Riding Techniques – Hill Climbs

Tips and Tricks to Ascend Like a Mountain Goat
by Jason Giacchino

Whether you fancy yourself a professional hill climber or just a weekend warrior with a serious craving for the trails, elevation is a natural element of the ATV world. The good news is with a bit of skill, cresting the top of even the steepest grades can be a very rewarding experience.

The following guide is designed to offer some tips and techniques to sending your ATV toward the clouds without ever leaving the ground. Best of all these tactics remain the same for rank beginners and crusty veterans alike.

Step 1: Remember It’s Not a Race

Scout the terrain from the saddle of your ATV, scanning the hill in question for potential obstacles such as rocks, roots, branches, and downed tree limbs. These obstructions, while annoyances on the ground, can be detrimental when you are ¾ up the face of a hill.

Step 2: Choose Your Line

Racers often speak of “lines” when competing. What this refers to is essentially the ruts left behind from other vehicles. Select your line, or path, up the hillside based on the smoothest/least cluttered route. If possible watch another rider ascend first and base your decision on their success or failure.

Step 3: Approach Wisely

Contrary to common misconception, a majority of the hill climb actually takes place while you are still on flat ground. The reason for this is that momentum carries man and machine smoothly upward far easier than sheer power. Keeping this in mind, approach the hill with as much speed as possible, already standing, in the proper gear (one that is neither revving out nor bogging down), and most of all be real smooth on the throttle. Give it more gas only as the conditions start demanding it so as not to break your rear tires loose.

Step 4: Weight the Front

As you ascend the grade, expect the front end of your ATV to begin unweighting. Counteract this by leaning forward over the gas tank. You should already be standing, so simply continue to lean forward as the road ahead demands.

Step 5: Be Loose

Even though you’re standing and moving around to keep your wheels on the ground, it’s absolutely crucial to stay loose and limber. Keep your elbows and knees slightly bent so that any unforeseen dips, bumps or trail obstructions can be absorbed by your body as the ATV continues its ascent. Again be sure not to panic and hammer the throttle, even if an unexpected obstruction appears, as losing traction is detrimental to the process. Rather, be ready for anything, stay relaxed and let the ATV work beneath you.