Climbing Fundamentals
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MTB Skill:
Pedalling Front Wheel Lift
Useful as a slow speed maneuver n technical climbs over rocks, roots, ledges, etc...
Set up a line or a crack in the ground to work on timing, next use a 2x4, root, or any other small object to practice the wheel lift over.
- Time your pedalling to put a strong pedal stroke as your front wheel approaches the object.
- Perform on strong pedal stroke while guiding or gently rowing the handlebar up so the front wheel clears the object.
- continue pedalling to roll over the object.
Useful as a slow speed maneuver n technical climbs over rocks, roots, ledges, etc...
Set up a line or a crack in the ground to work on timing, next use a 2x4, root, or any other small object to practice the wheel lift over.
- Time your pedalling to put a strong pedal stroke as your front wheel approaches the object.
- Perform on strong pedal stroke while guiding or gently rowing the handlebar up so the front wheel clears the object.
- continue pedalling to roll over the object.
Front Wheel Lift and Rear Wheel Unweight
Smoothly ride over roots, ledges on a technical climb.
To practice find a root or small rock ledge on a trail. Or use a small object such as a 2x4 on a grassy hill.
- Hinge and the hips to lower your chest to towards the stem as you pedal up the hill. Shift forward on your seat if the hill is steep.
- Time your pedal stroke to perform a front wheel left so your front wheel clears the object.
- When your rear wheel is about the roll over the object, lift your butt an inch or 2 off the seat (or more if the object is bigger) to unweight the rear wheel so it smoothly clears the object.
- keep pedalling up the climb
Smoothly ride over roots, ledges on a technical climb.
To practice find a root or small rock ledge on a trail. Or use a small object such as a 2x4 on a grassy hill.
- Hinge and the hips to lower your chest to towards the stem as you pedal up the hill. Shift forward on your seat if the hill is steep.
- Time your pedal stroke to perform a front wheel left so your front wheel clears the object.
- When your rear wheel is about the roll over the object, lift your butt an inch or 2 off the seat (or more if the object is bigger) to unweight the rear wheel so it smoothly clears the object.
- keep pedalling up the climb
Climbing Switch Backs
Use these techniques to successfully climb switchbacks
All climbing body position techniques come into play.
1. Hinge at the hips to lower you chest towards the stem
2. Shift forward on your seat
3. Row with your arms for rear wheel traction
Bike Body Separation
- Put your seat on your inside butt cheek allows your bike to track a smaller radius around the corner.
Line Choice
- Start with front wheel wide and finishes wide so the rear wheel will not track to far inside and go off trail or hit an object on the inside of the turn.
Use these techniques to successfully climb switchbacks
All climbing body position techniques come into play.
1. Hinge at the hips to lower you chest towards the stem
2. Shift forward on your seat
3. Row with your arms for rear wheel traction
Bike Body Separation
- Put your seat on your inside butt cheek allows your bike to track a smaller radius around the corner.
Line Choice
- Start with front wheel wide and finishes wide so the rear wheel will not track to far inside and go off trail or hit an object on the inside of the turn.
Switchback Cone Drill
Find a moderately steep hill
Place cones or random objects in a zig zag pattern up the hill.
Climb around the cones as if they are switchbacks
Coaching Tips:
- Hinge at the hips to lower your chest towards the stem
- Shift forward on the seat
- Place your inside butt cheek on the seat to create a little bit of bike body separation.
- Enter turn with front wheel wide so rear wheel tracks outside of cone/object.
Find a moderately steep hill
Place cones or random objects in a zig zag pattern up the hill.
Climb around the cones as if they are switchbacks
Coaching Tips:
- Hinge at the hips to lower your chest towards the stem
- Shift forward on the seat
- Place your inside butt cheek on the seat to create a little bit of bike body separation.
- Enter turn with front wheel wide so rear wheel tracks outside of cone/object.
Let's make the climbs more of a positive experience.
You can practice on a simple grassy hill. If you have access to a climbing or steep walking trail go practice!
Gearing
- shift to an easier gear before you strat the climb
Body Position
1. Hinge at the hips while seated to brng your chest and chin towards the stem to keep your weight centered on the bike
2. shift your butt forward as the terrain gets steeper
3. Lift your butt off the seat and keep your chest and chin low if your front wheel is starting to wander.
4. If your rear wheel is struggling to get traction. Row your handlebar to your chest as you pedal. This will make the rear tire dig into the ground.
You can practice on a simple grassy hill. If you have access to a climbing or steep walking trail go practice!
Gearing
- shift to an easier gear before you strat the climb
Body Position
1. Hinge at the hips while seated to brng your chest and chin towards the stem to keep your weight centered on the bike
2. shift your butt forward as the terrain gets steeper
3. Lift your butt off the seat and keep your chest and chin low if your front wheel is starting to wander.
4. If your rear wheel is struggling to get traction. Row your handlebar to your chest as you pedal. This will make the rear tire dig into the ground.