Ouch! Making of the trial video: Crash marathon to the perfect stunt

Japanese trials specialist Tomomi Nishikubo provides fascinating insights into the creation of his latest YouTube video "Ride to Survive II" in a new behind-the-scenes video. The clip impressively shows that behind the spectacular tricks in his videos are not only creative ideas and perfect bike control, but above all hard work, numerous attempts and the willingness to accept painful setbacks. Nishikubo, who is known for his technically demanding and often unconventional manoeuvres, documents the entire production process of his latest trial creations with his team, providing an authentic look behind the scenes of professional mountain bike videos.

The finished video: "Ride to survive II"

From the idea to realisation

The tricks shown in the behind-the-scenes footage, such as the Fakie Drop, the Seesaw Frontflip and the fiery Hippie Hop Bike Transfer, illustrate Nishikubo's extraordinary inventiveness in the field of trials. The Japanese rider combines classic trial elements with creative extensions, creating manoeuvres that have rarely or never been performed in this form before. The process of creating these tricks is documented in detail in the making-of video - from the initial conceptual considerations to the construction of the necessary obstacles and ramps to the numerous attempts, which often involve falls and setbacks. What is particularly impressive is the tenacity with which Nishikubo sticks to his ideas and continues to develop them despite repeated failed attempts until the execution meets his high standards.

The making of: Watch out, nasty falls!

Technical perfection through repetition

The behind-the-scenes footage makes it clear that even for a trial star like Tomomi Nishikubo, the realisation of new, innovative tricks doesn't happen straight away. Yet it usually looks so easy in the finished video. The recordings show numerous failed attempts in which the rider repeatedly reaches his physical limits and also has to accept falls. The Seesaw front flip in particular, in which Nishikubo rides his bike over a seesaw and performs a front flip at the same time, requires precise timing and perfect body control.

Incidentally, the Japanese bike ninja made his breakthrough with the first instalment of "Ride to survive". Back then, without any major sponsors.

One particularly piquant trick in Tomomi's latest work is the ride over the slackline. Other bike and YouTube stars have celebrated this manoeuvre before him. Here are a few examples:

Red Bull Slackline world record (approx. 2 million views)

Small against big: Victor (10) against Fabio Wibmer (approx. 920,000 views)

And of course superstar Danny MacAskill also has the slackline ride in his repertoire (approx. 1.4 million views)

Teamwork behind the scenes

Another aspect that the behind-the-scenes footage impressively highlights is the importance of teamwork in the production of professional mountain bike videos. And the enormous effort behind the six-and-a-half-minute clip also becomes tangible. Nishikubo works closely with cameramen, photographers and assistants, who are not only responsible for the technical realisation of the shots, but are also on hand as consultants and safety personnel. Communication between the driver and the film team is crucial - both for the quality of the footage and for safety when carrying out the risky manoeuvres.

The video shows how the team works together to optimise the tricks, discusses alternative perspectives and makes adjustments after each attempt. This collaborative approach emphasises that modern mountain bike videos are complex productions that go far beyond the pure riding skills of the protagonist and require a well-coordinated team with different skills.