Rich Pearson

I don't think we need to keep on going at this too much otherwise we're really gonna start to detract attention from Sean's video and turn this into a semantic debate; but I do agree with you there are FAR worse ways trials could be perceived and happily concede that when you pointed out that Sean's just going out and having fun on his bike and that you found that a healthy representation of trials, I would certainly agree. What I would strongly have to disagree about, and what is perhaps the heart of the matter for me, is that you and many other people don't feel much/any responsibility towards promoting the public image of the sport, and yeah, that makes my life a little bit harder when I do show riding, granted, but it also makes it a pain when people come up and tell me off for riding on walls or in public places(something almost EVERY trials rider has to deal with once in a while), because people do not understand what trials is, and we are now ACTIVELY making it MORE difficult for the public to understand us by creating more and more variations on the same brief. Yeah BMXer's and skaters do get the same deal, but at least people know who they are and go and build bloody great skateparks for them to play in. I really don't like it when people come up and tell me I'm a vandal, and for me that is one of the main reasons I seek a career performing for people and showing them what trials is and promoting understanding of the 'sport'. Everyone see's trials in a different way I suppose, this just isn't mine. Give us a shout on MSN if you wanna talk some more Mark, I'll confess to enjoying this debate a little, although as I said this dude's thread is probably not the fair place for it! Rich

I think you've hit the nail on the head there Luke, as I love watching BMX vids of all variations; I think my personal gripe comes from being continually compared to Danny MaCaskill by the public over the last two years at every show I've done, and kids going "You can't do a backflip or a manual - you're not a very good trials rider then," and I have to sit down and painstakingly explain that trials (as in the original, competitive sport of trials) is nothing to do with tricks that look good, but is more about the practical ability to get a bike over any given problem thats in your path. I am WELL aware how much of a stuffed-shirt this makes me sound and I, like everyone else, am continually blown away by the advances in brakeless and 24" riding; If I hadn't broken my leg (which I'll admit the built up frustration of which has probably precipitated some of this tangent I'm now storming off on) I'd almost certainly have a 24" brakeless rig myself by now (I was actually talking to Joe about sorting me out with a Zoot full bike that I could take the brakes off and have a go on). Its just that videos like this one are SOOO far towards being BMX theres almost nothing trials about it, and it only really annoys me when the public see this and think that this is what all trials riders do. Sorry for going a bit off topic and high jacking the thread here, just my own thoughts really. Rich

Its odd because watching it I've got a huge amount of respect for the skill the guy obviously has (the sideways gap between the two tire width walls was super tech), but it just kind of made me go "Can you please f**king decide whether you want to ride BMX or trials?" I know in the interest of open mindedness and not restricting creative expression 24" and the brakeless trend that has followed has opened up and proved how dynamic and different the sport can be, but as a bit of an unwilling trials purist, video's like these will always irritate me and make me think "Is it really trials?" Note; I know that on a a semantic level no-ones actually said this 'is' trials, but you get what I mean. Dude's got skills though for sure and props to that

Easily the best vid you've produced, and thats saying something. The 'follow the leader' bits with Jeff and Steve were particularly smart.

If I were to say that video really irritated me, am I likely to get a rather hefty slating from all sides?

Awesome stuff. Really liked that

Similar thoughts here; the slow mo seemed to dumb down the riding a lot, which really showed in the odd clip at full speed when you could really see how fast he was going at it. Cool stuff nontheless I still don't get those HammerSchmidt cranks/drive, but they definitely look pretty. Rich

Yeah was in between sponsors at the time of filming, and I actually had just bought that jumper and happened to be wearing it in most shots; I really cannot describe how cold it was! Yep, Truro Skate Plaza, which, surprisingly, is in Truro...... Google Coordinates-> 50.265443,-5.061554 Yep, Porthleven harbour, awesome little place to ride Thanks for all the replies, glad people liked it. Rich

Trials-inside Some nice if slightly arty pics of Trevor riding at Niagra falls. Just spotted them on facebook Rich

Over three very, very cold days in December me and James Warner went out to shoot some stuff for mycornwall.tv, which I edited into a short vid which we then used to pitch mycornwall.tv to create a series of short films. This is the video I created, and from which some of the footage may seem familiar to those who have seen the MC.tv profile of me. Rich, Dec 09 Hope y'all enjoy, all comments welcome Rich

Dude's got power! Cool stuff

That's tough man, put my life in perspective a bit definitely Thoughts to friends and family. Rich

If this is some of the stuff that didn't make it into his DVD, I cannot imagine the level of what did.

Its understandable to think that the ride should be around the 14th as the date is significant to DJ, but in the interests of perhaps moving the ride in the direction of a rather more all round memorial, I'd say the date shouldn't be too much of an issue. When you factor in the bloody hairdressers footballers as well, I'm fairly inclined to suggest the weekend after maybe. Rich

Much, much better than your last video in terms of presentation. Try and keep it that way

Done a bit of a search but couldn't find anything conclusive, just wanting general opinions of what people ride in footwear wise. So for anyone with a bit of spare time...... 1. What shoes do you wear when riding? 2. How long would you say they last? 3. Whats the ankle support like/is there any? 4. Soles: grippy or not that grippy? Cheers chaps Rich

Awesome Ot: I'm sure I've asked you this before Ben, but what shoes do you wear to ride in?

Only just watched this Ben, but absolutely love it I do have to say though... tripod

If we're being pedantic, you're actually at Wheal Kitty, rather than Cligger Head Mine And yes Alex, the quarry is "Secret Quarry" as far as I know, at least thats what we've always called it! Always loved that vid Rob, looking forward to whatever new stuff you're working on Rich

Cheers for the replies guys, all of them Glad people are liking it. On the subject of me calling myself "pro" or "professional," my response to that is kind of "What else do I call myself?" I make money (not quite a living, I in fact have 3 other jobs alongside what I do with Andrei and bikes) from what I do on my bike and its taken me a very long time to get to the level of being paid for what I do. I know it sounds pretentious and like I'm trying to big myself up, but I'm out in the public eye trying to get people to take trials as a sport more seriously and raise the profile of it. What am I supposed to say to people who are in the position to help promote the sport to the public; "Hi I'm Rich and I mess around on a bike," or "Hi, I'm Rich Pearson, Professional Trials Rider/Performer?" I get what you're saying Mat, but only in terms of understanding that I think you don't quite understand what it is that I actually do, if that makes sense lol The "Pro Trials" thing was actually the name they put on the piece themselves and nothing to do with me, although after what I've just said I can hardly say I dislike it. And Luke, when they showed me the black-and-white-slow-mo-epic-music intro I actually burst out laughing in their office. It took me about 20minutes of explaining to get around that one..... Thanks again, just been for a reccy with James (director of photography) at Secret Quarry just to have a look around and see what we could do, so all's shaping up well for the next one Rich

Howdy all, Following up from the professional profile mycornwall.tv shot of me last month, we've been commissioned to shoot 3 more short films about riding in Cornwall, and earlier today the Truro Street ride film went online, and here it is: Pt.2 - Truro Shot by James Warner, Edited by Andy Sim and additionally starring Alex Dark and Elisha Jarrett. More to come! Enjoy Rich P.S. Link to the last one for anyone interested Pt. 1 - Profile

Am now looking at my overdraft and seriously considering if it can take a 24"-complete-bike shaped hole in it.....

That, was awesome

I actually cannot describe how depressed I am that I'm not there right now f**king back.......

Cheers for the responses guys. Am working on the next one already, although have just (somehow) managed to be old and put my back out dropping off a relatively low wall, so may be a little while before I'm back on the bike. Rich