Squamish motorcycle trials tagalong

The author heads into the backwoods of Squamish, B.C., for a Canadian Pacific Trials motorcycle event

by Matthew Mallory

Sean Bird pops over one of the gnarliest lines. The explosive rider took second. — Matthew Mallory Photography

Trials in British Columbia is slowly growing. A somewhat underground discipline that doesn’t get the spotlight like motocross or enduro is attracting new riders who get hooked on the focus, precision, balance and control required.

On May 15, 2016,  riders from around the province gathered together up the Mamquam Forest Service Road in Squamish, B.C., for the fifth stop in the Canadian Pacific Trials 2016 event calendar, as well as a Canadian Motorcycle Association event.

Tanner Nordin taking the fast route down a rock that most rolled. — Matthew Mallory Photography

With the course being all natural, it was a challenging 10 sections of gnarly rock and tight manoeuvres that required riders to have a superb sense of balance, bike control and the ability to dance that fine line between the throttle, clutch and brake. Sections featured steep, sometimes vertical rock faces, steps and jagged lines. For anyone that hasn't witnessed these talented trials riders first hand, there is only one word to describe it—sick!

Tagging along with the expert field, it was clear that everyone is friends and that they are there to support each other. It’s less like a competition and more like a freeride session that is scored since they are sharing line info and spotting, encouraging and looking out for each other. The cheers and high-fives were flying as every rider pushed themselves.

Steve Day was the first to successfully splatter this line. — Matthew Mallory Photography

After three laps of the 10 sections, the dust cleared and scores were calculated to find out whose was the lowest, even though it seemed to matter little as everyone was a tired, smiling, sweaty mess.

  1. Alex Walton - 24 points
  2. Sean Bird - 37 points
  3. Matt Fracy - 40 points
  4. Steve Day - 49 points
  5. Tanner Nordin - 53 points
  6. Steve Fracy - 64 points
  7. Ricky Styles - 69 points
  8. Brandon Volk - DNF

Alex Walton dissecting a section on his way to taking first in the Squamish CPTA Trial. — Matthew Mallory Photography


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