Get Big Air off a Jump on a BMX
Have you ever tried to go flying off a ramp at the local skate park and not gone anywhere near far enough? Read on and you'll be wowing the crowd soon enough.
Steps
- Approach the jump with a lot of speed. You need it to clear a good distance.
- Squat in a bunny-hop position (knees and elbows bent) when about {{safesubst:#invoke:convert|convert}} away from the jump (actually as you hit the transition, you should compress into this position - pretend you are a spring).
- When you reach the top of the ramp, pull your front wheel up. When your back wheel hits the top, try to even out your bike. You should extend your "spring" as you do this. Then, if you like, compress yourself again mid-air to get more "boost"(unless you're leading into some crazy trick).
- Land with front wheel facing down and squat.
- You can also try getting as much speed as you can get and then when you hit the top of the jump get the feel for the jump and pull up fairly a lot and then push down aiming for the other side of the jump so that your kind of rolling down a ramp.
- You may find that given your body size, you may need a bike of a different geometry. In a nutshell, if you find yourself flipping backwards all the time, you need a bike that is longer overall. If you are nosediving too much, you most likely need a shorter bike. You can adjust the length of your bike by changing parts, moving handlebars, or adding/removing links from your chain.
Tips
- If you feel confident you will land well. If you have any doubt you will crash; so, what's really important is to get yourself into a confident mindset, and also build up your adrenaline (or "special")
- Don't go into the jump crooked, or you'll just land on your side and it can hurt!
- DO NOT go over your abilities or you can get seriously hurt.
- Get speed off a smooth surface to have better balance before you board the jump
- Regarding the geometry of the bike, if you find you're having trouble controlling the bike on the run up, try a 22" wheel size to ensure you are better balanced as you leave the lip of the ramp. The more controlled the approach, the more comfortable you will feel when going high - more height gives you more time to do better styled stunts and get ready for your landing.
- If you want to see your progress, have a friend 'scout' or watch you jump; have them place a small stick or something similar where you land and try to get past that mark.
Warnings
- Always be smart about your surroundings and weather.
- Always have someone with you in case you injure yourself.
- Always wear a helmet .
- Don't push down on your pedals because that's how you pop a tire or bend a rim. (If you get dents in your rims or flats after big jumps or hanging up, increase your tyre pressure to at least 40psi)
- Don't ride muddy jumps or you will wreck the jump. If there were sprinklers that's just to make them tacky and you should be able to ride in a few minutes.
Things You'll Need
- A bike (better if designed for jumping/stunting)
- A helmet and other pads such as knee and elbow pads
- A friend
- A jump
- OPTIONAL-a soft landing area for beginners(grass or a mat)
