Getting over Logs

[Sharon1958]

Hi,
I recently watched a MTB video, and one section was dedicated to getting over logs. I'm still not clear about step 1 of the explanation:

1. Get a pedal push from a 12:00 position.

2. Front-load.

3. Lift the front wheel.

4. Shift weight forward.

5. Lift the rear wheel.

To me, it seems that if you push from 12:00, it would be difficult to keep the pedals even at 3:00 and 9:00. Why can't you just pick up some speed, keep the pedals even, do 1/2 bunnyhop, and then shift forward to clear the rear?

Is anyone following this? I'm getting confused just talking about it. I'll experiment this weekend, but in the meantime, can anyone clarify?
Thanks.

[jerseygirl]

This was one of the drills at one of Justbill's skills clinics I went to last summer. I would suggest checking one of his clinics out if you have the chance. Videos are o.k., but it's much better to experience it in person and try it out. I'm sure it will take a lot of confusion out of it.

[Sharon1958]

I totally agree - it's much better to do it in person. I do plan to attend his skills clinic @ Great Brook on 7/9.

However, I've found that a good video can really help with technique in other sports - but it needs to be very clear, and it is best for refining basic skills.

[peterdbikes]

It is easier to j-hop the log, especially if it is large.
Approach log at a good speed...5 mphish. You need momentum!! Lift front wheel and when it is at the top of the log, Push the bike forward while rolling your wrists forward. You will come off the saddle a bit and the bike will arc over the log with your weight over the rear. Once you get the technique and timing down, you will be amazed at what you can clear.

[SloMoJo]

Well said Peter.

To your question Newie .... the pedal stroke really helps you get the front up at a slower speed. That move of pedal stroke to get the front up is so key with obstacles. It will save you from endos. I find that pedal stroke helps me move my weight correctly as well.

When you have confidence in that move then try raising front end with just forward momentum and no pedal stroke.
Nothing worse that hitting a log at speed and not getting the front end up enough. We all know what happens then. ;)

Logs 6 inches or less try the manual lift. Any bigger try that pedal stroke lift.

Anyway... look at you going afta log hops now.
That's progress .. good show. :)
-Slo

[comtom1]

The best thing you could do is practise and do what feels right to you.start out with a small size log and work tyour way up. Speed and mo are your friend load the front end just befor the hop and pull. I just bought the mountian bike skills books by Brian Lopes. Great book as well lots of tips and advice.

[MrsCouch]

I think it depends on the size of the log. Typically, I do the pedal stroke move to get over most logs/rocks/roots/obstacles. Giving one hard push with your dominant leg will actually raise the front of the bike for you, without having to do a lot of lifting on the bars.

Practice this out on the grass. Sti on your bike, clipped in, and from a stop or just barely moving, put your dominant leg at 12:00 and give a hard push with that leg. You should see that you can lift the front wheel off the ground. Careful just how hard you push - don't want to fall over backwards!

BTW - this is a REALLY hard technique to explain to people, but it will definitely help you!

MrsCouch

[Quo Fan]

This is your basic "wheelie" maneuver. All you need to do is be able to get your front wheel over the object. Practice by placing a 2 X 4 on the ground and getting your front wheel over that. When you get good at that, turn the 2 X 4 on its side and get over that. The 2 X 4 is small enough so if you don't get your wheel over it, you won't go flying over the bars.

[Sharon1958]

So this is different from bunnyhopping (which I've been doing all over the roads).

When I do "my" version of a bunnyhop, I pick up momentum, level the pedals, and jump up so both wheels lift at the same time. Is this good for anything at all? It gets a little tiring after awhile.

[Quo Fan]

Mostly, I like to roll over things, because I can't do a proper bunnyhop. I've seen video of H-Ball doing a bunnyhop, and there is no way I can do what he did. Besides, being as slow as I am, I usually don't have enough speed to carry me and my bike over objects if I try to lift the bike over them.

Ahh yes, the log hop.

I know some riders like to see if they can get over whatever gets in their way. Fallen trees, rock walls, 55gal drums, small kids. These mutants are primarily show offs and better suited to circus life or street performances and should not be emulated.
That being said, if you have the desire, Set a goal then persue your dream.

I have tried to explain how to do this both verbally and in writing many times. I think all the advise above has quality content.

When i help riders at the skills clinic I first evaluate the method they are using and then give them a drill to practice in order to develop a pysical memory. The log hop is a complex skill that requires multiple simple skills linked together. Most riders are missing just one of those skills or are doing them in the wrong order. As the log size grows, then the method also changes.

Start small, relize most book advise works great for the size and gender of the author, and that the geometry of your bike and how it fits you will effect the learning curve and restrict the level of your success.

I look forward to meeting you at the clinic. Please introduce yourself with your screen name. I read in earlier posts how SloMoJo was helping you, thats ok, I'm sure we can reverse the damage.

bill

(dont make me find the thong pic)

[truckboy]

So this is different from bunnyhopping (which I've been doing all over the roads).

When I do "my" version of a bunnyhop, I pick up momentum, level the pedals, and jump up so both wheels lift at the same time. Is this good for anything at all? It gets a little tiring after awhile.


That is also my definition of a bunny hop. It's useful for jumping over stuff at speed without touching anything... maybe fun is a better word than useful. More to the point, it's useful for developing the skill you're working on. I recently went to Bill's impromptu clinic on this and had the bunnyhop skill to start. He had me practice that for a minute.

Then he had me practice pulling a wheelie while standing on my pedals - had to lower my seat to avoid falling into old habits.

Then he had me practice pulling the wheelie while standing and keeping my body at 90* to the ground, which brings the handlebars close to your chest.

Then he had me practice my bunnyhop while trying to throw the bike forward. This involved getting my body forward while crouching on the bike before springing upward (compression seems like a good term here). Then upon "hopping" I was to also push my body back or the bike forward. Maybe practicing that while just rolling would be a good in-between step if you're not sure what I mean. Crouch-lean forward-push handlebars forward, body back-repeat. Maybe try to move forward without pedaling by this method.

Then he had me put it all together. I have to admit here that, like yourself, I had a hard time with the pedal part. On a smaller log it was somewhat useful but the transition from pedal/wheelie to lean forward is awkward and I would be still trying to do that when the log smashed into my rear wheel. I seldom had time to transition to "throw the bike forward". I found it easier for me to fly up to the log, yank the bars up (pedals flat) and put my weight forward just like I do when I'm trying to get up a steep, short rock-face, but instead of pedaling, I then did the "throw the bike forward" move I tried to describe in detail above.

It worked. I'm better at this now. I still need practice, but that day people were telling me that the bumping I was feeling was my back wheel hittingthe backside of the log I was going over, and that was the big pile in the Jenkins Rd. lot at HP.

Hope this helped.