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Now the swinging bridge |
Zen and the Art of Urban Assault
Another night is upon me. The moon, full and bright, lightens the darkest shadows of the city. The time is right for that mysterious and wondrous two-wheeled adventure known as Urban Assault.
Like an ancient warrior, I don the battle armor of my mission and check the condition of my mount. I take this moment to reflect on my passion for riding all that is angular, concrete and man-made.
a calm soliditude
drives my spinning pedals
reflection in windows
While riding mountain trails and singletrack has its obvious natural attraction and escapism, the art of true urban riding demands a particular creativity and imagination unlike other cycling. Regardless of your ride, whether hardtail, full suspension, BMX or even road, urban riding can be an insight into one's connection with the fabricated world around. Like an artist and his subject, I find that riding a particular urban structure changes my relationship with it; stairs become beautiful sculpture and walls turn to canvas, my bike the brush. Smoothly integrating one's freeride soul into sharp architecture brings about new discoveries of skill, handling, and just plain enjoyment. Simply hopping a park bench or picnic table provides unique inner fulfillment, a newfound appreciation for the object itself.
sidewalk rushes by |
 Rider: Brett Grayston Photo: Shane O'Neill |
Urban riding also has a certain accessible characteristic. A common parking barricade, stair set, or even just a curb or street can provide enough artistic surface to try new things or practice old skills. Often when I am riding around in town, I like to ride on a curb for a ways, but with my wheels as close as absolutely possible to the edge, sometimes even with almost half a tire-width hanging over. These types of challenges not only make the mundane interesting, but also really improve a rider's balance and bike-handling. Another practice I like if it is not too busy, is to ride down the middle of the street right on the line, sometimes even with cars going by on each side of me. The astonished looks from dumbfounded drivers tells me that I am taking back the city.
as onlookers watch
my bike soars effortlessly
upon their alien world
The idea of riding by a local structure everyday for weeks, months or even years, and then seeing a completely new and challenging line is so central to the attraction of urban freeriding. A different perspective inspires new appreciation. As well, riding in groups of two or more, commonly known as sessions or sessioning, incorporates multiple viewpoints of the object at hand. For example, there is a 4 foot high stair set not far from here that my riding friends and I often hit. One day while we were doing our usual gap jumps and nose manuals, one of my buddies jokingly told me to ride up them. I decided to try and it was more difficult than it first sounds. But after a couple of tries I could do it quite easily. The next step was to get some air off the top step and some of us started trying this. With proper technique and speed, a nice little hop could be achieved. When done right it was a pretty impressive looking trick, albeit, hard as hell on the rims and not always smooth nor successful. Thus, there is the argument that urban riding is hard on bikes and riders. But then the duality of a smooth landings on rigid surfaces is a paradoxical balance between hardness and humanism.
hands gripping the bars |
 Rider: Tydon Oler Photo: Brit |
Urban assault is a meditation, an exercise in riding repose. A manual wheelie is an excellent example of rider, bike and road in harmony. Although possible on trail, it is certainly more of an urban stunt. A smooth and controlled manual requires proper balance, concentration, and a faith in ability. And while the physical factors of correct body and bike positioning are obviously important, the mental headspace necessary to attempt and successfully perform an adept manual provides a rider with that indescribable oneness within - a Zen of self-awareness and accomplishment.
a wall of darkness
beckons a gap in moonlight
bike's fleeting shadow
Another interesting aspect of urban riding is its association with nighttime. Though riding during the day is common and has its merits, night riding has a unique appeal of its own. Clearly there is less danger of traffic, ornery cops and security guards, or being witnessed in an embarrassing crash. However I also think the darkness and the aura of night fosters an inner calm and perhaps, even a forbidden rebelliousness. Our mothers used to warn us of the danger of being out late at night - hard to see and to be seen, people of questionable ilk, monsters in the shadows… One of my favorite video riding segments of all time, Ryan Leech's urban session in Ride to the Hills, would not be the same if it had been shot and ridden during the day. The imagery of the sun going down and the dark city streets, the quietude of the lonely playground and the empty parking lot - these are central to the mood of the urban theme.
alone on my bike |
 Rider: Ben Cashman Photo: Drew Swayne |
With my gear adjusted and my ride ready, I proceed on my current evening excursion. As I pedal my first few strokes into the cool night air, my steed gliding effortlessly below me, I cannot help but consider these inner feelings and connections. A wispy cloud of my breath is captured in the light of a street lamp and symbolizes the floating timelessness of my urban riding Zen…
Until dawn I will be at one with that which is artificial yet natural.
- Blaine Louis 11-21-01
*All haiku by the author except where noted.
**Header photo by the author.
