Ever wonder what it feels like to soar through the air with a 40 pound steed nestled between your knees and adrenaline pumping through your body like a flash of lightening?  Welcome to the world of Dirt Jumping.  Much like “downhilling”, Dirt Jumping is a specialty form of mountain biking which requires two things: confidence and the desire to land on two wheels.

Dirt Jumping (a part of Free-Riding) uses self propelled momentum to pump your bike into a dirt transition or take-off, lofting your bike up and over a jump.  A jump can be man made or what already exists in nature’s wonderland of dirt.  Imagine yourself pedaling your bike along a dirt trail, carving each turn with precision as you pump through the berms like a hot knife on butter.  Your eyes are focused just ahead and ready for the next transition.  Your adrenaline flows through your body sending shivers to your brain.  As you crank your pedals, one over the other, you begin to feel yourself float over the dirt, knowing you are the Zen master.  You make your final approach soaring up into the air and over the ledge or drop.  You know you just tasted a little bit of heaven.  You are free.  Not for the faint at heart but if you can harness your fears and believe, you can master the art of Dirt Jumping too. 

Don’t believe me?  Meet Donna, otherwise known as Sweet Baby D; coolest, badass chick east of the Mississippi.  Donna started bike racing in 1997 at the age of 37 when a friend convinced her to do a mountain bike race.  Donna, a self proclaimed workaholic who owns a health foods business, had never been involved in sports prior to her cycling career.  A little cajoling and some mud in her eyes gave her the taste for more. Since then, Donna has competed in over 100 bike races, including mountain, road, 24 hours of Canaan and duathlon.  Don’t ask her to swim though.  It’s just not her thing. 

In 2007, Donna began her Dirt Jumping career after some friends were getting into it.  At first she thought they were ridiculous but when she finally tried it, she was head over heals, figuratively speaking of course!  The satisfaction of knowing she conquered her fears, and some really big jumps, gave her a great sense of achievement and the hunger for the next big launch.  Riding on sheer adrenaline and a belief in herself, came the sweet reward of pushing through the fear. Donna knew she just dominated the seemingly impossible.  Not to mention your friends cheering you on like a rock star when you land big.  While a little bit of fear is ever-present; chill and ride within your abilities.  Personal triumph is just that: personal.

Petite in stature, Donna muscles her 41 pound Santa Cruz VP-Free like nobodies business.  The VP boasts 8 to 9 inches of suspension travel with a dual crown fork.  It’s as hardcore as the chick who rides it.  Longing for more dirt action, Donna recently built a pump track in her yard.  After several tons of dirt were delivered, she and her crew got to work building a track which consists of several jumps, slopes and berms.  Donna describes her pump track as both fun and practical.  She gets good exercise and has a place to hang out with friends doing something they enjoy. 

Mid-life crisis?  Say it isn’t so.  Donna would argue that the mid-life crisis is about not growing and evolving.  For Donna, it’s all about the next new adventure in life.  Your life is an affirmation of your beliefs.  Believe in yourself and get after your next adventure.  Before you know it, you’ll be Dirt Jumping too.

Many ski areas are now offering lift-assisted downhill biking during the summer months.  There are also freeride parks popping up throughout the country where you can jump to your hearts content for a small fee.