Video: Five Ways to Jump Gaps with Duncan Shaw

 About the responsiblity of doing stuff like this while the world is busy with COVID19. I agree, it is dangerous, as are many things. Personally this video doesn't bother me in terms of COVID19 impact, and here is why.

For Mr Shaw, this is clearly well within his skill/comfort level (he does this for a living), so I'm not worried about him for things this "small". Also, the ground is soft (he clearly set up the area to practice on, and its loose gravel to soften the impact).

It is true, this type of stuff surely is more dangerous than just walking around, and you could absolutely hurt yourself. But, I'd actually wager its less dangerous than many other more "normal" trail rides, because the main factor for getting hurt is usually the speed, which really magnifies the force of the impact.

If you look at the video, he's not getting much higher off the ground than if he was jumping from board to board on his feet. I'd also assume a beginner would be going much smaller than this when learning. It seems most likely that you'd trip and fall a foot or two.

Not telling anyone how to live their life, but if you watch the video and think "that looks doable", you're probably in the target viewer, and have some trials skills, I don't think its a horrible choice. I'd imagine to most people that are into trials riding, this is kind of the equivalent of practicing manuals in the backyard.

Just be realistic with your evaluation of your personal skill level, and if anything, to err on the side of caution. Going outside of your skill range/level is a sure way to get injured, which of course we're all trying to avoid.

Personally, I think this is an interesting video, mostly to figure out the technique. Even though I'm (very) far below this in skill level, I think some of it applies to the endo turns/ manuals/etc that I've been practicing in my driveway to sooth some of the trail desire during lockdown .

 Wow. Thank you so much for this. The slo-mo from 1:08 to 1:14 was revealing. Until those moments, I always thought the forward motion was mostly done by a quick stab of the cranks. Now I see it is mostly body weight shift and throwing the bike. Inspired to go back to dabbing around with trials moves (pun intended). I have just the obstacle in mind...

 dang.. wish I could do some of that stuff. key here seems to me is the right type of bike.. no way I could do that on a XC 29er or the 34lbs Dirt Bag I like to ride. as for the C19 -- ehh, not worried about him making the video. he clearly knows what he's doing. It's all the nuub's and mall rats totally out of their element getting into the mix only because C19 is just now finally getting them off the couch and off their phones.

 Damn - I wish I can do a manual and a bunny hop properly. These guys' got skills and they make the gap jumps look so easy! But I like to see them do it with a full suspension mountain bike rather than with a rigid trials bike.

 First step in jumping gaps with Duncan Shaw- Meet Duncan Shaw... I practiced everything in the video but I'm still just doing it alone

 Used entry level trials bikes are cheap. I purchased a 2005 norco evolve for 200$, ground and tarred the back rim and now Im hopping fool.

 That's so freaking cool. I'm amazed at how much work, focus, and dedication goes into stuff like that.

 how to jump and hop gaps - fiirst go out and buy a specific trials bike.......

 love don't judge.