I'm fairly new to this MTB lark and over the past 6 months have really enjoyed some great XC.

Anyway - last couple of week a we have been on a some more 'Intense' trails that have even tried a couple of small jumps and drop offs.

This morning we went to Swinley Forest in Bracknell. I was going down a great trail at about 20mph when I came across what looked like a small jump. I though 'Why not'. Well it shot me about 3 or 4 foot in the air and I landed with big bump. All I can remember after that, is seeing a tree stump very close up and rolling along the forest floor tangled up in my bike. FANTASTIC!!! but I am now sporting a large and uncomfortable bruise on my thigh.

What should I have been thinking or doing which would have made my landing any easier?

You should be thinking im GOING to land this! Thinking positively is a huge part of any sport I think, If you think your gonna mess up, you normally do I find.

As for landing, bend your arms and legs as you land to take the sting out, stay loose and relaxed and enjoy your time in the air.

Yeah - I have to say that all I could see was the tree stump while in the air.

If I'm landing on a flat surface I keep my front end high, my weight back, and land rear tire first, and let my legs give with the hit.

Ok the one thing you need to remember is, wear you look is wear you go! One of the hardest tracks in Australai has a forrest section with a rock in their called magnetic rock. Want to know why it is called this? It is on the out sideedge of a chicane that looks like you can jump over it. If you look on the edge and see this rock, chances are you will hit it and hit flip into a bunch of other rocks and trees at considerable speed.

Just look where you want to go before taking off and while in the air. Depending on your style land both wheels at the same time so you can turn quicker than if your front wheel is in the air. Or land slightly front wheel first. If you do this do not land too hard and where your front wheel goes is where your rear wheel will go. I use this second method as I find it the most useful for downhill where every moment you can turn is an advantage.

20mph? that is REALLY fast in the forest. You'd be surprised - 20MPH in the woods (especially technical narrow trails) feels like about 40 on the road.

20 mph - 3 or 4 foot - It's all probably a bit exagerated ... but hey thats what it all felt like at the time. Did I tell you about my catch while fishing the other day it was
|<--------------------------------------this big!---------------------------------->|

hey,
one thing to keep in mind, is to always scout out jumps that you might want to jump. especially that you are a beginner. This way you would know what obstacles you were going to face, and it wouldn't have startled you as much.

All sounds like good sound advice... thanks. Perhaps I should invest in some amour if I intend to do any more of that stuff.