Trials Australia – Details, episodes & analysis

In this episode we catch up with South African rider turned Aussie: Bruce le Riche.

It's worth going back and listening to episode 58 with his brother Brent as well.

We hear about Bruce's time in South Africa, before a false start at riding in the UK, before eventually making it to the USA and riding the NATC championships.

We hear about Bruce building upon his early success to finish 2nd in the 2005 NATC season and how he worked as a coach at the Trials Training Centre in Tennessee.

We discuss the world round in Duluth and we are trying something new with this episode: Bruce is going to take us through what he means when he says "Quality practice makes perfect".

Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with Bruce le Riche.

Link:

Episode 58 with Brent le Riche: https://trials.com.au/news/ep-58-brent-le-riche--15-times-south-african-national-champion-5503

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trials

Go Fund Me: Link

Today we focus on trials coaching with Stu Day.

Stu has had a broad range of experience, first in trials then with a move to enduro before eventually ending up running his own coaching and experience business.

You can hear the passion for it all in his voice as we discuss the skill set of coaching and drill down into what some of most common advice is for new riders. If you are new to trials, this one is a must listen.

We go on to discuss the popularity of trials at the moment in the UK.

Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with Stu Day.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trials

Go Fund Me: Link

Today we are chatting with Robin Luscombe. Robin is well know in UK club trials, particularly in Sidecars as he has been the 16 times British sidecar champion.

We hear about how Robin got into the sport, and those early influences that got him into sidecars but more importantly the groundswell of other riders that made trials sidecars less obscure and more of a regular occurrence at trials events. We discuss the challenges of forming new partnerships and his brief foray of solo riding and the SSDT during a period of times that was otherwise dominated by sidecar events.

We discuss the FIM Coupe, the trips abroad including all the way to Australia but ultimately the reasons why he gave up sidecars after so many years.

I was quite surprised to learn from Robin just how popular his current pursuit of classic trials is. They are getting 400+ riders to some of the classic multi-day trials in France and Spain and there is even high profile expert solo riders who are even dragging out the twin shock for these events.

Robin even pressed me on the reasons behind starting this podcast, which I know some of you have been curious about.

This was a real treats to chat with someone who was so passionate and determined in the sport of trials.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Robin Luscombe.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

It had to happen…we interviewed someone outside of Victoria! Kurt Pickering is from a Trials family and grew up in the sport. He is secretary of the Tasmanian Motorcycle Trial Club, played a key role in the administration of the Australian Titles that were held in Tassie in 2019 and is a part time trials historian! I met Kurt when he came to the Argyle trial in 2019, about the same time he started his role as a Trials Commissioner at Motorcycle Australia (he is one of 3 people). In this wide ranging discussion we talk about the Tasmanian trials scene which is punching well above its weight, Kurt's role in the TMTC and as MA commissioner.

Show Notes:

Tasmanian Motorcycle Trials Club

History: https://www.tastrials.org.au/?page_id=11

TMTC Club Champions: https://www.tastrials.org.au/?page_id=958

FIM X-Trial

Round four of the FIM X-Trial World Championship gets underway this Sunday, February 2, at Barcelona’s unique Palau Sant Jordi venue. We will aim to have a round up of the results here next episode.

https://www.trialmaguk.com/barcelona-x-trial-arrives-with-repsol-honda-team-on-home-soil/

WDTC have announced that entries are open for their trial on the 1st March in Fordsdale Qld.

https://trials.com.au/news/wdtc-club-series-round-1-5069

TRS 2020 Raga Replica has been landed in Australia and is currently clearing customs

This is the fourth year of the RR model and has a number of improvements. The new TRRS ONE RR 2020, will be available in three displacements - 300, 250 and 125 cc from The Hell Team and all TRS state dealers.

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-trs-raga-race-replica-5070

NSW Twinshock Championship June long weekend 2020

DMCC will once again be hosting the NSW Twinshock Championship in the June long weekend at the Cowan’s property Sandy Hollow just out of Denman. Event runs over the sat/sun/mon. Stay tuned for the sup regs and details.

https://trials.com.au/news/nsw-twinshock-championship-june-long-weekend-2020-5071

AMA Victorian Calendar is out

A joint calendar between OMCC and Southern Trials riders has been released. Details can be found on the OMCC website and links are in the show notes.

https://www.oakleighmcc.com/omcc-calendar/

Fail of the week: Retraction from Interview w Ben Forsyth

In the interview with Ben I mistakenly stated he won the first trial he entered. It was in fact Melinda Van Baalen won the Glenmaggie Clubman trial last year which was her 2nd trial after returning to competition from a 16 year absence...an equally impressive result. My apologies for that error and to clarify Ben came 2nd.

That's it for the news!

Drill of the week: Figure 8's

The objective is to ultimately ride in sequential full lock turns

The keys to this drill are:

1. get you legs bent so you are in a squat position, with your knees point out.
2. Get your weight off the handlebars. You should be able to remove your left hand and not want to fall forward.
3. At the begining you may struggle to lean the bike
4. As you improve start using your feet to steer.
5. Offset the bike lean angle by keeping your body upright while the bike leans.
6. Measure your progress.

Leveling up:

1. Do this exercise on a hill.
2. Slow it down.
3. Put some loose stones that disrupt your flow

Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Ben Forsyth was one of the first people I reached out to when this podast was first conceived. Partly because I knew he would likely be a willing participant but more so becuase and I knew he came from a strong enduro background and I was interested to know more. Ben has completed the Redbull Romainiacs hard-endruo twice and has a long history of domestic enduro riding including multiple A4DE. By Ben's own admission, the more technical it got, the better he did and the more he enjoyed it. Having been inspired by trials riders who crossed over to hard enduro, he got inspired to give Trials a go himself.

Show Notes:

Round 3 of the X-trial World Championship in Hungary:

Toni Bou (Repsol Honda) claimed his 65th X-Trial win in his toughest test of the 2020 season yet, as the referee had to look back to the second round results following two ties in the Grand Final. Both Bou and main rival Adam Raga (TRRS) scored 15 marks in a tense six-section finale before both going on to fail a challenging run-off.

From

Jack Price has signed with Vertigo:

Price will embark on a full campaign during 2020 both at World and national level on board his new Vertigo Vertical 300, which he is currently familiarising himself with out in Spain ahead of his first competitive outing back on home soil at the opening round of the British Trial Championship on 7th March.

From

Southern Trials Riders January Charity Trial Woodleigh:

Hi Everyone, great turn out at the STR Charity Fun Trial at Woodleigh. Forty one entries! Wow! The good news is we have managed to raise over one thousand dollars for fire relief! Thank you all so much for supporting STR and our effort to help those disadvantaged at this catastrophic time. Report and pictures to come in the next day or two. Give yourselves a big pat on the back!

From: https://trials.com.au/news/southern-trials-riders-january-charity-trial-woodleigh-5067

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernTrialsRiders/

Glenmaggie Easter Trial & OMCC News:

There have been a few changes within the Oakleigh Motorcycle Club recently. The 2 day Easter Glenmaggie trial will be running as usual on the great Coleman property. However an AMA licence is required but will only cost you $16:50 per year. Supp Regs will be available early March. The Victorian AMA calendar will be presented shortly.

From: https://trials.com.au/news/glenmaggie-easter-trial--and-omcc-news-5066

Podcast Stats:

I didn't have many expectation but we have over 1,000 downloads, and against the industry average we are about 250% against the average of downloads per episode. As you'd expect, most have been from Australia however about 15% are not so I'd like to send a special hello to our listeners from: US, NL, DK, NZ, GB, JP, IE, FR, SG, IT, TW, DE, & CA!

I'd really welcome the opportunity to speak to any riders who are in other countries and can compare notes between trials here in Australia and elsewhere in the world. If you are willing to be a guest, we would love to speak with you. Please get in touch with us at podcast@trials.com.au

That's it for the news!

Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Tim Lewis should be a familiar face to most who have ridden trials over the last few years, particularly if you are from Victoria. Tim has really grown up in the sport from an early age and rides at a very competitive level. Tim however breaks the mould as despite being a younger rider, he is equally at home riding one of the classic twin shock CZ's in the Lewis family stable as his is on his more modern Beta 4 stroke.

I really enjoyed this opportunity to get to know Tim more, and hear about his experiences, particularly competing at the SSDT in 2015.

Show Notes:

- CZ Extreme Trials with Tim Lewis Video: https://www.oakleighmcc.com/2016/02/cz-extreme-trials-with-tim-lewis/

- Southern Trials Riders: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernTrialsRiders/ - Bushfire releif trial on Sunday 19th Jan: http://amaevents.com.au/motorcyclist/trials/5354-str-january-charity-ride-day

- Calendars have been released: Vic: https://trials.com.au/news/2020-victorian-trial-calendar-and-grading-list-5057

Tas: https://trials.com.au/news/tmtc-2020-calendar-5060

- Beta 2020 Factory models have been announced: https://www.trialscentral.com/news-archive/trials-bike-news/21212-beta-launch-2020-evo-factory-models

Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we chat with Paul Bray from Trials Experience. Trials Experience probably doesn't need much introduction but just in case you are unaware, they run trails training courses allowing riders of all disciplines and even those completely new to motorcycles an opportunity to 'experience trials'. They provide everything needed, the bikes, protective gear and have a structured 7 level approach to learning the discipline.

We talk though Paul's early background in motorcycles and his time in the administration of the sport when he was with MV, as well as discussing his upcoming plans for Trials Experience.

Show Notes:

- 2019 Australian Titles Documents:

https://trials.com.au/news/2019-australian-titles-documents-5050

- Interview with Richard Kent:

https://trials.com.au/news/interview-with-richard-kent-qld-moto-trial-icon-5052

- Southern Trials Riders Facebook Group:

https://www.facebook.com/groups/SouthernTrialsRiders/

- RSS Feed:

https://trials.cast.rocks/feed.xml

- Trials Experience:

http://trialsexperience.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/TrialsExperience/

Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

The Trials Australia podcast is the brain-child of David Grice, an OMCC member who is new to the sport of Trials, beginning Jan 2019. After a year of complete immersion into the sport along with his two children, David was asked to write a profile of his ‘first year in trials’, it occurred to him that there might be a better way.

The goal of the podcast is to profile current riders and encourage more people into the sport of trials. We will aim to ask (and hopefully answer!) common questions people have about getting into trials.

Each week, after doing a round up of major news and any state based reports the plan is to then do a long form interview with a rider who has (or is) regularly riding trials. The attempt is to extract their passion for the discipline, how much fun they have, and what keeps them coming back for more. Further, it is also a deliberate plan to talk about the family friendly nature of the sport and profile the benefit it delivers in terms of improved rider skills.

I hope you enjoy this first episode of the podcast where we profile the Grice family and their first year in the sport. 

Show Notes: - SA Calendar: https://trials.com.au/news/2020-trials-sa-launch-5042 - TMTC Newsletter and Melrose results: https://trials.com.au/uploads/attachments/2019/38e6e4bc-779d-49ea-97e9-5ac7390d6788/TMTC%20November%202019.pdf - Vertigo Mini Vandal: https://trials.com.au/news/vertigo-minivandal-2020-5049 - Mecatecno Dragonfly 2.0: https://trials.com.au/news/mecatecno-dragonfly-20-updates-5047 - Sheffield Indoor Results: http://www.sheffieldindoortrial.co.uk/index.php/news-hidden/97-bou-wins-25th-anniversary-edition - Stay tuned for this feed to appear in iTunes, Spotify and other podcast services over the coming months.   Please email us with guest suggestions and feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

The podcast has been on a bit of theme of late as we have discussed riders who have transitioned from Trials to Hard Enduro. Today is a continuation of that theme as we chat with Trials champion and the USAs lead Hard Enduro rider: Cody Webb.

Cody is an unbelievably easy to talk to guy which makes this interview all the more special. I think were able to get below the surface and find out what makes him tick.

Cody's accomplishments in trials in the USA culminated in his 2010 win of the NATC Pro Class Championship after a number of years of 2 place. He's also won gold at the TdN and the ISDE putting in him rare company.

This chat goes into reflections on the difficulties with making Hard Enduro events suitable for Pros & amateur riders; dealing with injuries; his thoughts on the next generation of Hard Enduro riders in the USA; trying to build parity between Hard Enduro in the USA and Europe; and what is getting him excited next.

Just a heads up that at about 45 mins into this chat there is some background noise that I did my best to suppress, but some of it trickled through.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you my chat with the USAs leading Hard Enduro rider Cody Webb.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today I have the absolute privilege of chatting with Major Sandy Mack MBE. Sandy has been into the sport of trials for ages, but it most well done for his extensive work on the Scottish ACU which he is now currently chair of. We also discuss his extensive background with the Army Trials Team and the work the Army does to help support the SSDT via refueling stops.

It was a really interesting chat that kind of left me wondering how the SSDT would run if it weren't for the Army's involvement, and you also see the benefits for the Army in terms of treating it as a training exercise. It feels like a really symbiotic relationship.

Sandy himself has done the SSDT 18 times as a rider but is now more focused on administration of the sport than participation.

As the Chair of the Scottish ACU he has a unique perspective to talk about trials in comparison to other disciplines, and how sport development is going. We discuss the healthy levels of trials participation at Scottish club trials and national events.

We also hear how Mrs Mack, or mother, looks after the riders as part of the annual SSDT preparation and training.

I can tell you I am really glad to have now spoken to someone so dedicated and passionate about the sport of trials.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give you my chat with Major Sandy Mack MBE.

Link to Jitsie Trial GB Coverage: https://www.jitsie.com/en/

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast