SKILLS: How to Side Hop into Corners
The key to getting around tight switchbacks and corners always starts with a wide setup to help open up the turn and maintain a smooth arc throughout the turn.
Words: Jared Rando
Photos: Nick Waygood
Every now and then though, getting onto the optimal line to enter can be a bit of a challenge due to the nature of the trail or maybe you’ve just come in a little too hot and ended up on the lower side of the trail.
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A great technique to use in this situation is the “side-hop” to quickly pop up on to the high line and get you back on track. It’s a technique which is best utilised on tighter corners and switch backs but it can also be handy in other situations where you need to get up onto a higher line and don’t have much room to move. In essence, it’s effectively a bunny hop to the side and is a bread and butter trials move. Here’s how to go about it.
Step 1 – Look where you want to go
Although it seems pretty obvious, this really is the key part of setting up for a side hop into a corner. Here I’m on the low side of the trail and looking to pop up high to set up for the switchback ahead. Focus on where you want to end up and imagine putting your front wheel right on that spot.
Step 2 – Lead with your front wheel
Once you have your landing spotted, you effectively want to bunny hop with a sideways motion to that spot. Don’t worry too much about your back wheel as it will follow the front. Pull up like you normally would fur a bunny hop but pull to the side to push your bike across to where you want to go. Think of it as a two part movement with your front wheel going first and your rear wheel following.
Step 3 – Land smoothly and leaning in
As you touch down you need to think about starting the turn as soon as you make contact with the ground. By the time you touch down your bike should already be leaning into the turn with your body getting ready to follow. Look to land as smoothly as possible – if you pull it off right it should feel like you barely leave the ground and the aim is for it all to happen in one smooth, flowing motion.
Step 4 – Focus on the rest of the turn
Once you’ve touched down you should ideally be focusing well ahead in the turn and looking to finish up with a smooth line out. Generally with this technique you’ll be coming into the turn a little slower than you would if you were on the right line to begin with so I always look to let the brakes off as soon as possible to help carry speed through the turn.
Step 5 – Keep low and let off the brakes
As you finish up the turn, look to keep your weight low and the suspension loaded through the turn. On tighter turns exaggerating this motion can really help to generate some traction and speed out of the corner. Aim to dig deep, let your tyres do the work, let off the brakes and rail the rest of the turn to get back on track.
