Trials Blog - A Bag of 5s - Trials UK

Trials Blog - A Bag of 5s

• 10th October 2010
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Good news - Those interested in Rick-watch or those who follow spud-watch are in for a treat today - more on that later. First, I need to bring you all up to speed with what's happening in my world of trials riding.

The trial I participated in some weeks ago at Addingham Moorside (the first one back after breaking my toe) was a revelation. Not only did I do quite well in the trial (I am definately getting more competent), but I had the pleasure of being 'minded' by our Chris (for those who don't venture that far into the Trials UK site, Chris is the mechanic behind the How2 videos - an example of his fine, handywork here). Chris literally shouted and screamed instructions to me all the way round and it really made a difference to my riding. He would explain where best to go, what speed to attack things at and gave me the confidence to try things I hadn't previously. It's a bit poncey having a minder at a novice and beginner trial - and it was genuinely unplanned - but it worked a treat and I had a cracking time.

One of the best things I picked up from having Chris there is the need for momentum. Chris continually hammered home the need for momentum and it makes riding so much easier. You see, it's only taken me 15 months to work this out - and I don't think I would have if Chris hadn't of explained it to me - but the faster you go, the easier it is to ride over some stuff. Admittedly, when I say 'stuff' I mean small boulders, little rocks and inch deep puddles - but all the same, it just makes things easier. Previously I had been going way too slowly and that made me wobbly. With that gone, my ride looked and felt much better.

So, with the new-found confidence that came off the back of a good ride at Addingham Moorside, and with the added knowledge that momentum could get me out of trouble (and make the whole ride easier) I ventured to today's Horsforth DMC trial at Stump Cross Caverns. Now, the purists amongst us would argue that Stump Cross is a bit 'samey', a bit predictable and a bit limited - and it is, but it's still a great little place to have a trial. Sections 1-10 are likely to be similar to the last time (and the time before that, and the time before that) with one or two little tweaks here and there, but you can turn up knowing what to expect - and that suits me down to the ground.

Rick was back after a sizeable absence and, although ring-rusty, looked well up for it. We came together once or twice throughout the trial just to see how each other was doing and it looks like we were both pretty even at the half way point. Dammit! He whooped me last time out, so I needed to take advantage of him being a little rusty.

Riding for the first time today was another Chris. Chris is Gareth's newest protégé, and, it has to be said, he is so much better at this stage of his riding career than I was when I first started. I had the honour of showing Chris round the venue and, although he was clearly nervous at the prospect of attacking some of Stump Cross's rocky slopes and camber turns, he had a really good go. He completed all 40 sections, never gave up and deserved the hearty handshake he got from a few riders at the end.

So, how did I do? Well, I think the best word to choose from the many at my disposal is shite.

My new rule on momentum certainly got me out of many holes and made the trial easier in places, but it also meant I went way too fast through some sections which resulted in lots of missed flags. I know, I know - it's a schoolboy error and I should know better, but I am going to take the 5s and stick with it. Why? Because, after the appalling first lap (4 x 5s from missing 3 flags and rolling backwards once as I failed to get traction because I didn't use momentum) I got better and better and better, making less silly mistakes, but I also got more and more tired.

As a timely side note - (but being the tool I am I forgot to take them with me) I was recently introduced to something that minimises arm-pump. Now anyone who has read my blog before will know that I suffer hugely from arm-pump and it destroys my scores and my riding, but 4 magnesium phosphate tablets (the ones I bought are called New Era Mag Phos #8 - a herbal remedy) cured the problem almost instantly last time I was out training. Thanks to Sam Boocock for telling me about these miracle tablets - Highly recommended if you're a fellow sufferer!

SPUD-WATCH - Yep, for all fans of spud-watch, you can call your friends and family and let them know that it's happened again. Just as I get my knackers back to a manageable, normal, working size, I go and clang them against the handlebars once more. This time it was on section 7 of the trial, a tricky drop into a gopping muddy semi-dry stream - semi-dry meaning that it was the kind of stuff you wouldn't want to fall into as the water had pooled and become gloopy-brown. So, first time in and I do fine, struggling through the tough section for a 3. Second time and I jack-knife the bike, slip forwards at an enormous pace and am heading over the handlebars. Thank God for my conkers as it was only them which stopped me going face down in the pool of brown goo. By gum it hurt. After checking, it appears that I now have 4 smaller balls - each one of the two originals being halved like a grapefruit. Ibuprofen taken, waiting for the pain to subside.

RICK-WATCH - No scores in yet, so Rick-watch fans will need to be patient. I am sure he's beaten me as exuberant momentum vs ring rustiness is no real contest in my book. I'll bring you the scores as soon as I have them.

RICK-WATCH UPDATE: I got whooped - AGAIN. Bugger. Rick has a score which was a massive 14 points lower than mine. My 5s killed me.

That's all for now. Off to tape some Strawberry Mivi lollies to my nads.