What is a trial?

A trial is a course marked generally over an unmeasured distance, in a clockwise or anti clockwise direction. For safety all riders travel in the same direction, consisting of deviations and obstacles set out and split into a number of sections or “scoring sections”.

Each scoring section or “route” is marked by a series of colour-marked gates of flags or posts. The colour will denote the level of difficulty.

There can be any number of scoring sections from 4 upward, but most club trials have between 8 and 12, and the trial will be run for 3 to 5 laps up to a total of 40 sections overall.

For each section there is a “start” (entry point) and “end” (exit point).

The exit point is generally in view for the next rider to be aware that the route is clear and safe to ride.

One rider at a time enters a section.

We set out in 4 colours of “marked gates” (the Route) to suit your experience and confidence.

Yellow route.. Beginner. There to learn how to control your machine in safety.

Red route.. Club level. A fun route for experienced riders, novices and plodders who want a fun day out on 2 wheels.

Blue route.. Intermediate. Not always a fun route for those who want to really push themselves and machine harder…

White route.. Expert. Enough said..

When you enter a trial you will sign on under a colour and score at the level for the duration of the event. If you change colour route during the event your score will not count in the results.

The object of a trial from a rider’s perspective is to stay in control of your machine and travel the course without scoring…

On a scoring trial the lowest score is the winner. “Scoring is the easy bit” Not scoring is the hard part.

The will have been laid over naturalterain or man made obstacles in the way to frustrate you and cause you to lose balance or control and put a foot down (a Dab) 1 point

A second foot down another “Dab” and a second point. Your score is now (2)

A third foot down is another “Dab” (3)

You can now proceed putting down numerous single feet and your score for that section remains 3 as long as you don’t roll backwards. Lay the bike over on the ground. Get off it and do a dance etc, before you pass the section end with the front wheel.

Another way to score 3 is to put both feet down to support the machine to regain control.

If you are unseated (not astride the machine) this is a (5) and a maximum score or fail of the section.

If you do not follow your colour route this is a (5) run a wheel outside the marker flag or ride over any flags, also a (5) touching a flag or marker is permitted as long as you are on the correct side of it.

Other ways to get a 5 are.. If you are aided in a section to hold the balance of your machine. Doing a wheelie and falling off the back. Falling in the stream. Look at me? no hands! Stuck in mud. Going over the handlebars. And so on ..All good videos for future reference.

It’s very standard practice to lay still and wait for someone to get out a phone and take a photo for your social media or club records before helping get the bike off you. Most clubs have a “hall of fame”

If there is an “Observer” they will watch you in the section and allocate your score. It’s worth noting you are their entertainment for the day!

If there is no observer present you will write your own version of events from zero to 5 on the scoreboard that is placed just after the end line next to your rider number.

You then proceed to the next section along the marked course and try again, once you have covered the full course of laps and sections and entered a score at each you have finished.

At any time you can retire by putting a line through your score at any scoreboard. Unfilled scores will count as a 5 per section. There it is! hours of fun for all the family in the open air.

Other forms of trial exist including national, world championships and indoor X-Trials.