The Test of Metal Trials competition almost didn't happen this year, but organizers just couldn't let it go.
"They just felt it was important to trials in North America to keep it," said Cliff Miller, Test of Metal executive director.
This year, the event is being held at the Squamish Days Loggers Sports Grounds during the finish-line festivities of the 67-km mass-start mountain bike race on Saturday, June 18, instead of downtown on a separate day from the Test as had been tried in the past few years.
"We're excited about this new location," said Robin Coope, the event director. "It's always important to keep the sections fresh and novel, and it's great to be back with the race."
Trial course riding is a timed event. A rider must maneuver and balance in order to complete sections that included features with mud, rocks, water, logs, walls, pallets or spools. The objective is to finish with as little physical contact with the ground as possible. The rider with the lowest amount of penalty points wins. They're usually between 60 and 70 participants at the Squamish event.
The location at the loggers sports grounds has a log rolling pond event - which means riders will have to deal with a water balancing event.
The Test of Metal Trials is part of the North American Trials series, and attracts riders from all over the continent. Miller said it is considered one of the best trial races.
