Trials Notebook

Trials Notebook

A monthly course in the art of trials riding. Instructors: Bob Nickelsen, Mike Obermeyer

Spectators at the U.S. Round of the 1974 World Trials Championship at Saddleback Park will probably remember “The Grand Canyon.” Bob Nickelsen did, and after the trial went back to scope it out. Sections of this type are not uncommon in arid parts of the country, so Bob felt that the techniques needed to ride this section would be a valuable addition to his bag of tricks.

PROBLEM

The major problem with sections like this is the lack of traction resulting from constant camber changes as you move through the section.

SOLUTION

The approach here is to use choice of line and momentum to make centrifugal force work for you. Your momentum is converted into a force that counteracts the pull of gravity and helps you avoid side-slip.

Key points: 1. Pick a line for your rear wheel to follow; ideally, your rear wheel should track around the turn and drop gently into the gully track on the uphill with a minimum of side-slip or disturbance. 2. Front wheel tracks on outside line, actually up on the wall—it’s a controlled version of the old “wall of death” trick. 3. Front end is kept light— just enough weight for steerage—to avoid plowing.4. Approach slow, roll throttle on to build momentum. 5. Keep weight equally distributed on pegs, body to outside, don’t put weight too far to the outside, however, or you may end up “over committed” and unable to recover if you bobble. If you err, err on the side of simply keeping your body vertical to the ground (imagine it as level).6. Watch out for overturn, a common ailment sometimes known as “squid syndrome.” Two factors contribute to this affliction: too much weight on the downhill peg, and the camber of the turn, which makes you unconsciously want to continue on around. You must be ready to make a conscious transition out of the turning mode into straight-line travel.

VIEW A

ONE A

TWO A

THREE A

FOUR A

FIVE A

VIEW B

ONE B

In this instance, pictures are worth more than words, so we’ve shown you the same turn from several views. Note how Nick, in addition to keeping the front end light to avoid front wheel washout, also uses outside and rearward weight to help the front end on around in the turn. When straight-ahead travel is desirable, his hips move forward to help straighten the bike out. As a saving move if you get in trouble, try this forward hip thrust, coupled with a goodly handful of throttle, rather than putting a foot down. This technique can save you a bunch of points!

Be sure to practice this type of turn in both directions. I0

VIEW C

ONE C

TWO C

THREE C

TWO B

THREE B

FOUR C