How to Stop Crashing On Jump Lines - Practice Like a Pro #58

[@Paul-oe9sy]

Good to see a video on the realities and risks of jumps. Hundreds of reps on smaller tables before levelling up is key.

[@Fluidride]

For sure, and not over sending the tables just because you can. Getting good at gauging landings on tables is certainly the best way to start out! -Simon

[@markwoodbury4729]

If I only rode trails with perfectly designed and gauranteed safe jumps I woudn't have anywhere left to ride. The insight shared in this video keeps a lot of great but imperfect flow trails available and accessable to me, and puts the responsibility for my safety on the only person I have much control over.

[@scoobiemarioo]

This is a great video and and it finally gave me an understanding to what happened to me few years ago. The step up at 3:53 time mark. I went to far. Over rotated. Landed on the front wheel. And on my head. Concussion. I was out. Woke up next day in the hospital. I knew I screwed up there. Just didn’t understand how and why because I’ve never been back (I live on the east coast). Everything leading to this jump was perfect. And then…. Lights out. Thanks Linnea and Simon. You gave me the answer. I’m still riding. And jumping. And I wanna believe I learned from this and got a bit better.

[@kevinw6282]

Thanks for this. Tons of food for thought out of a nice concise to the point video. Had never thought of jump lines this way, in fact have never heard anyone use the "tempo" terminology before but it's total logic. Should be super helpful!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks Kevin. We use this concept in our classes all the time to keep riders safe. Learning to survey the land is key. -Simon

[@oliverbourne9599]

This is why my riding mates get a bit annoyed at how I stop at every feature on a new trail to assess it, both as an individual feature and within the context of the entry and exit. I don't do 'blind' or guess work

[@Fluidride]

If it keep you safe, it's worth the stop. The only way I hit things blind is behind someone who I've ridden behind a lot and trust (and someone who knows the trail!!) -Simon

[@reverentalexanderchezeley-6367]

Magic advice. Thanks Simon.

[@blameitonben]

This is a great video and I learned something about myself. I'm really scared of under jumping jumps (especially any jump with a gap or very pronounced knuckle), but as you point out, most OTB crashes (clavicle club) are overjumping and over rotating. Regarding speed, or the idea a trail builder should build a trail you don't have to pedal or brake on, speed will change over the course of a year based on moisture content in the dirt, the person riding a bike (heavier people will gain more speed on downhill sections, tire size, etc). So it's impossible for a trail builder to design a trail where no one will need to brake or pedal because of different speeds of riders and time of year.

[@Fluidride]

Such good points! And, if the trail had a steep section, the jumps would have to be huge, and would keep too many people off a line they might otherwise ride. Your point about weight is something we talk about a lot in class. -Simon

[@Paul-oe9sy]

It’s like saying all corners and berms should be built so you don’t have to pedal or brake. That’s not how it works.

[@Fluidride]

@@Paul-oe9sy A really great point I never thought of! Thanks for sharing. This could also apply to steep tech...typically we have to brake for that too.

[@marcin97]

That was a very good video. Now I understand why I broke my collarbone a few months ago. Overjumped 😢 but all good, back on trails now!

[@Fluidride]

Welcome back! Glad you made a good recovery and hope this video helps keep you safer out there! -Simon

[@45graham45]

I don't get bucked often but have been a few times. I assumed it was due to either popping too early or even too late but couldn't really know which. Now after seeing this & I think it was due to going too fast & causing an over rotation like you mention here. Also I think it can be caused when the landing is much less steep than the take off & you let the bike follow the arc from the slope of the take off.

[@Fluidride]

For sure...both are ways to get bucked. Another is to be too far back and overload the rear suspension in relation to the front suspension. Getting bucked is certainly no fun!! -Simon

[@huntnman]

Just had a big crash about 4 weeks ago because of that exact issue.... "it's going well... lets send it!" and overshot and came straight down. Like you said, it just wasn't that big of a jump period. recovering well, and luckily didn't break anything, just some bruised ribs and such. Really great perspective on jump variety!

[@Fluidride]

Oh man. Sounds rough, but glad you aren't more injured. Heal up fast Tony! -Simon

[@MarquetteMTB]

Another great tutorial, thanks for sharing!

[@Fluidride]

Thanks so much for tuning in! -Simon and Linnea

[@robertbeckman2687]

I wish I saw this video 5 years ago. Thanks!

[@Fluidride]

Honestly, I feel a bit guilty for not having made it then. -Simon

[@Rhyridesbikes]

Such an important information. Thank you for sharing!

[@Fluidride]

Felt like this needed to be out there after seeing so many suffer needlessly. Thanks for tuning in!

[@Rhyridesbikes]

@Fluidride this is invaluable advice! Always learning new from your contents!

[@ShadLife]

I have mixed opinions on this. I love the tempo stuff you talked about, that is great advice. But I do not think trail builders get off the hook here. A good trail builder will know how to build the right jumps for the given tempo. Also, as speed increases the lip (transition) needs to be mellower with less radius. The one video you showed of a rider flipping over has a lot to do with the lip being too quick and steep for the speed. A well designed jump line will require very little pedalling or braking. I do like that this trail you are on adds the safety decking so riders don't have to clear gaps. But looking at that downhill into a 6 foot jump means heavy braking and that's not good trail design. There will be braking bumps and all sorts of issues, including inexperienced riders sending it too big and crashing. There is also a riding technique and bike setup that wasn't even discussed. Fast rear shock rebound will send even a skilled rider OTB. So a lot more to this than just tempo.

[@Fluidride]

You are right. There is certainly a mix of bad building and times when it can't be avoided, but both are good reasons to be able to judge a safe approach. If you only have poorly designed trails to ride, this will be even more important I guess. We are lucky to have really great builders where we teach, but we ride all over the world and have to be able to adapt as needed to stay safe. Love this conversation. Thanks so much for chiming in. Cheers from the Alps. -Simon

[@ls66]

It would be nice to be able to do all this for jumps but there aren’t any here on Long Island. No jumps here……at all.

[@toddsmith6742]

I've watched a lot of your vids and love them, but I've watched this vid multiple times and I'm struggling w/ your description of well built while also pointing out multiple crashes/injuries at the same spot. To me, that equates to a poorly built feature on the trail, not suggesting that the entire trail is poorly built. I agree with the concept that it's impossible to build the perfect "trail speed" trail for all riders (diff rider weights or diff wheel sizes and diff conditions). However, my understanding is most builders strive for a trail that matches "his" trail speed. I believe flow trails that are built with features requiring more than slight braking or pedaling (resulting in a horrible case or send to flat if not) should have those features redone to better match the speed of the trail prior to hitting the feature. Requiring a rider to have to remember multiple scenarios which require braking here and pedaling there equates to building a trail bound to hurt riders visiting your trail for the first time, especially when the rider incorrectly remembers the change needed (pedaling when should've been braking or the opposite). I'm no expert trail builder but doesn't common sense suggest that if you build a trail that results in multiple repetitive injuries (especially from over-sends), you look in the mirror, not blame the riders. My comments are only for the main line, not option lines. I still love your vids and the volume of great content you've produced to help riders progress successfully!

[@Fluidride]

All great points for sure Todd. I agree honestly. I made this video to address the fact that not all trails are perfect and that riders need to be aware of this. I also ride tons of natural terrain in very steep areas, and mother nature dishes out all kinds of spots where this is true. This is just not inherently a safe sports, so it requires a deep sense of awareness (which many riders lack) and respect for both natural and man made trails. I see so many riders assuming every trail is like an amusement park ride and they are often surprised when they are hurt. Some of this is on the builders and some on the nature of terrain...both are things beyond my control. Creating awareness is something I can offer at least. Thanks for your note. Stay safe out there! -Simon

[@toddsmith6742]

Thanks for the reply Simon...agree totally w/ these comments. And thanks for all your great vids! Linnea's "Baby Whip" vid was transformational for me.@@Fluidride

[@maxtorque2277]

A lot of crashes i see can be because someone messes a jump up, lands wrong, looses (or gains) speed, but still tries the next jump on the trail! The biggest way to avoid injury is knowing when to quit,ie when to call that run because you messed up, to reset, and to go back to the start and re-run it instead of just pushing on regardless. For people like me, who's technique isn't brilliant ;-) we tend to try to over compensate by putting to big inputs in, often causing over-rotation, especially when we are tired at the end of the day! Generally, being at the "right" speed means jumps are fluid and flowy, don't require any big inputs, and as a result, you will be riding smoother and safer!

[@Fluidride]

Well said Max. The first thing we teach in jump classes is how to get out of the line. It's like a puzzle putting a run together well. Better to bail and start over than to push when you aren't feeling it. That is another of the big ways to get hurt and actually a video topic we will be covering soon! Cheers for now. -Simon

[@JamesRobertMTB]

If only it was that easy!

[@dylansalt1]

My only problem with bike parks is that as a first time visitor you’re basically having to “onsight” the trail which is why accidents happen - it’s generally a natural instinct to want to “send” the trail and as rider you’re faced with extreme split minute decisions. As a visitor you don’t always have the luxury of time to get to know the trails of that particular park

[@Fluidride]

Yeah, for sure. It can be hard to safely stop and look before you leap when riders are coming down at speed. I sometimes search out POV footy before hitting a new park. Not as good as stopping to look, but can help.

[@miguelantoniorahal4981]

Thanks!

[@1xbikes]

I am confused. If when you jump, your torso is vertical, and only your bike tracks the take off. How do you over rotate? Your body shouldn't be rotating at all. Am I missing something?

[@Fluidride]

Yes, when jumping well, the body should land 'perpendicular to the landing' while the takeoff should be done more or less 'perpendicular to takeoff'. The fact that jumpers are letting their bodies rotate to become perpendicular to the landing means that they would essentially be landing on the the front tire if the landing weren't there...which means that is what they do when they jump beyond the transition. Hope this clears this up. Super common to see this mistake happen. -Simon

[@powskier]

So is there anyway somebody can do in the air to stop the bike from rotating forward?

[@Fluidride]

Unfortunately, I don't have a plan for that. On a moto, the rider can pin the throttle, but since we can't pedal in this situation there isn't a lot to do. If you are front end high in the air, you can use back brake to bring the front wheel down, but I don't have an answer for when getting bucked. That has to be taken care of on takeoff by staying centered.

[@AS82MTB]

I don't know the specific trails your talking about, but from what you're saying, it does sound like the jumps are built wrong if you're having to break, and pedal hard continually. Jumps should be built for trail speed.....the natural speed of the trail. If the jump needs you to brake for it so you don't overshoot, then it should have a steeper lip instead so that forward momentum becomes vertical momentum, you go higher, but not as far. If you're having to pedal as hard as you can into a jump just to make it....that jump is probably too big for that spot. You should be able to hit a jump line blind at trail speed if the jumps are built right, that is what makes a good flow jump line. If you have to constantly manage your speed....that is not good flow.

[@tubularmonkeymaniac]

What irks me is on a lot of my local trails the jumps are built so that if you case it, you wipe out. Don't understand why we need these massive gaps just before a landing, like give us some room for error if we come up short.

[@Fluidride]

That is tough. I'd see if you can find some table tops somewhere to practice on. Table tops are great, but take an insane amount of dirt and time to build, which is why gaps are often more available. Even gap jumps take a ton of dirt to create. Hope you can find a safe spot to progress! Cheers. -Simon

[@tubularmonkeymaniac]

Thanks Simon! I think I just need to suck it up and send it ha ha. I'm 42, I don't have much time left :P @@Fluidride

[@toddsmith6742]

@@tubularmonkeymaniac I'm 57 and am riding the best i ever have (with the help of @fluidride vids). Just keep progressing...you got time but i def recommend not wasting it:)

[@emtbxl4212]

HLC Line 😍

[@Mtbfelix12]

FR

[@realspung]

You used the term "trail speed". I sometimes hear that used but have never quite understood its meaning. Could you please explain it? Anyways, thanks for the video, as always a lot of good info!

[@Fluidride]

A GREAT question. What it means essentially is the the speed you naturally carry on a trail is right for a particular jump or feature. Basically 'Trail Speed' means you don't typically have to brake or pedal. Of course there is some margin for weight of the rider, ability to carry speed through corners etc., but generally it means that if you just ride the trail like a normal trail without features, the features will all work. The Whistler builders are masters at this. Of course they have a massive budget to make it happen, which helps. Thanks for the question! -Simon

[@realspung]

Thank you for the explanation! :)

[@jocelynsavard1780]

At 4:20 Why not make the jump bigger then?

[@AnExPor]

Pedel Pedel Pedel, lol, JK, break or die.

[@Fluidride]

Because it would change the trail rating, and it's honestly not always possible. For example the step up in the video is in the only place it could be on that trail. We actually tried to make it bigger, but with the shape of the land it was not possible without making the takeoff dangerously short. Brakes are on bikes to be used. Discretion is an important part of the sport.

[@jocelynsavard1780]

At home, features are now built so that trail speed should keep you safe. 10-15 years ago, they were not as well thought but now, since so many people come from very far to ride our trails (i.e. not local people) trails are built with this in mind. If a big feature is on the trail (gap, etc.) there is usually a feature before to let you judge if your speed is ok. @@Fluidride

[@AnExPor]

At what point is the trail not well designed? Pedel Pedel Pedel, lol, JK, break or die.

[@Fluidride]

It's the nature...of well...nature! Whistler has the money to make it happen, but it certainly isn't easy or inexpensive unless you have a very even pitch. I'm in Europe now, and there is certainly the need to be thoughtful. That said, there are certainly badly designed trails🙂

[@matthoffman8162]

~insert Whiplash reference.

[@patrick764]

Ooof...that poor sap at 0:30.

[@patrick764]

Yikes. I spoke to soon. That was one of the least bad crashes.

[@franklee6301]

If you have to peddle and then brake the trails aren't built well. Flow means just that.

[@janprachar5066]

Yeah, but in real life, you come across such trails, and it is good to be prepared and expect it.

[@45graham45]

Perhaps but when riding natural trails (deer runs or rain made trails etc etc) the flow of groomed trails often isn't there. They can be fun but more awareness is needed of course.

[@Fluidride]

This trail flows beautifully with a couple pedal strokes here, and a brake check there.

[@pushpopaddict]

Too much talking videos bores people