Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How do I start ?
A. If you haven't got any friends that already ride trials, then come to a trial (check website for dates and venues) to watch and ask questions. We can help with advice on bikes, clothing, boots, helmets and costs.
Q. What sort of bike do I need ?
A. Beginners tend to start with older bikes like a 250 TY Yamaha, 200 Fantic, early GasGas, Beta or Montesas. Any sort of trials bike will do (no moto-cross or enduros). If a friend (good friend) already rides, perhaps they may let you share for a trial.
Q. How much will it cost ?
A. Typical entry fees vary from £7.00 to £13.00 per trial (depending on club). Some trials are closed to club and you will have to join that club (approx. £10.00 per year), most trials are open to centre and as long as you are a member of one club in the centre you can ride.
Q. What do I need to wear ?
A. Anything from jeans and tee-shirt to designer lycra suit (doesn't look good on over forties). You should wear good boots (or at a pinch wellies) to protect your feet and ankles. You must wear a crash helmet.
Q. Do I need a licence ?
A. You need an ACU trials licence, either a year one or a day licence.
Q. What are the rules.
A. Most trials consist of 4 laps with riders covering 10 sections per lap. Each section has begin and end markers, with the route marked by coloured markers. Usually the very easy route is marked with white markers (left & right), the middle route by yellow (left) and yellow/red (right) markers and the hard (expert) route with blue (left) and red (right) markers.The idea is ride through each section between the appropriate markers for your class without putting your feet down. If you put your foot down once you lose 1 mark, twice 2marks, more than twice 3 marks, and if you fail to reach the end marker 5 marks. The rider in each class with the lowest score is the winner.
Q. What classes are there
A. Schoolboys classes A,B,C and D. Adult classes, Beginner, Novice, Intermediate, Expert, Over 40, Over 50, Pre 65(the bike must be pre 65 not the rider) and Twin-Shock are the most common classes.
Q. Do I need road tax and insurance etc.
A. Most trials are on closed ground so the bike does not need to be road legal (though it needs to be safe) and you do not need a road licence or insurance. Some trials are run using public roads and for these you do need, licence, insurance, MOT (if applicable), horn, speedo etc.
Q. How can I contact other clubs or check their trials dates
A. See the Cheshire and North Western web site