Biking 201: How To Whip Like a Pro - A Step-by-Step Guide

Tricks are cool, but whips are forever. Good style is timeless, and clean whips are an essential for any steezy rider. But the flipside of that is that there are plenty of folks throwing awkward, stiff, graceless whips out there. So let's break down the basics of getting your bike sideways.

Practice moving the rear end of your bike around

You don't even need a jump to start practicing your whips. In fact, you don't even need a trail. You can start figuring out the motions in your driveway. Start by lifting your rear wheel while riding along, and trying to move it to one side or the other before you set it down. Most folks will have one side that feels more natural than the other, figure out which one that is, and lean into it. It's often the same side as your dominant foot, so if you ride right foot forward, you may find it's easier to whip to the right. 

Play around with the physics of moving that rear wheel to the side, it should be a combination of your core, hips, and feet, swinging the bike to the side.

Take it to the trails

Once you're comfortable lifting and smearing the back wheel of the bike to the side on flat ground, you can practice every time you hit jumps, or even a roller. Consciously load the bike, lift the rear wheel, and slide it over every time the bike unweights. It might only move a few degrees, but it will help you normalize the sensation of whipping, and bringing back a whip when you land.

Take it to a jump

Now, when you hit larger jumps, be really intentional with your movements. Focus on driving the whip with your feet, knees, and hips, not your upper body. If you have a dual crown bike, resist the urge to drive the upper stanchions into the sides of the frame to set and save your whips.

Too often folks focus on their chest and arms when they try to whip. This moves the front wheel of the bike, not the rear half, making for a bar turn, not a whip. It also looks very awkward and forced. You want to push your feet back and to the side, rotating the frame of the bike at the head tube. Then, make sure to pull back as you come out of the apex of the jump and arc back down toward the landing. Yes, you can often get away with landing a little sideways, but do your best to line back up with the flow of the trail.

Great whips won't just come to you overnight. Instead they're more of a lifelong learning process. Every time you do one you'll be a little more prepared to do a better one next time. So if your progress feels slow, don't give up. Instead, embrace the process and let if flow naturally. Good style is never forced.