Physical Insights

For beginners:

1) CURB ENDO (riding up a curb at a slow walking pace)

When your front tire reaches the curb, throw your weight forward. This will cause the back wheel to lift off from the ground. Hold this position for as long as you can, then put your weight towards the back of the bike to bring yourself to the ground. To get used to holding your back tire in the air, practice with someone holding your bike in the endo position and hold on to the brakes.

2)180 degrees Barspin

Roll at a slow walking pace in a large circle in an anti-clockwise direction. Once you feel prepared, place your right hand backwards on the left grip and spin the handlebars 180 degrees anti-clockwise. Repeat the process so that the handlebar will face forward again. Do not be afraid to spin the bars or you will be wiped out. This trick can also be done in the clockwise direction by placing your left hand backwards on the right grip and repeating the whole process. You could first practice the spin with both foots planted firmly on the round. Also, practice with one foot on the other pedal and the other on the ground to learn to avoid hitting the front with your knees.

3)Handlebar Ride

Roll forward at a slow walking pace. Put your right foot over the handlebars and onto the front peg. Next, grip the seat firmly with your left hand and swing your left foot over the handlebars. Remember to keep your weight back when doing this. To get back into sitting position, reverse the process. To get a good balance before carrying out the trick, try sitting on the handlebars, with both feet on the front pegs and roll down a driveway.

4) Barhop

This trick is easy to say but hard to carry out. All you have to do is to jump over the handlebars and land with both feet on the front pegs. To be able to jump over the handlebars, you must lock your elbows, tuck your knees to your chest and have the guts. To get back to the seat, do the reverse of the Handlebar Ride. First try to get over the handlebars of your stationary bike and get the hang of it before you try the actual trick.

5) Pogo

First, roll forward at a slow walking pace. Do either the Handlebar Ride or Barhop to get onto the front pegs. While standing on the front pegs, slam on the brakes which will result in a small endo. Immediately put on the back brakes and pull back the handlebars. Now the bike will be almost vertical, and you can start hoping around in the direction that you are leaning.

For intermediates:

1) Squeaker

Start with your left foot on the front peg and your right foot on the pedal. Slam on the front brakes to do an endo. Immediately, move your right foot onto the front tire. Then release the brakes and push the tire backwards with the same foot and quickly apply the brakes again.

2) Boomerang

Put both feet on the back pegs and swing your right foot forward and backward for momentum. Push off the left back peg with your left foot and put on the front brakes instantaneously. When you have spun 180 degrees, let go off the front brakes to let the back of the bike touch the ground. At the same time, start carving an arc. Apply the brakes again and place your right foot on the right pedal when you have 90 degrees more to go.

3) Tailwhip

At a fast walking pace, swing your right foot over the frame and jam it in between the front forks and tire. Keep your left foot on the pedal and push the frame in the anti-clockwise direction. Leave your left foot in the air to maintain a good balance. While holding the front brakes, place your left foot on the seat to stop the frame from spinning round. Take your right foot off the tire and swing your left foot over the frame and back onto the pedals to ride away.

4) Decade

To be able to carry out this trick, you must first master the Boomerang. Roll forward at a slow walking pace. Place your left foot on the back peg and the right foot onto the seat. Slam on the front brakes to do an Endo. When the back tires touches the ground, put on the back brakes and do a wheelie. Quickly, at the same time, jump over the Head Tube and land with your left foot where the top tube hits the seat. Always keep your eye on the landing position.

5) Firehydrant

Start riding forward at a medium walking pace. Swing your right foot over the frame and place it on the left back peg. Then, put your left foot on the front left peg. Press onto the front brake while taking your right foot off and swing onto both pegs. Use your right foot for balance and turn a little past halfway and pull up on the handlebars. This will cause the frame to swing around. When it gets 90 degrees round, press onto the front brake and stop the frame with your right foot. Take your left foot off the peg and peddle off.