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Revelstoke to host Western Canadian Championship Trial

Revelstoke plays host to Western Canadian Championship Trials dirt bike event this weekend.
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Trials concentrates on rider skill and technique

By Stephen Shannon, special to the Revelstoke Times Review

On June 28th and 29th, the Revy Riders Dirtbike Club, in conjunction with World Trials Canada is hosting the Western Canadian Championship Trial out at Glacier House Resort and the Revy Riders’ compound.

As organizer Dave Rhodes explains, “trials is the oldest form of motorcycle sport, dating back to the early 1900s.”

Though the bikes and riding style have changed, the roots of the competition are still the same. Instead of focusing on speed, trials is all about rider skill and navigating difficult terrain while staying balanced on the bike.

The objective is to ride through various sections without going out of bounds, or putting a foot down (dabbing). Competitors are given points for dabbing - one point for one dab, two points for two, up to a maximum of three points for dabbing three or more times. If a rider goes outside the marked section (out of bounds), goes backwards more than two feet, crashes, or fails to complete a section, they are given a five. Points are tallied over the course of the day with the lowest score winning.

The course starts at the Glacier House Resort and is only about five kilometres long. Usually trials courses are over 20 kilometres, but the emphasis for this event is on making it easily accessible to the public. The competition sections are all located in the three quarries on the Frisby forest service road. Spectators can easily drive right up to the quarries to watch the competition. The sections are made up of difficult terrain designed to test the riders.

Though this is a Canadian championship event, there are still classes for everyone from novices up to expert and ‘champ’ (pro). As most sections are within the quarries, there will be lots of rock riding. Champ sections will include large boulders that the riders must go over. All sections will include tight corners, off cambers and rough terrain designed to test the competitors’ skills.

Highlighting the event are Australian Sam King and Spaniard Tino Marin, both of whom have competed in the World Trials Championships. Many Canadian riders will be competing including Kelowna’s Brandon Wince who is ranked #2 in Canada. The top competitors are spectacular to watch as they ride over seemingly impossible obstacles.

For more information about the event, visit the Revy Riders’ website or call Dave Rhodes at 250-545-6139 or 250-308-7307.