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A guide
to taking up long distance motorcycle trials
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What
is an observed motorcycle long distance trial?
Since 19th November 1901, without a break save for two world wars,
the Motorcycling Club has been running popular well supported long distance
trials catering for standard road vehicles including cars, sidecar outfits and
solo motorcycles. The MCC was formed when in response to a press advertisement
30 enthusiastic motorcyclists attended a meeting held at Frascati’s Restaurant
in London. Three years later, in 1904, came the Motorcycle Cycle London to
Edinburgh Ride – the first of three long distance events that were to become
the MCC’s classic trials and which continue to this day.
The
three MCC trials form part of the Association of Classic Trials Club’s annual
programme of 15 Championship events. The ACTC exists to promote the world of
classic long distance motorcycle and car trials and through its member clubs
organises events in the West Country, Cumbria and the Peak District.
ACTC
events provide the opportunity to sample classic reliability trials with good
company in some stunningly beautiful parts of the country. Each trial is routed
over between 60 and 100 miles, although the three MCC events are overnight and
the distances are up to 350 miles. There are usually around 12 to 14 non machine
damaging sections included in each trial, normally located on non metalled
rights of way. In fact the sections are no more difficult than you would
encounter on your average trail ride. This means events are as suitable for the
smaller GS BMW’s/XT600’s as they are for XR’s and DR’s, with a fair
sprinkling of classic British trials bikes thrown in for good measure. Machine
preparation is based upon reliability rather than sheer speed or horsepower.
In
classic long distance trials, marks are lost for ‘footing’ or ‘stopping’
during sections. All sections are ‘observed’ by marshals, who look for
penalties incurred by riders and complete scorecards for each competitor. In
each event a number of sections will include ‘restarts’. Essentially,
‘restarts’ are boxes or lines where the competitor is required to stop and
execute a hill start. Most trials also incorporate a ‘special test’, which
is a timed section starting on line A and stopping on line B.
Which
motorcycle can I use?
Any
road legal motorcycle can be used in long distance trials. The most commonly
used motorcycles are lightweight trail type bikes, the most popular for
newcomers and experienced riders alike, being 200 Beta Alps, Yamaha 200 Serrows
and XT250’s and Honda XR250’s.
However,
many other types and makes of motorcycle are ridden in long distance trials,
ranging from step through mopeds to big trail bikes such as Honda’s 750 Africa
Twin and BMW twins. The newcomer will however find a lightweight trials or trail
bike ideal, particularly if fitted with 21 inch front and 18 inch rear wheels.
Whatever
the choice, the motorcycle must have a current MOT certificate and be taxed for
road use.
Preparing
the motorcycle
Tyres
are the most important consideration here. The ACTC and MCC publish rules on the
type of tyres that are permitted in long distance trials and it is vital to
observe these rules as scrutineers will not allow non permitted tyres. If in
doubt fit Pirelli MT43’s front and rear and run pressures at normal trail
riding rates – 14 psi front and rear. When changing tyres it pays to fit
security bolts front and rear to help prevent valve creep.
What
you keep in your ‘bumbag’ is entirely your concern! Apart from a tool kit,
you should include a torch for night trials, spare sparkplugs and bulbs, air
filter, puncture repair kit, high volume bicycle pump and spare front inner tube
[this will also fit the rear tyre in an emergency – but a rear tube will not
fit a front tyre!]
Clothing
Long
distance trials are usually held at the risk of pretty inclement weather and it
therefore pays to dress for road riding rather than single venue trials.
My
own kit features thermals and a light sweat shirt, topped with a motorcycle
jacket and trousers and trials boots. Helmets can be open or full face
preferably with a gold ACU stamp. I generally carry two pairs of gloves, heavy
waterproof gloves for the road sections and lightweight trials gloves for
sections.
Paperwork
To
compete in long distance trials there are various formalities that have to be
completed. The first of these is to join a member club – there is a list of
ACTC member clubs elsewhere on this web site. To compete in MCC events,
competitors must be members of the MCC.
An
ACU trials licence is also required. Click
here for the ACU web site.
If
you wish to compete in the ACTC motorcycle championships, then you will need to
be a member of the ACTC.
The
final item of administration is event insurance. If your existing motorcycle
insurance does not provide cover for competitive events, most organising clubs
can arrange blanket cover per event. The event entry form will include this
provision at a small additional premium.
Entries
ACTC
members automatically receive entry forms for ACTC championship events 6-8 weeks
prior to events. The entry form gives important information on classes and
closing dates and, because some events are particularly popular, it pays to
return your entry as early as possible.
Approximately
10 days before the event, you will be sent a programme, final instructions and
route card on A4 paper. In the case of day trials, the route card can either be
laminated and cable tied to the handlebars or wound onto a route holder [route
holders can be purchased from enduro specialist motorcycle dealers or see the
adverts in Old Bike Mart], which snaps onto the handlebars. Night trials of
course require illumination and some pretty ingenious methods are employed
ranging from strategically positioned torches, through converted sandwich boxes
to highly sophisticated electrically powered route holders. Those like me who
find size 12 type harder to read in our advancing years may want to scan the
route and size up to 14 or 16!
On
the day of the trial
Read the final instructions carefully before you leave. These instructions will
give you important information on venue location, parking, petrol availability,
signing on, scrutineering and start times. It is generally advisable to arrive
at least 45 minutes before your scheduled start time to allow sufficient time
for signing on and scrutineering.
Upon
arrival, follow the instructions. Usually you should present your bike for
scrutineering BEFORE signing on. Scrutineering generally involves checking
handlebar levers have ball ends, tyres are within the permitted type, lights [if
fitted] are working, as is the horn and that there are no loose spokes or other
obvious and potentially dangerous defects. You will then be given your
competitor numbers upon signing on. These should be taped front and rear to your
bike, in such a position that they can be clearly read by observers.
Keith
Johnston
ACTC Motorcycle Co-ordinator
keith.johnston2@virgin.net
January
2005
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