Castleside Trials Club
Motorcycle trials is, without doubt, the simplest and safest form of motorcycle sport in which everybody can compete. No matter your age, whether you are young or old, male or female, trials is available to all, throughout the UK. However this doesn't mean its easy - far from it as its a very technical and really tests the riders ability to ride their bike.
The aim in a trial is to ride through indicated natural “sections” which may be up hills, across banks, in streams, over rocks without putting your feet to the ground or stopping in the case of ‘no stop’ events, with the aim of losing the fewest number of marks (points). A ride through a section without touching the ground with your feet is a clean (0 marks), touch the ground once and you lose one mark, twice you lose two marks, more than twice you lose three marks and a failure by stopping (no stop), riding outside markers or falling off is the maximum penalty of five marks.
Castleside Trials Club is one of hundreds of clubs in the ACU that organise trials and it is rare that a potential competitor needs to travel for more than an hour to attend his nearest event on almost every Sunday throughout the year. Many clubs also hold series of summer evening events and also Saturday events. The minimum requirements to take part are a bike (of course), a helmet and sturdy leather boots and suitable gloves.
The club holds modern and classic trials throughout the year in quarries and over moorland, like this one which was held near Butsfield and attracted riders from all over the North East.
Clubs could not hold such events without members from their own and other clubs volunteering to judge the sections, set out the course and generally help out on the day.
The club holds modern and classic trials throughout the year in quarries and over moorland, like this one which was held near Butsfield and attracted riders from all over the North East.
Clubs could not hold such events without members from their own and other clubs volunteering to judge the sections, set out the course and generally help out on the day.