We rent the bikes, we have the obstacles, we give trials lessons… but what is trials and why should you try it?
It’s not just a skinny bike with no seat. The bike is a marvel of motorcycle engineering! Try it once, you will be hooked. It’s a 150lb magic machine. The light weight makes the bike so easy to maneuver… combined with the plush suspension it is easy to hop around… you can dance and weave like Mike Tyson in the ring. It has a really low down, torque-y power delivery that makes the bike super responsive; you could take off in 4th gear! The clutch is like butter… it’s a one-finger pull that controls the bike like a magic wand. You will be amazed at what this bike can do! These bikes have gazelle like agility through the woods and over obstacles… where your average dirt bike would struggle and fail, the trials bike will shine.
So that’s the bike… but what is the sport?
It’s a sport that is characterized by completing short obstacle courses (“sections”) without putting your feet down for support or assistance. Points are given for using your feet or failing to complete obstacles (also known as crashing and it’s lesser-known-on-youtube brother: laying it down– #fail), and the rider with the lowest points at the end of the day wins. It’s challenging, it’s fun, it’s technical, and at the higher levels it is definitely an extreme sport. There is no race or speed element, it’s all about balance, precision, and control… skills that will make you a better rider no matter what your two-wheel discipline. No speed element to scale a 10 foot vertical rock wall? Nope… just clutch, throttle, suspension, and giant cajones (sold separately, or taught in lessons at Popkum).
But why should you try it? Because it’s AMAZEBALLS. Trials will make you a better rider! We aren’t just saying that… we have proof. Hard Enduro winners all have trials backgrounds… Graham Jarvis, Taddy Blasusiak, Cody Webb, Colton Haaker. Fast riders all keep trials bikes in their (admittedly well stocked) garages, like AMA Pro Motocross series racer Ryan Sipes who won the individual overall trophy at the ISDE in 2015. Wouldn’t you like to be like those guys? If you race, wouldn’t you like to learn to control your bike in corners better, and come out of the corner faster, by using your clutch? If you ride trails, wouldn’t you like to be able to go over logs and slippery roots without crashing in front of your friends? Try trials and astound your friends with your amazing skills!
You can rent trials bikes at Popkum, with or without trials lessons from world famous 11x North American trials champion Christy Williams Richards. Just one time will make you realize how amazing trials is, and repeated efforts on a trials bike will improve your riding skills, your balance, and general awesomeness. What do you have to lose? Any day on a motorcycle is a good day, even if it doesn’t have a seat.