Trick Cyclist by Andrew Normansell

Trick Cyclist (w/DVD)
by Andrew Normansell and Alakazam Magic

An incredible, easy to do, multiple selection routine with an incredible, NO PALM, signed card to pocket ending! This trick will make you look like a master sleight of hand artist!

Effect

Three cards are freely selected (no force), signed and returned to the deck. The Magician now shows a Bicycle Joker and states that it has been specially trained to do the Magic.

The Joker is placed in the Magician’s back pocket and with a Magical gesture, reappears face-up in the face down deck, right next to the first selection.

The Joker is then placed back in the Magician's pocket for a second time and the deck is spread to show that there are no face-up cards. Then once again, the Joker reappears face up in the facedown deck, right next to selection number two.

The Joker is removed for a final time, but this time, fails to reappear in the deck... the Magician reaches into his pocket and brings out the Joker, only to find that the reason he did not return is because he has fallen off his bike! The Magician makes a final Magical gesture and with an empty hand, reaches into his pocket and removes the final signed selection!

NO DIFFICULT SLEIGHT OF HAND! ENDS CLEAN! NO PALMING! QUICK RESET! INCLUDES SPECIALLY PRINTED CUSTOM BICYCLE CARDS AND INSTRUCTIONAL DVD!

Reviewed by Shane at Online Visions:

"Trick Cyclist" by Andrew Normansell
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

"Trick Cyclist", an effect by Andrew Normansell, is a practical, entertaining, and surprising card routine that is as easy to do as it is fun to perform.

The effect is simple enough. Three cards are chosen, signed, and lost in the deck. The performer shows a Joker (one "specially trained"). The Joker is put in the performer's pocket and magically returns to the deck, face up in the face down deck, next to one of the selected cards. This is repeated with the second card. When this is attempted the third time, though, the Joker doesn't reappear in the deck. Knowing something is wrong, the performer pulls the Joker from his pocket and shows that the Joker has fallen off his bike. A final magical gesture is made, the performer reaches into his pocket and removes the final signed card.

This is a very slick piece of work that Normansell has here. The whole thing is accomplished without any difficult sleights and no palming or forces (the routine and the gaffs take care of the heavy lifting here). Resets are quick and easy, able to be done while moving from one table to the other. The deck is normal and everything can be examined at the end. In fact, other than really needing to do this one at a table, there are no practicality issues whatsoever.

If there were a downside to this one, it's in the whole "trained cards" theme. I have to admit I never cared for this at all even as some of the acknowledged masters of our art -- Vernon and Hamman pop instantly into my mind -- used it. It just sounds to me too childish and ridiculous.

But Normansell even takes care of that by having a mishap befall the poor Joker that takes the silly idea to a certain level of visual gag and the appearance of that specially-printed card is worth a chuckle or two besides.It also throws off the spectators and, when that last signed card comes from the pocket, gasps and screams result.

There's really little else to be said about "Trick Cyclist". It's a very good effect that gets good reactions, and it's easier to do than most "card-to-pocket" routines. The addition of the odd Joker is a silly bit that makes a valid presentational point as the routine goes.

All told, if the routine suits you and you're looking to add a clean and simple "card-to-pocket" routine to your arsenal, "Trick Cyclist" deserves a look.

"Trick Cyclist" by Andrew Normansell
In a Blink: 9 Out of 10

Practicality: 9
Other than this being one best done on a table, this is extremely practical. The set-up and reset are quick and easy, the handling simple and you're even clean at the end. This is one very practical routine.

Workmanship: 10
The cards are printed on red Bicycle stock and look great.

Documentation: 10
The documentation is on a well-shot DVD with Peter Nardi doing the instructing. You'll have no problem learning this one.

Effect: 9
This one plays extremely well, much better than would be expected. With the repeating nature of the routine, and the sudden kicker, plus the cutesy card, this is a worker.

Presentation: 9
The presentation is the silly thing here and, frankly, childish. However, the appearance of the altered Joker makes this play as the joke it is, right up until the climax hits. All in all, good stuff here.

Also reviewed by Lucian J, Magic Boutique Resident

Here is a straightforward and easy to do three selection card routine. The cards are freely selected and the magician uses a Joker to find the selections. This has a surprising ending with the last card found in the pocket which is great. There is also a humourous bit with a cartoonish card. The fact that no palming is needed makes this well within the ability of most magicians. This will appeal to the beginner card magician who wants to duplicate similar but technically more demanding routines with a minimal of practice. The routine is itself is well constructed. You also received three well made gaffed cards.

Recommended. 4 out of 5 stars.

Reviewed by Bryce Kuhlman from mylovelyassistant.com:

We've all familiar with the bullet points in magic advertising:

"No Difficult Sleight of Hand!"
"Ends Clean!"
"No Palming!"
"Quick Reset!"

This usually means one of two things: either the effect sucks or it's a blatant lie.

Such is not the case with Trick Cyclist. The effect is strong. The premise and routine are interesting. The props are top-quality. Oh, and they hit all of the claims above, as well (as advertised on the packaging).

Even the "card to pocket" kicker ending doesn't require palming. The audience actually sees you put the card in your pocket in plain view. Of course, they don't realize it's the chosen card...

As I watched the performance, I found myself daydreaming about how I might add this to my repertoire. It was surprisingly easy to come up with something that fit with my personality. Of course, the routine on the DVD is perfectly fine. Just know that you've got a lot of options with the feke supplied with the DVD.