4 Tips How To Climb Technical Trails Like a Pro: The Ride Series MTB Skills Clinic Rich Drew

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Part of the fun in heading to the Sedona MTB Festival is making a stop down in Phoenix to visit big bro Rob and be humbled by some of the gnarliest trail in the world!
I was pumped to get some "Tactical Trail Time" with the SoMo legend himself, Rob Drew. It's hard to describe how crazy and technical these lifts are, so I'm hoping this video does it some justice.
I still remember my first visit to these trails and how impossible all of these moves seemed. They seem to get better and better with each visit and it was really cool to get a bit of a "refresher" with the master.
The trifecta of Pivot's finest make an appearance in this one. This is Robs fleet of whips and it includes:
Pivot Trail429 Enduro Build
Pivot Firebird
The All New Pivot Switchblade (First Impression coming soon!)
LOCATION
National Trail South Mountain
GEAR
ZOIC Clothing zoic.com/
The One Short Size M (i'm a 32 waist) zoic.com/ether-one-shorts+col...
Carbon Bib Liner Size M (it rules) zoic.com/carbon-bib-liner+col...
SOCKS
JUNK BRANDS Bifrost Size M www.junkbrands.com/products/b...
HEADBAND
JUNK BRANDS Papa Bear www.junkbrands.com/products/p...
HELMET
Kali Protectives Maya 2.0 Size M Pixel kaliprotectives.com/collectio... #howto #richdrew #mountainbike #bentonville

[@JeffLenoskyTrailBoss]

Great video. Glad to see tech climbing trending.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Jeff Lenosky Thanks fella! Just trying to follow in your footsteps and showcase how fun (and difficult) this stuff is. See ya in Sedona!

[@archetypex65]

Trials training 👌

[@jeff7086]

That bounce the wheel off the rock to negotiate that trough was just sick!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

I couldn't believe it the first time I saw it.

[@joluar78]

Bro... at the Bermuda triangle I would lift, shit, and pull a hammy. Great content!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

DUDE, the ENTIRE house is dying laughing right now! Amazing comment!

[@crt269]

Editing is on point Rich. Thanks Rob, great clinic. Thanks for showing that you didn’t always clear the section on your first attempts. This added authenticity that you both don’t always get it right the first attempt, and that’s ok! Try again and you will finally get it. Thank you!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Of course Chris! I'm certainly not afraid to show the reality of the situation. This trail is extremely difficult and takes some incredible technique to navigate.

[@PaulaCrisp]

I have to say I loved it when I heard Rich say "this is difficult!!"

[@byknphil]

Home Trail advantage definitely has it privileges.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha! That place is so hard to ride!!

[@michaelbaldwin7869]

Great explanations - very clear and concise! Loved the slow-mo footage to compare balance, pedal positions & height, body weight and techniques! Brilliant Gentlemen!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you Michael! It’s always fun riding with my brother in this setting. He’s a master at technique and has such an incredible ability to convey the how and why behind that technique.

[@ghrohrs2020]

The triangle looks wicked. Getting on top of the rock is one thing, not doing a wheelie and flipping back or losing momentum is a massive challenge. You guys are spot on with your descriptions and instructions. Well done!

[@voyant26]

Great video. I like seeing the multiples attempts instead of just cleaning everything so quickly. Definitely more practical. Gets me excited for my next attempts out there!

[@dianepalomba7949]

Great video! Those are some challenging trails. I was stressed out just watching, but of course the 'pros' make it look easy. A great promotion for TRS! I'd love to see a video of rocky descents also.

[@RCRGIRL]

Awesome video guys!! This has become my new goal...I knew going into Sedona that I wanted it but after Sedona, I want it even more. You both make it look so damn easy.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Donna! It's something that comes with time. You'll have those "ah ha" moments and it'll start to click. I think this is where the video analysis comes in handy. It allows you to really see how getting the torso back and keeping the arms as straight at possible can help.

[@gariegalaraga4545]

Pretty much both of you best technical rider ever seen in youtube😃👍👍⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@hvheerden]

That is jaw-dropping tech! Well executed.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hein van Heerden Thank you!

[@chancebex5947]

Hot Damn , not one but Two Legends of the Gnarverse !!!! I'm Mindblown watching those techniques.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

chance bex Haha!! Best comment by far!! 👊🏻

[@nicolecarlton8150]

Lift it, shift it, pull it...so you don’t bop it!!! Great video!!!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Oh I've bopped before...on accident of course!

[@zhulianfeags16]

Awesome , you make lifts look effortless.

[@robass22]

Drew bros are AWESOME !!! Thanks for the video ! Greetings from Poland !!!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

robass22 Thanks dude!! How’s the riding in Poland?

[@robass22]

@@richdrewtherideseries Somehow I manage. Thanks, it's ok 👍😀!

[@greatdimitri1049]

Great video...shows the fun and challenges of National Trail.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

That place is SO challenging! My first few times riding with Rob were carnage! Bent a couple chain rings in half.

[@whiskeybeardoutdoors6568]

Awesome tips. Thanks guys.

[@gasinthevan]

Drew bros sharing the inside knowledge, awesome video!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

PK Thanks dude! Always fun to get the Mayor of SoMo to show us how it’s done

[@jeffreyhernandez4186]

Switchblade in action. Hope to see a reveiw soon and a vs Troy also. I have learned a lot with this series. Keep em up!!!

[@LiteShaper1]

Excellent video! Great content, beautifully presented. Love the music!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you!

[@rollinrat4850]

Very sweet trails. We have some very similar trail in South San Jose at Santa Theresa Park. More rocks than dirt! Most MTBers ride down all the tricky trails. Ive always enjoyed the climbs as much as the descents. Its made me a much more complete rider and the explosiveness I need becomes very handy when I ride real epics in big mountains.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

RollinRat We might have to get out there and ride your spot!

[@rollinrat4850]

Rich Drew This is the toughest time to ride them. What little dirt there is is all washed out exposing the rocks. Later in the summer the park usually adds some dirt to the trail making it almost too easy! Just don't ride here when it's muddy. The clay soil sticks to everything, eventually jamming your wheels in the frame. Then you get to carry your now 80 lb. unrideable lump of mud, metal and rubber a mile to a creek. Then you throw it in, scrape off the mud ride it home and overhaul your bike! The two trails are called Rocky Ridge and Stiles Ranch. Probably the most technical (legal) trails in the South Bay Area.

[@gekkardboy]

This is exactly why I opt to climb Mormon over National. Well done fellas!

[@trailbossss]

I must ride this trail soon! Great video, excellent techniques. It’s fun to see the missteps along the way as well.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

austen bickford BRO...you’d love this one! So much fun going up and super rowdy heading down!

[@rollinrat4850]

Rich Drew Is this in Arizona?

[@hardmtnbiker]

Absolutely riveting technical smashing of those sections! Thanks for sharing, I wish I could join you guys in Sedona. I’ll be shredding my local Pasadena CA trails until I can swing the time off to travel to Sedona.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you! We wish you could be here also! Enjoy your local trails though

[@willbros1499]

Yep...my favorite one so far!! So cool seeing two brothers out there taking on the challenges! LOVED that last one with the wheel bounce, and the subtlety of keeping the front wheel up just a fraction longer so you could stay on the pedals and keep momentum after the "wheel bonk" move. Does Rob have a name for that one yet? "Bonk and Blast?" "Tap and Brap?"

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha!!! Rob has decided to go with..."tap and brap!" Killer input!

[@sapyproducts]

I remember the first time I saw Rob on Instagram climbing some insane rocky lines like it wasn’t a big deal. You guys bring a different perspective into mountain biking, uphill is the new DH. Please keep the great content coming! 🔝

[@richdrewtherideseries]

I remember the first time I saw him climb some of those insane lines in person and I was shocked!! He's just got so much damn technique!

[@sapyproducts]

Rich Drew A human goat 🙌

[@troybush5899]

Thank you for the great explanations, crafting intelligent word choices with skillful demonstrations!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@garypostell5268]

Excellent very strenuous workout!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It really is!

[@adamgonzalez31]

That was some amazing riding. You guys must be part mountain goat. One thing that’s helped me the most with tech moves like those is to drop my saddle height about 2-3 cm on the approach. It prevents it from rebounding into the butt and easier to go back and forth from standing to sitting. Great seeing the big smile from Rob at the end.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Rob is at least 72% mountain goat!! Seat height is key for sure!

[@MarkMcCurdy]

I imagine riding here makes for a short day of riding. Exciting to watch from the couch.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Mark! It's a far cry from anything in Bentonville or the Dallas area for sure.

[@scottnormand5858]

Awesome tutorial gentlemen. Cannot wait to see how my bag of tricks riding greasy eastern boulders works out there on western sandpaper rocks. And Rich, the professor schooled you. Class dismissed 😁

[@robdrew596]

Scott Normand Thanks buddy, it’s really fun getting to ride with Rich like this. 👍

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha, indeed he did Scott! I'd be willing to bet your bag of tricks will serve you VERY well out west. Once you acclimate to the insane amounts of traction, it just falls into place.

[@RacersEdgeKarting]

8:10 Big bro giving little bro advice. Sweet

[@jackkong1094]

Incredible riding. Rad stuff !!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Jack!

[@mikewelch4673]

Great riding, enjoyed seeing the progressions and options 👍🏼

[@hardtailparty]

Man, the last stair on 4 stair gets me every time. Time to head back and apply these tips. Another great video guys.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

That's the tough one man! I'd love to give it a whirl on a hard tail.

[@hardtailparty]

@@richdrewtherideseries Let's do it and film a video of it. I find a lot of these punchy climbs easier on a hardtail. I think it's time for me to try it in clips, that might be the boost I need.

[@IthacaDon]

Thanks for showing you are human Rich. Those are some tough moves. Lift, shift and pull. Going to practice that today.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha, it's always fun being schooled by the big bro!

[@jamisongardner8139]

If you haven't ridden National, it is hard to understand from a video just how challenging climbing that trail really is. Great video guys!

[@pgraja5767]

real heroes, amazing guys, great to watch

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you! My brother loved hearing this.

[@jedwardle5905]

That trail looks super fun

[@gregwebster8784]

That was insane.

[@allanmaynard8595]

Awesome! you guys make it look easy.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

thanks Allan!!

[@LUISGARCIA-pr7kl]

awesome, can't wait for the season to try these techniques here in B.C.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

LUIS GARCIA Thanks Luis! I think we could be convinced to come up there and show you some of these techniques in person 😉

[@LUISGARCIA-pr7kl]

@@richdrewtherideseries Oh man, anytime, there are tons of killer trails in the north shore

[@jdavis417]

Nice production!!! Wow!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Appreciate it!

[@MrTronzomonzo]

That line at 12:20 looked so freaking effortless. Incredible. So awesome.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It really is incredible to see in person! It's hard to explain how much is going on right there!

[@MrTronzomonzo]

@@richdrewtherideseries It might be hard to explain, but it's clear to me in this video. Anyone with technical climbs in their area can appreciate this. Your How To videos are awesome and have helped me become a better rider. Thank You!

[@scottvan6064]

good stuff, you guys rock

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Scott!

[@pivotcyclesusa]

Nice work boys!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Pivot Cycles It was all the bikes 😉

[@iantolentino2293]

Wow you guys are awesome!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Ian!

[@lunatiklogan3090]

you guys are incredible

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks dude!!

[@gavinheron1]

Great stuff. I’d struggle to get down these features let alone ride up them. Many thanks.

[@DuskPatrol]

Awesome video guys.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks JB!

[@cellphonenut]

Wow I’m witnessing some incredibly skilled climbing techniques

[@richdrewtherideseries]

cellphonenut Thanks dude!!

[@radiocontrolled9181]

This is the other aspect of true mountain biking and in my opinion it requires far more skill than downhill. Great video congrats!

[@mikebussart2575]

Very informative content.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Glad it was helpful!

[@winnguyen443]

Awesome, I’m too old for that stuff but it’s great to watch.

[@gatoryak7332]

How old is too old? I'm asking so that I know when to give up.

[@winnguyen443]

@@gatoryak7332 I’m actually starting to work on climbing ledges, 62.

[@bonham4994sts9]

I like the new intro, classy!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Michael Lowe Thanks Michael! There’s a sweet new one in the works, stay tuned.

[@daarcher21]

This video makes me want to go ride!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Heck yeah Daniel!

[@50mtb44]

Sweet moves.

[@maconSTUFF]

You guys make this look too easy... My last video was an epic fail cause I suck at techy climbs... LOL... Well done Rich!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha! It takes some time and a brother that's a master.

[@bigzeromike]

The only times I've made the triangle was by brute force. I wound up needing a bashguard as well due to some chainring damage. Now that the smaller step rock is no longer there to help your rear tire up the lift is even more important. I shall give it a try next time on Natty...

[@mhe8545]

Impressive technique.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thank you Martha!

[@carlfarm]

great stuff

[@richdrewtherideseries]

carlfarm thanks Carl!

[@manabiker]

Great stuff, I did notice you both ride in torque gears not bail out/spin gears... a lot of people think,"Climb" then shift to the smallest gear... resulting in a spin out fail,, thanx for a great vid..

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Great pick up Don! The right gear is where the timing of the pedals matches the obstacle.

[@PickledShark]

Well, that’s some impressive climbing gents. Something to aspire to.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Keith! My bro is a goat!

[@emtbwulf9215]

Great Vid! What I would like to also hear about is gear choice for those maneuvers. I'm sure it's dependent on each feature, but it would be great to hear how you decide on which gear to be in.💪🤙

[@thebeardedman-drenaline5546]

Yall make it look to easy🤯😎

[@rogerjozef4427]

Cool job

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Roger Jozef Thanks Roger

[@rommelgallego2943]

Awesomeness

[@roknavy126]

That's great.wonderfull.

[@TCK71]

That is some really excellent riding cos this looks impossible!

[@jeffreyhaas2052]

Thanks for this. Love the nuances around the lift, shift, pull. Two questions: 1) can you discuss the pull more?; 2) why have you not dropped your seat for these obstacles?

[@Ghostina1]

According to this great video and the great explanation while climbing. Can you please do a video of the need/or not of oval rings, especially for climbing?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Ghostina1 Heck yeah! I’ll see what we can do

[@jmard24]

came back to watch this again. My skill level will not allow me to clear most of those obstacles. you head down to texas again i have a place in georgetown id like to see you ride. its a 26.8 mile loop called goodwater. its my favorite place but its gots some pretty tough obstacles.

[@johnglynn7795]

Hello Rich, truly appreciated your video. I will be returning home next week after being on the road for a month. That said, can I assume you give MTB instructions? I like yourself is the over 50+ gang, live in PHX, enjoy MTB'n and would like to meet up. Blue skies from the sandbox here in Dubai. Jg

[@davidschram5016]

I dig the music!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

The editor DIGS this comment!!

[@psychedeliccheese]

That was super helpful, wanted a bit more info on Challenge 4 at 7:00. I also spin my back tire on a local trail on a similar feature. I cannot find the right gear and body position.

[@themiddleagemasher8108]

Allll right. I live in Mesa and suck suck suck at tech climbs because I mainly ride Hawes. I NEEEEEED TO GET better 😄

[@GOTCHAPARK]

Hey guys Great video ! but can you talk about tire pressure and suspension set up for traction as well. Thanks !

[@birjurahang]

Awesome

[@ronin550]

Much work, I have. Well done though I'll have to watch this again lol

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Rob makes this stuff look absurdly easy, it's frustrating.

[@ronin550]

@@richdrewtherideseries 🚴🏾‍♂️🤣🤣😂😂

[@curtislow9176]

Nice tips, I just went up National this weekend didn't make any of those. Gonna watch this again before my next attempt. Any AZ/SoMo TRS Clinics planned?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Jason Spetka Heck yeah Jason! Last weekend in March is a Phoenix TRS, link below. Would love to see you there! www.bikereg.com/46489

[@jasonmcginnis]

Good grief dudes. Well done.

[@RNicknackpaddywhack]

No downhill footage? Reward people..,reward...

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha, that was an oversight Roman. We should've given you something going down here, it's gnarly.

[@outbackwack368]

You forgot #1... STRONG LEGS!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha!! What's crazy is that my brother IS NOT strong dude! He looks like he's riding a chicken! He compensates with amazing technique.

[@glassbarrel]

I may be crazy but this looks like more fun than mobbing down a hill at white knuckle speeds lol. Probably should switch out the Yeti for a Pivot since Pivot seems to be the bike of choice in AZ.

[@laramiegrinde9246]

I agree! I suck at this kind of riding but I absolutely love it!

[@ryanjames2462]

Really great video! Technical question: Seat up or down or partially down when climbing technical terrain like this? Gracias!

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Ryan! I think this is personal preference to a degree. You have to have it high enough to be able to lay down some power, but not too high that it's in the way. I like mine to be the highest it can be for the given situation. You can also play around with it a bit and see what happens.

[@slademcinerney332]

Really interesting explanations, I struggle with these kind of obstacles. Would the lifts you made here be possible on flat pedals?

[@mrvwbug4423]

I think most of them would be. On the big underhanging lift it didn't look like Rich was pulling on his clips at all.

[@siteofdaniel]

U should be able to do everything on flats. U need to point your toes down and push against the pedals to bring the bike up. If you are fast enough u can do it. ÅThe clips makes it a little bit easier and efficient. Go get it.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Slade! I'm sure they might be possible, but I have absolutely zero interest in riding flats in these types of trails. We actually shot a little "Flats VS Clips" piece that will post very soon.

[@slademcinerney332]

I saw the flats v clips video. I understand the point not the hostility. As a flats guy I was just interested to learn the particular techniques required to tackle those lifts with flats. It maybe harder it maybe easier I don't know and I don't care I just want to improve my skills. I watch you guys so I can learn and subscribe because I have learned a lot from watching your channel. So maybe keep us flat guys and girls in mind when the techniques need to be adjusted for the different pedal preferences. Cheers from the Land Downunder.

[@adamgonzalez31]

It’s absolutely possible to ride obstacles like these on flats. His lift/shift/pull technique is the same riding flats.

[@johnvmtb5440]

hi Drew brothers, those are very technical trails, thanks for sharing your experience on it. what tires you guys use??

[@silverfox0072]

Great video! What kind of helmets are you wearing, I like the flat top visors.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Steven! These are the Kali Maya 2.0. They now have a 3.0 which appears to be even better.

[@mtblover]

Damn!!!!!

[@kirkthorpe5392]

Awesome video! Just curious what casing do you guys prefer for the Maxxis in the Southwest? Im next door in NM where weve got lots of sharp rocks and cacti like AZ, is the Exo sufficient or is the DD better for this neck of the woods?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Thanks Kirk! We both generally run Minion DHFs with the EXO or EXO+ casing and Cushcore. I like this setup better than a DD, more traction. Where in NM are you?

[@kirkthorpe5392]

Rich Drew thanks for the info! I’m in Las Cruces down south. Surprisingly a lot of good trails around here, at least for beginners and intermediates. Probably a little boring for pros tho haha.

[@realitynuggets6204]

Awesome technical climbs. Lift, shift, and pull! Sweet. I've noticed tire pressure is so key, too. Also, having an exit plan if you have to fall or plant a foot. Do instant engagement hubs really matter or do you like some play? Thank you!

[@willbros1499]

I'll be interested to see their answer. I know for me, faster engagement helps. I proved that to myself when I had a stock DT Swiss 350 hub with the dinky 18 points of engagement that came stock with a new bike. I upgraded it to the 54 tooth, and it made a very noticeable improvement in tech climbing. I'm riding the I-9 101's now, and they engage very quickly at 4*, and while I'm sure the Hydra's and some others with lower than 4* are even better for more skilled riders, I'm not sure I can tell the difference having ridden both. I think most riders will feel a "dead spot" at more than 6*, and I think under that...you're down there where I'm not sure it impacts a lot for most riders....IMO. I'm sure someone will come along and say that they upgraded to the Hydra hub, and were able to clear things they couldn't before....and that's great if that's the case.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey there!! I really feel that better engagement makes a noticeable difference. Now, that being said, technique is still certainly paramount. Rob and I have been running Industry Nine hubs/wheels for quite some time now and the high level of engagement is what prompted us to try them in the first place. It's very difficult for me to ride a hub with less engagement and it certainly effects my ability to clear obstacles like this. I've been running the 1-1 wheels lately and the 90 points of engagement are awesome. The 690 points on the Hydra are certainly much better, but upgrading from the standard DT 18 points to 90 is a MASSIVE improvement.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey dude! I'm digging the 101's! I think the 90 POE is awesome. It's been awhile since i've been on the Hydras and they certainly are amazing. However, I doubt that going from 90 POE to 690 POE will inherently help a rider clear things on a regular basis.

[@willbros1499]

Rich Drew ....Isn’t it whacky feeling now when you get on a bike with low engagement hubs? An old 18 point stock DT Swiss hub feels like its half a pedal rotation! 😂

[@nicoskie]

I'm imagining climbing it with crankbrothers eggbeater pedals. 😅

[@guitarmike69]

I just watched the talk about flat vs clips and I'm the 1st to admit I'm afraid of not being able to get unclipped. Please please please do a video on how to overcome this. I would love to get the benefits of using clips. I've been riding mtn bikes for over 30 years and I tried clips about 12 years ago and had a bad experience in a technical down hill section.

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Mike! I hear ya man! Rob and I have been discussing it and I'll think we will come up with something soon.

[@valentinvas6454]

Now I'm kinda interested in Red Bull organizing climbing races :D What would they name it?

[@useport80]

can you do a video on the lift, shift, pull technique please?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Hey Robert! Here you go kzbin.info/www/bejne/rJqodquHo6etlcU

[@josholivarez3804]

does the shift only work if you have clipless pedals? That's where I'm getting confused on. how are you able to bring back of the bike up if you arent clipped in?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

It works better, in my opinion, if you're clipped in. I can do everything here on flats, I just don't want to because it's just not as fun, again, in my opinion. Part of the shift is loading the bike and that's what helps the rear come up even if you're on flats.

[@josholivarez3804]

@@richdrewtherideseries now I'm assuming since it's a full suspension you can load the rear sus, but in a hardtail, this could be difficult, right?

[@thehornfamily1]

Paging Dr. Rob Drew

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Mike Horn Haha!!

[@RATBURL]

Fuck being clipped in for that shit😙 good job guys 👍🏻

[@richdrewtherideseries]

Haha! It's all what you're comfortable with I think.

[@GeneralMills66]

Are you guys wearing clipless? How do you setup your suspension for this?

[@richdrewtherideseries]

We are. We generally run very little compression damping so we can get some decent pop when we load the rear.