Up Close & Personal With Jeral Tidwell

Up Close & Personal With

JERAL TIDWELL

by Chad Ison

Publication Date: June 2000

The rider featured in the photos for the article on observed trials riding (see trials riding) is Jeral Tidwell. Jeral is a resident of Louisville, KY and rides for the pleasure of the sport. I met him outside his home in the Highlands riding his bike - an Azonic, 26-inch, Stock Trials Bike with modified hydraulic brakes. When asked how long he had been riding a bicycle, Jeral responded, "All my life - I came out of the womb with pedals on my feet and treadmarks on my back."

It was an interesting afternoon following Jeral around the back alleys and streets of Louisville. While most people go from place-to-place checking out the view Louisville has to offer, Jeral is always on the watch for new and interesting places to ride. One may notice an empty dumpster sitting in an alley and think that its only use is to hold trash. But to Jeral it's more than that - it's an obstacle for him to jump onto, spin around and drop off with his bike. An ordinary set of concrete stairs offers a chance for him to perfect his bunny hopping maneuvers. Every stone, ramp, discarded wood, or wall offers him a chance to perfect his skills at trials riding.

While talking with Jeral, he told me that his favorite place to ride is his indoor course. He then offered to show me the course, but told me that I would have to be blindfolded to protect its secret locationI laughed! About twenty minutes later, Jeral removed the blindfold, and I was amazed to see his huge indoor trials course. Superman had his "Fortress of Solitude," Batman had his secret "Batcave," but none could compare to Jeral's "Dungeon of Destruction."

"This is where I like to test my metal," Jeral said, while picking up pieces of damaged bike chains discarded on the concrete floor. Placed strategically around the large, desolate building were ramps, see-saws, 4x4 boards, steps, large wooden cable spools and various other objects that Jeral would ride up, down, and around on.

During a break in the photographic action, Jeral and I had a chance to talk. He told me that there were only a few people in the Louisville area that really could be considered true Trials Riders - they are: Dave Davies (Jeral's riding buddy), Eric Porter, Tod Merill and Matt Slider. He said that there were even less in New Orleans where he had previously lived. He told me the same as I had heard from others involved with the sport...it's a growing sport that not many know about.

But Jeral is trying to change that problem. He can always be found at Derby City Outfitters (one of his sponsors) helping younger people learn the sport and improve their skills. However, he's not known as Jeral to many; most refer to him as the "Gladiator," because of the chrome helmet and black padding he sports when riding his bike. "I'm a firm believer in safety," said Jeral. "I've done too much damage to myself when I ride to know that it would have been much worse without the safety gear."

Jeral's reputation for wild riding has preceded him. While researching this article, I heard many stories from kids that said they had heard of the Gladiator. One said he had talked to a person who saw him jumping from a ten-foot embankment. Another saw him jumping onto a six-foot brick wall, and another heard that he rode for five miles balancing on the back wheel of his bicycle while holding a drink in his hand!! The legend grew and grew. "One time a kid told me that he saw the Gladiator make this death-defying jump," Jeral mused, "and he had no idea that I was the one that he was talking about."

When Jeral is not riding, he's painting, or working on his computer. Jeral, an avid artist, has painted numerous works of art and currently has an art show at Spalding University in Louisville. He has also designed several CD covers for prominent bands, including the covers for the band "Days Of The New." Samples of his work can be seen on his website: www.humantree.com

However, most of the time you'll find Jeral on his bike trying out new places to ride. Whether it's in the city, or out in the country, this 30-year-old bike rider loves to ride and will continue to do so wherever he can.

By the way, I peeked through the blindfold when I went to his secret lair, and for the right price, I just might tell someone where it is.