How to ride rocky hill climbs
Rocky hill climbs: they look awesome, feel gnarly, and can make you feel like a hero... or leave you spinning your wheels and swearing at your bike. If you’ve ever gotten stuck halfway up a rocky slope, clutch burning and rear tire throwing gravel like a blender, this one's for you.
Here are some game-changing tips to help you ride those rocky climbs like a pro.
1. Use a Taller Gear
If you’re smashing the throttle in first gear and your bike’s just bouncing off the limiter without going anywhere, you’re doing it wrong. First gear is like spinning your legs on a treadmill—lots of energy, no real progress.
Do this instead: Shift up a gear and go for low revs. Be gentle on the throttle. It might feel slow, but this approach gives you way more traction. You’ll hook up better, roll over rocks smoother, and your bike will thank you for it.
2. Keep Your Momentum (But Don’t Go Full Send)
No, this doesn’t mean blast up the hill at warp speed and hope for the best. Think of it more like keeping a steady crawl. Momentum doesn’t have to be fast—it just has to be consistent.
Once you stop on a rocky climb, restarting is really hard. So instead, focus on maintaining a slow, controlled pace that you can stick to without dabbing or stalling. Use a bit of clutch, keep your balance, and avoid stopping if you can.
Pro tip: If your balance isn’t quite there yet, work on that—it pays off big time.
3. Pick the Smart Line (Not the Popular One)
Everyone might be taking the same line up a climb, but that doesn’t mean it’s the best one. In fact, it's often the worst—full of deep ruts, hidden holes, and surprise ledges.
Look for a line that’s:
As straight as possible
Has minimal turning or stopping
Avoids sketchy rock gardens or big drops
Sometimes riding diagonally across bigger rocks actually works better than trying to follow a worn-out track.
Whatever you do, pick your line and commit to it. Don’t second-guess yourself halfway up—that’s when mistakes happen.
4. Body Position: Adjust as You Go
Your body is basically your bike’s best traction control system. Where you position yourself can make or break the climb.
Low speed / low traction? Slide your weight to the back. A little wheelie (just enough to lighten the front) can help.
Need a boost? Use the "unstuck" technique—clutch in, rev it up, then drop the clutch while shifting your weight forward. It helps the rear hook up without flipping the bike.
And here’s something so many riders forget...
5. Use Your Foot Pegs!
When things get sketchy, a lot of riders panic and start paddling with their feet. Unless it’s absolutely necessary, keep those boots on the pegs.
Putting weight on the pegs = more traction = better control. Plus, squeezing the bike with your knees helps keep you stable. If your legs are flapping, you're way more likely to get tossed off the back.
Final Thoughts
Rocky climbs don’t have to be a nightmare. With the right gear, steady momentum, smart line choice, solid body positioning, and proper peg pressure, you'll start climbing with confidence. And hey, if you want to level up your skills even more…
Check out some more videos from Dirt Bike Academy
Or better yet, come ride with us in Vietnam!
