So where were you this season?
So here we are at the end of our first full season riding club trials at Bexleyheath and what a great year it's been. Sam has won youth beginners (yellow route) which is a reasonable result considering that just under two years ago he hadn't even ridden a bike.
At the same time I have wobbled around following him on my bike (rather than walk - I'm inherently lazy) and somehow come out with enough points to win adult yellow as well.
We've ridden in snow, rain and sunshine and tackled water, mud, dust, leaves, logs, hollows, climbs and cambers and had a thoroughly enjoyable time all year. All for a measly £15 each trial for the pair of us (£10 Dad, £5 Son) and I reckon that's good value for money.
We both start at the bottom again in October when we move up to Novice Class riding the red route where I shall be on course to provide the cabaret for all the spectators again.
Roughly every two to three weeks throughout the year a group of hard working individuals put in a lot of time and effort on a Saturday and a Sunday to set up these trials for club members. We have got some fantastic land in Kent and Sussex at our disposal ranging from the gentle slopes of Ash and Ridley to the splendid 60 plus acres of woodland and stream set in over 400 acres of farmland at Burwash and Stonegate.
There are routes for 50cc automatics, beginners, novices, intermediates and experts and each trial usually has ten sections which are ridden four times with riders marking themselves (honesty is the order of the day!). By the end of the trial you really feel you have had a good days sport and I have found aches in places I didn't know existed.
It doesn't matter whether you ride for fun or for a spot of competition and no one worries about how good or bad you are. The atmosphere is really friendly and supportive with plenty of riders of all abilities to give advice and coaching if you feel you need it.
So why am I putting pen to paper?
Well out of the 181 Bexleyheath club members, how many do you think turn up on average for each of these trials?
You may be surprised to learn that only about 25 riders - sometimes less - that's about 14% of the total membership. These people are usually the same old faces - which is good in that we all get to know each other but it cuts down on the variety of the competition. It also means that although our regular riders tend to improve as time goes on, we are not seeing new riders of all ages and abilities coming to try the sport to take our places as we move up through the classes.
Now I know that we have a fair proportion of club members (including myself) who do other things - Enduro, trail riding, long distance trials, pre-65 scrambles/grass track, etc, etc but why don't you try improving your riding skills with a bit of trials riding. My Enduro skills are pretty basic but they have improved no end since I started riding trials.
You can pick up a reasonable beginners machine for about £500 to £600 (my first was a Honda TL 125) and if you look after it you'll sell it on for the same money (or even a profit!) The running costs are miniscule compared to other branches of our sport and you've got to be really unlucky to damage yourself or the bike.
So come on - all you stars of the future, you 'dads and a lads' and those who are slowing down from the more hectic motorcycle pastimes, get out from in front of the TV and the PlayStation, give it a go and support our trials.
Sam and I look forward to seeing you - come and give us a run for our money on Red Route next season.
Many thanks to Dennis, Liz, Gary, Rob,Roger and all those who worked this season without whom there would have been no trials and no fun!
Paul Jenkins
A Beginner's View
I was first introduced to trials riding by my enthusiastic Dad. He had always been a natural biker and wanted me to get stuck into some motor sport! I have always been fascinated with the thought of climbing up hills and jumping over logs; so when my Dad asked me if I wanted to start up the sport, I couldn't say no!
In October that year (at the age of ten) I was given an early Christmas present- a TY80. I loved the bike and did my first trial that month; the Sidcup Wobbler Trial. Even though I fell off about thirty times I really enjoyed the experience. After that my Dad decided that it was time to join a club which turned out to be the Bexleyheath and District Motorcycle Club.
I was really nervous at first but, as soon as I got to know the club and the way it worked I really started enjoying myself, although I found it hard to ride the TY and after a trial at Ridley, my Dad decided I needed to upgrade to a bigger bike. That February I had a great birthday. At about half-five in the morning I was called downstairs and presented with a brand new Beta Rev 50! That year we both took riding more seriously and started competing in the Yellow group (beginner level). At the end of the season I had finished third, I was really happy to have completed every trial. I had enjoyed myself so much and make lots of friends, one of which won the Yellow group that year, the extremely skilful Jamie Webster.
This year both Dad and I got new bikes; my Dad sold his Honda TL125 and bought himself a Sherco 200 and I moved up to a Sherco 125. To my relief I had heard that Jamie was moving up to Red this season which made things a lot easier for me! Every trial was so important and I concentrated hard. My best result was at Wainscott (my favourite venue) as I only lost a couple of marks and moved into the lead in the Championship and so did my Dad.
Since I joined the Bexleyheath club, trials' riding has become so much more friendly, enjoyable and brilliant fun. The thing I love about the club is that there is no pressure to perform well at every event; it's just a great way to improve your riding, increase your confidence and make the most of trials. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank Dennis and the rest of the club for laying out some excellent trials this season; including the evening trials series at Canada Heights, in which both my Dad and I have thoroughly enjoyed.
Sam Jenkins