>>>>> “Rusty” == Rusty DeShazo rgdeshaz@juggler.b23b.ingr.COM (Rusty DeShazo)
>>>>> writes:
Rusty> I approach the curb at a moderate rate, then right as the tire makes
Rusty> contact with the curb I jump while pulling on the front and back of my
Rusty> seat.
My current method is to jump before I get to the curb. I used to be only able to
do this when my pedals were level and the right one was forward. I can do the
left now as well, but still tend to miss it reasonably often. The hardest part
about this is judging when you should take off, but you learn to make slight
adjustments in your approach angle so that your pedals are where you want them.
One way to practice this sort of jumping is just to ride along and hop over a
line on the ground (or even do it with no line). When your pedals get level,
the back one stops you and you pop up. I only hold the seat at the front.
Eventually you can do this with every half revolution of the wheel. A more
advanced practice is to ride along a paved sidewalk and try to jump over every
line (or every second line to begin with). This forces you to make decisions
about when to jump
(i.e. with what foot forward).
A 20" wheel goes 5 feet per revolution, so you may end up having to take off 2
feet or so from the curb (though in practice this wont happen as you’ll learn to
anticipate this and change the approach angle).
I prefer this method as you never stop and it’s probably smoother and nicer
looking than the ride into the gutter and then heave up method.
I do a similar thing when jumping off things. Just before the edge, I do a
small hop off, so I’m actually airborne before going over the edge. I feel like
I have more control this way - the pedals are already set for the landing,
rather than just riding off and having to try and get them positioned properly
whilst you’re falling. Again, I think it probably looks better (though I
haven’t seen anyone else doing it (in my very limited contact with other
uniiers)). Also (again) you get used to making small adjustments in your angle
of approach so that the pedals are at the right place when the edge arrives. I
got so good at doing this for my right foot, that I found it very difficult
(for a while) to get my left foot at the front when coming to a jump - my right
foot would just always be there…
I hope this helps. Terry.