Digging Up My Moms Back Yard to Build a Bike Jump

Mom, can I build a MTB jump in our backyard? Today we are building a mountain bike jump in the backyard. Did I mentioned building this bike jump completely by hand. I don't have a much room to work with and but that's not going to stop me from winging it and building a jump for mountain bike! So common, ;et's learn how to build a backyard bike jump together!

[@kitten-inside]

When mom said "Fix the backyard", I don't think that's exactly what she meant...

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Directions unclear, built sick jump.

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

Skills With Phil I got in the same problem with vague instructions at work. ....I work in a hotel.

[@minatex_7774]

labour I have no room sir please wait for me

[@stevewatkins9280]

One caution to anyone wanting to do this "Call before you dig" Your local utility will come out for FREE and mark any underground electric cables. This could save your life!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yup I agree! I do when building with a machine. I typically don't when I'm digging by hand and only plan to dig ~12-18inches deep, but better safe than sorry.

[@kylehoward4334]

I don’t think there would be any cables 40cm under the ground build working with machines yeah get a guy to check it out before starting

[@leonbasnett767]

Atleast in the uk cables always run under roads and straight to buildings from the road, also I doubt anyone could break one with a shovel

[@ploperdung]

@@leonbasnett767 "this could save your life" he means that you could get electrocuted by one

[@joshherlihy6962]

I don’t need to worry about cables I just find a field or something with good dirt and somewhere to get speed 😂

[@RealStealthyNinja]

Phil: Mom can I build a jump in the backyard? Phil's Mum: ok but mow the lawn first.

[@RealStealthyNinja]

Done on purpose, it's because Phil speaks American and I write Australian.

[@RealStealthyNinja]

Tasmanian, but now in Brisbane via Hong Kong.

[@georgemurchie]

Yeah the tassie boys

[@flyer100downhill6]

CoreSurvival :D

[@astroblade3782]

Yes..... that is right

[@Blooben]

Anyone else think this was gonna be a small jump like the one in GMBN's video? This is what makes Phil awesome. Go big or go home!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+TheOrangutank ¿Por que no los dos?

[@User31662]

He is already home

[@supersvenvlogs6592]

Thank you, you showed my parents that biking is good and now i can build a pumptrack in my backyard. Thanks❤❤❤🥳🥳

[@aron8650]

Hard to do this in the UK where 1 square foot of land costs £9999999

[@SkillsWithPhil]

That's why secrect [illegal] jumps are a thing. I'm not saying it's a good idea, but you gotta do what you gotta do. I wouldn't be riding had I not discovered illegal bike jumps when I was little.

[@m.mcgehee6858]

Skills With Phil I have built over 15 miles of illegal jump trails, it's an awesome way to have fun with friends and the result is awesome.

[@Tu11iy]

Same here, haha. In fact, there are no "legal" jumps in my city at all. There's just one spot for really advanced riders right outside and that's it. The rest are built illegally by riders in the parks, like the one I ride most of the time when I'm not riding street, or the kind of street possible on a XC bike. You see, MTB is just getting hold in Russia, but hopefully I'll live to see it rise and shine (and still be able to ride).

[@umbcherky6995]

/\aron bro I live in Los altos California... I win. A 2000 sq ft house with a small backyard is around 4 million

[@Tu11iy]

I'm not quite sure you can do an amount of climbing proper for an XC ride, however, you could build a pumptrack or a dirtjump spot should the authorities be ignorant enough.

[@ReluctantRider]

That was awesome. Shifted a lot of dirt! So easy to take good jumps for granted when you haven't built any. Digging time plus bedding in / compacting it down. Takes some work man!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Building jumps/trail builds character!

[@joeldh7567]

Ain't that the truth...

[@realdonaldtrump8995]

J

[@WreckingCrewFan86]

if this was my moms backyard she would have me up for adoption by now...

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Find a section of woods nearby that goes unused. It's 100% not legal, but it's how most dirt jumps are built.

[@WreckingCrewFan86]

thats what I've done its in the woods in my backyard but not in my moms yard lol I've made it 5 feet tall and 6 feet long use inspired me to make it 6 feet tall and make it a resi

[@thomasmitchell3239]

This is what I did when I was younger, I had wooden and dirt table tops all around my neighborhood in empty wooded lots. I still see some of the dirt ones when i visit my parents, overgrown of course given they are 10 years old or so though.

[@henryroberts9321]

My dad tried to make me take down the line of jumps I made when he was away with work

[@Flibottesam]

Crossed Racing yes I was gonna like ur comment but the likes are at 321

[@aron8650]

It's entertaining watching hard labour

[@heinrichbroodryk356]

Now i see why slavery was so popular in the olden days!!!

[@MaQuGo119]

Let's bring it back phamalam

[@filipcernak9975]

seth motivated you to do this didn't he? :D

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Yes he did actually! I've had jumps in my yard growing up my whole life (moved around a lot), but his video made me realize I never built anything since moving into this house. I built a bunch of stuff at my friend house down the road (kzbin.info/www/bejne/eZ27n4d5bryIrMU) but never built anything in my own yard since moving here.

[@Hdtjdjbszh]

Skills With Phil good on you, more back garden bike parks need to happen. You can even charge people two bucks to use it for a day and then add the money to new bike funds!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Once it becomes a commercial operation you owe more duty of care to visitors and open yourself up to much greater liability. Besides this is just for me and friends.

[@Christopher_R]

Agree, but throw a tarp over it and put up a "no trespassing" sign. Google "attractive nuisance."

[@firebelligerent]

I love that u guys are working together makes me happy. I'd like to see more if u guys than these UK @$$holes

[@dnamovement6448]

Thanks Phil! That was one of the best jump building vids/tutorials I've seen! I've been building a bunch around our property and this is one that I'll definitely incorporate into my "park". If you've ever down in the Charlottesville VA area feel free to drop by and session what we've built!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+Dave pike thanks dude!! I always struggle to figure out how much talking a should do. I feel like most learning is done through observation so that's what I went with here, but tried to clarify anything semi confusing.

[@dnamovement6448]

Well done for sure! Cheers man!

[@Easternboarder127]

BUT MOMMM SETH HAS A BACKYARD BIKE PARK!!! Love it, so much inspiration from Seth and Phil, starting a new wave of backyard setups.

You're a human backhoe. Your work ethic is impeccable! I love that you don't use bad language in your vids. My kids are young shredders. Their favorite place is Northstar. It was fun watching this with them. We're on an acre lot with lots of space. Looks like they're going to work...

[@ceakoth]

Great vid as always! Looks like a blast! One tip to those looking to do this at home. You can definitely make things easier if you use a round point shovel to dig into the grass. The square point shovel you used is best if the dirt has already been dug up and you're just moving it or packing down the jump (used for loose material). The round point will help dig into the dirt a bit more easily, but the tradeoff is you move less dirt with every shovel. Should definitely help save some energy though so you can get in more runs on your new jump!

[@theroyalarcher4026]

"working with dirt, nothing you do is set in stone" haha i see what you did there phil!

[@rgmtb]

So this is how you mom gets you to mow the lawn! HAHAHAHAHA

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Haha something like that.

[@nickadeletti7655]

Regular Guy Mountain Biking ok if you mow the back yard I will let you build a jump!

[@jennerlim4927]

Regular Guy Mountain Biking lol

[@ellaingram2972]

Your mum hahahaha

[@parkx535]

You mom

[@Freddo-oh5ki]

how is your soil so dry and not rocky?????????????

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+FS Hurricane it's a residential area where the dirt was imported for landscaping.

[@Freddo-oh5ki]

Ah ok.

[@savegeorange5162]

I know right I can't dig an inch without hiring rocks

[@rohantaverner6757]

FS Hurricane prob a set up

[@christianspradlin3929]

Where I live, I have the opposite problem...😭 It's bone dry and all sandy!

[@turtlesause6679]

For the past week I've made my own dirt track in my mothers yard and I just saw this video and now I see improvements I can make

[@icecreamtrucker6400]

I bet $100 that Phil was pretty sore the next day.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Haha I slept very well that night. I wasn't super sore, but I didn't want to touch a shovel for sure. Hailey and I built a whole pump track in 5 days, we were destroyed after that week. kzbin.info/www/bejne/nHWonqydmK9ke8k

[@brandongrkman593]

Skills With Phil you were very very smart to wear gloves, me not so much. Lets just say I had a lot of calluses the next day...

[@huejass9130]

Averagepabiker calluses are amazing i get sad when mine start to come off

[@taizhang9101]

IceCreamTrucker where’s my $100

[@kristensalitore5592]

No

[@bike_life_1015]

This has been very benificial in my jump creating. Just wanted to thank you for this video! One thing that I applied to my jump building was walking your feet all around the jump. This method has really kept my new jumps solid and smooth. It's really helped them to stay in one piece even after riding on it multiple times.

[@florihupf]

I am so digging this video. Perfect. I love it. Thank you. :)

[@SkillsWithPhil]

You're a punny guy!

[@heinrichbroodryk356]

Get Out

[@michaelandcolinspop]

Thanks for the tutorial, Phil. My son and I have decided to build some features into our backyard, a task that is pretty daunting, but you’ve definitely given us some ideas. Subscribed!

[@GrahamStorr]

nice video for those who have never wanted to tackle building jumps or know how to start ,grate explanation and insight on how to go about it nice work PM

[@samellsworth5290]

build another spine a little bit further away so you can either hit both or transfer from the first lip the the landing of the second one like a normal double

[@SkillsWithPhil]

I'd love to, but I think I'll be using that space for something else.

[@ep1379]

This is perfect! Tomorrow I am planning on going to my local jumps and building a few more and this video comes into my recommended. Thank you Phil!

[@PizNeyWorks]

just did this same thing in my backyard. turned out great! thanks

[@JNeepshow]

that royalty free music is going to haunt me in my dreams tonight

[@alena_strunk]

This reminds me of me and my friends building jumps on a fallow land 2 mins from my home. This is alomost 12 years ago, that's how I started riding my bike, Dirt Jump and Downhill :)

[@mitchwarren1600]

I'm thinking about doing this , but in my neighbours garden when his on holiday 😐

[@felixb.59]

Mitch Warren HTUK hahaha do it :D

[@mitchwarren1600]

Felix B. 😏maybe it would get a lot of YT hits🙃

[@vaasmontenegro9488]

@@mitchwarren1600 bto im a big fan and i love your vids keep up the grind soon you will be as famous as Skills with phil

[@mitchwarren1600]

bamboozled kermit cheers I’ve been working hard on my vids !!

[@vaasmontenegro9488]

@@mitchwarren1600 np

[@Scott-J]

This video convinced me to rent a skid steer when it's time to build a jump.

[@williamchampluvier680]

Awesome dude! We need to see more of these building videos! They're real sick

[@Adam-uo7lh]

This makes me be great full for the front loader I have that I used to build a mini pit bike track ..... but great job 👍

[@DeveloperDrew]

You’re welcome for playing bikes with you today. I’d play any day.

[@waltrobinson407]

Way bad ass. It all starts with dreaming big. And once you start, you won't stop til it's finished. Need to see more of the pigmy bike on it!

[@williamthebutcherssonprodu227]

Skills with Phil, IFHT, Seth’s bike hacks and GMBN colab.?

[@feidhlimoshea968]

William the butchers son productions legend +alexander

[@James-pn9ux]

Yo if only

[@schnawgalawg]

That would be too great for the world to handle

[@jpt145]

Blue and Red again Phil. I noticed you like this combo.. We wont have any trouble spotting you on the trails!

[@Dan_Kornfeld]

Absolutely throwing no shade, because I'm into the project (I built a bunch of these myself). But, I can't believe that I spent 10 min watching Phil dig a hole in the dirt. That said, cool project!!

[@KYLE_BROM]

Watching this s in my music class

[@SkillsWithPhil]

Get back to work haha! School > watching my silly videos

[@icecreamtrucker6400]

Just tell your teacher you're listening to some funky music!

[@zarkfuckerberg4545]

Kyle Bromley my friend has watched this entire playlist in science class

[@eman4418]

Kyle Bromley your still in school?!?!

[@jacquelinecobbe5967]

Kyle Bromley í

[@RJBond121]

I don't know a whole lot about jumps, but I know a fair bit about dirt. When you're building a dirt structure it's good to compact it about every foot, foot and a half or so otherwise it'll melt away in the first rain. Oh, I just reached the video point about you leaving the jump very soft. Ah, either way. Compacted as you go and it will strengthen the jump.

[@peknive8331]

Ryan Bond thnx

[@bbbssaaa59]

i was never so entertained watching a guy digging for 13 min. nice video Phil keep it up 😁

[@robnavalta6122]

I need to fix mom's backyard tomorrow. thanks Phil!

[@KingZavier]

Thanks dood you inspired me to go out and build better jumps than before and I even made a 1 metre Gap Jump

[@KingZavier]

Thanks for the inspiration

[@lukelumley602]

Phil, do you reccomend using chopped wood as filler, stacked up, then dirt on top and in cracks.... (less shoveling)?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+Luke Lumley hell no, I replied to a few people asking this more in depth.

[@dirtycxnt3235]

Skills With Phil why?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+Jamie Alford wood decomposes and creates more problems down the line if you ever want to alter the jump. Its not a sustainable material. Growing up i used to do that but i learned from experience that it's just not worth it.

[@Username47948]

From an engineering perspective, rigid materials will enhance the tensile strength of the ramp. This allows for steeper, more agressive shapes. Use dried logs if possible to delay the inevitable rot and decomposition. If you're looking for a longer lasting solution, use expanded steel. Put down ~8 of dirt, then a sheet of expanded steel, then repeat. Google "mechanically stabilized earth"

[@coen8323]

Logs will last for around a year before they become punky

[@goldentruffle8841]

Going to Oregon on Wednesday! Stoked. Bringing my XC and my DH bike!

[@gitlike]

Man that dirt is so easy to dig! No matter where I dig in New Zealand, it's either laden with rocks (not stones), or just sand!

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+Dale Meyer New England is very rocky, but residential neighborhoods typically have had dirt imported at some time to landscape the yard.

[@gitlike]

Skills With Phil Lucky. Here the developers put at most 100mm of soil over anything that was there, including building debri. Cheap bastards! And now I live on 10 acres of dead flat old river bed. I have to make my jumps out of plywood. I'm going to enjoy watching you progress this jump.

[@tullyshuttleworth1435]

After I watched this I went straight outside and built some jumps

[@BosephusBigelsworth]

I always love Phils videos.

[@ethanhennessey9742]

damn thats some nice dirt. the dirt where i live is dry as hell and sucks for jumps

[@parker6711]

Sitting here at the office and watching Seth build a badass ramp on my second monitor. Awesome work man!

[@SteezyPretzel]

Beautiful dirt dood like perfect garden soil

[@Friskee62]

Very cool, Phil....lookin' good. You and Seth will have to try each others backyard builds and do a couple of rad vids when finished...

[@firebelligerent]

love it. thank you started building one and I saw that u had this and I was like "snap"

[@bityotta9946]

You should use a mattock (wooden handle, not vibrating fiberglass) instead of a shovel for initial dirt digging. It will save your wrists. Bashing roots and rocks with a shovel causes a jarring impact.

[@RyanMarcyesOutdoors]

Nice!!!! Can't wait to see what is up next and how big it becomes, maybe a berm with some rollers or a step-up?!?! Take easy and remember to Live-Life-Loud!! Ohh maybe a live stream in the middle for a progress update, just a thought!!

[@lewispritchett8140]

Love the building videos 👍🏿

[@kjs6420]

I'm so jealous. Enjoy it man!

[@swedenhda1262]

you and Seth is the funniest and best MTB channel on youtube as far as i know

[@bobthebuilder2922]

I built myself a little enduro track and my dog helped me to dig and cut the roots. When i pointed with my finger that i want that root cut my dog bit it and then the dog started playing with the root lol :D

[@tim1499]

The dirt at my local spot is river clay, when you're building it's completely unridable, when it finally dries it's rockhard and impossible to change with a spade.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

A mixture of clay is some of the best building material period. You have to work with it when it's moist, and shape it and then let it cure.

[@tim1499]

It's quite nice because the jumps hold their shape really well, but i'm not a very experienced builder, so i'll usually need a couple tries at it.

[@SkillsWithPhil]

It's dirt! Just experiment and see what works and what doesn't.

[@westonfaulhaber5589]

Skills With Phil I live in New Mexico and the dirt in my area is sand. Any ideas?

[@Jxcko0o]

phil i love your videos you're such a big influence

[@BearBikingUK]

Well played sir. A solid effort. I am looking forward to seeing the progression!!

[@geemail369]

Fell asleep twice watching this ... but kept looking!

[@JordanByron]

Today on "Skill's with Phil": Phil makes a big pile of dirt in his mom's backyard 😝 End result looks awesome and the tips for building are clutch!

[@Siiimon426]

Thanks for playing bikes with us! :>

[@boofmastacam1260]

Definitely inspires me more to build some jumps!

[@robotsalad7681]

Wish we had dirt like that in buckeye az!! It's hard as a rock and 115 degrees out! Nice jump bro!

[@josephsmith9201]

I wish that Phil was one of my local trail builders😂

[@ryanbooker906]

Hey quick tip to making it better is sprinkling a lot of water then let it dry out after you wet pack it

[@ethandaly1818]

Can't believe I just watched you dig for 15mins

[@chasemtb6372]

This is a great video about backyard jumps

[@yandichev7286]

Nice one Phil , you should make that spine a landing for a dirt jump.One of those steep ones.5:53

[@yandichev7286]

5:53

[@jcfilms2641]

10:59 spider Phil, spider Phill, digs what ever a biker rides, can he build up a trail, yes he can he's spider Phil, watch out for biker Phil! 🎶

[@orbiccachdigitalmarketing5865]

This is awesome. Thanks for the help.

[@aaronwilliams1884]

hard to dig like that in upstate NY= 90% rock 9% clay 1% soil. lol gotta love it

[@graydenfraser3272]

I've been starting to make my own tracks because of you, Seth from seths bike hacks and one of my good friends from school and the track I've been making is coming along great but my mate threw my bag at my face so I can't do stuff cause my whole face is swollen and if I do too much moving around I might get a blood nose again haha

[@CrazyLibs]

classic, you tore the beautiful grass and yard up right next to mom's house.

Your backyard is so awesome

[@keithkreatives]

My wife just walked through, and asked "Why are you watching a guy slowly just shovel dirt?". Lol!

[@Tu11iy]

You definitely inspired me to follow your example, well done. Can't wait to come to my summer house with a riding mate and build a little dirtjump spot (or at least one or two features like those at the spot where I practice while in the city) in a forest clearing nearby.

[@glenthemann]

"..but it's fun enough to get hurt." Wise words indeed.. hahaha

[@ultrarunner0476]

your mom def loves you bro. My mom woud skin my like a fish if i tore up her lawn like this! LOL

[@NGKGMR]

Phil i went to a mtb trial yesterday for the first time(im a bmx rider)

[@vigothecarpathian5157]

Nice job Phil, looks like fun 😎

[@nickp5410]

Just some advice. Next time you want to build a jump, use logs to make the base and cover the logs with dirt so u don't have to dig as much or use as much dirt.

[@thetx_hammer_1261]

I can literally smell this video. The fresh scent of dirt in the morning

[@anthonydivita523]

Awesome video Phil! Looks sick!

[@Alcoholic1]

Tips on convincing my partner that this is a good idea?

[@SkillsWithPhil]

+Alcoholicone look up wife friendly pump track.

[@xxsam_scootsxxs.scooters4838]

Jewellery

[@antonbotter1570]

I love your vids this is my first of you but dang this helped I’m liking subbing and putting this vid in my library

[@donovenfrancis4968]

Why was this so satisfying to watch lol good job man

[@cameronking597]

Think you should do a follow up video Phil on how to convince your parents to build a jump in your back garden haha

[@Yhigma]

You should put a wooden quarter pipe a bit before and have it as an alternate line to land on the back side of the spine. That way you can have a chill ride over the spine or a boosty moment when you're feeling the bike needs some more airtime.

[@DaBears08]

I feel like you have the wrong type of shovel during the digging phase. Which technically makes it all more impressive. Bravo.

[@tshay27]

When a backyard is wasted riding space and a lawnmower has knobby tires you're a lifer!

[@ggmotorcross4294]

He’s gave me some really good ideas

[@austindavis1509]

Saw your story and I had to come to KZbin to watch😳

[@SkillsWithPhil]

#Instasquad

[@larvitardratini5965]

Austin Davis wait does he have a snapchat?!?

[@artificiallift9110]

This is very satisfying

[@azotro]

I live in Austin, Texas bmx central we have some of the biggest trails in the world I personally work on trails myself seeing your hard work pay off is super rad!

[@Joel-hk3se]

You’re not just a biker I’ve realised your also a skilful builder and creator

[@paddeh808]

a time lapse would have looked pretty cool but its still a sick video

[@Tracks777]

Lovely content! Keep it up!