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Struggling with the dam step up
No, not the multiple step ups but the one just around the corner after the boardwalk; i.e.
I used to ride up this more often than not but seem to rarely do it nowadays. Is it just me or is everybody else struggling with this too? It certainly looks like erosion has taken its toll on this part of the dam and has made it that much harder especially as you seem to lose grip on the rear tyre. Perhaps the crossmarks are no longer up to the job.
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I got up it just fine last time I was there on Saturday morning. Doesn't seem to have changed IMO.
I was on my big bike, though I do have issues on my 29er SS occasionally.
Maybe you just need to stop and have a practice session there? when I get into training mode for a race I tend to lose my tech skills slightly and find that things I used to do easily dont work for me.
So maybe you just need to brush up on your technical skills?
Maybe try some larsens, i've heard if you put them on the wrong way they give better climbing grip.
made that one - always seem to have run out of momentum by the time I come to it.
I've only just mastered that after 2+ years of variously successful different methods/lines. I find a nice slow easy pedal (granny/2) from the previous steps, up the boardwalk and then only use the power for the steps works best. The board walk approach can take it out of you if you go too hard. Still, riding normal pace and being twice as fit and 10kg lighter is probably the best method....
I seem to recall other people (might have been GAZZA) mentioning using a gear that will get you up it in one crank turn, I'm not that fit or strong yet so will stick to granny for a while longer.
i find it easier if you dont ride all the way to end of the boardwalk. veer left a few metres from the end (you can see where others have done it) and approach the step ups on an angle, seems less steep on the angle.
works for me anyway...
you don't get up it what was your problem? staling or slipping? have you increased your tire pressure causing you to loose grip?
I find a small rest after you climb the steps helps also!!!!
Slipping seems to be the main problem. I'm running tubeless at 30psi.
I think I may have to explore finding a better line as the one I am used to just isn't working for me anymore.
One thing I did notice a while back was when I took my old hardtail out for a lap, I was not suffering the same problems. Definitely more grip to be had.
someone wrote this. Have only been mountain biking for about 3 and a bit months and have yet to successfully get up here. Actually when it comes to it, I haven't yet mastered the multiple step ups yet either....., but everything else has come together.
I normally start the Dam at Wakehurst Parkway and by the time I get here I am buggered so I am going to start at the bowling club one day so I have some energy at the boardwalk and spend some time here.
There is also another option of going up the rock on the right. Have see people do this successfully.
You don't need more than one crank turn to get up this. Just attack it from the side as someone else said, and keep going "across" it. Remember you will need to lift your front wheel with your arms and then quickly move your weight all the way forward to lift your back wheel up over the steps (hence you don't need to pedal). It's not that difficult, it's just that you are already tired at this stage from the previous section so it's hard to put the effort in. Gear wise I find it easer to be in around middle and top (or 1 down) and hit it quite quickly.
I have seen people ride the rock to the right of it but I've not tried that yet.
Talking of the steps, those 3 before it are easy now eh? What happened to the last one, someone built a ramp to the RHS of it?
you should know what it looks like...
Blondie and I spotted you entering the dam from Allambie Road yesterday - or was that somebody else on an orange yeti?
is your friend - only way I can go straight at it is middle and 2nd or 3rd and then crank like crazy so that it's just a pull on the bars and one crank of the pedals as Dylan said.
Is there another Orange yeti? If so tell me, I know people!
Actually it was me.. bit hot for hot laps and punctures but I somehow managed both. Why didn't you stop? It would have been good to have an excuse to have a rest.
Yes - I have seen someone else on an Orange Yeti. Didn't look as nice as yours though Dylan
As for this section (and the lower one for that matter)... do not charge at it. Approach at a reasonable pace, but one that you can keep going once you hit the obstacle. Stand up, lift your front wheel over the step, lean forward (but not too far - will loose traction on the rear wheel), the extra momentum of your body doing this will help, keep pedaling and hopefully you're up there the next stroke.
It's been said before, going left then cutting back right is the easy way up here, but it is possible to go directly up the boards and straight up the rocks with the correct angle and gear.
Your rear suspension can also throw you off on the second step as it recovers from the first, this is what my bike does to me if i dont attack from the left enough.
I was commenting to a friend the other day that I thought the steps were getting easier.
Generally I just ride up the timber slats and straight off the end - it gives the most perpendicular attack, therefore the best traction it seems to me. I used to sweep out wide to the left as others above are suggesting, but I always felt guilty about widening the track so I gave it up.
I find it helps me a lot to keep my eyes looking at the top of the top step.
If you are slipping then I suggest you need to be in a higher gear (not spinning so fast) and maybe keep your body lower - chest closer to the bars - and concentrate on feeling the back tyre gripping through your feet.
Yeah being in a higher gear is nice Cambo, but not everyone has the stamina and/or strength to be able to attack this in a higher gear. Worse luck.
And as hawkeye pointed out, one isn't always able to maintain the momentum all the way through this so it comes back to muscle power.
Colt
Great to hear it's me (sort of). I've got a renewed enthusiasm to conquer these steps again so I think I'll have to stop and have a play next time I'm out.
I think I've also picked up some bad habits from being in constant training mode (too much haste) plus a recent fall that took me to A&E has held me back from really committing.
Sometimes I think life would be much easier if I took up knitting.
hehe ... change your profile photo from hike a bike to king of the hill ... lol
b.
I find it easier to use the middle ring up front and lowest gear out back. If you exit off the boardwalk before the end, to the left at the top you can hit it straight on. For me if I hit it at an angle then I will spin my rear tyre out more often than not. Hitting it straight on I make it most times. Getting your timing right with pedal strokes is also important.
Sometimes, if you have enough speed, it is easier to ride up the rocks on the right side of the path (the one to the right of the steps and left of the tree [see picture below]) and that way you dont have the issue with the rear tyre slipping on the second step
Lets make sure we don't ride at the same place at the same time
D
Would either of you two be the owner of the Orange Yeti that sometimes sits on a gold Subaru ( I think Outback) in the Herbert St industrial estate in St Leonards?
What there is more of us !!!
As many have already mentioned, momentum is your friend for these 'steps'... tyre choice is almost unimportant, body position and timing (cranks) are key.
You just need to knuckle down and put on the speed and some body language to roll right up.