tricksy riding

[cce]

something i never managed, even as callow and spotty yoof was the cool tricks and stunts we all thought impressed girls back then. i can do shortish low-speed wheelies, and anyone can do an endo.... i once had a brake setup that let me pull awesome stoppies, but that's it, no bunnyhops without SPD's, no front hops, no back hops, nothing!

where can i learn to do things like this?

 

[dyna-ti]

At least you're not alone
Me too,without spuds im useless

I fancy giving the trials thingy a go,pity you cant hire them,mind you i doubt me old knees could take it

Impressive to watch though

 

[lewis1641]

i can bunny hop on flats and thats about it. i often aproach a curb head on and think "right, i'm going to hop up this" but always bottle it and lift the front wheel over and just unload weight off the rear. i'm too consious of the concequences of smashing my front wheel straight into said curb! bit of a wuss really

 

[barry2017]

I asked the same question of a mate of mine who used to be sponsored. His reply always stayed with me. He just said "A blatant disregard for your own safety.".

 

[kaiser]

try you tube, there used to be some vids. I also rememeber a mag had an article about a skills training course and the attendees spent the morning in the carpark doing wheelies and bunny hops, at the time they couldn't really see the point but when taken out on the trail the skills crossed over quite impressively.

 

[m-trax]

I got about as far as bunny hops, bunny hop up steps sideways (didn't get the hang of forwards), etc. All low-level stuff. Took me hours I am definitely not a natural.

I remember doing a few trials comps back in the day - doing the white with really young kids who were so much better than me.

 

[drystonepaul]

I did the SMBLA Trail Cycle leader qualification a couple of years ago with Cyclewise in the Lake District. During the 3 day course we did a significant amount of work on core low speed skills like front wheel lifts, rear wheel lifts, track-stands and power assisted front wheel lifts (wheelies). In fact we spent one morning in a school playground just learning the techniques and practicing the skills.
We also did 3 great rides including the assessment day at the end, where we had to demonstrate and teach our new skill to the other candidates along with all the other stuff we'd learned.
I can honestly say that despite having over 16 years of biking under my belt at the time, learning the correct techniques from highly skilled mountain bikers, was a brilliant way to improve my riding and confidence.
I'm now doing none handed trackstands at the traffic lights.
My bunny-hopping is still a bit ropey, but I'll be going back for an advanced course some time this summer.
I say that spending time with good riders who have the ability to articulate and explain how to perform a particular riding skill is a very good way to improve your biking. If you can find someone to do it for free then that's great, but otherwise the cost of a short skills course is really good value for money in my opinion.

 

[utahdog2003]

I love slow speed technical riding, trials style. Although as I've gotten older I'm more aware of the lasting consequences of doing something too big! No more loading docks for me thanks!

If you want to try the trials stuff on the cheap, then buy a used, steel framed, mid lever MTB, about 2 sizes smaller than you'd normally ride, and fit fresh brake pads and sand the rims to scuff them up. Fit a riser bar and sink the seat down, and then practice hopping in place with the brakes locked...then move over to an object, then hop on the object. Your friends will think you've lost your mind, and no woman thinks it looks cool, but you know how cool you'll eventually get, so its alllll worth it!

High speed big air stuff...Like the Matt Hunter crap you see in Roam or Seasons?...no way. First I live in the flatest state in the union so I never even learned how to do that stuff in the first place, and second, those kids are rubber!

 

[Twosted]

Have a look at this young fella. He seems to know what he's upto! :shock: :shock:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z19zFlPa ... r_embedded