Dirt Jumps

AUTO CYCLE index the stable riding spots for sale reviews tech tips dirt jumps links forum contact MOTO HOME	DJHOME - SUMMER 2002 - SUMMER 2003 - DJLINKS Summer 2002 The Bump is a partially wooded area on private property north of Toronto. It is approximately an acre and a half in area, maybe more, maybe less. City-folk like myself tend to be very poor at estimating exactly what an acre is. The area is secluded, with no direct access without squeezing between a building or two, and the landowner is known to have guard dogs. Two years ago, with permission from the landowner, we began building bicycle dirt jumps in the foreground area of the photo above. With limited manpower, we ended up with a small tabletop, a slightly larger sized tabletop/tombstone, and a berm that was supposed to lead to a four or sixpack. The photo at right shows the larger tabletop and the berm. The photo below left shows the larger tabletop under construction. This summer, however, we moved our jump building to an area along the back of the property that is better suited for dirt jumps. The area that we first started building in was quite soggy in the spring in the lower sections, and the upper sections were "furrowed", so that we had to basically flatten each furrow leading up to the jumps. Very labour intensive. The new jump building area has no furrows, and is very well drained. It is also even more secluded, with better protection from the sun on those hot summer days. So far we have a large sized tabletop (actually a double made into a tabletop using skids), and the beginnings of a medium size tabletop (again with skids). Since there are no furrows to flatten, more time can be spent building the actual jumps. Another advantage of the new spot is that it runs along the treeline with a gradual downslope, turns 90 degrees (perfect for a big berm or hip jump, or both), runs down another gradual downslope, then has the potential for another 90 degree berm leading to a long gradual slope down a small water runoff that is dry in the summertime, and not too wet in the spring. We have also been cutting some XC trails criss-crossing the property. These are obviously quite short, what with only an acre and a half to build on, but with the future addition of some man made drops, bridges and jumps, they should be very entertaining. There is actually a fairly steep hill right in the middle of the property that will do nicely for a large ladder bridge to drop with a nice tranny, and it could also serve as a launch run in for a big kicker. Another addition we added this spring is a small ladder bridge to ride over the soggiest lower section in the springtime. In the past we had to find the shortest distance across the soggy area and slog through, but now we have a nice ladder bridge to ride over. Makes bringing the wheelbarrow over much easier, as well. Dirt Jumps Home Summer 2002 Summer 2003 Dirt Jump Links

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DJHOME - SUMMER 2002 - SUMMER 2003 - DJLINKS

Summer 2002

The Bump is a partially wooded area on private property north of Toronto. It is approximately an acre and a half in area, maybe more, maybe less. City-folk like myself tend to be very poor at estimating exactly what an acre is. The area is secluded, with no direct access without squeezing between a building or two, and the landowner is known to have guard dogs.

Dirt Jumps 2002 Two years ago, with permission from the landowner, we began building bicycle dirt jumps in the foreground area of the photo above. With limited manpower, we ended up with a small tabletop, a slightly larger sized tabletop/tombstone, and a berm that was supposed to lead to a four or sixpack. The photo at right shows the larger tabletop and the berm. The photo below left shows the larger tabletop under construction.

This summer, however, we moved our jump building to an area along the back of the property that is better suited for dirt jumps. The area that we first started building in was quite soggy in the spring in the lower sections, and the upper sections were "furrowed", so that we had to basically flatten each furrow leading up to the jumps. Very labour intensive.

The new jump building area has no furrows, and is very well drained. It is also even more secluded, with better protection from the sun on those hot summer days. So far we have a large sized tabletop (actually a double made into a tabletop using skids), and the beginnings of a medium size tabletop (again with skids). Since there are no furrows to flatten, more time can be spent building the actual jumps.

Last year's table under construction Another advantage of the new spot is that it runs along the treeline with a gradual downslope, turns 90 degrees (perfect for a big berm or hip jump, or both), runs down another gradual downslope, then has the potential for another 90 degree berm leading to a long gradual slope down a small water runoff that is dry in the summertime, and not too wet in the spring.

We have also been cutting some XC trails criss-crossing the property. These are obviously quite short, what with only an acre and a half to build on, but with the future addition of some man made drops, bridges and jumps, they should be very entertaining. There is actually a fairly steep hill right in the middle of the property that will do nicely for a large ladder bridge to drop with a nice tranny, and it could also serve as a launch run in for a big kicker.

Another addition we added this spring is a small ladder bridge to ride over the soggiest lower section in the springtime. In the past we had to find the shortest distance across the soggy area and slog through, but now we have a nice ladder bridge to ride over. Makes bringing the wheelbarrow over much easier, as well.