I'm ready to try an honest to goodness trials event. Do I just sign up for the novice class in a nearby event? How good do you have to be to get through an event without making a complete fool of yourself. Or does nobody care because there are a lot of fools out there?

John

nobody cares they encourage,you can join the ama there and join the club or pay for the day,but you do have to join the ama,at least in my club

There are a couple nation-wide clubs. So just figure out which one you fall in, check their website for the next event, sign up for the AMA, and then arive to the event 2 or 3 hours before the start. They'll tell you everything that you need to do from there. :thumbsup:

I just competed on my first event last Sunday. I think anyone with some dirt bike experience should be able to ride all beginner sections, albeit you might get a bunch of 3's.

I learned 3 things from the event:
1. I need to relax more. I rode like crap. I was very nervous and had a hard time focusing on the riding.
2. Know where you're going. I missed several splits resulting in 5's even on sections I could have cleaned.
3. I need to remember to take advantage of the markers' placement. For example, there was this section that had a turn with only the inside marker and I kept dabbing while making the turn because I was trying to make a real tight turn to stay on an existing trail. Later I saw another rider just go wide over the grass making it an easy turn.

Overall, it was lots of fun and I'll do it again.

i did my first trials event last weekend as well and it was a complete blast! i was also apprehensive at first (i had bought my first trials bike the night before) but i'm confident you will be welcomed and encouraged like i was. don't hesitate... there's fun to be had!

the split gates kill me too,and i ride senior intermediate,its a whole different animal when people are waiting in line and all eyes are on you

Just do it and relax if you can. You'll know much better what it's all about after the first one.

In our club, you do not need to join the AMA. It used to be required but that was when we were using insurance through the AMA.

Walking the section is a learned skill. Briefly, I walk through the first time carefully finding the boundary markers and any split markers for my class. I then come back and walk it again as if I were riding it. At the end, I walk back toward the beginning about 20 or so feet and then turn and look at the exit and the line I want to ride, then I go back another 20 feet or so and look at that portion and how it ties into the end. I do this until I'm back at the start and then I look for any non-standard angles or things I might want to move for a better entrance. As long as it's outside the section markers, you can move anything but you might want to wait till the last minute so your competition doesn't see what you are up to :smirk: By the time I'm ready to ride the section, I've broken it down into linked portions and I've reviewed the parts that are not in front of me the most.

Then I review the basics in my head: feet away from the frame, legs open a little, hands relaxed, bend at the ankles and knees but keep the waist quiet, head up, open the legs for the turns and allow the bike to flow under me. And listen for "RIDER!!" (from the observer) and then remember RELAX again. :thumbsup:

I'm going to enter the May event at the TTC in Sequatchie, TN. I'll get a look at the place next weekend at the Wagner Cup. Have to get me a GasGas hat or T-shirt or something!

John

Hello John...
I will be riding in the Vintage event on Sunday...if they will allow me onto the loop, you might see me riding around Saturday afternoon on my TL250...

Murray

Where'd you find a TL250? I'd love to get my hands on one of those.

JB

Well...I have been riding this one hard for about 5 years, and may be selling it when I get my TMI frame back from B&J racing (suspension being built)...am also building a TLR200 and don't need THREE trials bikes...See ya in TN!

M