Photographing a unique trials event in Northern California

Ed. note: Road Dirt readers know we like to occasionally highlight lesser known aspects of motorcycling, i.e. sidecar racing, small bore rallies, three-wheeled contraptions, etc. We’ve never covered trials riding, much less vintage trials, so we thought this was unique enough to share. Enjoy!

Geoff and I are always trying new things and photographing a two-day vintage trials event in the  wilderness of Mendocino County, California was our latest adventure. It is quite different than trying to capture the speed of road racing or the slide of dirt trackers. Figuring out how to make slow and precise look exciting is more difficult than it looks. The rugged terrain and slippery footing sent us both sliding down more than just a couple of times over the two days.

Geoff in position to shoot the section.

Trials riding or “Observed Trials” is not a race. It’s an extreme competition requiring the rider to demonstrate balance and precision while navigating a series of up to ten sections through a course (the Loop) set in difficult terrain without setting down a foot (dabbing), crashing, or riding out of bounds. Throttle, brake control and steely nerves are necessary. One rider at a time is “observed” by a checker, as they enter the marked entry and exit points. Riders go through the Loop three times and scores are marked on their card. “He who makes the fewest mistakes wins!”

He’ll have to pivot at the top to get onto the 3 line; Expert rider Grant Menghini on his modified Yamaha TY.

Trials sections are scored as follows:

0 Points is a considered a Clean ride through the section without any dabs or failures.

1 Point is assigned when a rider dabs once in a section or uses any part of their body to regain balance.

2 Points are assigned when a rider dabs twice in a section.

3 Points are assigned when a rider dabs three or more times. It is the maximum score given when a rider completes the section without a failure. There is no 4 point score.

5 points are assigned as the maximum penalty for failure to complete a section, crashing, riding out of bounds, dabbing with a stalled engine, or displacing a split marker intended for their class.

Teresa and her dog Paige with other riders checking out the line.

Sunday’s program was a “Scott Trial”. In this type of event each rider is timed individually and the fastest lap out of four is thrown out. The second and third fastest lap times are averaged and then used to calculate the timed part of the scoring. Every minute a rider is late, one point is lost. The second component is scored like a regular Observed Trial. The sections are simplified with riding classes using only two lines through the section. Riders are not allowed to stop and view the sections; they must ride through each one without stopping. Riders wear numbered bibs and start 20-30 seconds apart and complete four laps. Fatigue is the main enemy in a Scott Trial, which takes approximately 45 minutes to an hour for the lead rider to complete, at which point the event is over.

82 years young, Premier Rider Charlie Higdon makes the Scott Trial look easy.

Our event was part of an AHRMA 2024 Northwest Vintage Trials Series sponsored by Redwood Engineering. Robert and Debbie Poole have been AHRMA trustees for many years. Approximately 12 years ago, the Tea Cup Trials made it’s debut on their 72 acre property near Pt. Arena, California. Riders, many who have become good friends, travel from Portland, Oregon, Vancouver, Canada, and even Pennsylvania to spend a weekend riding, scoring, camping and visiting. Saturday night is a traditional potluck BBQ. They even have a wood-fired hot tub for riders to soothe those aching muscles, under the canopy of massive redwood trees. Most of the bikes were Yamaha TY, a few Honda TL and some Bultaco Sherpa T, and Montesa Cota from the 1970s. There were a few riders on Triumph, BSA and Ariel four stroke singles from the 1950s and 60s as well.

This old Bultaco Sherpa T could be in the forests of Europe competing.

It’s a wonderful place where cell phones don’t get a signal, everyone’s bikes are parked in a clearing, and dogs can steal an unattended hot dog bun or other treat, as well as get free petting. We hope to be invited back next year, as it is a welcome break from the hustle of life.

Barb Nickless

*Photos by Geoff & Barb Nickless

*Top photo: Host Robert Poole taking a line through the forest.

Some old classics in them there woods, on two legs as well as two wheels. Saturday morning rider’s meeting.