Trials Australia (Trials Australia)

Pat Smage needs little introduction. Even if you are not from the USA, you've probably seen Pat's accomplishments on YouTube and his work with Ryan Young Products in USA.

Pat is the record breaking 11 times NATC pro champ.

But it's more than that, Since Pat got his first win in expert class way back in 2006, he's only been off the podium once and that was because he'd already secured the title and wanted to try the lines on a 125cc.

Pat is a fairly modest fellow despite the size of his trophy cabinet and is a true professional in the way he approaches the sport, the commitment he has to his sponsors, and his ambassadorial role to promote the sport of trials.

We discuss Pat's riding in Europe during those early years and how he came to cement his focus on domestic competition.

Speaking to Pat you get the sense he doesn't want the limelight, and is happier just riding in the woods but he was very gracious giving his time and going to the edge of his comfort zone to discuss it all on a podcast.

I thoroughly enjoyed this conversation with Pat...I hope you do as well.

Sponsors:

https://rypusa.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This is one for club administrators, event and series organisers, and those who have an interest in improving trials. We chat with California's two leading ladies Gabby Caperon & Erica Pophal. Gabby is the president of the SoCal Trials Association and Erica has created the Conquer the West trials series.

We departed from our traditional interview format and this was much more of a conversation; an opportunity to swap ideas and learn from each other. Hopefully, this also helps others in the wider trials family.

This was a lot of fun and I certainly took some ideas away from this which I will aim to implement when I am next running an event.

Come over to the Trials Australia Podcast Community Facebook group and let us know if you have any ideas on what other things can be improved.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Gabby & Erica.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/ctwtrials/

https://www.socaltrials.com/

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

Stuart is a real servant to the sport. He's been a long time member of the North Berks Mototcycle Club, a minder, an event organiser and a Parent to his daughter riding competitively in European and World rounds.

I've been guilty of interviewing a lot of riders lately, and this chat with Stuart is a refreshing perspective as someone who make it all happen for us to ride!

Beyond his own riding, Stuart has been a minder for around 20 years, and plays a critical role in the running of the Berks Bonanza Supertrial.

He also shares some lessons for the outreach program that he and the north berks motorcycle club do to foster support for the sport of trials amongst the local community.

Links:

North Berks Footage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoU5e0xihds

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we are chatting with Bernie Schreiber.

This is part 1 of a 2 part conversation with the 1979 world champion, 4 time NATC champion, 1982 SSDT winner and an AMA Hall of Fame inductee.

I have to admit, these episodes are a little bit special...Bernie and I spent an enormous amount of time preparing for this and structuring the interview. It is without question the hardest I've had to work to produce a podcast but that makes it all the more rewarding.

In part one we discuss Bernie's journey into trials, the decision to move to Europe to pursue the sport and then how he progressed throughout the years to become the first, and to this day, only American to win a FIM Trial World Championship.

We discuss how the closure of the Bultaco factory forced him to change bikes, and discuss the multi-faceted requirements to become a world champion. Just being the best rider is not enough, unless you have the right equipment, preparation and consistency.

We also discuss how Bernie left trials pretty much cold turkey and went onto a very successful career in sport marketing. Remaining in Europe, Bernie worked with a number of major watch brands where he helped broker a range of sponsorship agreements with an array of sporting codes including everything from the Australian Football League, to Golf, to the UCI and timekeeping for mountain bike racing.

As if that wasn't enough, when I spoke to Bernie he mentioned he had done some extensive research and due diligence around the sport of trials since coming back into the trial family a few years ago. An he observed some danger signs that, if un addressed, risked compromising the long term health and sustainability of our sport.

In Part 2 of our chat next episode, Bernie with his background in sport marketing, goes on to discuss the health of trials, a reflection on the drivers behind a declines sales, spectators and particiaption over the years and what we need to do to reclaim some of the former glory trials as motorcycle discipline used to have.

We reflect on why golf has had enduring success with very little rule change over the years, and why trials with it's constant tweaks and changes has struggled. This includes the degree of difficultly needed to challenge our top riders today, and the economic impacts of having minders.

We discuss a roadmap for the future, and how we need to combine the grass-roots/bottom up promotion of our sport with top-down marketing and promotion to shift the focus towards safety, family, and environmentally friendly fun.

If you are in the business of trials, or in the administration of our sport I implore you to listen to that episode, but for now I hope you enjoy part 1 of my chat with Bernie Schreiber.

Sponsors:

• S3
• Forma
• Airoh

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we are speaking with Mick Wren.

One of the things I am keen to do on this podcast is to ensure we get a fair representation of all people of our sport, beyond just the riders.

Mick is a self confessed bike nut, and been involved in the administration of the Trials & Enduro committee with the British ACU for over 20 years.

He is the TdN team manager

He is also the ACU's representatives on the FIM Europe Trial Committee.

By his own admission, he's a volunteer for everything and just keeps ending up with jobs!

This was a very illuminating chat about the issues facing the sport of Trials from an ACU and FIM perspective.

He is attuned to the pressures for peoples leisure time and is focused on improving the sport of trials to make it more attractive for participants.

He also has is very transparent in the decisions at the FIM around the stop vs no-stop rule.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Mick Wren.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we speak with Emile Matthueews from Belgium. He is the current Belgium Champion, and rides in the Trial 2 class of Trial GP. Emile scored his first Trial 2 points earlier this year at the Cahors round in France, and has represented Belgium at the TdN 4 times previously.

We discuss what it was like having one of your first international competitive experiences be the TdN, and why his super power is his infections smile.

Emile gives us a tour of local Belgium competition, and how he trains in preparation for World Rounds.

We discuss his plans for 2022 and his busy calendar, along with his excitement for the TrialGP festival to visit his home town in Belgium for the first time in a few years.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you episode 100... my chat with Emile Matthueews.

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

Today we are chatting with 3 time NATC champion Scott Head. Scott is from Southern California and grew up in a time when that areas was renowned for producing some the USA's best.

Before Scott knew it, he was whisked away to Europe to ride the Italian championship and world rounds for Italjet as Bernie Schreibers team mate. We hear how Scott's life was turned upside down in a 48 hour period due to a rider change in Italy.

Scott could have stayed on in Europe but surprisingly he turned his back on it and returned to the USA. What I found refreshing was his ability to think through the situation which showed wisdom most at that young age would not be able to muster.

Again, to my surprise we hear how Scott pretty much aimed to return to full time education and didn't necessarily plan to pursue trials. But as we also have learnt from many of these podcast episodes...you can take a break but the trials bug does tend to bite and so when Scott was offered a ride at the back end of 1983 to ride the nationals he jumped at the chance.

What then unfolded was a period of dominance that he went on to ride and win the next 3 years NATC amassing a win streak of 16 consecutive National events which has only been equaled by Pat Smage in 2018.

Today Scott is involved in the Southern Sierra Motorcycle Club and we here how he's back into trials in a big way through coaching and his new goal is to still be riding when he's in his 70's.

Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my chat with Scott Head.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

It's unusual to have someone walk away from their sport when they are at the peak of their powers, but as Franzi Kadlec describes in this weeks interview....there is balance needed (no pun intended). In this interview we uncover Franzi's history in the sport, the progress through to TrialGP class and the sacrifices made to chase success in the sport he loves.

We also hear how Franzi's decision to focus on a career outside of trials now requires it's own commitment but that it's also given him a balance, and a sense of enjoyment, that he didn't know he missed until he started.

Just a quick bit of housekeeping: For the last couple of weeks we have been releasing these twice weekly to help everyone in lock down, however I'm going to return to our original weekly schedule. If I can fit more in, I will but I won't be committing to a twice weekly release schedule.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Don Murray is a self confessed trials tragic. Today Don is the Sherco and Scorpa trials importer for Australia through his business MotoCentral in Canberra. As we discover in this fascinating conversation, we discuss everything from Don's early days into trials and his achievements in domestic competition. We then go on a journey through Europe in the 90s from the prism trials. We talk about Don's combination of trials riding himself, minding for top 10 world trials championship riders, and his TdN competitions both as a rider and a minder.

Show Notes:

 X-Trial of Austria cancelled as a result of the Coronavirus

https://www.x-trial.com/en/news/x-trial-wiener-neustadt-cancelled-as-a-result-of-the-coronavirus

As a result of the cancelled Austrian round of X-Trial, Toni Bou has mathematically claimed victory for the 2020 season of X-Trials

https://todotrial.com/en/news/item/7555-toni-bou-se-proclama-campeon-del-mundo-de-x-trial-2020.html

X-Trial of Nations in Liévin postponed

https://www.x-trial.com/en/news/x-trial-of-nations-in-lievin-postponed

Corona virus has required the first round of the Japan Trial Championship

https://todotrial.com/en/news/item/7535-japon-coronavirus-trial-cancelado.html

Alex Ferrer has suffered a serious injury at a FFM event in Colombier-le-Vieux, France

https://www.facebook.com/Alex-Ferrer-Officiel-684453191575227/

Jamie Busto will not be at the Baiona round of the Spanish Trials Championship this weekend

https://www.trialworld.es/jaime-busto-no-correra-nacional-trial-baiona-precaucion/?fbclid=IwAR3EJgsLwKFkJ74AbwO64p5JO7TtEdys-F5JndsPsylwp9juTzemg3AEsek

Keedwell ACU Trial GB kicked of in style at Hookwood in Surrey

https://www.acutrialgb.co.uk/

 Round 3 of the 2020 ACU S3 Parts Championship - Colmore Cup

https://www.stratfordmcc.co.uk/results/the-colmore-cup-2020/

Jordi Pasquet Trial will be move to July in its 3rd running after the last two being in September

http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&sl=auto&tl=en&u=https%3A%2F%2Ftodotrial.com%2Fen%2Fcompetition%2Flong-term-events%2Fitem%2F7533-iii-2-dias-trial-pascuet-2020-previo.html

http://www.trialpascuet.com/

Marc Colomer will be riding an Electric Motion in the upcoming SSDT

https://www.trialworld.es/marc-colomer-participara-los-scottish-una-electric-motion/?fbclid=IwAR38SJbY6J___mNtJMtc4A9KwLoqgMiKncGUnOR5_hAqBsY8ypbW5K03NIA

OSET day

https://www.facebook.com/events/230879524619995/permalink/230919154616032/

Australia Trials Championship will be held in WA in 2021

https://trials.com.au/news/2021-nationals-to-be-held-in-western-australia-5159

OMCC Club Grounds Trial Round 2 – March 15th

https://trials.com.au/news/omcc-club-grounds-trial-round-2-this-sunday-march-15th-5158

Tassie Titles was eld last weekend on the 7th & 8th of March.

http://www.tastrials.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/03/Tas-Titles-Full.pdf

Please send feedback to: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode I am excited to have Stephen Fracy on the podcast.

Stephen is a very active member in the Canadian trials scene, and in this conversation we discuss his history with the sport, including his 3 Canadian championships.

Stephen tells the amazing story of how he and his friend Stan, after only meeting once, conspired to undertake a massive road trip across the country to attempt the Canadian National championship. From that, they forged a long term partnership to make attacks on the Canadian and USA championships in the subsequent years

Stephen has also spent time as a team mate of Bernie Schreiber when we was recruited to ride alongside Bernie for the USA Montessa team.

You get a sense of how Stephen threw everything he had into his pursuits, by working all winter to save and then road-tripping across North America to pursue his passion of trials.

He's gone on to represent his country in Canada's first TdN Team, ridden in a few world rounds, and even has done a Scottish Six Day.

Today, Stephen gets to ride in one of the most blessed parts of the world for Trials Riders, and we discuss how he is now supporting the sport in an administration capacity with his role at the CMA, NATC and FIM North America.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Stephen Fracy.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we chat with on the UK top female riders: Katy Sunter. Katy has amassed an impressive trials career which includes

• 15 Scott Trials
• 13 SSDT appearances
• 2 x TdN representation (2nd Place in 2003)
• British Trial Championships competitor between 2002 - 2016 and twice 3rd in the championship
• World Trial Championships between 2006-2016
• European Championships

We discuss Katy's impressive career and how she stays motivated to keep riding even after all those accomplishments.

We discuss her background in the sport and how despite growing up in a trials family and even lived on the Scott Trial course, it wasn't until she saw females in competition did she decided trials was something she wanted to pursue.

And there has been no stopping her since.

Katy opens up about how maturity has allowed her to reflect on things differently, including how much pressure she put on herself as a younger rider, and as how she's enjoyed riding so much more after realising this.

We also discuss Katy's love affair with the Scott trial and how it holds a special place for her & her entire family.

And of course those impressive 13 SSDT.

We go on to discuss female participation in trials and how that compares to Mountain Biking which Katy is also partial to.

This was a real treat. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you my chat with Katy Sunter.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Alexz Wigg is a former Junior World Champion, European Junior Champ and SSDT winner, and represented Britain in the TdN 7 times. It's no surprise he was so successful, with a strong family history in motorcycling and a dedicated work ethic Alexz had a spectacular career.

It was great to have a chat with Alexz about this period in his career and reflect on the highlights. We also discuss Alexz's more recent foray into stunt riding with the Circe du Soleil in Las Vegas.

Today, Alexz with working with up and coming Scottish rider Ben Dignan as a coach and minder.

We discuss the transition into this role and how Alexz is enjoying getting back involved with the sport in a different capacity.

For our Australian listeners, Alexz will be no stranger having been here multiple times over the years running summer training schools.

We hope you enjoy this chat with one Alexz Wigg.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This week, we speak with Richard Midgley but everyone calls him Milky stemming from his resemblance to the Milky Bar kid in his youth. He is the Sales Manager for English speaking geographies for Jitsie, a major brand in trials. In this wide ranging chat, we get to know more about Milky's background in trials along with his partner in crime Jan Peters...a very accomplished trials rider who also works for Jitsie.

They have started a video log series for Jitsie that is called Milky & Jan's adventures where they travel the world to have a go at trials in different countries and document their nuances and differences. From the outside, it looks like one of the best jobs going around. Today we speak to the man doing it and hear that although he does feel very blessed, it's not always a glamourous role.

Just to help you keep track of this interview, there are two Jan's mentioned...Jan Cardinaels is the owner of Jitsie while Jan Peters is the rider featured in these videos.

Links:

Jitsie Youtube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCcFab3ZvqeUMGgLOH-sNijA/videos

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This week I am excited to have Louise Forsley on the podcast.

Louise is 6 time NATC Trials Champion, has represented her country at the TdN multiple times and is a an X-Games silver medalist.

What makes this chat interesting is that Louise has had multiple absences from trials and we reflect on some of the reasons behind that.

If you go back and listen to episode 46 with Karl Davis Junior, we talked extensively about the Stunt riding at the Marvel Universe live tour. Louise was also on that tour with Karl and did it for about 5 years.

We talk a bit about burn-out and losing the passion; we dabble in a little sports phycology and go on to discuss pivot to the enduro bikes and how her new contract with Sherco FactoryOne is allowing her to balance the best of both worlds as she competes across both enduro and trials disciplines.

I hope you enjoy this chat with the Louise Forsley.

Sponsors:

https://www.factoryonesherco.com/

https://www.motofitclub.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Richard's been involved with trials for many years, and even included a stint in Europe in the 90's where he competed in a few world rounds, did a SSDT and represented Australia at the TdN.

Perhaps the most fascinating part though of this conversation is Richards more recent feet of driving an electric vehicle nearly 2000 kilometres from his home in Brisbane to the Victorian Titles in 2019 and then rode his electric trials bikes to a podium position.

We discuss EM's planned assault on SSDT competition, get an overview of the bands current and future models as well as discuss the common questions people have when considering electric vehicles.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Richard Kent.

Links:

https://www.calderamoto.com/

https://www.electric-motion.fr/en/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Ben Dignan is an up and coming Scottish rider. He's been riding trials since he was 4 and is part of the first generation of professional riders that started on an OSET bike.

More recently Ben was the 2019 ACU British Trial Champion, also in 2019 was 3rd in European Champs (the first Scottish rider to do so), and in 2020 was 3rd in the 125 class of the Trial world championship.

Ben was kind enough to take some time out of his training in Spain to talk with us. Since recording this interview, Ben has suffered a bit of an injury which has brought his time in Spain to a halt. We wish Ben a speedy recovery and hope to see him back on the bike soon.

We hope you enjoy this chat with Ben Dignan.

Sponsors:

http://vertigomotors.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we get back to visit our USA friends of the podcast and chat to Mike Komer. Mike has been involved in motorcycles for nearly 50 years and trials for about 45.

He the owner of TryalsShop which is a trials specific dealer and workshop based in upstate New York, but Mike's story is much richer than that. He's been a stalwart of trials in the USA for many years, support the many World rounds in the USA and Canada, and also had roles on the TdN teams.

Although his focus has been on developing and growing the sport Mike also hold a Over 45 NATC title to his name. He's also been a minder for some of the top world riders and also fostered talent in the USA trials scene.

Today, Mike is focus on developing new riders to the sport through training and coaching as you will here.

This such a long story there is a lot to cover but the highlight for Mike was the visit to Europe by the Aprilia factory as a thank you for his efforts in hosting world rounds. This included competition and a visit to the factory.

This interview was requested by our listeners so if you like us to interview any people in particular please reach out via email to: podcast@trials.com.au

I hope you enjoy this chat with Mike Komer.

Links:

https://www.tryalsshop.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This week I am excited to have Chris Bayles on the podcast.

Chris has represented Australia at the TdN multiple times, has achieved #2 in the Australian championships, and has also done a SSDT.

This interview was ~6 months in the making, but in a twist of fate due to relaxing of COVID travel restrictions, I was personally able to go down and attend the Tassie Titles in March. Although this episode was recorded about 4 weeks ago, it was great to be able to conduct a face to face podcast episode rather than doing it all remotely.

It was also my first trip to Tassie and Chris and I were reflecting on the entirety of the clubs effort to put on a state titles event.

Chris is the president of the TMTC and this chat was also a much deserved opportunity to thank all the long serving volunteers that make our sport what it is.

Personally I would like to thank the Tassie community for making me so welcome. It was a two day event but I don't think I did a single lap without someone coming up to say hello, chatting about the podcast and making me feel welcome. It's a great event, and something I would encourage all riders who get the chance to get along.

It was also a good opportunity to share some tips and tactics around running an event, which is something I've personally become involved in the last 6 months so I was curious to learning from people that have got a good handle on things.

I hope you enjoy this chat with one of Tassie's finest...Chris Bayles.

Sponsors:

www.thehellteam.com

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

I was really pleased to get to speak with German rider Theresa Bäuml on this episode of the podcast. It's been too long since last chatting with a German rider and this was also an opportunity to get into the women's trials scene with a successful rider across German Championships, European Championships and Winner of a Trial GP event.

And I'm not kidding about that success, Theresa is the winner of the German Championship from 2015 to 2019.

She won the European Championships 2015 & 2016

And she was the winner of the Italian Trial GP in 2017.

Theresa opens up on why her results have dropped in recent years, and you may be shocked as I certainly was, to discover she was diagnosed with a brain tumour that required multiple surgeries and although the worst is behind her she has been left still feeling some after effects.

As a result of all this she hasn't been riding much with COVID as well stifling her ability to ride, but it has given her a renewed lease on life and a perspective that there is more in the world than just trials and that and to really value your health and wellbeing.

I'm still amazed at Theresa's courage and I can wait to see her back on the bike sometime soon.

Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with German rider Theresa Bäuml.

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

A quick audio montage from the Oakleigh Club Ground Trial #2 held on Sunday 15th March. Lots of new riders today! Welcome to all the first time riders and podcast guests.

In a bit of synergy with our new sponsor, we are speaking with Gas Gas rider Maddie Hoover in this episode.

Maddie is the current number 1 rider in the USA as well as competing in TrialGP, and also European competitions. As you will hear, Maddie started riding when the friend who she used to hang out with in the paddock while her dad competed, started competing herself.

Leaving Maddie with no one to play with, she thought "this sucks" and starting riding herself.

We hear journey of Maddie's first TdN experiences, and how she went from being shy and nervous to living in Norway and coming out of her shell.

Fast forward to now, and Maddie came second in 2018 Womens Trial 2 class before going to the premier Trial GP Womens class in 2019.

As well as COVID disruptions, Maddie has suffered some significant injuries which we discuss, that further disrupted for 2020 campaign.

On the mend now, Maddie is looking forward to a continue transatlantic lifestyle where she will take on the US Nationals, the European Womens competition and the TrialGP Womens competitions.

Sponsors:

www.gasgas.com 

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Sondre Haga is from Norway, and mixing it amongst a very deep and talented pool of riders in Trial 2.

We talk about his background in the sport and his more recent move to Spain to push his level.

More than just moving to Spain, Sondre also takes pride in being one of the very few non-Spanish who compete in the Spanish National Championship.

Sondre is also part of the Norweigan national trials team which presents a unique point of difference to other countries, and they all commit to meet 8 times per year and train together. This is on top of TdN.

Injuries haven't stopped him after a fairly rough couple of years where he broken his finger, has 21 stiches in his face and, even winning events with broken collar bone!

I hope you enjoy this chat with Sondre.

Links:

German Indoor Trial: https://vimeo.com/385525036

Sponsors:

trs.motorcycles

tandbergmc

gro_globalracingoil

hebo.factory

fatlandas

pizzabakeren

embalasjekameratene

cirklekhommersåk

kvaleberg malemesterberntsen

neolitt

harugeri

sitert

johnmasiarrørlegger

fatland

fjordquality

crismaprofilering

nmf

egelandmaskin

jackobsentransport

marvik

sjørestadveimerking

hellandelektro

solabygg

sport4you

adamragatrialsschool

mediser_trial_team_lea

productoslea

aridosantolin

riello_ups_tdl

ijustride_net

epscomunicacion

bahcotools

This podcast is our first foray to the States. We chat with NATC Pro rider Alexander Niederer. We talk about his journey from his birth place of Austria to his move to America when he was 18, and then his progress through the ranks of USA trials all the way to Runner Up in the championship in 2019.

In addition, he is the president of the Florida Trials Association and also works with his family on their business trialstoreusa.com.

For regular listeners to our podcast who have heard the Milky episode which was episode 16, he talk about he and Jan's visit to the states. Well, Alex was the one who hosted them when they came out.

I'd like to thank Alex for his willingness to do this podcast, and it was something like 5:30am at the time he recorded this but it was at his insistence...he promised me he was used to getting up early for the gym!

Alex would like to thank his sponsors:

Beta: https://betausa.com/

Jitsie: https://www.jitsie.com/

Hammer Nutrition: https://www.hammernutrition.com/

Boysen Factory Reeds: http://boyesen.com/

Motul: https://www.motul.com/

Clice: https://clice.com/

HPD Graphics

Cross Fit Lena: http://crossfitlena.com/

Trial Store USA: http://www.trialstoreusa.com

...but most of all his Mum & Dad for making all this a reality.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Alex.

Links:

http://www.floridatrials.net/

https://www.trialstoreusa.com/

Milky podcast (Ep 16): https://trials.com.au/news/ep-16-milky-aka-richard-midgley--were-not-in-silsden-anymore-5207

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we are speaking with Derek Thomas.

We first got in touch with Derek after publishing Episode 12 with Don Murray. Although Don is from Australia and Derek from Canada we heard how they traveled Europe together in search of trials.

Well now we get to hear Derek's side of the story.

Derek spent a number of years riding in Europe competing in 15 rounds between '92-99, has represented Canada at the TdN multiple times, competed in the US NATC and has 5 podiums in the Canadian National Championships.

More recently though, he has been a driving force in bringing trials to an area of Canada that you normally wouldn't expect: the flat lands of Saskatchewan province.

In addition to that, the Saskatchewan Flatland Trials Association have hosted Canadian Nationals and Derek is now on the board of Directors for the CMA.

It's a great chat and also follows on nicely from Episode 32 with our other Canadian guest Christy Williams Richards.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Derek Thomas.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/saskflatlandtrials

Episode 32: Christy Williams Richards: https://trials.com.au/news/ep-32-christy-williams-richards-and-a-life-among-a-family-of-wierdos-5265

Episode 12: Don Murray: https://trials.com.au/news/ep-12-don-murray-the-self-confessed-trials-tragic-5160

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Ross Noble is known for his comedy, but his not so secret love affair with motorcycles has seen him undertake some of the most amazing adventures on a motorcycle.

His motorcycling resume includes: Romaniacs twice, SSDT, 24hr Dusk Till Dawn multiple times, Roof Of Africa, Frozen Lake Riding, A few non-competitive laps of the TT circuit, 26,000k trip around Australia, Stairway to Devon adventure bike, and has ridden across Africa.

It was always going to be fun talking to Ross...but could I get the questions in I was hoping to ask?

Listen in to hear all about Ross' motorcycling origin story, how it became a passion for adventure, and his highlights from all those achievements.

Links:

Dawn to Dusk: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8F2lXicdXkU

Welsh 2 Day Enduro: https://www.welsh2dayenduro.com/

Ross Noble training with Dougie Lampkin: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pxeOyCgt1E

Ross Noble: Off Road (SSDT TV show): https://dave.uktv.co.uk/shows/ross-noble-off-road/

Stairway to Devon: https://player.vimeo.com/video/233687092

James O'Brien Full Disclosure Podcast: https://www.lbc.co.uk/radio/podcasts/full-disclosure-james-obrien/comedian-ross-noble-speaks-to-james/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Danny Butler achieved a world ranking on Number 3 in bicycle trials, but in a twist from the usual story he actually started in moto trials and had a very promising start becoming the British Youth Champion and Cheshire Centre Champion. He then went on to bicycles trials around the time the UK were having the Foot & Mouth outbreak and the ability to pursue trials was limited.

As you will hear, Danny doesn't come across as someone that does anything in half-measure and so once he found bicycle trials he became the First British rider to make it into a UCI World Cup final, and 5 x Men’s elite British champion as well as achieving a World #3 ranking.

So extreme was Danny's training that he had a serious injury from all the effort exerted by his body that is results in surgery that only gave him a 50% chance of being able to ride again.

We discuss how Danny overcame this adversity and pivoted from competitive trials to building a significant business: The Extreme Mountain Bike Show which saw him have hundreds of booking a year and working along side Diversity (the dance crew who were winners of Britain's got talent).

And when that was stopped in it's tracks due to Covid we chat about how Danny refocused to start TrialTube...a TopGear-esq YouTube channel focused on reviewing trials bikes plus a whole heap more to come.

This was a long one so I ended up making this a two-part episode again. I hope you enjoy Part 1 of my chat with Danny Butler.

Links:

http://extrememountainbikeshow.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/c/TrialTube 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/tim-coleman

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we are chatting with Bernie Schreiber.

This is part 2 of a 2 part conversation with the 1979 world champion, 4 time NATC champion, 1982 SSDT winner and an AMA Hall of Fame inductee.

For those of you that missed the last episode, I encourage you to go back and listen to episode 67 where we chat with Bernie about his trials journey, his career and its highlights followed by his post trials career in sport marketing.

We also discuss how Bernie left trials pretty much cold turkey and went onto a very successful career in sport marketing. Remaining in Europe, Bernie worked with a number of major watch brands where he helped broker a range of sponsorship agreements with an array of sporting codes including everything from the Australian Football League, to Golf, to the UCI and timekeeping for mountain bike racing.

I mention Bernie credentials again as it really makes this, part 2 of our chat, all the more relevant.

If you are in the business of trials, or care about the grass roots, or are in the upper echelons of administering our sport  I implore you to listen to this episode and adopt the suggestions made.

When I was preparing for this interview, Bernie he mentioned he had done some research and due diligence around the sport of trials since coming back into the trial family a few years ago. An he observed some danger signs that, if un-addressed, risked compromising the long term health and sustainability of our sport.

Just to set the scene, Spanish manufacturers alone in the late 70's and early 80's were collectively selling 40,000 units a year and that was in a time when the big four Japanese manufacturers all had a trials bike model for sale as well. Although they didn't disclose the total volume of trials bikes sold, the Spanish bike numbers are nothing like that today and there are not the presence of the big four any more with the exception of Montessa Honda.

So it's fair to say more people were familiar with trials as a sport and more people owned trials bikes. Trials has gone from verging on the mainstream, with bikes on display at most dealers, to niche discipline today.

In this chat we leverage Bernie's background in sport marketing, and get his comments about the health of trials, a reflection on the drivers behind a declines sales, spectators and particiaption over the years and what we need to do to reclaim some of the former glory trials as motorcycle discipline used to have.

We reflect on why golf has had enduring success with very little rule changes over the years, and why trials with it's constant tweaks and changes has struggled. This includes the degree of difficultly needed to challenge our top riders today, and the economic impacts of having minders.

We discuss a roadmap for the future, and how we need to combine the grass-roots/bottom up promotion of our sport with top-down marketing and promotion to shift the focus towards safety, family, and environmentally friendly fun.

With Bernie's credentials in the sport of trials, and his background in sports marketing I genuinely hope these insights carry the gravitas needed to shape the direction of trials going forward and are adopted by our various governing bodies. In today's age with a concerns around safety, environmental impact, and fun there is no reason trials should be motorcycling's best kept secret. It should, if anything, be one of the foundational steps into other forms of motorcycling and a pathway to enduro, adventure riding etc rather than the other way around.

I hope you enjoy part 2 of my chat with Bernie Schreiber.

Sponsors:

• S3
• Forma
• Airoh

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we are flying high with the Birdman. Sean Bird is Canada's current champion also does a lot of freestyle work with shows and previous work with the Marvel Universe live & Freestyle Kings.

We chat with Sean about where it all started, and he opens up about the pitfalls of going up a grade before you were really ready.

Sean then had a break from the sport while he focused on his career, but as so often is the story we hear about how he came back and the generosity of a rider to simply give him his bike to ride to help Sean recapture the bug.

Since then Sean has been busy evolving into a freestyle rider and shows with former guest Sam King under Sams company Ride the Vibe, travelled to China for work with Freestyle Kinds and as mentioned the Marvel universe Live before COVID shut it down.

It was a treat to speak with Sam, and here about his plans for the TdN and the year ahead and how he balances training for events vs freestyle shows.

Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with the Canadian Champ: Sean Bird.

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

This podcast isn't just about the riders. Today we are chatting to Colin Bullock who is literally the man behind the camera.

Colin has been around trials for decades, but most of it been behind camera. In this interview we try to understand why and where his passion for trials came about.

We discuss his respect and admiration for the riders who make it all looks so effortless but why he prefers being behind the camera.

We also explore how he got started in photography, then later videography and discuss his highlights including Training DVDs, SSDT footage, and even his early days photography Barry Sheene at Mallory Park.

We find out what makes a good trials photograph and over on the Trials Australia Facebook Community are a sample of Colin's personal favourites photos for your to browse.

Also we switch up our usual questions and take a more photography specific approach.

Ladies and gentleman I present to you my chat with Colin Bullock.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

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

This was a real treat to have such a lengthy chat with Graham Jarvis. We caught up with Graham a couple of weeks ago while he is currently recovering from a knee injury that has currently seen him off the bike for an extended period of time.

Graham is someone who I have wanted to interview for a while now, as his ability in enduro are clear for everyone to see. Most people know Graham comes from a trials background so I was keen to explore those early days which are meaningful achievements in their own right, it's just that they have been somewhat dwarfed by his career 2.0 in hard enduro.

We discuss the transition from trials to enduro and what advice he would give to aspiring riders and reflect on his many achievements in the enduro world as a multiple winner of the Red Bull Romaniacs, Ezberg, and Sea to Sky as well as Hells Gate.

We look at the approach to events and how that differs between the two disciplines.

We round it out with a chat about what is next for Graham and discuss his Race Team, Clothing Line, Signature Tours and training programs.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Graham Jarvis.

Link to Jitsie Scott Trial 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

Danny Butler achieved a world ranking on Number 3 in bicycle trials, but in a twist from the usual story he actually started in moto trials and had a very promising start becoming the British Youth Champion and Cheshire Centre Champion. He then went on to bicycles trials around the time the UK were having the Foot & Mouth outbreak and the ability to pursue trials was limited.

As you will hear, Danny doesn't come across as someone that does anything in half-measure and so once he found bicycle trials he became the First British rider to make it into a UCI World Cup final, and 5 x Men’s elite British champion as well as achieving a World #3 ranking.

So extreme was Danny's training that he had a serious injury from all the effort exerted by his body that is results in surgery that only gave him a 50% chance of being able to ride again.

We discuss how Danny overcame this adversity and pivoted from competitive trials to building a significant business: The Extreme Mountain Bike Show which saw him have hundreds of booking a year and working along side Diversity (the dance crew who were winners of Britain's got talent).

And when that was stopped in it's tracks due to Covid we chat about how Danny refocused to start TrialTube...a TopGear-esq YouTube channel focused on reviewing trials bikes plus a whole heap more to come.

This was a long one so I ended up making this a two-part episode again. I hope you enjoy Part 1 of my chat with Danny Butler.

Links:

http://extrememountainbikeshow.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/c/TrialTube 

https://www.gofundme.com/f/tim-coleman

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This weeks guest is Jon Berlin. Jon us unlikely to be known to many of you but this is great story so stay tuned.

We recently learnt of Jon's accomplishments after an article in the San Francisco Chronicle highlighting his herculean efforts to support the bush-fire response in what was know as the Glass fires.

The Glass fires started on September 27, 2020, at 3:48 AM (PDT) from an undetermined cause and was active for 23 days.

The Glass Fire was fully contained on October 20, 2020, after burning over 67,484 acres and destroying 1,555 structures, including 308 homes and 343 commercial buildings in Napa County, as well as 334 homes in Sonoma County.

Jon military training helped, and you will hear how he was able to support the California Fire response efforts through a combination of familiarity with the terrain BUT even more relevant the ability to traverse the countryside on a trials bike which saved precious times, and allow him to get places where traditional fire response could not or would take too long.

As you will also hear, Jon's support was also to his local community and neighbors that were starved of up to date information about the state of their properties.

John has only been riding trials about 7 years, but since that time he has bitten the bug completely and has put 270 hours on his bike in 6 months, probably another 60 more during the fire response, and has now locked his annual pilgrimage to the SSDT is now a lock in his calendar each year having done them since 2016.

I've linked through to the San Francisco Chronicle article in the show notes...definitely worth a read.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Jon Berlin.

Links:

Article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/wine/article/This-winemaker-rode-around-Napa-Valley-on-a-stunt-15629242.php

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Something a little different this week. Rather than focus on the riders we are focusing on the role of a minder.

We've got two of the best in the business, who themselves are very accomplished riders.

Jiří Svoboda is the minder for James Dabill who is competing a the top flight of the world Trial GP.

Daniel Fenton has done minding for Chris Bayles one of Australia's top riders, including at a few world rounds and also minded for the Australian mens and women's TdN team.

As you will hear in this conversation, there are quite a lot of variables that minders need to deal with.

The role requires skills, but it's more than just the technical skills. As well as being their in a technical capacity to help the riders with there wheel placement, manage time within a section and catch the bike if they fall....There are equal parts psychologist in managing rider emotions and sensing the observers demeanor as well as a part time mechanic just to top it off.

We also have a lengthy discussion about the rules that apply to minders. It's fair to say there are a few, and they vary depending on the championship you ride in. In addition to that, some are applied more stringently and there are others that are rarely enforced which can make it very tricky when the minders mistake can have a negative consequence on the riders score.

Despite this, we do discuss the fulfillment these gentlemen get from the role and how critically important it is to the sport.

I hope you enjoy this minders special edition.

Link:

Jiri: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WoU5e0xihds&feature=youtu.be

That Japan crash: https://www.facebook.com/jitsietrials/videos/10153635380236267/

Jules Huguenin is a former French Junior Team rider, who competed in the 125cc class of the world championship during his youth. Although he never pursued a career as a trials rider he remained connected with the sport when work took him to Paris and even went of to the UK to do the Scott Trial. He fills us in on the French Classic championship which is similar to the road nationals in the UK, and the we discuss his move to New Zealand.

Jules is now running Trials schools up and down the country and is active in Pioneer Motorcycle club.

Despite his short time in NZ he's been on the Podium a number of times in the NZ Trial Championship.

Honestly, I had a thoroughly awesome conversation with Jules, and it's made me even more keen to get across to NZ for some trials when travel restrictions lift.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Jules.

Links:

https://www.facebook.com/NZ-Trial-School-439341533285422

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we are talking with Dan Thorpe. Dan holds the record for the most win in the ACU S3 Parts Nationals, having won 148 of them. Yes, you heard correctly, 148.

Despite consistently winning, Dan has also been consistently riding Gas Gas for the John Shirt Gas Gas UK team for the last 21 years.

What I really loved about this conversation was how level headed Dan was and how down to earth his approach to trials remains.

Among Dan's many talents is his annual commentary on the Scottish Six Day DVD's which has then led into his own Training DVD which we discuss in this chat.

After each interview with a guest I ask them to suggest who else they would recommend I chat with. Despite this only being our 19th episode, I've had multiple requests from people to reach out to Dan and you will get a sense of why as you listen to this.

I'm truly grateful to have been able to spend and hour chatting Dan...I hope you enjoy.

Dan would like to thank his sponsors:

Gas Gas UK: http://www.gasgasuk.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

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

Today I am chatting with three very talented people: Dan Hemingway and his two boys Harry & George. The Hemingways have all been mentioned heaps on the podcast thus far. Dan spent years chasing the British, European and World Trials Championships alongside his brother Ben and Cousin Dougie Lampkin before departing onto a 10 year career in Hard Enduro.

We remeniss with Dan on, as he describes it, some of the best times his life travelling the world in his Mercedes Sprinter van for the sport he passionate about. We talk about how he went from Trials to Hard Enduro inlcuding being only 1 of 9 people to finish Erzberg, but also the impacts injuries took on his career.

Now, as Dan's boys Harry & George are coming of age, they too have shown some real talent in trials having already won British Youth Championships and now the three of them are making an attack on the British, European and World Championships.

We talk about the boys accomplishments so far (there are a few), and their ambition for their careers.

I thoroughly enjoyed this one and I had have heaps of listener requests to get these guys on the podcast, so I suspect a lot of you will like this one as well.

I hope you enjoy my chat with the Hemingway's.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

Today we speak with John Hulme. John would be most well known today among the trials family for being the English arm of Trial Magazine and the creator of Classic Trial Magazine.

In part 1 we talk with John about his background in the sport and how he spent his early years rubbing shoulders with the who's who of trials.

We talk about John entire family were completely immersed in the sport and how he was encouraged early on to maintain his bikes by his Father.

We take a chronological journey through John's early years in the sport and touch on his career choices as well during this time.

What comes through strongly at this point is that John became connected with a number of people that would ultimately help him start trial magazine, without necessarily realising it.

In part 2, we talk more about the formation of the magazine and what the realities are of getting a print publication going. We circle back to the grow of classic trials as well.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you part 1 of my 2 part chat with John Hulme.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Phil Whittle is a significant figure in Trials. He's been the TdN team manager for the last 10 years, but its so much more than that: He's a Gas Gas & TRS dealer, he's the man behind GRO oils Australia and President of TCV.

What is obvious from meeting Phil is his passion for the sport and his drive to grow it. The Whittle clan are doing there bit as well as the entire family are also immersed in the sport.

We are a bit light on for international news this week, so it's all domestic.

News:

An updated version of the NSW calendar is out on the 20th Feb

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-nsw-trial-calendar-take-3-5091

A combined 4 club calendar for QLD is out:

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-brings-a-new-era-to-trials-in-queensland-5095

Western Districts Trials Club is pleased to announce our Come & Try Trials Day

https://trials.com.au/news/wdtc--come-and-try-trials-day-5137

Entries are now open for the Western Districts Trials Club event

https://trials.com.au/news/ipswich-muffler-and-mechanical-shop-wdtc-midweek-club-trial-5138

Logan River Club Day

https://trials.com.au/news/logan-river--coaching-practice-have-a-go-5140

OMCC results from their first Club Ground Trial is now out

https://trials.com.au/news/omcc-club-grounds-trial-1-results-5098

OMCC Club Grounds Trial Round 2

https://trials.com.au/news/omcc-club-grounds-trial-round-2-and-glenmaggie-news-5139

Please send any feedback to podcast@trials.com.au

Neil Price is a recording breaking 14 times WA state champ and the driving force behind X-Trial Australia. He has been riding at the upper echelon of trials in Australia for over 20 years and has achieved multiple podiums in the Australian Titles.

In this long and wide ranging conversation we discuss his time in Europe, his coaching, Bali dirt bike tours, the Moto Dynamics business. We also agreed that as X Trials gets closer we will support it with more content on this podcast; and there are also plans to expand it to Melbourne as well!

 https://www.ausxtrial.com.au/

www.motod.com.au

https://www.facebook.com/mindonmatter/

News:

Electric Motion team welcomes Loris Gubian

https://trials.com.au/news/electric-motion-team-welcomes-loris-gubian-5089

Vertigo have released new Vertical R2 2020

http://vertigomotors.com/en/new-vertical-r2-2020/

British first round of the S3 British National Championship was held on the 16th Feb

https://www.northberksmcc.com/results

BVM VLOG #84 - Not Another Storm!

Bilbao X-Trial

Results: https://www.x-trial.com/en/news/bou-makes-it-five-in-bilbao

Highlights: X-TRIAL BILBAO 2020 - HIGHLIGHTS

TMTC Mole Creek Round 1:

Photos: https://www.facebook.com/alockhartphotography/

Results: http://www.tastrials.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2020/02/Round-1-Mole-Creek-Full.pdf

Remember to subscribe via your favourite podcast player. A very high percentage of listeners are listing via the player embedded on the trials.com.au pages which is great, however for some this may mean you are anchored to your PC. You can just as easily subscribe via your favourite podcast application on your phone and all new episodes with be automatically delivered whenever they are released. If you open the website from trials.com.au on your phone you will have options to subscribe directly from the player embedded there.

Please send any feedback to podcast@trials.com.au

Tim Coleman is one of Australia's most accomplished off road riders.

Despite never clinching an Australian Outdoor title, everyone knows that Tim is one of Australia's best trials riders.

More recently Tim has pivoted to Hard Enduro mixing it with the worlds best riders.

In this chat we talk about Tim's history in trials, his balance between his Hard Enduro commitments and his coaching business and even his stunt riding for Hugh Jackman on the Wolverine movie.

This was recorded at Tim's property in Glenmaggie Victoria, as part of a day of coaching I did with Tim. I'll include links in the show notes to images from this magical place, and anyone who gets to the opportunity to visit should definitely do it. It's no surprise when as place like this is essentially your back yard you ride as well as Tim does.

I haven't had an opportunity to do many face to face interviews lately due to COVID-19 Lockdown, which has only gotten more severe. This was recorded in early July prior to the more recent strict lockdown.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Tim.

Links:

https://www.timcolemanx.com/

https://www.timcolemanx.com/tcmedia/offroad-facility-at-glenmaggie

https://www.facebook.com/tctrickz/posts/2959687834130545

Sponsors:

Sherco

Golden Tyre Australia

Zac Speed International

Alpinestar

Mad-Mex

Tracs health and fitness

Chad's off-road

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we speak with Paul Arnott, the man behind The Hell Team. Having spoken to Paul about this interview a long while back it was good to finally get around to do it. Paul was our first sponsor for this podcast and had absolutely no hesitation in signing up.

I've dealt with Paul a bit as a consumer from the Hell Team but pretty much everyone in trials I know has dealt with him as well.

We hear about how the Hell Team got started, and the various false starts with being importing thanks to brands not surviving of events life the GFC.

We discuss the hectic life of an importer when you are running world rounds and the crazy story of using a catering oven to do a main bearing when you are out supporting international riders far away from your workshop.

We talk through the people Paul has met along the way and the relationships he has built over time and how those relationships have paid dividends when needed.

I'd also like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the riders Paul has sponsored and supported along the way, in particular helping with Aussie riders when travelling to Europe...I know it means a lot.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Paul Arnott.

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

A quick audio montage from the OMCC club trial held Sunday 16th Feb.

Do you like it? Please send feedback to: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we are chatting with James Dabill.

James recently announced his retirement and so it was an opportune time to get him on the podcast and discuss it.

James has had an outstanding career over 17 years, and is the most successful British rider of his generation. His career achievements include:

• 8 x British Championships
• 3 x Scottish Six Day victories
• 4 x Scott Trials victories

James also hints at what is next in his journey as he looks to do 'something' with Enduro bikes.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

In this two part interview we meet David Knight (MBE), the enduro legend. David has won almost everything in enduro however his motorcycling career started in Trials. In this episode we explore David's origin in motorcycling, discuss his ascent from Isle of Mann trials to mainland UK, and how his yardstick for success went from his Dad to his Brother and ended up competing with the likes Graham Jarvis and Dougie Lampkin.

David was so generous with his time we need to break this interview into two parts.

Part 2 will be released next week.

There is a little but of poor audio from about 16 mins until about 19mins but after that it clears up and is fine for the rest of the recording.

Links:

Rider profile: http://knighter.net/rider-profile/

Tours: http://knighter.net/tours/

Training: http://knighter.net/training/

This episode I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Geoff Aaron. Geoff would be known to most of our US listeners where he is credited for taking trials into the mainstream.

Geoff does things slightly differently as you will hear in the interview and is always keen to explore and push in different directions to see what works.

 Geoff's riding achievements are unquestionable:

10x AMA champ. First AMA Trials win 1990. Last win 2006. 73 career wins.

15x TDN

2 career Endurocross wins, Erzberg, Romaniacs, LMS, Xgames

Beyond riding, he has been a Redbull sponsored athlete, produced DVD's and run trials demo's & shows under his business Extreme Riding Entertainment (ERE).

Later in Geoff's career he also became an event promoter, with his recent achievement of the Californian Trial Invitational also getting TV coverage

He's worked with Gas Gas in the US for years, and more recently under KTM Group ownership he has taken responsibility for their off-road competition program across GNCC enduro and Trials.

And for Geoff trials is also a family affair with his wife a former champion and his kids now competing in US nationals as well.

It was refreshing to be able to chat with someone who has fingers in so many pie's and is working in our industry from multiple angles.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Geoff Aaron.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

It's great to see the world emerging from lock down, with those that are able out riding their trials bikes. As we get more certainty around competitions resuming we reintroduce the news segment at the beginning of the podcast, but for now we will just focus on the interviews.

This episode we chat with British rider Billy Green.

Billy won the 125cc WTC in 2018 after a sensational 8 British junior national championships (yes, 8!).

We discuss his progression through the sport, and how he continued to surprise himself with his achievements.

Billy's big break through came when he was encouraged to enter his home round of the WTC in Tong, UK where his finished on the podium in his first outing.

Since winning the 125cc class, Billy has gone on to the trial 2 competition in the WTC.

Sponsors:

#rgtrialteam

@montesa_trial

@hondaukmotorcycles

#southernfilters

@seymourhorwell

@s3parts.official

@gaerneofficial

@hebo.factory

@michelinmotorcycle

@motorex_powersport

@stblazeymx

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Kyle Middleton is the most successful rider in Australia. He has won the mens open solo australian championships each year for the last 7 years. He's represented his country at the Trials Des Nations including when Australia won the 2017 international class. He's not only ridden in but scored championship points in World Trials Championship rounds.

News:

Spanish Trial Championships:

Jorge Casales won the first round of the Spanish Trial Championship in Lleida, Spain (2 hours west of Barcelona). It was his maiden victory in the Spanish trial championship and an excellent result that comes just one week after the Spaniard's best ever X-Trial performance which was a third place at round four in Barcelona.

Results:

Jorge Casales on 15 penalties

Adam Raga on 23

Jeroni Fajardo on 42

https://www.trialworld.es/jorge-casales-empieza-mandando-campeonato-espana-2020/

Jaime Busto withdraws from Saturday's X-Trial Bilbao as a result of a ligament injury.

Busto’s absence creates an opportunity for Miquel Gelabert who will replace his spot.

https://www.x-trial.com/en/news/gelabert-replaces-injured-busto-in-bilbao

OMCC first trial of the year this weekend

http://www.oakleighmcc.com/2020/02/club-grounds-trial-this-sunday-16th/

AJS & Pathfinders clubs of WA have released their 2020 calendar:

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-western-australiaajs-trials-calendar-5079

https://www.facebook.com/163488080346116/posts/3232082173486676/

TdN applications are open

https://www.facebook.com/204879220021180/posts/774657769709986/

OSET coaching day at Pacific Park:

https://trials.com.au/news/oset-trial-coaching-day-with-richard-kent-at-pacific-park-23rd-feb-2020-5081

Trials Club of Canberra Calendar:

https://trials.com.au/news/trials-club-of-canberra--2020-calendar-5082

Drill of the week:

Nose wheelies and hoping the rear tyre.

Links: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1iZCGzDkNM

Image courtesy of Australian Broadcasting Corporation abc.net.au

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

Becky Cook has had a full and impressive trials career before transitioning to MTB. She has had enormous success as the British Trials Champion winning it 9 times between 2004 and 2013. She was European champion in 2012, represented her country at the TdN, winning the event 7 times.

Becky came agonisingly close at the World Trial Championship with 32 podiums and 3 wins which got her to runner up in the championship on 4 occasions.

We chat with Becky about growing up on the Isle of Wight, how she threw herself into challenges and reflect on some of the best moments of her career. We discuss he observations from a MTB perspective in terms of the different approach to promotion, and get some advice on how we can attract more female talent to our sport.

Becky was kind enough to reschedule this interview after our first attempt was beset with technical challenges and I really do appreciate her flexibility.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Becky Cook.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Karl Davis Jr is one of the top 3 riders in the USA, and has represented his country at the TdN.

That is normally an impressive feat it's actually not the most interesting part of this chat. As you will hear, Karl has spent the last few years pre covid dressing up as Marvel superheros and riding bikes as his job when he was touring with the Marvel Universe Live.

He also tells us about how he managed to resume trials riding while on tour and how he is taking his ambassadorial role in the sport seriously. We also hear about that 1 point difference to Alexander Niederer in the 2019 NATC championship the decided 2nd & 3rd position.

We get to hear about Karl's nomadic life and how he weaves trials around the USA into his current travels including training clinics on an as needed basis.

Karl also has recently switched to Vertigo after a long stint with Ryan Young Products as a Scorpa and previously a Sherco rider so we get to chatting about that as well.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Karl Davis Jr.

Links:

https://vertigomotorsusa.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

We have something a little different for you this week. Vanessa Ruck is the person behind the Girl on a Bike blog. As you will hear in the fascinating and inspiring story is how Vanessa has used motorcycling as a target to help her recover from some quit debilitating injuries.  

After having a bicycle accident in March 2014 Vanessa has since been on a roller coaster with a 6.5 year recovery seeing 7 surgeries and two reconstructed body parts. 

Throughout this time, Vanessa discovered motorcycles. Starting with cruising but rapidly ramping up to adventure, hard enduro and now...of particular interest to us...trials!.

We will hear how Vanessa used motorcycling as a goal to help her with her recovery and how she went from her first bike to the N+1 approach to bikes!

 Links:

https://thegirlonabike.com/

https://www.youtube.com/c/TheGirlOnABike/videos

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

It took a while, but we got our first Kiwi on the podcast.

Warren Laugesen was a great person to chat with about all things trials in NZ as well as his own personal history in the sport.

And what a history it is; starting from age 13 Warren was steered towards trials (over motocross) and he never looked back. Having ridden extensively in Australia he then spent 3 years in the 90's over in the UK riding in British Nationals, Centre Trials and then European Championship and ended up riding for the Beta team.

Warren even managed to throw in a SSDT & a few world rounds.

What is interesting to discuss was this trend of needing to do an apprenticeship in Europe before tasting domestic success in NZ.

We also hear about the coaching he has done to help drive the sport forward.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Warren.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we get back to visit our Canadian friends on the podcast. We are chatting to two time Canadian Champ Jonathan English.

Jonathan was also representing Canada at the TdN last weekend in Portugal as he has done a few time now.

We had a really good chat about how Jonathan found trials and how he is supporting the Ontario and Thunder Bay trial scene.

We discuss his job as an Airline Pilot and how there were some trials gaps as result of getting established in his career, but then also reflect on the benefits which have allowed him to travel for his sport.

Jonathan did the SSDT twice and takes us through his experiences, as well as when travelling with his family as a spectator and how he helped salvage former guest Derek Thomas' SSDT.

Jonathan is now doing a bit of coaching and we reflect on the finer points of teaching others.

Jonathan was an absolute pleasure to interview and I'm really glad I got an opportunity to hear his story.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Jonathan English.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Gael Chatagno is the current leader in the Trial E class at the world trials championship. This is on the back of an amazing tussle with Albert Cabestany last year winning, to his surprise, the first two rounds and coming 2nd overall in the championship.

We also discuss his journey getting there including his start in the sport, and his promising early results which got him into the French Youth Federation.

Gael rode in the Trial 2 class before moving to the Trial E Class, and so we discuss the competitiveness of the current Trial 2 class and what is has been like with the transition from Petrol to Electric bikes.

People considering electric bikes are often curious so we've done our best to myth bust and ask as many questions as we could. We even hear about EM's plans for a rider to do the SSDT.

We also get a sense of the rigor required to be a modern trials rider, ensuring there is a balance of physical fitness off the bike, bike prep as well as the obligatory training time on the bike.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Gael Chatagno.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we have two seriously talented individuals. Jack & Dan Peace are brothers, who should be well know to our British listeners. These guys both have very impressive CV's.

We are sticking with the twice weekly release schedule while everyone remains in lockdown.

Dan & Jack would like to thank their sponsors:

Malcolm Rathmell Sport: https://www.mrsltd.co.uk/

Road and Trials: https://www.roadandtrials.co.uk/

Ian Brown Tyres: https://ianbrowntyres.co.uk/

Sherco Factory: https://www.sherco.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Mike Rapley has been a servant of our sport even before he was a rider; observing trials as a young lad before making the progression to his first trial in 1963. Since then, Mike has always been on either two or three wheels.

Mike is probably well known to our UK audience, but for the rest he's been a long time servant of his club helping run local & national events. He's spent years as a journalist, most notably working for Trials & Motocross News in the UK which afforded him the opportunity to be regularly working in the sport he was most passionate about. He spent some time riding Sidecars and Enduros but he has come back to the sport of trials and is still regularly competing to this day.

Despite the years, he remains as passionate about the sport as his first day. Mike's unique perspective also gives us an angle to reflect on the changes over the years. It was a long one, so I've decided to split it across two episodes.

I hope you enjoy Part 1 of my chat with Rapers!

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

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

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

This episode is a special edition recorded from our bunker. The news segment is cancelled this week in sympathy with all the trials events that have been cancelled as well...it's frankly all bit depressing.

A bit of positive news however is that the podcast is full steam ahead. We have the ability to record all our interviews remotely and there are a whole lot of people with more time on our hands. We have a few interviews already queued up ready to release and with plenty more in the way.

That said this maybe a great time to get those bike maintenance tasks completed. Be sure to reach out to your local trials dealers:

In the UK there is obviously BVM moto and we had Gareth Talbot on the podcast last week. Locally in Australia, the Hell Team, TrialsBike.com.au and MotoDynamics are still processing online orders but in any case reach out to your local dealer.

https://bvm-moto.co.uk/

https://www.thehellteam.com/

https://www.trialsbike.com.au/

https://www.motod.com.au/

https://www.facebook.com/mindonmatter/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

We are continuing our chat with Mike Rapley on this episode. Mike has been a servant of our sport even before he was a rider; observing trials as a young lad before making the progression to his first trial in 1963. Since then, Mike has always been on either two or three wheels.

In Part 1 we discussed Mike's background where he's been a long time servant of his club helping run local & national events; He's spent years as a journalist, most notably working for Trials & Motocross News in the UK which afforded him the opportunity to be regularly working in the sport he was most passionate about. He spent some time riding Sidecars and Enduros but he has come back to the sport of trials and is still regularly competing to this day.

In part two we go on to discuss some of Mike's thoughts on the changes in our sport over the 58 years he's been involved. We discuss the current state of grass-roots trials vs the top flight of our sport at Trial GP. We also discuss the changes modern machines has delivered and although and if they are helping your everyday rider with the basics and throttle control?

This part of our catchup was much more of a conversation than an interview which was really refreshing. I thoroughly enjoyed my conversation with Mike and I hope you do as well.

I give you Part 2 of my chat with Rapers!

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Well here we are! Episode 50...feels like a bit of a milestone, and as such we've lined up a milestone guest for you. 

To be honest, I wasn't sure when I started this podcast where it would go, but it very proud of getting to 50 and all the great conversations we've had with members of our sport. Thank you to all our past, present and future guests but most of all thank you to our listeners. You emails and messages with suggestions and general support have been very much appreciated...so thank you to you as well.

This week we are speaking with Albert Cabestany.

How is this for a resume:

306 TrialGP events, 84 podiums including one on his final TrialGP event, 9 wins

127 Indoor Trials, 90 podiums, 18 wins, 1 championship

Twice TrialE Champion

27 times on the Spanish TdN team across outdoor and indoor

Further, Alberts name should be familiar to anyone who has owned a Sherco in the last decade, with his name etched onto the factory edition trials bikes up until 2018.

Despite his success over his 23 year career, the thing that struck me was how much re remains a student of the sport and very process driven rather than rely on natural talent.

Albert reflects on the fun and enjoyment of being a trials rider over 23 years but we also get an insight into the top flight competition pressure and variables can turn something that should be fun, like riding a trials bike, can become a chore - living on the edge of offside (it will make more sense when you listen).

We talk about his transition to Beta for his final year as a rider in TrialGP staving off a premature retirement from TrialGP.

We also get a scoop on Alberts next phase of his career as he leaves the Trial E class as a rider and how he has moved into a team manager capacity at Gas Gas and his observations of KTM taking over the Gas Gas brand.

I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with one of the most accomplished riders in our sport and I hope you do to.

Links:

https://www.gasgas.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This week we take a tour of trials from a South African point of view.

Brent le Riche is 15 times South African National Champion, but has ridden all over the world including Spain & the UK, the USA and even Australia.

Brent spent 2 years at the Trials Training Centre in Tennessee, where learnt the fine art of training trials riders. And also Brent runs a Trials show business at some of South Africa's premier sporting events, and has seen him demonstrate trials as far away as Pakistan.

We get the low down on the local scene in South Africa, and also some great tips from someone who has spent a bit training others.

Oh, and did I mention he's done the roof of Africa?

We hope you enjoy this chat with Brent Le Riche.

Sponsors:

Beta South Africa: http://www.trials.co.za/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we speak with Michael Lois. This is the amazing story of how a promising footballer suffered a life changing injury that turned his life upside down. Michael was the 2nd person in his class to commit to a college on a full football scholarship, which for the initiated, means he was pretty good and his talent was recognised early.

Only 5 days after committing and while still in high school Michael suffered a life changing injury which he was brave enough to discuss in some detail.

Michael was no stranger to bikes, but his passion was football however when this was taken away on a fateful September night he used the opportunity to pivot back to his early passion of two wheel and now more specifically trials thanks to some encouragement from his Dad.

Michaels uncle was a former trials rider and as you will hear he now live 5 mins from Pat Smage and makes use of the Smage compound for his training and event gets some training from the entire Smage family as well.

Michael spoke with great poise and was able to reflect on a very turbulent time but how he has come out the other side with a positive attitude and a strong competitive spirit continue progressing up the grades. He's even tried his hand at a Hard Enduro.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Michael Lois.

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

Following on from last episode, we continue our conversation with Jake Miller. Jake is like no other in the trials family. He has done it all: He's ridden, he's minded, been a mechanic, he run events, he's promoted the sport, he's even been the promoter of TrialGP series.

If you haven't listened to episode 76 which was part 1 of our chat I would encourage you to do so as it will provide a bit of background to make this conversation more meaningful.

In this episode we really focus in on Jake's time running and promoting the TrialGP and what his observations were.

We talk about how it came about in conjunction with the FIM, and the changes Jake and the team made to make the experience consistent across events, focused for a modern audience with introduction of qualifying designed to appeal to live social media broadcasts, and real time scoring updates.

Jake is clearly not the one to shy away from a challenge however when you take on large, ambitious projects there can be some bumps along the way.

The introduction of Qualifying caused the riders to protest however to their credit they did eventually come around. We also hear stories of farmers holding events organisers to ransom, and other shenanigans.

I hope you enjoy part two of my chat with Jake Miller.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

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

Ryan Young started competing in motorcycle trials at the age of 8.

By 16 he won his first State Championship.

The next year, Ryan won the AMA/NATC Sportsman class.

At 21, Ryan achieved one of his life goals by winning the top class in the AMA/NATC Championship, beginning what would be a record-breaking 6 consecutive championships (1988 – 1993), a record that still stands. In addition Ryan became a member of USA TdN team and continued on the team 8 consecutive years.

But maybe he is best known for the business he & Brad Baumert started: RYP or Ryan Young Products which is synonymous with trials in the USA.

What most don't know is that Ryan has left the RYP business earlier this year and it was a great opportunity to reflect on the accomplishments over the years and how they lifted the standard of trials through improving the professionalism of teams to training the next generation of riders.

I thoroughly enjoyed this chat with Ryan...and personally I learnt a lot from this one.

I hope you enjoy my chat with Ryan Young

Links:

Contact Ryan on: RyanYoungTrialsSchools@gmail.com

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we continue our conversation with the Irish champion Robert Crawford. He and I had such a great chat I have decided to split it across two episodes rather than cut it back.

In part 2 this week, we hear more details about Roberts career including some of the darker times when the passion for the sport evaporated.

We continue to discuss the differences in trials between the early 90's and now, plus we also talk about Robert's move to Montessa, Aprilia, Yamaha and then back to the Beta he started on in his final year.

This is also good opportunity to go back and listen to Episode 12 with Don Murray, who minded for Robert in his last year of competition.

We also discuss the work he is doing on rc-live.net which is his training and tours business. Links are in the show notes.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Robert Crawford.

Links: 

https://www.rc-live.net/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

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

This is the amazing story of how a passion in sport can drive you into business. With a bit of tongue in cheek, it is also somewhat a cautionary tale of not knowing when to quit. In all seriousness though, Brad Baumert has been a driving force (literally & figuratively) behind trials in the USA for a number of years. We hear about the origins of RYP (Ryan Young Products) which from humble beginnings became a quite serious business.

However success is measured in more than money, and the way previous guests have spoken about Brad tells you all you need to know about the calibre of the man and the impression he has left on so many.

Brad and Ryan through RYP made Sherco the envy of other manufacturers with the professionalism and market penetration in the US, illustrated by the fact that at a point in time, every rider in the USA pro class was on a Sherco!

Brad was instrumental in establishing training camps for youth riders that continue on to this day; he was a mechanic at the pits supporting his riders for years and years and bus driver shuttling his team across the country. Between all this, RYP wasn't the only company he had to run and he still had a family.

He was also proud of his riders achievements and reflects on the sporting success of team RYP; and the circular loop that appears to have begun with his former participants now leading the teen training camp.

It wasn't always smooth sailing...there were false starts in 05 with Sherco's enduro bikes, the closing of the Scorpa factory in 07 shortly after becoming the importers, there were sporting challenges, and the Global Financial Crisis which caused them to consider just winding up the business altogether.

Brad is so humble and was keen to make sure he reflected on all the others that helped him along the way. Now that he has left his involvement with RYP, Brad continues to give back with his work on the board of the AMA.

Even if Brad efforts were US focused, the sport of trials globally is better for his efforts by showing us what is possible.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Brad Baumert.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we continue our conversation with John Hulme. John would be most well known today among the trials family for being the English arm of Trial Magazine and the creator of Classic Trial Magazine.

In Ep 96 which was part 1 we talked with John about his background in the sport and how he spent his early years rubbing shoulders with the who's who of trials.

In part 2, we talk more about the formation of the magazine and what the realities are of getting a print publication going. We circle back to the grow of classic trials as well.

Without any further delay, Ladies & gentlemen, I give you part 2 of my 2 part chat with John Hulme.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Neil Hawker is a well credential guest having done quite a bit in trials as well as other disciplines.

Neil has done:

• 10 x SSDT
• Been on the Army trials team
• 3 x ISDE
• 24-hour dawn til dusk - winner overall
• Dakar rally
• Works at BMW Off-road Road school
• Done the British enduro championships 
• Works with Bikeworld.tv
• And previously worked with Dougie Lampkin, Alexz Wigg, Mike Brown, James Dabill and Jack Price at Goodwood and other events

As you will hear, Neil's first Dakar was cut short on day 5 due to injury but we recorded this in November 2020 as he was in the final stages of his second attempt and I publish today, he is currently sitting mid table around 4 hours behind the leaders after the first day of competition in the 2021 Dakar.

We go into a bit of the nitty-gritty around the practicalities of getting to Dakar.

There was heaps of name dropping as well in this episode.

I'd also like to take this opportunity to wish David Knight the best in his first Dakar attempt. David Knight was another guest on the podcast back on Episodes 25 & 26 and despite some significant disruption in his funding to get him across to Dakar, he has eventually made it.

Links:

https://www.neilhawker-offroad-riding.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Col Scott is the driving force behind Australia hosting rounds of the WTC in 2012 and 2014. In this episode we discover the audacious story of how one of the smallest trials clubs in the Australia put on the biggest (and the best) show. An otherwise northern hemisphere; European centric sport was transplanted in Maldon, Victoria in an ambitious attempt to give Australian's exposure to such amazing athletes.

Show Notes:

Vertigo Factory Team Announced

https://www.trialmaguk.com/2020-vertigo-factory-team/

S3 Parts Trials Championship Round 2

https://www.trialscentral.com/news-archive/uk-trials-news/21276-s3-parts-trials-championship-round-2

https://www.trialmaguk.com/s3-championship-standings/

North America National Trials Series begins on April 25-26, detailed event information now available

http://www.mototrials.com/6-2020-21-event-info/2020-mototrials-national-series-schedule-copy-20191101112814

Tassie Titles Occurring this weekend

Good luck to all riders and organisers

https://trials.com.au/tasmania/events/896/tassie-2-day-titles

STR Mardan Trial this weekend

Coaching on the Saturday and Trial on the Sunday.

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

Entries are open for the South Australian Mungeree East Trial

https://trials.com.au/news/entries-for-the-mungeree-easter-trial-are-now-open-5144

Trials Club of Victoria have a come and try day on the 29th March

https://trials.com.au/news/trials-club-of-victoria-come-and-try-day-5149

Logan River Junior Development Event

https://trials.com.au/news/junior-rider-development--logan-river-trials-club-5150

Oakleigh 2 club trial 15th March

https://trials.com.au/news/omcc-club-grounds-trial-round-2-and-glenmaggie-news-5139

Training with TdN rider Connor Hogan

https://trials.com.au/news/training-with-tdn-rider-connor-hogan--oakleigh-motorcycle-club-5152

Petrol vs Electric for kids

https://www.trialmaguk.com/petrol-vs-electric-motorcycles-which-one-is-best-for-children%e2%80%a8oset-vs-peewee-vs-ttr/

If you like this podcast remember to subscribe through your favourite podcast app and all future episodes will be delivered straight to your device.

Also, if you have feedback please reach out to podcast@trials.com.au

Well we are 80 episodes in and we are yet to have a robust discussion about the three-wheeled members of the trials family. Well that changes today. After a number of quests by listeners, we have curated a dedicated episode all about trials sidecars.

Now, to be fair, I am no authority on this topic so I used the first part of this discussion to educate myself (and hopefully some of the listeners as well) about all things sidecars.

We are speaking with three authorities on the topic from Australia:

The riding pair of Justin Gough & Maurice Blanchard who between them have won 15 Australia sidecar titles.

We are also joined by Sidecar pilot Mark Austin who competes regularly in the West Australian trials scene on his sidecar, and has even been over to the UK and ridden in events over there.

After we figure out the 'What", we then explore the "Why" and discuss the niche that is trials sidecars.

I really enjoyed this episode...it was a whole lot of fun, and even when we stopped recording I think we kept chatting for about another hour!

I hope you enjoy this Sidecar special with Mark, Justin & Maurice.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

We are back visiting our trials friends in the USA. This week we chat with NATC Pro rider Daniel Blanc-Gonnet. Daniel finished 4th in the 2019 in the USA NATC Pro class after being in a 3 way tie leading into the final round.

Daniel has represented the USA in the TdN multiple times, he has also done a SSDT in 2017.

Speaking with Daniel you get a real sense for the degree of professionalism at which he approaches his sport, but also how he tries to keep it fun...type 2 fun! It will make more sense as you listen.

More than just a rider, he wea rs with pride the badge of being the youngest organiser of a US National competition and he is involved in the committees that run trials in the USA across the NATC & AMA.

We did something a little different this episode and teamed up with Steph Vetterly the new editor of On The Pegs. On The Pegs is a US based digital online magazine dedicated to trials and enduro. Steph contributed a few of the questions for this episode which we very much appreciated and so I would like to thank her for that.

We hope you enjoy this chat with Daniel Blanc-Gonnet.

Sponsors:

Gas Gas USA: https://www.gasgas.com/en-us.html

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we chat with our first Canadian: Christy Williams Richards.

It's not exaggerating to say Christy has done it all in trials.

She's 11 time NATC women's champ, ridden in Europe, done the SSDT, is an event organiser, a coach, and now manager for the Sherco FactoryOne team.

Christy was destined for trials with her family history in the sport dating back to 1917.

In this chat we get a sense of Christy's background, what motivated her and her passion for the sport of trials.

Links:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?time_continue=271&v=bUg7DhHYqkg&feature=emb_logo

https://www.factoryonesherco.com/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Peter Goddard started out riding dirt track but for those who listened to Episode 41 with Trevor Bennett will recall the Goddard family had long be entwined with trials.

Peter is more famous for his exploits in road racing starting with domestic superbikes, before graduating to 500cc GP bikes in 1990 and mixing it with the worlds best. He then continued his career in world superbikes before working behinds the scenes with Ohlin's as a suspension technician.

Today Peter is now the Australian importer for OSET and we will hear about how the business has grown and is driving the popularity of trials among a generation of riders. We also talk a bout the impact COVID-19 is having on the motorcycle industry including OSET.

Peter has recently been appointed to President of Motorcycling Australia (Australia's governing body of motorcycle sports) and it's fantastic to hear about how positive Pete is about the discipline of trials and the prospect for growth, along with the tweaks MA are planning to mace the sport more accessible and modern.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Peter Goddard.

Links:

https://osetbikes.com/au/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Lillie Yiatrou is figuratively and literally a rising star of Trials in Australia. Beyond just competing in the upper echelon of female riders in Australia her progression to representing Australian at the Trials Des Nations in Ibiza as well as competing in three the World Trial Championship rounds throughout 2019 made her a deserving winner of the Motorcycling South Australia Rising Star award.

Despite her current injury setback, Lille has an eventful year planned again in 2020 which would take her back to Europe for more rounds out the World Trials Championship and would welcome the opportunity to represent Australia again at the TdN.

All of this, while balancing the rigours of high school!

Sorry, but time pressure mean that there was no drill of the week!

Toni Bou Clocks Up Thirteenth Barcelona X-Trial Victory:

https://www.trialscentral.com/news-archive/world-trials/world-indoor-trials-championship/21243-toni-bou-clocks-up-thirteenth-barcelona-x-trial-victory

Toni Bou not competing in the Spanish national trials championship to prioritize international competition:

https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=10159402474454502&id=49989519501

Vertigo Family Day:

http://vertigomotors.com/en/fantastic-vertigo-experience-day-2020/

2020 NSW Trials Calendar:

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-nsw-trial-calendar-5073

Tassie Titles (7th & 8th of March):

https://trials.com.au/news/2020-tasmanian-titles--7th-and-8th-march-5075

OMCC & STR Calendar (v3):

https://trials.com.au/news/oakleigh-mccs-and-str-calendar-5076

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

This week we are chatting with Grant Morris. Grant should be well know to our Australian listeners as he is multiple time West Australian state champion, and for a period also spent time riding on Australia's East Coast.

However what makes this chat with Grant have even more global appeal is Grant spent 10 years over in the UK based around Bury & Rochdale riding UK trials, including a total of 9 SSDT attempts which in his last one in 2009 gained him a long sought after First class award.

He also tells us of his time at the Scott trial, the chasing the Road National Series & event the French 4 day.

Grant also went on to a career in motorcycling first with Apico while in the UK and then KTM group when he returned to Australia. With KTMs recent acquisition of Gas Gas, Grant is now the unofficial DOT (Director of Trials) here in Australia.

I took this opportunity to asking him on his perspective of KTMs ambitions in the trials arena and did my best to get scoops on the plans for the Gas Gas trials bikes.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Grant Morris.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Gary Macdonald is one of Scotland's most accomplished riders.

He's competed in most of the SSDT since 2002, and almost all the times finished in the top 10. He was even the holder of the yellow plate at times which can be more pressure than some riders want.

On top of this, he's won numerous Scottish trials championships, and even flirted with Trials in Europe competing himself and also working with Graham Jarvis on his campaigns.

One of Gary's recent achievements has been to win the Pre 65 Scottish 2 day trials, which is unbelievably competitive as you will hear him describe. 

Although not currently actively riding trials as push bikes have become his more recent focus, Gary still makes an exception for the SSDT.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Gary Mac.

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

This episode we take a tour of trials from an Irish perspective. Robert Crawford is our guest this week; He and I had such a great chat I have decided to split it across two episodes rather than cut it back.

Robert is from Northern Ireland and his career includes a number of significant highlights:

7th in the World Trial Championship (overall)

2nd in the British Championship

Twice winner of the Scott Trial

Twice 2nd in the Scottish 6 Days Trial

Multi Irish Champion

Finalist in the Madrid Indoor Trial

Represented Great Britain (ACU) in the Trial Des Nations (World Team Trial) in 1990, 1991 & 1992

In these two episodes we take our time to reflect on the difference in trials between the early 90's and now, plus discuss his trials original story.

He reflects on some of the challenges facing Trials as a sport that need to be worked out, including the economics of competing that differ.

When Robert was riding there was one line and about 100 entrants in a world round. Now, there is significant fragmentation and multiple classes.

This is also good opportunity to go back and listen to Episode 12 with Don Murray, who minded for Robert in his last year of competition.

In Part 2 of this chat in the next episode we also have a very frank chat about Roberts reflection on his time in the sport and how he dealt with a period of his career where he lost the passion for the sport. We also discuss the work he is doing on rc-live.net which is his training and tours business. Links are in the show notes.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Robert Crawford.

Links: 

https://www.rc-live.net/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Amos Bilbao is a highly respected and familiar face amongst the trials family. He's had plenty of success himself, including a 17 year career in the world trials championship, competing in over 200 world trial championship events. He was the 1996 Spanish trial champion while competing as a privateer, won 3 world trials events, and was the 2002 SSDT winner.

Even as the shadows were falling on his riding career and was approached by Montessa to be a test rider 1999 to help bring the bikes on, he was upstaging his the teams factory riders by wining events.

Amos' career though his not defined solely by his personal riding achievements. For starters, He is credited by Andreu Codina as a significant figure in bringing on the development of the 1992 Gas Gas contact model bikes to be the competitive force they were in that era. But most tellingly, Amos gets a big mention in Dougie Lampkin's auto-biography; he is held in the highest regard as someone who was able to helped Dougie continue his success when he switched brands from Beta to Montessa through assisting with mechanics and bike development. But there was more, he was a mentor, he became an invaluable member of team Dougie and so highly regarded by Martin Lampkin (Dougie's Father) that he is considered one of the Family.

Amos has continued work with Montessa ever since, however his focus has shifted to developing customer bikes. Pretty much if you are a Montessa owner in the last 15 years, you have Amos to thank for thank for the bikes rideability.

Amos and I reflect on some of the differences with his approach to the sport that he credits as helping extend his career and provide enjoyment over a longer period of time when others may have been getting burnout and how he is still planning to ride SSDT when it returns.

I hope you enjoy this chat with on of the trials families finest: Amos Bilbao.

Link to fundraiser for El Trial de Espana: https://www.facebook.com/donate/234420481847935/1506665563046995/

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

Jake Miller is like no other in the trials family. He has done it all: He's ridden, he's minded, been a mechanic, he run events, he's promoted the sport, he's even been the promoter of TrialGP series.

Jake has a very unique perspective given this diversity which made for a really meaningful conversation about his background and his involvement in running the sport.

Jake takes us through the work he continues to do promoting Dougie Lampkin and then the associated work in conjunction with Red Bull including the Deansgate trial in Manchester and then the Wheelie Project where he played a significant role in the Dougie Lampkin wheelie around the Isle of Mann TT course.

Jake is clearly not the one to shy away from a challenge however when you take on large, ambitious projects there can be some bumps along the way. Jake takes us through the divisive decision to introduce Qualifying at TrialGP, and the drivers behind it, which caused the riders to protest. We also hear about famers holding organisers to ransom, and why buying the local constabulary can pay unexpected dividends.

There we a lot to get through so I've split this into two parts. First up in part 1 we discuss Jakes riding background, the formation of his promotion company G2F media, his work early work with the FIM to run British rounds of the TrialGP.

In part 2 next episode, we go into Jakes work with Sport7 that ran the TrialGP promotion and reflect on the importance for everyone involved with trials to support it's promotion.

I hope you enjoy this chat with Jake Miller.

Link to fundraiser for El Trial de Espana: https://www.facebook.com/donate/234420481847935/1506665563046995/

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: _davidgrice

Today we are speaking with Jordi Pascuet.

Jordi is no stranger to Australia having been here for Super Trial back in the mid-2000's, as well as for the FIM as part of his role at the Maldon WTC rounds.

Being our first Spaniard on the podcast, I indulged myself a little to try and understand why the Spanish are so strong in the sport but we actually covered so much ground in this chat.

Jordi is a:

Former world championship rider

TdN representative

Multiple SSDT competitor

4 time Spanish national champion

7 time indoor Spanish champion

Guinness world record holder

 As well as his riding achievements, Jordi was also fascinating to chat with as he has transitioned to a role post his riding career that still sees him heavily involved in the sport.

This interview was a little time in the making, but I consider it definitely worth the wait.

For those that are keen to get a bit of context about this chat, I'd also recommend going back to:

Episode 7: our chat with Kyle Middleton, and

Episode 2: our chat with Paul Bray

I hope you enjoy this chat with Jordi Pascuet

Link:

 https://pascuetoffroadcenter.com/en/welcome-pascuet-offroad-center

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

I am very excited that today we have 12 time world champion Dougie Lampkin on the podcast

Dougie shouldn't need much introduction to most of our listeners, but just in case you've forgotten how accomplished this man's career is here are some highlights:

• 12 x FIM Trial World Champion [7 x Outdoor / 5 x Indoor]
• 3 x FIM Trial des Nations [Team World Champions - GB] 
• 1 x European Trial Champion 
• 2 x Spanish Trial Champion
• 6 x British Trial Champion
• 2 x Scottish Six Days Trial - Overall Winner
• 6 x Scott Trial - Time + Observation - Winner
• 1 x Wheelie entire Isle of Man TT Course
• 1 x Ride complete BBC TV Centre
• 1 x Wheelie on Goodwood House roof 

Something you should know is that Jake, Dougie's Manager approached me in March 2020 shortly after we got started and suggested we get Dougie on and to be honest I was a little reluctant to accept. After all, I'd really on just started this podcast and hadn't honed my craft and was concerned I couldn't do and interview the a legend of our sport sufficient justice.

I hope the passage of time has helped make this a better interview.

We anchor this interview around three main pillars, Dougie's career including his red bull work, his role as the vertigo team manager, and finally as the importer and what ambitions he has for the brand in the UK.

I strongly encourage our listeners to get a copy of Trials and Error which is Dougie's autobiography. I'm personally not a big reader but I did enjoy it and it covers much more grounds that this podcast ever could.

This interview was requested by our listeners so if you like us to interview any people in particular please reach out via email to: podcast@trials.com.au

I hope you enjoy this chat with the champion, ambassador and legend: Dougie Lampkin

Links:

https://www.dougielampkin.co.uk/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Sam King should be known to a few of our Australian and Canadian listeners.

Sam rode juniors in Australia and got to quite a high level including a few trips as a junior over to Spain and the Juan Pons trials school.

Now day, Sam can be found in Golden in British Columbia Canada, where he runs his company Ride The Vibe which focuses on Trials and Enduro, training and tours. Sam is also regularly putting on trials demonstrations at county fairs and major events.

Further to this, Sam has also bitten the Hard Enduro bug and is banging bars with Cody Webb and Colton Haker.

Sam also has travelled to China with Freestyle Kings and Australian FMX crew to do demonstrations.

This is a real globe trotter of an interview. I hope you enjoy this chat with Sam.

Links:

https://ridethevibe.ca/

Sponsors:

Beta Canada

Salmon Arm GM

Strikt.ca

Outlaw Trials Sports

Murray Newman Suspension

Redline Motorsports

Blackfoot Motorsports

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Toby is an absolutely outstanding rider; he is at the pointy end of the Trial 2 competition and a justified member of the GB TdN team.

We couldn't talk to Toby without discussing that amazing finish to the 2018 Trial 2 Championship where it was not decided until the last section, in the last round of the 2018 season.

Despite the result not falling his way, Toby was able to talk about it with some ease now the dust has well and truly settled and can reflect on the positives.

I could have talked for twice as long to Toby as the conversation was just so easy.

I hope you enjoy.

Toby would like to thank his sponsors:

TRS: http://www.trsmotorcycles.com/

S3 Parts: https://www.s3parts.com/en/

TRS UK - Steve Saunders: https://trsmotorcyclesuk.com/

South West Trials: http://www.swtrials.co.uk/

Links:

Fail Friday 1: https://www.facebook.com/tobymartyntrials/videos/944532379350088/

Fail Friday 2: https://www.facebook.com/tobymartyntrials/videos/666847557403590/

Jitise video from Italian Round 2018: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d02CzoDHfKc&feature=share

Trialcentral thread: https://www.trialscentral.com/forums/topic/67470-toby-martyn/page/1/#comments

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Today we speak with Bill de Garis. Bill (Billy d) de Garis was born in England, grew up in New Zealand and spent several years travelling around the world.

First on a 250cc Jawa motorbike from Sydney, Australia through India, Afghanistan and Iran to England; then an epic journey in an old Morris Isis shooting-brake (running mostly on bald tyres salvaged from rubbish dumps around London) together with two New Zealand friends on their honeymoon.

The journey started in London, went across the Sahara desert and darkest Africa and ended up in Kenya.

He now lives in Port Moody, a city-suburb of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada.

He highlight as an off-road motorcycle competitor include being East Africa (seven times Kenya motorcycle champion) but also raced on tarseal-in India and Sri Lanka he won several roadraces including the Air India Grand Prix in Bombay (now Mumbai).

He is also the first person to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) on a motorbike (250cc CZ).

He now competes on a Vertigo Trials motorbike in the US National Trials Championship and throughout the pacific north west.

Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Bill de Garis.

Links to Amazon:

Amazon USA

https://www.amazon.com/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/1777411025/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930133&s=books&sr=1-1

Amazon Canada

https://www.amazon.ca/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/B09M58P3LK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930240&s=books&sr=1-1

Amazon UK

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/1777411025/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930327&s=books&sr=1-1

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

Todd is the current USA TdN team manager. More than that, his is also a former TdN representative, rode to top 10 positions in the NATC Expert Class championship, and part of a family that have been fully indoctrinated into the sport of trials.

Don't let a late start in the sport put you off; as you will hear Todd was able to still reach the top flight despite starting at 19 years of age, and even with an 8 year absence from the sport came back to continue riding at the expert class.

We talk all things USA trials, the Ute cup and the challenges of managing a TdN team and the impacts COVID-19 is having on the trials scene. 

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Josh Roper is having a breakout season. Josh is riding the Pro Class in the US NATC Championship and currently sitting 2nd overall with one round to go this weekend. He won the California Trials Invitational earlier this year and he's just back from the USA TdN team who were agonisingly close to a podium, and also rode the world rounds preceding the TdN event in the Trial 2 class.

None of this should be a surprise. Josh is from Trials Royalty in the USA, starting with his Dad Todd who rode the Pro class in the 80's and his brother Bryan who finished a high of 2nd place in 2013. We interviewed his Dad Todd about 1 year ago on episode 43.In addition to this we hear how current pro riders like Daniel Blanc-Gonnet have taken him under their wing when he was riding the Expert class and helped him build up to the rider he is now.

We also discuss his progress through the ranks, #vanlife and how he has been spending his summer, and what his routine looks like. We also discuss ambitions for Europe and how the USA 'pay it forward' approach to rider development is now seeing Josh run schools for juniors where he can.

It was a real treat to chat with Josh and I'd like to thank him for making time to do this podcast.

Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Josh Roper.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

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

This episode follows on from last week - Episode 25: https://trials.com.au/news/ep-25-david-knight-mbe-the-trials-years--part-1-of-2-5220

In this two part interview we meet David Knight (MBE), the enduro legend. David has won almost everything in enduro however his motorcycling career started in Trials. In this episode we explore David's transition to enduro and discuss his many career highlights.

Links:

Rider profile: http://knighter.net/rider-profile/

Tours: http://knighter.net/tours/

Training: http://knighter.net/training/

Something a little special today. This episode of the podcast is actually two parts: Firstly we interview Connor & Brenton Hogan. Secondly, we have included audio from the training session Connor and Brenton ran on the 23rd of March at the Oakleigh Motorcycle Club Grounds.

Connor is Australia's most prominent rider in Europe currently, riding the a good portion of the season in the World Trial 2 class. Brenton, his dad is a 10 times South Australian state champion.

Today we hear the story of how Brenton's love of trials, domestic success, and flirtation with riding trials in Europe has created a foundation that Connor has used to spring from into even greater success domestically, very tidy results in his first SSDT, and also into European competition.

Thank you to Peter Wines the president of the Oakleigh Motorcycle Club for arranging the training session.

The interview lasts for 43 minutes and then there is roughly 25 minutes of content from the training.

Connor would like to thank is sponsors:

Hippel Racing: https://www.hippelracing.de/

Rockhopping SA: https://www.facebook.com/rockhoppingsa/

The Hell Team: https://www.thehellteam.com/

GRO Oil Australia: https://www.globalracingoil.com.au/

Jitsie: https://www.jitsie.com/

Links:

That crash: https://www.facebook.com/jitsietrials/videos/10153635380236267/

Feedback: podcast@trials.com.au

Although this is not our usual Friday release schedule, I had this interview ready to go and so thought I would release an extra one this week.

Trevor is former Australian TdN representative and rides in the Expert class. Despite only riding in 4 trials in 2019, Trevor turned up at the Aussie Titles and placed a respectable 7th.

Trevor is not just about trials; in 2011 he was 2nd behind Graham Jarvis at the Wildwood Extreme enduro and continues his passion with both disciplines.

We discuss Trev's memorable year in 2007 where he travelled to Europe, competing as a guest in some world rounds and also did the SSDT.

We recorded this episode on the 7th March at the Southern Trials Riders event held that weekend. Trevor was not only gracious enough to allow us access to the property for the event but also was providing coaching for higher grade riders.

It was such a good event, made all the better by such good coaching.

I'd like to thank Trevor for his willingness to give the podcast a go. I know he was a bit unsure about the concept but I, and I'm sure all the listeners, appreciate him giving it a go.

Sponsors:

https://vertigoracing.com.au/

Links:

2011 Wildwood - 2nd behind Jarvis: https://www.fullnoise.com.au/news/index.cfm?fuseaction=display_full&news_id=11551&section=1&Ntitle=Off%20Road%3A%20Trevor%20Campbell%20makes%20a%20name%20for%20himself%20at%20the%20Force%20Accessories%20Wildwood%20Extreme

Welcome to this sanitised and socially isolated version of the Trials Australia podcast. Today we catch up with Craig Talbot who is responsible for the BVM moto Vlogs which generates near 40k views per month. Craig is a prominent person in club trials in the UK. Not only is trials a hobby and passion, it's also his job!

https://bvm-moto.co.uk/

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC7BnJPB1V4dFq3dD7-RcfBw

Show Notes:

Scottish Six Day Trial cancelled

https://ssdt.org/

Australian X-Trial Championship cancelled

https://www.ausxtrial.com.au/

This is part 2 of my chat with Brad Baumert. If you haven't listened to Episode 71, please go back and give it a listen.

To recap it all, this is the amazing story of how a passion in sport can drive you into business. With a bit of tongue in cheek, it is also somewhat a cautionary tale of not knowing when to quit. In all seriousness though, Brad Baumert has been a driving force (literally & figuratively) behind trials in the USA for a number of years. We hear about the origins of RYP (Ryan Young Products) which from humble beginnings became a quite serious business.

However success is measured in more than money, and the way previous guests have spoken about Brad tells you all you need to know about the calibre of the man and the impression he has left on so many.

Brad and Ryan through RYP made Sherco the envy of other manufacturers with the professionalism and market penetration in the US, illustrated by the fact that at a point in time, every rider in the USA pro class was on a Sherco!

Brad was instrumental in establishing training camps for youth riders that continue on to this day; he was a mechanic at the pits supporting his riders for years and years and bus driver shuttling his team across the country. Between all this, RYP wasn't the only company he had to run and he still had a family.

He was also proud of his riders achievements and reflects on the sporting success of team RYP; and the circular loop that appears to have begun with his former participants now leading the teen training camp.

It wasn't always smooth sailing...there were false starts in 05 with Sherco's enduro bikes, the closing of the Scorpa factory in 07 shortly after becoming the importers, there were sporting challenges, and the Global Financial Crisis which caused them to consider just winding up the business altogether.

Brad is so humble and was keen to make sure he reflected on all the others that helped him along the way. Now that he has left his involvement with RYP, Brad continues to give back with his work on the board of the AMA.

Even if Brad efforts were US focused, the sport of trials globally is better for his efforts by showing us what is possible.

I hope you enjoy par 2 of this chat with Brad Baumert.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Today we are continuing our conversation with a man who has left an indelible mark on the sport of trials. Wiltz Wagner has been involved in the sport of trials since the 60's. Even before there were dedicated trials bikes.

If you haven't listened yet to Ep 84, I urge you in the strongest of terms to go back to Part 1 of this conversation to get a sense of Wiltz character and accomplishments.

In part 1 we discussed Wiltz's background in the formation of the Rocky Mountain Trials Association, The Ute Cup and the North American Trials Council, what his definition of a spark plug was and how a fractured relationship between the FIM & AMA was put on a path to resolution.

In this equally raw and straight talking episode we discuss Wiltz's riding background, his attitudes around 'Purple' which will make sense when you listen. Because of Wiltz's humility we hear how Wiltz turned down sportsman of the year awards, has been reluctant to give interviews throughout his career.

However I do press him on his AMA hall of fame and we discuss why he felt it was the right time, and that it would be his spiritual home that allowed him to accept it. AMA hall of fame is a rare honour for trials riders; let alone people who had more significant influence outside their riding pursuits.

It's meeting people such as Wiltz that make doing these podcasts all worth it. To have the absolute pleasure of interview such an influential member of our sport was a real honour.

Ladies and Gentleman, I give to a rare glimpse of purple and Part 2 of my 2 part conversation with Wiltz Wagner.

Contact the Podcast:

Email: podcast@trials.com.au

Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community

Instagram: trialsauspodcast

TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast