No female trials riders? Why?

[Fergie]

I see women riding XC, DH, DS, road, tri, cyclocross, dirt jumping, BMX, etc, but how many women out there are into technical riding? How about trials? I know there was once a Spooky sponsered trials rider, but I haven't seen any women riding trials in years now. At Motorama - a huge trials comp in PA, there are well over 100 guys, but not a single girl.

Why? Is it that women are just not into it, or that they feel excluded or outcast?

[cosg]

Gawd, I wish I was a trials rider! It would help my XC so much! I don't have the nerve or guts to do it I guess.

It's like being a trapeze artist, there's so much risk. I think men are more risk takers, or they are encouraged to take risks more than women, perhaps. But damn if I'm gonna try to aim my skinny little tire toward a skinny little area, and propel across space to get to it!

[DirtRagArt]

There are female trials riders. I've met a few, and I know we gave away a Monty to one in a contest a year or two ago.

[RandomAssSOB]

Maybe it's a balance thing?

;)

[cosg]

Maybe it's a balance thing?

;)

That may be true.

[Goride]

I think you answered your own question Fergie. Motorama is usually the biggest event of the year, with all of 100 trials riders at it. Huge community of people to draw from...


There are a few women trials riders out there. Back in my trialsin days I even checked a few at a Candytown competition once my category was complete.

-brad

[Fergie]

"Maybe it's a balance thing?"

I don't see how it could be. There is a female Motorcycle trials rider who can do a trackstand on her motorcycle - while doing a headstand! Also, women and balance tricks on bicycles go back over 100 years. They used to have six-pin competitions back in the 1890's. In more recent times there are women like Ines Brunn (The Perfect Girlfriend - Debate THAT!)
http://www.kunstradshow.de/show_en.html

Women CAN ride trials! So why don't they?

OK, there are a few out there somewhere, but in three years at Motorama, I never saw one (there might have been a female unicycle trials rider, I don't quite remember). I'm not expecting dozens, but I would like to be able to meet at least one or two...

Any women out there think about riding trials? What turned you away?

[RandomAssSOB]

Um, Fergie, that was supposed to be a joke . . .

You know - sorta along the lines of (supposedly) why most female "figure" skaters retire after they get one . . . . . ?

OK, maybe it wasn't a "good" joke, but you didn't need to take it that seriously!

[squirrl_poker]

The Keebler Elves would be more open to trialsin if they weren't being sold into slavery on ebay (http://search.ebay.com/Ernie-Keebler-Elf_W0QQfkrZ1QQfnuZ1QQxpufuZx).

[cosg]

There is an old balance trick with a chair that only women can do and it's because women's center of balance is different (lower?) than men's. If you don't know the trick, here it is:

1) Place a chair with it's back against the wall.
2) Have a man put the top of his head against the wall above where the chair is, while he is bent at the hips in a 90 degree angle. He will be looking directly at the chair below.
3) Have the man first lower his arms, then pick up the chair by the sides of it's seat, and then try to straighten out of the 90 degree angle into an upright position while still holding on to the chair.
4) Apparently men can't do this, but women can.

[RandomAssSOB]

Thanks a lot cosg! I tried that little trick and now I gotta see a g*ddamned chiropractor! You'll be hearing from my lawyer.

:D

[thanita]

Actually, women tend to have better balance than men in many instances, and they are definitely more flexible. Just look at female gymnasts. Ballet dancers. Anyone ever see a Cirque de Soleil show? Damn!
There are just some sports out there that are so male dominated that women don't even get into, even though it makes sense that they'd be good at it.
Take a look at inline skating: now that started out as a "girls" sport (roller skating) but the "xtreme" version is practically void of women.
You could probably argue that, in general, girls don't learn to be as physically aggressive as boys which definitely impacts physicality later in life. Regardless of how far "equality" has come, anyone can see that girls are still treated differently than boys, especially when it comes to movement.
That said, it's a bummer more girls/women aren't out there ripping it up on the ramps and urban stuff. The little I can pull off is extremely rewarding, and I wish I could do some of that crazy shit I see good trials riders pull off! So cool.
T

[squirrl_poker]

Ryan Leech was in a Cirque Du Soleil show!

I haven't seen anything that shows woman to have better balance than men. Perhaps the reason that it can appear this way is that woman are generally lighter than men and can therefore do hand balancing more easily and look more graceful in the process.

I've heard that it is also theorized that the reason woman are more flexible is that it is an aid to pregnancy and childbirth. However, flexibility also has a great deal to do with muscle mass, and it seems that there is little difference in the potential flexibility of males and females who train specifically for it.

Anybody have more info? As an armchair contortionist I'm always interested in learning more about the human body.

As for trials I think men definitely have an advantage since most competitions reward sheer power over subtle finesse, but with the right course design it would be an interesting battle.

[thanita]

This is interesting, addresses our discussion.
Yeah: it would be really interesting if courses were designed with all physical assets in mind: strength and finesse, power and creativity.

http://www.stadion.com/column_stretch31.html

[cosg]

As an armchair contortionist I'm always interested in learning more about the human body.

I took a lesson from a contortionist once. Her name was Raven. She didn't really focus on muscle flexibility but rather on joint flexibilty. She had me do a forcing exercise to get rid of calcification in the balls of my feet. My feet felt fantastic after that. She was also way into directing energy to the body parts you use, and chakras and all that. Of course focused breathing was a big part, too.

Unfortunately I could not afford to take more lessons at the time. Maybe some day I will.

[rattlecan]

i know why there are no girls in trials---

have you ever hung out with trials guys?
this explains everything.

[tryandgetme]

hey! its rattlecan! remove one from the missing persons list! :D

sorry...we now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[catzilla]

I wouldn't call myself a trials rider, but I'm definitely a parking lot skills fiend. Well, was, anyway. I've been out of practice and feeling a little frustrated lately. I'm kinda "stuck" with a number of my tricks. Granted, if I were to practice more, I might finally get unstuck.

I can hold trackstands forever, hop on my back wheel, pivot my bike 180 degrees on the front wheel, and do a handful of other useless, but fun, tricks. The best one, mainly 'cause it's a female only trick, is where you roll forward on the saddle and stick your legs behind you to form a superman-like figure. Sure, the fellas always give it a try, but after squooshing their nibblets they understand why this is a female-only trick.

Of course, I still can't wheelie more than 20 feet. Mastering the wheelie is what got me practicing tricks in the first place.

I'm not sure what level you need to be at to enter a competion, but it doesn't seem like there's many comps 'round these here parts. So, I stagnate. I'm not sure why more ladyfolks don't take an interest in skills practice. Women riders are some of the most dedicated riders I've ever seen. I teach skills clinics to local riders, and I see them practice and practice until they master whatever it is they want to master. All trials is is practice. Everything is baby steps. You don't just wake up one day and start hopping on your rear wheel. You learn to trackstand. Then you learn to pull the bike back. Then you learn how to hop.

However, I've also noticed that women riders tend to WAY underestimate their own capabilities. They automatically think that their weaker smaller female bodies will hinder them from doing certain things on the bike. They look at a skill and automatically think, "Wow, I could never do that" instead of understanding that, with time and practice, they actually can do that.

Another possibility is that I've found that women tend to learn from women quicker and easier. It's not to say that men teach or ride any different, it's just that an skill seems more feasable when you see a peer doing it. So far, the only other skills obsessed female I've seen locally is in the mirror. So, I'm frustrated and feel like I'm missing a few pointers, but I'm lacking folks to ask. Dudes just don't seem to be as big into the clinic thing as the dudettes.

Guess I just need to start practicing again...

[squirrl_poker]

I'm not sure what level you need to be at to enter a competition...
I've never actually been to a trials competition but from what I've read, including the NORBA rule book, the beginner class seems to be setup so that anybody familiar with mountain biking can compete. For the most part the beginner sections can be rolled and little or not hopping is required. From the sound of things you might even be ready to compete at the sport level, that is if you can find a competition:)

Of course, I still can't wheelie more than 20 feet. Mastering the wheelie is what got me practicing tricks in the first place.

I hear you, it was probably the first trick I started practicing and now I can hop and pivot and trackstand fairly competently but the wheelie is still a short lived experience.

[Fergie]

Thanks Catzilla! You are the first trialsin woman I've talked with!

Your points about men and women learning differently is dead on. I was a MTB instructor for years, and learned that men respond to challenge and competition, while women respond to support and encouragement. Women were generally easier to teach because they came with a Socratic attitude, while the guys were afraid of showing weakness or ignorance. It is tough to learn when you think you already know everything.

From what I have seen at two or three past competitions, the beginner sections are surprisingly hard. I think perhaps there should be a "First-Timers" class, or that beginner should be made a little easier. I would rather have a few people realize they should be in sport class then see good riders 5 almost every section at their first comp. A single competition will do wonders for your skills, but if you never go back, you will stagnate again.

I think I might be able to solve both of your wheelie (and rear wheeling) troubles...

(First off, lower the seat a bit, wear a helmet and gloves, practice on grass, and use platform pedals. Shin guards are good as well!)

To do almost anything on the rear wheel, you need a really, really good rear brake. It has to be so good you can stop the wheel whenever you want - always! That is why trials riders often use hydraulics, grind their rims and use tar on their rims. Also, a brake booster if your frame is flexy. Move the brake lever toward the stem so that your index finger rests on the tip of the lever (more leverage that way). A great brake will give you the confidence to really get your ass back, and get your weight over the rear axle (past the axle for rear wheeling). If your brake might slip it is almost impossible to learn to wheelie, and even harder to learn rear wheel moves. Check trials sites and with other trials riders to find out tips for the brake, and ride their bikes whenever you can.

PS A friend of mine just moved to Boca. He is an expert/pro level rider, and also an experienced mtb instructor. If you are in the area, let me know, and I’ll pass along his contact info.

[polly]

I took a lesson from a contortionist once. Her name was Raven.

Unfortunately I could not afford to take more lessons at the time. Maybe some day I will.

You americans are sooo kinky :p

[squirrl_poker]

I just got it...
No female trials riders? Why?
because you touch yourself at night!

[OTBSkinloss]

The best one, mainly 'cause it's a female only trick, is where you roll forward on the saddle and stick your legs behind you to form a superman-like figure. Sure, the fellas always give it a try, but after squooshing their nibblets they understand why this is a female-only trick.


OK, Smartass. Lets see you write your name in the snow. :D

[rattlecan]

attention all people interested in learning trials...male and female...

colorado springs.

a group of local trials riders has been meeting every saturday morning for the past two years at the kings chef diner (the only purple castle diner downtown)

my good friend blaine hook brings out his bike pro mobile box van out and works on bikes while all levels of trials riders practice hopping on benches and boxes and curbs and such. all this after a good breakfast.

blaine has trials bikes available for anyone to ride (stock and mod bikes) and his very young daughter has been seen riding on the monty mod.



what ive seen from this is a comradery from the riders and a push to develop skills. ive noticed an improvement in my technical skills for xc riding. sometimes ill just show up with my road bike and practice nose wheelies and do half hour long track stands and such.

also the trials team is hosting events not at mountain bike races but rather motorcycle trials events here in colorado. the moto guys give them mad respect and ask to borrow trials bicycles and hop arround a bit. then they get back on their motos and climb an 8 foot wall...


so if you are in town on a saturday stop by... we'll give you a bike to ride and have fun on. thats the point, right?

[squirrl_poker]

That's a great program you've got going there rattlecan! Congrats, on you and you're friends being such generous and active folks:) If I lived anywhere nearby I'd definitely come give riding a trials bike a try.

Do you know of any websites with some video clips of mototrials? I've seen some pictures but I just can't get my mind around how they maneuver those hefty machines.

Thanks for the inspiration!

[rattlecan]

Afrobot logged in under rattlecan!

there are some girl trials riders mostly in europe and BC here's a site just for the misses.

www.trialsqueens.tk

Either females are to lame to try such a strength and balance oriented sport or they are too smart to waste their time on something other than education and child bearing.

That was sarcasm!!!! Please step up!!! any female with 2 years of dedication could be the US womens national champ!! Go to europe ,reprezent! Eh?? Sure you'll be competing against yourself, but how could you loose.

There are few female trials riders for about the same reason there are few older trials riders. People grow up and move on. It's waaay harder on your body to improve than any other bike sport.Sooner or later you give up.
Plus it's full of smack talking kids who don't respect women.
Buy a monty mod. Watch videos and avoid forums such as ......
http://www.observedtrials.net/vb/index.php?

good luck ladies..

[Goin90aintscary]

I ride trails,and I am female, and young and have the balls to get hurt and try again. The women who ride like the ride but don't want to get hurt, or take the risk. Some may say girls won't ride trails because of fear but sanity and stupidity are some other reasons. I think that it can become quite insane sometimes, and it can be pretty shaky but its only stupid if you ride when you are scared. If you ride when you're scared you're preoccupied and are gonna **** up other people. Guys are better of letting go of fear, its what makes guys car insurance higher

[squirrl_poker]

If you have testicles then I think that discounts you as a woman;)

The ability to block out fear and "just go for it" is more advantageous to freeriding and downhill racing both of which have a decent female subcategory. In my experience trials is not at all about risk but is essentially the result of dedication, practice, and most importantly, patience. Anybody can roll off of a drop and consequently get hurt, but in order to fall of of a handrail a trials rider has to be good enough to back wheel up to it. Certainly there are riders out there who decide that their skills on a curb allow them to manual off a loading dock, but these people are not going to progress as deftly as those who are content to play on a 6" curb for months. Think about some of the great trials riders, they don't get hurt nearly as much as your pro gravity rider. Hans Rey and Brian Leech, two of the best, have hardly been seriously injured in their whole careers. I think this is because while gravity riding/racing encourages riding on the brink of a crash, trials encourages constant control, so that even if a trials rider slips up he/she can usually save it from being drastic. Nevermind that trials riders don't have to worry about high speeds, which exacerbate injuries.

So I don't know why women are not more drawn to trials.

Apart from sex, age seems to be a serious factor in trials participation. What are ages of the oldest trials riders out there? Is there simply too much stress involved for people to ride trials recreationally in their latter years?

[Fergie]

Contrary to what most people think, trials has very little adrenalin compared with most other forms of riding. Most big moves are simply a slightly more serious version of what you have done a million times, and most of it is done at slow speeds. Also, the first step in doing any move is learning to bail out of it. Nobody crashes (or rolls out of a crash) like a pro.

The sad conclusion that I came to is - it really is the personality of some participants that keeps more women from getting involved. Not really an attitude that girls can’t ride, but just a profound lack of common sense in dealing with them. I give female trials riders a boat load of credit for not only their riding skills, but also their thick skins.

As for age, it is a factor, but only a minor one. Hans Rey still kicks some serious ass, and he is well into his 40's. I saw him do a major roll on a hardtail right out of the car, that made my DH racer friends think twice. I have two friends who are 40+ and are becoming serious riders. I learned to wheelie and do rear wheel moves, this year, and I'm turning 30 soon. I think. I loose track of these things in my old age.

[Divscotty]

I'm a little confused is the topic trials or trails?

Divscotty

[squirrl_poker]

... I hope these so called bikes are singlespeeds;)

[rattlecan]

... I hope these so called bikes are singlespeeds;)


well-

in uci competition a derailleur is required---

however most everyone runs their bike single speed cause it likes to break off.

i think trials bikes are the most ghetto rigged up bikes out there.

[davkatreb]

... I hope these so called bikes are singlespeeds;)
Not to hijack a thread or anything, (well, maybe just this one time ;) ) but there are no "so called" bikes.

I mean, look at me. Seriously. If I'm on my old lugged steel fix, I'm the happiest I'll ever be on two wheels. I've seen a lot of innovations and been against 'em all. But if it's got two wheels it's a bike. And if you're having fun and you ain't hurting anyone, chances are you're doing it right. There's room in here (points at heart) for EVERYONE.

We now return you to your regularly scheduled thread.

[squirrl_poker]

in uci competition a derailleur is required---

Mod bikes too?

But if it's got two wheels it's a bike.
I hear it tracks really well;)