"Trick Cyclist" by Andrew Normansell
Suggested Retail USD$18.50
Available from your favorite dealer
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.

Shane

Available direct from your favorite dealer. Dealers, please contact Murphy's Magic Supplies, Inc. toll-free at 1-800-853-7403 or visit Murphy's Magic Supplies website.