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Radar Speed Signs for Jumps

2K views 20 replies 18 participants last post by  Jibfreak 
#1 ·
I really shouldn't be watching the video but the guy's point is that resorts should install radar speed sensors to display your speed as you're approaching a jump.

I don't really see how this is a good idea. Is the "sweet spot" always going to be the same MPH/KPH regardless of conditions?

 
#4 ·
I always do a test jump each day I hit the park to feel the jump out and find my sweet spot before I start adding spins. Conditions and feature change constantly. A speed radar might be good after you take a couple of test runs to find your sweet spot but the speed it shows will only be good for that day and as long as it's not dumping out. I'd like to try it.
 
#6 ·
Don't/can't do jumps myself yet, so my thoughts on this may well b BS, but I could see it being some help in learning to get a "feel" for consistantly judging ones speed. For noobs just starting on jump features that is. But I could also see it being quite a rather hazardous distraction as well. Noobs b watching/focused on the speed sign instead of paying proper attention to their approach and set up for the jump.

Idk? :dunno:
 
#8 ·
Yeah it is a crazy idea.
Its all about the pop that makes or breaks a jump. The difference between coming up short and landing nicely in the sweet spot is all about popping off the lip correctly. In fact you can actually make the affects even worse than than not popping at all by absorbing the lip and coming up way short.
Thats not to mention the variations on jumping types. Spins always scrub off so speed right at the lip compared with a straight air, especially with poor technique.
Best thing anyone can do is learn on small jumps and progress what you learn from that all comes out when you move to bigger jumps. Last thing we want is noobs hitting big kickers because they believe they are going the "correct designated speed". Its safer for everyone they guess they don't know the correct speed, have some self doubt, and stay the hell away.
Best way to check speed for jumps is just to watch others and their dropping points and run ins, and in particular, focus on the good guys. If theres no good guys hitting them, generally theres a reason!
 
#9 ·
Not a valid idea. They missed way too many variables and speed isn't the only cause of injury.

- Most of the riders that got hurt looked like they had no business on those jumps. A radar sign isn't going to help them. This is the most important piece of the puzzle.

- I see shitloads of riders speed check on the jump anyways.

- How you pop is very important, not just your speed.

- looking at a speed sign could be a distraction for a rider that should be focussing on what they are doing?

I dunno, I'm not sold on this idea one bit. There were some other pretty valid points ahead of me as well.
 
#11 ·
Not a valid idea. They missed way too many variables and speed isn't the only cause of injury.

- Most of the riders that got hurt looked like they had no business on those jumps. A radar sign isn't going to help them. This is the most important piece of the puzzle.

- I see shitloads of riders speed check on the jump anyways.

- How you pop is very important, not just your speed.

- looking at a speed sign could be a distraction for a rider that should be focussing on what they are doing?

I dunno, I'm not sold on this idea one bit. There were some other pretty valid points ahead of me as well.
Plus there will likely be those people who will just try to zoom past the radar to compare it with their GPS speed app reading and not really have any interest being in the park.
 
#14 ·
Thanks a lot sabatoa, I just got over my fear of jumps this past season, that video is not helping my confidence :cheeky4:

As for the proposed concept, I guess I'm the odd man here who kind of likes the idea. I can see it being useful for observation of others, and to adjust your own speed on successive hits. One of the things I really struggled with when learning was judging how to gradually increase my speed. I'd usually try to just pick a spot for my last speed check (well before the ramp of course) and gradually move it up earlier and earlier. Granted, I eventually got it, but having a measurement might have eased my progression. While knuckling or crashing the gap undoubtedly builds strong legs, it's an exercise I would have preferred less of.

To address the concern of people being over-confident and hitting jumps way too big for them, I think resorts need only require viewing of videos like this before allowing access to jumps. :D

On the other hand, I'm not convinced that resorts will go for it, both due to cost and perhaps the implied responsibility that comes with it. That is, I can see it being a concern if it fails or reads wrong and someone gets injured. :dunno:
 
#19 · (Edited)
One of the things I really struggled with when learning was judging how to gradually increase my speed. I'd usually try to just pick a spot for my last speed check (well before the ramp of course) and gradually move it up earlier and earlier.
Don't do this, it's not consistant. Stop at your drop point, mark it so you know exactly where you are and go straight at the jump. If you need more speed move up 5 ft or w/e.

I couldn't watch anymore of that video most if the crashes were from terrible form not speed or over shooting the landings
I see this as a way for ppl to blame the resorts and not personal respo sibilfy
I liked the guy that tried to cork a 5 and landed on his chest... wtf does that have to do with speed? If anything the video showed that park passes and compitency tests should be implimented and those jumps should not be open to the general public.
 
#16 ·
You put one of those stupid ass radar things in there I can guarantee injuries will increase. Everyone wants to go hit jumps for some fucking reason when they can't even master the basic fundamentals of riding. A jump at 9 a.m. on a 32 bluebird day is going to be different than the same jump at 3 p.m. So many variables effect this.

Hell most people can't even properly gauge the size of a jump.
 
#17 ·
I think the main reasons Texans get grief is that they seem to be the ones most likely to be skiing in jeans. I know that any of the destination riders can easily check their brain at the plane door. A lot do.

People from Texas do buy a lot of second homes and such in Colorado and some of them do things with the property that pisses off the local residents. See Wolf Creek for an example. Guilty by association.

They are also some of my most reliable ski lift rides on Berthoud Pass in spring.
 
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