THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET #3 HIT THE DIRT JUMPS
Mountain Biking UK|Summer 2023
Julia (nervously) swaps her full-sus for a jump bike to get some tips on improving her airtime from Saracen pro Alex Cahill
Julia Broussier
THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET #3 HIT THE DIRT JUMPS

"HEY GUYS, ANY CHANCE OF MOVING THE LOCATION TO CHICKSANDS, BECAUSE EVERYTHING IS MASSIVE HERE?!" I sent this email while standing nervously at the top of the mini dirt jump line at Woburn Bike Park, in Bedfordshire. Looking down the trail, I could see a proper-sized double, with a flimsy plank carelessly filling the central part of the gap, as if the builders had said, "Here, it's a tabletop now!" It's not the same, though, is it? In a couple of days I was due to meet up with Saracen's dirt jump ace, Alex Cahill, for some tips on adding some style and height to my jumping, and I was feeling anxious.

Rigidly full-sus

As long as I've been riding mountain bikes (four years) it's always been on a full-sus. I've had no interest in hardtails, being of the opinion that suspension massively improves your experience on a bike, so why go without? When Saracen said they wanted to challenge us, I thought it'd be a good opportunity to work on my jumping, figuring that my latest accomplishment - hitting the red line at Wind Hill B1kepark in Wiltshire - would make me a good candidate. But then I found out I wouldn't be doing it on my normal trail bike, but on a dirt jump bike. Not only a hardtail, but one with minimal fork travel and only one gear.

I was keen to get hold of my allocated bike for the task - a Saracen Amplitude CR2 - as soon as possible. It was a relief when the box that filled my living room opened up to reveal two brake levers, rather than the single (rear) stopper usually specced on DJ bikes. I can't imagine a worse feeling than trying to grab a brake lever that isn't there! My plan was now to pack in as much practice as possible before tackling a day with my designated coach.

Meeting the BFG 

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2023 من Mountain Biking UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

هذه القصة مأخوذة من طبعة Summer 2023 من Mountain Biking UK.

ابدأ النسخة التجريبية المجانية من Magzter GOLD لمدة 7 أيام للوصول إلى آلاف القصص المتميزة المنسقة وأكثر من 9,000 مجلة وصحيفة.

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