Tarmac scorchers

Stunt biking is all about creativity, say freestyle bikers

When the Takidars foundout that their teenageson, Sahil, was doingstunts on his bike the sort that involveleaning over the seat and stickingboth legs out of the moving bike they were mortified enough to askhim to stop immediately. No parent,they reasoned, would want their childto try such dangerous deeds.

However, back in 1975, Germanmotorcycle enthusiast Mr Pfeifferthought differently. And it's a goodthing he did had he not modifieda SACH100 for his five-year-old son,Chris, the world of freestyle ridingor stunt biking, would have had oneless record-making champion.

Christian Pfieffer (40), an internationalfreestyle riding championfrom Germany, was doing distancewheelies by the age of 10. In histeenage years, he was already winningnational trial biking competitions,which involved jumping overobstacles on his motorbike. And at26, he became a professional freestylerider who could do intricate andbreathtaking stunts on his bike.

"We're not stuntmen motorcyclistswho go crashing into cars. A freestylerider is creative with his bike," saidPfieffer, who showcased some of hisbest flatland stunts in Mumbai onSaturday. "Which is why I prefer tocall them tricks instead."

The choice of word is telling. 'Stunt'conjures up a picture of a recklessyoung rider, a hooligan of sorts, whoputs his life and that of others tooat risk without reason. Whereasa freestyle rider who does 'tricks' onhis bike puts much thought, and evenmore effort, in to getting a move right.Ironically, in the world of freestyleriders, safety is the primary concern.

Respect fear, get creative
"I'm not a daredevil," said Pfieffer."You have to respect your fear, as ithelps you avoid injuries." A freestylerider, it's obvious, falls from his bikea lot. "A little fear is a good thing,since it sharpens your senses."

"What my parents didn't realiseat the time, was that I was takinggreat effort to protect myself whileI did those stunts. I wear kneepads,elbow pads, back pads, shin pads, astrong helmet, and a thick jacketwhile doing stunts on the bike. Andbefore every new trick, I'd be reallyscared," said Sahil Takidar (19), whobegan riding freestyle at 16.

"But stunt biking is all about notletting your fear hold you back," saidTakidar, who had ridden down fromPune to see Pfieffer perform.

Injuries and falls are part of thedeal in freestyle riding. The fun liesin inventing new tricks, and masteringthe bike. "This is a sport withoutlimits and it's all about being innovative,"said Pfieffer, who admits tothinking about new tricks all the time.And to get them right, he videotapeshis practise sessions so he can seewhere he needs to improve.

Amarinder Sandhu (35), who wonthe National Motorcycle RallyChampionship in 1996 believes passionfor the sport is inborn. "Even ifthere is no encouragement, we'd stillwant to do it. You just get hooked."

Safety comes first
Beginners should start with a light bikethat is easy to control and balance on.The first and most important lesson is thatsafety is paramount. Pfieffer wears hisgear even when he's practising. Here'sthe champion's safety checklist:

Helmet. He's worn a full-face ItalianAiroh helmet ever since he fell on his face.High shoes. Even if you wear sneakers,make sure they're high ankle.Guards for knees and shins.Motorcycle trousers, or a pair of denims.A thick motorcycle jacket.A well-serviced bike, to prevent overheating.Take care of the rear brakes ifyou like doing wheelies.Choose a safe and lonely spot to practise,so you don't endanger other people.

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