24/06/2008 - Best of Britain come to Heysham

This Sunday hosts for the first time a Round of the British Biketrial Championships at Half Moon Bay, Heysham. Britains best riders will compete in Round 2 of the British Championships held for the first time in the North West.
Local rider Ben Slinger will be competing on home territory for a place on the podium having finished 3rd in the 1st round at Devon in April. Not a bad result considering he has only recently got back on his bike following a 2 month absence due to an ankle injury..

Trials competitions can take place on natural sections, or man made sections: riders have a time limit of 2 minutes in which they must complete obstacles and must not touch the ground with their feet in order to avoid any penalties. There are two types of bikes 20” wheels and 26” wheels. There are two laps of 10 sections and the competition kicks off at 10am and lasts around 4 hours to complete the course. There are different classes which cater for riders age and ability.

It is an acrobatic speciality which combines balance, dynamics, strength and suspense. When these athletes compete you can’t help but to hold your breath until they’ve finished each section, because you never know if they are able to overcome the obstacle or not, every second something could change. This means you never know the results of each competition, because a small mistake can make all the difference.

The 3rd Round will be held in Bacup, Lancashire on 13th July with the 4th and final Round in Surrey in September.

Ben Slinger
Trialsdisplay.co.uk