Jump Training / Instruction

What type and size jumps?
Are you talking about small xc/trail centre type stuff, big high speed downhill gap jumps or just big old dirt jumps and freeride?

Get down to Somerset for a lesson with Chris Smith. Great coach and no one knows more about jumping.

Hi Fil

It depends on what you want to do.

If its just speed orientated jumping then speed stuff is probably easier (as crazy as it sounds) but the key is speed and momentum.

A few things I have learnt the hard way over the years:

* You will fall fact, not if when. When falling don't put your hands out, the vast majority of trauma occurs when putting your arms out, hence broken fingers, wrists, arms and shoulders. As soon as you realise its going wrong, throw the bike away from you and try and hit the ground rolling/sliding.

* if you fall get back on the bike as soon as you can and try it again. Don't let the fear get to you.

* Invest in a decent set of pads elbow, knee and if you can wristguards.

* Keep your weight centred over the saddle

* Start small and build up from there. As silly as it sounds, go out into the street and try and jump dropped kerbs, that's where many pros started. I still do it because its fun and it embarrasses my missus.

* Don't try and force it to start with, let the speed and momentum take you over.

* Have a clear picture in your mind on your approach of what you want to do.

* Tailor your jump to the length and size of the jump. In other words don't hit a 2m table top hammer and tongs, fly it 5m and land on flat ground, as a beginner you will probably cr*p yourself mid air, panic and instead of bailing try and land it. Invariably using your head as a brake!!! Judging speed to length comes with time and practice and you will either "hang up" or "over cook" it plenty before you crack it.

* Try and master the old BMX "bunny hop" this will help you shape the basics of controlling the bike in the air and once mastered the added benefit you can jump roots and the like which will in turn make you faster because you wont have to rely on your brakes all the time.

* Don't try and get cute with it, just jump straight until you are comfortable in the air and then try subtle things like turning the bars, shifting your weight left and right, tapping the back brake mid air and as you gain confidence the rest will come as your ability becomes stronger.

Watch the likes of Greg Minaar, the Athertons and the like (there is loads on Youtube) and you will see what I mean.

Lastly enjoy it. I turned 40 two months ago and I still get a buzz out of it every time I jump :twisted: .

Legion748 wrote:

Thanks Guys

45 here lol so ready for the " buzz ".....bike has plenty of travel for some decent jumps 300mm bombers up front marzozhi ( spelt wrong ) 8" + on the rear...

hmm ok....go fast lol or go home.?

Are you Josh Bender?

Woah! You don't need anywhere near that much travel, if anything it will hold you back.

The best for jumping is a hardtail with about 130mm travel. I'm not so down with the kids these days but when I were a lad Steve Geal was THE MAN, see if you can fine one of his videos on youtube.

Josh Bender LOL.

Try here, really great coaching.

http://www.ukbikeskills.co.uk

They've stuff plenty of big stuff there and the I'm prepared to bet their coaching and jumps can easily go well beyond what the OP seems to be after. Besides, nothing to lose by giving them a call and finding out what they can offer.