The Essential Trials Stickie

[undertheoaks]

Glad to hear you got out and rode Mark that's great, take it easy I know first hand how easy it is to star pushing too soon. Funny thing about Jim is he bought a 2018 TRS which supposedly can be registered ?

 

[elemetal]

That was sure fun, glad to get out on some rocks for a change. Bars in the hips makes such a difference, can't believe I figured out how to splatter on that stream cut. Struggled with it for 15-20 minutes and couldn't get the timing/launch right, kept jumping early or weight too far forward. Finally leaned back a little and pulled the bars into my hips; waked right up the thing holding pressure off the top. Can't wait to work more on that, splats get you up some big stuff.

 

[onto1wheel]

Although it's been a few years now since i've done any trials riding (on a trials bike), my desire for trials never dies. I'm always wondering when I will finally make a proper return to the sport I love.
Some fallen trees from a few months ago, and some extra time on my hands, and i'm building some new trials sections.
Maybe this will be the year??? :ride
I even started the old Beta. Hadn't been fired up in about a year or so, but she started right up and sooooo much fun to putter on the driveway (gotta start back up real slow)
Anybody else building new sections?


in progress:

 

[The Toe Cutter]

Wish I had a big enough backyard to place some small obstacles. I'm relegated to static balancing in my garage and small hops which quickly tire me out

Looks like you have a pretty nice setup there!

 

[onto1wheel]

thanks, I for sure feel pretty lucky to have the space for this, no doubt.
I used to spend plenty of time balancing and hopping inside the garage, that can be a good work-out and balance practice.
Even a small driveway can be enough for one decent obstacle.
Even a 2x4 can be fun (trying to stay on it). Ahhh the beauty of trials

 

[onto1wheel]

reminded me of the latest insta post from Jarvis (hope this linky worky)
go buy some rockstars and practice!
https://www.instagram.com/p/B-mMJLoj6vO/

 

[undertheoaks]

Yeah nice setup both you and elmetal have good size yards. Wish I was stuck up in Angel's Camp.

 

[elemetal]

Funny you asked Onto1wheel....guess like minds with idle time, you know.

I trimmed this stump, idea being you land and ride down/off the big log on the far side. Too chicken to try it yet, but will soon. To the right is the entry to the new section I cleared, you will case both logs and have barely a wheelbase between them. Other line is right along the top of the bare log, not bad accept for snagging your bar on the fence (don't ask how I know).

Then cleared some brush out for more room in the corner. Logs out aren't too bad (unless wet...) but give you a better way out than before (less run and higher). Left that sloped end in there to practice on, they always pick logs in the sections that aren't level; you case it and get knocked off balance every time.

 

[elemetal]

Did some minor adds to the big log. Have an up at the very end now where the ax is, have to plate to get over so far and it seems waaayyyy up there. Also added this end area; couple of ways out that are easy or hard and someday I'll be able to run down the curvy log, over the arm and off the end.

Went over the small end of the big log from the back a couple of times on the Vert with stiffer springs and made it; went over on the Scorpa and endo'd due to more compression. I like the softer springs so now have to hold pressure off it. About 3ft going downhill and all the bark is gone, if you slip on the pressure you may be going over hard.

 

[elemetal]

Finally figured out splats when I was at Carnegie last week before they closed. Now I have to resurrect this little splat with a kicker to practice more. Tape is exactly one bike length from the kicker, just to keep it interesting.

Gotta' love trials, so much to do, so little space.

 

[onto1wheel]

woohoo, nice yard logs!
The splatter looks like fun, too.
Got me motivated to search my videos for my yard splatter set-up from years ago (might be hard to see my little rock kicker).
I might have to create a new one, those are fun (you really need something solid though, and preferably a nice big flat top, too!)

 

[onto1wheel]

... Too chicken to try it yet, but will soon. ..

That's my favorite way to create a section: make it too hard, try it anyway. Sometimes I surprise myself, sometimes I have to add "helpers" (do a little paving, ya know)

... Left that sloped end in there to practice on, they always pick logs in the sections that aren't level; you case it and get knocked off balance every time.

so true. I felt my latest creation was too far off the ground for me to stay on the rear and not case it, so I jacked mine up to make it level (i'm a wuss like that)

 

[The Toe Cutter]

Didn't know your yard was setup that well Luke! I scouted out an area few blocks from my house that backs up to the freeway but nothing really there. Plus homeless are all around there.

Hopefully by 5/3 Carnegie might be back open? Would be sweet if they extended red sticker season but that would take an act of God.

 

[elemetal]

Just went out and rode for an hour or so, broke in the new section and it's a real sleeper. Looks totally doable but tight but when you get into the corner you realize you HAVE to hop it. You're also turned in about 10" of pine needle/grass detritus; soft as a pillow. It's a perfect, low risk hi tech little run.

Also spent more time on the big log working on holding pressure off it. Only had to ghost ride the bike once So much going on to really get up; throttle, clutch, weighting, timing, body position. I keep finding new little things that seem to make it all work better, then lose them, then re-discover them for keeps. Kinda loopy learning curve if I do say so.

Wanna ride Mark/Sid? I'm around and we can easily stay 6tft apart. Tomorrow at 2? Weekend?

 

[onto1wheel]

got any videos of the yard trials? I could use some motivation!

Trials is the perfect SIP riding. I'm lovin it (still just doing a few minutes of driveway trials each day as my body tries to remember how to ride this weird little bike. Plus, I got no front brake, air in the line, and the yard's too muddy)

I'm starting my hunt for a bike upgrade (2016ish or newer?) to replace the 2005 R3 270 beta. If anybody has one for sale, give me a shout.

 

[elemetal]

I'll try to get some vids in the next few days, linked one a ways back in this thread doing static stuff. Easy on that log now.

I'm supposed to get a new 301 Montessa in June, assuming that happens my 2018 Scopra Factory will be for sale. You need a front brake for sure, whether that means a new bike is up to you

 

[onto1wheel]

Interested in Scorpa! (assuming it has a front brake. That works)
I've been out of the loop so long, I didn't even realize Scorpa stepped it up. I only remember their very 1st bikes, which were "beginner" type motos. I have been eyeing the RYP site which has many used Scorpas.
Maybe i'll bleed my brake so I can ride more stuff in the meantime. That requires getting off my ass though...

 

[elemetal]

That requires getting off my ass though...

The real reason trials bikes have no seat....keeps us old timers active.:afm199

 

[onto1wheel]

I finally advanced from the driveway...
Kinda slippery off the pavement!
Much easier to have confidence when there is grip.

 

[elemetal]

Glad you got into the dirt, I'm always amazed with how well these tires stick to stuff. You can't walk it but you can ride it!?

Went up to Undertheoaks place to ride with Toe Cutter on Saturday. Jaw dropping beautiful; 65 and sunny with soft breezes and spring in the air. The rocks had great traction as did most of the soil (except the muddy spots).

Undertheoaks:
We hit that weird double log thing that you and I were trying to get over when wet and couldn't; held pressure off it once or twice.
Rode that funny little gully by the fence at the lower part, created some really fun lines through the creek bed and up the side on the north in the rocks.
We then found this cool little creek section down low, probably on the neighbor's land or right on the edge.
We worked our way back up to the parking area and spent more time off below the entry gate, there's some fun stuff on that little slope.
Eventually went back over to that big sloped rock Pat set the section on that time and rode it more.
Finally we got tired and took off, that day was just what the doctor ordered.

Remember me mentioning changing out the springs for fun? Just got the bike home this eve and spun it around the back. Liking it quite a bit, bike flies way better and the landing smoothing. Front tracked tighter and did fine in the soft stuff, both ends felt much more lively. Can't wait to play with it more, I think it was a step in the right direction.