Matt Gilman - Blind Trials Rider

Mar 24, 2010
by Tyler Maine  
Source: Trialtech UK

Matt has been working hard over the winter to produce this inspirational video featuring a selection of his best riding footage over the last few months. What makes this video unique is that the rider featured in the footage, Matt Gilman, is actually blind.

Video inside,
Matt Gilman - Blind Bike Trials

by trialtechuk
Views: 17,416    Faves: 194    Comments: 57


photo

www.blindbiketrials.com

www.trialtech.co.uk


Posted In:
Trials


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116 Comments
  • 44 1
 Source of inspiration
  • 9 1
 agreed
  • 14 1
 how the hell?
dude, props, seriously!
  • 31 15
 hes clearly a faker, that was unreal dude you are a true inspiration my hats off to you
  • 15 4
 faker? im lost what are trying to say mike-l
  • 9 1
 Yet another video using that song. Amazing riding though, totally incredible!
  • 16 30
flag philipstonier (Mar 24, 2010 at 19:42) (Below Threshold)
 this guys cant be 100% blind, theres no way you can ride a bike when your totally blind
  • 17 2
 whatever negative nancy, this guys is a true inspiration to everyone with or without disabilities. even if he is tunnel blind this is still truly amazing and just as inspirational. and i got a 5er he is better than you too, cause i know hes alot better than me.
  • 7 4
 HES BLIND ! YOU DO NOT LIE ABOUT SUCH THINGS THATS STUPID' thats a warning for all smartasses out there who think its fake.
  • 12 2
 most people who are blind are never 100% blind.
  • 3 0
 Well philip, I agree with what you say. However I believe he wasn't always blind since in his video he says "I hope this motivates someone who has a disability to do what they once loved."

But I digress. It's still pretty phenomenal to do trials with vision loss of practically any considerable magnitude.
  • 2 0
 Did he lose his sight, and want to keep riding, or was he born blind?
  • 6 0
 1. He'd Blind 2. He's doing trials riding quite successfully 3. Need to get some tips from him on technique. XD
  • 5 0
 Says on his web site hes not fully blind but pretty well. www.blindbiketrials.com/www.blindbiketrials.com/About_Me.html
Im amazed and hes a huge inspiration to me now.
  • 3 0
 i can bearly ride my bike in a straight line with my eyes closed, never mind riding trials blind, this guy is awsome, keep tearing it up man!
  • 3 4
 I think I'm gonna gouge my eyes out... maybe I'll be able to handle some of those sick lines I always pu$$y out on lol
  • 1 0
 hes probably so blind he can only see like light and dark but no acctual features
  • 1 0
 I don't know. I have spoken to Blind Bobby's guides and he makes out figures, just not rocks, colors, etc. It's all pretty blurry.
  • 1 0
 well thats what i was gettin at but its still sick
  • 6 1
 Matt has an earlier video on Youtube which explains in more detail his disability. He is blind as a result of diabetes and can see a very blurry couple of feet in front of his nose. He is an active member of Adventures for the Cures- who are helping raise awareness of diabetes and looking for a cure. I can't get my walking, seeing girlfriend on a bike for more than 5 minutes....yet Matt, as you can SEE- is still in motion, and as far as I can tell- getting better all the time. Well done Matt- say hey to team AFC for me! Cheers.
  • 4 0
 Thank you for clearing up the confusion. People are so quick to judge. I actually first heard of this guy through a local magazine called "Urban Velo". He's such an inspiration. Thanks again.
  • 1 1
 Ben answer me this then, i got diabetes and im keeping good glucos and such and takeing my medc... why arent i blind? the thing about people beliveing that the diabetes is the issue sounds farfetched but not if you dont control the sickness and most likely needs several of years of punishment by eating wrong and stop medication. Sounds verry wrong in your statement just all.
  • 3 0
 Realy Amazing! Im Moved by this video, near the end, he try's and tries and still tries, and succeeds. ! and when you think bout'-it, he cant know what a video is! if you explain it to him, he might never know what multiple recorded images put together realy fast is!(a video). hes blind, thats why im so amazed and it makes me think, that even if your not disabled, you can try and try and try and try, and sooner or later, someday Succed in something. once again, amazing.

-Matt.H
  • 2 0
 this is very inspiring, especially to myseelf, i was diagnosed with epilepsy 3 years ago and it makes it super tough to ride a bike, you black out for seconds at a time every time you go out and ride, its like being blindfolded to me, except you dont know when your gonna be blindfolded, i have been able to be quite sucessful even with brain seizuring and all the problems that i have had and i hope that others have been able to overcome there disabilities also cheers, aaron smith
  • 2 0
 Im stunned, blow away, and just all round inspired by a rider like Matt Gilman. Dope skills, a true biker, never giving up, taking on challenges, taking hits and getting back up, the guy has balls for sure. This guy is a true rider. Loving the video, skills, and message. I hope Matt Gilman has met with "Lazy Legs Luca" (disabled b-boy dancer who is insanely amazing), those two guys should get together and make a killer video, spread that positive message/inspiration.

VOD for sure
  • 2 0
 To everybody who's saying that he's partially blind, I'll tell you something. I met this guy at my local bmx racetrack, and he's definitely blind. Why the hell would he be measuring out everything with a white cane if he could see? He talked to us for a while and inspired my friends and I to try riding with our eyes closed. It was one of the scariest experiences of my life...
  • 2 0
 big up all riders that keep riding with some kind of "disability". these guys deserve so much respect.cause it takes balls to try this although you cant see anything of where ur going
  • 1 0
 Am I going crazy or was the comment I wrote two days ago deleted? If it was deleted, could a Mod PM me as to why? AFAIK I said nothing but positive things.

And if I am going crazy and I didn't really post a comment...

I think this is astounding. And to have to feel an object and remember its dimensions is incredible. I also like the way he feels for the edges with his front wheel.
  • 3 0
 that's great to see some one like that doing that! soo inspirering wait to go Smile
  • 3 0
 I've seen some very inspirational stuff, and I have to say this tops all of that by far. Props to you man, seriously.
  • 3 0
 Add another "amazing/inspirational/mad props" to the long list of positive feedback. :-)
  • 3 0
 I don't have the words to describe this... but WOW! :O Keep it up man, you're such an inspiration for us!
  • 3 0
 This is beyond amazing... how does he do it? Does he have like a spotter telling him how far? this is ... just wow.
  • 2 0
 Oh ok my bad, i posted before I saw the end of the video...he measures it out beforehand.... wow that's incredible.
  • 3 0
 Sweet vid! You have progressed quite a bit since I saw you last year. Some big moves in there too tup Very inspiring.
  • 2 1
 No one can say this fake.. Like Look how he keep's hopping around to know wher he is. always feelin when his tire's on the the edge or whatever. Man props to you and your riding. Huge inspiration
  • 1 0
 I think what they meant to say was that he is partially blind. If he were 100% blind, it would take thousands of tries to do moves like that, even if he measured everything out and was a geometry genius.
  • 2 0
 mad props man, that is amazing skill you exhibit in all of your moves. i can't be the only one who thinks this should get vod though?
  • 1 0
 I feel really sympathetic for this guy. He uses his front end to tap his way out of obstacles and stuff he encounters. I think it is all quite impressive and it shows lots of love and dedication. Best trials rider ever.
  • 2 0
 Hes a great rider and all and hes, but ive been wondering about somethin for a while, how did he get blind? Tht's a question tht has been buggin me for a while now.
  • 3 0
 ohh myy godd, this is the definition of INSPIRATION...
  • 2 0
 100% respect dude its good to know that no matter what you got wrong with you, where theres a way theres a will. Smile
  • 2 0
 awesome job matt! my favorites were the 3 ups in a row on the ledges...and the high sidehop to pedals...
  • 2 0
 inspiration vid of the year!, this is remarkable, a true inspiration to us all clearly.. PROPS BRO!!
  • 2 0
 he cant be 100% blind...he could see maybe shapes, or whats close to him maybe? really blurry
  • 1 0
 this kid is awesome, remember this next time you take a fit cause you couldnt land somethin'. i dub thee balls "Chuck and Norris"
  • 2 0
 amazing! to be able to have a disability like that and even ride a bike is inspiring !
  • 3 0
 thats insane!props,that must be sooo scary
  • 2 0
 the 1 legged guy the other day and now this guy? you guys are amazing and make biking look so good
  • 2 0
 mad props man that was one of if not the most motivating things i've ever seen, again mad props
  • 2 0
 i cant even ride trials and I can see and have been riding for over 20 years so big ups.. very inspirational..
  • 3 2
 no... just no. that can not be real. people wth sight that have been riding for years can only do that.... and this guy?

no way.
  • 1 0
 I just tried to ride down a stairset with my eyes closed. I missed and cycled into a busy road. I was lucky to escape alive...
  • 1 0
 I can't even begin to fathom doing that....Tons of props to that guy. Pretty amazing stuff.
  • 3 0
 WOW! Very moving indeed.
  • 2 0
 No words to describe this- keep shredding Matt you are inspirational!
  • 2 0
 how hard would that be for him. far out, good on him! Razz
  • 2 0
 props dude super inspiring makes me wana learn to ride trials
  • 1 0
 Dud this is so awesome and completely mind blowing. Keep up the awesome work
  • 1 0
 i thought the blind downhill racer was awesome, but this is right up there. mega respect mate!
  • 1 0
 wow thats amazing, props to this guy. an inspiration for all, seriously blind? thats amazing.
  • 2 0
 amazing. props for going out there and just doing it
  • 2 0
 I am very impressed, keep it up!!
  • 2 0
 wow, I don't even know what to say, that was unbelieveable. Mad respect
  • 2 0
 That is true talent. Wow!!
  • 2 0
 this is soo sick. keep shreddin man!
  • 2 0
 whoa this guy is local. Hes at UMBC thats crazy.
  • 2 0
 Unreal, i can't get my head around how you do it mate. Mad skills
  • 2 0
 thats the most amazing thing i've ever seen VOD for sure
  • 2 0
 Thats crazy! Just shows what you can do by believing you can do something!
  • 1 0
 amazingly inspirational, I'm going to show this vid to a mountain bike trip I'm leading for my school's outing program.
  • 1 0
 HOLY FCUK THIS GUY IS AMAISING.. wow. i cant even beleive this. this is... wow... wow.... wow.......
  • 2 0
 this is nuts! respect.
  • 1 0
 shitttt. im impressed. that vid should be VOD. such an inspiration.
  • 2 0
 this guy is so sick
  • 1 0
 bro thats so tite, good for you man good for u
  • 2 0
 amazing Blank Stare
  • 1 0
 Amazing for sure!
Props.
What's the song at the beginning?
  • 1 0
 i dont no how he does this but what a inspiration
  • 1 0
 Reallly inspire me a lot.I‘m also a trials rider
  • 1 0
 respect
you are awesome

can i get track list please?
  • 2 0
 freaking amazing
  • 1 0
 bloody amazing! keep it up!
  • 2 0
 just amazing!
  • 2 0
 NO WAY! that is beast!
  • 2 0
 Thats awesome
  • 2 1
 do u keep the tire pressure low so he can feel edges?
  • 1 0
 nah trials pressure is really low so you can grip onto the objects you are hopping onto.
  • 2 0
 Amazing!
  • 2 0
 good on him!!!!
  • 2 0
 Amazing keep it up Champ
  • 2 0
 crazy!
  • 2 0
 VOD for respect.
  • 1 0
 I second this.
  • 1 0
 your a fucken bad ass. an inspiration to us all
  • 1 0
 that is the most amazing thing i haver ever seen on a bike
  • 1 0
 respect man! that was so insperasional!
  • 1 0
 AWESOME. that guy is an inspiration to anyone. so sick
  • 1 0
 Mr. Miyagi works wonders with his students.
  • 1 0
 that's awseome and he has skills
  • 1 0
 Awesome matt!
  • 1 0
 Amazing...
  • 1 0
 no comment........VOD
  • 1 0
 RESPECT!
  • 1 0
 RESPECT
  • 1 0
 sickkk
  • 1 0
 props man respect !!!!
  • 1 0
 respect
  • 1 0
 what's first music name?
  • 1 0
 omg rediculous
  • 1 0
 How does he do this?!
  • 1 0
 amazing
  • 1 0
 absolutely awesome.
  • 1 0
 He got skills!
  • 1 3
 ats fucked up dudeeee







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