Topic: Anyone ever competed in a Observed Trials?

[GroovieGhoulie]

I am planning to enter into the Trials at the Hodaka Days festival, which is coming up.  Never done a trial and from looking at pictures at the feats required, it looks rather daunting.

Any advice?

First time competing in something like that, and while the event is more about "fun" than serious competing, I don't wanna totally embarrass myself.

[Bikebuff]

I have not competed in observed trials, so I won't be of much help to you technically.  I too have been interested in doing observed trials, so I'm interested in your experiences and stories after you get back.  Keep us posted.  Get decent sleep the night before (which seems pretty obvious) and if you can, take time the day/night before and right before you actually start the trials to picture yourself competing.  As you picture yourself doing this, note what it looks like, what you're feeling, how you're handling the bike, the road conditions, weather, etc.  It's kind of like a guided meditation that sports psychologists use to help improve performance.  The theory is if you can see yourself doing that particular activity and doing it well, it plants the seeds (subconsciously) in your brain to actually live up that internal perception when it comes time to actually do it.

I wish you well.

Prost!

[nickjtc]

What will you be riding? Have you entered as a novice?

[GroovieGhoulie]

What will you be riding? Have you entered as a novice?

Novice class totally.  I'm heading up to Athena Oregon for Hodaka Days:

http://hodakadays.org/

On Saturday, they have a Trials.  On Friday they are offering a Trials School, which I will be attending.  Just wanted some heads-up before I got there.  I'm also planning to enter into the Scrambles on Sunday.

I'm gonna be riding my '73 Hodaka Dirt Squirt.  It's a 100cc piston-port single with a light flywheel and a lightswitch throttle along with a wet weight of about 160 pounds.  In the last day and a half, it also developed an oil pissing problem, fourth gear is AWOL most of the time and third is pissy about engaging.  Fun will be had all around. 

However, in talking to some Hodaka gurus, the transmission and output shaft seal can be fixed and replaced trackside.  I love a bike you can rebuild in the dirt with minimal tools.  The transmission is not a normal "forks and dogs" arrangement, but a "ball/receiver" set up.  Guy said all it should take to bring the transmission back is to replace some of the springs in the shifter mechanism.  While it's apart, I'll do the seal.

The best part?  The people advising me are the original Hodaka employees from the '70s!  Imagine having your bike looked at by the head of the Racing department and getting tips and tricks on rebuilding and hot-rodding from the head of the R&D department!  It'll be a VERY special time and I can't WAIT to go.

I'll make sure and have lots of pics and perhaps video of the event.

[Sam Green Racing]

Looks like a good weekend GG, get the box fixed and give it some stick in the scrambles, trials are for pussies

Sam.