When I first got into track bikes, I was really into the tricks. As I got more comfortable on the bike, I learned how to appreciate their functionality on the street and ultimately decided to save the tricks for my skateboard. 

Through it all, the one “track bike trick” that still retains its utility is the trackstand: balancing a stopped bike without taking your feet off the pedals, a simple, elegant, and incredibly useful move that saves time at lights and gives you a head start on traffic. The combination of balance, grace, and technical skill reminds me of a manual on a skateboard. After so many years of continuous practice, I’m able to stay firmly planted in the saddle, find my center of balance and block outside distractions as I patiently wait for the stoplight to let me go and disappear back into the city. —Benny Gold