? about a technique

[sundial]

I'm coming down this steep hill and a bridge is coming up. Problem is the bridge sits 8" or so above the ground. I've tried pulling up on the handlebars but because the hills is so steep, I can't seem to get it to work. What's the secret to this?

[Irulan]

There's more to it that "pulling up on the bars". You need think, shift shoulders and hips back to unweight the front end. This is otherwise known as a "manual" ( non-pedaling wheelie)

This little video shows a kid manualing on all sorts of different bikes. The key is the body shift, not pulling up.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xnih3JlIPE4

here's another one. Of course you modify this for trail riding but the concept it the same. The mistake that people make is just to use the arms to pull up the front of the bike, without taking the body weight back.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QQGHX...eature=related

edit - we can't embed Youtube?

[youtube]v=xnih3JlIPE4[/youtube]



<object width="425" height="344"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnih3JlIPE4&hl=en&fs=1"></param><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true"></param><embed src="http://www.youtube.com/v/xnih3JlIPE4&hl=en&fs=1" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true" width="425" height="344"></embed></object>

[sundial]

Irulan, thanks for the video links. I should add......I have tried shifting my weight back but the problem is I'm coming down from a steep hill and I find it's really difficult trying to lift the front if I'm doing a nose dive of sorts. So I break to a halt just as my tire touches the bridge, I lift the bike, then hop back on and pedal across the bridge. It's not pretty, but it gets the job done.

[Irulan]

hmm, I guess I'd just control my speed on the approach so I can set up properly to get up the bridge.

[TahoeDirtGirl]

ohhhh now I have a new trick to learn.

I have a similar bridge and that's what I do, not lift up, weight back. However, there is another bridge that has a higher lip and I have problems getting that angle right. I will have to master the manual and give it a shot. But it all happens so fast so it should be interesting! Thanks for the link!

[Irulan]

ohhhh now I have a new trick to learn.

I have a similar bridge and that's what I do, not lift up, weight back. However, there is another bridge that has a higher lip and I have problems getting that angle right. I will have to master the manual and give it a shot. But it all happens so fast so it should be interesting! Thanks for the link!

It's the same idea as getting up a ledge, a large curb or some stairs. I think the trick is, the way she describes it, is getting set up as you are making the descent and then having to put it all together.