John, Tara, Robbie and Bo said goodbye. John has been an inspiration to us all and a huge character in the trials scene. Unfortunately we will be losing him but the Aussies need converting to the church of trials - Yorkshire style - and he will no doubt find the biggest stuuupidiest rock in the bush somewhere and challenge all-comers to some Shipley Glen rules, tops off, rock bashing sessions! How our paths never crossed before now John I will never know but I am glad we stumbled (yours would have been a 5, mine a 3) across each other and who knows maybe someday in the near future our paths may yet join again. It's been a blast and I look forward to the future. Remember, it will always roll!

As a trials dad and trials rider I love to teach my kids do more and more daring stuff then get the mother-in-law round to watch my son do a drop off or clear a jump at our local BMX track to just watch her as she nearly has a heart attack!!! I hope I will always support my kids in what ever they want to do but being a parent is a weird thing because you find yourself turning into your own parents and that's scary! But at the moment I am enjoying watching them grow and being a proud dad, especially when they take their trophies into school and get them presented in assembly. Trials is unique and a very special skill, not sure I will be saying that when they want a £1500 EchOnziMonty spangdangly trials bike but again that is in the future.

I think trials may have been a victim of it's own success. People did ride street back in the days of 100+ entries but they were generally on mountain bikes. And the people riding at that time either rode motor bike trials - or had some connection with the sport - or rode mountain bikes on XC 'natural' trails or downhill. So it was only natural for them to ride on or over obstacles in woods, quarries moorland etc, territory they knew well. Trials has evolved over the years with the bias being more of a street scene than natural today, even motorbike trials has an element of street now! I rode at Addingham today and rather than being intimidated by the top guys, I was inspired. How the hell they get up and over some of those obstacles is beyond me! I am also a trials dad who rides to show my kids how to swear competitively! But for one whole day I don't have to say no every five minutes because the kids love the events and want to go, as soon as they don't want to go I won't push them because that's wasting their's and my time. I have lost my rag with the kids in the past but when you ride yourself you realise just how de motivating it is to have someone putting you down all the time so I try not to do it, but it is difficult. Before you make any judgment have a go minding for your mate, you will shock yourself. But as John said before the competition in our class is intense and is well humored but you are always riding to win. However, I must admit that after coming in second today I felt a bit low and as the kids wanted to go for a session at a local skate park on their bikes I took my bike in as well and did a few hops and messed around on the quarter pipe and these skateboard guys were well impressed and were asking me how long I had been riding for and said they thought I was good!!. This made me feel a million dollars BUT could never replace the satisfaction of completing a trial where I had tested myself both physically and mentally to the limit, seen the huge smile on my kids faces after they cleaned a section they got a 3 on the last round and had a good crack with many like minded people who were all there because they wanted to be. Organising, setting up, getting to, riding and competing in trials is hard work but is far more rewarding than laying on the sofa smelling your own farts on a sunny Sunday afternoon!!

We had a cracking day and got some sun as well! I haven't seen John and Robbie smile as much as they did after a few laps of the bike track. John was fixing all the kids bikes and Robbie was getting some good air. I am going to go upto Shipley Glen with a Stihl saw and lop 3 inches off the top of that blummin rock and then maybe we will get up it! Nice pictures Mr P it was a super laugh up there. Top day with loads of laughs resulting in three knackered kids and two aching adults who know no better.

Glad you enjoyed it and brought some fantastic weather with you all All the riders who turned up today enjoyed Addingham Moorside at it's best and were all great examples of the sport. The day was relaxed and riders could attempt the sections or ride any of the zillions of lines available on the moorside. We may run a few more of these if there is a demand for them and although November seems like a lifetime away it will soon come round. The comments made will be noted and future training days improved to allow the riders to get the most out of the day. Thanks to all the riders who came along and made the day worth while for the organisers and the section setters. I'm off to rub some cream into my sunburn now!! :$

TYKETRIAL CHAMPIONSHIP - ROUND 3 - ADDINGHAM MOORSIDE Addingham Moorside is once again open to motorbike and bike trials alike. This superb venue offers an array of natural obstacles from grippy rocks to slippery mud and stones. Round 3 of the TykeTrials championship made the best use of the venue on Sunday the 13th of April with some tough sections to challenge the sixty riders who braved the elements on the day. A cold and wet moorside did it’s best to dampen the spirits of the riders but as has been shown so many times before the poor weather only adds to the challenge of the day although the observers do tend to need wringing out and sometimes thawing out by the end of the day! The beginner’s class was strongly supported once again with eight riders entering the youngest of which was Elliot Raven who is only six years old. New member Callum Williamson took first place followed by William Tolson and Adam Morewood. This was Callum’s first trial and he looks set to take many more wins this year. The novice class was tough to say the least but the lads kept their spirits up with Robbie Peacock putting his skills to great use and finishing on a healthy 44 to Adam Ravens 99 and Ellis Snowdens 105. The high scores show just how much effort the riders had to put in. The intermediate class has a mixture of riders competing for the honours and is not the easiest route but is where riders aim to be before they attempt the expert or elite routes. Top of the class on Sunday was Daniel Clough leading Jamie Bew and James Bancroft home. The expert class has some of the most talented riders competing for the honours as most of them are young aspiring riders who are committed to their sport. None more so than Jack Carthy who at the age of 11 is way ahead of his years and should actually be riding the novice route. Jack put on a fine display to finish 1st in class ahead of Stephen Thompson another talented young rider. Ryan Trickett completed the top three with all riders showing a huge amount of potential. The elite class is for riders who have the ability to take a push bike up over and down the most unbelievable terrain. You have to see it to believe it and often you still don’t believe it. Add to the impossible rain, hail mud and wind and you have a recipe for an entertaining days spectating. Sam Oliver showed how it should be done by dropping only seven marks over the 21 sections! Even more impressive when five of the seven were lost on one section on an extremely difficult drop off onto loose rocks. Karl Donnelly just piped Wayne Mahomet to second place leaving Wayne in a well placed third. As the day progressed the weather picked up and by the time the awards were presented Addingham Moorside was bathed in glorious sunshine revealing the amazing views offered from this vantage point. Another great event put on by the TykeTrial club and well supported by riders and observers alike. The next bike trial is on the 20th April at Hook Woods followed on the 18th of May on the promenade at Blackpool. Last years event was a resounding success and over one hundred riders are predicted to enter for this year’s event. For more details of future events and bike trials in general visit www.biketrialuk.co.uk

For those of you who remember where you were when Elvis died and used to listen to Steve Wright on Radio 1 not Radio 2 there is a class for you this weekend. There is actually an over 30's class with medals and everything! Show these young whipper snappers that agility strength and 'no fear' is no match for wisdom, stealth and dodgy balance! There should be at least two of us competing so make the numbers up and have a superb day, you know it makes sense and will most probably hurt in the morning but just think of how impressed your work mates will be when you show them your medal!

We are already into April and things are getting busy. There are UCI, BikeTrial Federation and TykeTrial events all coming up shortly with the first one this weekend. We are back at the superb Addingham Moorsdide where men are men and the sheep are worried This event can offer everything, superb sections, amazing views, challenging weather and when it sunshines a feint sun tan! To make it easier to enter the thoughtful people at TykeTrials have set up a quick and easy entry system using PayPal. Follow this link http://www.biketrialuk.co.uk/Form/Entry_fo...3-Addingham.htm which will take you to the entry form and your chance to ride at this exceptional venue which is ideal for beginners and elite alike. If you are feeling extra fit then setting up will take place on Saturday morning any time from 11.30 onwards. For all you newbies out there this is well worth going to compete in because it gives you a good selection of sections to give you a taste of riding natural with easy access and sections located close to each other. If you don't fancy riding come along and see what happens at these events and watch all ranges of riders having a great days competition. No special licences are required just join the TykeTrials club pay your entry and away you go!