This summer Canadian comp rider Trevor Bodogh went on a three month trials world tour. He met up with some of the best riders in the world on the way and spent time with them, learning from their riding and helping them with theirs. He went to the last two rounds of the World Cup and then travelled all the way across Canada to get home. All of this took place between the 10th July and the 10th September 2010 and Trevor travelled to Toronto, Hungary, Marseilles, Belgium, Grenoble, St François, British Colombia and Quebec. What an itinerary! The Meta rider has told us all about his amazing adventure

Trevor tells us about his Trials World Tour…

I had first started to plan this trip early in February with Rockman / Tribal Zine rider Adrian Lengyel, a top Hungarian rider. We met over Facebook and discovered a friendship and passion for Biketrial. After many months of planning, all of my flights were booked, contacts were made, bike was ready, and I was on the plane to Budapest to meet Adrian! The purpose of the Trip was to understand more about BikeTrials. Why are European riders that much better than Canadian riders. What can be learned from the different cultures. And, what opportunities can be realized when I return? Experiencing the World Cup Trials series in real time was incredible. It’s amazing = the planning, organization, professionalism and complexity of the sections. The first World Cup was in Belgium where Gilles dominated with 1 single point. It was my first time seeing him ride since being in France in 2006 for Koxxdays. It was fortunate for me also to see him training privately in Istres. His level is so high, but as the World Championships proved, his riding must be more diverse. I am very happy for Kenny Belaey who took the glorious win to become the World Champion and #1 ranked Trial rider! Yes, I was competing in the two World Cup rounds. This really amazed me, as I thought my riding level was high enough, but I was incorrect! Looking back now, I am able to see new progression for myself simply by seeing the new techniques of the other world class riders.

Some highlights of the trip. SO MANY! Friendships, new bike equipment, riding technique, learning culture.

 Hungary:

• • I stayed with Adrian and his family for 2 weeks. The time went too quickly. I felt like this was my home.
  • I learned a lot about hospitality and friendship, meeting 2 of Adrian’s friends Sandor and Zoli! The Hungarian Crew!
  • Adri and I push each others skill very good
  • Adri’s father, Lazlo - very kind, helpful with all bike repairs and felt truly like my father!
  • Adri’s mother makes the most amazing food and is very very kind!!!
  • Just before I left, Adri and his good sister became accepted to university!! Good luck to them.
    

Click below to see the video of Trevor and Adrian in Hungary.

 France :

• • Learned a heck of a lot about the North American VS France differences in riding levels, confidence, training needs, etc.
  • Very different culture, and intense riding
  • Learned from Gilles Coustellier that being humble, and enjoying your training is the best mentality
  • Stayed with Franky and his wife Celine! Wonderful people, beautiful location and very helpful. They even got me to eat Peaches.
  • Trained on the most difficult areas (Istres / St Blaise). This really strengthened my mind
  • Stayed with Aurelien Fontenoy and his brother for 2 weeks. Amazing riders, and good vibe!! Cedric Fontenoy is starting Inpulse Trials bikes - Very good luck to him!!
  • Had excellent adventures with Raphael in Serre Chevellier: Downhill MTB, Climbing, Eating, Trials. Awesome. I will return!

    

 Belgium:

• • Traveled 2,000km with Aurelien, Marc Caisso, Arthur Guigal and Flourian. Fun adventure, and expensive gas / toll routes!
  • We stayed with a Belgian family in Antwerp. Awesome! We even had a gigantic dinner of mussels one evening, and of mushrooms the next!
  • The World Cup Antwerp competition was incredible. What a beautiful setting in the Grote Market. Great music selection. Incredibly pro setup and organization. Must have cost a small fortune.
  • The sections of the Trial were realistically feasible, but my North Americanized riding was not ready to handle it. You need to prepare in France for many months to gear your mental and physical abilities.
    

 British Colombia:

• • After finding out from Air Canada that my baggage was delayed, I jumped on a seaplane to Nanaimo to meet John Webster. I stayed with him for 2 weeks in Mill Bay.
  • John’s an incredibly skilled rider. We got to train quite a few times. He has a training yard with vast rocks and log sections… Amazing!
  • We headed to Whistler (beautiful place, going again next year) and checked out the CrankWorx competition. I had the pleasure of meeting more BC riders and reconnecting with old friends!
  • British Columbia / Whistler is the most beautiful place in Canada, in my opinion.
  • We watched spring cars one night with an incredible sunset! Super fast and loud.
  • John’s dad scooped a limousine for the last night and drove us to the airport with some style.
    

 Quebec:

• • John Webster and I flew together to Quebec where we stayed with JK for the first week before heading to Tweed ON for a competition, and finally Mt. St. Anne.
  • The World Championships. What an amazing event overall. The Trials event was extraordinary. It was interesting to see Kenny Belaey take the title away from Gilles who seemed to be unstoppable!
  • My riding was not up to par when the competitions rolled around. I feel that food poisoning combined with injuries from failed bike parts contributed to my ill preparation with too much time off the bike prior. Glad to see John did so well!!
  • Prior to the World Champs, we linked up with two rogue Australians who found their way to Tweed with us. Great pals, Paul and Owen, sure to have adventure again in the future!
  • Our last day at the mountain, we trained with Hegedus Laszlo and Peter Pap, from Hungary. A great last day!!

(Thanks to Josh Laverty for the photo of the Canadian trial team)

 I must give a big thank you to the following friends for their support on my trip: Adrian Lengyel and his family in Hungary (Wega!), - Franky Chastel and his wife Celine in beautiful Marseille, Florian Lamana of Trial Spirit for driving me, Marc Coen and family in Belgium, Aurelien and Cedric Fontenoy in Grenoble! And Elodie in St. Francois region, Raphael D in Serre Chevellier, especially for driving me to the airport at 3am! John Webster in British Columbia, West Coast Canada and JK in Montreal! A big thank you to those who supported me, providing high quality parts and service: MetaBike, WheresTheSeat.com, Reset and Modrobes clothing.

 In the coming months, a larger video will follow of real footage of Gilles Training, World Cup rounds (warmup / competition) and Training with Aurelien and Cedric Fontenoy, and more when I finish converting / editing. A small collection of video clips can be seen here: Youtube/TrevorAdventures.

 SO, now what am I doing that I am home?

• • Working to develop the company, Meta Bike. If anyone is interested in our Carbon XC, Road, or Trial bikes. Send me an email and we can discuss :)
  • Trials shows!
  • Developing Trials in Canada with more competitions and structure.

 If we didn’t meet during my travels, feel free to add me on Facebook!