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Mountain
Bike Observed Trials can
basically be broken down into this: Ride a bike up, over,
and on things most people wouldn't dream of putting a bike
on. Bicycle Trials began as an offshoot of Motorcycle Trials,
which had it's birth over 20 years ago in Europe. People
started taking technical motorcycle riding to more extreme
levels, and eventually they figured that what you can do
with a motor you can also do without, and Bike Trials was
born. Spain is generally regarded as the birthplace of all
forms of Trials, and today Europe (and increasingly Japan)
are the hotbeds of Trials action.
Trials is the most technically demanding and difficult part
of the bicycling sports. Reaching the highest competitive
levels in Trials requires dedication that few people can
muster, namely working for hours, months, and years on the
few basic skills, continually refining the techniques until
the most amazing, outrageous displays of skill are easily
accomplished. With that said, anyone can learn the basics
of Trials and have a lot of fun in the process, and even
if you only ride Cross-Country, Downhill or Dual Slalom,
the skills gained through Trials riding are invaluable.
And really, with just a few little moves you can amaze your
non-trials friends, instantly gaining the respect of all
who cross your path (well, ok, maybe not everyone).
Trials has two main areas, Competitions and Everything
Else. For most people, 90% of their Trials time will
be spent practicing, doing demos, goofing around with friends
and basically improving and refining the skills. This is
really the most important part, because without lots and
lots practice you'll never be able to accomplish anything.
Even working on your balance in your basement can be incredibly
useful. And if you can manage to find some people to ride
with, especially people who are better than you, you'll
find that just by watching and studying how things are done
you'll be more encouraged to improve your own riding.
Read
More about Competitions
Read
More about Everything Else
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