and pro. These classes each
have a designated line through
the special test, so you're bound
to find a comfortable place to
fit at a trials competition, even if
you want to keep wheels on the
ground the whole time (which I
may or may not have done).
It took a little while to learn the
ropes of a trials competition, but
we came to find out that it's a su
-
per enjoyable, very chill vibe, like
half trail-riding and half compet-
ing. And 100% full of heckling your
buddies as you take on the spe-
cial sections one at a time. I may
be a novice competitor, but I'm at
least a clubman-level heckler.
The great moto-photographer
Mark Kariya (aka Kato) joined
us, and we were aboard a Beta
trials bike. Together, we had a
day to remember at Chocolate
Mountain Ranch. Perfect condi
-
tions, factory Betas, great test
sections and fresh single-track
linking them all together, we
bumbled our way through the
Jared Malmquist Tribute Trial,
pro.) At a trials event, you'll find
a much wider span of classes:
novice, sportsman, intermediate,
clubman, advanced, expert, open
VOLUME ISSUE FEBRUARY , P109
Uh oh. Get that foot back on the peg!
Trials events are a blast, basically just
fun with your friends in a very laid-back
environment. But trials competition can
be quite mentally exhausting, too.
After two decades of riding,
traveling, racing and testing
motorcycles, this was a first for
me. Since trials competitions
are structured around a series
of tests done one at a time, we
figured that my boyfriend could
come along and also compete
aboard the Beta. We brought
along my KX250X to ride be
-
tween tests and switched off
riding the Beta in the special
tests, a fun way for us both to
compete. The only challenge
was dragging my boyfriend away
from the motocross track for the
weekend. It was also challenging
to not be annoyed at how imme
-
diately talented he was at this.
At a motocross or off-road
event, you'll typically find four
levels: beginner, novice, interme
-
diate and expert. (Perhaps also
