Do a Dirt Jump
The exciting pastime of bicycles, dirt bike motocross and dirt jumping of cars, trucks, jeeps, etc. has a rich and ancient history beginning with horses. You can even do it on foot. What follows is an introductory guide to dirt jumping... especially for the beginner.
Contents
Steps
- Scout proper dirt-jumping locations, preferably with soft dirt. Take weather patterns into account. You do not want to slip on mud in the middle of a difficult dirt jump; remember that mud-jumping is an entirely different sport.
- Measure your maximum jumping distance. Ask a friend or colleague to observe several practice dirt jumps, measure their distance with a retractable tape measure and record results.
- Using a calculator and the following formula, determine your personal dirt jumping distance: Sum of distances DIVIDED BY number of distances recorded; that's the average (arithmetic mean).
- Return to your perfect dirt jumping location and form a soft dirt pile measuring {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} in "radius." Draw a plot plan and label this dirt pile "Dirt Pile."
- Measure (using retractable tape measure) your personal dirt jumping distance in a straight line parallel to the ground extending from the "top-center" of "Dirt Pile." Draw a short, {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} long (altitude), line perpendicular to the distance you have just measured. Label this line "Jump 1."
- To maximize jumping distance, try bending your knees before jumping with power.
- Starting at "Jump 1," jump with power towards the center of the "Dirt Pile".
- If you land in the center of the "landing pile," you have successfully dirt jumped. You can now move on to more difficult dirt jumps, possibly including obstacles.
- Now try that with a larger pile and a bike, or dirt bike, etc.
Tips
- Do not be afraid to use your arms to try to help create velocity and/or maintain balance.
- To minimize knee injury, absorb the shock by bending your knees upon impact.
- Before you hit the jump pick up your bike and put it onto the landing of the jump to see how much you need to lean into it because if you lean to much you could go over the bars and if you under lean you will most likely case it.
- Get a horse or pony if not a bicycle, dirt bike or a four-wheeler!
- To maximize jump distance, try running towards "Jump 1" immediately prior to beginning to jump with power -- similar to a "running broad jump."
- Be careful when you get a soft tail bike. It tends to overshoot when you are used to a normal mountain bike.
Warnings
- Wear a helmet when dirt-biking! Dirt can hurt your pride if nothing else. Be careful.
- Running faster would help as you practice doing the "Running Start."
- Do not attempt this if you have experienced previous knee complications.
- If you feel you are not going to make it to the landing don't be afraid of pushing your bike down its better to brake your bike and not your bones
- Using the "Running Start" technique may be considered cheating in some dirt jumping communities (clubs). Always be sure to check with local dirt jumping authorities. (For the kid's in the neighborhood that would be your buddies).
