MTB article : Tricks

The Bunny Hop: This is not a real trick, it's a bloody necessity. Get this down to a fine art, and you'll never smash another rear wheel on a log that you thought you could lift the front over. (Difficulty rating 1/5)

Ride slow, and try to lift the front of the bike off the ground, the front comes up when you pull on the bars. Try to pull the bike up and not push yourself down cause that won't work. Getting the back up is a bit more tricky. Practice by holding the bike on the front brake, then pull up and back on the pedals (Yes, even with flats, it does work and it's not a karma thing with the forces of gravity). Push forward on the bars at the same time if your having difficulties, it may just help. Once you get this sussed then try it when your rolling. Practice lifting the front then the back, a full bunny hop is a fluid combination of the two movements, or a simple lift with your body dead centre over the bike, pulling on the bars and the pedals at the same time.

The Endo: Normally not a lot of use, but combine this with a bit of weight shifting in your in for a right jolly time. (Difficulty rating 1/5)

As your riding along, shift your body weight forward a little at the same time as applying the front brake, un-weight your legs and push your bars forward. Allow the back of the bike to lift up underneath you, leaving you on your front wheel. Get this bit wrong and you'll either just stop or you'll be on your back with the bike on top of you. You need to sus out the balance point for this one, so keep at it. Always wear a lid and maybe some pads. If you start to go over the bars, hang on to the front brake with one hand (for gods sake, don't let the front brake go or your eating dirt) and step over the bars (a cool move in itself if you get the style right).

The 180 Endo: For this, you want to get the back wheel off the floor, pull a bit of a twist move and get the back to swing round while your on the front wheel so that you end up pointing the other way. (Difficulty rating 2/5)

Start like you would for a normal endo, but twist your body slightly in the opposite direction to where you want the back to go. This gets your momentum up. Apply the front anchor and as the back leaves the ground, shift your weight and turn the front wheel so that its 90 degrees through the turn and wait for the back to catch up. If you have given yourself enough of a flick, then you should make the full 180 (one you can get 90 the rest just comes). Watch you don't lean to far in the direction that your travelling or your going to topple over on landing. Practice, makes you bloody hot.

180 Hop: This is a quick move that depends on your initial moves. Blow it early and you'll either be off balance or you wont make the full twist. (Difficulty rating 3/5)

Start with you weight on one side and the bars turned in the opposite direction to where your going to spin. Both brakes on. Bend your arms and legs and twist your upper body around. Keep looking where you want to end up (don't look down) and lift up the bike as if doing a bunny-hop. The first quarter of the turn is done on the back wheel, then you get airborne for a bit. Keep your head facing where you want to go and make sure the rest of you follows. When in the air just keep the bike close to you and hold on. The back should hit first and you should have enough momentum to get the front in line. Get this one sussed and you can have a go at 270 or 360 twists, or try landing on you back wheel and ride of doing a wheelie in a sitting position. (Nice).

Endo 360: I don't have to explain this one do I. (Difficulty rating 3.5/5)

Air time: This is a list of some of the style moves to go for when your getting some quality air time. Always remember, being in the air can't hurt you, its the ground that causes the pain. So, aim to stay in the air as much as you can. Cross-up: With a swift run up and a jump with some kick, you can get the bike laid over into a semi table-top with the back end high, before tweaking the front end back away for the landing. Work at this one because it can look really styled and relaxed.

Nac-Nac: No, its not a type of crisp.

Its a jump move where you get one foot off the pedal and bring it back over the rear wheel and extended out behind the bike.

Can-Can: This is a straight forward jump, except you remove one foot and stick your leg over the top tube.

The trickiest part is getting your leg back where it should be before hitting the hard stuff. Superman: Start practising the good-ol no-footer, but begin to get your feet back behind the pedals and out towards the back wheel. You'll look like Clark Kent in no time.

The Back-Flip: Don't try this at home.

This is some serious shit that should only be attempted by the most accomplished jumper or the most mentally ill hyperactive fool on the planet. Take precautions. Full face lid, shin pads, knee pads, mattress (Yes, mattress, trust me), or try it off a lip over a deep pond (Water is soft). (Difficulty rating 7/5)

Take the run-up at mid-speed, too slow and you won't flip, too fast and your on your arse. You'll have to practice to get it right and it will hurt a lot. Don't break you neck, its not big and its not clever. As you get on the lip, stay loose and shift you weight to the back of the bike (Gibbing out at any point after this = Pain). Compress your arms and legs.

As you get air, arch your back as if your trying to nut the saddle. At the same time, bring the bars to your chest, and kick upwards and back with your legs. (You should now be upside down (Hmmn). As the ground gets back to where it usually is, move your body away from the front of the bike and get ready to take an impact. Landing is very much a hit and miss affair (more usually, miss, then hit - Hard). Once you get it down, ride off is if it were nothing, accept praise and offers of sex, then go clean your underwear.

Article written by April 1999