Austrian trials biker Thomas Oehler wowed Filipinos and explored Manila on two wheels when Red Bull flew him in for some street trials demonstrations and a guest appearance at the first ever PhilBike Expo at the World Trade Center, Pasay City last November 14 – 16, 2014.
In a country where most people see biking as a fitness activity, Filipinos can share his fresh – albeit a little simplistic – take on the the sport, “Trials riding is really simple, it’s just about riding your bike over obstacles without using anything else [other than] your tires! Street trials on the other hand is a combination of traditional trials skills and BMX tricks and skills.”
Raised in Linz, Austria, Oehler is a two-time Guinness World Record holder who began riding competitively in 1997 at age 14. Two years after his professional debut, he won his first Austrian championship and went on to win five more throughout his competitive career. In 2008, Oehler decided to bring his bike and techniques with him outside controlled obstacle courses and onto bustling urban environments.
Since then, 31-year-old Oehler has put on demonstrations all over the world with the most recent one done as a tour in several American universities. With only two wheels and precise bike handling skills to back him up, he has made crowds hold a collective breath as he jumps from one surface to another – often with several volunteers lying down between them.
It is not all merely for fun or putting on a show, though. As Oehler pointed out, “Trials riding is a very natural form of biking because no matter where you ride, trials skills are very practical. Imagine you ride your bike in the city and you’re about to hit a sidewalk-curb, just bunny hop up… When local riders see what kind of riding is possible on two wheels, they will be inspired to try some of that in their regular riding.”
Check out Red Bull and Red Bull Events on Facebook to find out more about Tom Oehler in Manila.
