Pro tips

Always begin with a drop that’s small and safe. A kerb or a drop lower than your bike’s axle height is a good starting place to practise the technique and build your con idence.

Make sure the run-in, lip and run-out are all safe and free from obstacles.

Drops have a ‘point on no return’ where it’ll end in disaster if you try to grab your brakes. Start small so you can feel con ident hitting the drop without panicking.

If your landing sounds heavy, something’s not quite right.

Bike set-up will help. Make sure your seatpost is low and your brake levers aren’t rolled too far down as this can affect body position considerably.

Don’t just pull up on the handlebar with your arms because this will result in the front wheel dropping too early. Instead, pop or move back – these movements will keep the bike in the air.

As you ride up to the drop, avoid hanging off the back of the bike or you’ll have nowhere to move to help lift the front wheel.

If you drop your bum so far as to hit your back wheel it’ll have the same effect as pulling on your brakes and send you over the bars.