The world of motorcycle trials has its roots set in warmer climates. The majority of significant
trials has its base in Spain and Italy. Although the sport originated in British areas,
The Europeans were quick to adopt and 'advance' the sport. The Spanish machines were smaller,
lighter and more nimble than the British machines and slowly the British machines died off.
As there are few companies in the UK producing trials 'gear', it would follow that the market is not catered towards British conditions either. One only needs to look at the setup of most modern bikes to see that they are made to ride in mostly dry, rocky conditions like those found in Spain and so is the clothing.
Clothing has improved hugely over the last 20 years or so. Modern materials and changes in point of view/thoughts mean that clothing is lighter and may 'breath' more easily. Except for the jackets, trials clothing is made for warm weather.... Here is my complaint.
It's mid winter and you start out riding. Your gloves have been in the nice warm car you've driven to the trial in and so are nice and warm too. You put them on, ride around a couple of laps and then get back to the car for lunch. Take off your helmet and put your gloves inside it. As you eat your lunch your hands get cold and so do your gloves. You put them back on as you start to ride again and your hands stay cold for the rest of the day... What to do?!
Well, in an attempt to create some sort of solution i 'made' some of my own winter gloves. They were too hot!! I found some old 3M thinsulate gloves and cut out the insulating lining. I then poked them inside the trials glove and then sewed the fingers in. Et Voila!! (French) Toasty gloves. They work, not sure if anyone else had this problem. Express your thoughts on the message board.
Edward Oldaker