Sidehopping queries

[chunky951]

Hello,
i've been trying out sidehop for awhile now , i cannot seem to get the technique right

When you go up from rear wheel,
do you preload and go straight up,
or
do you jump forward??

any tips to get the feel would be great
i cannot get the tucking motion right and hence my sidehops are limited to wheel height(stinks..iknow)

thanks

[trialsrider50]

My sidehop problem is that I haven't quite gotten the "kick the pedals" part when doing it so I always go backwards a little bit. but basically your susposed to push the pedals enough to take you were you need. sometimes you want to go forward so you drop the front more and kick more. sometimes straight up. straight up would be the best place to start. make sure not to over-preload when doing a hop. people seem to think if they touch the ground with their butt, they'll jump higher. the only that does is screw with your balance. I recommend starting by sidehopping up a curb and going way to high. this will also help you because landing is rougher and you'll learn how to regain balance after a sidehop. but I'm no pro.

[decline]

one thing i have found that helped me on my side hops is looking at where i want to land. focusing on that spot alone. dont worry about making it or not...just do it. and breathing.

here is my usual sequence for side hopping.
roll up...breath...trackstand while focusing on landing spot..breathe...get up onto my back wheel...breathe...do little adjustment hops to get my balance and focus on landing spot...keep breathing...preload...launch up to where i want to land...regain balance.

[rush]

If it makes you feel better, ive been riding for 5 years, compete all the time, managed to come 2nd in the National series in sport class, and I cant sidehop over wheel height.

:(

[PXride]

My $.02
Remember to really commit on your pre load, it isn't just another backhop. Also, watch more videos.

[decline]

PXride has a good point you do need to commit and use the spring from the rear wheel it helps a ton on gettin that good bounce in.

it will hopefully just click one day. thats what happened to me i couldnt side hope over a wheel height comfortibly since i have been riding...4 months...then 3 weeks ago it just clicked and i could hit about 2 and 3/4. just practice.

[chunky951]

thanks alot for the awesome tips, i'll go try em later
Another problem i face is,

i've always seen trial riders sidehopping and IF in anycase they do not make it ..the crank will still *SAVE* them..
But for my case, (i am right footed, i side hop to the left)
i just fall back..

Shed some light eh? thanks

[eastside]

Sidehopping is a combination of pedal kick, pull and releasing the brake at the right time. If you start from one wheel than it wil take practice not to over kick and loop the bike out. You can also start from two wheels. Some say this is easier, some say harder. I learned this way about 7 years ago (too many Ot Pi videos). But in my opinion it is a bit more helpful to shoot from the rear tire. It does'ent limit you to the space 2 wheels does. As someone stated earlier, look where you want to land and keep a positive thought process. When ever I don't make a side hop that's tall, it's because I doubted my self of wasent focusing on take off. Side hopping is one of my favorite moves

[Donkeykong]

Sorry to hijack the thread, but I just wanted to mention to eastside that I love your avataur! :h5:

(Back to sidehopping)
-Mark

[music_maj_34]

I've been practicing lately from 2 wheels and always seem to land on my front wheel. Not sure if that makes a difference or not, but It seems like I have a little more control doing it that way than when I am on my rear. I have a tendency to just hop straight up and not over when I am on my rear. Granted I really only started focusing on this recently. I can get up on 5 pallets at this point from 2 wheels. (Not sure if that is good or bad, but I was pretty happy when I made it)

[eastside]

A good photographer took that one. :)
It will be nice to ride with you again Mark.

[eastside]

When I side hop from either front or both wheels I always try to aim for the front wheel. It's a good habit to get in IMO....But as long as the bike ends up on top of the obstacal your in good shape :bigthumb:

[stickyworm]

Helpful excercise to learn back wheel side hops, I like to start on the back wheel on an object at front tire height when on my back tire, so that I can almost set my front right on to the obstacle. Preload and put the front tire on, then pivot your back tire on. Do that enough and you won't be pivoting anymore, the motion is similar, only done fast enough and with enough force and you'll be in the air over the obstacle. Now go find something bigger when that is effortless.