technique for manly dam steps?

Hi rock, welcome.

This might be trickier to explain than show but here it goes...

The only real challenge with the steps is to reduce the rear tire from sliding once you're up to the last one. Because it's been damp recently the sand from the tires has been mixing with the rubber and creating a bit of a slippery area on the last rock.

This is what I do and it works for me but may not be the "correct" way of getting up there efficiently.

You want constant speed all the way up the board work. My gear ratio is around middle front, and 3,4,5 big ring on the back depending on if I'm pushing it. Try not to stand on the board walk to conserve energy and just pull our front wheel over the logs while keeping your speed up. When you come to the lower step rise out of your saddle and pull your front wheel up while pushing down on your strong foot to help lift the wheel and maintain your speed. Because there is not much room between steps it's easier if you use your speed to just let your rear wheel roll up rather than pulling it up with your body. This will allow you to focus on keeping that speed and while the rear is rolling up perform the same action you did on the previous step with your front wheel. If you don't have enough speed try back peddling to bring your power foot back up and push down again to bring you up the 2nd step.

This is the tricky part. Your rear wheel has come to the flat area between steps and you've pulled up the front on the 2nd but most of the speed has been washed off by now. You'll be leaning forward to force the climb and because you are on the last step you can again power down on your power foot. This is where the back can slip out and not get traction so you need to shuffle your weight back after you've got your front wheel to the flat and focus on getting that rear wheel up while adding extra weight to form traction.

That's it - the middle motion between getting your rear up the first step and getting your front wheel up the 2nd step is one clean sweep and you'll naturally feel where to apply your weight position after a few goes. Click down a few gears and launch the whole rock in the next section, you'll be stoked.

There is also another way up the steps section which is on the right. It's actually easier I think but doesn't look that way. It also means you stay on the board walk incase a ranger is watching you as tackling the steps from the board walk is rather tricky due to the line, that's your next line to practice.

I'm out there most days if you want to do a lap or 2 with me, happy to see how you go.

The esteemed one from Yorkshire can do this on a Big Hit...

I'm really annoyed at the alternate route that has been cut into the bush at the first steps. Jeez, if you can't ride up it then walk - don't go hacking into the bush!

Gazza whats better being safe and wearing pads or trying to be cool and risk alot without them

cheers guys. plenty of practice seems the way to go. I was out again today, and can say that the pole at the first steps is also well positioned for a flailing grab as you run out of steam halfway up

As much as this requires technique, you also need to have confidence in your ability. If you aren't positive going into it, the slightest little twitch, slip, slight loss of balance etc will immediately have you looking for the nearest place to put a foot down or a soft spot to land on rather than believing that you WILL get up there.

There is no doubt another section of the dam (maybe not as technical) that you have built up to (cornering faster, taking rough parts faster, riding through rocks more smoothly) which you probably do without thinking about as you are already confident. Try to do the same at the steps.

When you have a crack at the steps, picture yourself doing it, and doing it easily. Have the conviction that you will get up. A little extra aggression will also help. Don't forget, all that is really required for this section is getting your nose up, then once you've done that, throwing your weight forward so that your rear wheel follows. Chances are you already do this on other sections and don't realize it. Now you just need to have the confidence that you can replicate it here and go straight up and through.

You might also want to give yourself a decent run up so that you feel settled on the bike (clipped in, in rhythm etc)

And my tip for after you have completed it; go straight back and do it again, and again and again until you KNOW that you didn't fluke it. I use the same process for all of my riding whether its trail or DH.

they are all right in saying practice practice practice.....
yeh great idea go there on saturday and watch all riders and talk to them about technique.
i will be riding tomorrow...hope you are there,o. for sure give you a few pointers mate.
Trent