This ramp was designed and built by LoserLabeled.com with the intention of using it with bikes. Please keep this in mind when determining the size of the ramp you are looking for.

Disclaimer: Please be very cautious when working with powertools. Safety goggles and the correct tools for the job are essential. If you are not comfortable working with powertools, ask someone who is. If you are younger, ask your parents to do it for you. I take no responsibility for anything you may do based on reading this article.

If you would like us to construct a ramp for you, contact mikeJL29 at hotmail.com or d_elaschuk at hotmail.com

The story of this adventure starts by riding in London, Ontario. Wait, there is no riding. So my fellow biker and photographer Darrin Elaschuk and I made a trip to Home Depot.

The ramp of this size cost approximately $130 Canadian including the purchase of a jigsaw. Without the Jigsaw the project would have run under $100. Good thing Chuck (as Darrin will now be referred to) had money to spend.

The shopping list for the project:
1 - Black and Decker 3 Speed Jigsaw
1 - Pack of 100, 2 1/2 inch galvanized spiral nails. (Screws preferred, but we didnt have a power drill, so nails had to do.)
1 - Sheet of 5/8 inch thick plywood. Measured 8ft x 4 ft.
2 - Sheets of 1/2 inch thick plywood. Measured 8ft x 4 ft.
3 - 12 foot long 2x4's.

This first step was to plan the dimensions for the ramp. We estimated that the height from the ground to take off would be 3 feet and the length of the base would be 6 feet. We weren't sure of the transition so we left that until later. The width we estimated to be another 3 feet. We also knew we wanted to make a small deck on the top for extra support.

The base turned out to be 72 inches, plus another 11 inches for the deck, coming to 83 inches. We had to find the widest width we could fit in my buddies car and that was 36 inches, so that is what we had Home Depot chop the 8 foot by 4 foot plywood down to. Having a width of 36 inches, or 3 feet, made it perfect to chop the 2x4's into 4 sections and no wasted materials.

Using the string and compass method and a 1.3L slushie container, we were able to get the transition for our jump. A friend pins down the string right beside a circular object. This helps to give the lip more kick. A pencil is tied onto the string from the other end. Hover from the low point of the base and see if it will match up to the height of your jump. Have your friend with the slushie and pin point of the compass move closer or farther depending on how it doesn't match up. Eventally you will find the point that works, and now put the pencil on the plywood and trace the outline. Use the pictures provided for guidance.

The String and Compass Method

The Transition

How the cup works..

Once the plywood is drawn to shape, cut it with the jigsaw. Now, with this freshly cut piece, trace it onto the left over plywood, if you do it right both shapes should come out of the same piece of plywood. Trace your curve with a pencil and cut out the second side piece for your ramp.

With the side pieces cut to shape, begin cutting the 2x4's to the length that is the width of your jump. A circular saw would be quite handy here but we only had the trusty jigsaw... oh well, it did the trick, but not all that safely.

With the template cut out and 2x4's cut to length, it is simply a matter of hammering in your 2x4's. Start with the base at the take off and put 2 nails into each side of the ramp. Your nails go from the outside of the plywood into the 2x4 in the middle. Now move your way to the top of the ramp and put a 2x4 in there. Next is the middle base of the ramp. Now is where it starts to get tricky. Start by putting a 2x4 as close to the ground as possible at the start of your jump, but make sure the 2 inch section (which is actually just over an inch) is facing upwards and sits flush with the transition.

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