What is it?
A trial is a test of riding skill and balance over a variety of observed obstacles with riders incurring penalites for footing or for failing to fulfil other conditions. Trials are the cheapest and most popular of all motorcycle competition. You are required to ride an observed “section” where there are hazards. If you succeed in riding through without putting a foot down, you have “cleaned” the section, scoring a zero. If you put a foot down once for balance, you have “dabbed” once and receive 1 point; twice you receive 2 points; three or more dabs but you keep going, you receive 3 points; if you fall off or go backwards with your feet down it is 5 points. The winner of the trial is the rider with the lowest score. Nowadays many clubs hold easy, beginner and wobbler trials, or the trial may have easier sections denoted by a different colour scheme. Trials are really good for improving your riding skills!
Most trials are for youth and adult solo riders, but there are trials sidecars who have their own championship. The ACU states that sidecar passengers must be adult but young people may be allowed to compete in Adult events subject to the discretion of the Trials and Enduro Committee from the age of 12 years.
Training
There are plenty of solo trials training facilities, some with training and hire bikes. There may be more than these - here are a few links:Inch Perfect in Lancashire, Bumpy near Leeds, Trials School in Leek, Midlands, Tricks In The Sticks in Sandhurst, Kent, Trydan Offroad in Cenarth, South Wales, and Non Stop Trials in Ammanford, South Wales.
The Manchester 17 MCC has two excellent guides to starting trials – see here: Getting Started and pdf version.
What bike do I need?
Trials bikes are small single cylinder machines. Young people can start trials at age 4 on an Oset electric bike – a new one is about £1300. Children aged 6 can ride a petrol bike. The bikes don’t lead a hard life, so there are many older bikes available in good condition, and after about 20 years, they may begin in increase in value! Expect to pay from £1500. A new petrol bike is around £6000. A few trials include road work so your bike needs to be registered and road legal – the event entry will make this clear if it is required.
Trials are run by clubs affiliated to all three governing bodies: ACU, AMCA and NORA.
For Long Distance Trails you need a trail bike. Useful info here.
What clothing do I need?
The only requirements are to wear a correctly fitted helmet and that clothing must cover legs and body. Gloves and long sleeves are recommended for adults, compulsory for youth competitors. Boots should cover the shin and may be leather, rubber or plastic. Most people wear open face helmets and stretchy lycra to aid movement.
Similar events
Long Distance Trials are ridden on road legal trail bikes. There is a Facebook group. The most famous LDTs are overnight events with cars as well as bikes run by The Motorcycling Club: the Exeter in the West Country in January, takes 14 hours, covers 185 miles from Sparkford to Kingsteignton; the Edinburgh is not in Edinburgh – it is in the Peak District in October; and the Lands End is the longest at 338 miles from Hampshire to Cornwall taking 21 hours. For info, see The Motorcycling Club. There are some motorcycle only LDTs, such as the 4 rounds of the South Eastern Centre LDT Championship.
Three Stage Trials are a mix of trial and enduro, and are ridden on a trail or enduro bike. The first stage is marked as a normal trial, and the lap has a generous time limit. The second stage has a tighter time limit, and marking is simplified to clean (0), 3 for any number of dabs and 5 for fail. The third stage may be more than one lap and although you must pass through the sections, they are no longer marked. The time limit is tight.
Trail riding is a great way to gain some offroad skills in a non-competitive setting – see Trail Riding Info sheet.