December 9, 2010

Street Trial (Danny MacAskill)


Street trials, also known as observed trials is a discipline of mountain biking in which the rider attempts to pass through an obstacle course without setting foot to ground. Derived from motorcycle trials, it originated in Catalonia and is said to have been invented by the father of Ot Pi, a world champion motorcycle trials rider. Pi's father had wanted his son to learn motorcycle trials by practising on an ordinary push bike.

Trials riding is an extreme test of bicycle handling skills, over all kinds of obstacles, both natural and man-made. It now has a strong — though small — following worldwide, though it is still primarily a European sport. Skills taken from trials riding can be used practically on any bicycle for balance, for example controlled braking and track standing, or balancing on the bike without putting a foot down. Competition trial bikes are characterised by powerful brakes, wide handlebars, lightweight parts, single-speed low gearing, low tire pressures with a thick rear tire, distinctive frame geometry, and no seat.

Now today I came across this video which perhaps even tops that. Danny MacAskill is a street trials rider who is based in Edinburgh but who was originally from the Isle of Skye. This short film entitled ‘Way Home’, documents Danny’s journey as he rides at various spots along the way from Edinburgh to his home town Dunvegan on the Isle of Skye . The scenery, music and story really lift this piece and Danny MacAskill’s riding speaks for itself. The video was sponsored by Red Bull and you can read more about it here.

11 comments:

  1. I just checked it out and everything seems fine! Here's the link for the video if anybody else got problem, just point it out and I'll work on this! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cAsWSx_G6ms

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  2. always wanted to do this. nice new blog, following this as well.

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  3. Very inspired new project.

    If I may i've got one little suggestion, don't think a lot of people read a lot of text so the video is the main source of captivation with talking about adrenaline :)

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  4. @Smile

    I appreciate the idea but like most of my posts now, I try to post a video with it to entertain people and because Youtube is a good way to get some new followers. Yet, I can't help but keep my posts long since these sports really passionate me! If you don't think my post looks like interesting, watch the video or stay tuned for my next post! :)

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  5. street trials sounds pretty exciting.

    do you personally participate in extreme sports or are you just a fan? i'd need a lot more training and skill before i tried some of the things i've seen those guys do.

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  6. Danny macaskill is freaking nuts, check this out though, http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5z1fSpZNXhU
    it's some dude doing tricks on a carbon bike, while it isn't necessarily as "extreme" as this, it's still really nuts to see someone go to town on a road bike

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  7. @stm

    I own a mountain bike and started to street trial this summer. I don't do anything like these guys do yet but I'm working my way around unusual spots in town with my bike which is pretty neat! I'm also in good shape, which help me practice these kind of sports. I went skydiving three times already and I snowboard a lot up here in Canada. This is pretty much all I do on a regular basis since I'm planning to finish my skydiving courses to be able to jump by myself. I tried a lot of other extreme sports but nothing to brag about!

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  8. @frigrowka

    This guy could sure make it in one of my future posts! Might not be as extreme as what I would like to post, but it's still something 99% of the people wouldn't be able to do! This takes some serious skills and passion! The backflip at the end was amazing! Thanks for sharing this.

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  9. Great new blog, I'm following your other one and this is just as good as it. The video is sweet, the guy has guts I'll tell you that. Keep up the great posts, I'm looking forward to more!

    Travis Brockett
    www.baselineslam.blogspot.com

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  10. great fun! nothing beats that rush you get from skydiving =D

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