How to Bunny Hop on a Mountain Bike

A bunny hop is a technique used in mountain biking; to get up and over an obstacle, while staying in motion on the mountain bike. Mountain bike riders, who master this technique, can get their bike off the ground 1 ½ feet into the air. The world record for a bunny hop is 4 feet.

The technical execution of a bunny hop isn't that difficult. You approach an obstacle, making sure you have some speed. You then lift the front of the mountain bike while leveling the pedals. If your mountain bike is equipped with full or front suspension, than you need to prime the shocks. Press down on the bike immediately before you get to the obstacle.

After you have the shocks primed, you should spring up towards the air. While this is happening, you need to pull up with your hands and feet at the same time. If you accessorized your mountain bike with toe straps or clipless pedals, these will help you achieve getting air more easily. You can still accomplish a bunny hop on your mountain bike with platform pedals, but it will be a little more difficult.

The next part is to stick the landing. Once you successfully bunny hop the obstacle, push down on the bike. You want to make sure you properly absorb the shock of the landing. You will do this by using your arms and legs to absorb the impact.

Executing a proper bunny hop is very popular with mountain bikers. However, it isn't just for show. You will find this skill quite handy while riding your mountain bike on the trail. Like almost anything else, those with the most experience, make it look the easiest to do.

If you are a novice to mountain biking, and want to add the bunny hop to your skills, you need to practice. When you first start to practice, you should start trying to bunny hop over small obstacles. Bunny hopping over larger obstacles can be very dangerous. Bunny hopping large obstacles can be especially dangerous to inexperienced mountain bike riders.

If you are a novice mountain bike rider, don't let the bunny hop frustrate you. It may be a little difficult to accomplish at first. However, just like all mountain biking techniques, practice will make perfect. Just put in the proper time and training on your mountain bike. Before you know it, you'll be catching some nice air and glide over obstacles on the trail. Who knows, you may become so proficient, you can beat the bunny hop world record.