Video: How to Gap Jump and Back Hop with the Drop & Roll Tour's Duncan Shaw

16 Comments

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markmcmurray (Mar 16, 2019 at 1:02)

Perfect. Something else that I'll never be able to do. These videos would be so much more useful if he was showing a non expert how to do it, highlighting the mistakes and how to avoid them. It may take more than 4 mins but would be worthwhile viewing.

12 1

WAKIdesigns (Mar 16, 2019 at 1:40)

Ryan Leech Connection ekhem khem...

BenPea (Mar 16, 2019 at 3:40)

Agree, but that would take some serious editing.

plan4 (Mar 16, 2019 at 5:38)

Thank you for this suggestion! @WAKIdesigns:

WAKIdesigns (Mar 16, 2019 at 5:43)

@BenPea: yes it does. That’s why it is nearly a fulltime job for Ryan to make online riding courses. But I must give Duncan some credit for taking the skill apart. Some online “tips” videos are horrendous.

freerabbit (Mar 16, 2019 at 6:43)

Well, I get your point but if you're an non expert, trying to do those moves is a little like trying to run without being able to walk. I'm not saying it's impossible but it will be a lot more difficult. Most of us just want the goodies but don't want to make the gradual progression required and put the efforts to get there. Just watching "how to" videos won't get you there. As Waki said Ryan Leech is exellent.

Duderz7 (Mar 16, 2019 at 7:40)

How do you define"non expert" obviously one needs to be comfortable on their bike before attempting such maneuvers. I believe he shows the technique on larger obstacles such as benches and ledges so you have a chance to see it. It's up to us to apply it where our abilities allow and work out way up. Start with a curb or similar and work your way up.

bholton (Mar 16, 2019 at 9:55)

@WAKIdesigns: There are no other courses like the Ryan Leach courses. I learned the Wheelie by purchasing his course. Ryan effectively disassembles the Wheelie and teaches us how to put it together. While I enjoy these little video clips and appreciate the efforts that have gone into them they only remind me of what skills I will go to Ryan to learn next. His teaching style and methodology works for all ages. His program is assembled and presented professionally with ease of access. If you want learn something badly enough invest in it.

WAKIdesigns (Mar 16, 2019 at 10:23)

@bholton: how do you experience the “nice Waki” in the Facebook group?

aljoburr (Mar 17, 2019 at 0:47)

Well is all about practice until you get it, if you think your never going too get it, you have give up before you start?

bholton (Mar 17, 2019 at 17:11)

@WAKIdesigns: is that the Waki that hasn’t just been on a Protour debate. I miss those days, sometimes.

DHFX (Mar 16, 2019 at 12:09)

I run a small local skills clinic on the side and coming from a trials background, this is how I break it down.

Step 1: Learn to trackstand.
You can do this by draping a towel over your front wheel and wedging it into the corner of a wall. Have your pedals at about a 2 o'clock position, stand up on the pedals and lean forward, your body weight will drive the wheel into the corner and the bike will self balance.
As you move your body further back, it requires more balance as the tire is becoming unweighted from the corner. Practice this way until you don't need the wall.

Step 2: Wheelies/back wheel hops.
Similar to practicing the trackstand, you'll need to find a set of steps next to a wall. Place your front tire on the 2nd or 3rd step, hold both brakes, climp onto the bike and lean against the wall. This will help train your brain what it feels like to have the bike leaning backward and help encode the confidence your mind requires to not send a "panic" signal to your body when the front wheel comes off the ground.

These two basic skills practiced the way I outlined here will help your riding greatly while avoiding injury just "going for it" without anything to stabilize you.

bholton (Mar 16, 2019 at 7:57)

I like the part at the end where he track stands his bike with one hand on the bar and summarizes what we just saw. I was mesmarized by that trick let alone the subject of the video.

bikerjunkie (Mar 16, 2019 at 10:54)

as I'm totally new to trials, should I learn the track stand perfectly before attempting this trick?

Mondbiker (Mar 17, 2019 at 2:19)

You should learn trackstand no matter what type of riding you do, just like riding over narrow obstacles like kerbs etc. It will make you better rider and also give a bit more confidence when riding slow technical terrain.

bikerjunkie (Mar 16, 2019 at 13:55)

Okay, sounds good. I've never heard of the towel trick, but it sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the help.