The backflip is a trick to be learnt in a foam pit and for only the advanced and experienced rider. Before you start thinking about trying this trick you should have a good number of smaller tricks.

360 is a good trick to know you can do because it means you have the bike control and ability to rotate the bike a full revolution. And most of all NEVER try or do this trick with out wearing a helmet.

I learnt this trick when I was 16 in a foam pit at a skate park. Almost every rider will hit the ramp and through the bike away from them thinking ‘how the hell do people do that.’ When you’re learning its better to hit the ramp with a touch more speed that you would for a usual jump.

It will take several hits to get your head around going upside down, but you will soon get the feel. Some people take weeks of practicing the backflip until they get the feel and the full rotation.

As you take off look forward as if you were doing a normal jump but let the bike float upwards starting the rotation. The longer you look forwards for the higher a further you will go. If you start to pull back on the bars as soon as you hit the jump you will rotate really quickly and be at risk of hitting your head on the ramp.

You have to stay relaxed while mid-flip, as if you tense up it will extend your body and will slow the flip down. You will probably under rotate and land on your front wheel. Doing this is probably one of the scariest things you’ll come across while riding.

Once you happy with the pump and the height of your bike, look backwards and try and look for the landing. The first time you’ll look back and do this, it will seem very strange, but the landing will come round. Just spot the landing, extend your arms and slow the rotation and land smoothly and ride away. Perfect!

Once you have this dialed on all kinds of ramps you can add variations into the trick. Things like tables, X-ups and tuck no-handers are common variations for backflip tricks.

Be safe and ALWAYS wear your helmet!