Canberra's Mountain Biking community network

Cardiac Arrest

After taming Heartbreaker, I took the plunge and had a go at Cardiac Arrest @ Stromlo for the first time on Sunday. OMG! Was so much harder than I was expecting. Not only could I not ride all the way up the steep rolling section but I only made it over 2 of the tricky steps/rocks (out of 5-6). I also walked down Hammerhead - was completely psyched out by then.

So, what are your tips and tricks for tackling this climb?

Tags: Stromlo, climbing, technique

0 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Snakehips on July 18, 2011 at 21:46

Go around the front and head up the switchbacks.

Yours sincerely, A Big-Wooss.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nickdos on July 19, 2011 at 12:14

Should've searched a bit better before posting... found this thread with some good suggestions

http://www.theberm.com.au/forum/topics/heartbreaker-trail-help

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Christopher Giuliano on July 19, 2011 at 15:21

I think Cardiac Arrest is in a different league to Heartbreaker - the latter has one hard pinch that can be a little sketchy for grip but that is it. Cardiac Arrest has dozens of places where you can come unstuck.

My biggest problem is grip. We all know that Stromlo has lots of places to pinch-flat or damage tyres, so we run higher pressure than normal. Cardiac Arrest is often all about grip, especially the first climb. If you spin out, there is no recovery and you step off and it is too steep to get back on and you've lost your rhythm etc etc. So my first tip is to lower your tire pressure to maximise grip. When you can clean the trail, you can go back to normal pressure.

The other tip is to get rest when you can. On the first climb, climb as slow as possible until it gets to the really steep bit and then attack attack attack. It then levels out and rest as much as you can before that horrible hairy wet right hander with the grill.

That particular corner takes faith. Don't think about where you will land IF you fall, because you will end up there - do not look at the grill. Pick a line through the rocks before you get to the rocks, and then follow the line. Once your are amongst those wet rocks, look directly at the exit and keep pedalling. Your rear wheel will be sliding around on the rocks - just let it do so, it will find grip in a nanosecond. Too much front brake at any stage and you will be a goner - control that rear wheel with the brake.

Learn the trail. It helps to know what is next, what the easiest line is, and, most importantly, when you can rest and what is the minimum effort needed to get over any particular obstacle.

There are a few bits on the ascent where you are confronted with rocks and boulders. Many people will try to steer a path between the rocks - don't! Your wheels can roll over quite large obstacles - often they are larger for your mind than they are for your bike. In most cases, if you can get your front wheel onto or over something, the rear will follow. Pop a micro wheelie onto the top of the rock, and then a micro wheelie so that your front wheel doesn't go into the gap between the rocks. Keep the power on as much as you can and your rear wheel will do its own thing.

Being really really fit doesn't hurt, but there is technique needed to clean that trail.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by nickdos on July 19, 2011 at 15:52

Thanks for those tips Christopher. I agree about the different league comment... I can get up Heartbreaker without stopping or putting a foot down but feel like I have training wheels on for CA.

I've since looked a few Youtube clips of riders on this track and it helps seeing other people get over (and down) some of the harder obstacles. They make the Hammerhead drop look so easy but it seemed so much steeper and bigger when I was up there (ha ha).

After my first attempt I thought "never again" but since then I keep thinking about how to takle the various sections... its a bit addictive.

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Downing on July 20, 2011 at 12:02

yep, grip is the key up this one. You need to chew the stem to keep the front wheel down, but keep enough weight out the back to weight the rear tyre. Chris got it right. Go as slow as you can (possibly using a slightly higher gear so as not to spin the rear tyre out), then attack the last 15 metres of the climb.

The rest of it is best done in segments. Just do 10-20 metre sections over and over again until you nail it evey time. Then, when you can do this, try and link it all together.

Hammerhead is all about the preceeding 50 metres. Stop, walk and have a look at the possible lines here. Think about rolling over bouldes rather than riding around them. Hit up hammerhead on the far right of the drop in.