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Short version a friend, and I are looking at getting back into jumping. At nearly 40. I was never very good. At either the take off. Or the landing bit.
He's already bought a cheap jump bike of eBay. I'm looking at one on Friday.
What could go wrong?
I do now own knee pads. But that is because my left knee hurts when I pedal. And of course a decent helmet. (Didn't have those first time round either).
Things take longer to heal now you’re that bit older. I speak from experience.
Have you thought about doing a bit of tuition to get your eye in? I’m certainly riding harder now at 40 than ever before, and have noticed that as I progress and push myself more I’m making more mistakes. If I don’t dial it back or sort out my technique out soon I know I’m going to end up having to call the wife and explain to her that I’ve just broken my collar bone.
What could go wrong?
At best you'll probably realise you're a dead weight on a bike who can't get off the ground and you'll go home feeling dejected after being totally humiliated by a 15 year old on a Carrera.
But that might just be me.
I'm also 'nearly 40' but I won't be able to say that much longer. I've got a mint jump bike. Even though when I was young (teens and 20's) riding bmx tracks and dirt jumps was absolutely my thing and I was quite good at it, right now I just can't do it. I've just lost the entire technique.
I've got no pop. Which means I can't generate any height from the trannys so I substitute it with speed and fly like a sack of spuds in the hope of clearing things which is a recipe for disaster. Also I can barely keep the front end up so where I used to manual small stuff looking cool, now I pull up and crash into the next one.
I know it's not strictly an age thing because plenty of people older than me can still shred. It's a time on the bike thing. If I wanted to improve I'd have to be out there every week and not just once every 2 or 3 months.
So yes. Do it, because it's fun but prepare to be crap and if you want to be any good you'll have to put some hours in.
I just pre-ordered an airdrop fade frame , it's my 50th present to myself.
Am just going to take it easy and work up up any bigger stuff and am prepared to be crap
Did this last year whilst dirt factory was open. I'd always sucked at jumping and was keen to get the hang of it.
So much fun. Did take it easy though as I don't bounce as well as I used to being a similar age.
For me the key was having access to well built jumps that allowed for progression.
Ha, I'm the same. I've been taking my kid (5) to BMX tracks which he loves. IME BMX tracks are mostly full of kids + Dads (and sometimes Mums). I've been idly looking at jump bikes too.
I’ve got no pop. Which means I can’t generate any height from the trannys so I substitute it with speed and fly like a sack of spuds in the hope of clearing things which is a recipe for disaster.
Too much riding squishy MTBs over MTB jumps that are made to fly off at speed vs BMX jumps (where a steep lip is important)? I guess you probably know this, but BMX jumps are significantly different from MTB jumps and it might take some time to adjust.
You ridden Bole Hill recently? The jumps there are expertly-crafted IMvHO but still suitable for MTBs (at least, the smaller ones are. I haven't dare look at the far side line).
Too much riding squishy MTBs over MTB jumps that are made to fly off at speed vs BMX jumps (where a steep lip is important)?
Yeah definitely. Still got loads of confidence on the big bike as that's what I've spent the last 15 years riding since I retired the BMX. Got loads of experience riding steep lips and transitions, it's just from a lifetime ago. Now when faced with a jump that needs a lot of body language I'm not very good at it.
One of my favourite things in the world used to be going slow and doing massive boosts and nose diving into landings. I'd love to feel that again.
You ridden Bole Hill recently? The jumps there are expertly-crafted IMvHO but still suitable for MTBs
Not for ages. I've got no excuse as I live in Sheffield so I've got loads of spots to choose from. Well, we do have an 11 week old baby which has slowed me down a bit!
When things settle down at home I'll try and get out more often. I could do Bolehills every day after work if I get my act together.
We should arrange an STW old man jump club/support group where we can get together and do flying safety pencils.
Depending on where you are in the country consider a trip the track portreath. I was in a similar position last year having not ride dirt jumps for over ten years (still had ridden Skateparks though) and the track got me going in a day due to its progressive nature.
That place is top of my list. Southampton bike park is second.
La Poma is on the bucket list but there's no point going that far at my current level.
Now when faced with a jump that needs a lot of body language I’m not very good at it.
It's probably my techque and or suspension set up but I do find that while I can boost a BMX or push though a BMX if I try and boost or push though on a MTB I end up being bucked. This makes me nervous jumping the MTB despite the margin for error a MTB allows.
Are you self employed?
Ask yourself really what the risks are. Is it really worth it?
Are you self employed?
This is top of the list of reasons of why I'm a bit crap 😎
the risks of DJing are (in my opinion) smaller than general trail riding.
I got into jumping a couple of years ago (the wrong side of 35) - really enjoy it, worked up to medium size (15' gap) dj jumps (way smaller than what I can hit on a big bike, but waaaay steeper too). For some reason I still cant get very far over a quarterpipe, massive head block there.
in the south east, s4p has a great, progressive set of lines, all of which are low consiquence (but not no consiquence). I bought something with a lockout fork, which is good for getting that little bit more speed over pumptracks.
I just pre-ordered an airdrop fade frame , it’s my 50th present to myself.
Am just going to take it easy and work up up any bigger stuff and am prepared to be crap
I have the fade lux, its very confidence inspiring, but it is very mtb in its ride. pump track first then progress to jumps
Threads like these make me sad I've no local DJ spots anymore. I had a spot that I dug near my work but as I haven't been in for 18 months no doubt it's all gone to crap now
Threads like these make me sad I’ve no local DJ spots anymore. I had a spot that I dug near my work but as I haven’t been in for 18 months no doubt it’s all gone to crap now
there must be a pump track at least near you
Pump tracks are a world away from a dj spot. I personally find them harder. As in to make them fun you have to be pretty good, to keep the speed and eek enough out of the no lip bumps to get any gaps. While there is a minimal skill level at a dj spot its not that big if there is a small line and they are actually built to jump!
If anyone wants to meet up at S4P for this I'm up for it, I'd like to focus on jumps during this winter..(I'm 45 BTW)
jump spots generally aren't very ridable in winter, and shouldn't be ridden when its wet as they'll normally disintegrate. its a good aim, but you might find it frustrating. Most jump lines are built with natural speed in mind for when the ground is dry, and in slower, wetter conditions the speed just isn't there
Anyone know what the jump section is like at Sherwood Pines? It's about an hour south of me. I've only seen it on not very good YouTube videos.
S4P looks good but it's a bit far for regular sessions.
Sherwood pines dirt jumps were due to be demolished earlier this year ☹️
https://singletrackmag.com/forum/topic/fc-to-flatten-sherwood-pines-dirt-jumps