Helping a pump track noob
Hi Lee. I’ve been desperately trying to ride our local pump track for a few weeks already. I’ve tried everything I can but don’t seem get anywhere near anything that resembles what I see on the net. What am I doing wrong here? Really hope somebody can help. I’ve resorted to going public with a video of my riding despite how bad it is just so I can get some feedback on what I should be doing.
Dynamodayak Ngieng
Hey Dynamodayak!
Thanks for contacting me. Thoughts:
That track does not follow Pump Track Nation standards for flow. The rollers are too peaky, and there are long dead spots. You’d be rallying one of my tracks.
You are way too passive, especially on those pointy little rollers.
To ride this track, you need a more powerful, punctuated style.
Try to bunny hop over the front of the bump onto the back of the bump. Snap the the back hard then hop over the next frontside. Don’t even touch the fronts of the bumps.
This will be physically taxing — but it’s sweet (especially when you apply this skill to rocks).
Use the back of the bike. Imagine pumping a swing set. Can you feel that pendulum effect? Take it to the pump track.
Braaap! Show us how it goes.
Lee
Know more. Have more fun!
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You weren’t that bad, really, I’ve seen a lot worse… but like lee said it might not be so much you but the track, do you guys have maintenance build days? should suggest adding some more dirt to the rollers to make them less sudden and this will shorten the distance between peak, more sine wave style! also really drive your legs through the back side! good luck, keep at it you will get faster
Get low! More aggression! That track looks rip-able.
Hi Lee, thanks so much for answering me. Boy was I stoked when I saw this. I just got back from a long official trip and as soon as I got back I went straight to the pump track to try every tips I got from the video.
You mentioned bunny hopping into the rollers. Unfortunately, aside from learning pump track riding, I’m also in the midst of learning how to bunny hop too. That and track stand, manual, jumping and everything else. Sorry for being such a dry little noob. I’ve got an extra bike at the office so whenever I have some free time, I practice all these other stuff. Weekend is strictly for pump track. But I’ll try it since you mentioned its a good technique to learn.
I have began to concentrate on the back end instead of just the front. And I think I understand what you meant by the long dead spots now. The peaks needs to be rounder and wider and the rollers made shorter right? I only feel the pendulum effect on the shorter rollers.
Chance, I think they do have maintenance build days cos once I came up and the track was freshly compacted. But not sure if the were done by the riders as this is a privately/semi-privately owned park so they have workers to maintain the park. But I’m quite sure they won’t mind the extra help. I’ll pick up a shovel and join the next one.
Here’s me again trying my best to put everything I read into practice. Hope I’m doing something right this time.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g7g-Qgo0KXM
Btw the ‘more powerful, punctuated style’ you mentioned is like this right?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kqsNioznUC0
Looking better!
Don’t let your front wheel touch the fronts of the bumps. Hop over the front onto the back.
Also: You really should credit the guy who gave you that advice, as well as his site.
YES. Chris Powell knows what’s up! Check him out in the book Pro BMX Skills. BTW, his was the only cogent section in that video.
Thanks Lee!
‘Don’t touch the front. Hop to the back’
I’ll be chanting that on tomorrow morning’s session.
I would’ve never thought to bunny hop over the bumps. Its great cos now I’m also getting some bunny hop training.
As for the credit, its all done sir. Sorry I didn’t put it in earlier. I wasn’t sure if you’d be okay with it. Silly of me for being so paranoid.