Bruno

In fact, one can walk along thin beams and practise handstands even without going to the gym! Thanks for the advice. Though some of the previous answers that I got recommended not bothering about complementary exercises and simply riding. I'll try to reach a compromise between both. Your reference to the unicycle is interesting. Is it easier riding a unicycle than doing a wheelie with a 20" wheel bike (such as a BMX or a Mod)? But it would be better to save the money spent in buying a unicycle and buying a beginner's Mod bike... Bruno

OK! I'll save the money I would spend getting a pair of roller-blades and top-up my budget for my next bike with it (Y) Cheers, Bruno

Oh! That sounds really interesting (Y). Thanks for the tip. I'm gonna try it as soon as possible. Cheers, Bruno

Thanks! Trackstanding will be my obsession from now on (until I can move to what will be next). :D Bye, Bruno

Okey-dokey! Good to know about this. I'm 5ft11", so I guess I'm close to the threshold :( I wonder whether are there any figures concerning the average height of good trials cyclists... Bye, Bruno

Once again, thanks! I've already amended my view about being born with it or not :( You have a good point there :( . In fact, you just gave me an idea for another balance training exercise: trying to keep the balance while taking one foot out of the pedal. I never thought of doing that. Cheers, Bruno

Thanks Dave, I must say that I agree with your claim against the "being born with". I guess what I was trying to say is that for some people it's so much easier and almost spontaneous than for other (for instance, some kids just start doing wheelies naturally, whereas I used to try really hard to do the same, and I just could never do wheelies in a "sustainable" way). Already started riding on the curb! :( Good tip: "when no one's watching"... now I know why people have been looking at me... must have been looking like a real weirdo :- Gotta keep practicing... See you, Bruno

Thanks! I really appreciate the encouragement ;) I already started riding along the curb. And in fact, I'm not that bad at it, though I've been doing it in a 28" wheel hybrid bike, which might be more stable when it comes to riding straight on. I'll keep on practicing this. Next step will be getting a suitable bicycle to do funnier stuff. :- Cheerio, Bruno

Hello, I'm 29 and I've always cycled and I'm a cycle enthusiast ;) , though I never did trials. I consider myself not to be very gifted as far as balance goes :( : when I was a young teenager, some of my mates managed to do wheelies in their BMXs, whereas I was never able to keep a steady wheelie during a reasonable distance :( . I guess natural balance skills is something that you were either born with or you weren't. Do you agree with that? Secondly, obviously one can practice and improve any kind of physical skills, and balance isn't an exception. But age makes it harder. In my case, I wonder if I'm too old (29) to learn from the beginning some basic trial tricks? Can balance skills (for trial biking) be improved through other kind of activities? I'm thinking of in-line skating, for instance. I'm not particularly keen on in-line skating, but in case it's a good means to improve balance, I would be willing to give it a go. Cheers, Bruno