| If you have recently started mountain biking then you | | | | if you fell off the bike over the jump. So look out for |
| may be now wondering where the best places to go | | | | rocks and other large objects which could potentially |
| are and which course are the best to take. Some | | | | cause problems. |
| riders even consider creating their own course. There | | | | Once you know that the places where the jumps will |
| are many advantages to designing your own course | | | | go are safe, you then need to go about actually |
| and so if you can find somewhere to build one then it | | | | creating the jumps. To do this you will need rakes and |
| might just be an idea worth considering. | | | | a shovel. You can make the jumps whichever size |
| Creating Mountain Bike Jumps | | | | you like and if you are just starting out it would be a |
| Every mountain bike course has some form of jumps | | | | good idea to create smaller ones to begin with. |
| incorporated into them. However if you are starting out | | | | Basically you dig a hole where the jump is going to be. |
| then it would be a good idea to first learn how to jump | | | | Pile the dirt up next to the hole and try and make the |
| before you actually attempt it. Creating your own | | | | hole slope whenever you can. This helps it to be used |
| jumps on your own mountain biking course will enable | | | | as a landing spot too. You can create a jump in any |
| you to make them as difficult as you like. So if you are | | | | shape that you like. Just as long as you ensure that |
| just starting out it would be a good idea to build quite a | | | | there is plenty of landing space and that they are |
| few beginners jumps. | | | | packed down well to enable a smooth landing. |
| The main thing which will affect how many jumps you | | | | As well as digging a hole, you can create jumps by |
| create and what type of jumps they are will be how | | | | piling dirt up. So when you dig a hole and you have |
| much space you actually have. Remember that you | | | | piled the dirt up at the side, you can then take that dirt |
| will need to leave enough room in front of the jump for | | | | and create another jump nearby. Always remember |
| you to land properly. You also need to ensure that | | | | that you will need to pack the dirt closely together in |
| there is enough space before the jump to gather | | | | order to have a safe jump. |
| enough speed to actually take it. Jumps can be | | | | Overall creating mountain bike jumps is not overly |
| potentially dangerous and so it is always a good idea | | | | difficult. However, it does need to be done properly if |
| to look around the jump which you are creating to see | | | | you are to make it as safe as possible. |
| what is around it and whether you could hurt yourself | | | | |