trial zone in the backyard ?

Miko the pooch queries:

>I've got fairly strict covenants so it has to look like landscaping to
>the unsuspecting eyes. I have the perfect place too between 3 pines
>(it started as 5, but a couple didn't make it).
>Has anybody done something like that ?

Well, not exactly but sorta. I have no covenants so there's an
'84 Reliant in the backyard as one of my sections. However,
two things come to mind in your situation.

Tight turns and really tight turns and even tighter turns with small
logs or rocks half buried in the ground. For a beginner, these are
probably the hardest to learn anyway. No visible constructions
required really.

Railroad ties/landscaping timbers. Build a raised bed or two.


Go fast. Take chances.
Mike S.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

In article ,
Miko the pooch wrote:
>Any trial head around here ?
>I've had a trial bike for a few months now and I'm starting to get the hang
>of wheelies and balancing. I'm ready for the next step. I'm toying with the
>idea of turning a small area in my backyard into a trial "zone".

I rode my first trials event this weekend as a novice. I won the class
on Saturday but got my ass handed to me by a 9 year old on Sunday. The
novice lines didn't have many obstacles to speak of - I gave up all of
my points on simple turns. I'm going to buy a roll of ribbon and some
tent stakes today and when I'm in the mood to practice I'll set out
temporary mazes with tight turns. Maybe throw a few hunks of firewood
into the mix to mess with my traction.

I don't have any neighborhood restrictions against setting up more
permanant stuff and I have a friend who owns a sawmill so I have a
ready source of logs, but tempting as that is it would have me
practicing the wrong things. I need to walk before I run and for the
novice sections that means having basic turns down pat.

--
Scott Post sepost.RemoveThis@insightbb.com
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

"Scott Post" ,
> I rode my first trials event this weekend as a novice. I won the class
> on Saturday but got my ass handed to me by a 9 year old on Sunday. The
> novice lines didn't have many obstacles to speak of - I gave up all of
> my points on simple turns. I'm going to buy a roll of ribbon and some
> tent stakes today and when I'm in the mood to practice I'll set out
> temporary mazes with tight turns. Maybe throw a few hunks of firewood
> into the mix to mess with my traction.
>
> I don't have any neighborhood restrictions against setting up more
> permanant stuff and I have a friend who owns a sawmill so I have a
> ready source of logs, but tempting as that is it would have me
> practicing the wrong things. I need to walk before I run and for the
> novice sections that means having basic turns down pat.
>
> --
> Scott Post sepost.DeleteThis@insightbb.com

Conrats on the win and also on the ass kicking. Kids these days.

Yeah, that whole "steer with your feet" thing takes a little getting used
to.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

On 20 Sep 2005 04:11:53 GMT, miko.TakeThisOut@derailer.local (Miko the pooch) wrote:

>Any trial head around here ?
>I've had a trial bike for a few months now and I'm starting to get the hang
>of wheelies and balancing. I'm ready for the next step. I'm toying with the
>idea of turning a small area in my backyard into a trial "zone".
>I've got fairly strict covenants so it has to look like landscaping to
>the unsuspecting eyes. I have the perfect place too between 3 pines (it
>started as 5, but a couple didn't make it).
>Has anybody done something like that ? I have a vague design in mind, like
>a couple of moss rocks with a smooth face on one side to get started and a more
>difficult undercut face for once (if) I get brave enough to try more advanced
>moves.
>Anyway, suggestions and/or pictures appreciated (please, no pictures of
>kawasaki for sale. My vision is finally coming back after the last one...)
>
>bruno.
>
>

If you do this, will you post some photos when you have it done?

Mike
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

In the kind of Trials events I used to ride, the participants would take
a rigid framed bike built in the 30s to 50s, ride it up a trail, go
around a tree, then come back down the trail. If you kept your bike
running and didn't dab any feet, you cleaned the section.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

"Mike W." wrote in message

> On 20 Sep 2005 04:11:53 GMT, miko.DeleteThis@derailer.local (Miko the pooch) wrote:

> If you do this, will you post some photos when you have it done?

And invite me over at the official photographer/test
rider.

-Jeff Deeney- DoD#0498 NCTR UTMA BRC COHVCO AMA
'99 ATK 260LQ-Stink Wheels '94 XR650L-HellSickle
We don't stop riding because we get old, we get old because we stop riding.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

I have an old Sammy Miller Bultaco 250 that I have been meaning to get
running. I know a new gas gas would run circles around it but it might
be fun anyway. I think trials would be the perfect compliment to a
small piece of real estate.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

In article ,
"PlowBoy" writes:
> another good one, (Adam Raga)

Do you get a discount if you buy a bike without the front end ?

bruno.
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

Miko the pooch wrote:
> In article ,
> Bentley Wolfe writes:
>

>
> One thing I find pretty hard is the vertical aspect of stuff (bringing the
> bike up with you). In Ryan Young's video he starts a wheely then jumps
> the back in the air (same technique I assume is used during shows where
> they line people on the ground and jump over them.)
> I haven't been able to lift that rear wheel like that yet. I'm 195lbs so
> maybe the stock spring is a bit weak to give me enough rebound ?

Well, a full shock rebuild would help. Just a spring (if you're on a
budget) would also help, but a bit less (btw I have my trials shocks
rebuilt by Bob Ginder at B&J...)

But it's really all about learning the timing. Ryan could get on a
clapped out ty350 and do that same move.

Bbbent
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

It is technique, I have guys around me that can do what miko describes, it
on a heavy assed 74 Honda TL250 <GRIN>...

ALthough, most bikes springs are good enough up to 200lbs probably, but over
time they will sag-sack out... If you haven't, you prolly need to tighten
down the pre-load on the rear spring(s), back off the rebound dampning, if
there is an adjuster, that can help you with hops, but can reduce the way
the bike handles some things, (especially slippery or wet conditions). I
have my pro set somewhat soft & slow (rebound) for my weight.

I'm a fair rider near 40, riding Intermediat level. It is technique along
with timing, you have to work all that out, it takes practice. sorry I
know, hehee, as a well more athletic youth, I was able to hop over a 6pack
of coors easy on my heavy sherpa-t (79 model) Im fair amount over 220lbs.
My buddy could hop it over a 15 inch rim (placed vertically witout tire).
Im not anyway near as athletic but the new bikes, I can bunny hop a 14 inch
rim just because the bikes are better... you cannot beat technology...
right?



Bentley Wolfe enlightened us with:
> Miko the pooch wrote:
>> In article ,
>> Bentley Wolfe writes:
>>
>
>>
>> One thing I find pretty hard is the vertical aspect of stuff
>> (bringing the bike up with you). In Ryan Young's video he starts a
>> wheely then jumps the back in the air (same technique I assume is
>> used during shows where they line people on the ground and jump over
>> them.) I haven't been able to lift that rear wheel like that yet. I'm
>> 195lbs so maybe the stock spring is a bit weak to give me enough
>> rebound ?
>
> Well, a full shock rebuild would help. Just a spring (if you're on a
> budget) would also help, but a bit less (btw I have my trials shocks
> rebuilt by Bob Ginder at B&J...)
>
> But it's really all about learning the timing. Ryan could get on a
> clapped out ty350 and do that same move.
>
> Bbbent
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

Hello PlowBoy/ sting32 ,

Thanks , there was one other site I'd seen in the past that was really a nice
site up that I had wanted to include on the list but couldn't find it . I'm
still looking for that other link , seems like it was in Texas , a nicely done
professional job , the neighbors wouldn't demand a fence to hide the junk yard
, but way beyond my present skills .

I think I've seen your post on TC , I'm mostly a lurker there and only recently
registered so I could post on their forum . I've made , I think , one post . A
link to a Trials event in China , provided to me by a fellow in Japan from whom
I ordered several Japanese trials training tapes/dvds . The three tapes and one
dvd made by Kenichi Kuroyama and a couple made by Honda/Fujigas and the Gatti
Lecture First . The visuals are so good that not knowing the language isn't as
big a problem as you'd think . I recommend them highly . They show some
interesting techniques I've not seen on any English language training videos and
a they're nice compliment to the Ryan Young video . I've been trying to get the
two Steve Saunders training videos , from the UK . but strange as it seems it's
been easier to get the videos from Japan than from the UK . We have a common
language but a different video format . Japan has the same video format as the
USA whereas the UK videos are PAL format , Steve S was supposed to be getting
them made into USA compatible video format and a distributor here , but I guess
it hasn't happened yet . No organized trials events anywhere near where I live
and the TTC is a seven hour drive . So I kinda rely on training videos to learn
the right way , and a reminder of what I may have forgotten from my two days at
the TTC .

I'm a newbie to trials myself , in fact I think it was one year ago this weekend
that my son and I made the trek to the Trial Training Center to learn first hand
about trials riding . I'd never even seen a real trials bike except for
pictures of them . Came home with two bikes in the back of the van . And a
bigger load on the credit card . ; - ) . I learned a few basics and my then 8
year old son mostly learned how to ride a motorcycle and operate a clutch . He
was a bit small for the GG txt 80 but I figured he'd soon grow to fit it . As a
result he didn't ride as much during the summer as I thought he would , we'd go
out for an hour or two and he'd maybe actually ride for about twenty minutes .
However , he figured out a couple of months ago that his legs have grown a
little and with working out a few techniques he can now start and stop with out
fearing falling over and since then he keeps me busy making fuel mix . Just in
time for the jump in fuel prices too . So we've ridden more in the last 8 weeks
than in the previous ten months . Just what I was looking for - to get him away
from to much time on the gameboy/playstation etc ., by spring we'll be ready to
make some of those backyard obstacles in the url links . Well , the simpler ones
anyway . Right now its only cones , a few slopes and one short 14 inch log
which I occasionally cross with some grace and style . Most of the time though I
demo a fine example of how not to do it . : - ( . Mostly I only try to more
difficult stuff when he isn't around , first to keep him from trying stuff
before he's ready and secondly to keep from embarrassing myself in front of the
lad . Best to let him keep thinking I could do what Adam Raga can do , if I
wanted to , for a little while longer . ;- ) . OTOH , after taking him to the
Duluth WTC this spring , I think he really knows better already . : - 0 It
ain't as easy as those guys make it look .

best regards ,

David

PlowBoy wrote:

> David,
>
> I see you found all the Trials Central posts and stuff I recalled seeing but
> couldnt recall threads... Im sting32 on there and most anywere else BTW.
> David Walker enlightened us with:
> > Here are several ideas , from quick/cheap and perhaps ugly to lots of
> > work and not an eye-sore
> >
> >
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ? 

YOur links to the CHina stuff was neat.

Keep the boy working on turns, I know it is boring, my 11 year old, is hard
to get to practice he is one of those kids, that it is "instant
gratification" of something else is found to do... (I call it KWAD rider
mentality heheheh)...

Keep recruiting others, you will have much more fun if you can get a same
level buddy to spur your learning along, and you can usually split the
driving to event gas prices, LOL.

My sig, (see trials Comp's website, heheee

Save our riding area's, be a role model, & convert a quad rider...

David Walker enlightened us with:
> Hello PlowBoy/ sting32 ,
>
> Thanks , there was one other site I'd seen in the past that was
> really a nice site up that I had wanted to include on the list but
> couldn't find it . I'm still looking for that other link , seems like
> it was in Texas , a nicely done professional job , the neighbors
> wouldn't demand a fence to hide the junk yard , but way beyond my
> present skills .
>
> I think I've seen your post on TC , I'm mostly a lurker there and
> only recently registered so I could post on their forum . I've made ,
> I think , one post . A link to a Trials event in China , provided to
> me by a fellow in Japan from whom I ordered several Japanese trials
> training tapes/dvds . The three tapes and one dvd made by Kenichi
> Kuroyama and a couple made by Honda/Fujigas and the Gatti Lecture
> First . The visuals are so good that not knowing the language isn't
> as big a problem as you'd think . I recommend them highly . They show
> some interesting techniques I've not seen on any English language
> training videos and a they're nice compliment to the Ryan Young video
> . I've been trying to get the two Steve Saunders training videos ,
> from the UK . but strange as it seems it's been easier to get the
> videos from Japan than from the UK . We have a common language but a
> different video format . Japan has the same video format as the USA
> whereas the UK videos are PAL format , Steve S was supposed to be
> getting them made into USA compatible video format and a distributor
> here , but I guess it hasn't happened yet . No organized trials
> events anywhere near where I live and the TTC is a seven hour drive .
> So I kinda rely on training videos to learn the right way , and a
> reminder of what I may have forgotten from my two days at the TTC .
>
> I'm a newbie to trials myself , in fact I think it was one year ago
> this weekend that my son and I made the trek to the Trial Training
> Center to learn first hand about trials riding . I'd never even seen
> a real trials bike except for pictures of them . Came home with two
> bikes in the back of the van . And a bigger load on the credit card .
> ; - ) . I learned a few basics and my then 8 year old son mostly
> learned how to ride a motorcycle and operate a clutch . He was a bit
> small for the GG txt 80 but I figured he'd soon grow to fit it . As a
> result he didn't ride as much during the summer as I thought he would
> , we'd go out for an hour or two and he'd maybe actually ride for
> about twenty minutes . However , he figured out a couple of months
> ago that his legs have grown a little and with working out a few
> techniques he can now start and stop with out fearing falling over
> and since then he keeps me busy making fuel mix . Just in time for
> the jump in fuel prices too . So we've ridden more in the last 8
> weeks than in the previous ten months . Just what I was looking for -
> to get him away from to much time on the gameboy/playstation etc .,
> by spring we'll be ready to make some of those backyard obstacles in
> the url links . Well , the simpler ones anyway . Right now its only
> cones , a few slopes and one short 14 inch log which I occasionally
> cross with some grace and style . Most of the time though I demo a
> fine example of how not to do it . : - ( . Mostly I only try to more
> difficult stuff when he isn't around , first to keep him from trying
> stuff before he's ready and secondly to keep from embarrassing myself
> in front of the lad . Best to let him keep thinking I could do what
> Adam Raga can do , if I wanted to , for a little while longer . ;- )
> . OTOH , after taking him to the Duluth WTC this spring , I think he
> really knows better already . : - 0 It ain't as easy as those guys
> make it look .
>
> best regards ,
>
> David
>
> PlowBoy wrote:
>
>> David,
>>
>> I see you found all the Trials Central posts and stuff I recalled
>> seeing but couldnt recall threads... Im sting32 on there and most
>> anywere else BTW. David Walker enlightened us with:
>>> Here are several ideas , from quick/cheap and perhaps ugly to lots
>>> of work and not an eye-sore
 >> Stay informed about: trial zone in the backyard ?