McCircles can be one of those tricks that you just fall in love with. They are one of the
front wheel spinning variations that are a stepping stone for such tricks as Tomahawks and
Spastic Freak Squeaks. It is possible to link a hundred plus tricks into and out of
McCircles. They are easy to ride into and out of in the simplest form and can be done in
either direction- clockwise or counter-clockwise!
It is good to know how to do Tailwhips and/or Fire Hydrants before attempting McCircles.
Both descriptions are combined here so don't panic when you read the directions. Just
pick a direction and learn it.
- Begin by rolling at a slow pace (if you want to ride in from a tailwhip) or a
medium/slow pace if you want to ride in from a fire hydrant. Your left foot should be on
the left front peg and your right foot should be on the left rear peg (no matter HOW you
are riding in!).
- Fire Hydrant- Kick yourself around for a fire hydrant and do NOT touch the brakes.
- Tailwhip- Grab the front brakes and push the frame around to the right. When it has
reached 180 degrees (in front of you) release the brakes and pull down hard on the front
wheel. Do not let the back wheel touch the ground.
- Lean the bike in- From a fire hydrant that means to the left, tailwhip: to the right.
Put your right foot on top of the front tire and pull down HARD on it. The bike should
start to spin in a circle. You want to keep your body almost vertical and the bike leaned
in. That way the bike can keep its spinning momentum.
- You should ALWAYS be travelling backwards in a circle (until you get better). If you
start to travel forward touch the brakes and pull down on the front tire again to keep
yourself spinning in a circle.
- To ride out of either variation pull down hard on the front wheel to pull the front
wheel underneath of you. Grab both front and rear brakes hard and let the frame of the
bike spin all the way around and under you. Put your foot on the frame and step to the
pedals. It may help to rock up onto the back wheel for a moment and then let your body
weight push you forward.
Don't expect this trick to be easy. Months can be spent trying to figure out how to get
the bike to whip around in a good circle. When you get really good with the trick it is
possible to let the bike cyclone (go from spinning one direction (backwards) to spinning
the other direction (forwards)). When you get REALLY good it is possible to take this
trick to hitchhikers or a bunch of bar flip variations.