How I Conquered my FEAR of Gap JUMPS

Have you ever been paralyzed staring at a jump? You roll up to it a million times but just can’t seem to push yourself past that fear of the unknown. Well today’s video is all about that!
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[@B1KER]

I like that you finished the video without cleaning the last one. I think there's a good lesson there. You had some wins and you walked away with some goals for later. Too many people get hurt trying to push themselves too much. Great job on what you did and it was fun hearing perspective I could really relate to.

[@JaredHoff]

@@B1KER thanks bro! I’ve had to learn that lesson the hard way too many times. Trying to get smarter as I get older, but I still make stupid decisions sometimes 😂

[@MTBr-of-SoCal]

Truly inspiration video. I too have been stuck on medium to large gaps. Just have this mental block that I can't shake off. I can do gnarly steeps and tech but gaps, wheew boy! Great vid!

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks taking time to leave the comment. So glad that it resonated with you. I’m going to head back and clear those jumps one day 🤘

[@josiahambrose924]

great commentary. You are hitting jumps way bigger than I do, but I've typically found if my brain is screaming "don't go", then I'm typically not fully ready. A little bit of nerves is good, but total panic could result in disaster. Then I'll think about the jump in the back of my mind for a couple of weeks, and 9 out of 10 times when I come back to it, it looks way smaller, the mental block is gone, and I can just send it. You may have "failed" on your first attempt, but it is just a down payment you can collect on the next ride.

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks man. This is definitely how I feel leaving this jump. It’s a far drive or I already would have gone back to try again.

[@jotaaldana]

I like the real review! Is so honest and thats how it feels, I've been working on improving my skills, a constant challenge.. Congratulations for your channel brother. Keep it up! 💪🏾

[@JaredHoff]

@@jotaaldana thank man. That means a lot for me to hear that from a fellow rider. I’ve been having fun making these videos and plan to keep doing it as long as people are getting value from it 👍

[@probablysomebody]

I’m a 33 year old beginner rider who is just trying to get comfortable doing jumps a quarter of that size. My 3 year old is obsessed with biking. He’s ripping on a pedal bike already and is constantly talking about when he gets to ride the hill with dad. That beats the fear of starting to bike any day. Because of that little dude, I went from riding 2-3 times a year to 2-3 times a week starting in 2024. I’ve never done anything that is so scary and so fun at the same time and I can’t wait until my son is out here cruising the trails with me.

[@JaredHoff]

@@probablysomebody heck yeah man! That’s what it’s all about 👍

[@davidpisoa5288]

I will never get you guys hiting black trail with no elbow pads chest guard and a full face . Now that gap with the tree stump in the middle DAMN! . You will clear all the jumps next time dont sweat 😎

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks man. I’ll wear the full face elbow pads next time. Might as well.

[@jduran30]

4:35 that’s exactly how I feel most of the time riding my local trail! I just push through and send it! I think on how far I’ve come from what I was doing a year ago, and that feeling goes away! And I just have fun and keep going!

[@JaredHoff]

Definitely man. I need to do that next time I go to this jump trail. Thanks for taking time to leave that comment 👍🤘

[@jduran30]

For sure man! Keep making great content! 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽

[@Iggy52]

Please next time wear a full face helmet with some additional armour. These jumps are no joke. Otherwise, big respect 👍

[@JaredHoff]

For sure 👍 I have a full face and this is a time I should have worn it

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

Just don't get too much full face assurance, or that's just me 😅

[@HeidiFegles]

I watched this guy take one little step at a time before conquering these bad boys. He’s therefore not riding above his ability. His riding skill is there, believe in ones self and conquer all. Good work man.

[@DarrenSmith-x6h]

Mind ur own business

[@justsayin3600]

I was at the park and met a downhill racer. I'm not that experienced blazing the trail at full out speed, including brems. He was riding with me, giving me tips, which helped a lot. We have the same bike so I gelt like we had something in common. I dropped in first and got to the end and he didn't show up. I waited long enough to know something wasn't right. I put my bike down and started on foot up the trail. I rounded the corner and he was standing there with his hands on his knees ( good to see him standing) I asked if he was ok, and he said he tried to pull a TRIPPLE into a berm and washed out. He was wearing a half shell. Dude had rocks, gravel, sand, and dirt embedded across the whole side of his face. This dude looked like a typical tall ( probably 6ft+) lean muscular shredder, male model type. This dude's face was FKted up. After thi, I always ride with a fullface when I could crash at speed. Half shells save the melon but do ZERO for your face.

[@seandumsday7509]

Gap jumps are my biggest fear 100%. Can talk myself into it and then as soon as I get to it, I bail out. Every single time no matter how small it is haha. Thats my goal for next year. Few features I really want to hit but the little gaps at the beginning, just turns me away. Good to see you push and back off when you know you're limit tho. Really liked the video and this channel 👍🏻

[@JaredHoff]

@@seandumsday7509 gap jumps are always scary. Start small, go huge, and if you can visualize… you can do it 👍 I still need to go back and clear that jump.

[@992F]

This last week, my friend and I hit up Time Warp down, then headed over to your town, and I introduced him to Speed King, Night Hawk, and We both tried Chinquapin for the first time. The gate keeper for Night Hawk absolutely terrifies me. As for my town, Black Rock is 40 minutes away. Bonzai is a blast, Sikter Gnar has put me in the hospital. I agree with a previous comment. If you're going to hit that jump line, please wear a full face at the least. Also, absolute awesome vid

[@JaredHoff]

@@992F thanks man! I will definitely wear my full face next time. Hopefully I’ll see you out riding sometime. Definitely hit me up @jaredhoff.bike Instagram next time you ride here.

[@992F]

​@JaredHoff Absolutely. I enjoy the area and love showing off the amazing trails down there to "new people." After the last trip my friend wishes we would have skipped Ashland. He didn't know!

[@harrywright2233]

i’ve got the same problem but it’s with jumps i’ve cleared before but after a year off riding i just couldn’t build up the courage to do them

[@JaredHoff]

I’ve definitely experienced that before.

[@Trilogy2112]

Great video! I have the same fear but with far less skillset than you. It is about going out there and trying to push your limits a bit while having fun. For the most part, you do run into a bunch of great other riders that encourage you. That is one thing I truly love about this sport. Be kind to each other and encourage one another. No one wants to run into some D-bag that thinks they’re better than everyone else. Thanks for the video!

[@JaredHoff]

Totally 👍 Thanks for leaving the comment.

[@broccolirob8268]

Nice job man. Blackrock can be intimidating for sure. I've had that feeling on that whole line, Sunday stroll to brake check. My friend is a good jumper, so we spend it a day piecing it together. This was before they did all these changes though. I try not to put too much pressure on myself and if I'm feeling it I go for it. You got the stump jump and some of the others so celebrate that. Also, when Blackrock is dry like that it can be hard to find grip. Liking the channel too.

[@JaredHoff]

For sure! A couple loose corners that day. Would you be willing to ride Black Rock with me sometime? I want to clear every jump on that line this season. Hit me up on Instagram @jaredhoff.bike or facebook @Jared Hoff

[@justsayin3600]

@9:16 to look at something that would impale me, would have got in my head. I'm struggling with gap jumps myself.

[@JaredHoff]

You just have to be able to visualize it and then trust that vision

[@torturedtyresdepartment]

i have a similar battle with gap jumps, im getting there but the worst part for me is that first jump with the stump in the middle is the kind that give me a mental block. give me a gap twice that size no problem but that little gap with the stump would ruin my ride as id have such a bad mental block over it. at my local 4x track the 1st double is maybe a bike length and it was the last jump on the track i hit. its hard to explain these mental blocks but im sure most of us get them and its usually on features well within out capabilities but it just takes that one thing to get your brain thinking too much.

[@JaredHoff]

@@torturedtyresdepartment for sure 👍 for sure 👍

[@vivid2288]

Yeah ur right. i have this wood lip near my home (about 2 meter high) I know I have the skills to do it but I've never hit something that steep before with a gap in the middle. So every time I want to dire it I'm just to afraid of the unknown, and it pisses me off so much haha

[@JaredHoff]

That’s just how it goes. Totally something we all deal with when riding.

[@blakekennard7700]

Yeah man have them all the time. That’s when I come back and work on skills and try to shore up those short comings in my process. Then next time bring that work that I put in and be an overcomer. Yeah it might mean being uncomfortable on the first several attempts or some crashes, but like you said it is all part of it. Just gotta keep moving forward and bring all that experience along!👍👍

[@JaredHoff]

For sure 👍 I can’t wait to go back to Black Rock and clear more jumps.

[@reallyfastbiker4077]

Three things have hurt my confidence and held me back from doing bigger features recently: a bad crash, a significant injury that kept me off the bike for a while and getting older. The first two just take some time to get back into the groove. That is slowly coming around and this video will for sure help. The last one doesn't really apply to you. And, well, it seems a little tougher. It sucks to be either more calculated, or more of a pussy depending on how you look at it 😂. Best of luck. Really digging the channel.

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks man. Glad that you enjoyed the vid. I know I can clear all those jumps. I’m definitely heading back before the end of this year to clear them all.

[@YongPark-g3h]

Last time I pushed myself to overcome that fear......I broke my collarbone and now I have a metal plate and 6 screws in my shoulder. If you were not feeling it, don't push yourself too much. It's ok to ride around some features. I still ride but I usually skip gap jumps or big doubles.

[@JaredHoff]

Glad you’re still riding man. I’m still not sure why I could just send that jump. But got to go with the gut feeling sometimes and know when to call it.

[@tstoresbaby]

I feel the same way on doubles. I can do table tops and small doubles where there is still a landing in case you case the jump, but big doubles like that yeah nah i haven’t conquered it yet.🤦🏾‍♂️

[@JaredHoff]

It’s something we all deal with at a certain level. I can see myself doing it. I know it’s within my skill level. Just hard to commit.

[@Oper8or]

I havent pushed past yet. Working on it though.

[@JaredHoff]

@@Oper8or always working on it. I need to go back to Black Rock and clear all those jumps

[@mikestivers8302]

@5:40 might be Phil Atwill

[@JaredHoff]

@@mikestivers8302 nice 👍 so many good riders there that day. I need to head back there again.

[@rickywoods3101]

I have a rule, i only hit something one level above what i have hit in the past per trip. Also, i have another rule that after i have a good crash, i ride slightly below my level and then if i have another decent crash i go in for the day. Before i would crash get oissed off and then go hit something even bigger and i was successful a few times but the few times i wasnt it caused major medical bills. You can slightly fracture a collar bone of the first crash and then another crash the same could snap it in half.

[@JaredHoff]

@@rickywoods3101 good tips 👍

[@gunshipanropace2gunshipand119]

I hope i will also be able to jump my bike like you do

[@JaredHoff]

We all have those feelings. I felt that way watching Cam McCaul and the other guys at Black Rock. What matter though is having fun and making those amazing memories with good friends.

[@LtHustensaft]

nice video. with the bulky knee pads you could also consider wearing a full face helmet.

[@JaredHoff]

@@LtHustensaft for sure 👍 Next time I go there I’ll wear my full face

[@THRENO82]

Good job bro

[@JaredHoff]

Thanks man. I really had fun making this video and I know it’s something all of us deal with.

[@HeidiFegles]

Haha experience. Bro it’s every big jump I first hit. If your not feeling it. Do it again another day when you feel confident. All those guys have crossed the bridge you are on right now. We are all understanding. Plus you got kids to take care of. And your able to do that after the bike trip. I’d call it a success

[@JaredHoff]

For sure! Thanks for the motivation bro.

[@Wee-Lee-MTB]

Just tell youself "its just a little jump, its ok, ive got this" i even heard Tahnee Seagrave befor she did the Hardline Road gap say, its ok its just a small drop, ive got this.. reality being its fucking huge 😂😂

[@JaredHoff]

@@Wee-Lee-MTB lol 😂 Self talk definitely helps.

[@Wee-Lee-MTB]

You just gotta get better at entry and exit on berms bro. I cant say fuck all as this is where i have to improve too, i find myself putting in a crank on the "apex". Drop a couple of psi on the front. Good tip is to watch Ben Cathro on how to corner fast! Its helping me along.. little steps bro. 🤟🤟 Great video man ❤

[@JaredHoff]

@@Wee-Lee-MTB for sure 👍 thanks man.

[@LawrenceMacMacster]

You want to know something? I'll almost never do a gap jump I never did before without at least seeing someone do it first 😂

[@JaredHoff]

It’s super hard to hit gap jumps with no one to tow you in.

[@HeidiFegles]

Was that remmy from bc remmy mateaiaux from France.

[@JaredHoff]

He definitely had a French accent

[@HeidiFegles]

Dude your gonna laugh but I’m that guy that brings my 50’ tape and I measure the jumps. And after awhile you know exactly how fast you need to go depending on size of the jump. And sometimes what looks scary after you measure smaller than the jump you just did, it’s a confidence builder too knowing the distance. Helps me anyways

[@JaredHoff]

That’s a good technique bro. It’s always hard to size up a jump

[@Yuh12356]

Just don’t look down and then it’s basically just a table with a hole in the middle

[@JaredHoff]

For sure. If that was a table top I would have sent it first try without even thinking about it. It’s always the consequences that make me pause. I’m going to head back and send that entire jump line.

[@jf8534]

We are our own worst critics.

[@JaredHoff]

For sure 👍

[@SuperShreddies]

Boner log 🪵 Nice work out there. I think we all know the feeling of “what am I doing here.” We can all have those days from time to time. And I think you summed it up really well… I believe that most people go through these thoughts and metal hurdles as well - Nature of progression in any sport, or anything really. But your riding skill is great. So much so, that if you could turn your brain off just a little more, you could probably just have someone towing you in and clear all of those first try. 👊 🤷‍♂️ (Oh, and we all need to know when to just walk away, and come back another day. Hard sometimes but, listen to that feeling or it can bite hard.)

[@JaredHoff]

@@SuperShreddies thanks man! Super appreciate the feedback. This one’s been bothering me ever since. I need to go back and clear them all

[@SuperShreddies]

@@JaredHoff you got it. No prob.