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Tricks in the SticksHaving done an off-road day on KTM's last year, we decided this year we would go for a different bike experience and opted for a trials bike day with Tricksinthesticks . Based in the heart of Kent, Tricksinthesticks operates in 50 acres of private land that has a field, woods, a stream, an old bomb crater and some very steep banks! The school started in April 06, and is run by Jason Pearce - an accomplished stunt and road rider with over 20 years experience. Currently the school is only small with four BETA REV 3 270cc trials bikes, but this is actually a good thing as it keeps class sizes down and means you get more time riding and better coaching. Our day trials riding...Arrived at Bell Farm (the venue) around 10am after a slight detour - it pays to actually remember where it is you are supposed to go! Nice navigation Mick! We met Jason who gave us a safety briefing, we filled out the usual disclaimer, got our boots, gloves and helmets. Then we were shown the bikes new BETA REV 3 trials bikes (completely different from our normal road bikes - Yamaha Wildstar (Nick), R1 (Mick) and SV1000 (Kevin)) as they don't even have seats! We then rode the bikes slowly to a field where a tent with tea, coffee and soft drinks were available all day. Jason then set some cones up for us to ride slowly through to learn balance and clutch control. Once that was done, we had a chance to ride round the field, generally getting to know the bikes, gearing and general handling - it was all fairly relaxed with Jason giving hints and tips where he noticed we could improve - like using the clutch with one finger. We then set off through the woods, following Jason through some reletively easy routes, up and down some banks, along some small tracks. We rode for about an hour before going back to the tent for some much needed refreshment - trials bike riding is physically very demanding! Once refreshed we rode for about an hour and half (with a quick drink break half way) through the woods up and down much tougher inclines and drops, through and along a small stream, over some piles of logs. Where appropriate Jason would stop and explain the best route, gear and riding position for particular areas. This didn't stop me falling off at the top of steep bank and the bike boucing back down. Jason - was quickly there to make sure I was ok and sort the bike out (sorry about the broken clutch lever). Fortunately no harm done to me anyway. Then it was time to go back to the field to learn some trick riding - the course is fully tailored for you so if you just want to learn tricks Jason is happy to oblige - we learnt to do rolling burn outs and to ride with the front wheel locked (a very un-nerving experience as locking the front wheel on a motorbike is normally a serious issue!). Then lunch - a lovely bbq of bread, bacon and sausages with tea, coffee and cold drinks. In the afternoon, we rode round the woods with Jason gradually taking us via some more and more challenging routes. Hat off to Mick and Kevin for managing the one steep drop and out the other side, and for Kevin managing to deliver the bike to Jason waiting on the other side without Kevin actually being on the bike! Kevin hasn't run so fast for many years! Toward the end of the day, we went back to the tent to recover - if you are unfit (like us), this is a seriously hard day - but Jason allowed us to ride round the field on our own for as long as we wanted (within reason obviously). Mick and I managed about 20 minutes of field bashing before we too were too worn out to continue. The day finished around 5pm. Summary of the day:
Good points: Bad points: We would really recommend Tricksinthesticks to anyone who fancies a challenge. Things to remember if you
are going to do this: As a note: We were not paid by Tricks in the Sticks for this write up, we paid to go on the day the same as everyone else, this is our geniune feedback on the day - if there were any bad points we'd mention them.
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