Some Trials "Tricks"

By Bob Twigg

Here is a light hearted view

1) The baulk - If your mate is having a bad ride through a section, step out in front of him at an opportune moment . He can then claim a baulk, he can then have another go at the hazard. It doesn't always work!

2) Distract the observer Again with you and your mates, keep the observer occupied looking at the scores etc.. While someone moves rocks,or builds a "kicker" before a step.

3) The "dab" trick I saw a club team once watching at a section where a team member footed all the way through, but his mates called out "a good dab mate". You might get an earful after that one!

4) The trip If there is a dodgy loose rock try to trip over it when you are inspecting the section so that it moves and make the section easier. It helps if the observer is distracted while you do it but it makes the hazard easier for the rest of the entry (which is not always what you would want)!

5) Creeping! Always talk to the observer when you arrive at a section. "nice weather for this time of the year "etc.. It is also beneficial to carry some sweets, mints of something. (Dodgy bit here nowadays). If the observer is female complement her on her woolly hat or shapeless duffle coat even if she doesn't look like one of the girls from love island! Another good ploy is to ask advice about the choice of line or what gear to use. Observers may not know about this sort of thing but it makes them feel wanted and if you have chatted subsequent ride.

6) No stop trials - Always keep waving your legs when you have stopped. In case you get moving again, the official might get "generous".

7) The audience Some riders are really lifted by this bit of "gamesmanship," asking each other (in loud voices) before the assembled gallery what gear to use. If one rider fails the section the other will be nearby and will say "that clutch trouble again" or "carb jet blocked" or some other excuse. Match of the day is a good one, seen quite a lot at schoolboy trials. When a rider falls off he rolls on the ground for quarter of an hour or lays motionless. This usually invokes sympathy from the audience one of whom may retrieve the machine from a tricky situation. This may also get you an audition for the Shakespeare company alongside football players and the like.

8) Hanging around The "aces" are good at this, as they always wait for the section to become easier. The also rans get on with it to get to the pub but aces with works contracts etc, walk up and down the section moving rocks etc, or waiting for the ordinary riders to take the slime to find a gear! Helping riders who stop wastes time and talking to the observer might be time consuming, also he might demand you attempt the section if you can't keep him interested, the aces don't often do this one.

9) Different lines It's always worth looking for these, but don't forget to ask the observer before you break off branches to get a better line. If you ride across his lunch box he might become annoyed. I hasten to add that I have never done any of these nefarious tricks!

Please don't try them out when I am observing.