THROW DOWN THE CAUNTLET #3 HIT THE DIRT JUMPS

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

"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