Scott Martin

You probably think cycling coolness comes from being able to ride really quickly. Not so fast. You're truly cool when you can master showoff-y cycling skills like these :

Trackstand. You pull up to a red light. Everyone clicks out of their pedals. Except you. Perched over your saddle with front wheel cocked, you casually balance by weighting and unweighting each pedal. What finesse! What skill! "Say, isn't that the stud who won an Olympic medal on the velodrome ?" • Practical application : Be the first one away when the light changes.
• Downside : Highly embarrassing when you tip over in front of intersection full of entertainment-starved motorists.

Jacket Removal. The pace is heating up and so are your armpits. You sit up, unzip your jacket, pull your arms out of the sleeves, roll up the garment and stuff it in your jersey pocket -- all at 20 mph. Is there anything this person can't do on a bike ?

• Practical application : Never get dropped by your heartless, lightly dressed friends.
• Downside : Jacket sleeve caught in spokes = agony of da street.

Wheelie. The ultimate worthless-but-amazing bike trick.

• Practical application : None, unless you run away to join the circus.
• Downside : Falling over is bad; falling over backward is worse.

Bunnyhop. You're approaching a pothole, railroad track or hapless rabbit. There's no way to avoid it. Pulling up on your handlebar and pedals, you lift both wheels off the pavement simultaneously and leap over Thumper. Eat my non-baggy shorts, you gnarly mountain bike dudes.

• Practical application : Wheels stay round.
• Downside : If you don't stick the landing, it sticks you.

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