Anyone can ride a bike. You can ride fast up a steep lip to get air, whether you want it or not. The hardest part is getting down without crashing. Landing is the most important part about jumping, regardless of whether you’re launching off a curb or the highest bump on your favorite trail. You must start properly to get there.
Be prepared if you don’t know how to jump your bike. While learning, you will likely crash several times and get hurt. Toby Henderson, a long-time MBA wrecking crew star, has some helpful tips for those who are still determined to learn.
FIRST THINGS
Toby advises that you make sure your bike is properly set up. To achieve a comfortable ride, the seat should be lower than usual. The bike should be in a medium gear. You will find yourself spinning your pedals too fast, and your weight will shift from one side to the other, making it difficult to set up for the jump in time.
CHOOSE A POISON
You should aim to begin with a small jump on grassy fields. It is not a good idea to learn to jump on the pavement. You can jump on the ground if there aren’t any dirt mounds.
COAST TO TAKE OFF
Before you jump, sprint and stop pedaling. To get the bike at the correct speed, I tap the brakes just before the jump. It is not a good idea to pedal all the ways to the takeoff. You will lose your balance after the jump if you pedal too high. You should stop pedaling at least 10 feet before you jump.
RISE
Don’t sit down when you jump. It will make you buck. You don’t want to get out of the saddle with your arms and knees bent. You need to know where you want it to land. This is something I cannot stress enough. It is important to be focused on where you want it to land. While I can bunnyhop 10 kids simultaneously, I cannot go as far as I would without them. It is important to choose the right place for you.
TAIL FIRST LANDING
You want to land on your backwheel first ninety percent of the time. You might have to land on your back wheel first if you are landing on a slope. To absorb the shock from the landing, use your elbows and knees to suspend.
WHEN GOOD Jumps Go Bad
You know when things are going wrong on a jump as soon as it happens. Every time I have trouble with a jump, it seems to be because of the takeoff. It is not a wise idea to abandon the bike. It is better to test it out. You should not jump out of the sky, so you can run like the Flintstones once you land.
ADDING TYLE
Toby warns that style alone will not make your landing more attractive. Cross-ups happen for a reason. You are always capable of compensating. Style is achieved by jumping at an angle and then compensating.
HOW TO DO a TABLETOP
Toby suggests that you turn as you move off the lip. Your back wheel will turn to the left if you turn to your right. You’ll find a tabletop by turning the bars to your left. You can land by turning the bars to the left. It is not possible to jump straight off the bar and then throw in a tabletop. The takeoff is the most important part.
