We caught up with twenty-five-year-old Joel Crabtree, owner of Trials Mania on the internet and asked him about his history, his family’s involvement in the sport, and what Trials Mania is all about.
Words: Trials Guru; Joel Crabtree
Photos: Crabtree Family Collection
Introducing Joel Crabtree:
Joel Crabtree: “I was born into the world of motorcycle trials. My family have been involved in running a trials club for almost ninety years, with that remarkable milestone arriving in 2027. Growing up, and still to this day, weekends have always been about trials!”
That club is the Mansfield Maun Motorcycle Club which was formed in 1937 in the East Midlands of England. Joel’s great-grandparents were founder members of the club, which must be pretty unique.
“Alongside my grandad, Terry Crabtree, and my grandma, Lynda Crabtree, who sadly is no longer with us, I travelled around Europe in our converted van, following the World Championship most years. Lynda played an important role in pioneering the Women’s British Championship, so trials has always been a huge part of our family’s life. We would take a small television with a DVD player, and I would bring every trials DVD I owned to watch along the way. My favourite riders growing up were Dougie Lampkin, Takahisa Fujinami and Albert Cabestany.”
“My family has also been involved in sidecar trials, with my mum and uncle competing for many years. Quite simply – our family lives and breathes trials!”
Trials Mania – The Story Behind the Videos:
“So, why do I make trials videos? The simple answer is that I love the sport and the people involved!“
“Growing up with an insight into virtually every aspect of trials has given me a real appreciation of the sport. I’m involved in section-setting, event organisation, riding, filming, observing and just about anything else you can think of. Having experienced trials from so many different angles has only strengthened my passion for it.”
The beginning:
The Trials Mania channel began in 2021, initially with a few videos of Joel riding in events, followed by footage from local club trials. The feedback from riders was fantastic, and they wanted to see more. One of the main reasons for starting the channel was the limited amount of video coverage available for trials at the time.
“Thankfully, that has changed considerably, with a number of brilliant trials channels now showcasing the sport we all love. While I enjoy creating event videos, I also want to take the viewing experience to another level, producing more in-depth and professional content. That is very much part of the plan for the future.”
“The reaction from fellow riders and other trials enthusiasts is what keeps me going. I love creating content for the trials community, and I also enjoy the editing process itself, even if it can take quite some time!“
The Scottish Six Days – A Labour of Love:
“Some of the highlights of my filming year are the British Championship, TrialGP, the Scott Trial and, of course, the Scottish Six Days Trial. The SSDT is by far my favourite event and the one I have covered most extensively on the channel.“
“Every year, my family heads north for what is a holiday for them, but for me, the SSDT is almost a second job! I aim to publish footage each day so that those unable to attend can still enjoy the experience from home.”
Joel is kept busy with Trials Mania and his full-time job as a marketing manager for a firm of local estate agents, in his home town of Mansfield.
“That means some very long days. I’m usually up at 6.00 or 6.30 am and heading out to the first group of sections. After filming there, I move on to another group to capture a variety of sections and give viewers a broader picture of the day’s action.”
“Eventually, we return to our accommodation, where I grab something to eat, have a shower and then settle down to edit the footage. I can be working until around 3.00 am to get the videos published in time, before grabbing a few hours’ sleep and starting all over again.”
“But I’m not complaining – I absolutely love it!”
“The support for my SSDT videos, along with everything else I produce, has been incredible. I’m genuinely grateful to everyone who watches, comments and encourages me to keep going.”
Planning ahead:
Joel added: “There is plenty more planned for Trials Mania, with bigger and better content on the way. My aim remains the same: to share the excitement, characters and unique atmosphere of motorcycle trials with the wider trials community.”
Joel Crabtree has invested considerable time and effort into his Trials Mania project, both of which are essential ingredients for success in any such venture. At Trials Guru, we firmly believe that dedication and activity bring results, and we have every confidence that Trials Mania will establish itself as a valuable addition to the trials community.
Link to TRIALS MANIA
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