NSW State Titles - Jan 14, 2007

demo man

demo man

Used to be cool.
I'd like to ask one Q,

How come Trials is so far out of sync. with the rest of the sport's competition?

state titles in everyother disciplin are held in winter, wouldn't it be better for your style to have your event at the same place as the DH or trials or something so you can get more credit, more funding (sponsors will get more exposure) and more credit?

Same deal for the National series..

Just curious...
 
Grip

Grip

Yeah, yeah... blah, blah.
Sam, some years ago when I was helping out with the trials scene and organisation we tried everything from running events in conjunction with public non-biking events (such as community festivals and big school fetes etc) through to lining them up next to XC/DH/nat events etc. The bottom line was we got (overall) very little in the way of support OR exposure and, until MTBA came along, trials was becoming a bit of a sideshow to the "main" event.

The riders and organisers ( at the time) all thought we deserved better and we decided then that if biketrial was to grow it would have to stand on its own two feet (rather than being a "sideshow").

There HAS been a lot of growth in trials since then and of course MTBA were much more supportive of trials than the ACF/Cycling Australia and helped with that growth a fair bit. BUT as the sport grew so did the requirements of the riders and a few pallets chucked around the parking area of a DH race (national or not) was just not going to cut it. The problem was the terrain. We suddenly had riders that were good enough to compete on the world stage but we simply couldn't give them stuff to ride on that was good enough or hard enough or big enough. You see when we first started running events alongside big races we actually had to truck in ALL the obstacles (from pallets to boxes and even shipping containers etc) and actually build every section from the ground up. That was a SHIT load of work, a pain in the arse to actually GET the stuff there to build with, expensive AND as I explained... it all started getting too easy for the top riders.

So nowadays events are run all over the place... some in conjunction with those public non-cycling events... others running alongside motobike trials events and some at XC/DH events etc and even places like the forecourts of Casinos etc... but overall most events now need to be run wherever the terrain is right. Events ARE still run on man-made stuff, but most people want/need natural terrain and that just isn't necessarily available where the events you're talking about are held.

BUT, the bottom line is that Biketrial is a seperate sport and when it's run next to XC/DH etc it usually ends up being that sideshow, which is definitely NOT fair to the riders and organisers.
 
thecat

thecat

NSWMTB, Central Tableland MBC
I know what you are saying Grip, but at our state round (and at our 8hr where Adam and his crew gave a demo) the Trials guy got more footage the local news than the DHers so it can work.
 
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Macbeth

Macbeth

NSWMTB
Grip, you have it 100% right.

The NSW Trials Calendar is set to coexist as much as posible with the National Trials Calndar to enable the best riders to get to as many comps as possible. Over the years there has been a lot of effort to have trials events alongside the more popular disciplines, but as grip said, it is a lot of effort for what ends up seeming like a sideshow.

If the mainstream MTB community starts having events at places that accomodate trials without having to truck stuff in, I'll get it sorted and we'll have some comps at them. But while comps continue to be held in places like the desert that is Stromlo, we'll continue to look elsewhere and hold great comps where trials is THE spectacle. We're pretty happy doing our own thing actually :)

And Craig that demo at Lithgow was awesome, but for a comp we would seriously need about thirty times the amount of stuff and it just gets too hard. Lithgow comp was awesome though, gotta talk to you about when you are out there again.

Anyway, back on topic, please come to the comp :D

Adam
 
gillyboy

gillyboy

Squid
Awesome, this is perfect for all you riders starting out to meet other riders and to watch some sick trials. see you all there:)
 
gbowen444

gbowen444

Likes Dirt
I'll be there. :) Hope to see heaps of other novices also. Anyone who is interested in trials or trying trials, bring your standard mountain bike and give novice a go, it will be fun.

Really looking forward to this comp....
 
aykay

aykay

Likes Bikes
Just a reminder that the comp is still happening and it should be somewhat awesome. Plenty of prizes to be handed out as well.
Dont forget the novice class sections will be set so you can ride them on your xc bike without stopping, so if you feel like having a go at it, we would like to see you there:D
 
Reptileman

Reptileman

Likes Dirt
The link for the flyer isnt working for me, can someone give me the details please?

Or should i just ring one of the random trials riders i know in sydney?
 
alchemist

alchemist

Manly Warringah MTB Club
Here you go.

Arcadia – Peebles Rd.
Directions here – http://www.mwmtb.com/xc location.htm
Registration – 9:00 till 9:45
Entry Fee – $20 entry, plus $15 day license for non-mtba members
Rider Briefing – 9:45 til 10:00
Novice and Sport Competition – 10:00 till 1:00
Elite Competition – 1:30 till 4:00
Presentations – 4:30
Novice sections will be set with all bicycles and riders in mind and will not require riders to need to hop or balance in a stationary position.
City Bike Depot also have a demonstrator model of their entry level Echo Pure that will be available for novice riders to test ride in sections during the comp.
There will be cool prizes for all podium makers, plus spot prizes on the day thanks to City Bike Depot and Serfas.
Manly Warringah MTB Club will have their barbeque cranking and there’ll be cold drinks for sale. Gonna be hot in January though.
 
covert wolf

covert wolf

Likes Dirt
ahh i cant go!! :( :( sounds like it will be more fun than last time as well. It really is a fun event, have fun guys n girls.
 
gillyboy

gillyboy

Squid
im really looking forward to this comp, i have saturday off to help out with setting up. will need to organise a lift out with someone though.
 
alchemist

alchemist

Manly Warringah MTB Club
The sections the boys had set when I was out there this morning looked pretty good. Should be fun
 
schmackster

schmackster

NSWMTB, Manly Warringah MTB
Big thanks to Macbeth. Had a great day out there watching some amazing riders with skills that I can only dream of having.

Now my kids are currently under the house looking for some timber to use to "hop" over and on the way home the youngest was asking when he could get a bike with no seat :D. The wife is not happy as now the kids want multiple bikes as well as her husband.
 

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fatnold

fatnold

Likes Bikes and Dirt
that was serious fun. a very well run event and extremely relaxed and helpful atmosphere. well done Rob and Adam ( and any others who contributed).
novice course was at a good level of difficulty to safely introduce us newbies......i gotta get out and practice:eek:
 
C

Caro

Cannon Fodder
Great day!

Hi there!

Thanks Adam and everybody for the great day! Had the best time riding and watching you guys was awesome!

Have fun!
Caro
 
Fi

Fi

Chocolate Foot
Ouch!

Yeah, well done Adam, MWMTB, and anyone else who was involved – a great day. It was really well organised with a friendly relaxed atmosphere, and the experienced riders were super encouraging to us newbies.

Although I do feel like I’ve been hit by a bus today … and am missing some skin ... and yeah, a lower seat (forgot to cut my post), flat pedals, and some shinnies would have definitely helped! But, the fact that we could rock up on XC bikes and still have fun (and even complete some stages) is pretty cool. I’ll be back!

Cheers

Fi
 
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