sagsag
Junior Member
You can't beat a Beta!!
Posts: 45
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Post by sagsag on Mar 1, 2008 20:04:53 GMT
Eiger are you implying that myself and The Real Physco rarely make constructive comments??
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Post by The Real PSYCHO on Mar 2, 2008 17:48:54 GMT
I also got that impression sagsag! I must say the use of this forum seems to be improving aswell! especially now there are some good topics on the go! ;D ;D
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sagsag
Junior Member
You can't beat a Beta!!
Posts: 45
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Post by sagsag on Mar 2, 2008 19:27:05 GMT
So has anyone got any ideas on how to solve the ongoing problem of no observers?? It doesn't seem to matter what incentives are offered, many people are just not willing to observe!
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eiger
Full Member
Posts: 95
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Post by eiger on Mar 2, 2008 21:47:12 GMT
Sagsag and Psycho (the real one that is!) you seem far too interested in Wulf gear, maybe you secretly hanker after a pair of Wulf pants, maybe you even own a pair which you only wear alone!! On a more serious note re observers, I don't think any of us know the answer but an incentive of a free ride or a tenner would help but not neccessarily cure the problem. Its pretty much the same ones who observe week in week out, a motocross philosophy has been suggested where riders have to marshall at certain pre-arranged events/times, would this work for trials? Personally I don't think so but what about (in the event we are short of observers) a selection of riders observe a section, these riders can wear an armband or some kind of marker which allows them to go to the front of queues so they get to finish on time and observe a section say for a lap along with a few others? But then how will a club sort this out on the day, not a real solution but something to think about. On a less serious note we rode the Milnthorpe cup road trial today near Kendal, brilliant trial, great scenery and it didn't rain either! Get it in your diary for next year. Eiger
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Post by GC on Mar 2, 2008 22:27:13 GMT
About observers.........we went to the recent Pathfinders trial on the 17th February and they refused to start the trial until observers had been found for ALL sections. As a result the trial was delayed by about 10 mins or so despite an entry of 90+ riders. Perhaps we need to be more forthright in our approach in finding observers instead of girl thingyfooting around. We are too polite.
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Post by levelpar on Mar 2, 2008 23:12:52 GMT
Re observers, no solutions but a few comments.
At the majority of the trials that I take the lads to the observers seem to fall into two categorities.
The parents of the youth riders and a core of retired riders/non riding enthusiasts.
I'm more than happy to gat a free ride for one of my lads. The're reasonably able to look after themselves (and help is never very far away), so I can enjoy myself, clipboard in hand. It would be nice to see them ride now and then, allthough they would probably disagree !!!
Clearly riders want to ride and it may be unrealistic to believe that they will give up their ride for the benifit of others.
There may be some mileage in getting riders to observe each other, however finding a simple workable solution is beyond me at the moment.
Maybe a beer tent. Riders would then arrange to be chauffered to the event in order to enjoy the hospiality. With the chauffer observing our rider now gets a free ride, thus giving him more money to spend on the beer !!!
Or. Get more youth riders, who can't drive.
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eiger
Full Member
Posts: 95
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Post by eiger on Mar 9, 2008 19:36:36 GMT
Going back to oservers the armband thingy for riders (say for a 4 lap trial you get 4 riders to observe for a lap each) could be workable. Each of the four riders could be given an armband to wear for the whole trial which allows them to ride to the front a a queue if they wish so they can make up time after having observed whilst everyone else completed a lap. Its got to be something to think about in the event we fall short of observers. And on a more serious note the idea from levelpar re the beer tent is sheer genius as long as Andy 'Father Jack' Hipwell was banned as he'd sup the bloody lot going on past experience!! It could be erected a few days before the trial so the setting out crew can enjoy a pint or three whilst planning the sections, on the day of the trial riders could ply observers with drink - just think what you could get away with. Mind you on saying that if you see double when drunk (I wouldn't know!) one dab could be a two, or worse than that a five could be ten!! Who cares, a pint of bitter please!
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Post by sandmseccy on Apr 7, 2008 21:19:05 GMT
Sorry for putting my oar in so long after the previous discussions took place, but i've just registered and i'm keen to see my login mentioned! Reading thru the various inputs, the common threads seem to be that you've got it spot on and I fully agree. I say don't change a thing. Going off on a bit of a tangent, a couple of general points that apply to most Trials: 1. Where a section doesn't have an observer, why do some riders apparently refuse to do any observing? All it takes is for each rider to stop and observe the next one thru, then pass the board to him. It's a "system" that works brilliantly when everyone does their bit, but fails miserably when some don't. 2. Queue jumping. My pet hate. I know it's always been part of the art of Trialling for some and it seems as though it's accepted by many. Both these points come under the general banner of common courtesy, a quality that seems to be on the way out these days. I suppose that if you've got to ASK someone to take their turn observing or not queue jump, then you've already lost! Anyway, rant over. The intention was to say that your Trials are spot on and I'll keep coming as long as you'll have me!
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mike
New Member
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Post by mike on May 6, 2008 10:35:18 GMT
There are some very constructive comments, all of which seem sensible to me. I am a rider and do observe a few times a year at trails too difficult for me. Good riders ought to observe at trials too easy for them. I would like to add something about attracting observers. Last year I went to spectate at a trial near Burton-on-Trent, the name of the organising club escapes me (owd git) but the trial was held on a scrambles course. I spoke to one young observer, who was about 14yrs old, and asked him why he wasn't riding. His reply was that he was a motocross rider, and part of his membership rules was that he must observe at a trial, conversely trials riders must marshal at motocross events. This is a sure fire way of getting people to put something back into their sport. May be we could introduce a similar system, say give some championship points to riders who have done their bit of observing. Or deduct points for not having done their observing stint! Food for thought, what do you think? Before you reply, just let me get my flak jacket.
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