How to Dismount Safely Going Uphill??

[Susan]

I guess it depends where you ride.
If you have enough space, it helps to position your bike in an angle to the hill you are climbing and then dismount on the side that is "higher" on the hill (more uphill) - this way you stand "above" your bike when dismounting and aren't in danger of flipping over (I'm not sure if I did a good job describing what I mean).
If you are in a steep singletrail where there is no space to reposition your bike, you can use your brakes to get more grip so you can hold onto the bike while dismounting.

I can't remember any occasion where I was in danger of flipping over backwards, but it can be an issue to have enough standover-height when you have to dismount in difficult terrain.

[Velocivixen]

@Susan, that's an excellent idea! These hills are in quiet neighborhoods on public streets that are asphalt or cement(?). I understand what you are saying, now I just have to remember it. I think I will practice on some lesser hills.

[Miranda]

Well, I've never flipped over clipped in on my mtb. But stopped and got one foot out to have the bike then sideways roll over on top of me. Then the second foot releases typically.

Ouch.

I've been on some short steep hills on my roadie like that. I honestly could not figure out how to dismount without toppling over like my mtb. The trail hurts. But pavement into a drainage ditch would hurt worse. So, I kept climbing. Literally to the point of feeling my hr being so high I've seen spots before my eyes. Dhrrrr... not good.

Hope your tips help here!

Oh... btw, one diff between road and trail is the shoes imo... on the trail at least we have grippy soles... full carbon road shoes don't have that traction on slick road pavement, fwiw.

[BleeckerSt_Girl]

I can't remember any occasion where I was in danger of flipping over backwards, but it can be an issue to have enough standover-height when you have to dismount in difficult terrain.

Once in a while when i'm going up the steep hill back to my house (which is virtually at the end of every ride I take, D'OH!!!) my front wheel lifts up off the pavement for a moment while I'm climbing and it always catches me unawares and scares the Dickens out me! lol!

[Velocivixen]

@Miranda, I wear Specialized "Tahoe" cycling shoes, without any cleats since I have platform pedals. So the bottoms of the shoes are like hiking shoes.

[Miranda]

@Miranda, I wear Specialized "Tahoe" cycling shoes, without any cleats since I have platform pedals. So the bottoms of the shoes are like hiking shoes.

Well that helps. Idk for me... if I get it, I'll let you know lol. I love riding clipped in. I feel nekkid without it.

[Biciclista]

once I was on a hill I could not get up (or at least that's what I believed) I got as close to the curb as I could and just leaned over and landed gently in the grass.
I still get scared on steep hills (wondering if I'm not going to make it) but so far that's the only time it's happened,

ps if you're not clipped in, it's a lot easier, just lean a little and put your foot out.

[OakLeaf]

IMO it's the better part of valor to dismount BEFORE you're certain to fall over. Sure, there will be times when you wonder whether you gave up too soon ... if you could've made it up that hill. It beats tipping over onto your side and being flattened by a semi. Or even just getting roadrashed.

[Biciclista]

Oakleaf, I could not figure out how to dismount, since i was clipped in. tipping over was the only way I could get off that bike, it was too steep and I didn't want to be in a position where I could get myself hurt.

[maryellen]

. . .
If you have enough space, it helps to position your bike in an angle to the hill you are climbing and then dismount on the side that is "higher" on the hill (more uphill) - this way you stand "above" your bike when dismounting . . .

Susan, thx for sharing this tip. I've never ridden a hill so steep that I feared flipping over backwards but I have sometimes gone so slowly that it was hard to control the bike (I guess that happens at 2 miles an hour!). I've had a few occasions when I've lost my balance when I stop mid-hill but I think your suggestion will help quite a bit.