Pointers on A line for Sunday

[jedinite]

Any one going to be up Whistler to show me some pointers riding A Line.
I have done it twice last year but deciding to improve on Crank It Up before trying A Line again just so as not to slow down the flow of others......call it respect.

I am a strong Intermediate and just new to catching air...I find I come out of the saddle and can hear my shoes clap against the pedals when I land..... not to mention not sure how much pump in the take off....suggestions.

Ill be the old guy on the white RMX with front fender.

[jedinite]

Will be up at Whistler Sunday and Monday

[walleater]

Practise bunnyhopping to give you an idea of how to keep your feet attached to the pedals when in the air. If you just keep your feet flat, the bike is likely to drop away from you. I'm no air merchant but if you think of the jump as a giant mellow bunnyhop (get front end higher than the rear off the lip, lift the rear end back / up with your feet as you reach the highest point, then spot your landing and start to push the front down towards that point which will pivot the bike, keeping your feet attached to the pedals, and land both wheels down at the same time.

Or some bollocks like that. Personally I'd keep practising on CIU until you are comfortable in the air. Or the first two big tables on Heart Of Darkness are nice floaters.

[Knnn]

Taking a dirt jumping session with the folks at Endless Biking would really help you, it did for me.

You worry me when you say you are coming out of your saddle, you should not be anywhere near your saddle during jumps or hucks, but may be I just miss understand.

The reason you are are leaving the peddles is that you are probably going into the jump pretty passively, and momentum just carries you up and away from the bike.

As you go into the jump, down weight on the bike to activate the suspension (push down with both legs with your heels down/toes up), what you call pump, will give you more pop of the lip and help keep the bike pressed under your feet. Then as you start to clear the ground you need to claw the peddles slightly (dip your toes forward and pull back with your feet), which will give you grip and start to bring the nose down into the trannie. It's like an a fast, extended bunny hop over a mound.

You are probably going WTF right now, because my layman's explanation is crap. That is where the Endless Biking instructors really shine, they can explain the mechanics and demonstrate proper technique so you learn the right way.

You might also want to go down to your local Dirt Jumps to practice before hitting up WBP.

Hope some of that helped and have fun at WPB.

[walleater]

Heh heh, yes I'm a Brit Knnn ;) It's all apples and pears innit etc...

[jedinite]

Thanks Knnn & walleater
By what you guys are saying I am definitely not pumping enough prior to take off and the transiton from heels down to toes down clawing needs to be more.

Looking where I land could be a problem....think when I feel the bike drop out from under me my look changes to directly under my front wheel.

Will let you guys know after Monday

[M@M]

I was just going to say it will be easier to learn when you don't have somebody breathing down your neck. But I see that your going Monday.
I found it easiest to just try and keep my balance fore and aft on the bike kinda relative to where the jump is putting me. Its really hard to explain, and I think that Knnn has it right in the description. Lower crank it up I think is a really really good place to learn. The jumps are more moderately sized and in my opinion are a very good place to learn before getting to a-line, but you already know that.

[Hack On Wheels]

I'm just impressed that these guys can describe it... all I know is that I ride into jumps and sometimes I think I pump a bit. One thing that can actually help that I do know: trying to put some style into your jumping, or even just moving the bike around a bit mid air can help... I'm not sure how to describe it better, and I know I'm no good at tricks or anything, but I do know that jumping tends to feel better for me when I do a bit of a table or whip or just something. That way I'm more in control and am actively jumping... I am less likely to have an awkward dead sailor type landing.

[ShoreIH]

Any one going to be up Whistler to show me some pointers riding A Line.
I have done it twice last year but deciding to improve on Crank It Up before trying A Line again just so as not to slow down the flow of others......call it respect.

I am a strong Intermediate and just new to catching air...I find I come out of the saddle and can hear my shoes clap against the pedals when I land..... not to mention not sure how much pump in the take off....suggestions.

Ill be the old guy on the white RMX with front fender.

Well I am no expert, but, "come out of the saddle" are you standing up to jump? If not, do so, It will make life alot safer.

[jedinite]

Thanks guys for the tips.

Today I rode my Rocky Switch instead of my RMX and end of the day I was clearing the tables on Heart of Darkness....progress for a 51 year old.

When I said "out of the saddle" before ...I was trying to explain when the only think connecting me to the bike was my hands on the bars.

Today I stead in contact all the time with my toes down and clawing the pedals once I was air borne.
Could it be...since the Switch is lighter...it responds better to the same amount of pump I was giving my RMX.....does this explain that the bike went a few feet higher and from the same amount of pump?

The Switch seemed easier to bring the rear up...possibly cause it is a shorter bike.

Now I find since I am clearing the odd table I have to look farther ahead.

I guess new limits result in holding my breath also....always something to learn.

All in all it was a productive day at the park...great traction and no crowds.

Thanks again all.

[Knnn]

Great job!

You'll have to show me how to clear them. I can clear most on CIU but not those two ..... yet :)

I'm not sure the weight of the bike would make that much of a difference, because it's the overall weight you are taking about. To get an extra couple of feet sounds like you improved your technique and/or you are more comfortable on a lighter more maneuverable bike.

[mudpuppy]

That's awesome man. I spent a week up in Whistler last year and for the past few years have been trying to keep my wheels on the dirt...I think I got more air that week than the last 10 years on the bike combined...lol.

I can clear just about everything on CIU...there are a few at the bottom that I still suck up...and then those two right past the water tower that I have not cleared yet...I just love CIU...so much. I found Aline just too lippy and I felt like I was getting in the fast people's way...so I will stay off of it till I get more comfortable with air.

I can't add any more info to what these guys say, it's good stuff. Ride to have fun...as long as that smile is pasted on your face you are doing it right. :)

[Stuminator]

When you think of it, a day at Whistler is like 3 days on the shore, with the amount of runs you can make. I always make progress when I ride there.

[walleater]

Good news dood. A lighter bike with less travel will jump easier, partly because the less travel will not suck up the lip of the jump so much. I've had a right laugh on CIU on my hardtail for that very reason.

I agree with a point above about trying to style it up as a way of keeping control of the bike. Unfortunately this is as stylish as I get :lol:

http://photos-f.ak.facebook.com/photos-ak-sf2p/v199/134/109/666307809/n666307809_359173_7947.jpg