How to Hit Big Jumps and Drops On Your Mountain Bike, At Any Age!

How to Hit Big Jumps and Drops On Your Mountain Bike, At Any Age!
On 02/16/2021
By Gene

A common email or phone call I get starts off like this, “Hey Gene, I’m a really skilled mountain biker, I don’t need your whole curriculum, I just need to learn how to do bigger drops and hit jumps better.” Since this is a common question I will give you a detailed answer so you can got out and hit those big drops and jump better!

DISCLAIMER: Drops and jumps on your mountain bike can be dangerous, make sure you are wearing the appropriate safety gear and have the basic skills I mention below wired before practicing them. Always practice with a friend in case you do get hurt!

Drops and jumps on your mountain bike are not really hard so I have to ask this question to those emailing me claiming to be experts but simply can’t do drops: “If you are a really skilled rider, why can’t you hit big drops and jump better?” “I mean, isn’t that what skilled riders do? Could it be that you are not as skilled as you think you are?”

Maybe your ego is getting in your way? I mean you basically said, “I can ride really easy trails well, but I struggle with more difficult trails” but at the same time you called yourself a skilled rider. I’m confused. Seriously, not trying to be a jerk, just being realistic.

Maybe you feel drops and jumps are separate skills from “riding skills” as most/all of the trails you ride don’t have jumps or bigger drops. You may be saying, “Gene how can I become good at drops and jumps if I never encounter them on the trail?” The simple answer is to become a better rider – on the ground.

Gene Hamilton hitting the 48-foot gap jump at Sol Vista, 2009 US Mountain Bike National Championships

Gene Hamilton hitting the 48-foot gap jump at Sol Vista, 2009
US Mountain Bike National Championships

So, how does a 54-year-old rider like me (who doesn’t have near the “nerve” he used to have) hit 10-30 foot drops and 48-foot gap jumps? Through coaching and lots of deliberate practice. I am very good at the basic skills of body position and vision, not near the most skilled rider in the world, but good enough at the basics to hit this 48 foot gap when I was 43 (and I still hit jumps that big at 54). Not saying that to impress you, but to impress upon you the value of core skills. It doesn’t take “balls” to do a jump like this, it takes confidence in your core, basic skills. 

I teach how to do drops and jumps in my courses without doing them (we do small drops). This often leads to this question, “How can you teach me to jump with no jump?”. Which I fully understand. It would seem at first thought that, “you need a jump to teach someone to jump. Duh!” On further thought, you might realize that it is like teaching someone Karate while they are fighting! 

Remember “wax on, wax off”? You first need to not only understand the basic skills required to do a drop or jump but also be really good at doing them!

Drops and jumps are actually pretty easy, you just ride off them, in balance and in control. This is something any “skilled rider” can do! The 15-25 foot drop below is no harder than going off a curb correctly. It was a lot scarier as the penalty for failure is pretty massive, but it really didn’t take much skill. Here is how to do a big drop like “Mushroom Rock”.

MTB Coach, Gene Hamilton dropping Mushroom Rock

MTB Coach, Gene Hamilton dropping Mushroom Rock.

First learn to ride in control, in balance, and in a neutral position while looking ahead 100% of the time. Get so good at it that you do this all the time, even on the steepest, scariest mountain bike trail. Drills are the best way to do this.

See this video tutorial on body position for help with being in balance, in control, and in a neutral position:

This is something any “skilled rider” should already be doing, but if you go to a place like Whistler you will realize that 50-75% of the riders are not doing this. 

Those riders are easy to spot as they just look a little off-balance, they aren’t smooth, they are stiff, their heads are moving a lot (the head of a rider in balance and in a neutral position almost never moves), herky-jerky is an excellent description of the majority of mountain bikers.

If your view keeps changing, your head is moving or you are getting “eyeball jiggle” you are not in balance nor in control.

Once you can ride in balance and in control, baby step your way up by using the drop techniques I teach on smaller drops (such as a curb) and working your way up to bigger drops. 

As a matter of fact, they are barely techniques, I teach them on the first day of my skills progression and 8 to 78-year-old students have an excellent grasp of them by the third day.

What are these techniques? Well, at speeds, above 12-15 miles an hour you simply ride off the drop in balance with all your weight on your pedals. Going below 12 miles an hour you will have to do a little baby manual or coaster wheelie off the edge of the drop. I say “little” because you aren’t actually trying to lift the front wheel, your goal is to simply keep the front from dropping quickly.

On drops with a flat landing, your goal is to decrease the angle of incident that you hit the ground at. This way you land in a centered, neutral position looking ahead, ready for the next thing the trail throws at you. Landing slightly front-wheel-first or with both wheels landing at the same time is best.

Once you are consistently landing both wheels at the same time, in balance, in control while looking ahead off a curb, find small drops with a steep downhill landing. You can often find these in the local elementary school playground or at a bike park if you are fortunate enough to have one nearby. This way you get used to landing on a “transition” which will ease you back to earth with much less jarring than a flat landing. 

A big focus should be looking past the landing! Most crashes on drops don’t actually happen on the drop, they happen AFTER the drop. On a drop with a downhill landing, you are going to be going much faster when you land than when you take off. Knowing what the trail looks like after the drop and looking where you want to go AFTER the drop (not at your landing) is very important. Also, as you work your way to bigger drops that will have a blind landing (where you can’t see the landing before you take off) make sure you thoroughly inspect the landing and make a plan of where you want to go after the landing before you do the drop!

What “technique/s” or skills am I using in the photo above? None, I am simply riding off the edge in control, in balance, and in a neutral position. Then I stayed in control and in balance throughout.

Jumps are pretty similar, at least the jumps you will be learning on. Steep “dirt jumps” are not the best place to learn. Find tabletop jumps (no gap to clear) without steep take-offs to practice on. Once you have found a safe*  jump to practice on, set your bike up for jumping by stiffening your suspension a bit and slowing the rebound so it doesn’t “buck” you on the takeoff or landing. Then simply ride off that jump slowly in balance, in control, and in a neutral position. 
*“Safe” is a tricky word as any jump can be dangerous. Wear your helmet and safety gear.

Pretend there is a clear piece of plexiglass under you and you aren’t actually leaving the ground, just riding over an arc. Focus on how you would stay centered and neutral as you ride over that arc and look past the landing (to where you want to go) once you take off. Once you are comfortable, slowly increase your speed until you are landing both wheels at the same time or slightly front wheel first on the “backside”.  

That is really all there is to it but many people get hurt jumping as they aren’t doing those seemingly simple skills. Mountain bikers get hurt jumping when they ride off-balance, ride off the back of their bike, try to do something as they leave the jump (like yank up on the bars or pedals), ride stiff and let their suspension buck them, aren’t looking towards where they should be and don’t “baby-step” their way up to bigger jumps.  There are advanced jumping skills that I didn’t mention because you need to master these basic skills first!

Hitting bigger drops and jumps on your mountain bike isn’t hard, you just need to have a few core skills wired and baby step your way up to bigger drops as you feel comfortable. Jumping is a little more dangerous, but if you find the right tabletop jump and start slow, you’ll figure it out.

Please share this article with anyone you think may benefit and feel free to call or e-mail with any questions.

Thanks and create your best ride yet,
Gene

Comments

12 Comments

  1. Andy Huber

    Thank you for adding ” at any age” in your title. I am 63 years old ( one of your former students) and I love cleaning big drops and gaps. Nothing feels better than a clean landing on big jump. I started small and worked my way up. It`s like I have heard you say ” Perfect practice makes perfect”.

    Reply
    • Gene

      Right on Andy! You are an inspiration! Love to hear that you are hitting big jumps at 63 and that my course helped you get there. Keep up the practice and fun riding! And send us a photo or two!

      Cheers,

      Gene

      Reply
  2. Douglas Thompson

    I have always avoided jumps. Mostly, because I keep seeing people going over the bars. It looks like that as soon as they take off (usually small jumps), their front wheel dives down and game over. I did take a class with Dylan and it was great sometime ago. But, it was a basic course not about jumps.

    Reply
    • Gene

      Hi Douglas,

      Small jumps can be the sketchiest because your front wheel is in the air before the rear wheel is even on the jump! A jump with a take off a bit longer than your bike can be safer as both wheels on the same plane as your front wheel leaves the jump.

      Cheers,

      Gene

      Reply
  3. johan veenbaas

    very good article! i was goin for the jumps, i now know(again) i have to train my basic skills more first! thanks!
    i still hope to progress enough to have the skill and confident for some jumping and bigger drops than i do now, at 55, but we will see.
    thanks for the riminder!:)

    Reply
    • Gene

      Thanks, Johan. Definitely work on your core skills before jumping!

      Create your best ride yet,

      Gene

      Reply
  4. Doug

    Gene

    I normally love your articles. This I found a little off. First, I think that not having jumps and drops to practice on is a real thing. 2nd, I feel that you way over-simplified how to ride a jump (almost to the point of being dangerous). “Just ride it like you ride a trail?” Your article made it sound like if you can’t ride jumps or drops you suck, and if only you had better bike position you’d be nailing 40 ft gaps. It all felt a bit cursory and off the cuff. Very reminiscent of the “Just roll it” philosophy.

    Reply
    • Gene

      Hi Doug,

      I just re-read my article and I can’t find where you got this quote: “Just ride it like you ride a trail?” I never said that. I said Drops and jumps are actually pretty easy, you just ride off them, in balance and in control, then I went into more detail. You left off the in balance and in control part and the entire rest of the article where I explain what I mean by in balance and in control.

      Such as this sentence, First learn to ride in control, in balance, and in a neutral position while looking ahead 100% of the time. Followed by a link to my video on how to ride in control, in balance, and in a neutral position. As I mentioned in the article, at least 50% of the riders at a place like Whistler are NOT riding in balance and in control.

      I also explain to use a tabletop jump without a steep take-off and to go slowly at first. Then I explain more details such as Baby stepping your way up.

      This was a LONG and detailed article. I never said, nor made it sound like “if you can’t ride jumps or drops you suck”, you read that into my article. I did imply that if you can’t hit drops and jumps you aren’t an expert, saying someone is not an expert is WAY different than saying they suck.

      I don’t think I have ever used the word suck regarding mountain bikers. I have great respect for anyone who throws a leg over a mountain bike and chooses to ride it. We all had to start somewhere and for me, it took over 10 years to learn how to and be able to look ahead most of the time and ride in balance and in control. This is why I started BetterRide, with the proper instruction and a diligent student that 10-year learning curve can be reduced to a matter of months.

      Create your best ride yet,

      Gene

      Reply
  5. John

    If simple is the new smart, this is one of the smartest articles that I had ever read about jumps and drops. Great coaching!

    Reply
    • Gene

      Thanks, John!

      Reply
  6. Chris

    Hi Gene, I’ve read way too many articles, and watched way too many videos on jumps & drops. The end result of course is confusion, which manifests itself as truly ugly sequences of compressing/yanking/unweighting as I approach features, then sail over them like a stiff-limbed, bewildered robot, just waiting to be bucked over the bars. Your article, however, is completely different. It’s the first one that makes sense to me, and has enabled me to really progress. Please keep doing what you’re doing. Thanks, and respect!

    Reply
    • Gene

      Hi Chris, sailing like a stiff-limbed, bewildered robot isn’t fun! Glad my article makes sense and has enabled you to progress! You are welcome and there is a lot more coming! Check out my youtube channel, https://youtu.be/Zu2T7ATIbvE for some video tutorials and more tips. You are welcome, I love helping others improve!

      Reply

Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *


Rider Reviews

Thanks again, you were a great part of my succees for 2005. I had the best year of my life. Part of which at the age of 52, I entered numerous mtn bike races, podiumed 5 times and won the Texas Mountain Bike Racing Association series for my division.

Your instruction, professsionalism and emails went above and beyond all expectations.

Kent Wells
2016

Thanks Coach Gene for your time the last 2 days! Your coaching is spot on! I’m so lucky to have had the chance to spend this time learning from the most passionate mountain biker out there – one who cares about the sport and all the techniques that go into it! Total respect! That’s all I have to say! If anyone is questioning or “thinking” about signing up for his camp- DON’T , just do! Thank you Gene!!!!

Gretchen Wavro

This was by far the best use of both money and time in regards to my mountain bike training.
Its 3 days of my life I will never forget.

Jim, BetterRide Camper

The results are starting to trickle in as I have the time to ride some of my local rides that I track my times on.  I’m astonished!

My descending time from the summit of Chimney Gulch to the Beaver Brook cross over dropped from a personal best of 6:51.0 to 5:46.0, for the bottom section it went from a personal best of 13:42.0 to 10:12.2.  Considering that I really haven’t had enough time to practice a lot yet, I’m stunned at the improvement.  I can also say that I felt more in control than I used to and I cleaned a section I’ve never had the balls to even try before.

Again Gene, I can’t thank you enough.  The camp was great.  Your ability to break skills down into digestible parts, watch riders and help them refine techniques, your humility and sense of humor make you a world class coach.  I’ll be taking your next level two clinic this year and probably a refresher next year.”

 Mark Forgy
Expert XC racer, Mountain Bike Fanatic

Just wanted to give you an update and let you know that I am starting to experience the delayed effects of your camp.  I knew when the camp ended that I was leaving with some new skills that were helpful immediately.  But I also knew there were other skills that were going to take more practice, patience and time.  Well, I’m starting to see them.  

I’ve been practicing descending the way you instructed us but until the last couple of weeks, I knew I was still faster descending the way I always had – I was just more comfortable that way.  But in the last couple of weeks, it all kind of clicked.  

I’m not winning any downhill races – yet – but all of a sudden (and it really did seem to happen pretty suddenly) your techniques took over and instead of just using them at low speeds only when I thought about it, I was using them all over the trails and feeling pretty comfortable.  Now I find myself only reverting to my old techniques when I come into a corner already off balance.  Anyway, thanks, it’s a great feeling – can’t wait to use them on race courses this year!

Sarah Kaufman
Top Pro Endurance Racer

I just wanted to let you know that I’ve had big improvements in my racing this year after taking the betteride course (about 10 minutes improvement from last year).  I got 2nd place in the beginner category at Eldora, then placed 15th out of 35 in the Sport category at Winterpark in my first ‘sport race’.   I passed people on the downhill for the first time in these two races, and am feeling much more confident on the downhills (I hit 31.5 mph max on a tight singletrack in the Eldora race).

Jonathan Jones

Tonight was the first night of practice cyclocross races.  The cornering techniques I learned in you camp last weekend rock on the cross bike.  I was able to carry speed through the corners and off cambers that I could only dream of last year!

I actually found myself cranking up the speed before the corners instead of braking. Nobody else is using this technique.  I found my self keeping pace with stronger riders just on cornering skill alone.  Imagine after I’ve a had a few weeks to practice.

I had best time of my life on a mountain bike at your camp, and look forward to doing another one next spring.

Chris Cornelison
September 24, 2010

I took your Neshaminy clinic in June.  I wanted to fill you in on my race results.  I raced all season in the Midatlantic Super Series in Women’s Sport. I won the overall championship!  I am so happy that I won!  I will be moving up to Elite next year.

I’ve been doing the drills you taught for 20 minutes, twice a week.  I almost always preride my race courses.  I work on hard sections to figure out the best lines.  Since the clinic, I have noticed that my balance has improved tremendously.

So, Gene… thank you for the clinic.  I still tell all my riding buddies about it. Especially how you break down the mechanics of everything that you teach.  I let them know how you explain the physics behind the techniques.  I tell them that the learning environment you provide is the perfect way to learn something, practice it, and really get it. I’d love to do a refresher course.

Angie Wallace
September 15, 2009

Attending Gene’s camp in Sedona was one of the best decisions that I’ve ever made. You can read skills articles and watch the youtube videos all day, but these will never engrain the skills needed to become a good mountain biker.

Gene’s course teaches you all of the primary skills, and then he drills them into you. You repeat these drills under his watchful eye until the become engrained. It’s been about 9 months since I attended the course and I still hear Gene correcting me if I’m going about an obstacle or turn in the wrong position.

I still make every ride a learning experience because of what he taught, and my riding has improved immensely as a result. Thanks Gene!

Steven Peyton
August, 2018

Just wanted to show you what your lessons made me do this past weekend!  If you click on the photo or link to the photo album look through the album and on the 2nd page, bottom row, there’s a great shot of me doing what you taught me to do with my elbows-totally Brian Lopes style. 

I was impressed to see myself doing that-a big change in my riding style and I know it’ll make me faster in the long run.

So thanks and I may have some time coming up where I can make it to one of your camps-I’ll let you know.

Amanda Riley, Kenda, Titus, Hayes Team
Winners of 2008, 24 hours of Old Pubelo

Thanks again for holding the camp last weekend.  I was finally able to get out and ride yesterday on the falcon trail (loop that goes around the Air Force Academy).  There are two sections that I have had problems with in the past.  One is a tight turn with two drop offs that are oddly spaced and the landing slopes off into some bushes.  I’ve ridden the trail a dozen times and walked that section most times.  Once I tried it and endo‘ed into the bushes.  When I rode it yesterday, I cleared it with confidence.  

I kept repeating to myself “Do or Do Not – There Is No Try”:-) I relaxed, saw the line I wanted to take, found my balance and went through the section very controlled – it was great!

The next section is a steep switchback climb with a ton of sand.  I have never made that turn, although I have tried to every time I’ve ridden the trail.  This time I approached the switchback using the techniques and strategy you taught us.  The result – made it!  No problem!

The last thing I noticed is that the whole ride was smoother.  I focused primarily on the vision techniques  – and body position skills.  The ride felt slower than what I normally ride, but it was actually six minutes faster!  Absolutely amazing!
Brad
Oct. 8, 2008 (5 days after his 3-day coaching session)

My son took your camp in winter park at age 14. He is 16 and just completed the Laramie Epic (30 miles) last weekend. He placed 2 in the age bracket 0-29. He continues to use your techniques and tips. Smooth is fast! Your worksheets are worn out and weathered from continued use! Worth it….you bet!!!

Sheila Palmer
July 2019

Your camp gave me the confidence to go out and try a few races this summer.  My first race was in the beginner 40 to 45 age class in the “Point to Point” cross country race in Winter Park.  While I certainly did not break any records – I at least had a respectable finish and more importantly had a total blast.  

My second race was a Super D (much more my style in that there is MUCH less uphill cranking) at Winter Park where I got a second place finish in my age group.  3rd race was a Mountain States Cup Super D race in Copper where I came in tenth.  Again no records but still having a total blast.  

My friends the same age as me think I am crazy doing this stuff but I think they are crazy to be sitting on their arses.  Again, thank you for giving me the confidence to go out there and try some racing and hopefully in the near future I will be in another one of your camps!

Will Edgington
September, 2009

Thanks for the e-mail.  By the way, after completing your camp in Arizona, I dropped 5 minutes off my previous best lap time at the 12 hours of Temecula mountain bike race (59 to 54 minutes).  Obviously, this was a significant breakthrough.  

I’ve also noticed that by being a smoother and more efficient rider and by decoupling my body from the bike, I exert less energy and travel faster.  “Looking to victory” works like a charm.  Most importantly, the basic skills I was exposed to in your camp (and continue to develop) have made mountain biking more enjoyable.

Keith
January 2008

I’ve been wanting to pass on a personal success story.  I participated in my first mountain bike race in Copper Harbor, MI. I placed 6th in my age group (over 6 min. behind 3rd place) on a very technical course. Considering the field, I was happy with the results.

My goal after the BetterRide camp was to be in the top 3 in the same race with a similar field. With my new found skills I placed 1st this time with 2nd place over 7 min. behind. I tore it up! Thanks, I’m always telling people that no matter how much they think they know how to ride a mountain bike, they owe it to themselves to attend one of your camps. A year later I still practice my skills every time I’m out.

BTW, a while back you suggested some reading material. I chose Body, Mind Mastery by Dan Millman. (in audio book form). Not only do I feel it helped my mountain bike skills with things like, how tension is counter productive and how the “opponent is not the enemy, but instead the teacher” it also helped me in my own personal life. Good recommendation!
Keep up the good job.

Rich Schmit
April 2011

Gene and fellow BetterRiders!
I have been smiling all day long today, thinking about our rad weekend together! I taught 4 of my kids how to do wheelies today and they thought I was super cool for a solid 5 minutes until they had it completely mastered and were smoking past my on their rear wheels. 

 
Thank you forever, Gene, for sharing your passion and deciding to teach. An empowering, motivating, completely exhilarating weekend. I feel like a little kid on Christmas morning with my new toy. It was a total honor to cross paths with you all!

Currently standing on one leg while I brush my teeth and dictate this email…
Jen  

Friends took the 3 day a while ago and really enjoyed it.

I didn’t think I was ready for that but I hired him privately for most of a day. Best experience going. It helped my skiing also. Eyes, eyes and balance via movement on the bike. 

Steamboat in the rain…..

John Rostenbur

MTB Skills Camp in Fraser, CO. It was amazing. Phenomenal skills coach, Coach Gene Hamilton, literally broke down the fundamentals of mountain biking in 3 days. Super fun fellow campers. Enjoyed every bit.

Now I need to practice and strengthen some new neural circuits. If you want to improve your MTB skills, no matter your level, take a course from Better Ride.
Patricia George

Thank you, Gene! I thoroughly enjoyed your skills camp. One of the most effective learning environments I have experienced to date. Now it is all about due diligence!

 I am interested in a “day with Gene in Moab” and future course offerings.

Ryan Bertram

 

Gene, The first thing I did was buy some cones. My drive way is pretty steep so can do switch backs there. My pedal wheelies are coming along. Yesterday I had a bit of a breakthrough ride with my vision. On a ride with some small drop offs I realized by using the vision technique I was more balanced, more comfortable and jumped further without trying. 

That was the best clinic I have ever done. Thanks for the reading list. I’ve read a number of those books but I now have more to read.

Don Leet

 

 

Related Posts

BetterRide Turns 25!

BetterRide Turns 25!

Thanks for your support! It’s hard to believe I started BetterRide 25 years ago this month! Learn who inspired and educated me.