Skills

Road gaps and step downs are a surprisingly common feature on mountain bike trails. Not only as a feature, but also as a way to double up features which line up just right when heading down a trail. For big jumps, road gaps are probably the easiest build option as most of the work is already done - smooth out a landing, build a kicker, clear a run in and next thing you know its Rampage time at the local trails. They are common, but also can be pretty bloody dangerous if you come up short or go too far. The fact that you pick up speed as you drop makes it all that little bit shadier. Big road gaps are an advanced feature. Work your way up, conquer small to medium sized doubles and learn how to control your bike's landing angle before you even think about attempting a sizeable gap. Here are some tips on how to get it done safely

SPOT YOUR LANDING 1Keeping an eye on your landing is crucially important as you approach the lip. Most step down or road gap lips will be relatively mellow so the emphasis is definitely on spotting the landing so you know how much (or how little) you need to pull up to make the lip. I always visualise putting my back tyre just past the knuckle of the landing and my front wheel well over.