Typically, ‘as it lies’ is a phrase that I would associate with golf, or Happy Gilmore. Though in this case, the title certainly fits the riding in the latest clip from Chris Akrigg. He states in the description that he isn’t one for overbuilt lines and purpose built trails, but when you have the skills of Akrigg – anything is rideable…
Akrigg is so fun and unreal to watch! Too bad trials isn’t more popular. It would be cool to have a trail/trials competition where time is a factor but every feature of the trail must be completed to finish. I would love to see the build/geo a dedicated trail/trials bike would have. Steeper HA, shorter TT and seat tube, longer stem, smaller wheels, fat slow rolling low psi tires, flat pedals….
I know, super niche and unlike enduo where anyone that can ride a trail can participate, this would always be low participation.
Events like that have been held on occasion, since the early days of MTB, although they were always a bit of a rarity even when Observed Trials were quite common. They’re called Scott Trials, and are based on the rules of this British Moto event:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scott_Trial
You would usually get an actual time for the course, and then get time bonuses/penalties based on the number of dabs you made in the observed sections.
To see what a trials bike geometry should look like, look at the Inspired bike lineup that has 20″, 24″, and 26″ street trials bikes that are more functional than the pure trials bikes.
Wrt trials skills…yep, Akrigg is really good, at everything. But practicing the basics of trials skills is easy, takes no room, and will likely improve your riding skill and enjoyment. Track stands, endos, back hops,…you can practice these in your driveway. For easy tutorials, look at TrashZen site as a good jumping off point…
