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How to parallel bunny hop |
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Mountain Bike Skills -
Trail Riding
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Written by rider_eric
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Hits 719
Wednesday, 25 July 2007
The Parallel Bunny otherwise know as the sideways hop, is to anyone that has riden to work on the street of London a core biking skill, to get you up curbs and avoid over zealous motorists. In essence though this is a pretty straightforward adaptation once you have mastered the basic Bunnyhop skill. It is essentail for sidestepping roots and often to lift you out of ruts whilst out on the trails, as well as a key ingredient to the freeride park and hopping off shore.
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A parallel hop works well for an angle of approach of 30 degrees or less, and can be done at slower speeds than a standard bunny hop. In essence you begin the bunny hop as above, but make a slight lean towards the root or obstacle as you start the jump. As the bike comes up into the air, swing the rear end around towards the object you are hopping. Let the bike come sideways a bit past your center of gravity. (This takes a bit of parking-lot practice.) The bike will land on the far side, aiming in a direction of travel more parallel to the root than before. To break it down..
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Steps:
1. Don't practice initially on a curb. That could hurt more than you think. Start with a twig or a painted line.
2. Ride parallel to the line.
3. Ride crouched down bobbing with the suspension of the bike. You are building momentum now. Angle the toes of your rear foot slightly toward the ground and keep your knees bent.
4. Lean your upper body slightly over the handlebars and keep your weight centered.
5. Roll up to the object point at jogging speed, keeping your cranks horizontal.
6. Concentrate on the correct footwork for the jump: Push your feet down, back, then up in one dynamic motion.
7. Crouch down on the bike just before the jump.
8. Use the footwork and the compression of your tires to explode upward.
9. Go slightly with the front tire first.
10. Lift the front tire up and throw your weight 45 degrees to the front and side.
11. Pull the rear of the bike along (initially, your body is almost over to the side, then you pull the bike under you).
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