During Swen Lauer’s many years teaching cycling skills he’s noticed how the majority of riders just ride over obstacles, like roots or stones. While 29er wheels have made this easier to do, mastering the “Pickup” will allow you to ride more smoothly, more safely and more efficiently.
The pickup is an essential skill whereby you first lift your front and then your rear wheel over an obstacle on the trail. Here’s a step by step guide to the proper technique to get you executing it correctly.
Step 1 – Venue & Setup
- Choose a flat or slightly ascending piece of tarmac, gravel road or even grass.
- If you’re a beginner, go for flat pedals.
Step 2 – Technique: Front Wheel Pickup
- Find the right gear to accelerate quickly but maintain control of your speed and force.
- Ride as slowly as possible.
- When the pedal of your stronger leg reaches the 12 o’clock position push it down as fast as possible, use power and speed and allow your front wheel to lift.
- At the same time pull slightly on your handlebars, but keep your bodyweight back, arms straight and stay seated all time.
- Practice with both your stronger and weaker leg.
Step 3 – Technique: Rear Wheel Pickup
- Ride at a slow pace and use you cleats to lift your back wheel.
- Starting position: Roll in a standing neutral position on your bike, pedals levelled. Now try to lift your back wheel by pulling your legs up until the saddle touches your bum.
- If you are using flat pedals, you must move your body slightly forward to take the weight off the back wheel.
Step 4 – All together
- Find a small stick, tree branch and position it in a flat space.
- Do the pickup seated. As soon your front wheel is over the obstacle and touches the ground, stand up and lift your back wheel over too.
- As soon as your back wheel touches the ground start pedalling.
Pre-exercises
Doing balance exercises like these will help you perform the pickup.
- Ride a straight line, as slowly as possible
- Practice sprinting from a stationary, sitting start to get a feeling for force required.
- Practice smooth and controlled rear wheel braking.
Then hit the gym and do the following strength exercises:
- Single leg press – fast and slow controlled moves
- Balance exercises on a Half Swiss Ball
- Perform box jumps
- And remember that core exercises are great for improving your mountain biking so ask a personal trainer to develop a programme for you.
Next Time:
In the April issue of Full Sus for Swen’s Tech Zone I’ll be discussing fork and rear shock set-up and how it affects your riding by improving traction and reducing fatigue.
