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Feel the need to practice small jumps in a controlled way - to overcome block with one jump on well-known pitch hill tail - too embarrassed to admit which one! 😉
Any suggestions on location of decent smallish jumps to practice on. There used to be a series of three on St Marthas, but they had been diminished last time I checked
Make one?
There is a baby, kind of double 'thing' on Proper Bo you could practice on?
The jumps on Captain Clunk & the other one to the left of it are pretty small, although they are actual gaps, so coming up short isn't really an option.
Make one
Possibly, but fancy riding up their late afternoon
The proper bo one - is that the one right at the top before the trail proper*? Might not be proper Bo, but I am imagining the two on the short section above the X-roads - a small drop and a small table? (you are getting warm in terms of the jump that has me psyched at the moment 😳 )
I need to search Cpn Clunk, dont know which that is.
Might juts go and session the particular jump but I have had one crash and one near miss on it before and so have a mental block with it - silly as it is rel small with a nice berm to ride out on!
*edit: looked on Strava, the bit I am guessing is called dad's jumps I think?
Swinley? Plenty of tabletops on the blue and bigger rollers which can be doubled on the red.
Local BMX jump spot, locals might implement a "no dig, no ride" policy though. There's usually a small line in amongst the bigger stuff.
Tried the Milford pump track but its a bis step from the tablestops - where i cany get much air, to the third run which has gaps on it!
Just looked up CC on strava - rode that a few weeks ago. Something a little less than the bigger drops at the end. Cant remember any on the flatter bit.
Proper Bo is on the left side of the hill as you go up from the WB carpark.
If you go up to the crossroads on the ridge on the left, and then aim back down towards the bottom, the fireroad goes down into a hollow before rising again - the trail is there on the right.
It joins in with Curly Wurly towards the bottom and comes out on the middle fire road.
Just thinking there is a reasonably fun, long, rooty off camber trail just off the side of Curly Wurly too with a smallish double at the start. No idea what it's called though.
You probably need to admit which one to get some relevant suggestions! For example, based on your previous posts, I'm pretty certain the jumps on captain clunk will make your knees shake 😀
As above though the Proper Bo one is pretty straightforward. The table at the bottom of thick and creamy would also probably work. You could push up and roll down into the berm around the second drop assuming you're not comfortable with that.
Proper Bo is on the left side of the hill as you go up from the WB carpark.
Assuming you're riding up the valley fireroad to the windmill car park. If you're on the higher fireroad that takes you to the top of pitch then its on the right as you go up.
There is that little jump where you go in just after the crossroads where everyone lines up for the run in to Proper Bo.
Cheers guys - I know Proper Bo - normally ride that second after warm up on T trails. As above only ridden CC once and remember rolling most of the jumps and avoiding the gaps !!
Gotama - I will name and shame (myself!!) but perhaps have another crack at it today. Its not big at all 😳
I'm pathetic at jumps these days, as I keep thinking I can't afford the time off if I get it wrong! What we all(well most of us!)need is a local training route that has say ten jumps on it, starting at a foot and working up in 6inch increments to get the confidence going.
teamhurtmore, I know of a place with a few small jumps and kickers and live and work locally.
email me, might even hook up for some of the same
dgreenyer AT hotmail DOT com
Will do - thx.
Just off now and might just "session" the offending jump!!
There's a really easy jump at the start of 'reservoir dogs short'. Basically from the top of Barrys you cross the road towards holmbury hill and the entrance is on the left about 500m up the hill. There's a few nice rollers and small jumps along that trail.
Cheers acid. Might just try that. A quick spin up Radnor Lane will offset the pork and leek slice!
Will let you know!!
Go on the Nirvana Freeride Practice or Wednesday Old Blokes Ride. Tell Simon what you want to practice.
You want something with an easy run out, ime it's worrying what you are going to do after landing (eg hit tree, corner shortly after landing) which ensures you FU the jump. Do not brake on landing, consciously leave it a good few seconds
No worries. I'm sure you'll enjoy that trail, you can stitch 'I should coco' off it too if you fancy something a bit more gnarly.
Thx - all sorted did the "problem' jump twice - like all problem bits, bit of an anticlimax in the end as it was perfectly straightforward as long as you carry enough speed into it! Glad to have overcome it thought!
I went up and did your jump (I think) - smallish hump on RH side of trail? Not sure about the rollers though. Thanks for the idea as it was v easy to hit that one quite hard and build confidence. So after that quickly down BKB up Pitch and warm up on Ts and then the little jumps on Daddy'd jump before the bogey.
As it turned out to be so straightforward I will keep it quiet - too embarrassing otherwise 😉
Gap jumps next (did avoid the gap on PBo!)
I am crap on names of the middle runs on Holmbury. But there is a great trail which is little more than a deer path with little jumps built into it, which is fun. Pretty much smack in the centre.
I spent a couple of hours on Saturday at the Dorking West jumps. Good fun and a few good tabletops. Was thinking I was doing quite well until my mate videoed my jumping. What felt massive was only a foot above the ground.
I think I made 1" today !! 😀 Watch out Danny Hart 😉
Which brings me to a question. On reviewing my technique - such as it is - I can see I've learnt to protect myself by moving my weight back (away from danger!)
I would have thought itd be better to stay more neutral. Anyone have any thoughts on how to work against this instinct??
Whats dorking west like now these days. I thought it supposed to be a bit blown out, over grown and with a lot nasty stuff poking out of the ground (built with building site waste)
Caveat - I've never ridden there
Yes and no. I enjoyed it.of a set of three tabletops I built up to clearing one.. and actually having to back off a bit as I was landing too far... yet could not hit clear the next two.
This could possibly be technique more than quality of the site.
It wasn't the prettiest location but we still had fun and felt like we progressed.
"Could possibly" = "fairly likely"
@teamhurtmore yeah it sounds like you found it. The rollers are further down, perhaps rollers isn't the best way to describe them.
I think so,[b] thanks. [/b]I only use strava for reference and it wasn't picking the run up on my mobile when I was up there. Perhaps the rollers were on a different fork as I trended right after the obvious muddy one not long after the jump.
Good idea though as (1) the ride up worked off some of pork and leek slice 🙂 and (2) good confidence build that made me realise that I just need to MTFU and hit the "problem jump" with speed and confidence. The usual story!!
Now for the log jump on the run to the Left of Barrys!!
Added bonus riding your recommendation and T0 - ie flattish turns demonstrates that I can be a lazy rider and that on the flat stuff I need to be much more dynamic in terms of shifting body/bike position. I always ride the start of T0 badly!!
Now for the log jump on the run to the Left of Barrys!!
The one right at the top? If so you probably don't want to jump off that with any speed or you won't make the corner! You can just roll the top one btw. Or do you mean the one three quarters of the way down?
Yes the one right at the top. I only found that run recently but wimped the jump for exactly the reason you describe - how would I make the corner (among other excuses). I did roll it!!
nice run that and then there is a good climb back up to half way along BKB that saves going right to the bottom.
Noticed quite a few variations becoming more obvious at the bottom of BKB now
The drop off on the trail hard left a little after the top car park which joins BKB is quite serious Mr T, certainly not rollable (although maybe its all changed as it's been a while), I nose dived one of similar size on a Nirvana ride and everyone was surprised I got up 😐
@the wanderer 1) go and see Jedi 2) focus on having more weight on your feet, pushing down on the pedals on take off instead of hanging off the back (note I am rubbish at jumping now having retired after a few larger crashes)
The drop off on the trail hard left a little after the top car park which joins BKB is quite serious Mr T, certainly not rollable
We're talking about different drops. The top one over the log is no more than 8 inches. There is a slightly bigger drop further down which you need to carry a little bit but is still nowhere near thick and creamy drops and I reckon you could, albeit in an awkward looking manner, roll it.
It's faster to squash the top one to get your wheels back onto the ground and then get round the corner. If you pop off it whilst carrying a little speed the tight switchback becomes a mess.
Doesn't everyone just take the Strava line after the drop on Barry Knows Nothing? 😉
We're talking about different drops. The top one over the log is [b]no more than 8 inches[/b].
You are making me feel really bad/ineadequate now!!! 😀
Doesn't everyone just take the Strava line after the drop on Barry Knows Nothing?
🙂
Sometimes I think about getting some signs made up saying "Strava Line" and putting them on corners and just aiming straight down the hill.
Which brings me to a question. On reviewing my technique - such as it is - I can see I've learnt to protect myself by moving my weight back (away from danger!)I would have thought itd be better to stay more neutral. Anyone have any thoughts on how to work against this instinct??
Doing that is going to put you in more danger most of the time. As mentioned above, go and do a Jedi Jumps and Drops session, there will be plenty of focus on body position.
Which brings me to a question. On reviewing my technique - such as it is - I can see I've learnt to protect myself by moving my weight back (away from danger!)I would have thought itd be better to stay more neutral. Anyone have any thoughts on how to work against this instinct??
You need to start very small again and get used to keeping your weight centred as you stand up off the take off. No point continuing on bigger jumps with bad technique as you will get hurt. Get out with Simon from Nirvana on a Saturday. Plenty of new or improving jumpers go to those sessions.
@teamhurtmore yeah the rollers are a fork left about 150m from the jump and it leads back to the reservoir. I always go that way now when heading to Bkb from Holmbury Hill as it's loads more interesting than the fireroad.
Interesting and a good idea - I usually go up to CP and then down the trails on the RHS of the forest road towards the reservoir
Might sneak out for another late afternoon ride later.
teamhurtmore - Member
Feel the need to practice small jumps in a controlled way - to overcome block with one jump on well-known pitch hill tail - too embarrassed to admit which one!
Do you own a Proflex?
From the CP if you go the way you normally do and take the second right (I think, definitely not the 1st right) it'll bring you out opposite the entrance to 'reservoir dogs short'.
The 1st right is 'mr pink' which comes out opposite of 'jackie brown'/'twig trail'. That's another good trail, kind of old school xc with loads of roots.
I'll be up there later and heading from the youth hostile cp at about 6.30 if you fancy meeting up.
AT - nice idea but have to go there now and have friends coming round at 19:30, so need to be scrubbed up. I might ride on H though and will be around until about 18:20 ish on a yellow camber evo, dirty green grotty T shrt and white and black helmet.
Probably better another time! But our tracks might cross
I'll keep an eye out. I ride a black sb5c and generally black shorts, top and helmet. Pretty much lived up there in the evenings this summer.
Sorry acid, had to cut it even shorter than expected so went to punchbowl instead. Hope u had a good ride. Another time?
Yeah good ride cheers. Probably not the best time to meetup anyway as mainly ended up pissing about with my suspension settings being the first ride on me new bike.
I'll be up there tomorrow from about 5, give me a shout if you're about.
Fork right up that way has a couple of nice little roly doubles you can practice on if that's what you fancy as does the run on Winterfold... can't remember the name - maybe Northern Monkey.
The gaps on N Monkey are beyond me Im afraid!
Definitely not rollable !
Wednesday old blokes ride or Saturday free ride practice ... you know it makes sense
The one I am thinking of is the one with 2 lines. High line - rollable. Low line - Big gaps. Do you know the one?
I would assume ade9933 means the higher line at the bottom of the run which runs parallel to the bigger jump line and which does have four little jumps on it albeit the first one is almost none existent now.
Edit - too slow typing my reply. You are right ade9933
Jambas - was going to join the old blokes ride yesterday but ran out of time (helping funeral prep 🙁 )
Ade - no I dont. I rode NM a few weeks ago but took the lower line below the gap jumps
Sorry to hear, will drop you a line later.
I am too slow/unfit these days for Wed ride - tell Simon you want to do a little practice or and/or watch the others
Cheers
I was wondering of I could keep up with the old boys too!!
Thanks Gotama- glad to know I'm not going mad 🙂
Watch that old blokes rides. You'll be buying an ebike if you're not careful 😉
acid - yes, going to sneak out again.
probably park in WB at around 17:00 and head up to Holmbury - look out for sweaty bloke (after climb) on camber evo. Navy top, black shorts and black C'back (equivalent)
Good to bump in you AT albeit for such a short time. Bike looks great.
On the way back did your run and the middle choice. Think the left one is better and comes out at the same place, good suggestions as alternative way back to reservoir. Thx.
Funny how the area went from no one about to quite a few. Although after I left you and saw no one until WB car park. And then lots of night boys going out on some very nice bikes, The trouble with that CP is that you/your bike can quickly feel inadequate!!!
Nirvana's jump spot near Redlands just off the road is a great place to practice.
There are a few still up on Newlands Corner, though they keep changing. Were good for practice but more recently someone's done the usual and decided to big them up and stick holes in them 'cause it's cool innit. Some are still okay for a practice.
Near Proper Bo on Pitch is what's now billed as Dad's Jumps, I think, on Strava. Little jump plus what was a sort of double in a muddy slop but is now just a table. Useful to practice on though.
Thank DK. Would be good to know where the Redlands bit is but realise that it's sensitive
This thread was v helpful including acid's recommendation. V quickly I got my confidence including the Dads Jumps bit. As always, start small and work upwards. In the end, need confidence and MTFU and hit the jump with speed.
Tonight I rode faster than normal and was looking for jumps including ones which I normally by pass
What about the jumps on Secret Santa?
Lucky to get the rides in this week. Rain started as soon as I got home, brilliant electrical storms all night and still raining now - oddly still muggy too. Hope the night riders didn't get too wet as sounded like a big ride last night.
@teamhurtmore yeah good to meet you, gotta love Yoghurt Pots and that jump half way along is always interesting!
Don't think I've done Dads Jumps so will have to go exploring.
😀 I hunt that "jump" out now - still have a slight problem with the LH bend with the silver birch on the apex. Hitting it faster now but cant stop myself having a dab on the brakes at exactly the wrong time. I always lose speed on that one corner. But yes, always fun and there's even that jump near the end!!
Dads Jumps is very small - an initial small drop off and a small table top. But good for confidence building. Trouble is once you've done any of these terror 😉 jumps once, your realise that you have just been fannying around previously!!
Now for the evian gap jump - took the chicken line today on both 😳 i wish the second wasnt a gap though as the chicken line breaks your speed to much
Anyone know what was being filmed up there by the old bomb hole?
Listening to the chat in the CP i think there were some "names" riding around today - but I dont know what they look like 😉
teamhurtmore - Member
i wish the second wasnt a gap though as the chicken line breaks your speed to much
Same here. Or the chicken line needs some flow. To be honest it's getting annoying the amount of big gaps that appear in a previously rideable trail and no line around it or alternative.
Sure I know "blah blah, if you can't jump it you shouldn't ride the trail" is the attitude from some, but Evian is an old classic suitable for everyone. Gaps are fine, just keep it rideable for all. Want a gap only trail, build one from scratch.
That said it's up to us all to maintain these (unofficial as they are), so maybe I'll take a shovel with me to sort it out 😀 . Well, I would if I knew what I was doing. Not that I think some of those digging these holes know what they're doing either. Many are a mess.
Thanks for this thread, encouraged me to brave up and go try the drops on Thick and Creamy 😀 Crashed a while ago on the second one, didn't take enough speed in and caught the gap 🙁 The first just scares me on approach but i did a load of practice on the T's, Wurly Curly, Proper Bo to get a bit of confidence. Went and cased it for a bit and then maned up, wiped out on landing on the first one, doh. Went back and had another go and cleared it 🙂 Did it again to make sure and then cleared the second. Very happy with myself as I had been properly scared to do these. Thanks for all the advice in this thread and sharing your own journey teamhurtmore 😀
Hmm, jump after the second gap on Evian has gone! 🙁 Shame that as that was one I could actually do 😀 . Comes up quick after the berm but could pop over it nicely and no gap. So big gaps cool, small easy jumps are not apparently 🙄
Glad to help Andy - sharing a few thoughs on here helped me this week, especially acid's recommended jump. That proved to be rel easy and just gave the the confidence to MTFU and go and tackle my bogey. Gradually working my way trough various bogey runs/sections. One of the early bends high up on Eric needs to be tackled next. Have yet to try T&C as he drops sound a bit too big!!
DK- I was think exactly the same on Satuday about the easy jump on Evian. Where is it? I think that it is just the small lip that comes after the bend. I was also thinking the same thing about he response to why make the second gap a gap jump at all!! Do they need t be gaps on such popular runs? Didn't they fill in the gap on supernova and just make it a jump/drop? Sounds like we ride similar things 😉
I hadn't ridden curly wurly for a while before Sat. That seems more rutted (in a fun way) than I recall. Enjoyed it a lot.
Ah, Supernova's infamous gap 😀 . Where's that thread again? 😉
I almost hit that (too slowly) in the gloom one evening (no lights) and have only just realised that it has been filled in now (from the chicken line last week!!)
(seems that we have a contact on here in common, we should meet for a ride some time?)
I hang out on the "London Calling - MTB" group on FB and we arrange rides in between mindless bike chat.
One day I'll join FB 😀
(twitter, instagram, strava...)
I hunt that "jump" out now - still have a slight problem with the LH bend with the silver birch on the apex.
Yeah that comes up really fast if it's the one I think you mean! I get low with a bit of weight over the front wheel and then push back and pump through the exit.
Hitting it faster now but cant stop myself having a dab on the brakes at exactly the wrong time.
Just go a bit slower so you don't feel the need to brake and then work your way up to going faster as you feel comfortable.
Or if you're feeling a bit nutty there's a bit of a psychological game you can play with regards to dabbing the breaks. You basically rewire your brain to put a pedal stroke in instead of braking, it can be a bit scary the first few times but it'll push your limits and you'll realise you don't actually need to brake anywhere near as much. Only do it on trails you know though otherwise you'll probably die.
A perfect example from the other week was along the top section of telegraph and hadn't been down it in a while, was 12 seconds off the KOM. Went back around for another go but with no braking allowed... scared myself a bit but knocked a second off the KOM and 13 seconds off my previous attempt.
With the above you'll find you not only get down the trail faster but you'll notice how much smoother you flow and with less pedaling.
One day I'll join FB(twitter, instagram, strava...)
Yeah you should!!
Weekend commitments don't allow me to do real races very often so for me Strava is my way of staying competitive and finding new trails. I don't mind admitting I've fairly addicted to beating and improving my Strava times.
Good advice AT - there's only one bit on YP that this happens on and its because of the "visual" impact of the tree on the apex. The natural berm should be enough to ensure that you avoid it but I still have a habit of a little dab just in the bottom and at exactly the wrong time 😳 Feel the wheels twitch as a result. As you say, slower entry and then ride through it.
As we discussed when we met, the cleaned out Tel Rd is much better - at least the first section where it used to get v wet by the Rhoddies! The straight line mini jumps by the poles are quite fun too!
Thanks for the advice - something to work on.
No worries, I'm all for helping where I can. It's the end of YP that gets me, always seem a bit cautious of that last burm and braking bumps. I think I'm pretty much on my limit but will have to try my own advice as I know it must be possible.
Yeah the top of telegraph is a lot more flowy and faster now, I doubt my KOM will last long 🙁 I wonder if that was trail fairies or the comms company that cleared it??
deadkenny - MemberAh, Supernova's infamous gap
I never knew that used to be a gap. Saying that, the pothole that developed a few months ago has meant I now head on the chicken line (not that can do gaps/doubles anyway).
teamhurtmore - MemberGood advice AT - there's only one bit on YP that this happens on and its because of the "visual" impact of the tree on the apex. The natural berm should be enough to ensure that you avoid it but I still have a habit of a little dab just in the bottom and at exactly the wrong time Feel the wheels twitch as a result. As you say, slower entry and then ride through it.
I think I know the bit you're talking about, quite near the start of the trail?
Also agree with your comments on the new double on Evian and the chicken line ruining flow. 🙁 Didn't see anyone filming there yesterday but then I wasn't on the trail until about 4pm.
Its about 1/3 of the way down after the newish rollers. Two v similar LH bends with very natural banking. The one I am referring to has a small silver birch on the apex which is really just a visual distraction!
The chicken line on Evian's 2nd gap effectively stops you in a rooty puddle. Really annoying after those super early berms. I am not sure how much speed you need to carry to make the gap - its not a big one after all - just wish it was a table top instead.
I was up late afternoon Sat not yesterday. They were filming by the old bomb hole (at first I was hoping they were clearing it!). Plus the "names" were in WB car park!!
There are location signs up for TLW. Not sure who, but those signs usually refer to a production company. Some around Winterfold fireroads on Jim's land so not sure that will be related to bike stuff given his hate for bikes.
Edit: possibly this bunch - http://thelastword.tv/
teamhurtmore - MemberIts about 1/3 of the way down after the newish rollers. Two v similar LH bends with very natural banking. The one I am referring to has a small silver birch on the apex which is really just a visual distraction!
Ah, yes, I know the corner/silver birch you're referring to. I find that YP is one of those trails that's difficult to ride well from start to finish.
The chicken line on Evian's 2nd gap effectively stops you in a rooty puddle. Really annoying after those super early berms. I am not sure how much speed you need to carry to make the gap - its not a big one after all - just wish it was a table top instead.
Is it my imagination of are there more berms on Evian now? Strava says it's a longer trail now and I think it's much more enjoyable though the bomb hole used to be good fun.
Did you try the 'new' Area 51 whilst you were there?
Ah, yes, I know the corner/silver birch you're referring to. I find that YP is one of those trails that's difficult to ride well from start to finish.
Well I always finish it with a smile and a little puffed! Ridden fast, there are no real breaks. You have to stay pretty focused through all the twists and turns. And its pretty dry still!!
Possibly more berms on Evian - the early ones are really good fun IMO. The finish is getting faster and lumpier too 😉
I dont know Area 51 at least not by name.
Ok - found A51 on strava eventually - yes its a fun trail too. Often ride that before Evian just didn't know the name
Somehow I don't think I've ever been down Area 51, will have to scope it out on my next ride.
Rode down yoghurt pots yesterday and there were a young couple walking up it who had a bit of a scare. Luckily it wasn't on one of the corners but on the fast straightish bit...