I've ridden motorcycles of all types since I was 5 years old, and when I was about 11 I started competing in moto trials on a state and national level. For those that don't know, Moto trials is skill based rather than speed. Each competition has a round 5 laps of 10 "Sections" (a section of rough terrain that is taped and arrowed for each grade to have its separate line depending on ability). Riders are graded from Clubman (what you ride when you start) then you can improve your skills and go to C grade, B grade, A grade and Expert (Open) which is the pinnacle of this sport in Australia. In competition riders are scored by the amount of points they lose in a "section", with the lowest score at the end of the day being the winner. Getting thru a section without crashing, or using your feet to help is 0 Points, 1 foot is 1 point, 2 feet is 2 points, 3 or more is 3, and a crash or breaking a boundary tape is 5, which is the maximum for each section. (there are a few more rules than this but that is the gist of it).
When I started competing in 1997 I rode Mini-Bike (a class for 80cc trials machines). I rode this class for 2 years before going to Junior (riders up to 16yo). I enjoyed some good success in this grade including 2 QLD Championships, a NSW Championship and 3rd in Australia in 2001. When I turned 16 I made the step u to B grade, and a year later rode A/Expert for 3 years, due to a major crash and injury, plus the economic factors of riding Expert I decided to drop back to B grade and enjoy my riding. I also dabbled in riding old Twinshock Bikes at the QLD and Australian Titles, Resulting in 2 Second Placings and a Third Place in National competition.
I'm having a break now whilst I concentrate on other things but there has been a class introduced for over 35's at a National Level, so when I get closer to that age my goal is to win that elusive Australian Title.
Here is some pics and if you have any questions feel free to ask.
Greenzook.
