Learn how to Hop, Skip & Jump in any Situation

Jumping a Log -

• If you see a log try to slow down so that you are in control. At the same time, try to decide if the log is too big to jump.
• Once you're up to the log, compress your body and then pull up on the handlebars as you feel the front wheel lift off of the log. Whatever you do, don't look down! Just make sure that you've lifted the wheel high enough to clear the log.
• Once your front wheel lands on the other side you'll feel the crankset hit the log. This is when you'll want to lean forward to continue going over the log... otherwise you'll probably crash.
• Now, slide back on the saddle when you feel the back wheel begin to go over the log, this will bring the back wheel down. Remember to keep your knees bent!

Staring a drop off right in the face can be really frightening, but once you become more experienced you will be able to tackle this stuff as well! 

Dropping Off -

• As you see the drop off, shift your weight to the back and slide back off of the saddle.
• If you need to brake, use the rear one, your center of gravity has shifted so if you even touch the front brake it can throw you.

Descending Steep Slopes -

• Approach the steep part very slowly so that you will have enough time to shift positions.
• Slide to the back of the saddle and have your pedals level. Take a wide grip on the handlebars and look ahead of you. Whatever you do, don't brake suddenly!
• Although your speed will quickly increase don't brake too hard because it will cause you to crash. The good thing is that your speed will help you roll over the bumps.
• Quite frequently, you will encounter a rise after a step descent. To prepare yourself for this, bend down as you get to the bottom of the hill. If you don't, the back wheel can be thrown up causing you to crash.

 

Hopping Up -

• If there is a lip at the top of a hill, bike up to within 1 yard from the edge.
• Position the cranks so that they are horizontal and stop pedalling. Pull the front wheel up toward your chest until the front wheel clears the lip.
• Transfer your weight back as soon as your front wheel lands. Lightly pull your front brake so that the back tire is lifted up over the lip.
• As you straighten your arms, push your weight back to lower the back wheel.

Bunny Hopping -

• Look ahead where you're planning to bunny hop, keep your weight low and level your cranks.
• Spring your body up while pulling on the handlebars. As you feel the front wheel lift off of the ground, pull up with your feet and bring the back wheel up.
• Once you feel like you're about to land, relax so that your arms and legs will absorb the landing.
• Keep your weight over both wheels so that they will land at the same time.

Dropping In -

• As you lift the front wheel up, level your cranks as you go over the edge.
• Once you are in the air begin to look around for a place to land. Again, relax your arms and legs so that they will absorb the shock of landing.
• It is very difficult to land a jump so the only thing you can do is stay relaxed. This will reduce the risk of damaging your bike.
Big Air -

Once you learn how to bunny hop you will be able to take that to a new level, but always remember to wear your helmet and gloves while attempting jumps!

In the Air -

Since you are heavier than your bike, you will need to keep your weight back on the saddle because you will have more momentum than your bike and could easily flip over the handlebars.

How to Land - There are two important things to remember:

• Land on both wheels at the same time because a heavy landing on the front tire can bend the fork.
• Keep your body relaxed to absorb the shock of landing. You can end up injuring yourself or damaging your bike.

There is probably more skill to mountain biking than you realize and there's a lot more to it than just jumping on your bike and riding up and down hills! Here are some more advanced skills that will only improve your experience. Remember, if there is an obstacle that's just too large, don't worry about your reputation, get off of your bike and carry it!

The Big Technical Stuff -

When you come across something like a huge drop off, this is when you should carry your bike unless you feel that you can make it over. Whatever you do, don't start to take the challenge and then stop halfway through... keep going!

Rocks -

While going over rocks the best thing to do is stand up out of the saddle and relax. If you try to make any sudden moves you will probably end up stopping. The idea is to allow your bike to roll over the rocks as smoothly as possible.

Roots -

These are very slippery when they are wet so proceed with caution. Don't try to brake or accelerate hard while riding over roots. Make sure that your arms and legs are loose to absorb the shock of landing, hold on and let the bike go where it wants!

Mud - Expect to encounter plenty of mud when you go mountain biking.           
          ;  It's very easy to get stuck, but stick with us and we'll get you though!

• Once you read the mud, sit back on the saddle to ensure that you won't go over the handlebars. Just before you enter the mud, do a front wheel lift.
• Continue pedalling after both wheels are in the mud. You will end up getting stuck if you don't maintain momentum.
• Now, try to get onto dry land as quickly as possible. The easiest way to do this is by lunging forward with your bike.
• To get your bike out of the mud, shift your weight forward and try to pull up on the handlebars.

Water -

• Before you just decide to plunge into the unknown, slow down so that you will be able to get an idea of how deep the water is.
• Make sure that you are in a low gear so that you can start pedalling quickly once you land in the water.
• Keep the bike moving forward so that it doesn't end up digging into the riverbed. Keep lunging forward with your bike until you reach land.
• As you continue pedalling out of the water, keep your weight low to prevent your wet wheel from spinning.

Sand -

• When you approach sand go into it with as much speed as possible because you will quickly loose speed once you are in the sand. Being in a high gear and then downshift as you enter the sand.
• Keep a wide grip on the handlebars because the sand can easily pull the wheel out of control.
• As you feel your bike slowing down, shift into a smaller gear. Pedal as quickly as you can through the sand and try to take a straight path through the sand.
• Be VERY careful because the sand can easily throw you off of your bike.
  

  Lifting the Front Wheel -

• You will need to have your bike in a low gear while learning how to lift the front wheel. Slide to the back of the saddle and bend down low over your bike-bend your elbows and lower your head. Your stronger leg should be at the top of the pedal revolution.
• Now, while pushing down with your stronger leg, pull up on the handlebars. The front wheel should be well off of the ground at this point.
• Once you've mastered lifting the front wheel, you will be able to tackle the rest of these maneuvers along with the obstacles.

Carrying Your Bike -

At some point in your mountain biking career you'll probably have to carry your bike! Here's how you do it: the frame should go over your right shoulder so that the crankset won't hit your body. Your right arm should go under the top tube and then around it so that you will be able to grab the handlebars. Now, grab the left handlebar to keep the front wheel steady.

Falling -

This again is a given, you will probably end up falling during every ride, but that's okay, once you learn how to fall then you'll be just fine! Here's the trick: let go of the bike as soon as you feel like you're going to crash. Try to find a soft spot to land on rather than something like a rock! As you are falling try to roll so that you won't be injured by your bike.