TRF joins with the 2026 ACU Trail Bike LDT Championship

The Trail Riders Fellowship is pleased to announce its sponsorship of a gateway class into the 2026 ACU Trail Bike LDT Championship. The TRF Trophy will be awarded to the best rider over the season riding the less challenging, non-championship route at each event.

The ACU has created the Trail Bike LDT Championship for riders who want an enjoyable, competitive day riding on- and off-road on their road legal machines. A Long Distance Trial (LDT) follows a course which is typically between 25 and 75 miles in length – on sealed and unsealed roads and across private land – with between 20 and 40 observed sections scattered along the course. The course is ridden in accordance with regular highway rules (obeying speed limits etc) while in the observed sections the competitors must ride ‘feet-up’ or accumulate a range of penalty points for ‘footing’ or stopping. The course may also contain a short off-road timed special test used as a tie-breaker where riders are tied on penalty points. The championship extends to eight rounds located across England and Wales, starting in April, finishing in October.

The TRF Trophy is there for newer participants to Long Distance Trails, and those who take their riding a little less seriously and are looking for the opportunity to ride places not available to the public.

Graeme Collins, CEO TRF: “We’re delighted to be joining with the ACU with this new championship. It has a natural alignment with trail riding, the slow-speed and technical skills learned in LDT being directly applicable to the trail environment, making for a rider who is more capable, safer, and will typically ride with less impact on the environment though their improved skills.

“Many TRF members already take part in LDTs, but we hope our involvement here will encourage more still to give it a go, and they’ll have something to aim for given the TRF Trophy – which incidentally it open to all riders, not just TRF members.

Mike Tizard, ACU Director and I term Chairman of the Trial Commission: “We are really pleased to re-establish the ACU Trail Bike LDT Championships after a gap of a few years. LDTs are very popular and provide a real challenge to the rider; they provide a sense of adventure and are a good test of riding ability.  We are absolutely delighted that the TRF are supporting the series with the TRF Trophy.  This will allow those riders who are just entering the sport, or those that like a non-championship level ride, to compete. I’m sure it will be an excellent series and we are very much looking forward to 2026.” 

Graeme Collins added: “The TRF will be working with the ACU on a number of new initiatives in 2026 and beyond, and we look forward to building on our historic partnership.”