In the ‘old days’, when there was a more defined season for trials and scrambling, many riders took part in both – often using the same bike. Usually, I concede, our notional rider would be rather better at trials than scrambles – or vice versa – but they would still ride and presumably enjoy both disciplines.

Equally, I realise that with the increasing spread of ‘specialisation’ – both of rider and machine – it has become harder to excel at two different sports. And if you are anything near the top of the tree in either trials or motocross, I fully understand the need for concentrating on one or the other in order to maximise your potential. But if you’re nowhere near the giddy heights of the professional elite, why deny yourself two bites at the off-road cherry?
Now, I’ll happily admit that I’ve spent a lot more time on a trials bike than I have on a motocrosser. In fact, until the middle of 2006 I’d never even sat on a motocross bike – but not because I didn’t want to. Like many, I’m sure, I’d never had the money, time or opportunity to compete in motocross at any level, but when I found myself in the position to be able to have a dabble – however modest – I jumped at the chance. And guess what? I love it. In fact, I’d say trials has taken a bit of a back seat for the time being (although I’m getting all excited now I’ve got my TL back in one piece).

So, I’ve got to wondering why it is that this ‘cultural divide’ seems to exist in classic off-road sport. I do realise that cost comes into it. Trials – and particularly pre-65 and twinshock trials – has always been the cheapest and most accessible form of motorised sport and for some, that is reason enough to stick to it. But seeing first hand the time, effort and cash that many riders lavish on their trials bikes makes me realise too, that this is not the definitive answer.

Others may have only got room for one bike, or have very limited spare time to indulge their hobby and for them, I can see a very valid rationale behind opting for one or the other sport. But I can also see another possibility.

Could it, just possibly, be that some people don’t like trials – or motocross – because they haven’t tried it? You know the sort of thing I mean. There you are at a barbecue and someone’s offering the squid round. “Fancy a bit of this squid, Mick?” the host asks. “Ooh, no thanks mate,” says Mick a bit sharp-ish. “I don’t really like it.” But what he really means is: “I’ve never had it, but I don’t fancy the look of it and I’ll bet it tastes a bit grim and, well, you can easy get a dose of the two bob bits from that seafood lark. I’ll stick to the sausages, I think.”

Now own up, we’ve all done that at one stage or another – though I have tried squid as it happens, and I think it’s foul, but there you go. And I once got into an unpleasant and embarrassing situation in a bar in Spain over a mistaken translation from the menu that left me concealing some pickled pig’s intestines in a plant pot (foul again, I’m afraid). But at least I tried them first.

And that’s what I’d love to see everyone who can in the classic off-road scene do – try it. If you think you don’t like trials, beg a ride on a trials iron and see how you get on. Believe me, it’s a very different challenge to putting in a few fast laps of a motocross track, but it really is great fun. Conversely, if you’ve never seen the point in riding round in circles on a muddy field, give it a go at a practice track or a laid back classic or twinshock event. No one will laugh at you – no one’s laughed at me yet (at least not to my face) and believe me, you’re better than me. Of course, you might hate it – but you might love it too.

Of course, there are notable exceptions to this single mindedness. Our own Mick Andrews is a shining example of off-road multi-culturalism. He’ll ride anything from a pre-unit Tribsa scrambler to a tricked up twinshock trials bike. Hell, he’ll even ride a modern bike. And he loves it all. Then what about Arthur Browning, Jeff Smith and Arthur Lampkin? Great all rounders, for sure, but they’re still the exceptions, rather than the rule.

So go on, try something different. You might just like it. Just don’t blame me if you do.

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