Jump to content

Recommended Posts

Posted

Hi all,

 

I'd like to attempt a backflip on my full suspension mtb....

I'm looking for a semi safe place to do it in, and I think it will have to be outside mtb parks, as such behaviour will not be allowed by management.

 

Any places u guys can recommend in and around jhb?

Has anyone on here ever tried or has done it?

 

I'll make sure to catch it on video and post links when I eventually get around to doing it :P

  • Replies 45
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

Top Posters In This Topic

Posted

Alas, the sunninghill foam pit is no more. It's been closed down.

 

Jumping into water is your safest option. As Tumble said, Cam McCaul (one of the masters of dirt jumping) has a set up into his pool. Darren Berrecloth (aka 'The Claw') has a jump set up into a lake. (He wears a wetsuit when he practices... jumping into lakes in Canada can't be pleasant).

 

Otherwise... if you're ready for dirt-to-dirt jump... I know backflips have been done at the MTN bike park. That indemnity you sign... I'm pretty sure it means the bike park is not liable for any "lie-downs", so you can try backflips if you wish to.

 

Dirt jump #5 on the intermediate line and #5 on the pro line would be the ones to do it on.

 

The DHL line has a jump called 'Slevin'... it's probably backflippable.

 

And Dave Hogan does flips... I think at the vlei (not rietvlei).

 

What bike do you plan to do it on? I ask because although your said full susser, a DJ bike would be easier to do it on, and wouldn't require as big a jump... whereas a DH bike would require quite a monster jump (mostly distance wise) in order to complete the rotation.

 

So yeah... which bike, and how much travel?

Posted
  On 5/30/2011 at 5:16 AM, patches said:

Alas, the sunninghill foam pit is no more. It's been closed down.

 

Jumping into water is your safest option. As Tumble said, Cam McCaul (one of the masters of dirt jumping) has a set up into his pool. Darren Berrecloth (aka 'The Claw') has a jump set up into a lake. (He wears a wetsuit when he practices... jumping into lakes in Canada can't be pleasant).

 

Otherwise... if you're ready for dirt-to-dirt jump... I know backflips have been done at the MTN bike park. That indemnity you sign... I'm pretty sure it means the bike park is not liable for any "lie-downs", so you can try backflips if you wish to.

 

Dirt jump #5 on the intermediate line and #5 on the pro line would be the ones to do it on.

 

The DHL line has a jump called 'Slevin'... it's probably backflippable.

 

And Dave Hogan does flips... I think at the vlei (not rietvlei).

 

What bike do you plan to do it on? I ask because although your said full susser, a DJ bike would be easier to do it on, and wouldn't require as big a jump... whereas a DH bike would require quite a monster jump (mostly distance wise) in order to complete the rotation.

 

So yeah... which bike, and how much travel?

 

well I ride an anthem X3 full susie, not sure of the travel but I'm still using a standard Fox RL series shoch on the front and a standard RP rear floating shock. I also have a beater HT Silverback I don't mind cracking in half.

 

I do have a pool at home, but not sure if it's deep enough to coushion my fall. Otherwise MTN Bike park is the most reasonable option. Last time I went there I got all cut up on barbwire so haven't really checked the place out properly.

 

This brings me to another set of questions:

Should I be clipped in mid air?

Shocks should be locked out?

On landing ramp should be made of soft sand?

 

I don't think I'll attemp it before I leave for my EU trip :D

Posted
  On 5/30/2011 at 6:09 AM, jarek.pski said:

This brings me to another set of questions:

Should I be clipped in mid air? No

Shocks should be locked out? No

On landing ramp should be made of soft sand? No

 

Dude, I think you should play around on the BMX track there before you try any dirt jumping.

Posted

Sorry chaps, could I be the drol in the drinking water.

A stunt like this is not to be taken lightly, even with numerous hours of practice you are still going to have to be sure that you have the confidence to actually execute the move.

The possibilities and tragedy of what could happen if something was to go wrong are endless.

Imagine landing on your head, breaking you neck, impact the brain and you never see tomorrow ?

Also the chosen bike is far from suitable.

Can you actually do a decent somersault on your feet ?

Sorry chaps, yeah Dangle is now a party pooper, but look at the worry in my eye that I won't be winning a popularity contest with my comments here.

Posted

There is a foam pit in the Ruimsig area...It belongs to some of the local FMX riders like Sick Nic and his crowd. Try get hold of someone from Ride Authority or the FMX fraternity.

 

I am with Dangle on this one....

Use the foam pit first until you have the trick waxed, as you don't want to have any permanent damage because you were in a hurry.

Posted
  On 5/30/2011 at 6:25 AM, Dangle said:

Sorry chaps, could I be the drol in the drinking water.

A stunt like this is not to be taken lightly, even with numerous hours of practice you are still going to have to be sure that you have the confidence to actually execute the move.

The possibilities and tragedy of what could happen if something was to go wrong are endless.

Imagine landing on your head, breaking you neck, impact the brain and you never see tomorrow ?

Also the chosen bike is far from suitable.

Can you actually do a decent somersault on your feet ?

Sorry chaps, yeah Dangle is now a party pooper, but look at the worry in my eye that I won't be winning a popularity contest with my comments here.

 

totally agree with you Dangle

 

Off hand I only know 2 guys (personally and locally) who can do a backflip. One does it on a BMX, and is a former pro who has raced worlds etc, and can bunny-hop over an upright wheelie bin. The other is a top DHer, who does said flips on a dirt jump bike, and lands the trick less times than he attempts it.

 

Even just to "normally" jump the jumps that would be ideal for a flip, is no small feat... so come "normal" jumping first...

 

But yeah, I wouldn't recommend trying a flip just yet, and not on an XC bike. If you wanna get a feel, do the pool thing even that has it's risks, but please don't try it on dirt just yet. Oh, and a BMX is probably the best bike to jump into the pool... it'll be easier to flip.

Posted
  On 5/30/2011 at 6:36 AM, patches said:

totally agree with you Dangle

 

Off hand I only know 2 guys (personally and locally) who can do a backflip. One does it on a BMX, and is a former pro who has raced worlds etc, and can bunny-hop over an upright wheelie bin. The other is a top DHer, who does said flips on a dirt jump bike, and lands the trick less times than he attempts it.

 

Even just to "normally" jump the jumps that would be ideal for a flip, is no small feat... so come "normal" jumping first...

 

But yeah, I wouldn't recommend trying a flip just yet, and not on an XC bike. If you wanna get a feel, do the pool thing even that has it's risks, but please don't try it on dirt just yet. Oh, and a BMX is probably the best bike to jump into the pool... it'll be easier to flip.

 

Yup, be safe bra. Everyone wants to push their limits, but no one wants to end up in a wheel chair.

Posted
  On 5/30/2011 at 6:25 AM, Dangle said:

Sorry chaps, could I be the drol in the drinking water.

A stunt like this is not to be taken lightly, even with numerous hours of practice you are still going to have to be sure that you have the confidence to actually execute the move.

The possibilities and tragedy of what could happen if something was to go wrong are endless.

Imagine landing on your head, breaking you neck, impact the brain and you never see tomorrow ?

Also the chosen bike is far from suitable.

Can you actually do a decent somersault on your feet ?

Sorry chaps, yeah Dangle is now a party pooper, but look at the worry in my eye that I won't be winning a popularity contest with my comments here.

 

Nope Dangle is the voice of reason .... for once :P (just kidding)

 

Hence me saying, if you really want to try something as stupid as this, do it over water and not terra firma :)

Posted

If someone wants to do something, let them. Everybody has given up on the jumping red lights and riding without a helmet issues. So if someone want to do a back flip, let them.

Create an account or sign in to comment

You need to be a member in order to leave a comment

Create an account

Sign up for a new account. It's easy!

Register a new account

Sign in

Already have an account? Sign in here.

Sign In Now
Settings My Forum Content My Followed Content Forum Settings Ad Messages My Ads My Favourites My Saved Alerts My Pay Deals Help Logout