What is trials?
Officially known as "Observed Trials", this sport can trace its roots back to the early 20th century. Think of it as a motorcycle obstacle course.... and besides making it through the course, you're supposed to do it without putting your feet down.
Though Indoor Trials is very popular in Europe, where tens of thousands of spectators watch the world's top riders ride insane obstacles, most trials are held on natural terrain. A trials consists of a 'loop' (typically a mile or two here in New Mexico) which has 8 to 15 'sections' on it, in each of which the rider is scored. Sections are perhaps 50 yards long. The riders must complete 3 loops.
Low score wins. Points are given for 'dabbing', or putting a foot down, killing the engine, going out of bounds, rolling backwards, or crashing.
While the extreme riding shown by the top riders is exciting to watch, trials is really for everybody. The NMTA runs 9 classes, and participants' ages range from 5 to over 70. There is literally a class for everyone!
What's a demo?
Demo's are a cross between European indoor trials, traditional outdoor trials, and a bunch of riders getting together and having fun riding on anything that's available.
Between the NMTA (New Mexico Trials Assn.), the Vertical Balance Team, and NM Trialsport, demos have been conducted at motorcycle dealers around the state, the AHRMA vintage races at Sandia Speedway, at 4wd off-road gatherings, at the Moriarty MX track, and at the LOEBMWRA BMW rally at Sipapu, motorcycle shows, and at O'Niell's Pub in Albuquerque (see the Photos page).
Demo obstacles usually include logs, concrete barriers, large wire spools, and cars. NM Trialsport has taken this a notch further, with construction of the trailer seen in the photos. This gives the riders a consistent set of obstacles to ride, and makes setup infinitely easier.
Demos are sometimes informal, with riders showing the various trials techniques, and seeing what they can do. The O'Niell's Pub demo was a cliff-hanging competition between three of the top riders in NM.