Ashley Smith's Trial Season

During 2008 I will be riding trials for Cleanbikes again, a big thanks to Chris and Barbara for having me on the team again this year, www.cleanbikes.co.uk

I’ve just recently received my new Monty 221 Kamel, a bit of a change for me really as during the time that  I’ve been riding trials I have always rode a stock bike (26” wheels) now converting onto a mod trials bike (20” wheels). I suppose the change is to find new challenges and achieve new goals. I still don’t fully understand why I made the change but I seem to be improving in some ways.

During the trials season I will be competing at most of the tyke trial club round events, as well as the UK national events.

The events I will be attending are:

11^th May Addingham moorside- Tyke Trial training day

17^th May Blackpool- British UCI Trials Championship 2008 - .UCI World Qualifier

18^th May Blackpool- Round 2 UK National Championship

8^th June Fort William- Round 3 UK National Championship in conjunction with the UCI World Championships

14^th June Highwood farm Brimham rocks- Fun day

15^th June Highwood farm Brimham rocks- Round 4 Tyke Trial

20^th July Addingham moorside- Round 4 UK National Championship

27^th July Harden moor- Round 5 Tyke Trial

7^th September Back Cowm quarry- Round 6 Tyke Trial

5^th October Shipley Glen- Round 5 UK National Championship

19^th October Harden moor- Round 7 Tyke Trial

2^nd November Dob park Otley- Tyke Trial training day

7^th December West end- Tyke Trial training day

Prior to these events I have attended two Tyke Trial rounds so far this year, as well as travelling out to France to Buthiers to the famous KOXX days events.

The week spent in France was Brilliant, some of the best trials riding I have ever experienced, I travelled down with Wayne Mohamet, Jack Carthy, Ross and Jacks brother and dad,

Once there we met up with other local riders, namely being Chris walker, Sam Oliver, Ben Savage and the rest of the lads from the UK.

The actual trials was brilliant, some real talent, the French riders are something else to watch; they make it all seem so effortless. Shame the weather wasn’t much better than what we have been having in the UK, although we did have a couple of days of sun!

A great week!

Pictures to follow at a later date!

In terms of the rest of the riding, I’ve been spending a lot of time on my cross country bike (hardtail), to be honest I haven’t rode the new Marin much yet, I still seem to prefer the Kinesis that I’ve been riding for the past few years.

Ive attended most of the recent rides the mud packers have been on, most recently Llandegla in North Wales, mountain bike heaven, fast flowing lines and great trails!

I’m hoping to enter some 12 Hour endurance events when there are no trials running, and maybe a 24 hour race as part of a team of 4 to raise money for charity.