Matt Gilman is one of the most talented and dedicated trial riders that we have ever come across; he manages to ride trials at a high level, despite being blind! Incredible but true. Matt moved the whole trials community two years ago with his astonishing video, which has now been seen by people all over the world outside the trials community (around 100 000 views on Youtube). Matt’s vision stops 30cm in front of his face. Before attacking an obstacle, he has to check it out on foot first or, more accurately, with his hands. He is unable to tell by sight how big a gap or an up is and has to use his bike to feel the obstacles that he is riding. When he launches into a gap or a sidehop for example, he can’t see the obstacle approaching and just has to hope that he has put in the right amount of effort and finesse. Matt became blind in 2004 due to diabetes, and was unable to ride for a long time. When he decided to get back into trials, in 2006, he had to relearn everything; he couldn’t even get on his back wheel and kick the pedals. Not only did he have to learn everything from scratch, he had to learn it in a completely different way! Perseverance paid off however, and he can now follow his passion!
Matt is now sponsored by Trialtech, Chris King, Continental, Endura and Adventure for the Cure. Since that first video, he has made two others, and you can really see his progress (The blind trials rider (2) & The blind trials rider (3)). Matt also puts on demos, just another way to share his experience and pass on his message: handicaps can be overcome and everyone can find in htemself the motivation to do what they want to do by drawing on their own resources! Matt proves this with incredible determination that can only inspire respect.
Matt recently published a new video which was presented at a premiere in Baltimore, at the Wind UP Space. Filmed in late 2009/early 2010, this street video is just over five minutes long and is entitled “Vision is more than Sight”. A good title that has now become this extraordinary rider’s motto. Once again Matt proves that with sheer force of mind you can transcend the senses. He has once again pushed and improved his level of riding, which is even more creative and effective.
You can support Matt and his cause by buying his new T-shirts, sold on his website for $20. Check out our interview with Matt and more of his story in our previous article: An Interview with Matt Gilman. To keep up with Matt’s news and updates, head over to his website www.blindbiketrials.com! Tribal Zine is adapted to those with impaired vision: just click on the orange “A+” sign above this article to increase the font size.
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Quelques magnifiques clichés réalisés à Towson par Nicolas D.mac.
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