Trials Australia

In this episode we catch up with South African rider turned Aussie: Bruce le Riche. It's worth going back and listening to episode 58 with his brother Brent as well. We hear about Bruce's time in South Africa, before a false start at riding in the UK, before eventually making it to the USA and riding the NATC championships. We hear about Bruce building upon his early success to finish 2nd in the 2005 NATC season and how he worked as a coach at the Trials Training Centre in Tennessee. We discuss the world round in Duluth and we are trying something new with this episode: Bruce is going to take us through what he means when he says "Quality practice makes perfect". Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with Bruce le Riche. Link: Episode 58 with Brent le Riche: https://trials.com.au/news/ep-58-brent-le-riche--15-times-south-african-national-champion-5503 Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trials Go Fund Me: Link

Today we focus on trials coaching with Stu Day. Stu has had a broad range of experience, first in trials then with a move to enduro before eventually ending up running his own coaching and experience business. You can hear the passion for it all in his voice as we discuss the skill set of coaching and drill down into what some of most common advice is for new riders. If you are new to trials, this one is a must listen. We go on to discuss the popularity of trials at the moment in the UK. Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with Stu Day. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trials Go Fund Me: Link

Today we are flying high with the Birdman. Sean Bird is Canada's current champion also does a lot of freestyle work with shows and previous work with the Marvel Universe live & Freestyle Kings. We chat with Sean about where it all started, and he opens up about the pitfalls of going up a grade before you were really ready. Sean then had a break from the sport while he focused on his career, but as so often is the story we hear about how he came back and the generosity of a rider to simply give him his bike to ride to help Sean recapture the bug. Since then Sean has been busy evolving into a freestyle rider and shows with former guest Sam King under Sams company Ride the Vibe, travelled to China for work with Freestyle Kinds and as mentioned the Marvel universe Live before COVID shut it down. It was a treat to speak with Sam, and here about his plans for the TdN and the year ahead and how he balances training for events vs freestyle shows. Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with the Canadian Champ: Sean Bird. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/trials

I was really pleased to get to speak with German rider Theresa Bäuml on this episode of the podcast. It's been too long since last chatting with a German rider and this was also an opportunity to get into the women's trials scene with a successful rider across German Championships, European Championships and Winner of a Trial GP event. And I'm not kidding about that success, Theresa is the winner of the German Championship from 2015 to 2019. She won the European Championships 2015 & 2016 And she was the winner of the Italian Trial GP in 2017. Theresa opens up on why her results have dropped in recent years, and you may be shocked as I certainly was, to discover she was diagnosed with a brain tumour that required multiple surgeries and although the worst is behind her she has been left still feeling some after effects. As a result of all this she hasn't been riding much with COVID as well stifling her ability to ride, but it has given her a renewed lease on life and a perspective that there is more in the world than just trials and that and to really value your health and wellbeing. I'm still amazed at Theresa's courage and I can wait to see her back on the bike sometime soon. Ladies and gentleman I give you my chat with German rider Theresa Bäuml. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Today we speak with Bill de Garis. Bill (Billy d) de Garis was born in England, grew up in New Zealand and spent several years travelling around the world. First on a 250cc Jawa motorbike from Sydney, Australia through India, Afghanistan and Iran to England; then an epic journey in an old Morris Isis shooting-brake (running mostly on bald tyres salvaged from rubbish dumps around London) together with two New Zealand friends on their honeymoon. The journey started in London, went across the Sahara desert and darkest Africa and ended up in Kenya. He now lives in Port Moody, a city-suburb of Vancouver in British Columbia, Canada. He highlight as an off-road motorcycle competitor include being East Africa (seven times Kenya motorcycle champion) but also raced on tarseal-in India and Sri Lanka he won several roadraces including the Air India Grand Prix in Bombay (now Mumbai). He is also the first person to climb Mt. Kilimanjaro (19,340ft) on a motorbike (250cc CZ). He now competes on a Vertigo Trials motorbike in the US National Trials Championship and throughout the pacific north west. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Bill de Garis. Links to Amazon: Amazon USA https://www.amazon.com/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/1777411025/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930133&s=books&sr=1-1 Amazon Canada https://www.amazon.ca/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/B09M58P3LK/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930240&s=books&sr=1-1 Amazon UK https://www.amazon.co.uk/Foo-Rider-Bill-Garis/dp/1777411025/ref=sr_1_1?keywords=foo+foo+rider&qid=1638930327&s=books&sr=1-1 Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Today we speak with Emile Matthueews from Belgium. He is the current Belgium Champion, and rides in the Trial 2 class of Trial GP. Emile scored his first Trial 2 points earlier this year at the Cahors round in France, and has represented Belgium at the TdN 4 times previously. We discuss what it was like having one of your first international competitive experiences be the TdN, and why his super power is his infections smile. Emile gives us a tour of local Belgium competition, and how he trains in preparation for World Rounds. We discuss his plans for 2022 and his busy calendar, along with his excitement for the TrialGP festival to visit his home town in Belgium for the first time in a few years. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you episode 100... my chat with Emile Matthueews. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Today we speak with Michael Lois. This is the amazing story of how a promising footballer suffered a life changing injury that turned his life upside down. Michael was the 2nd person in his class to commit to a college on a full football scholarship, which for the initiated, means he was pretty good and his talent was recognised early. Only 5 days after committing and while still in high school Michael suffered a life changing injury which he was brave enough to discuss in some detail. Michael was no stranger to bikes, but his passion was football however when this was taken away on a fateful September night he used the opportunity to pivot back to his early passion of two wheel and now more specifically trials thanks to some encouragement from his Dad. Michaels uncle was a former trials rider and as you will hear he now live 5 mins from Pat Smage and makes use of the Smage compound for his training and event gets some training from the entire Smage family as well. Michael spoke with great poise and was able to reflect on a very turbulent time but how he has come out the other side with a positive attitude and a strong competitive spirit continue progressing up the grades. He's even tried his hand at a Hard Enduro. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Michael Lois. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Today we speak with Paul Arnott, the man behind The Hell Team. Having spoken to Paul about this interview a long while back it was good to finally get around to do it. Paul was our first sponsor for this podcast and had absolutely no hesitation in signing up. I've dealt with Paul a bit as a consumer from the Hell Team but pretty much everyone in trials I know has dealt with him as well. We hear about how the Hell Team got started, and the various false starts with being importing thanks to brands not surviving of events life the GFC. We discuss the hectic life of an importer when you are running world rounds and the crazy story of using a catering oven to do a main bearing when you are out supporting international riders far away from your workshop. We talk through the people Paul has met along the way and the relationships he has built over time and how those relationships have paid dividends when needed. I'd also like to take this opportunity on behalf of all the riders Paul has sponsored and supported along the way, in particular helping with Aussie riders when travelling to Europe...I know it means a lot. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Paul Arnott. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast YoutTube: https://bit.ly/yt-tap

Today we continue our conversation with John Hulme. John would be most well known today among the trials family for being the English arm of Trial Magazine and the creator of Classic Trial Magazine. In Ep 96 which was part 1 we talked with John about his background in the sport and how he spent his early years rubbing shoulders with the who's who of trials. In part 2, we talk more about the formation of the magazine and what the realities are of getting a print publication going. We circle back to the grow of classic trials as well. Without any further delay, Ladies & gentlemen, I give you part 2 of my 2 part chat with John Hulme. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we speak with John Hulme. John would be most well known today among the trials family for being the English arm of Trial Magazine and the creator of Classic Trial Magazine. In part 1 we talk with John about his background in the sport and how he spent his early years rubbing shoulders with the who's who of trials. We talk about John entire family were completely immersed in the sport and how he was encouraged early on to maintain his bikes by his Father. We take a chronological journey through John's early years in the sport and touch on his career choices as well during this time. What comes through strongly at this point is that John became connected with a number of people that would ultimately help him start trial magazine, without necessarily realising it. In part 2, we talk more about the formation of the magazine and what the realities are of getting a print publication going. We circle back to the grow of classic trials as well. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you part 1 of my 2 part chat with John Hulme. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we are chatting with Robin Luscombe. Robin is well know in UK club trials, particularly in Sidecars as he has been the 16 times British sidecar champion. We hear about how Robin got into the sport, and those early influences that got him into sidecars but more importantly the groundswell of other riders that made trials sidecars less obscure and more of a regular occurrence at trials events. We discuss the challenges of forming new partnerships and his brief foray of solo riding and the SSDT during a period of times that was otherwise dominated by sidecar events. We discuss the FIM Coupe, the trips abroad including all the way to Australia but ultimately the reasons why he gave up sidecars after so many years. I was quite surprised to learn from Robin just how popular his current pursuit of classic trials is. They are getting 400+ riders to some of the classic multi-day trials in France and Spain and there is even high profile expert solo riders who are even dragging out the twin shock for these events. Robin even pressed me on the reasons behind starting this podcast, which I know some of you have been curious about. This was a real treats to chat with someone who was so passionate and determined in the sport of trials. Ladies & gentlemen, I give you my chat with Robin Luscombe. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

The podcast has been on a bit of theme of late as we have discussed riders who have transitioned from Trials to Hard Enduro. Today is a continuation of that theme as we chat with Trials champion and the USAs lead Hard Enduro rider: Cody Webb. Cody is an unbelievably easy to talk to guy which makes this interview all the more special. I think were able to get below the surface and find out what makes him tick. Cody's accomplishments in trials in the USA culminated in his 2010 win of the NATC Pro Class Championship after a number of years of 2 place. He's also won gold at the TdN and the ISDE putting in him rare company. This chat goes into reflections on the difficulties with making Hard Enduro events suitable for Pros & amateur riders; dealing with injuries; his thoughts on the next generation of Hard Enduro riders in the USA; trying to build parity between Hard Enduro in the USA and Europe; and what is getting him excited next. Just a heads up that at about 45 mins into this chat there is some background noise that I did my best to suppress, but some of it trickled through. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you my chat with the USAs leading Hard Enduro rider Cody Webb. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today I have the absolute privilege of chatting with Major Sandy Mack MBE. Sandy has been into the sport of trials for ages, but it most well done for his extensive work on the Scottish ACU which he is now currently chair of. We also discuss his extensive background with the Army Trials Team and the work the Army does to help support the SSDT via refueling stops. It was a really interesting chat that kind of left me wondering how the SSDT would run if it weren't for the Army's involvement, and you also see the benefits for the Army in terms of treating it as a training exercise. It feels like a really symbiotic relationship. Sandy himself has done the SSDT 18 times as a rider but is now more focused on administration of the sport than participation. As the Chair of the Scottish ACU he has a unique perspective to talk about trials in comparison to other disciplines, and how sport development is going. We discuss the healthy levels of trials participation at Scottish club trials and national events. We also hear how Mrs Mack, or mother, looks after the riders as part of the annual SSDT preparation and training. I can tell you I am really glad to have now spoken to someone so dedicated and passionate about the sport of trials. Ladies and Gentleman, I give you my chat with Major Sandy Mack MBE. Link to Jitsie Trial GB Coverage: https://www.jitsie.com/en/ Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

This was a real treat to have such a lengthy chat with Graham Jarvis. We caught up with Graham a couple of weeks ago while he is currently recovering from a knee injury that has currently seen him off the bike for an extended period of time. Graham is someone who I have wanted to interview for a while now, as his ability in enduro are clear for everyone to see. Most people know Graham comes from a trials background so I was keen to explore those early days which are meaningful achievements in their own right, it's just that they have been somewhat dwarfed by his career 2.0 in hard enduro. We discuss the transition from trials to enduro and what advice he would give to aspiring riders and reflect on his many achievements in the enduro world as a multiple winner of the Red Bull Romaniacs, Ezberg, and Sea to Sky as well as Hells Gate. We look at the approach to events and how that differs between the two disciplines. We round it out with a chat about what is next for Graham and discuss his Race Team, Clothing Line, Signature Tours and training programs. Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Graham Jarvis. Link to Jitsie Scott Trial Coverage: https://www.jitsie.com/en/ Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

This episode I had the absolute pleasure of chatting with Geoff Aaron. Geoff would be known to most of our US listeners where he is credited for taking trials into the mainstream. Geoff does things slightly differently as you will hear in the interview and is always keen to explore and push in different directions to see what works. Geoff's riding achievements are unquestionable: 10x AMA champ. First AMA Trials win 1990. Last win 2006. 73 career wins. 15x TDN 2 career Endurocross wins, Erzberg, Romaniacs, LMS, Xgames Beyond riding, he has been a Redbull sponsored athlete, produced DVD's and run trials demo's & shows under his business Extreme Riding Entertainment (ERE). Later in Geoff's career he also became an event promoter, with his recent achievement of the Californian Trial Invitational also getting TV coverage He's worked with Gas Gas in the US for years, and more recently under KTM Group ownership he has taken responsibility for their off-road competition program across GNCC enduro and Trials. And for Geoff trials is also a family affair with his wife a former champion and his kids now competing in US nationals as well. It was refreshing to be able to chat with someone who has fingers in so many pie's and is working in our industry from multiple angles. Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Geoff Aaron. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Josh Roper is having a breakout season. Josh is riding the Pro Class in the US NATC Championship and currently sitting 2nd overall with one round to go this weekend. He won the California Trials Invitational earlier this year and he's just back from the USA TdN team who were agonisingly close to a podium, and also rode the world rounds preceding the TdN event in the Trial 2 class. None of this should be a surprise. Josh is from Trials Royalty in the USA, starting with his Dad Todd who rode the Pro class in the 80's and his brother Bryan who finished a high of 2nd place in 2013. We interviewed his Dad Todd about 1 year ago on episode 43.In addition to this we hear how current pro riders like Daniel Blanc-Gonnet have taken him under their wing when he was riding the Expert class and helped him build up to the rider he is now. We also discuss his progress through the ranks, #vanlife and how he has been spending his summer, and what his routine looks like. We also discuss ambitions for Europe and how the USA 'pay it forward' approach to rider development is now seeing Josh run schools for juniors where he can. It was a real treat to chat with Josh and I'd like to thank him for making time to do this podcast. Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Josh Roper. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we get back to visit our Canadian friends on the podcast. We are chatting to two time Canadian Champ Jonathan English. Jonathan was also representing Canada at the TdN last weekend in Portugal as he has done a few time now. We had a really good chat about how Jonathan found trials and how he is supporting the Ontario and Thunder Bay trial scene. We discuss his job as an Airline Pilot and how there were some trials gaps as result of getting established in his career, but then also reflect on the benefits which have allowed him to travel for his sport. Jonathan did the SSDT twice and takes us through his experiences, as well as when travelling with his family as a spectator and how he helped salvage former guest Derek Thomas' SSDT. Jonathan is now doing a bit of coaching and we reflect on the finer points of teaching others. Jonathan was an absolute pleasure to interview and I'm really glad I got an opportunity to hear his story. Ladies and gentleman, I give you my chat with Jonathan English. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we are chatting with 3 time NATC champion Scott Head. Scott is from Southern California and grew up in a time when that areas was renowned for producing some the USA's best. Before Scott knew it, he was whisked away to Europe to ride the Italian championship and world rounds for Italjet as Bernie Schreibers team mate. We hear how Scott's life was turned upside down in a 48 hour period due to a rider change in Italy. Scott could have stayed on in Europe but surprisingly he turned his back on it and returned to the USA. What I found refreshing was his ability to think through the situation which showed wisdom most at that young age would not be able to muster. Again, to my surprise we hear how Scott pretty much aimed to return to full time education and didn't necessarily plan to pursue trials. But as we also have learnt from many of these podcast episodes...you can take a break but the trials bug does tend to bite and so when Scott was offered a ride at the back end of 1983 to ride the nationals he jumped at the chance. What then unfolded was a period of dominance that he went on to ride and win the next 3 years NATC amassing a win streak of 16 consecutive National events which has only been equaled by Pat Smage in 2018. Today Scott is involved in the Southern Sierra Motorcycle Club and we here how he's back into trials in a big way through coaching and his new goal is to still be riding when he's in his 70's. Ladies and gentlemen, I give you my chat with Scott Head. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

Today we chat with on the UK top female riders: Katy Sunter. Katy has amassed an impressive trials career which includes We discuss Katy's impressive career and how she stays motivated to keep riding even after all those accomplishments. We discuss her background in the sport and how despite growing up in a trials family and even lived on the Scott Trial course, it wasn't until she saw females in competition did she decided trials was something she wanted to pursue. And there has been no stopping her since. Katy opens up about how maturity has allowed her to reflect on things differently, including how much pressure she put on herself as a younger rider, and as how she's enjoyed riding so much more after realising this. We also discuss Katy's love affair with the Scott trial and how it holds a special place for her & her entire family. And of course those impressive 13 SSDT. We go on to discuss female participation in trials and how that compares to Mountain Biking which Katy is also partial to. This was a real treat. Ladies and gentleman, I present to you my chat with Katy Sunter. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast

This podcast isn't just about the riders. Today we are chatting to Colin Bullock who is literally the man behind the camera. Colin has been around trials for decades, but most of it been behind camera. In this interview we try to understand why and where his passion for trials came about. We discuss his respect and admiration for the riders who make it all looks so effortless but why he prefers being behind the camera. We also explore how he got started in photography, then later videography and discuss his highlights including Training DVDs, SSDT footage, and even his early days photography Barry Sheene at Mallory Park. We find out what makes a good trials photograph and over on the Trials Australia Facebook Community are a sample of Colin's personal favourites photos for your to browse. Also we switch up our usual questions and take a more photography specific approach. Ladies and gentleman I present to you my chat with Colin Bullock. Contact the Podcast: Email: podcast@trials.com.au Facebook Group: Trials Australia Podcast Community Instagram: trialsauspodcast TikTok: @trials_aus_podcast