CLIMBING DISMOUNT
Climbing Dismount allows the rider to get off their bike at any time during the climb.
WHERE IT IS USED
The Climbing Dismount is used when the climb suddenly becomes too steep or too technical to ride, or the rider in front of you stops, and a quick dismount is needed before losing balance and falling over.
KEYWORDS – CLIMBING DISMOUNT
| 1. Ready. 2. Look. 3. Lock. 4. Lean. 5. Land (In Front of the Saddle). 6. Step Off. |
INSTRUCTOR DEMONSTRATION
Front view demonstration. Walking pace.
PERFORM A DEMONSTRATION – The instructor must perform a demonstration for each progression.
LOCATION FOR DEMONSTRATION
Start with non-technical terrain, gradually moving to steeper more technical terrain.
SITE SELECTION – If possible, find an uphill paved or grass surface you can close off and use for your climbing skills lesson.
GOAL OF THE LESSON
To safely step off the bike while climbing, bring the bike to a stop and place a foot on the ground away from the bike for stability.
KEYWORDS -The describing words used to teach the skill.
PHASE BREAKDOWN – Used to help the instructor create a deeper understanding of the skill, how it is broken down into the key Bike/Body movements, and the correct order they should be performed.
| THREE PHASE | KEYWORDS CLIMBING DISMOUNT | THE KEY BIKE/BODY MOVEMENTS TEACHING POINTS |
|---|---|---|
| Set Up | Ready | The rider is in a Ready Position, dictated by the terrain. Speed: Walking pace. The rider modulates both brakes and reduces speed in preparing to stop. |
| The Move | Look Lock Lean Land(In-Front of Saddle) | The rider Looks to the side where they want to stop. Choose the uphill side when climbing across a slope. Lock the brakes as the bike comes to a stop. The rider’s hips move in front of the seat and decide which foot to place on the ground. The rider Leans the bike toward the side they want to step down. Land by stepping away from the bike creating a tripod position. The hips are in front of the saddle. |
| Follow Through | Step Off | The rider Steps Off the bike. The rider keeps the brakes locked to keep the bike from rolling away. |
Additional information:
Having the rider’s feet clipped into their pedals creates a harder challenge. If the rider is unable to complete the skill with their feet clipped into their pedals, have them practice with sneakers on so they can learn and complete the skill.
The rider must keep the brakes locked until they have completely stepped off the bike.
If the bike is leaned left, put the left foot on the ground and the right foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke. If the climbing dismount is performed correctly, the rider is now positioned with one foot firmly planted on the ground, the other foot on the pedal, the bike leaned toward the ground, hips in front of the seat, and brakes fully locked.
When the rider dismounts to the side of their forward foot, the back pedal will drop to the 6 o’clock position.
When the rider dismounts to the side of their rear foot, the locked brakes should keep the front pedal in the position they approached in.
When the rider has one foot still clipped in they should use their bike to assist their balance until they have both feet on the ground.
GROUP MANAGEMENT – Have the riders come through one at a time. Spacing out the riders, do not allow the next rider to start until the rider in front has stopped and dismounted the bike safely.
METHOD OF OBSERVATION – Stand on the outside (side view) of the skill zone to be able to see the approach and the Bike/Body movements as the rider stops next to you.
ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION – Positive-Constructive-Positive.
ERROR DETECTION AND CORRECTION
Example: The bike is rolling backward when the rider dismounts.
- Have the rider apply both brakes and keep them locked when they come to a stop.
Example: The rider’s front wheel rises off the ground and the rider falls backward when they try to dismount.
- Remind the rider to come forward and off the saddle, leaning the bike as they place their foot on the ground. If they remain on the seat, the uphill slope and the rider’s weight over the rear wheel may cause them to fall backward.
- They need to land with their foot farther forward, creating a larger tripod.
Example: The rider has poor balance when they move their weight onto the ground foot.
- Make sure the rider leans the bike to the uphill side if on a slope.
- Make sure the foot that was placed on the ground is far enough away from the bike to create a tripod for stability.
- Make sure the rider is putting the correct foot down.
Example: The rider falls to one side when stopping.
- Make sure the rider steps away from the bike 1-2 feet in a tripod position creating space for the bike to lean.
PROGRESSIONS– Teach the skill in smaller steps to ensure the rider is proficient in that step before advancing to the next step in the skill.
RIDE STANDARD – The BICP ride standard is used for testing riders for certification.
SKILL PROGRESSIONS
Have riders practice dismounts on both sides of their bike before moving to the next progression.
PROGRESSION ONE
Have the riders practice the Climbing Dismount on a slight uphill grade.
PROGRESSION TWO (RIDE STANDARD)
Change the terrain. Have the riders practice the Climbing Dismount on a steeper uphill grade.
WRAP UP THE LESSON – Have the riders leave on a positive note. Remind the riders of their accomplishments and suggest a goal or things to practice.
