Strategies for getting up the "rocky hill climb"?

[Goat]

There's one section of TW that I always either end up dismounting or wiping out attempting to climb it. If you're familiar with the ~15' rocky hill climb on South side of the big loop, and have no problem with that section, can you explain your technique for getting up this hill? I've managed it once when I was drunk after happy hour, so I probably just need to ride a little more loose, but any other recommendations? I'd like to know what gear you're in (big or small rear ring will suffice), body position, speed, and anything else you can think of.

Gracias Amigos!

-Goat

[manual63]

Check out this thread in Riding Tips

http://www.morcmtb.org/forums/showthread.php?t=17556

It has a ton of info on how to get up that and any other tough rock garden.

[high life]

My $0.02:

Stay seated going into it. I know this can be a little tough on a hardtail, but you really need your weight over the rear tire. I think the reason why most people faulter in this section is that they are standing, trying to absorb the bumps. When you are out of the saddle and try to pedal in this section, you lose traction on the slick rocks. I come from a background of racing out on the east coast where many of the climbs required you to ride over slick tree roots. On that type of terrain, you learn quickly that seated climbing is the way to go.

P.S. I'll bet if you ask any of the MTB riders up in Duluth, they'll tell you the same. You really need to stay seated to get up some of the climbs in Harley Field (lot's of roots and rocks).

And...like everyone else says....stay loose ;)

[stoneage]

keep drinking!!;)
Seriously, Ned Overend called it the 'attack position'. It is for attacking quick steep sections. You stand but keep your weight back. It lightens up the front wheel so it doesn't auger in, and weights the rear for traction. The eyes should be up over the top and don't quit pedaling; if you slip you will regain traction.

[Sevadari]

keep drinking!!;)
Seriously, Ned Overend called it the 'attack position'. It is for attacking quick steep sections. You stand but keep your weight back. It lightens up the front wheel so it doesn't auger in, and weights the rear for traction. The eyes should be up over the top and don't quit pedaling; if you slip you will regain traction.

Word!

This worked especially well for me recently while biking Porcupine Rim out in Utah. Even though you're bound to slip and bounce around a bit, don't loose heart and bail out (unless you're really going down :crazy2: !).

I was amazed at how much you can actually get over and around if you just keep loose, maintain focus and KEEP CRANKING THE LEGS! I experimented a bit on that ride and found that by shifting down (or is it up?!!!) one gear more than I would normally take rock gardens I could keep my momentum through the section.

[Adam Hjelle]

To get through that garden I alwas drop a gear (easier to pedal) and spin through it. Carry some speed into and then look a head and keep spinning, before you know it your past it. Also helps to keep your hands and arms loose. I also don't stand for this section and I ride a hard tail.

[Aaroneous]

This only applies to that one specific section, but keep right.

[Pontifex]

Maintain speed, drop a rear gear if need be, and keep movin' your front tire. Roll between the rocks (just 'cause they're there, doesn't mean you have to hit 'em) keeping your weight on your back tire. Pedal, pedal, pedal.

[Ish]

This only applies to that one specific section, but keep right.

only do that until you consistenly nail it. Then take the harder lines to keep improving!

[mtnbykr]

My $0.02: I'll bet if you ask any of the MTB riders up in Duluth, they'll tell you the same. You really need to stay seated to get up some of the climbs in Harley Field (lot's of roots and rocks).

i stand, hammer or not, using body english and front to rear weight shifts. i ride a rigid ht ss. works for the 2 hartley climbs, and worked on the climbs at tw.

momentum is your friend.

kl

[Goat]

Thanks for the really great advice everyone. After thinking about it I realized that the wipeouts are usually due to my back tire slipping. I think more speed and either sitting or keeping my weight further back will help quite a bit. Might have to spend some extra time on that section this weekend!

[Wheels]

Lots of good advice...

I say spin, keep pedaling, let your front wheel find the line and don't get too heavy over either wheel (float).

For those of you who have a hard time with it - don't get too discouraged... one of the best riders in Mpls. (with or without drinks) just told me it kicks his *ss as often as not.

[manual63]

My $0.02:

Stay seated going into it.

I have to totally disagree with this.....sorry...:p

Staying seated slows you down because you have your weight on the bike and the bike can not flow freely through the rocks. If you need traction, you can still stand and lean back above or behind the seat while pedaling. You can also thrust the bike forward with your arms when needed while you are standing. You can't do that while seated. If you are seated, every rock you hit has to push your bikes weight and body weight up, which slows you way down.

You might be able to clear it while seated, but it is so much easier to do while standing.

[soupboy]

Stay loose, speed up as you approach and keep accelerating through it. HT, FS, gearie or SS it applies the same.

Do. Not. Touch. Brakes. And don't stop pedaling.

In most rock gardens mo' is your best friend. The more you slow down the more likely you are to tuck the front wheel behind a rock and stop altogether.

[nigel]

I have to totally disagree with this.....sorry...:p

Staying seated slows you down because you have your weight on the bike and the bike can not flow freely through the rocks. If you need traction, you can still stand and lean back above or behind the seat while pedaling. You can also thrust the bike forward with your arms when needed while you are standing. You can't do that while seated. If you are seated, every rock you hit has to push your bikes weight and body weight up, which slows you way down.

You might be able to clear it while seated, but it is so much easier to do while standing.

But i ride it seated and motor up it just fine :)

[Danimal]

Just blast through it. Speed is your best friend. Stay loose, off your saddle, choose a line and flow over it.

[seejames]

I rode Theo for the first time last night, and had NO IDEA that the rock garden climb was coming until I was basically on top of it. Not having any time to do anything but just hammer it down and hope for the best, I made it through the first time. The second time, however, I knew it was coming and I "tried" to set it up, and almost did not make it over the last couple of rocks and it was all because I got all tense before I hit the rocks and stopped pedaling...just let it go...use the force...

[Wheels]

I'm always seated too, guess there's more than one way to skin a cat.

[manual63]

But i ride it seated and motor up it just fine :)
What, on a Full Suspension bike? I am not saying it can't be done, but it is much easier to do it standing and allowing your bike to flow through the rocks. Seated, you bike does not flow. But if you ride FS, I guess I can see how the suspension will take up the shock and it allows you to keep pedaling....but that's cheating.....:p

[Burke]

When my wife and I take it on the mountain tandem, I tell her "even power". Keeping the legs turning over, and keeping your momentum going forward.

The tandem has so much momentum and weight that we usually clean it. Because it's the tandem, we're always seated... We let the suspension do the work. Yesterday, we were 3 for 3.

When riding solo, on tough tech areas like that, I usually stand and am in 1 gear harder than I usually would be on a non-tech section of similar grade. It keeps pressure on your pedals, and if something slips out, you are in a hard enough gear that you will have resistance on your pedals to recover. Sometimes too easy a gear will cause more wipeouts and stops than going into it slightly overgeared.

Scott

[nigel]

What, on a Full Suspension bike? I am not saying it can't be done, but it is much easier to do it standing and allowing your bike to flow through the rocks. Seated, you bike does not flow. But if you ride FS, I guess I can see how the suspension will take up the shock and it allows you to keep pedaling....but that's cheating.....:p

Actually my FS is the complete wrong bike for my riding style at Theo, turns like crap and just plain ole dont need the rear there. On my hardtail I still stay steated, look ahead, weight in the back, light on the bars, spin right up it and it works for me. But then again 130lbs just kinda floats over it anyway :crazy:

[mtnbykr]

....130lbs...

that's just plain cheeting... :?)

[Goat]

I made it through the rock garden today (sans whiskey, this time). I realized a couple of things that were hindering me on this section.

1. Speed/momentum. Instead of being tentative and slowing down for it, I started cranking as soon as I saw it coming. My momentum carried me nearly to the top and I only needed another 1-2 pedal turns to get over the top.

2. Clothes. I was totally restricted by my biking shorts and shirt. After removing my clothes, I felt very free and unrestricted. I'm not sure how much this contributed to my success, but the breeze sure felt nice.
:banana:

Thanks again to all for your great suggestions!

[Uncle Leo]

2. Clothes. I was totally restricted by my biking shorts and shirt. After removing my clothes, I felt very free and unrestricted. I'm not sure how much this contributed to my success, but the breeze sure felt nice.


I'm really hoping you took the "stay seated" approach. ;)


My strategy for the rocky climb is to come back again next time.
My success stats are usually like: 0-2, 2-2, 0-3, 2-2, etc.
If I don't make it on my first lap, I rarely make it that day. But if I make it the first time, I almost always keep making it. I think it's like others have already said, just don't think about it.
Oddly my success on the rocky climb in the XX at Leb is much more consistent, and I don't think the Theo one is any harder.

[manual63]

2. Clothes. I was totally restricted by my biking shorts and shirt. After removing my clothes, I felt very free and unrestricted. I'm not sure how much this contributed to my success, but the breeze sure felt nice.

...and then you rode right for the beach....right?...:crazy2: