The Epic Carry: Use it for sure-footed uphills; faster-paced hiking or jogging; water crossings

1. Facing the non-geared side of the bike, turn the pedal closest to you to 6 o’clock.
2. Put your left palm under the nose of the saddle and lift the bike off the ground.
3. Turn to your right, until your back is to the bike, and reach with your right hand to grab the handlebar.
4. Set the top tube across your shoulders or on your pack. You can also wrap your left arm around the other side of the seatpost and rest your hand on the saddle.

Pro Tip: If the terrain gets rough, you can lean over to let the bike rest on your back and use your left hand to scramble. And if you have a dropper post, make sure it’s fully extended before you lift from the saddle to take strain off the post mechanism.

Two More Ways to Get It Done

The Shoulder: Use it for steep, rough terrain where having a hand free may be helpful

1. Reach over the bike with your right hand from the non-drive side and pick it up by the down tube.
2. Rest the saddle on your shoulder, letting the bike balance there.
3. Place your right hand on the stem to control the front wheel and the bike’s angle.
4. Push the front end down and back to gain more clearance.

Pro Tip: Too short to get enough clearance? Loosen your seatpost clamp to lower the saddle height – it’ll give you more room. Or, turn the bike so it rests more on your back and hip, especially as the slope steepens.

The Suitcase: Use it for short, quick sections; flatter or slightly downhill terrain

1. Reach over the bike with your right hand, grab it low on the down tube, and pick it up.
2. Keep your left hand on the grip or hood to manage the bar.
3. You can also pick it up by the top tube for short distances, downhills, and lower obstacles.

Pro Tip: Use a variation of this for steep hills: Pick up the bike from the top tube and bar and use it like a crutch or walking stick. Hold the front brake to keep the wheels planted.

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