SPINES

Spines are those things that occur when you put two ramps back to back with no platform on top of the ramps.  Basically you jump straight up on one side and come straight back down the other side.  Quite often spines are built between two mini-ramps.

• Begin by pedalling towards the spine with enough speed so that your SPROCKET will clear the top of the spine.  If you go slower your sprocket may hit- this doesn't mean you won't pull it, but will make it ugly.  When you get better you can ride full speed at one.
• As soon as the front wheel clears the top of the spine you start to bring the bike level.  One of the best ways to do this is by tucking slightly as you would for a bunnyhop.
• As soon as the bike is level roll your shoulders forward and push the front end of the bike down.  You want to be NOSE DIVING into the landing.
• To help make it so that you don't have to nose dive entirely you should also twist your hips slightly to kick the back end of the bike out to the side.  This makes it so that you come into the ramp at a slight angle.
• When landing on the opposite ramp make sure your front tire is pointed STRAIGHT down the transition of the ramp.  With your shoulders forward and over the bars the rest of the bike will follow.

So what tricks can you do over one of these things?  Doesn't sound like much is possible.  But if you watch the Anthem video you will see people do things like barspins, truck drivers (360 while doing a barspin), and tailwhips over spines.  It is also possible to do backflips, and about any other jumping trick out there OVER a spine...  It's like a box jump without the box.

If you have any specific questions about spines please click here.