Learning BikeTrials - Side Hop

[Jack]

I have a problem learning the SIDE HOP.

When I watched the Ryan Leech video, it just look so damn easy!!! But when I try, I am no where near! See Ryan Leech video below:


Questions:
1. According to the video, the idea is to use the drive train by pedaling down to get the front wheel up. It is very difficult to do for me. Is there another easy way to learn this?
2. What about braking? How is the braking executed?

Any help anyone can give will be much appreciated!!!! I have watched the video countless of times. I can see and visualized it in my head, but this old body of mine just can't get it... LOL...

Thanks.

[bryan]

Try using to 'rocking' method to get the back wheel a little off the ground,then transfer your body weight to the back of the bike to lift the front wheel as high as you can,followed by lifting your back wheel,and pushing the bike to whichever way you wanna go.Note that BOTH BRAKES MUST BE APPLIED AT ALL TIMES ,frm rocking the back wheel off the ground to lifting both wheels.Theres no need to pedal,just pure momentem.

Practise by picking up some speed,then pulling both brakes,lift the back wheel and transfer ur body weight to the back of the bike to lift the front wheel as high as you can,followed by lifting your back wheel,but NOT pushing the bike sideways(Just a little dangerous pushing it sideways on ur first try).

U oso can try hopping sideways on the back wheel frm the rear wheel hop.(I tried this first before attempting the side hop).Method is about the same,just that when u get onto the rear wheel and achive perfect balence,pretend u r gonna seat on the saddle,but once ur butt is close enough to the top tube,use all your strength and burst out of the bike,lifting the rear wheel.Practise enough n u will definately get it!

Hope i help. :)

[Jack]

Yo Bryan!!!

Just read your post... have not been online the whole day today!!! You explained your methods in great details!!! THANKS! Words are better than video... hehe... I think I can do it... at least in my mind's eye... LOL.

I am eager to try it tomorrow morning and see if I can do it. Will update later... :-)

Cheers!!

Jack

[bryan]

Hehe no prob man...

Its actually smth like bunnyhop,just that both brakes r applied n the bike is stationary.Btw i come frm singapore...

[Jack]

Ok... cool!

I tried liao and it worked great with the pivoting. Previously, I tried this method but without pivoting and can side hop a little, but not so easy. The pivoting certainly helped!

After practicing for a while, I can side hop onto a platform that is about 8 inches high... LOL. But I cannot see it going any higher. I guess I need to practice. Any idea how high using this method can go? Will using the "drive train" hop higher? Just curious... hehehe.

Btw, my rear wheel stand is too crappy to try side hopping that way... LOL.

Anyway, practiced today until I whacked my left shin on the pedal while trying... now still bleeding... LOL... I never learn!!!

Did you participate in Round 2 and 3 of the Singapore Nationals? If so then I might have seen you ride... :-)

Thanks again for your help.

Jack

[bryan]

Hehe wear a shin guard next time...

Anyway dont laugh at me but im only 13 and just started trial 1 mth ago.Hehe i ride a monty.Obviously i nvr go comp before...

Btw using the method i can lift my bike about 10-15cm?I dont count or measure.

Try using the rear wheel hop first before hopping onto the higher platform.Just practise alot and u will confirm get it!HAHA

[Jack]

I always wear shin guard... but dunno why yesterday lazy... and thus suffer the consequences... LOL.

13 eh, cool! You only started one month and you already so happening... LOL. You training with some friends? It's always fun to ride with friends... learn so much from each other. Btw, any idea if there is there a minimum age limit to compete in trials? I gotta check that out... hehe.

I am gonna keep at this. Hopefully, I will be able to get it right soon... LOL.

Thanks again.

Jack

[bryan]

Haha i dont really train with friends,as there are not many riders around my area.

But i sometimes ride with walton or han or other riders on Sundays or some other days.

Hehe im not really happening but i just watch n learn frm other trial riders...or maybe learn myself...haha...im still VERY noob...

Hope u improve soon!Haha.

Anyway did u compete in the round 3 biketrial comp at toa payoh park?Saw your name on the entry list but dident see you at the comp...was there riding to...:-)

[Jack]

Cool! I could learn a lot if I ride with those guys... :-)

Here in KL, trial riders are rare and hard to come by. Occasionally, I ride with Syarul and that's about it. Mostly, I will learn from him... hehe.

No I did not compete in round 3. Was there to take photos and videos only... hahaha.... could not even track-stand properly during that time... LOL.

Now a bit better... but no stamina to last even 1 minute of hard riding. Gonna need to train that as well... so many things to learn. Hahaha...

At your age and at the rate you are learning and riding, I think you are going to kick-ass within a year... :-)

[bryan]

Oops sorry i mean round 4.Hehe anyway i oso got not much stamina la.Haha!!!Hehe i a few days ago i twisted(or sprained?can an arm be sprained?)my arm,just when i was getting my rear wheel hop right!Damn!Now got the ride for awhile then rest,ride awhile then rest...

Anyway which of your bike rides easlier?The 20' or the Echo?Just curious to know which wheel size is easlier to ride.Hehe never tried a 26" before...

[Jack]

Yo Bryan,

Ah... ok... I wish I could have made it to Round 4... sigh.

Ouch! I had the same problem. I twisted/sprained my left arm while learning to pivot/rocking and it took me a LONG time to heal. I later discovered that stretching before and after riding is very important.

So now I always go through a series of stretches before riding. I think you should do that too. Not like normal scratches or bruises, this type of injury downtime is very "sian" one... takes a long time to heal... LOL.

I started out on the 26" but progress was slow, as I could not get the feel for learning the pedal-kick or rear wheel stand. After I got the 20", I found that handling the bike was much much more easier and I could progress better. (The 20" lower center of gravity helped a lot. Easier to track-stand and handle.)

Now I practice more on the 26". I only use the 20" to learn new biketrial skills, which I later transition to the 26".

I am still a noob, so I am constantly learning... :-)