Elephant Glide

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Elephant Glide

ELEPHANT GLIDE

This trick is similar to a Funky Chicken and is one of the most combinable tricks in existence. For lovers of front wheel tricks the Elephant Glide is used over and over again as the setup point for bar flips, bar hops, and other crazy combos. This trick is the most widely used way to do a backpacker and there are regular variations of it that are pretty cool.

It is important that you know how to Scuff before you try this trick. It can't hurt to know Funky Chickens, or any other scuffing tricks (Dump Trucks, Gerators, E-Squeaks).

Begin by rolling at a medium speed, standing on the pedals as you normally do.

Put your right pedal down and take your left foot off the pedal. Put it over the handlebars and on the front left peg.

Now lean slightly to the left- this should start you going in a circle to the left (counterclockwise). Take your right hand off the right grip. Put it out for balance. Bring your right leg over the right grip and drag in on the top of the front tire.

Because you are going in a circle to the left your foot dragging on the front tire should get the back wheel off the ground and get it to come around to your right side. If this doesn't happen then your bike is leaning to far to the left. You should lean your body more to the left and the bike less to the left. That way you keep the momentum but the back end doesn't want to just fall to the left.

When the frame come around grab the back of your seat with your right hand. Begin scuffing the tire, using your right hand on the seat and your left hand on the handlebars to control the side-to-side balance.

When you are comfortable with doing this then get ready for the hard part- riding out...

Grab the front brakes or press down hard on the front wheel to get the back end of the bike to fall to the ground. As soon as it does put your right foot on the back right peg of the bike. You should be sitting on the handlebars. Take your right hand off the seat and grab the right grip.

You are coasting slowly in a circle to the right now- You need to be comfortable with doing this so practice just coasting in a circle in this position for a few hours (days).

When you are comfortable grab the back brakes HARD. Lean forward and take your left foot off the front peg. This will lift you up onto the back wheel of the bike. Take your left hand off the grip and twist your body to the right, towards the frame of the bike. As you are twisting around twist the handlebars in the same direction so that they are now straight.

Grab the left grip with your left hand as the front wheel touches the ground and release your brakes. Take a moment to get your balance and step to the pedals and ride away.

This is all stupid to explain though. It is (in my opinion) not NEARLY the easiest way to ride out of the trick. This IS the standard way to do it though and can be learned on its own. The bike control that is gained is very important. Elephant Glides will become a staple in your repertoire of tricks especially if you decide that you prefer doing tricks on the front wheel. This trick is simply amazing when you consider all the different ways in and out of it. Good luck!


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