how to ride difficult hill climbs: teaching a beginner in hanoi
Conquering the Hill Climb (Almost): A Real Lesson in Momentum, Line Choice & Control
At Dirt Bike Academy, we believe the best way to learn is by doing—and sometimes failing is part of the process. In this blog, we’re sharing a real-life training session with our student Nathan, who came back to tackle a steep, rocky hill climb that got the better of him last time.
What happened?
He flipped the bike, overheated it, and had to walk away from the challenge.
But this time, armed with some advice and coaching, Nathan gave it another shot—and came a lot closer to the top.
Here’s what we focused on.
Learning From Last Time
When we asked Nathan what went wrong on his previous attempt, he summed it up simply:
“Tricky. I think it was the momentum. And when I was stalling the bike, I was rolling back. I feel like I need to know more about how to maneuver the bike.”
Perfect place to start.
Tip #1: Momentum Matters (But Don’t Overdo It)
One of the most important elements of hill climbs is momentum—but it’s a balancing act.
Too much speed and you lose control, blow your line, or end up in the trees.
Too little speed and you stall, lose traction, or roll back down the hill.
The goal is steady, manageable momentum—keeping the bike rolling at a comfortable speed, even through tight or rocky sections. You don’t need to be flying up the hill, but you do need to avoid stopping.
We worked with Nathan on feathering the clutch and maintaining just enough speed to keep the wheels turning without panic or power surges.
Tip #2: Line Choice is Everything
At the base of the hill, there were two options: a rocky right-hand line, and a smoother but slightly curvier left-hand line.
Nathan asked, “Is it important to choose a line?”
Absolutely.
While both lines were technically possible, we recommended the left line because:
It allowed better momentum.
It had fewer rocks and loose stones.
It kept him more in control without major changes in direction.
Pro tip: When choosing your line, don’t just go for the smoothest path—go for the one that lets you keep your speed and doesn’t throw you off course.
Tip #3: Stand First, Then Sit (When You Have To)
Another great question from Nathan:
“Should I be sitting or standing for the hill?”
Here’s the general rule:
Start standing at the base of the hill. This helps you absorb bumps and keep momentum without getting kicked by the bike.
As the hill gets steeper and rockier, you might need to transition to sitting. This lowers your center of gravity and helps you maintain balance when the bike starts to slow.
Bonus benefit: Sitting partway up also puts more weight on the rear tire, giving you more traction on loose ground.
Tip #4: Grip With Your Legs
Hill climbs—especially rocky, loose ones—cause the bike to twist and shift underneath you. The best way to stay in control is to grip tightly with your legs.
We reminded Nathan:
Stand up and squeeze the bike with your knees from the start.
When you sit later, keep using the inside of your legs to control side-to-side movement.
The more you grip, the less energy you waste fighting the bike with your arms.
The (Almost) Finish Line
This is where we planned to end the video with Nathan powering over the crest of the hill, victorious and grinning. Unfortunately, real life had other ideas.
He made it three-quarters of the way up—but then his electric start failed, and we had to roll back down.
Still, that’s progress.
And the lesson? Off-road riding is messy, unpredictable, and constantly challenging—but every attempt is a step forward.
Want to Tackle Hill Climbs Like This Yourself?
If you're in Hanoi and want to learn the skills to conquer tricky terrain, you can book a lesson with us. We offer hands-on coaching, bike rentals (including SurRons), and real-world experience you won't get from YouTube alone.
👉 book your ride in our store
And don’t forget—check out the full video to see how Nathan did and pick up more tips in action.
