I've recently had a lot of fun riding around providence hopping off curbs and stuff. Today I found a 2 or 3 step ledge that has a handicap ramp on the other side, and I had a ton of fun hopping off that a few times. One of the times, I guess I put too much pressure on my right arm because it almost felt like I stressed my wrist a little bit, it's still a little sore but there's no major injury. I'm new to the whole jumping off stuff thing, can you guys give any suggestions as to the propper way to jump off stuff? I'm more concerned about not hurting myself than looking cool.

Try landing on your back tire, or both tires at the same time. And drops are not what urban ridings about, its about finding cool lines and riding them. Anyone can do a drop.

Yeah, everyone can do a drop, not everyone can land a drop without hurting themselves or breaking their bikes.It would probably help to know what your setup is on your bike; maybe it's all wrong for drops, at least at your skill level.Took me a while to get good at it because every time I tried to get advice, I'd get some arrogant b.s. answer..guess it just comes with the territory.Just don't get ahead of yourself or your skill level, learn to "set" your wheels down rather than slamming them, and never put your weight too far forward as you land.From my experience, if you can't bunnyhop properly, you're not going to land properly.Practice bunnyhopping over and over, good luck, and don't kill yourself.

Agreed. Just because you can drop doesn't mean you can land it. Urban riding is mostly about finding the flow. Let your skill levels progress. Bunnyhops, endos, trackstands, and backwheeling things will come in useful later on. Be smooth, be safe, have fun.

I feel the best way to take a drop regardless of height is wheelie off. That'll get you somewhat positioned back with back tire landing first. I like drops if there's obstacles in front of them like this planter I was rocking this weekend to a 4-5ft drop.

urban riding is whatever you make of it...it is about finding your own lines and mixxing in creativity. For drops to flat, land on your rear wheel no matter what. it is better for the bike and for you. just have fun though, find the flow.

ya, look for smooth lines that you dont think other people would see at first

The setup I have now is a decidedly NOT urban bike, an old trek MTB with 26" wheels, not even city slick tires. It's in good condition, just not really the right size or form to be doing city stuff, beyond what I use it for now (commuting). On dirt trails, it's pretty good even though it's got no suspension except the air in the tires.

Part of the reason I'm intrested in this stuff is I can't always get out to the trails every day, and I like to make the most of the urban terrain. I've been practicing getting over stuff by going up and down every curb I can find, stuff like that. I can bunny hop pretty well, at least a couple inches off the ground, part of what's holding me down is this heavy old bike. I've started to try to hop up on to curbs with some success.

I'm not super into dropping/jumping off stuff, my main thing is trying to cross train for the trails on the streets. Even off my bike I've always been a fan of jumping off stuff, so it's just a natural progression I guess.

If you're hurting your wrists, you're way too far forward on your bike. Land rear wheel first or both tires at once when you drop to flat. Use your legs for the suspension and let your body fall just behind the seat. Your hands will actually be holding on to the bars and they will be under some tensional stress, not compressing. Be sure to do this without being too far back as you'll loop out (fall backwards). Put your seat as low as it will go and get it out of the way. If you are dropping to a transition, land with the bike "front heavy" so your wheels land at the same time and let your body fall just behind the seat again. If you're hitting the seat then you're still too far forward. This will take some practice. Good luck.