Jumping Safely on a Mountain Bike in Your 40s: Step by Step Progression
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- Опубликовано: 28 сен 2024
- In this video I share my jump progression process. Jumping is one of my favorite parts of mountain biking but also the most dangerous. I'm in my forties now and am doing the biggest jumps I've ever done without any broken bones or trips to the hospital. Like many of you, I do this for fun not professionally so staying safe while I strive to get better is a top priority. By following the steps I outline in this video you can have fun and still progress to doing gap jumps in a safe and healthy way. If you like this video please give it a thumbs up and if you have not subscribed yet, it would be awesome if you did. Thanks for watching!
Helpful Time Stamps:
1. Skip the jumps 2:04
2. Start Small 3:15
3. Repetition 4:30
4. It is OK to walk away 6:20
5. Win the battle in your head - Tips for confidence 8:31
6. Know when to bail 14:31
7. Health Insurance 17:05
My Top Videos of Jumping Progression:
• From Scared to Self-as...
• Finally got back here ...
• We put on a Jump Jam a...
• Back to Sycamore for t...
Jenson USA Ambassador Link:
www.avantlink....
![Stop This 1 Humiliating Jumping MISTAKE with these 3 drills [CRITICAL Safety Advice]](/img/1.gif)
Nice job dude. I am 51 and my son is 16. We both have season passes to Northstar and my son jumps a ton and does a ton of tricks. I love riding the double black diamond tech. I just do small tables. I try and keep it safe at my age but still have fun. This is a great video and helped me a ton. Thanks dude👊👊
@@trailpimp6369 that’s so cool you get to ride with your son. Jumping is definitely not needed to have fun out there. For me, I crave the airtime but can have fun on tech or pure flow d as well. Can’t wait to meet you and your son in person.
@@venacava_mtb Thanks brother same here🤘👊🔥
In my 30s and still need to do this (after a lifetime of BMX riding). The biggest thing is keeping the iron sharp on 'familiar' terrain often. Obviously there are pro freeriders entering their 40s. The average joes biggest problem is being off the bike for a whole month, only doing 10 foot jumps one day... And then trying to move on to 20-25 foot jumps at a bike park or somewhere similar. Aka, riders biggest problem is not being honest with themselves. Either put in the work, or don't "try" to progress.
@@TeddyParker that’s such a good point man. If could redo this I would make that its own section in the video. Thanks for watching dude!
Agree with everything in this 100%. My jumping started as a kid in the 80’s on bicycles, progressed to dirt bikes and some massive jumps (still ride motocross at 53), and has come back now to mountain bikes.
I actually find mountain bikes a little more difficult than dirt bikes because the lightness makes it harder to control…it’s too wispy. But the progression is the same in both disciplines.
@@amoore2165 Still ripping at 53! That’s awesome man. If we are smart about our riding and progresssion we’ll get to do these things we love for much longer. Thanks for watching and for sharing your story!
@@venacava_mtb Thanks. Cleared a gap on my dirtbike recently that was 38 walking paces. Bicycle recently clearing a gap about 12 feet but they both feel about the same in the nerve factor. I do employ everything you spoke to.
The gaps (3 in a row) on the bicycle really bugged me because I knew I could do it but had never seen anyone do it and was always by myself riding. One day ran across a couple strangers doing it. Watched them and asked if they could stick around while I tried it. Was pretty nervous but had to take advantage of SOMEONE being there so I swallowed the nerves and went for it. Accomplishment for the season.
@@amoore2165 smart to wait till someone else was there. Congrats on unlocking that new feature dude!
Great advice. Thanks
@@bud148 for sure man. Glad you found it helpful!
You have to slowly progress your speed and distance. Also avoid jumping when windy. Stay within your limits. I ride a lot and fall rarely due to riding at my own pace. I rode clipless for a while and swapped over to flats after getting stuck multiple times on some switch backs.
@@jasonharris3873 Amen brother! I’m picking up what you’re putting down! 👌
Worst advice ever!!!
@@asifitmatters1 Thanks for the feedback. what’s your take on it?
Don’t listen to this guy. Great video man. I really liked the visualization part. That’s my big takeaway 🏆
@@superbcomplex I appreciate you brother! Glad you found something useful. 😁👊
I left BMX at 35 and built a trail bike this spring. I felt like a goof ball for the first few weeks, but got better after I stopped overthinking it. It’s ok to leave the pro line behind boys, gotta be able to work the next day. lol
@@Gslice-ok4ck that’s awesome! It’s about having fun. We’re not getting paid for this. At least I’m not 🤨😁👊
This is one of the best videos I’ve seen about jumping. Not enough attention is given to the mental aspect of jumping bikes. At a certain point, once a rider has dialed technique, progressing to bigger jumps is largely a mental challenge. Infact I'd say that bigger jumps are technically easier, but mentally waaaaay more difficult. Whereas small, kicky jumps can be technically challenging, but much easier mentally.
@@Wabit01 thanks dude I really appreciate that! Means a lot to me that people are finding this helpful. And what you said about bigger jumps being technically easier but mentally difficult vs small jumps being the opposite I think is spot on! Thanks for tuning in man! 😁👊
😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😮😅😅
42 and just started MTB this year. Totally agree with all of this and this has been my approach too. Start small with everything. I’m still hitting really small jumps but it helps a lot with becoming comfortable in the air. It’s not worth getting injured at this age it takes way longer to heal and I have stuff to do.
@@thebdceigal love it! Thanks for sharing dude. Yeah we’ll get to do this a lot longer if we are patient and know our limits. 😁🤙
55 any just starting MTB MX ADV Enduro
@@nomvonglismerced4311 welcome to the best sport on two wheels! 😁👊
Right there with ya im 39 and just started 1 year ago
Great advice as much as I want to hit the big gap jumps not quite ready
This is absolutely perfect video... I am 39 with 3 years old daughter. My head doesn't allow me to jump :D. I love my bike, but I am very uncomfortable taking it over the ground.
@@drahoslavhorvath And that’s perfectly alright. Do not ruin the fun of biking by doing something you’re not comfortable with. Keep pedaling brother! 😁👊
Been cycling all my life,im 56,used to race bmx in the 80,s did rather well!
But last year my front tyre exploded on impact while jumping a 30 foot tabletop,put me over the front,knocked me out,had a brain bleed,broken collarbone,and broke 5 ribs,my helmet split on the outside,but saved my life,now i have lost my mojo!
I dont jump anymore,literally petrified of it,i stay on the ground now,but iam desperate to jump again,i used to jump huge gaps,big drops etc,but my self preservation instinct literally stops me 😔
@@camperp195 I’m sorry to hear that man. The truth of it is, as much as we can do to be careful and approach riding the safest possible way. Freak accidents still happen. I totally understand the hesitation to jump again after a crash like that. Even with smaller, less injurious falls, that fear is there and it takes time and going back to square one to overcome. Well jumping is just one aspect of riding. I hope you’re still enjoying getting out there and pedaling.
Great video! Just broke my collarbone last march 5. It was a bad crash on a DH line. Now at my 6 or 7th month of recovery. Back riding the trail again, but yes health or emergency accident insurance is important ✌️🇵🇭
@@siltlessdeepseadivecenter-186 glad you’re back on the horse. Stay safe out there!
I'm almost 49 and I am just now starting to get the hang of jumping, though I am still very intimidated by gap jumps...
@@wrckid try turning a gap jump into a table top with some plywood. Then hit it until you know you’re clearing it no problem and then remove the plywood and try again. Might help you get over the mental hurdle.
Just got back into mtb starting to jump small things, but at 60 yrs young, everything feels different then back in my 20s. but will try your ideas out.
@@450gguy hey Carl, the fact that you’re still pedaling at 60 is already a win. I hope I’m still doing this in twenty or so years. I’d love to hear back from you how these things worked in practice. Cheers!
I don't do more than 2-3 run ups, from
Past experience.
@@rickywoods3101 find what works and stick with it 😁🤙
No mention of body armor and protective gear!??
@@foolthepity that’s a great point and I didn’t think about it until it was too late. I think most people are conscientious about that nowadays. At least when it comes to the basics. Not like in the 80’s where none of us were wearing anything, not even helmets 😳. I always have my lid on and at least knee pads. Lately been doing some more gnarly stuff so I’m also wearing elbow pads and torso protection as well. If I were to do this video again, I would have included a section on protective gear.
Can you do one for when you’re over 65 😊
@@WoolyChewbakker I have no experience to speak from 😁. I’ll get back to you in 22 years 😉
Roadies in the dirt.
@@SavageAudits ?
Amazing video dude. New sub here, and very happy to have found your channel. I'm 45 and always debating myself with things like this. Great content, thanks for sharing it.
@@MTB-Portugal Thank you and welcome to the Vena Cava Nation! It’s very rewarding to know you found it useful.
Love this! I'm not a jumper but wanna get to the point where I can. And this advice was great instead of just a "How to" video!
@@MTBQandA well if it isn’t Mr Johnnie U everybody! What’s up man! Thank you for tuning in. So happy you found it helpful. Next time you’re out here we can work on some jumping together. 😁👊
Considering im 49 and ive been jumping since riding bmxes in my primary days. So i think ive got jumping covered. Crashes happen on any bike anywhere.👌
@@MattCullen-vanti totally agree, as I mentioned in the video, crashes are going to happen, especially if we’re jumping. I definitely think we can save ourselves some unnecessary pain and suffering by being measured in our approach. Keep shredding out there! 👊
Great video! I'm in my 40's and at the highest MTB skill level I've ever had. The game changer for me in progression and staying safe was purchasing the proper equipment for the kind of riding I intend to do. I started jumping while in the 1990's while riding a bicycle I bought from Target. I broke the front shock on that bike 3 times. The crash from the 3rd front shock breaking in half also snapped my collar bone (this was off approximately a 6 foot drop). I now ride high quality full suspension bikes and even though I'm hitting 40 foot gap jumps, I've never broken a front shock on a quality enduro bike.
I also had a bad crash in the mid 2000's on a BMX bike where I took a really bad hit to the head on concrete (I wasn't wearing a helmet). After that crash my fear of getting hurt again limited me from hitting big features for a couple years until I realized what I needed was a helmet, not to stay away from big obstacles for the rest of my life. These days I don't hit big features without at least elbow pads, knee pads, gloves, a spine protecting hydration pack, Five Ten shoes, and my helmet.
@@js-pp6dy dude this is a great point and something I probably should’ve included in the video. Proper protection is so important. I think more people are aware of that now a days and maybe that’s why it didn’t occur to me. People just don’t ride without protection these days like we used to in the 80s and 90s. I’ve always got a good helmet and knee pads. And most rides these days I also dawn elbow pads and torso protection as well. Glad you made it through intact all these years and are still riding. Keep sharing the stoke!
Great video and advice Elias! I'm 51, ride since 30 years. I still struggle with bigger jumps and gaps (smaller ones are no issue) and never got the hang of it. But I still want to tackle that blind spot of mine and you point our very important aspects on how to progress. Btw. I oftentimes forget having my compressor turned on and when it tunrs on in the middle of the night, our whole family stands in their beds 😂 And one thought not meant as a critique of the US as a developed country. As a European it's mind-boggling that having health insurance is even an issue you'd have to consider. It's compulsory and affordable over here and it's even there when you loose your job.
@@gobikeyourself hey man, first of all, I love your RUclips handle 😆. That’s great you’ve been able to ride for so many years. When it comes to those bigger jumps I think small gains are key. If you’re comfortable with a small four foot gap, a 5 foot gap is attainable both skill wise and in your head. Then when that becomes easy for you add another. You’d be surprised how fast you level up one small step at a time. That’s funny about your compressor. I purposely bought a “quiet” one for that reason I’m so forgetful. Dude Europe’s got it figured out when it comes to health insurance. Our system is broken 😞. Oh, I just realized I should’ve been speaking in yards up above not feet.🤭 cheers!
@@venacava_mtb Thanks for your Reply Elias! Yes it's small steps that'll make you progress. I need to find time and the motivation to keep working on my jumping skills. Sadly I don't have an easily accessible jumpline near my place, so most of the time I stick to Enduro. I feel more comfortable with my wheels on the gound 😂
And even if you use yeards I still have to google translate that into the metric system 😁 Cheers Christian
Great information all around thanks for all the tips my biggest jump I would say is 8-10 feet .Thanks for the shout out brother
@@broncos_8964 For sure man! You’re doing awesome out there! Keep up the progress and stay safe.
Do you find it easier to jump your ebike rather than your acoustic bike?
@@StefsMTB that’s a hard no. Jumping my pedal bike is way easier and I think it comes down to the weight.
I just started mtb this year and separated my shoulder on Thursday trying a jump that was pretty far. This advice should help when I’m all better. Thanks man. I enjoyed your sycamore jump video, those builders are awesome would love to jump there
@@Dry_Dirt_Daniel oh man! I’m sorry to hear that. I hope you heal up quick and right. I thought about including a section about coming back after an injury but it was getting too long. Maybe I’ll make a separate video focusing on that cause it gets in your head.
There is no such thing!!!
@@MTBMOR 😂 there’s definitely a much more dangerous way to go about it!
Good advice! 53 and stilI jumping over last 23 years. I might add that heavy calisthenics, yoga for strength/balance for us older guys, it’s definitely helped and refine my riding the last few years. Have fun everyone!
@@dangranback7433 that’s awesome man! Good point about the importance of other workouts off the bike too. I need to do more of it. Keep shredding!
So right, it takes work to be able to push. I was in PT for 6 months and it really helped.
Awesome video! Very encouraging!
@@renesperez awesome! Makes me happy you found it useful. 😁🤙
16:04 RIP headphone users 😂 Nice video man, I’m 44 and all this made so much sense. I kinda knew what you were saying anyway, but to hear someone else saying it makes you take note of it I guess 👍🏻
@@ZEODE 🤣🤣🤣 sorry about the mic bump man. I think there’s two in there. Thanks for tuning man. Glad we’re on the same page.
@@venacava_mtb it’s ok, the ringing in my ears has stopped now 😂
Agreed. Sage advice 🤝
@@autologicsalon 🫡 👊
Where’s your home trails ?
@@pauldunay7415 Riverside CA
Have you ever thought of doing a jump progression ride for guys in their 40’s and 50’s?
@@StefsMTB I haven’t but wouldn’t be opposed to it if there’s interest. I’m not certified or anything. I’d have to think about an actual practice routine and folks are at different levels it would be hard to cater to everyone’s needs. It would have to be well defined like this is for absolute beginners or this one for people who are comfortable jumping tables but want to do gaps. Something like that.
@@venacava_mtb I’m expressing interest but I’m on an ebike now so I’m not sure if this matters.
@@StefsMTB it wouldn’t matter for a progression ride like you’re proposing. You can jump with either and I do but I prefer my analog for jumping. But I say you should learn on whatever you ride cause that’s what you’ll be doing it on.
@@venacava_mtb if you ever want some help to do a jump tutorial video we can link up. i've been meaning to get back out to Sycamore.
@@TeddyParker cool man! That would be fun. Plus you’re a better jumper than me. We can use you as the model! 😁👊