ENABLER SKILL:

A speed hop is when you get both your wheels off the ground at the same time and land level. It’s generally the first type of bunny hop that people learn, and will allow you to go light over smaller trail features like roots and rocks. There are some key parts to getting it right though, and more riders than you realise never fully master this basic technique. The key is to keep a consistent range of motion, starting and finishing in the same shape, and to think of it as 100% push, not a 50% push / 50% pull like a lot of riders do.

Check your body position on the way in. Your legs should be straight, your heels should be down, and your elbows should be bent. This is your ready stance, and although your range of motion will get closer to the bike, you shouldn’t ever go past this shape on the push.

Get really low. Bend your arms and legs so that you use the full range of motion available to you. The lower you get, the more room you have to push upwards away from the trail. If you go down fast enough you’ll also be able to compress your suspension slightly, meaning that you’ll have less travel to contend with on the push.

Push away from the trail with your legs. Your arms will move as well, but really focus on your legs and you’ll drive all of your bodyweight away from the ground with a powerful push. Your hop should be 100% push and return you to the same strong, confident position you made on the way in. The only real difference will be that your feet are hooked on the pedals slightly instead of your heels dropped.