A Trial is a test of man and machine. It tests the riding skill and rider’s balance over a variety of observed natural obstacles, riders incurring penalties for footing or failing to fulfil other criteria.

If you have never seen a trial before you should make it a priority. The obstacles that riders may attempt can be huge and may comprise rocks, logs or hill climbs etc. - and attempting to do so without losing balance or putting a foot down. Dependent on the rider’s class and ability, not only do riders attempt seemingly impossible obstacles, but in the process they perform some amazing trick riding. Spectators are generally permitted to stand right next to the action, within a few metres of the obstacles.

At top notch events you can see a motorcycle being thrown around by a rider doing air turns, bunny hops, and bouncing the front and rear wheels around during turns. You will be absolutely amazed at the skill level of the riders and the places that they can ride a bike.

Unlike Motocross and Grass Track, Trials is not racing. It is simply you and your bike pitted against the terrain. Trials is a test of balance, skill and concentration. One at a time, competitors ride over varying courses of obstacles, e.g. boulders, streams, huge hill climbs, logs, drop-offs, and nearly anything else you can (or can't) think of. Observed Trials is the world's most popular participatory motorcycle sport. In Europe hundreds of thousands compete regularly normally during the weekends throughout the year.

There is a very large age range and generally classes for everyone. Youths may take part from the age of six, and the are also "Greybeards" of 70 or even some of 80+ years strutting their stuff. There are classes to cover all rider abilities, the basic classes being Expert, Intermediate and Novice for the adults and Youth A, B C and D classes for youths (the Youth D class being for the youngest riders). Other classes which may be included in an event are Sidecar, Twin shock and Classic/Pre65. Whilst it is spectacular and sometimes appears dangerous at the top level, on the whole it is a very safe sport. Unlike the other disciplines, speed and other competitors are not factors likely to cause incidents, hence the very safe nature of Trials. Whilst serious injury is not unknown, very few injuries are sustained due to the low speeds involved.

The Bikes
Modern Trials bikes are specially made high-tech machines being very light (about 75kg), with very low seat height and lots of power. In the main, they are single cylinder, 2-stroke machines with older machines being air-cooled whilst the more modern machine are liquid cooled. The engines generally vary between 200 - 350cc capacity. However, recent years have seen the introduction of four-stroke machines which have lots of ground clearance and suspension travel, and hydraulic disc brakes front and rear. Tyres are of a super-soft compound and should be used with tyre pressures of about 4-6 psi. They are very similar to the bikes ridden by world champion riders such as Dougie Lampkin. New Trials machines cost around £3500 and are mostly manufactured in Europe by makers such as Gas Gas, Beta, Scorpa, Montesa and Bultaco. Honda and Yamaha also manufacture modern trials bikes. .

The Sections
A section is typically a marked out area of natural terrain, incorporating obstacles such as rocks (but not in the Eastern Centre!), streams, mud, tree stumps, hills etc. Coloured markers within the section define the route through the section ("line") for a particular grade of rider, different colours being used for the different grades and severity of section. For example an Intermediate rider passes between red and blue markers, Experts follow yellow markers and Novice follow white markers. The higher the grade, the more difficult the route.

Scoring/Marking
All sections are manned by an observer who is responsible for marking a rider’s performance within the section. A rider “earns” one point each time he/she puts a foot down (termed a “dab”). After three points in any one section, the rider may continue to dab or even stop (with feet up) without incurring further penalty points. However, if the rider falls off, stalls the bike with their feet on the ground or if the bike moves backwards, they are given a maximum of five marks (a “five”). When the rider completes the designated number of sections and laps, a total score is tallied. The rider with the lowest score is the winner. A typical course consists of 10 - 15 sections, with riders completing 4 or 5 laps.

Costs
As mentioned above a new bike can cost around £3500. However, you don't need a new bike to start riding and enjoying yourself. Worthwhile second-hand models with monoshock rear suspension and front disc brake can be bought for around £650 upwards.

Other costs:

• you need to be a member of an affiliated motorcycle club (from £5 per year)
• for the entry forms, you'll need an Eastern Centre Gazette each month (£8 - £12/year approx dependent upon the club)
• entry fee to each trial (£11 - £16)

So, with some basic riding gear - helmet, boots, gloves - you could be riding for less than £1000!

Trials is by far the safest and cheapest form of motorcycle sport. At the same time, we doubt you will believe the places a bike can go. So if you're looking for excitement, take a look at a trial. You won’t believe your eyes!

(This item is based on an article on the Trials Australia web site).