Originally Posted by
gumbytex
what should I do on a technical descent when there's a big drop that rises up quickly on the other side? I went OTB yesterday because the descent was techy and I didn't have the time or balance to manual my front wheel over the hole. Maybe I should have been going slower...or faster. I dunno. What do you do in that situation (techy steep descent, wheel-sized hole to get across)?
The general answer is that you're supposed to try to land rear wheel first when taking big drops - you get out if the saddle and pull back on the bars to get the front wheel up, and take the shock with your knees as the bike lands. Because the landing is spread out by the lever action of the bike around the back wheel, the shock is greatly reduced. Real stars can take 10 foot drops this way. I can manage about 10 inches... No, I'm lying - I can manage about 10mm on the crosser I'm currently riding! I'm hoping to get back to 10 inches when I fit dirt drops and a short and high stem.
Oh - do NOT touch your brakes until you have finished landing! No, not even the back brake.
I think this is called a wheelie drop, and with that you should be able to google a video of how to do it properly.