I was at the World Round Saturday at TTC and enjoyed seeing the best riders in the world. This was my 3rd World round, the first being at Watkins Glen, NY about 12 years ago and at Donner around 2000. At Watkins, I remember a lot more European riders and it seems to have gotten smaller at Donner and smaller still at TTC. Americans were even giving it a go with the big boys 12 years ago. I first started riding trials 30 years ago and I had the unique privilege of having an American World Champion in my local club. Things sure have changed.

I was very impressed with seeing Laia Sanz for the first time. If she competed in the US Nationals with the Pro men, would she finish around 4th? If the US men competed against her in Europe at her favorite riding area I wouldn't count her out of beating them.

Of the past 30 years, I've ridden trials only about half of that time but have witnessed the evolution of the sport. The spectator attendance was very good at TTC but I have some constructive criticism. First is the safety of the spectators. In the event's advertising, I did not see any mention of the hazards of being a spectator in very slippery conditions. I came well prepared with hiking boots but I still fell several times and got scratched up. I witnessed many other spills including the 20 foot fall off the ledge by the observer at section 15. I saw too many tennis shoes, sandals and slippers that are inviting injury especially when combined with beer drinking.

Has scoring gotten more liberal? I saw many rides that should have been a 5 but was not especially with the lack of forward motion with your foot down. The riders also seemed much more pressed for time now than in the past.

It is time for Bill Markham to retire the microphone. I've endured many years of him in California and he's gotten more loud and obnoxious. He's not the right announcer for getting more people into the sport.

TTC is a great facility and it has me thinking about riding trials again.

Saying it here so others that read this post will also see part of the answer.

Stopped with your foot down under current FIM rules is a 1 point penalty. I think you saw correct scoring, but you were applying the older rules.

You can go to this link to see the current trials rules for FIM.

http://www.fim.ch/en/default.asp?item=28#

I don't know how to link to the trials rules PDF, but it is section 51 there that you want, then more specificly

051.9.2 d i

The rules you would be thinking of are covered under 051.9.2 dii (Rules for NO Stop) which is not how this event (nor any of the WTC rounds) are conducted.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Alan Bechard,

quote:

I first started riding trials 30 years ago and I had the unique privilege of having an American World Champion in my local club.

So you were a VOTE member?

quote:

It is time for Bill Markham to retire the microphone. I've endured many years of him in California and he's gotten more loud and obnoxious. He's not the right announcer for getting more people into the sport.

What have you done for the sport in the past 30 years? Bill Markham's unselfish dedication to youth trials, demos, ATA president for years even when NO ONE ELSE steps up to take over.
If when you were in California maybe you should have stepped up if you were so irritated.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Dabnabit,

Dave;

It was nice to meet you Thursday, and to put a person with the Dabnabit personality I have seen so often on the T.C. site.

I am curious how your property search went over the weekend in Tennessee?

Take care, my friend!

To endo: I have only been involved in trials for 10 years and not even as a rider, but I agree with the scoring for modern events - of course, I was taught how to observe by someone who started when vintage trials was actually considered modern. I too think the scoring is too liberal, but that's why I rarely volunteer to score anymore -- I don't know or agree with the rules.

I also would like to see some new faces on the stage at the youth trials, etc. Mr. Markham may have unselfishly dedicated his time, etc. to trials, but maybe he should bring in someone younger to appeal to the up and coming group of competitors.

To Dabnabit, your comments were a bit unnecessary. We can all agree to disagree without getting personal.

quote:

Originally posted by Jeff Geisen:
Dave;

It was nice to meet you Thursday, and to put a person with the Dabnabit personality I have seen so often on the T.C. site.

I am curious how your property search went over the weekend in Tennessee?

Take care, my friend!

Nice to meet you also Jeff.
I looked at two properties while in Jasper,but where on hold for right now.
It'll be 110 tomorrow in Lancaster but you know,it's dry heat!