>On the brink of a trick, McCoy explains, “there’s a sense of calm and shit sort of quiets down and it’s time to focus.” I used to do bike trails[1] and also r

>On the brink of a trick, McCoy explains, “there’s a sense of calm and shit sort of quiets down and it’s time to focus.” I used to do bike trails[1] and also rode every stunt on every double black trail on the North Shore in Vancouver. [2] I know the feeling being described here, and I'd venture it is the _real_ reason people engage in these sports. There is a calm when pulling off a really risky stunt, like gapping handrails or riding along a skinny elevated log, and it can be addictive. >“I’m more comfortable on my bike, jumping, than I am walking down the street,” says Ryan Nyquist, 37, who still competes. After doing trials for years, I would often say to people that I'd feel more comfortable riding my bike off a big dropoff rather than jumping down to land on my feet. I can personally attest, that that feeling is hard to give up. I had to stop riding trials at around 37 because of damage to my spine, which thankfully remained limited. Many of my cycling friends report missing it as well. [1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkfYm-rnfFI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkfYm-rnfFI [2] http://www.pinkbike.com/video/222711/ http://www.pinkbike.com/video/222711/ (I am not either of the riders depicted the linked videos, just included them for context. Also I never came close to riding at Ryan Leech's level, who is also a very nice guy.)