What a pump track is
A pump track is a continuous loop of small rollers (rounded bumps) and banked corners, built so that a rider can keep moving without pedalling. Instead of turning the cranks, you push the bike down and into the bumps and then lift or unweight over the tops, which builds momentum. Tracks are often made of packed dirt or asphalt, and they can be small enough to fit in a park. Because the features are low and the loop is short, pump tracks are a popular place for riders to build bike handling skills.
Like any trick riding, using a pump track carries a risk of falls, and surfaces such as asphalt are hard on a tumbling body. A helmet that fits and suitable protection such as gloves and pads make sense, and so do closed shoes and a bike in good condition. Progress slowly, and nobody can promise a fall-free session. If your local track has signs or rules, follow them.
Why it helps your jumping
Rollers teach you how to load and release the bike, which is the same basic movement as the pop in a jump. Berms teach cornering, and the rhythm of the track teaches timing. Many riders find it easier to feel these things at low height than on a big jump. The idea of pushing into terrain to carry speed is explored further in a discussion of pumping technique, but the track itself is the best teacher.
Starting out: ride it slowly
Before you try anything clever, roll the track slowly. Walk it first if you can, looking at how the rollers are spaced and how the corners are shaped. Walking a feature is a habit that carries over to every other kind of riding.
On your first laps:
- Stand on level pedals in a balanced, active stance, with soft knees and elbows.
- Look ahead to the next roller, not at your front wheel.
- Let the bike roll up each bump without forcing it.
- Keep your speed modest, and add a little at a time.
Pumping the rollers
As your front wheel climbs the face of a roller, let your arms and legs bend slightly. As you pass over the top, push the bike forward and down the far side, keeping your weight centred. Think of it as a smooth wave: compress on the way up, extend on the way down. The aim is not to jump but to keep the wheels in contact with the ground while generating speed. When it works, the bike seems to flow along with little effort. Your centre of mass control matters here, because staying balanced over the bike makes pumping easier.
Common mistakes include being too stiff, pushing too early, or pedalling hard instead of pumping. If you are slowing down, try relaxing and making the movement smaller.
Berms
Berms are the banked turns. Enter the corner at a speed where you feel in control, keep your outside foot down and your pedals level, and look through the turn to where you want to exit. Lean the bike into the bank more than your body, and let the shape carry you. If you want to learn the cornering side in more detail, berm technique is covered in its own right, and basic cornering technique helps too. Braking in the middle of a berm can upset the bike, so slow down before the turn if needed.
Etiquette
Pump tracks are often busy, and riders of different levels share them. A few common-sense habits help:
- Ride in the same direction as everyone else, unless the track is clearly marked otherwise.
- Look before you enter, and wait for a gap.
- Do not stop on the track. If you have to, move off to the side.
- Keep the track clean of rocks or sticks, and tell staff or the owner about hazards.
- Give beginners and children space.
General skills park etiquette applies as well. If younger riders are present, family bike park visits are best handled with supervision, and kids should have a helmet and a bike of the right size.
Simple manuals and doubles
Once you are confident riding laps smoothly, you can start to add small things. Two common ones are manuals and doubles. Both are optional and carry extra risk.
Manuals. A manual is rolling on the rear wheel with the front lifted, without pedalling. On a pump track, riders often use the shape of a roller to help lift the front slightly. Learn the balance first on flat ground, since manual progression is a skill that takes time. Keep the front lift small, and keep a finger on the rear brake for safety.
Doubles. A double is clearing two rollers in one go, so the bike rises over the first and lands on the far side of the second. It needs more speed and timing and can send you off the bike if you come up short. Start by clearing a single roller with a small hop, and only then think about doubles. A lesson or a calm moment with a coach is worth much more than hard attempts alone.
Tricks to leave alone
Anything involving rotation or leaving the bike, and any trick you have only seen online, is better left to a skills park with qualified instruction. A pump track is a place to practise rhythm and control, not to try risky moves.
Looking after yourself and the bike
Check tyres, bars and brakes before you start, and look at your bike again if you crash. Take breaks, drink water and stop when you are tired. Choosing protective gear that fits and is comfortable makes it more likely that you will actually wear it. A relaxed, repeated session on a pump track can teach a rider more than a single dramatic attempt.