If you find you are nervous about getting airborne on your bike or have the desire to learn to jump than this post and video is for you!
You can learn how to jump your bike!
Peter has made a series of mountain bike skills videos with Canadian Cycling Magazine, and this one is all about building confidence on jumps on the mountain bike. The video uses mostly smaller wood ramps that are found in many practice areas and trail heads. These wood ramps are similar to the collapsible ‘kicker’ ramps made by brands such as MTB Hopper and Ninja Brands.
While it may seem like jumping is only for pros or kids, the ability to get into a good position, apply pressure to weight/unweight your bike and to control a little bit of air is a huge boost to your safety, speed and/or control. So whatever your goal, learning to jump is a great goal and one that can be done with lots of safety and progression.
What to focus on when starting Jumping
- Setup: When starting jumping we like to use a small bump, like a speed bump or rounded/stable log, or small jump (kicker or table top). Ideally you can do this in an open area rather than on trail to allow for fewer variables and distractions for your first few repetitions.
stand up tall until you get there
- Approach: Start approaching the jump slowly so that you have to emphasize position and your stomp/pressure. Stand tall until you get to the jump, as pictured above. Resist the urge to crouch down before the jump, stand tall until you are right on the jump so you can then LOAD and UNLOAD or STOMP and EXPLODE!
- The Jump! You want to STOMP on the jump, similar to a trampoline so that you go UP in the air. Aim to extend or ‘stand up’ just as you would to get airborne on your feet. If you find you are crouched throughout the jumping process or that your extension comes very early on the jump then re-check the approach and/or try practicing a quick stomp/jump while standing on your feet on the ground. Your first objective is to get just slight air and land equally on two wheel on the top of the table top or just on the other side of the kicker ramp. The stomp/loading motion is not a huge range of motion, you do not have to squat right down for small jumps. More like jump rope/skipping and less like a heavy back squat.
- Landing: Aim to land centered on your bike. If you notice you are landing with your arms extended or butt back then try using a cue like ‘wide and low’ and emphasize that you are trying to go UP into the air not push the bike forward. If you are relatively confident in one jump, try adding a second jump or bump or corner soon after the first jump to help motivate getting back to a centered ‘ready’ position.
Get Help with Your Jumping!
Need more personalized help? book bike skills sessions with Peter here.
