First things first. Do you know what a motorcycle trial is? Don’t confuse it with trail riding - they are two entirely different things. If you are in any doubt, in the first instance, we would suggest you have a look at our page About Trials. You may also be able to find other sites on the internet which give a better description of trials than we have provided. Essentially, familiarise yourself with Trials and what it is about before considering starting the sport.

You will first need to belong to a club affiliated to the local centre in which you intend to ride (there are discrepancies in that statement which will be made clear later). Selecting a club suitable for yourself is important and it is recommended that you read the page on Joining a Club before parting with hard earned money.

You will, of course, need a machine and suitable clothing etc. and it is suggested that you consider purchasing ‘good’ second-hand equipment. Being new to the trials scene can make you prey for some of the ‘get rich quick’ specialists and it is considered that it would perhaps be worthwhile paying a little more in the first place by dealing with long-standing dealers in the sport. Lots of them have been around for many years whilst others have started up after having learnt trials the hard way. These people aren’t going to go away and sell ski boats next month since they are in it for life and love of the sport. Not only that but they want to keep you as a satisfied customer. Think on it - it’s Saturday, you want a spare, they just may endeavour to keep you happy by bringing it to the meeting the following day. Many of our local dealers also advertise in the Eastern Centre Gazette.

Most people (but not all), will enjoy their first forays into the world of trials but if you find it is not for you then it is possible, by purchasing second-hand equipment, to cut your losses without incurring too much of a financial loss. However, if you start with new equipment, you will find that the items have lost a considerable part of their value as soon as they ‘leave the box’.

Before you are able to take part in a trial you will need to register with the ACU as a trials rider, and the requisite Registration/Licence Application Form should be available from your club secretary. If not, then they are available from the ACU website or by calling the ACU on 01788 566400.

The purchase of a machine not only depends on how much you can afford but may also be related to your age, particularly if the rider is still at school. Please refer to the current ACU Handbook for the machine capacity that he/she may be permitted to ride. A copy of the current ACU handbook will be sent to you when you obtain your registration/affiliation card.

As in most aspects of life it is best to know and understand the rules. Rules are not written for others to comply with, they are written for the safety of all concerned (competitors, organisers and spectators), and a desire to ensure ‘fair play’ between competitors. Knowledge of the rules can also give you an edge over your competitors.

Almost certainly, you will find trials to be harder than you had at first anticipated, both from the physical standpoint as well as mentally. Don’t start the sport expecting to win - that is MOST unlikely! Instead, aim to finish each event, gaining experience on each outing. Don’t attempt sections that you consider to be dangerous when equated to your ability. If you crash heavily - what have you learned? You have learned that Mother Earth is pretty hard and unforgiving - but I assume you already know that. However, if you finish, then you have a far better challenge for the next event - to beat that rider who just pipped you last time out!

Normally it will be necessary to enter an event before the day in order for a programme of riders etc. to be compiled. However, more and more events (particularly in the summer) are ‘enter on the day’. Normally it is necessary to complete an entry form and send it with the event entry fee to the Secretary of the Meeting.

Trials events may be of Closed to Club, Restricted Invitation, Centre Restricted/Open to Centre, Regional Restricted or Open, the definitions being in fact quite simple:

• Closed to Club - open to members of the organising club only
• Restricted Invitation - entry restricted to members of specified clubs
• Centre Restricted - the event is open to members of any clubs within the Eastern Centre
• Regional Restricted - the event is open to members of any club belonging to the invited centres defined in the regulations - for our part of the world this would normally be ourselves (the Eastern Centre), the South-Eastern,, Southern or the South-Midland Centres and, occasionally, the East-Midlands Centre
• Open - equivalent to a National but where the permit is issued by the local centre

Entry forms for Eastern Centre events are published in the monthly Eastern Centre Gazette which is normally obtainable from your club. However, if you intend to travel further afield and enter Regional Restricted events then it may be necessary to purchase The Sporting Motorcyclist which is published in the Southern, South-Eastern and South-Midland Centres. Distribution of The Sporting Motorcyclist is undertaken by Andy Wood.