Tricks for extreme biking
by: Robert Cole
Posted on: Friday, December 21st, 2007 at 3:23 pm by: Robert Cole
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Bikes are as American as baseball and have become a part of our society that virtually any age group can enjoy. The combination of exercise and wind across your face is both exhilarating and relaxing, but riding can also be taken a step further to challenge a your abilities in balance, strength and agility. For some, the simple alternative transportation can become a medium for expression and a way to push the boundaries of what can be done.
Extreme sports are a perfect example of how simple concepts have evolved past the training wheels and riding-with-one-arm trick. Along with bikes, skateboarding, roller blades and even skiing have surpassed their original restraints by the young and old who simply wanted more.
Bike jumping
Bikes are heavier, and they’re usually made from thicker material than skateboards or roller blades, which can make them more difficult to manipulate and maneuver in different ways. Take, for instance, jumping the bike. The idea is to relocate your weight long enough to pull the front end off the ground, and then quickly level the front end back out as your weight is being thrust upward. It may sound difficult at first, but after watching more experienced riders do it—and after determined practice—jumping those curbs and stairs will not be too challenging.
Cascading down the stairs
Rolling down stairs requires similar techniques in balance and coordination. The rumbling, uneasy sensation can be controlled by a combination of speed and displacing weight away from the wheels. To do this, it’s best to almost stand up on the pedals instead of sitting on the seat. This will also allow you to bail away from a bad situation should you misjudge an obstacle or if an obstacle hits you.
Complex bike tricks
Once the basics in jumping and riding with balance are taken care of, the rest of technical bike riding is, well, all downhill from there. Grinding, wheelies and other complex tricks can be accomplished by both watching and imitating professionals as well as with private practice sessions. It’s very important to wear safety gear during these awkward first months while you’re getting acquainted with riding. The sport can become very dangerous as you try more intricate tricks—and unlike a skateboard, it’s not so easy to kick a 30-pound mass of metal away if you make a mistake on a rail or quarter pipe.
It’s hard to find another sport like biking that requires the same dexterity and focus. Once the basics are taken care of, you’ll find that the sport can be very rewarding. After a while, the bicycle loses its simplicity and becomes a vessel that can do more than get us around and move our muscles. Riding is also a way to vent imagination and frustration, discover more perspectives and, most importantly, have fun and see just how much we can challenge ourselves.
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