Jumping Your Mountainbike/Why It’s Difficult

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The process of learning to jump is exactly that, a process. Here’s an inside look at a session I had with Steve, a 60 year old ski instructor from Telluride.
He was a rad dude and a GREAT student! I’m really hoping this video provides some solid insight to what it takes to find progression when learning to jump. Please drop a comment below and let me know what you think.
If you’re interested in some private coaching, check out the schedule on the website:
therideseriesm...

[@toddsmith6742]

I really like how you didn't criticize him for "lifting" his bike which could have got him on the defensive. You just worked him through the mechanics of correcting the problem w/out telling him how bad the problem was. The way you relate to riders in your clinics is truly impressive. I took your clinic 4 yrs ago and that experience immediately elevated my jumping. But i also took your tips and focused on regular practice time to solidify the techniques i learned from you. I feel those practice sessions during the months after taking your clinic was critical to true progress.

[@johnlopez4089]

Mad props to a 60 year old still getting after it. I’m 57 and just recently gave up BMX trail riding and moved to mountain bikes. Loving every minute of it. Using suspension to boost jumps is a blast. Repetition is a definite component to becoming a good jumper. Great video 👍👍

[@MTBPerspective]

Congrats to Steve on the progress!!!

[@jasoncapecod]

this a perfect vid for me, just turned 61..and by the way i meet you while you were filming in Slaughter Pen a few weeks ago. Thanks for taking the time to talk and give me some trail advise.

[@oystercatcher943]

Many thanks to Steve for sharing this. As a real jump beginner after quite a bit of trying (and not doing great) this is so helpful. I'm totally doing what Steve did, probably less effectively!

[@jb-enjoyment]

LOVE watching these progression videos. Even if you follow some clients over a few weeks, seeing people get better is so inspiring.

[@sevenohnine]

It's hard to teach an old dog a new trick but Rich finally did it. Good job guys!

[@slademcinerney6461]

Loved this video. Easy to relate to an average Joe (Steve) who is trying to learn a new skill. Well done Steve thanks for sharing your learning experience. Well done Rich just what we 'Weekend Warriors' want to see.

[@d-nicebikes]

RD, anytime you want to head up to Toronto, Ontario and hold a ride session, I am in! Hydrocut, GORBA, there are plenty of places that your "session sessions" would come in handy to ensure proper techniques. Appreciate the lesson vids, thanks for your continued contributions!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

I'd love to make a trip up there happen! Can you plug us into the community to gauge interest? What time of the year is best?

[@d-nicebikes]

@richdrewtherideseries late spring/summer(May - August) is prime season. Can certainly recommend getting in touch with the Hydrocut and/or GORBA organizations.

[@jameschristofferson4878]

Nice video, I’m 62 and struggling with the same issues. I have watched enough jump videos to know what I’m supposed to be doing but convincing my brain to do it is another thing. One thing that has helped me at least, is I make myself concentrate on the back tire and feeling it and trying to visualize driving it off the jump with my heels. This video reminded me that I need to get my elbows out!

[@atomicdawg321]

I'm 60 with a background in motocross, and while I can negotiate a jump line by pumping, soaking up the jumps, and scrubbing speed, I've never felt comfortable loading the bike all the way through the face of the jump and popping like I did on a motorcycle. I couldn't figure out a way to make myself conscious of what to do until I heard Drew say, "keep your heels down all the way through the face". I tried it this weekend and the combination of "standing up to the jump" and "keeping my heels down" and committing that pressure all the way through the face of the jump made a huge difference in my consistency. I was a little surprised at the pop I got (although I shouldn't have been). Great video!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

YES!! Love to hear this! 👏🏻👏🏻

[@davidduran9905]

I went and put into practice the lessons in this video this morning & noticed a big difference. I never realized my heels played a big part in jumping. Thanks.

[@jokermtb]

Took your course in Michigan for jumping, and I've been getting pretty good at holding the heels down up the face of the jump and driving thru the rear tire

[@mattwasMTB]

I was just down there a few weeks ago, this area you guys are jumping in for the table tops is a pretty cool little practice area now

[@GaedeRafael]

Nice progress! The guy is anxious, can't let Rich even finish the phrases!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

He was such a rad dude!!

[@GaedeRafael]

@@richdrewtherideseries no dude, especially at his age! Did such a nice work in a short time. Wish I could have lesson with you and the Hopper hahaha!

[@treymann23]

Totally rooting for the Man, exceptional coaching !

[@sapinva]

Have issues with this on bigger low angle jumps sometimes. I get used to doing little 6" curb transitions and getting 4 ft of air. Then hit a 4 ft. jump and get 6" of air. It's easy to get one jump size dialed. Having access to a wide range of jump sizes that you can ride every day probably helps more than anything.

[@EMTBonsai]

He's curling the bike into his body, bringing his legs up too high. I'm new or, more accurately, re-learning. The legs are being brought up too far! He made a big improvement on the last jumps, not bringing his knees up. It looks a lot cleaner through the jump. Nice! I'm just getting back on my bikes after a good 15 years off them! It's like a learning curve again with these new bikes, like my ATX and Kona's Ha! Great video.

[@midgemaniaflyfishing]

I just got a pair of rockbros glasses love them so far just noticed thats what you're wearing

[@vrwgq3q]

I 'think' once people understand the American bunny hop, they then understand now how what a J-hop is. To properly use the J-hop to boost a jump, then its all about applying the right amount of effort (extension) to get the height needed, whcih is dependant on the speed. However one of the hardest parts to get right is timing.. What I see is, because most non-BMXrs are not as used to a short wheelbase and being mainly rear bias'd (manuals/american bunny hop), they sometimes are afraid they'll fall backwards (loop out) like with a catwalk or manual. This prevents them from wanting to #1 execute the bunny hop properly #2 if they learn how to, use it with proper extension on a jump and #3 use the steepness of the jump as the Fact is, unless its intentional, you won't loop out and land on your back. To the part on this video, this is probably why people lean forward to counteract the steepness, rather than trust to stay neutral, on their heels, regardless of where the bike is pointing. Another major issue is due to the english hop, thanks to clipless pedals and XC being so popular for so many years causes people to jump too early. I've always told people who do to change their mentally.... you're not trying to compress or to jump over your jump, but to USE the jump. With the right speed, its better to extend off the lip late, than to leave early. I tell kids to commit with more speed and to USE the tradjectory (arc) of the jump. They learn that leaving off the lip is easier and ira unlikely to overshoot the landing, than go too slow and case. I think its best to get someone used to thinking about the arc of the jump, the 'air sense' to not dead sailor, is to first get used to a jump fully by using mostly speed first. That way they are already confident with 'speed' and using the full lenght of the jump. THEN, once they understand the timing, and the benefits of leaving off the 'lip', they can start entering 'slower' and using the j-hop technique to boost for height, which buys the extra clearance, and less dependency on distance. Speed = distance, extention = height and to clear a jump you just need to find the right balance of either. Timing and being smooth - I think people need to understand that releasing that energy just isn't as violent as a 'tip off' in basketball. Its about thinking about as smooth of an extention, and releasing it towards that upper 1/3rd of a jump... It prevents that 'dead sailor' and launching off kilter. In my own mind, I pretend its like a video game where you charge your legs up as you compress, and then as you extend, there is a giant arrow on the top 1/3rd of the jump that starts as a red zone, then yellow and green, where the green zoneis ideal, yellow is 'ok' and red is, oops you're a going to case.

[@charleswhite7612]

Hey Rich, I remember that VW-GTI commercial also. Playing in the background was a Germany version of a Beachboy’s song with GTI vs GTO lyrics. Made a huge impression on me as well, especially the catching air part at the end! Just visited B-Ville 2 weeks ago. Awesome!👏 Btw: myself and a few kids put first tracks on that new skills are before it was 😃open. Thanx to the builder.

[@darrendahlin7720]

A key component of this session is the location- training and coaching on real world trails/ features is a big help when learning.

[@jharsh3376]

Love the new section. Saw them building it last week. Just missed it.

[@Marc_Plays_Outdoors]

Very good video! I was happy to see you work with one of us who is getting carded by AARP!! There are a lot of riders no looking to catch big air on the largest jumps and just get the most out their riding.

[@TheeGabrielAndrew]

Yup. I've watched a lot of jump videos, and re-watched even more (pause, rewind, repeat) ... Yeah this one is the topper and first one I'll be forwarding when some ask how to get better at jumping. REAL footage of REAL everyday rider, instead of a pro teaching or demo'ing to another highly skilled athlete... It'll just never compare bc an experience rider can't "un-know" what they already learned through repeated repetitions and experience. Like "just keep your arms straight and peddle, and you'll wheelie as the front wheel unweights" - Yeah if you can balance! Lol teaching someone to jump is almost like teaching someone to ride a bike. There always comes a point there the body has to do it, and the brain will follow by learning "oh I'm that works, I didn't die"

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Yup, I agree. It's challenging for many people to relate to me doing demos since I've been jumping most of my life and my brain doesn't react the way most peoples brains do. I was pretty confident this one would resonate since it's a very real scenario for most people.

[@octodadmtbmartyrichards2862]

Nice 👍 hat 🎩 this video was really helpful! Loved the Guinea pig rider

[@paulkerr9831]

Still loving your tutorials Rich...you are the best in the business. Always picking up tips from you🔥🔥🔥

[@halffasthugo]

Nice video Rich! Still practicing myself at 61!

[@jefflarson8388]

Great vid, Rich! Reminds me a bit of our session. Workin on heels down and pushing through the end of the jump. Thanks for the great content!

[@DiegoLopez-oi8gt]

Hah, I guess you’ve done this a few times. You described word for word what goes through my head. Baby steps and getting those reps in. That’s been huge in getting past that block that won’t allow you’re body to do what your brain asks of it.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

I’ve done it a couple times 😉

[@ethan0wnz479]

I highly recommend Tsa LA Gra Bike Park in Fayetteville. It's an amazing place to practice jumps, and it's been huge for me.

[@user-ic1pl6nt6v]

so tough coaching a coach, or instructor. Nice adjustment in style midstream to deal with that issue. The focus of the discussion was from preload to lip....but seems to me the issue starts earlier. He has a tall/static position on the bike...and never really moves to a ready/attack position. ( I think some of this comes from the ski instructor background)

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It was an interesting dynamic for sure. I would agree with you that he doesn't move to that ready/attack position, but I wouldn't characterize that as an issue per se. My goal was to get him to drive through his heels longer off the takeoff. This is easier done with less of that ready/attack position, or input, upon entry. It's a matter of managing the stimulus the brain has to deal with.

[@mikesavicky503]

I can’t wait for your jump clinic in November 🤙

[@Chance.B]

Great video, that was a fun one to watch, really helped too!

[@fredsanders6438]

That’s was awesome I do a lot of same the Things this helps a lot thank you

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Glad it helped!

[@jzabala56]

thanks. really useful

[@john-lh6ov]

I learned a lot from the video

[@menemismix]

Amazing coaching. Wish I can make it when you come to Houston in december

[@jstrahn]

Great video. The heels down thing resonated with me. There have been a few times I inexplicably jumped higher, further, and smoother but had this "oh $&#@" feeling like the bike was ahead of me. I just had my heels down and body positioned properly. I'm certain I'm too far forward normally with toes down.

[@THESEGMENTPR]

Great stuff Rich!!!

[@thebrewgeek]

Nice progress for sure. I’m at that pop too early stage right now, but I’m getting better every session. Definitely doesn’t feel natural (or sane) to ride that lip all the way up with the back tire. 👍👍👍

[@williamfisher2780]

Thanks for the great videos Rich

[@turntabillist]

Rich, it seems like many skilled jumpers emphasize standing up on the take off. I've watched a bunch of your jumping videos but I don't think I've heard you say much about it and when I watch your technique, I suppose you stand a little bit, but maybe it's not as necessary as some make it out to be?? As long as your torso is matching the arc of the bike, is that most important? I don't know, what do you think?

[@fkn16v]

A world class BMX trainer once told and proved to me that anyone that's in the top 1% of the best on anything with 2 wheels can manual and pump over humps like a boss. Master the manual the rest will fall into place. And he was dead right too, 2 hrs learning and relearning manuals and the whole class was atleast 20secs faster over then track. Was a 2km Enduro Track that day, the next day at a bmx track we all killed it and it was so much easier, manual = control, control = speed, Speed = confidence.

[@lewisbechtel3000]

Thanks for the great video!

[@nugrohom5737]

Mantap bisa jadi referensi videonya.watching

[@user-eu7ny3fp9i]

My thing is getting past the thought of beginning to backflip if I keep my heels down through the lip. But in reality, without any significant rider inputs, physics will not let that happen.

[@furleyforever]

I thought the same until I realized that one main objective from proper jumping form, technique and timing is to resist the tendency to front flip/dead sailor. When your front tire comes off the lip, there's nothing to support it. At this point, if you push the front tire too early your rear tire will come up from behind and and you'll nosedive. Yet, if you relax and maintain that standing/extended position just a little longer as your front tire comes off the lip, you'll start your trajectory over the feature. Provided that you have enough speed, the longer you're extended, the longer and higher your jump will be.

[@EMTBonsai]

I'd like to know more about them drinks ive asked a few questions on video's never get a reply have you got a video on them or anything?

[@gekkardboy]

I need this training. How long is the drive from Phoenix to Bentonville?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Comin to Phoenix soon 👊🏻👊🏻 therideseriesmtb.com/clinics/

[@jamesturner9858]

How do you keep the back of the bike from bucking. Seems when I try to jump the bike of the bike bucks me forward. I don’t know if it’s the suspension setup or my body position.. any help will be appreciated..

[@TMAN882]

I saw a comment from another trainer that you need to learn the (American) bunny hop to do legitimate jumps and to get that POP… Is that true and technically does this force your heals down automatically? They also noted that timing off the lip is important…

[@mattwasMTB]

What kind of Microphone do you use?

[@rick4677]

I think if you're not at this level yet where you're stuck with the early pop its best to learn to jump without using leg drive and just "pull up" with your arms and then learning the leg motion through feeling the jump with experience

[@richdrewtherideseries]

I appreciate this input, but I couldn't disagree more and that's based on years of experience coaching riders of various skill levels. Pulling up generally manifests in the bike listing to one side. However, just glad you're working through it.

[@hardtailadventures]

@@richdrewtherideseries That was my experience with jumping when I first got into MTB. Felt I had to pull up on the handle bars and was not preloading into the jump then standing up. I was constantly feeling like I was tilting off to my right side and had a couple scary moments. Great video!

[@rick4677]

@@richdrewtherideseries yeah that just from my experience and how I learnt with no coaching just riding and now when I watch videos like these and then videos of me jumping my form is pretty much perfect from no coaching, people like this guy need coaching becuase he was going in the completely wrong direction, that's why I think my way is better to learn if youre self taught

[@Josephzamd]

👏 👏

[@01swainco]

IF I NEED TO JUMP I GRAB SOME VAN HALEN AND JUST DO IT. I DONT NEED A KZbin GUY TELLING ME WHAT.... (on a bicycle?? Never mind 😮)

[@pushpopaddict]

yap yap yap talk talk talk

[@-Coaltrain]

This dude is that tired on 2 jumps I see big crashes in his future bones are weaker at 60 versus 30 i’am 63 been riding all my life I crashed and broke hip long recovery

[@TheReelAveragejoe]

Liar I had to pay for a $20 purchase just to get your free sample back which is bullshit but I did it lol

[@tomypope]

Please fix someone that man's helmet shade... :D

[@powskier]

I pay for premium service so I don't have to watch advertisements. Yet, it's bullshit that you exploit a way around it by putting stupid really long in video ads.

[@-Coaltrain]

This old boy watching all these young people downhill bike parks and wanting to be young again he get hurt bet on it

[@mudkayak6305]

gromms get hurt too. Im 64 and sending. Not because I want to be young again, or to pretend im young again, but because it's who I am and what I love.