Tricks on the trail, in a sensible order
Mountain bike tricks have practical uses. Lifting a wheel clears a root, hopping helps with a log, and a small drop turns a ledge into a smooth roll. They are also fun, which is reason enough to learn them. The key is order: each skill below builds on the one before it, and none should be rushed.
These skills are risky. Falls are common while learning, and drops and jumps can cause serious injuries. Wear a helmet and protection that suits the terrain, practise on flat, open, traffic-free ground first, and move up only when the current step feels easy. No article can promise you will land any trick or avoid being hurt. Flips, spins and tailwhips are for trained riders at skills parks with qualified instruction, and they are not covered here.
Step 0: the basics underneath
Before any trick, you need a relaxed stance and reliable brakes. Practise the neutral riding position with level pedals, soft elbows and knees, and your eyes up. Do a quick check of brakes, tyres and fastenings before every session. These habits matter more than any single trick.
Flat pedals and sturdy shoes are generally easier for learning than being clipped in, because you can step off quickly. This is a general point; ask a shop if you are unsure what suits your bike.
Step 1: the manual position and front wheel lift
The first real trick skill is lifting the front wheel. From a slow roll, bend your arms, push your hips back and straighten your arms so the front wheel rises a little, then shift forward to lower it. It is a weight shift, not a pull with the arms.
Practise on grass or smooth dirt, at walking pace, aiming for a few centimetres of height. A rolled-up towel or painted line gives a target. Keep a finger or two near the rear brake so you can calm the bike down if it rises too far. Stop at the first sign of tiredness.
Step 2: lifting over small obstacles
Next, use the front wheel lift to roll over a low obstacle such as a small stick or a tennis-ball-sized rock. Approach slowly, lift the front, and let the rear wheel roll through. Gradually choose slightly larger obstacles only when the last one feels easy.
This step is much more useful on the trail than it seems. It teaches timing, and it makes small hazards less scary.
Step 3: the bunny hop
A bunny hop lifts both wheels. It combines the front lift with a push down and then up through the pedals, followed by pulling your knees and feet toward the bars to bring the rear wheel up. The bunny hop technique is complex enough that most riders need many short practice sessions.
A cautious plan:
- Practise the front lift until it is smooth.
- Add a small forward push of your hips, then spring up as you lift.
- Try hopping over a line on the ground, then a rolled towel.
- Only after that, try a low obstacle you can see over.
Slipping pedals are a common cause of falls, so check your shoes and pedals. If you find it hard to get both wheels off the ground, that is normal. Some riders take weeks or months.
Step 4: pumping and small rollers
Not every trail trick leaves the ground. Pumping, which means pushing the bike into the backs of small bumps and unweighting over their tops, builds speed without pedalling. It trains the same weight shifts you will need later. A pump track is a good place to learn it, because the rollers are smooth and progress comes naturally. Beginners should start slowly and keep their speed modest.
Step 5: rolling down small drops
A drop is a ledge you ride off, with the bike dropping to a lower level. The word often scares riders, but a very small drop, taken at a gentle roll, is mostly a matter of staying relaxed and centred. The most important rule is to walk the feature first and look at the landing. Walking a feature before riding it is standard practice among experienced riders.
For a first small drop:
- Choose one that is clearly low, with a smooth run-up and a flat or gently sloping landing.
- Roll in slowly and keep your pedals level.
- As the front wheel leaves the edge, stay balanced and let the bike level out.
- Let your arms and legs absorb the landing, with your eyes looking ahead.
- Repeat several times before considering anything higher.
Speed is rarely your friend on a drop. Many drop-offs are best taken slowly, with no jump at all. If you feel doubt, walk it. Bigger drops are better learned at a bike park with instruction.
Step 6: small jumps and beyond
Jumps are the next category, and they are best introduced at a bike park, ideally with a lesson, where features are shaped and have safe landings. Trail jumps of unknown quality can be unpredictable. Wheelies, manuals and rotation tricks sit even further along; they involve balance beyond what many beginners have, and mistakes can mean a hard fall. Do them only when the basics are second nature, and consider an instructor.
Protection and falling
A helmet is the baseline, and many riders add gloves and knee or elbow pads when learning tricks. A good guide to choosing protective gear can help you decide. Practise bailing out too: if a trick goes wrong, it is generally better to step off, release the bike and relax than to hold on rigidly. This is also a good reason to pick a soft, forgiving surface.
Keeping it enjoyable
Short, regular sessions beat long, tiring ones. Film yourself if you like, rest between attempts, and bring a friend. Skip sessions when conditions are wet or slippery, or when you feel low on energy.
Tricks add enjoyment to mountain biking, but the point is to stay in one piece. Take each step at your own pace, and treat every small success as a good day.