Uphill Obstacles

[Brick]

Is there a "trick" to clearing obstacles while going uphill? On a rooty uphill the other day (with numerous step-like roots), I was able to get my front wheel up and over, but when the back wheel hit the root (step) I lost what little momentum I had. How do you get the back wheel to clear the obstacle while maintaing both momentum and traction?

[funky-funky-chicken]

Weight distribution... try to carefully re-distribute some of your weight to the front wheel to take some of the weight off the back, just for an instance. This will lessen the impact and allow your wheel to "pop" over the obstacle. You don't want to take all of the weight off the back otherwise you will not have any traction. Sometimes simply getting your rear off the saddle for a second is enough. Good luck

[pwpatton]

That's what I've been doing as well. Once my front wheel is over the obsicale I move my weight forward a bit and the rear wheel just follows.

Now my issue with this kind of obsticle, like in the XX loop at lebanon after the 2 bridges and the log crossing, is where is the flow up that section? I have never been able to find a rythm up that section. Has anyone else?

What I've been doing lately is using brute force and hammering up that section.

Phillip

[KleinCrazy]

Phillip,

John, the Bastard, Intentionally built that sectionso there is almost no rythm that works, I am still trying to smooth it out but usually just go back to grunt, grunt, grunt.

I plan on riding Lebanon tonight around 5:30 or 6:00. You gonna be there?

James

[pwpatton]

Yea, I plan on going around 4:30. I'll look for you in the lot around 5:30 after my first lap.

[Trevize1138]

Recently I figured out a good trick for that log climb section:

Stay seated!

I'm probably better able to do this than other HT riders because of a 2'' travel suspension seatpost, so FS riders would also have no problem. HT riders with no suspension post would have the most difficulty.

But, yes, staying seated through this section works wonders. I just lift the front slightly, then pedal through and over the log. My weight keeps the tire on the ground and the log with no slippage. I do get "bucked" a little after clearing the log, but then I'm back in the saddle and ready for the next one.

This has made the hill 2X easier to climb!

[gopherhockey]

I do just the opposite. I stand - crank up to the log, then use my momentum to lift over it, then pedal. I never pedal over the log itself.

I do ride over the 2 logs that aren't very large though - these need to be uncovered a little more to make them more interesting ;)

[mtnbykr]

on my 29", i ride up to the logs, lift the front wheel a bit and just ride over them.

the logs need to be closer together, makes it more of a challenge...

k

[manual63]

Going over logs uphill is tricky. If you have many small logs or roots, it's easy to lose rear wheel traction. Roots the are at anlges can make your rear wheel slide to the side. I just pop my rear wheel over those (non-pc term is polish wheelie). There are some roots in the X-Loop at Leb right before the nasty rock garden with the right turn. There is a big rock and right after that a short uphill with roots on it. I find it best to just power over the whole thing being slightly seated but unweighted. That part is a little tricky.

As for the XX-Loop with the step logs, I unweight the rear wheel as it hits the log and I push the bike forward a little at the same time. This pops the rear wheel up nicely on a HT. The problem I have there is hitting my pedals on the logs sometimes......oh and endurance is tough.

[Brick]

Originally posted by funky-funky-chicken
Weight distribution... try to carefully re-distribute some of your weight to the front wheel to take some of the weight off the back, just for an instance. This will lessen the impact and allow your wheel to "pop" over the obstacle. You don't want to take all of the weight off the back otherwise you will not have any traction. Sometimes simply getting your rear off the saddle for a second is enough.

......hmmmmm......methinks I'll have to go practice a wee bit this weekend to try to hit that happy medium, :cool: I seem to be shifting between too far forward, or too far back...

[gopherhockey]

Originally posted by manual63


As for the XX-Loop with the step logs, I unweight the rear wheel as it hits the log and I push the bike forward a little at the same time. This pops the rear wheel up nicely on a HT.

Yea, thats exactly how I have been doing it.

I guess I resist pedaling over the log because I see them being torn up a bit. That doesn't make it wrong to do it that way (if a log wears out, we'll just replace it with a stronger larger log hehe) I just don't like the feeling of spinning my back tire on the log to pull me over... but rather use my momentum instead.

It may come of some interest that the area with the log steps has an alternate route flagged that goes up higher on the hill and back down. I believe eventually the idea will be to have 2 choices. Of course I'm going to probably have to put some log steps on the alternate too or everyone is going to wimp out and go the other way around. ;)

I actually like those logs quite a bit. I wish we had a place to do the same but down hill.

[KleinCrazy]

I rode Milaca on Labor day with Kurt and Jay and a group from down here and found enough rocks and roots to make anyone have to learn how to ride them real quick.

I had forgotten how fun the trail is to ride, If you get the chance try to make it up there before the next rain. You won't be disappointed. If you can't find a map just rememeber to use the "Right Hand Maul Search Pattern" sorry old RPG term for always turning right in a maze and you will always make it out.

with each lap being 12 miles of singletrack with the last 3 being a series of nasty climbs and descents on Sky Hill, it is definitly an experience and a great place to learn how to ride on rocky terrain and non perpendicular roots. ( and in normal summers, MUD!!!!)

John,

I have pictures and will try and write a review soon for the site.

James

[manual63]

Hi James, you know what question I want to ask don't you......:D?????

Got any videos.........?????.......:)

[KleinCrazy]

mmm.....errrr....yeah...kinda.

I got Lebanon footage in the computer right up to the spot where we do the Table. I then had to make a couple of DVD for Kurt of our ride at the Farm.

I will try and finish of the Leb footage tonight or sunday. I am going to be drinking most fo the day tomorrow.

James

[denis-on-enduro]

just lift it up with your feet

go to lebanon to practice if you want(XX loop)

[manual63]

Originally posted by KleinCrazy

I will try and finish of the Leb footage tonight or sunday. I am going to be drinking most fo the day tomorrow.

James

MMMMMMM......BEEER!...........:)

[ice ice baby]

just lift your front tire and pedal like your dong ia whellie and stay seated!it's easy:banana: