BLUE TRAIL SKILLS
FAST JUMPS A good blue trail should be easy enough for novices but also fun and have some options to keep faster riders interested. Jumps – or bumps – on blue trails usually have mellow transitions so they’re no problem to ride over at steady speed and there’ll often be a landing of similar size. Here we’re going to look at ‘squashing’ a small jump to maintain your speed and flow. The main aim is to squash the takeoff to maintain control and momentum, then pump the downslope to gain extra velocity on the landing. You’ll need a bit of speed for this, but build it up steadily.
A P P R OAC H
S Q UA S H
Start at a speed you’re comfortable with. Approach in your attack position, glance at the upslope then look over it. As the bike goes up the transition, let it pivot – bend your arms and keep your bodyweight central and over the BB.
As you feel your weight increase into the upslope, push with your feet then quickly unweight, allowing the bike to come up below you. Simultaneously push the bars forward so the seat rises in front of your hips.
ALL IN THE TIMING The stage at which you squash a takeoff will depend on jump size. You can only squash the top of big ones, so time it later. Squash the lip too early or hit it stiff-legged and you’ll be bucked on to the front wheel. Too late and you’ll go upwards or do a ‘dead sailor’.
PUMP IT
PUMP BUMPS Pump bumps are small rollers that can be a single lump or a series of undulations. What makes them different from jumps is that they’re generally on sections of trail that are quite slow, so it’s better to pump them to gain speed rather than try to jump them. Pumping is a way of generating speed from the trail without pedalling. It’s a simple concept – apply pressure to a downslope and you’ll gain forwards momentum. At steady speeds you can pump small bumps with both wheels on the ground, but at faster speeds it can be better to let the front wheel come off the ground (a move known as a ‘manual’) and pump with the rear wheel only.
30 MOUNTAIN BIKING SKILLS
ABSORB 1 Just before the front wheel hits the upslope, compress the bike into the ground and bend your arms and legs so the bike can change angle and is light on the upslope.
MANUAL PUMP IT
APPROACH You should be in your neutral position, with your weight through your feet and your hands light. A bit of speed will help, but keep it under control. Spot the upslope so you can work out your timing, then look down the trail, covering both brakes.
1 MANUAL As the front wheel reaches the bottom of the upslope, compress the front of the bike and push it forwards to lift the wheel off the ground. The aim is to avoid the wheel touching the ground until you’re over the top of the bump.
