Martyn Ashton's Road Bike Party prompted an avalanche of messages this week including a ton of links to bike trial clips. The world of two wheels is expanding rapidly into a universe of diverse and spectacular entertainment. Every year the Red Bull X Fighters increase their repertoire of stupefying tricks, this escalation of skill is seemingly without boundaries, across all two wheeled sports. Freeride mountain bikers in "Where the Trail Ends" demonstrate the maximum "Big Kahuna" attitude taking freeride mountain biking films to new heights.

So how do these guys gain their extra special death defying skills. Here's some insight from Martyn Ashton who's path to biketrials began with motorcycle trials.

Martyn Ashton explains his background and helps out with advice for new riders, thanks to BikeRadar

Then there's the Italian acrobats. Take a look at Italian bike trial champion Simone Temperato or "Magico Tempe", who's hobby is wood sculpture. When Temperato's not making magic with his chisels he's off setting hour records and popping long distance wheelies. Just for kicks he maneuvered a 3 hour 26 minute wheelie up and down four mountain passes, over the Passi Campolongo, Gardena, Sella and Pordoi.  On the 26th of June 2004 Magico Tempe pedalled around the Velodromo Rino Mercante setting an hour record, the distance27 km and 541 metres, his bike had no front wheel. Temperato also holds the record for the fastest descent down the Stelvio without a front wheel, 53 minutes and 22 seconds.

Guiliano Calore first rode down the Prato Stelvio in 1986, no hands on the handlebars, two wheels and what looks like braking provided by his right foot to the rear tire. On his website Calore declares that he's the "World Champion of Extreme Cycling". Calore has also pedalled up the Stelvio in 1 h 36 minutes using only his right leg. (One of my mates rode up the Stelvio recently in one hour - fifty minutes using both his legs and was chuffed. Sorry Horse!) Calore is a musician too, in 1981 Calore climbed and descended the Stelvio, whilst playing four different musical instruments, each handed to him in rotation.

Simone Temperato or "Magico Tempe"

‪Guiliano Calore pedaling down the Prato Stelvio in 1986 Simone Temperato or "Magico Tempe"

Here's the Original Martyn Ashton bike trials stunts on a road bike video.

Macaskill and Ashton in action together, handing out useful tips to up and coming bike trials riders.

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