Trials biking is a fairly niche sport. Many of the riders I see in North America are middle-aged guys, many of whom have been riding since trials enjoyed a more of a vibrant scene. While Tony’s father has been riding trials for decades, Tony represents the next generation. I discovered Tony’s riding on YouTube a while back and have watched him progress over the past couple of years. It’s refreshing to see younger riders learning the art of bike trials!
Tell us a little about yourself.
My name is Tony, from Canada.
How long have you been riding bike trials? What is your riding level?
I have been doing bike trials for 5 years and I am between intermediate and expert.
How did you discover bike trials and how did you get started?
My dad pushed me to learn how to track stand, trials hop and took me on some easy mountain bike trails. I started being able to do basic bike trials about 5 years ago.
How would you define/describe “bike trials” in your own words to someone who never heard of it?
Bike trials is riding your bike over obstacles such as rocks, logs, ledges, etc.
What type of bike trials riding do you prefer and where do you like to ride?
Competition style riding, rocks, gaps to fw (front wheel) and swap to bw (back wheel). I like riding different spots but also the trials park.
Why do you ride bike trials and what keeps you motivated to keep riding?
I ride bike trials because I was forced by my dad (lol, joking), he encouraged me and my dad pushes me to go out and ride bikes and be disciplined to improve, and get exercise. I grew to enjoy bike trials more and more as I progressed. I want to reach a higher level and work on my style. I try to work at improving my skills when I ride. It’s satisfying to get a line I worked at. I just like having fun with it and doing it my own way.
What other styles of cycling do you do? How has trials helped you improve your skills in those other biking disciplines (and vice versa)?
Mountain biking once in a while. Trials helped me ride skinnies and logs more consistently.
How often do you ride trials? What sort of routine do you have for practice versus riding for fun versus making edits, etc. – how much time is dedicated to each?
2-3 times per week. No routine, I just want to get out and ride.
How do you balance your riding with school, homework, etc.? Do you find maintaining a balance with school and riding to be difficult at this stage? If so, what aspects are the most challenging?
I study and ride a few times a week and try to keep riding consistently, but it can be difficult sometimes. I think it can be tough but time management is key. Homework, tests and projects keep me busy.
What’s the bike trials scene like near you? How many other riders are there? Do you have regular group rides? Comps?
We have 2 local competitions per year. There’s about 8 to 15 riders out usually for those.
You regularly ride at the Port Moody Trials Park. Would you say that having easy access to a trials park like this has helped your skills progression? In what ways?
Yes, the Trial Park allows us to rearrange obstacles to practice specific moves, gaps, or sidehops so the progress can be more gradual. This helps develop individual moves better. When we get rain, which is a lot, we can still ride even when rain blows in and wets the undercover area. We also don’t have to worry about noise or being asked to leave the area, and no Karens can tell us off there, lol.
Are there kids in your school or town that have been inspired to start trials riding after watching you, your YouTube channel, or the other riders at the trials park? In talking to other kids your age, what are the types of things you think might turn kids away from bike trials or attract them to it?
“It’s too hard, I give up” type of thinking can prevent kids from trying trials skills. I don’t know of any kids starting trials after seeing any of my videos. The cost of a trial bike is the main barrier, but the next big one is self-drive to learn and practice trials, even when they have to ride alone.
To attract more riders, a community of riders will help, having some events and/or gatherings such as BBQ/rides.
How do you manage fear when doing new/bigger moves or lines?
I’m thinking, “This isn’t too high. I should be able to get this. I’ve done this on lower obstacles.”
When I do something big, for example doing a far gap to the front or a big side hop, I manage fear by not overthinking it too much, I just go for it!
What are your personal goals with respect to trials?
I’d like to do better in expert level this year.
Who are your bike trials ‘heroes’ and/or influences? Favorite trials video(s)?
Charlie Rolls, etc. Lots of good riders and the local riders help me out. My dad as well influenced me.
You’ve been posting videos of your riding to your YouTube channel pretty regularly over the past few years. It’s been fun seeing your progression. What has been your inspiration to create these videos?
My dad creates them to document my progress. I like to look back once in a while to see my progress.
How has the YouTube channel helped you with respect to trials?
Each video shows my development and I can study what I can do better.
How do you deal with negative comments (i.e., trolls), if you’ve had any?
Just ignore it and move on. My channel is still small so we don’t have much.
Have you gotten comments that have motivated and inspired you? Any that stand out in particular?
Charlie Rolls left a few comments for me to keep it up. I got a signed T-shirt from him a few years ago for my birthday!
What are your perspectives on the trials biking scene in general and in North America in particular?
I’d like to see the scene grow, especially in N. America. We’ve got good talented riders, but growing the scene is not easy.
What would you like to see happening in North America with respect to bike trials?
I would like to see people getting along with each other and have a good community where people can hang out together through bike trials.
If you could go anywhere in the world to ride trials – whether just for fun, to compete, or to entertain – where would you go and what would you want to do while you’re there?
So many places would be cool to visit. UK. Meet Charlie and ride together! Also, meeting the Shindig guys, there’s so many riders there. Also Japan, eat food and ride there. Bentonville would be great, meet a lot of riders and try the mountain biking trails.
Any interesting / funny / crazy bike trials stories or experiences you can share?
While I was practicing, gapping from a single tire to a double stack tire gap to front wheel, it took me a lot of tries but I eventually got it. As I was leaving for the day, a group of girls called out and asked me to do some trials for them. I hesitantly agreed, after my dad persuaded me to show them something. They happened to be standing by the tires where I was practicing, so I got my helmet back on. I went to the tire gap, missed the first attempt, but got it on my second try. They were pleasantly delighted and cheered me on loudly.
What advice would you give to someone who wants to start bike trials or has just started?
For new riders, don’t think stuff like “This is too hard, I quit” you just gotta keep riding until you notice the difference once you get the basics such as track standing, hopping in one spot, and redirecting your bike at slow speed.
Anything else about bike trials that you’d like to share?
It’s hard work at first, but if you are patient, and keep at it 15 minutes 3-4x per week, it will make a difference in your MTB riding and overall general bike handling ability.
How do people find you online?
YouTube: no misteaks bike
Instagram: port.moody.trials.park
Who is the one North American bike trials rider (any skills level) that you think I should interview?
My dad, Brian, he was riding from the mid 90’s and has been around for a while.
0 Comments