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Yes I know bikes are for riding, not pushing or carrying. Although there is that word - pushbike. What's the optimal way to push, what's your way?
If I'm doing a day out, I'll often push the longer steeper climbs to save my legs for the rest of the day and the downhills. Steep typically meaning the dark red (>12% gradient) ones on Garmin, and some of the red (9-12%) ones - especially if it's rough stalling terrain or requiring bursts of energy/manhandling to clear obstacles. This came to mind as I was pushing up most of Watendlath the other day.
One hand on the stem, other on the grip seems optimal - one for push, one for control. Sometimes hold the bar right near the stem for a change too. One hand on the saddle is fine if you don't need to be lifting the front wheel, but put puts you in a bit of a sideways stance. Regardless, the bike-side arm and leg will work harder, as you stride and push together, so swap sides every now and again. Ideally (aside from get fitter or buy an eBike) there would be a solution to push it inline with yourself for equal effort both sides, e.g. in front of you like a wheelbarrow or pulled behind you, but that's crazy talk. If the trail isn't wide enough to have the bike beside you, it's a pain to push the bike (or walk yourself) along awkward trailside terrain, so can be easier just to carry.
If you're looking at a proper hike-a-bike then downtube across your shoulders, one hand on pedal one on fork is best ime. Really does make a difference - obv you need some horizontal space.
This guy shows it at 1.15
For more casual pushing I'd not typically bother with this, just push it any which way.
Even on pretty steep stuff I never found lifting my bike a good idea, it was just an additional 15kgs or more on my back when I was already fatigued. I always try to keep the wheels on the ground
Yep seen Blake's carry video, worth another watch though thanks. I'm not really strong enough to carry such weight, especially high up for balance in tricky/steep terrain, so this was about pushing.
Depends how steep. I never carry as the anywhere I normally need to push you need hands free to catch yourself if you fall. I’ve been up some stuff that is so hard to stand you have to push the bike forward, lock both brakes and pull yourself up behind it. Others where you lift the bike, put it forward and scramble up to it.
I tend to swap sides half way up the hill, or when one side starts to feel it.
I tend to push on the non drive side with my left hand on the left grip and right hand on the back of the saddle. I try to get right behind the saddle so most of the pushing force is applied there. I'll resort to both hand on the grips when lifting up steps etc.
Will carry the bike if I have but struggle to get a comfy position if not wearing a pack. Doesn't help having spikey flat pedals.
On anything even remotely rough or steep I find it much easier and quicker to carry the bike.
Stand on left side of bike, left hand on the left grip, right hand wrapped around seatpost so my right arm is pulling the bike uphill.
I find pulling the bike is a lot easier than pushing the bike...
I have my manservant push it for me.
As per Gary, put it on your shoulders if it's steep and long.
The other week I was on a super narrow path/channel through tussock coastal grasses. Too narrow and entrenched in lots of it to pedal, too over grown at the side to walk. The easiest way for lot of it was to wheelie the bike Infront of me pushing it, worked well for the few hundred metres needed.
Otherwise I'm generally a non-drive side pusher mixing up hand positions. Rarely shoulder the bike for any distance and found doing that up hill really tough, especially as I have wrist issues so getting it up and down is painful.
An old riding buddy used to say "it's not a proper ride unless you've had to push or carry for some of it"....
The only thing some ****ers push these days is the button that makes the bike walk itself...
Seemingly my favoured pushing technique usually includes clattering either my shins or the back of my calf’s on my flat pedals
Frankly I find the front wheel getting stuck and rear of the bike pivoting around it and onto the back of your leg or worse so annoying that for any extended period I will always pick the bike up. It's only like 11-12kg; hardly a heavy pack, and often you can balance the top tube across your rucksack.
Honestly I feel if I can push easily enough it I could probably just ride it.
Mostly this
I tend to push on the non drive side with my left hand on the left grip and right hand on the back of the saddle. I try to get right behind the saddle so most of the pushing force is applied there.
Feels more comfortable and more efficient than pushing with both hands on the bars
I tend to swap sides half way up the hill, or when one side starts to feel it.
Defo this. Good way to avoid muscle/fatigue/pain imbalance.
Was experimenting with this on the way up Walna Scar last week. Swapping positions regularly seems to help, also pushing with bent arms rather than straight so that you can pop the front up over rocks rather than have it stall and smash the pedal into your calf...
When I push it, I tend to push it real good.
I'll only push if I cant make it to the top. Even then I'll have another go at riding it from the bottom. Hills are the best part!
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When I push it, I tend to push it real good.
Ooh, baby, baby!
When struggling up a really steep bit you often need to use the back brake to stop you and the bike sliding back down. So stand whichever side your back brake is.
If I'm wheeling my bike down a pedestrianised street, because I'm an old roadie, I just have my hand on the back of the saddle with the front wheel seemingly yards ahead. Resulting in lots of angry confrontations.
for any extended period I will always pick the bike up. It’s only like 11-12kg; hardly a heavy pack, and often you can balance the top tube across your rucksack
That's a light bike, but still a heavy pack by my standards. A rucksack for a day's hiking is about 6kg, a 11kg rucksack is one for a week of unsupported (except food) alpine trekking.
My FS trail bike is 16.5kg with pedals, mudguards, and a water bottle. If I'm doing a day out I'll already have a 5-6kg pack including water so that's 22kg. That's twice your bike, and almost a third of my bodyweight.
also pushing with bent arms rather than straight
Doesn't this cause extra work for your muscles than pushing with a locked-out straight arm?
Doesn’t this cause extra work for your muscles than pushing with a locked-out straight arm?
It's mainly when it's a bit steeper and there's stuff to catch your front wheel.
I tend to hunch over my handlebars blinking sweat from my pulsating eyes whilst my lungs attempt to do a self inflicted Blood Eagle thing from my back. Technique seems to work for me.
When struggling up a really steep bit you often need to use the back brake to stop you and the bike sliding back down. So stand whichever side your back brake is.
^^^^ this except when you have to swap sides in narrow gully's etc.
Also I find putting the saddle up and holding a bar... so you're lifting the bike from underneath not pushing it into the side of the hill.
or any extended period I will always pick the bike up. It’s only like 11-12kg; hardly a heavy pack, and often you can balance the top tube across your rucksack
Dunno about the 11-12kg... but my DMR steel HT is a right bast*** to carry.
I don't weigh my bikes but I'm sure its still lighter than my FS Bird but the wider top tube on the Bird makes a huge difference when carrying.
Get an eBike and never have to push again!
(best start lifting weights in the gym though to get it over locked gates and the like..... 🙂
Firstly make sure you are thoroughly warmed up in the following bodily areas: feet, knees, buttocks, arms, shoulders, wrists, core. Then perform the following steps while standing still, simply holding the bicycle upright with a feather light touch to maintain it's balance:
1) Engage Core
2) Tuck tail bone
3) Roll shoulders back
4) Neutral neck, look ahead
5) Focus on the summit
6) Grasp saddle with one hand and handlebar with the other.
You are now ready to begin pushing. Push from the hips and walk slowly and carefully, be mindful of foot placement, relax and don't forget to breath. Feel the soft warm glow of the sun lightening your load.
Something like that.
Descending the An Stuc scramble in the Lawers range which is an open V groove, I found it best to face in as the footholds were not great. The shape of the groove pushed the bike away from me meaning the top half of my body was facing out the way. Next time I'll dismantle the bike and take it down in several trips.
E-bikers, I get the bit about pressing the button for walking up hills but what's the deal with going up boulder fields or scrambly bits?
but what’s the deal with going up boulder fields or scrambly bits?
Struggle 😭😂