FREERIDE: Your latest clip is a paean to the classic trick, the wheelie. Who came up with the idea?
Danny MacAskill: I think up my film projects myself. And of course I always try to come up with something new. This time I wanted to celebrate the wheelie.
What is so fascinating about it?
Everyone who learns to ride a bike wants to be able to do a wheelie, right? A wheelie almost seems a bit like magic. I don't know any child who isn't fascinated by it. And this fascination lasts a lifetime.
In the clip you can see crazy buildings passing behind you. Where did you film?
All over Scotland, from Glasgow to Inverness. I know my country and knew where we would find what we were looking for. Every time I'm travelling and see a cool location, I make notes. That way I'm my own scout.
The film features a crazy bunch of bikers who master all kinds of wheelie variations.
We found them with a call on the Internet. We organised an online competition. People could send in their best wheelies. That was great fun.
Were you able to learn anything from these wheelie freaks yourself?
You bet! I was impressed by the guy who leant back so far that his hand reached the ground. I tried it too and landed on my back. The wheelie carves are really cool. You literally hit a hook in the wheelie. I haven't got it down yet, but I have to learn - it's really cool!
One of the guys almost runs you over!
He sliced past me so close. He actually drove over my feet with his tyre.
I was impressed by the jump from one track to another without falling out of the wheelie.
Oh yes, it took me a few attempts because I couldn't see anything. The front wheel covered the track. That's why I found it very difficult to keep my balance. It must have been 150 attempts in the end. Because landing on the track is one thing, riding on in a wheelie is another.
You are in the film with Bike legend Hans Rey to see. What's behind it?
The wheelie master himself. I still remember how I used to watch riding technique tutorials with Hans Rey. I learnt the wheelie with Hans' tips.
You make the Statue of Liberty.
Of course. That's Hans' signature move. I think if I do it more often now, I'll have to pay him licence fees (laughs).
Does the film have what it takes to become a click hit?
You never know on the internet. I have often been surprised. I hope that I can inspire some people to learn the wheelie. It's important to me that people enjoy watching the clip. But you certainly won't see the craziest stunts this time, even if the "wheelie into frontflip into wheelie" was a really tough one.
You did the trick with the trial bike.
I've always wanted to try that, and the move was the trigger for the wheelie film. It's incredibly difficult to land in a wheelie after the front flip and continue riding. But jumping off in a wheelie was also tricky.
How many attempts did you need?
I had terrible falls. Without a thick foam mat, I would have ended up in hospital. Only when I got the hang of it did I push the mat aside. It took me three attempts without the mat, but I managed it the fourth time.
NOW YOU: How to do the wheelie!
Preparation: Equip your bike with flat pedals so you can get your feet off the pedals quickly and get off. Saddle at half height, medium gear and a terrain with plenty of space. A slightly uphill road is ideal.
Front up: You do a push-up on the handlebars, dynamically fold your upper body backwards and pull up the handlebars. You support the movement by pedalling hard.
Balance: It's about finding the sweet spot where you don't tip forwards or backwards. You can do this by constantly pedalling and applying the brakes. Back straight, arms straight.
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Dimitri Lehner
Editor
