EVT Competition Rules
The object in an Observed Trial is to ride various sections of difficult natural terrain in the woods, without putting your foot down (dabbing), to maintain balance and bike control. These terrain challenges include combinations of tight turns through the trees, jumping fallen logs, riding through rocky sections, short hill climbs, etc. The object is not speed, but rather control of your bike on challenging terrain. The events are always held on private land. The sport is perhaps best known in Europe, but there are plenty of devoted followers in North America!
In a trial scored under the EVT gate system that we are using, riders are free to choose their own path through each section. There will be several obstacles (gates) to choose from in each section. The rider gains one bonus point for each gate completed. High score wins.
The EVT gate system is ideal for riders of all abilities because they can pick only the obstacles that are appropriate for their own skill level.
EVT EVENT RULES
General Information: EVT events have five bike classes:
Prehistoric- 1971 and older.
Historic- 1972 through 1977.
Classic- 1978 through 1987, twin shock and drum brake. Modern- 1991 and older, monoshock and/or disc brake.
Exhibition- A class for water cooled trials bikes (exhibition class riders will not be scored for year end results.)
All vintage class bikes must be production trials bikes or other bikes that have been modified for trials use. If you are contemplating riding a heavily-modified bike, it would be wise to consult with the EVT Administrators. Modified bikes must be approved by the Administrators before first use with us and will be assigned to the bike class deemed appropriate. Period modifications are allowed, meaning there should be no major components newer than the newest year for that class. However, modern shocks, carbs, and tires are acceptable. All tires must have trials tread (no knobbies).
Generally, wheel sizes must be 21” front and 18” rear. To preserve a vintage experience, all vintage class bikes must be air-cooled.
The signup period is from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, with a mandatory rider’s meeting at 10:45 AM. The trial starting time is 11:00 AM.
Spectators are welcome at no charge but may not ride a motorized vehicle or bicycle on the rider loop. All dogs must be kept on a short leash.
Riding Rules:
All EVT events are gate trials, using the original EVT gate scoring system. High score wins.
There are no Observers; you score yourself. We use the honor system, so let’s all be honorable and also always be respectful of our host landowner.
Unless otherwise stated, there will be 10 sections and 4 loops. Each section has 5 internal gates, each worth 1 point. The exit gate is not a scored gate. 40 sections times 5 points per section means 200 points maximum.
The 5 gates are marked with opposing white or orange arrows. The white pairs are normal.
Where two gates are close to each other and might lead to confusion, one of the gates will be marked with orange arrows. The value is still 1 point.
The object is to ride through as many gates as possible in each section. There are no lines or class distinctions. Any rider can attempt any gate. Gates can be ridden in any sequence, and different routes may be used on subsequent laps.
You can go backward through a gate. However, a gate used in the backward direction cannot be used again in the forward direction. Gates are only scored in the forward direction. The forward direction is the side the markers are on.
Do not enter a section until the rider before you has exited. You may be subject to disqualification.
Riders are allowed to dab, but a dab will deduct a point from the section score. For example, a rider that completes 5 gates in a section and dabs once will receive a 4 point score for the section. Or if 1 gate is attempted and one dab tallied, the score will be 0.
A dab is any contact between you and a support, such as the ground, a rock, or a tree. Grazing a tree during continuous forward motion is not a dab, but using the tree for support is a dab. Contact between the skid plate or tires and a support is allowed with the engine running.
All riding tricks may be used, such as hopping, backing, or stopping in balance.
Yellow tape limits your path and cannot be crossed or broken.
The allowed time is 4 hours, so you must finish by 3 PM to maximize your score. The official clock is on the table. However, there are no “Did Not Finish” (DNFs). If you are unable to ride all 40 sections, just ride as many as you can, but you must get your points on the scoreboard before 3 PM and make a note on the yellow board card as to why you did not complete everything. If you have to leave the property before the awards ceremony, please make a note on your yellow card.
Failure Modes:
A fail in a section equals 0 points for that section. The following failure modes mean zero points during a section ride.
First failure is not entering or exiting the section between the Start and Finish markers.
Second is having dabs that are equal to or greater than the number of gates ridden.
Third failure is riding outside or breaking boundary tape or breaking a gate marker loose from its support.
Fourth failure is dabbing any time the bike isn't running while inside the section.
Fifth failure is the handlebar, elbow or knee touching the ground while the bike is running.
Sixth failure is two-wheel path crossing. This means crossing your previous path with both wheels. You also cannot make a ground loop. You are allowed to cross your path with only one wheel.
Loop rules
No shortcutting or backward riding on the marked loop, subject to disqualification. This is a safety issue. If you miss a section, either push back when dismounted or ride an extra loop.
If your bike breaks and you swap to another bike in the same class, you may finish the trial, and all your points will count. If you swap to a different class bike, you may finish the trial for experience, but your score will only count up to the bike swap. Note it on your board card.
Helmet must be worn anytime you are on the bike.
Scoring:
Write your score immediately after each section, using your own pen. Please keep your scorecards legible. We may need them to break ties.
After each loop, total your loop score, and write it both on the lap card and on the scoreboard card. Put your old loop card in the box, and take a new one. Write your name and lap number each time. Do not take more than one loop card per loop. This will help us to gauge the progress of the trial and to order the food on time.
After 4 loops, total your board card, but leave it on the scoreboard.
If you are addition-challenged, there are calculators on the table. Most addition errors occur in the lap cards. One easy way to avoid errors is to add twice, once forwards, once backwards.
Tiebreakers:
Oldest class of bike, best 1st loop, 2nd , 3rd , & 4th loops, then oldest rider.
Rider Conduct:
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated at any EVT event. This will include verbal, written or physical action, cheating while self-scoring, or violating, ignoring or “bending” the rules.
Drugs are not permitted at any time. Alcohol is not permitted before or during any trial or school. However, responsible use of alcohol is permitted after you have finished competition.
Violations may be directly observed by the Administrators, the Trialmaster of the event, or may be reported to either of them by two or more witnesses who observed the infraction.
Levying of penalties will be at the discretion of the Administrators. Penalties will range from subtraction of points to permanent exclusion from future EVT activity.
Questions or comments? Contact EVT Administrator's
Seth Bruce @ zsbruce57@gmail.com (607)-239-0499
Chris Arnold @ carnold@cestooling.com (607)-425-1608
The object in an Observed Trial is to ride various sections of difficult natural terrain in the woods, without putting your foot down (dabbing), to maintain balance and bike control. These terrain challenges include combinations of tight turns through the trees, jumping fallen logs, riding through rocky sections, short hill climbs, etc. The object is not speed, but rather control of your bike on challenging terrain. The events are always held on private land. The sport is perhaps best known in Europe, but there are plenty of devoted followers in North America!
In a trial scored under the EVT gate system that we are using, riders are free to choose their own path through each section. There will be several obstacles (gates) to choose from in each section. The rider gains one bonus point for each gate completed. High score wins.
The EVT gate system is ideal for riders of all abilities because they can pick only the obstacles that are appropriate for their own skill level.
EVT EVENT RULES
General Information: EVT events have five bike classes:
Prehistoric- 1971 and older.
Historic- 1972 through 1977.
Classic- 1978 through 1987, twin shock and drum brake. Modern- 1991 and older, monoshock and/or disc brake.
Exhibition- A class for water cooled trials bikes (exhibition class riders will not be scored for year end results.)
All vintage class bikes must be production trials bikes or other bikes that have been modified for trials use. If you are contemplating riding a heavily-modified bike, it would be wise to consult with the EVT Administrators. Modified bikes must be approved by the Administrators before first use with us and will be assigned to the bike class deemed appropriate. Period modifications are allowed, meaning there should be no major components newer than the newest year for that class. However, modern shocks, carbs, and tires are acceptable. All tires must have trials tread (no knobbies).
Generally, wheel sizes must be 21” front and 18” rear. To preserve a vintage experience, all vintage class bikes must be air-cooled.
The signup period is from 9:30 AM to 10:30 AM, with a mandatory rider’s meeting at 10:45 AM. The trial starting time is 11:00 AM.
Spectators are welcome at no charge but may not ride a motorized vehicle or bicycle on the rider loop. All dogs must be kept on a short leash.
Riding Rules:
All EVT events are gate trials, using the original EVT gate scoring system. High score wins.
There are no Observers; you score yourself. We use the honor system, so let’s all be honorable and also always be respectful of our host landowner.
Unless otherwise stated, there will be 10 sections and 4 loops. Each section has 5 internal gates, each worth 1 point. The exit gate is not a scored gate. 40 sections times 5 points per section means 200 points maximum.
The 5 gates are marked with opposing white or orange arrows. The white pairs are normal.
Where two gates are close to each other and might lead to confusion, one of the gates will be marked with orange arrows. The value is still 1 point.
The object is to ride through as many gates as possible in each section. There are no lines or class distinctions. Any rider can attempt any gate. Gates can be ridden in any sequence, and different routes may be used on subsequent laps.
You can go backward through a gate. However, a gate used in the backward direction cannot be used again in the forward direction. Gates are only scored in the forward direction. The forward direction is the side the markers are on.
Do not enter a section until the rider before you has exited. You may be subject to disqualification.
Riders are allowed to dab, but a dab will deduct a point from the section score. For example, a rider that completes 5 gates in a section and dabs once will receive a 4 point score for the section. Or if 1 gate is attempted and one dab tallied, the score will be 0.
A dab is any contact between you and a support, such as the ground, a rock, or a tree. Grazing a tree during continuous forward motion is not a dab, but using the tree for support is a dab. Contact between the skid plate or tires and a support is allowed with the engine running.
All riding tricks may be used, such as hopping, backing, or stopping in balance.
Yellow tape limits your path and cannot be crossed or broken.
The allowed time is 4 hours, so you must finish by 3 PM to maximize your score. The official clock is on the table. However, there are no “Did Not Finish” (DNFs). If you are unable to ride all 40 sections, just ride as many as you can, but you must get your points on the scoreboard before 3 PM and make a note on the yellow board card as to why you did not complete everything. If you have to leave the property before the awards ceremony, please make a note on your yellow card.
Failure Modes:
A fail in a section equals 0 points for that section. The following failure modes mean zero points during a section ride.
First failure is not entering or exiting the section between the Start and Finish markers.
Second is having dabs that are equal to or greater than the number of gates ridden.
Third failure is riding outside or breaking boundary tape or breaking a gate marker loose from its support.
Fourth failure is dabbing any time the bike isn't running while inside the section.
Fifth failure is the handlebar, elbow or knee touching the ground while the bike is running.
Sixth failure is two-wheel path crossing. This means crossing your previous path with both wheels. You also cannot make a ground loop. You are allowed to cross your path with only one wheel.
Loop rules
No shortcutting or backward riding on the marked loop, subject to disqualification. This is a safety issue. If you miss a section, either push back when dismounted or ride an extra loop.
If your bike breaks and you swap to another bike in the same class, you may finish the trial, and all your points will count. If you swap to a different class bike, you may finish the trial for experience, but your score will only count up to the bike swap. Note it on your board card.
Helmet must be worn anytime you are on the bike.
Scoring:
Write your score immediately after each section, using your own pen. Please keep your scorecards legible. We may need them to break ties.
After each loop, total your loop score, and write it both on the lap card and on the scoreboard card. Put your old loop card in the box, and take a new one. Write your name and lap number each time. Do not take more than one loop card per loop. This will help us to gauge the progress of the trial and to order the food on time.
After 4 loops, total your board card, but leave it on the scoreboard.
If you are addition-challenged, there are calculators on the table. Most addition errors occur in the lap cards. One easy way to avoid errors is to add twice, once forwards, once backwards.
Tiebreakers:
Oldest class of bike, best 1st loop, 2nd , 3rd , & 4th loops, then oldest rider.
Rider Conduct:
Unsportsmanlike conduct will not be tolerated at any EVT event. This will include verbal, written or physical action, cheating while self-scoring, or violating, ignoring or “bending” the rules.
Drugs are not permitted at any time. Alcohol is not permitted before or during any trial or school. However, responsible use of alcohol is permitted after you have finished competition.
Violations may be directly observed by the Administrators, the Trialmaster of the event, or may be reported to either of them by two or more witnesses who observed the infraction.
Levying of penalties will be at the discretion of the Administrators. Penalties will range from subtraction of points to permanent exclusion from future EVT activity.
Questions or comments? Contact EVT Administrator's
Seth Bruce @ zsbruce57@gmail.com (607)-239-0499
Chris Arnold @ carnold@cestooling.com (607)-425-1608
