I've been thinking about some things here. Looking for feedback on this idea. What about a little mini-series of fun trials. Something very low key, and inviting to new/vintage/beginner trials riders.

Simply, could we organize, lets say 4 meets during a season, and run fun trials which maybe are low cost (perhaps non-STRA/AMA "ride at own risk" type gatherings). Perhaps no awards, no entry fee to compete (other than a fee to get in to the riding area perhaps if they charge), just a exibition trial.

Another idea: to make two mini-trials in one day. What I was thinking is this: a hypothetical example:

Let's say I arrange to have a trial at TNT. I go the weekend before, or during the week one afternoon, and mark out 7 sections. I mark them for 3, maybe 4 lines, being novice/int/sportsman plus maybe an upper line. I use cheap, minimal marking, so that it can be taken down/tossed out/re-used maybe. We do two loops. Then we take a break, tally scores, and trialsmaster goes out and makes some switches on the lines to alter slightly and we do two more loops. My idea is that we can keep things interesting and encourage guys who might be just checking it out to feel comfortable- for example if the lines need to be made easier or harder depending on the attendance. either that or a person could switch lines to ride the second half.

just wondering if you guys think there could be enough interest around here to try to get some organization going on some meets.

John,
We can have a trial at TNT anytime. WE HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE. She will work with us by letting us be on her insurance. We just have to charge our riders $10. I would love to have one there. She is all for it. Aonia said we could have one there. Sounds good!!!!!!!!
Lets do it!
I was real pumped about 6-8 months ago, but really didnt get alot of response.

I have marking stuff left over from previous years. I have score cards too.

I would love to get some twinshock stuff going , as I really have to stretch my$ limits to make it out Tn for a itsa event and TNT is only a couple hours away from me !!! All I need at the moment is to put new heads on my bronco II
so I have something to tow with ! And Chad you won't even recognize the fantic now...and where or what is Aonia?

Glenn

We should do this I think. I am willing to help as much as possible. Why not? I think we need to RIDE!

Perhaps we should start by listing potential areas. TNT and Aonia GA are there. I have still to check out the "Blue Moon" place or whatever it's called in Wagener. There may be other MX tracks that might have some terrain we could look into. I just heard about a MX place in Saluda.

The thing about some of those spots is they might have gate fees that if we also have to add on insurance might make it a little costly.? Some of the (very rare) private spaces some of us have to practice are probably not going to be open for a meet. I say that somewhat assuming but you never know. Chad, I've never been an event promotor so any advice you or Harry might have would be helpful since I'm just pitching suggestions.

Wouldn't a casual "SC" fun trial open to whatever trials bikes-- modern/vintage/twin-shock be a good perk for those of us who are here in the outskirts of STRA central? I think so-- count me in to help organize. Perhaps the Clayton GA connection?

Let's get something going!

JF

I see aonia is like tnt , motox and trails...
I'll checkout the couple mx tracks around here and my neighbor is a game warden so i'll ask him about the ?francis belder national forest, I've been told you can ride there but I don't know where !!! Lord knows I need more to practice on then the mud and more mud that is in my neighborhood and I can only rearange the 2and 3 foot dia. log lengths in my backyard so many times !!! And I can't afford to get some big rocks delivered yet !!! but I will...
thanks , glenn

I thinbk it is a great idea as long as ya'll let me ride my 97 Fantic mono shock. Just for fun, 'cause I ain't got a twin shocker.
Due to this surgery, I have not ridden for 2 months!
And Matthew will want to ride his GG 50. And with him, it is ALWAYS for fun!
Tony Powers
Charlotte, NC
704-493-4528

I am all for it John when can we get started regards Gordon Bowden

John, I live pretty close to TNT, I'd gladly help with the set-up.
Tony Powers
Charlotte, NC
704-493-4528

My place in Clayton may be available for a fun ride. Possibly mark sections on a Saturday and Ride on Sunday. Harry H. could give some info on the sections for those who are interested.

Clay

Good to hear there is interest. Thanks Clay about the possibility at your place to ride perhaps, that's sounds like a descent idea for sure. I was looking forward to the trial HH was talking about, sorry it didn't work out yet.

As far as answering Gordon's question-- I'm definately up for getting to the work on making sections, getting the word out, etc. But one thing I don't know is what we would be required at each place as far as insurance, and therefore what the fees might be at each place--- which is important because if we are going to keep it cheap, fun, and simple then high insurance costs plus perhaps gate fee or membership to some places might force the cost to a rider up above the limit.

So maybe a survey of the potential spots, figure out the costs, etc. Chad may have some of this info already.

Aonia is 15 bucks to ride now I think, however we may be able to work some type of deal by talking with them. I hear that they are closing the trails there for a while (to keep the conditions up for the big enduro they do) but that they are OK with trials bikes still.

I haven't been to TNT is so long now I don't know the fees but they have that annual membership as well as the daily fee, plus the insurance Chad mentioned means the cost may be too high. That is, again, unless a deal can be worked out
with the management.

I guess I'll try to speak to CK and HH and try to get some info from their experience. It might be nice to work it out somehow that AMA and STRA memberships wouldn't be required so that we can get some people out to give it a try without so much investment.

Honestly, I'm ok with signing the release and going "at own risk" but, I can totally understand a landowners wanting insurance as well as it being required for AMA along with proper helmets and so forth.

Oh I guess another thing is to comb the calendars and cross check with others to see about what weekends might be do-able.

Do you know if that is $10 for insurance plus the fees to get in, or is that $10 include gate fee. I wonder if they would require all riders to be members as well.

quote:

Originally posted by C. Kimbrell:
We can have a trial at TNT anytime. WE HAVE TO HAVE INSURANCE. She will work with us by letting us be on her insurance. We just have to charge our riders $10. I would love to have one there. She is all for it.

Do you know who to speak to at Aonia?

(Of course Glinksi is doing the vintage trial there this Nov at the AHRMA weekend so need to avoid overlapping with those plans.)

Go ahead Rick, you take the lead & I'll help you like you've helped me in the past. You know like my past 10 times working on an event to your 1 time to even show up! Keep talking Rick.

John, go for it! I'll help you where I can work permit. The easiest place for it to happen would be with Gordon @ TNT. Its a cental reigon of the state, insurance issues should be covered, etc., etc. Others would chime in to help I'm sure. Maybe even Rick unless he has to wash his wife's hair, do her nails, take her to a movie or something else more important.

H

Hi All !!!!!
I think TNT on a Saturday and we lay out sections for a Scottish type trial ( 1 line and Pier scoring ) and ride the event on Sunday ...
And maybe we could try the lines that chad and Gordon lay out !>!>!%%^^. I think we should just go have some fun and learn from each other and we all may get one notch better ! And Gordon; You have to ride the old Fantic this time and tell me if it's up to par for what it is...
SCTC... HAPPENING !!!!
LET's rock and keep our feet up !!
Glenn
PS. w/ my worrrkkk schedule and kids that is the only way I can help... every other sat. and all that ... And my mother lives on the way there for me so I can deposit my young'ens at her house for the weekend , or she'll come here and be the Grannie she is and likes to be !!!
And Chad how is your youngin ?

I went to Clay Nash's with u Harry the first time to check it out, then u backed out sighting work conflicts! Is that going to be a problem again?
John TNT sounds good to me. I would like to be responsible for making a few intermediate lines. Did'nt get the chance in Cornelia when i showed up, so i considered it a waste of my time.
I only 2 hours from TNT so i can be there, (if i'm allowed to help in the section making process).
As for the "washing the wifes hair, or doing her nails thing", sounds like a Yankee phrase.
Keep me posted
RC

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Rick Caron,

Let me toss out another totally different idea, this is a little different from regular trial format:

I thought of this when I was in Lowes and picked up a pack of 100 of those little wires with orange marking flags (for 8 bucks). It would be pretty easy to carry those around when practicing and place them out someway for impromptu sections... to the point where you could possiblly turn a regular practive day into a fun trial, "under the radar..." A group could rider together and mark sections on the fly, then take down. Call it a stealth fun trial.

but back to the regular organized fun trial idea...

Harry you are right I think that TNT would be the best place to try one, for the reasons you cited. I am wondering about the membership fees, etc and what it will cost per rider altogether. I couldn't tell if Chad was saying that the $10 fee is for entry and insurance for a rider, or just for the insurance... But yeah, TNT seems like could be the spot.

Since there is a little break in STRA for a few weeks maybe we should try to move forward and shoot for something between now and mid July?

Something that worked for one of our fun trials was what we called pot luck trials.

It was basicly everyone bring a section.

I had the loop marked out.

I had Pie Plates where the general area of the section was. With a bag with marking supplies.

On the day of the event, as folks signed in, I said you go to section X and set it up.

So, everyone went out and set one section, three lines.

then met back at like 11 to 12 to get together in peer groups.

While the peer groups were forming, I checked the sections for "reasonableness" or safety.

Then we all went out and rode the "event"

It worked really neat for us.

We did it as an uninsured fun ride, just a group of guys getting together to ride. No trophies, no porta potties, no nothing.

Put up a donation jar to cover the cost of ribbons etc.

It opened a lot of folks eyes as to what it took to be a trialsmaster and lay the sections.

The deal I had worked out with TNT is as follows, If you are riding the fun trial you pay $10 bucks at the gate and let them know at the gate you are with the trials group. This keeps you from having to join there membership for one day. However I would highly recomend you join and help the people that give us a place to ride!!! Then you can ride there anytime for $10 bucks.

Here are some of the details:
$10 dollars to get in (must say with trials)
We are covered by there insurance.
We cannot ride on the mx tracks.
We all park together!!!!(brings attention to trials from other mx and trail riders there.
Use caution as the trails will be open to the public.

These details are about a year old.
I contacted her today, she will be getting back with me later.