Any trials riders in the house?

I'd love to try it too actually.

I've looked at Inch Perfect and thought I really should book a day up there.

I reckon I'd be good at it as like you say, the mountain biking gives you a really good base understanding of balance and bike control.

I used to be really into riding all the various elevated skinnies etc at Chicksands bitd which would definitely help I think.

Anyway, no help, just interested.

Not trials but I do ride enduro. I'm not very good and spend quite a lot of time lieing on the floor 😀

At some point I'm going to get myself over to inch perfect, looks like a good day out.

Let's have a STW forum members day out!

Not in the house - the wife would kill me.

I’d love to try it too actually.

I’ve looked at Inch Perfect and thought I really should book a day up there.

Trials Day is probably closer for you and a bit cheaper I think. It'll be too easy for you after manhandling that Himalayan for so long!

Not trials but I do ride enduro. I’m not very good and spend quite a lot of time lieing on the floor

That's the other thing, I love the idea of enduro riding. The reality of it though, I'm not so sure about. I keep looking at WR250f's but I'm not sure where I'd take one and I don't fancy doing loads of road miles stitching green lanes together. Plus any crashes will be 10x faster than on a trials bike.

The next experience day on my list though is this https://www.yamaha-offroad-experience.co.uk/

Might do it alongside a day at BPW but that will be a bloody expensive weekend!

I used to do trials riding going back a few years. I really did it to support my son who was doing it (and was a lot better than me). It was quite nice to be able to do trials events together. I haven't done it for ages and sold my Beta. At the time I wasn't doing mtbing but have the feeling that I would have been a lot better at it if I had been... a lot of transferable skills I think.

Actually my son then stopped motorbike trials and did cycle trials in which he did pretty well... now races XC mtb.

I don't know what the trials community is like now but when we were doing it it was a really nice atmosphere and some great people. Lots of help if you had bike problems.

I'd be up for a day at Inch Perfect.

Only thing that worries me is how much I think i'd like the Electric Motion bike after I'd tried it...

Never "done" trials as I was an Enduro racer* that sometimes raced MX, but I have in the past played around on mates trials bikes.

But I've not been on a bike in a very long time so I'd be completely shit now.

*Championship class rider at British Champs, European Champs and 3x ISDE rider twice in the GB team. Owner of bronze, silver and gold ISDE medals.

For anyone looking to try Enduro out two old mates of mine now have fleets of Stark  bikes alongside their petrol bikes.

https://mickextanceexperience.com/

https://adysmithoffroadexperience.co.uk/

The Yamaha Experience is also run by someone that helped me out a great deal when i was first starting out into the Enduro world at 17 years old.

Geraint was at the top of the sport for a very, very long time.

You won't go wrong with any of those guys.

I'd love to do it alongside my son eventually. He's not 4 until June so I have time to get much better than him before the roles are reversed in about 10 years time!

I watch a lot of trials on YouTube and the events do look very chilled. Totally different crowd to enduro and MX.

I could buy a bike right now but the biggest expense is a van. Living where I do, I'm not willing to use a trailer.

Someone should ask STW management if they can arrange a group discount for a forum day out! I'm up for that.

That’s the other thing, I love the idea of enduro riding. The reality of it though, I’m not so sure about. I keep looking at WR250f’s but I’m not sure where I’d take one and I don’t fancy doing loads of road miles stitching green lanes together. Plus any crashes will be 10x faster than on a trials bike.

The next experience day on my list though is this https://www.yamaha-offroad-experience.co.uk/

Might do it alongside a day at BPW but that will be a bloody expensive weekend!

A wr250f is ideal and coincidentally was my first dirt bike at the ripe old age off 50, never ridden off road up to that point.

The yam is bomb proof and perfect for green laning, comfy seat and quite happy up to around 60mph. We're regularly out around Chirk and we're off to Barmouth on Sunday.

I regularly crashed mine into double figures per trip out (play days, not so much green laning) and all bar one at walking pace or less, I do wear all the armour all the time though.

Have a look at some you tube videos of wern ddu quarry in denbigh, cowm leisure in Rochdale, parkwood at tong, also places like wynstanleys in Wigan, H20 near Llangollen. Wern ddu especially is good for trials riding.

My bil went to the yam experience day a few months ago, had a really good weekend.

I know of all those places, I've watched all the videos! You're right it does look great and I'm sure I'd enjoy it. I don't know a single person who does it though so it would be a lonely start. The WR250f looks like my ideal bike. I'm definitely going to the Yamaha experience in the next couple of months. It's £100 more than the trials day though.

I could buy a trials bike and go out with 2 or 3 people who are out every nearly weekend.

I definitely can't have 2 motorbikes!

I'm going to end up shopping for another bloody van again now aren't I.

Enduro rider for 30 years, not in Stus class just a clubman. I liven in Trials central Richmondshire.

Dabbled (pun intended) in Trials thing is in Enduro much can be overcome by speed and ignoring trees. Trials requires proper skills.

I’m going to end up shopping for another bloody van again now aren’t I.

Yes, yes you are 😀

I usually ride with my brother and bil, but I also joined the TRF (trail riders fellowship) there's almost always a ride going out each weekend, whether that be north or mid Wales, Yorkshire, Lancashire, lakes or peak district. Made a few friends that way and now have regular riding buddies when my brother and bil aren't riding.

We're looking to 'compete'* in the wor events hare and hounds series this year too.

*Ha! 😀

Oh, btw, I should have said...... that's where my forum name comes from...... my son gave it to me when we ran the Surrey Schoolboys Trials Club website....  masterdabber..... you can guess what aspect of trials riding I excelled at 🙂

I could buy a bike right now but the biggest expense is a van. Living where I do, I’m not willing to use a trailer.

I've seen trials bikes on the backs of cars with towbar carriers.

Yeah I've seen them but I'm not willing to drag a bike on a trailer through the middle of urban Sheffield. We've already been targeted by burglars, thankfully that's settled down now and we're much more secure.

I've been followed by a car full of meat heads when I had the bike rack on. Luckily I was driving away from home and they peeled off while giving me hand gestures when I joined the motorway.

Trials rider here, not the greatest but I enjoy having a wobble round. ? Levels differ depending where you are in the country but I guess I am one, occasionally 2, levels up from the easy or beginners route.

Most clubs are extremely friendly places, largely down to the fact that everyone who rides has trod the same learning path. I'm sure there will be a few clubs in your area. The ACU website might be worth looking at to find a club nearby. If Macclesfield isn't too far send me a PM and I'll put you in touch with the chairman of that club. I met him and his partner recently and they seemed really nice folk. At worst they can probably point you in the right direction with the best club to join as a beginner.

Getting training to start off with is very worthwhile, although try to get past the 'taster' session and get some real technical training. Trials has to be the most technical and frustrating sport ever! It looks easy but really isn't, it's a full body workout as well as a brain workout, just trying to figure out how to ride each section, or obstacle.

Probably the best bit of riding advice I was ever given was to think of the centre of the bike as a set of scales. So if you turn right, lean the bike right but move your body to the left. This balances the scales but also distorts the rear tyre to provide traction. Traction is what you need rather than slipping and sliding.

As far as adapting to the controls, using the throttle, clutch and brakes is usually a matter of very small movements, especially as a beginner. I remember being really surprised at just how much you can and do abuse the clutch. The brakes affect those scales again, so, preferably, small movements. The front brake will compress the front suspension much more than the rear does, so other than on downhills the back is used much more.

If you get to the stage of going out and buying a bike, don't over bike yourself. You don't need a 300, a 200 or 250 is perfect for a beginner and would see you ok right up to your next level up or even further. You really don't need power as a beginner. If you look after the bike with regular air filter and oil changes they are pretty cheap to run. I'm out of touch with entry fees but a club trial is around £15 to £20 for 4 or 5 hours riding. You'll likely use less than 5 litres of petrol, so once the bike and transport is bought, it's a cheap form of motorsport. Kit wise you see folk wearing all sorts, from jeans, or joggers, to trials pants. The only thing I would definitely buy is a pair of trials specific boots.

If you have a towbar, then a bike rack is a good option, a van is best but a rack or trailer is perfectly usable too.

Good luck with it all, it really is a great sport, frustrating but so much fun. Enjoy.

Thanks for all the info.

I'm in Sheffield so I have 2 local clubs, Sheffield & Hallam and Hillsborough. S&H just bought their local practice area which is a 15 minute drive from me and Hooton Lodge is half an hour away. There's 3 or 4 other venues within around an hour. I've also got old work mates who are out most weekends so I'd be able to tag along from day one.

I've been told by everyone to avoid the 300's so when I do browse bikes I'm looking for 250's. I've seen how a small mistake can send the bike flying into the sky or the nearest tree so I'm keen to avoid any embarrassment.

Then I'll just need to pick up an Oset for junior and we'll be a trials family. The wife will be thrilled!

We'll need a van so she has somewhere to hide from the rain while we have fun.

A 250 will perch in a tree...... Don't ask me how I know!

That will help you no end having mates to ride with, if nothing else you'll have a great laugh.

I started with a 250, went up to a Beta 300, which I liked but only after I calmed it down. I then moved to France and stupidly bought a Gas Gas 300 as it was available. Despite changing the head, gearing down, slow throttle, it was too much of an animal. Gassers do tend to be 'racier'. I sold mine and bought a 260 Repsol Montesa 4 stroke and love it. The suspension is so plush and the engine is pretty much perfect for the terrain we have here.

Good luck with it all and report back!

That will help you no end having mates to ride with, if nothing else you’ll have a great laugh.

Yeah it'll be good. I think Hooton opens late in the summer so I'll be able to go straight from work and squeeze a few hours in.

In comparison I don't know anyone who rides an enduro bike and all the best places appear to be in Wales so realistically I'd never find the time to get there.

Any trials riders in the house?

Oooh ooh  me me me me, but I'm not very good.

Motorbike trials that is.

Oh. IGMC

Though rumour has it, a lot of trials riders took up bicycle trials as a cheaper way to practice techniques.

But I’ve not been on a bike in a very long time so I’d be completely shit now.

*Championship class rider at British Champs, European Champs and 3x ISDE rider twice in the GB team. Owner of bronze, silver and gold ISDE medals.

Laughed out loud at that. You'll still outride the vast majority, you never completely loose it whilst your physically able.

I've done trials, enduro and MX. 64 now and mostly given up off road motorcyling, but trials is the one thats calling me back.

Yeah have done a fair bit in the past few years and love it. Trials is such a friendly sport and have made some great pals doing various trials.

currently preparing for the Six days this year for the first time which should be fun.

As for bikes I started on a 125 beta at the age of 25 and weighting 13stone and still managed to flip it numerous times.?? Would definitely steer clear of 300 if your relatively new to the sport and I only ride a 250 as it’s under less strain doing moor/ linking bits to sections.

If you are every up in Scotland and fancy a play on bikes then let me know got a few in the shed and lots of ground to go play on.

Watching the post with interest, really want to try this out, and maybe explains my affinity to MTB as I have huge family history with my dad being an ISDT privateer with some serious history which I’m helping him piece together from various archives, also currently trying to find my dads old bike, Matchless G3 reg 606 UA, reg showing as insured! But who knows if still on original machine!, But if any of you want to get a glimpse about vintage trials and his capers, here’s a link to some of his history…

https://www.flickr.com/gp/nashville/UB99z44277

I had dreams of having a bash at this as my dad had a twin shock BSA Batham (I think) and the pre-65 twin shock events seemed incredibly chilled, and with terrain and sections to suit the less capable bikes.

Not really a trials rider as such, just ride trials bikes lol

I can tell you or anyone interested about the EM ePure Race trials bike though as I took delivery of a 23 ex-school model from Inch Perfect last month.

Compared to my 24 year old Beta rev 3 250 it feels mega heavy loading into a van but the weight disappears when on the move.

The fact that it has 3 power maps (125,250 & 300 equivalent) is ace as it means my youngest teenage son can ride it on low power to suit and I just up it when he lets me have a shot…,,

It has a hydraulic clutch but no gears, also has a tickover mode which I keep on as feels a bit more like an ICE bike when used with the clutch. Clutch not really needed if this mode isn’t on, twist and go which can be good for some people.

Some of the techniques transfer between EM and ICE but also quite different in other ways.

Range wise it’s slightly better than my Beta per tank when we are out riding so about 3 1/2 hours of gentle riding (not competing).

Takes about a similar time to charge fully.

No real maintenance is definitely a bonus, just clean and lube so far.

The big bonus is that it opens up many more practice spots as makes almost no sound and no 2 stroke exhaust smoke. We use it in woods near my house away from any major paths and anyone that has came across us has been surprised that we were even there. Most people are also really interested in the fact that it is electric and had a few nice conversations with folk because of that.

Downside is price probably 25% higher than the ICE equivalent but I use it probably 300% more than I would use the ICE bike so……

@ThePerfectKiss

This may or may not be of interest to you.

https://www.6daysmemories.com/

Maybe you have some ISDT pictures and info you could give them too?

@nstpaul

It's the lack of maintenance and stealth of the EM that appeal to me.

There are so many places near to me it could be ridden without annoying anyone.

The appeal of the electric bikes is obvious. I really enjoyed my day on them. Unfortunately for me when Inch Perfect were selling off their fleet they were double what I'd pay for a nice, used 250.

Plus, having never ridden a 'proper' bike I need to try it and see how I get on. I'm happy to go electric in the future if it becomes a long term thing.

I'd rather buy an Electric Motion Race than a flimsy e-bike anyway.

Another (somewhat lapsed) trials rider here, there is plenty of cross-over in skills in my experience. I was riding trials before mountain bikes existed, so took to MTB pretty quickly and found that riding one helped me in the other.

Look at how many mountain bikers are from a trials background, such as Rob Warner and how many younger riders practice on a trials bike, such as Adam Brayton. Also look the other way at how good the Hemmingway boys rode at 'Ard Rock.

At last year's SSDT, I saw quite a few people on the Monday/Tuesday that has been at the Fort William downhill round.

@sharkattack - I’d be really interested to hear what you think about trials day if you do book. There’s only c 40 mins from me and I’ve been toying with the idea of doing an experience day for a while - based on no trials experience and not haven ridden anything with gears and a clutch in 30+ years (and very limited at that!)

Just by chance I came across this bit video of last weeks Talmag Trophy (Pre - 65) Trial over at Hungry Hill, Aldershot.... an area many here will be familiar with.

@sharkattack – I’d be really interested to hear what you think about trials day if you do book.

I'm booked. Going in 3 weeks time. I'll report back afterwards

So I went trials riding today on a proper bike.

Luckily it was the first warm, sunny day in months but the ground was still saturated so it wasn't too easy. There was lots of sliding around and a few lie downs, not by me thankfully.

Started out very wobbly. It was like doing my CBT again but on a wet field. After the first hour or so once I'd remembered how to use a throttle and clutch I started to ride the bike properly.

They've got a 200 acre site on a farm with lots of woodland and huge hills. We basically went trail riding with the instructor and stopped to play on features and practice techniques.

It was the perfect introduction. I'll definitely be going back as I felt it coming together at the end of the day just as my energy was running out. I'm keen to see how I get on after a few days of practice now that I've got started. I'd be willing to go every couple of months to keep learning until I buy a bike.

Just like at Inch Perfect the mountain bikers rose to the top of the class and the road riders looked a bit sheepish!

I'm absolutely shattered. I will now attempt to post some pictures. If it doesn't work I'll come back tomorrow.

Most of my pictures are over 4.9mb obviously because it's 2025 so I can't upload them to this medieval forum. You'll just have to imagine the beautiful scenery from the top of the hill on a beautiful sunny day in Leek.

Looks like all the trials riders have been killed off by the forum overhaul.