Hurman

No worries Chris. It was a rotten day! Keep in touch for 2008 as I am getting this report published in Trial magazine, Keighley News, Yorkshire Evening Post, Wharfe and Airedale Observer and that was without too much effort. I have big plans for the future and hope to get as much publicity for this excellent sport as possible. Here is the link to the Keighley News website and the report in full: http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/sportr...windy_trial.php And the report in the Wharfe and Airedale Observer http://www.wharfedaleobserver.co.uk/search...t_on_a_bike.php My intention is to contact as many publications and spread the word so we will need plenty of good quality pictures taken by someone who knows when to press the shutter. Cheers, Neil

My fingers started to refuse to work towards the end of the day!! Not to worry John I doubt anyone will have taken a camera up there other than the students who were doing some filming for their documentary and I think they may have killed their camera in the process!!

On the off chance anyone had a waterproof camera on them I am trying to get hold of some pictures for a report I am doing for Trials magazine on the event. It was wet and windy but someone may have taken some. Even if you think they aren't that good please let me know because at the moment I have nothing! Cheers. www.trial-magazine.com

To me a magazine dedicated to any hobby or sport should inspire and enthuse the reader. If it doesn't relate to it's readers then it is knackered and MBUK need to be aware that there are big things happening in the bike trial scene in the UK. John at Trials magazine is very keen to tap into this growing and energetic scene and has included reports from several of the Biketrial UK National Championship rounds in his magazine this year and is happy to do so. The comp scene isn't just what bike trials is about but it is such an easy way of getting a feel for how the sport / discipline is growing. You have an organised event in a pre determined place where you are guaranteed to see at least a few of the UK's top riders and plenty of the up and coming ones. All that is required is a photographer and a report. The two Martin's are legends and have earned their status within the bike trial scene but there are riders out there who are raising the bar and riding radical lines in comps as well as on the street. There are 11 year olds riding Expert routes which lads twice their age are struggling with. I feel if MBUK want to give the reader something more they need to get themselves out of the cave and take a trip up the M1 to one of the most vibrant trials scenes and then continue around the UK and visit some of the guys who post their pictures on here. Right that's my bit said and the soap box put back in the garage. Good luck with your research Wayne will MBUK be doing a bit on up and coming minders!!!

Wayne. Your minder has now resigned and was last seen helping the butty wagon lass dish out the food to the observers so you will have to bring a sufficiently good bride for him to the next trial. A coke and a cheeseburger should do the trick Much respect to all who turned up today to organsie, observe and of course ride. As we aquaplaned through torrential rain, huge puddles and fog on our way to Addingham Moorside we took one look out of the misted up car windows and thought 'forget it!' But as we approached the venue the fog lifted and the rain eased up. I couldn't believe it and neither could the kids so we jumped out of the car into the mud and got kitted up for 16 sections of fun. Three hours later we were back in the car soaking wet, frozen and ready for a hot cup of tea. Against all the odds Tyketrials had yet again put on a superb event which was supported by some amazing kids who are a shinning example and superb role models to their school and work mates. Yes walls in towns and villages do get ridden on and broken and yes private property should be respected but when you see these guys out in some of the most abysmal conditions possible, riding and competing to the best of their abilities it makes you think twice about the stereotypes the general public have of kids today. One of the largest classes was the beginners for kids aged 6 to 10 years old! What they are being fed on I don't know but they were out there and fighting against the elements. I can't say whether or not they were actually enjoying it but they were there and they were taking it in their stride As I said before you all deserve a huge amount of respect for sticking it out today and completing the trial

We will be there and it is going to be glorious sunny weather to round off a superb year for Trials riding and what better place to finish than the venue we were banned from but have managed to get back!! Besides, Wayne is going to need his minder now he has got used to it I may even have a dabble myslef so get yourself fit OAP Peacock, I will be playing out on Sunday....

Adam fancies riding some street so Howarth maybe a good venue. Is there a damn great big rock which John and I could amuse ourselves with for hours on end, get frustrated with and then go home feeling all rubbish and crap because we couldn't get up it? If so we're in! The old social calendar is fairly hectic to Christmas but a New years gathering up at the Glen sounds like a good idea to me. I can feel a carol coming on.....

The Shipley Glen round of the Biketrial Federation National Championship was a corker and did justice to all the rounds that have made up this year. Everyone who rode last weekend were a credit to their sport and with so many spectators in this PR sensitive area you really were under the spotlight. As with previous rounds there was a full report submitted to the local newspaper, the Keighley News, which can be read at: http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/sportr...s_in_trials.php Congratulations to everyone who competed this year and get practicing through the next couple of months for 2008!!

I have just got round to downloading these pics from last weekend. Superb venue which was bathed in glorious Yorkshire sunshine!! Well done to everyone who rode and a big thanks to all the observers. We had a great day and Elliot has only just stopped smiling after being asked to receive a couple of awards on the behalf of other people. I am sure everyone who was there will remember his beaming smile!! Enjoy

I'M TYPING THIS IN BIG LETTERS SO OAPPEACKOCK CAN READ IT!!! T'was I that wrote the report for the Keighley News and it also went to the editor of Trial magazine so you will be known world wide as an OAP trials rider John!! Cool Shipley Glen should be fantastic and for those of you who are unfortunate enough not to live 'up Norf' there is always the train. Shipley Glen is quite literaly only a 10 minute bike ride from Shipley train station, albeit uphill, but still accessible from any part of the country. So no excuses get yourself up here and see what all the fuss is about I'm with Wayne Barbara, Ilkley Moor would be one hell of a venue to get. I went up one afternoon to do a spot of practising with the kids and it was amazing. Without exception everyone walking up there stopped and watched for a minute or two and not one of them complained or had a go. Parking may be an issue but I am sure we could overcome that somehow However, we need to make Shipley Glen a success so let's have plenty of observers signed up before the day so we can make the most of our limited time up there and please make sure you wash your bikes before you set off, this is serious stuff and for 5 minutes with the hose pipe it could save a lot of problems for the local farmers. See you there!!

More positive publicity came out of this weekends event with the local newspaper, the Keighley News, present along with a photographer who got a few snaps of local riders in action Keep an eye out for the link to the report in this thread or better still get yourself a copy this Friday.

Yep a superb day When we went to set up on Saturday it was difficult to know where to start, there was so much to go at. When we use it again we will have a go at the other side of the moor Loads of positive feedback from riders, observers and organisers and a real blast to ride, even the old farts like JP and myself got round without gathering too many 5's :$ When the sun shines in Yorkshire you couldn't be anywhere better especially with this sort of venue. Two more Tyke trial rounds and one more national still to come so don't stop practising now the nights are drawing in I can't type anymore because my shoulders are siezing up........ nurse!!!!

Looking forward to this one. It is a superb venue and has loads to offer I will be available to set out on Saturday to ensure the intermidiate route is rideable for those of us with worn hips and victorian parenting principles

We used ratchet straps to tie a stack of pallets together and they are quick and easy to use and very effective. We also used the camper van in the picture to ride off, it looked very impressive. I like the idea about the skip Top Tip and will try it next time we do one.

We did a display at a local gala back in June and learnt a couple of things. 1. You must make sure that you get a few time slots when you know you are going to be performing other wise it looks like a badly organised mess around and none of the riders gets anything out of it. If they have given you a time slot to perform that is great, if not make sure you tell them when you are going to be on and get it announced. This is a must. 2. Get a PA system, even a Karaoke machine, and get some info written down for each rider, age, bike type, how long been riding, any awards / championships they have won or competed in and let each rider do a stint and have someone give a bit of info out on the PA system to the crowd about them. 3. Have an order in which each rider will go so you have a smooth flowing commentary and know who is coming next. 4. Don't worry about the layout of your pallets etc, just make sure they are nailed down well and are secure. We put the set shown in the pictures together in about 3 hours, that was 3 adults, 4 kids and 2 children and a good battery drill. 5. Show off as much as you can!!

Check out the link to the Keighley News below http://www.keighleynews.co.uk/sport/sportg...bike_trials.php

Wednesday might be a bit tricky as I am having my false teeth re aligned after laughing so much at the picture of John further up this post!! To make the biggest rock tightest blouse competition fair does anyone have a magura brake lever body? I managed to break mine on a death defying move up a sheer rock face on Sunday. I wasn't riding just carrying two bikes upto Section 6!! Arse I fancy a different rock challenge and need to practice riding over more than one thing at a time because all I was doing on Sunday was putting my foot down after I had completed a move, it was blummin awful

OK JP, Shipley Glen rules - T shirts off, the biggest rock we can find and the last one up buys the beers!! and is a big girl.......... Neil, come up shipley, il help you get one over Mr P we will have to get some extra secret training in. We should have an organised "Training Rides" up at shipley and harden moor each week. like a wednesday/thursday night. its usually a reet good laugh. Wayne. Cheers Wayne I will take you up on that, Thursday sounds good, the weather should be a bit better then as well Just don't tell John!! It's oK he wont be able to read this as he is out at the whist drive at his local town hall tonight The pictures look superb and show that there was actually some blue sky and sunshine in the afternoon. :$ Most of the 'award' winners look like they are about to get shot. Is there something about this winning lark that I don't know about? Must be a bummer being the best, I'm just going to prop up the lower end of the results table and feel good that I can still walk after a days exercise!!!

Wait a minute you cheeky young whipper snappers especially you mister 'only dropped 73 all day Stella Peacock', I am infact less than 40 but only just over 21 although I did ride like an OAP today We had a cracking day today and although I needed an extra large sized punch card for all the fives I got I still had a good time and improved on my second round. Adam rode well today, 1st on the guest green route, and enjoyed being back at the venue that he first rode at two years ago on a modified kiddies bike from the local tip Addingham Moorside has something for everyone and should never be taken away from us. I was impressed with the deputy majors speech, it sounded very positive, let's hope he can put his words into actions. I have three lasting memories from today. Adam riding so calmly and collected even when the going got a little sketchy. Wayne on section 9 during the second 'heavy shower.' I don't think Mick or I could believe what we were seeing, just amazing, talented riding. And finally my youngest, Elliot at the end. I couldn't see him anywhere then I spotted bunches of bracken flying up in the air near where Wayne was practicing and then up popped Elliot with a big grin on his face and clumps of bracken ready to launch into the air I blame the parents myself !!! Another superb day and I am now inspired - read want to beat John - to enter the next Tyke trial in September. Get practicing Mr John because once I get my hearing aid fixed and my dodgy hip replaced I'll have you, I say I'll have you...................

Go for it guys Give us all something to aim for and to practice for Don't bother coming back unless there is plenty of bling to be shown Good luck

I have just had a superb evening riding up at a local spot and have had the good fortune to be given some one to one training by a world class rider. All my trials riding life I have struggled to carry out a good clean technique when doing gaps, even small ones less than a bikes length. But tonight this guy gave me a bit of time and demonstrated how it should be done. I had tried it earlier and made a real hash of it infront of a few curious onlookers :$ but after watching him I felt more confident and gave it another whirl. As many of you will know the feeling you get from conquering a move you have struggled with for minutes, hours, days or even years is difficult to describe but it gives you a high in a different way to an adrenalin rush but it lives with you for much longer. Although I say it myself I carried out a superb gap between two rocks and landed smoothly and under control A simple move but one I have struggled with. I am 38 years old and have seen trials evolve from the days of modified mountainbike frames to todays hi tech frames and accessories. New technology, cheaper manufacturing techniques and a growing interest from main-stream manufacturers in different niches in the biking world can only see this sport grow. The club I am involved with up here in Yorkshire has on average 8 entries per trial in its beginners class (6 - 10 years of age.) All of them ride the small Monty 205 and all of them are good riders and can see what they can achieve as they queue for their turn and watch the novice, intermediate, expert and elite riders ride the sections. I don't remember this many young people riding 10 years ago so this gives an indication of how things may go. Motorbike trials used to be the only route but that is expensive and out of the question physically until the youngsters grow a bit, bike trials is an ideal sport that fills the gap for many parents regardless of how much cash they do or don't have. Trials is a great sport and has many characters running and supporting events. Like all sports it could do with a bit more publicity but that is down to every person on this forum to seek out and grab. As mentioned earlier in this thread, demonstrations at local galas or fairs is a great way to show people what can be done on a bike and to get them thinking about a different way of using their bike or a different hobby for their offspring.

I hope everyone has dried out from Sundays event it was a tad wet. However, wettest person of the day award went to the daughter of one of the observers who walked into a puddle which came upto her waste Mum and dad were not amused!! The weather on the Saturday was glorious for the setting out crew but the forecast for the Sunday was never good and unfortunately the forecasters were right All was well until about 12.30 and then the heavens opened, fortunately it was just warm enough to prevent hypothermia setting in although some of the observers were starting to shake uncontrollably towards the end although that could have been the alcohol from the previous night wearing off As the rain came down the rocks went from slippy to a bit less slippy but the sections kept on challenging all the riders at all levels. Only a few retirements this time, everyone must be getting used to the damp northern weather!! This is a smashing venue and looks even better in the sunshine with loads of scope which the section setters tried to put to the best use Hopefully everyone enjoyed it and the small gang of hardy riders - mostly the ones that had won something - rounded off the day with warm rounds of applause for all the riders, observers and organisers. It was a cracking trial made even harder by the conditions but gave everyone who competed a real sense of achievement. Well done to all those who rode and observed and supported the event. Any feedback on the sections or venue please feel free to post here as the events can be improved with your suggestions pointing us in the right direction

All the sections are set and ready to go with plenty of variety and something for everyone. You can enter on the day and see what all the fuss is about. The venue is just off the M62 in a village called Whitworth. Full details on the downloadable entry form http://www.biketrialuk.co.uk/Documents/07-Rnd6-BackCowm.PDF Go on, you know you want to.........

Yep we will be there. Can't wait after missing out on the Fort Bill event. I look forward to seeing Back Cowm in sunshine this time Entering on the day should give everyone the chance to come along and enjoy this excellent venue. If you haven't been before you don't know what you're missing. Loads and loads of rocks to practice on and plenty of variation for everyone See you there!!

The weekend seemed to fly past!! The weather on Saturday seemed to be just for us as everywhere within a 10 mile radius had loads of rain I made the most of an easier blue route on the Saturday and went round with just 6 marks which was halved thanks to my fancy dress, a poor mans pirate :$ The kids had a great time on the fun trial and the lads we went round with were a super bunch of kids and although we were propping the bottom end of the results table up we all had a good day and made some new friends. The venue was fantastic and the atmosphere friendly. The camp fire at night kept all ages occupied foraging for wood in the form of sticks and in the case of some of the older and supposedly wiser ones full on trees!! The fire and flowing Haribo sweets kept the kids up until midnight which meant they went straight to sleep but had an adverse effect the following morning I wasn't as brave as JP and decided not to ride on the Sunday which started off very promising weather wise but which then turned to pooh rather quickly. My son dropped 5 on a section he could ride with his eyes shut and with the beginners class being so close now we thought it was all over. However, once again I find myself humbled by the spirit my kids have. I thought it was the end of the world and that we may as well go home but Adam had other ideas. He shrugged my negativity towards him off all day and just got on with the job in hand, riding Ok so he had got an early 5 but as the heavens opened so did the scores but Adam only dabbed a couple more times to finish on a 7. Unfortunately so did someone else and because we had taken a nice long dinner break we had come in behind the other lad time wise so ended up 4th. You have to experience this sort of thing to really have an understanding of it. How can a 6 year old be so calm and collected? I would have been in a heap on the floor and carried the baggage of a 5 with me for the rest of the day As an adult you think you know most of the things about life but kids just turn your world upside down and make you look at the whole life thing in a different way Not only was this a super social weekend with loads of laughs but once again I find myself getting to know my kids even better. I have also learned to give my youngest, Elliot, the camera to capture the day from about 3 ft up from the ground instead of 6!! We have a camera full of pictures of Bella, a golden Labrador and Dougie Lampkin, apparently an unknown British Champion A brilliant weekend and loads of fun.