The Pioneer Motorcycle Club is one of several motorcycle clubs in the Canterbury area and has evolved into a club which now specialises in the running of Observed Trials throughout the Canterbury Area.We are Affiliated to Motorcycling New Zealand, who regulate all motorcycle competition events as the ruling body also providing some funding, training and also work with overseas bodies to provide competition and assistance to riders wishing to compete in international events. As part of the riders registration fee they provide riders insurance and club third party insurance.Our club originally started out in 1907 as part of the Pioneer sports club and was officially the Pioneer Cycle Club then with advent of motor cycles and cars became the Pioneer Motor club and later the Pioneer Motorcycle club. This group was part of a much larger club of many sports groups housed in a building on the cnr of Gloucester and Oxford terrace where the Canterbury Public Library now stands. When the Public Library was built the proceeds from the sale of the original Pioneer sports club building were donated toward the building of Pioneer Stadium and today only three of original clubs still exist these being the Pioneer Badminton club, Canty Mountaineering Club and Pioneer M cycle club. Our group holds meeting on the first Thursday in each month at Pioneer Stadium. Our club has been involved in all types of motorcycle events from beach racing to Enduro’s to road trials. The current sport of trials developed from the English version of sporting road trials which were road events held in the 1930’s – 1950’s which were road time trials with special difficult sections thrown in which incurred penalties. These sporting trials then developed into Trials were the rider rode his machine to an event and rode a series of courses which were marked by observers the object being to lose the least number of points for footing stopping or failing to complete the course. These events continued well into the 1960’s until specialist machines started appearing and motorcycles were then trailered to specific sites to compete. These events have evolved to the current day format with bikes being purpose built for the sport with bikes devoloping from the early 150 KG 3 hp machines up to current day machines which can develop up to 35 hp and weigh as little as 55kg..
The sport does not require a great deal of financial input and an older entry level motorcycle can be obtained for as little as $1500 – 2000 and the sport now naturally develops on from Pushbike trials which is the natural training ground for younger riders coming into the sport with even some of our regular riders using the pushbike trials as additional training. The sport now requires a reasonable level of fitness and on an international level riders may train on bikes and in related fitness programmes for 4 – 6 hours a day. Trials being a slower skill based sport results in far less injuries to competitors and is suitable for riders from age 7 to over 70 and Pioneer has grades that will suit all skill levels. We also run other social events during the year and are occasionally involved with public displays.