Push Starts.

[markbrosnan78]

Went on a not very steep trail today. The gradient was just not enough to get rolling. Got one good run off of a bridge but I reckon that if I could have just managed a push start I could have ridden more or given the odd push to keep momentum going.

I tried push starting like you would on a skate board but I just couldn't figure it out. Tried leading foot and pushing heel side, leading foot toe side and rear foot heel side but I couldn't do any without tripping over a foot somewhere.

Any tips on how to do it? Having a foot in a binding and across the board as opposed to along it just seems wrong.

[Ian@KentATB]

I have always found pushing on a mountainboard a bit sketchy

[markbrosnan78]

It is so odd, something that is so normal to skateboarding is so alien to mountain boarding. I've seen some urban riders do it but can't work out why it is so difficult. I think it is something to do with the different riding stances.

[Ben]

its the fact that the wheel is outside the deck and not under + your front foot (assuming you push with your back foot) is perpendicular to the board where while you skate its toes face forward. if you can rotate your front binding forward a touch it helps but thats assuming your comfortable riding like that.

[Ian@KentATB]

Bindings dont make things easier either

[markbrosnan78]

I need to re-drill my board to turn the binding, would be better for kiting that way as well. Need to find a bit that is up to the job of a 17 ply Trampa...

[ade_mcc]

a) push off with Flow Bindings and step in on the move, or b) strap in and push along using a ski pole.

Not tried either method myself mind you....

[markbrosnan78]

What's a Flow binding? I did think about trying it SUP style

[indigo_wolf]

What's a Flow binding?

It's a step-in binding that's normally used on snowboards. The ratchets can be preadjusted. Once the are, you can drop the back portion, step into the binding, and lock the back portion up again.

Can see a video of it here:
http://www.flow.com/FlowTV/0/51631

I did think about trying it SUP style

Kahuna Big Stick...

Jump to 0:30 to get past the "goofing."

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And with a mountainboard...

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ATB,
Sam

[pd2h]

How about a bungee as a solution..?

[markbrosnan78]

In what way?

[pd2h]

Use the bungee to get you started, not sure I can find any vids of one in use but like any bungee attached to a tree/start point, pull back to tension get on board and release gives you the kick start into the run that is needed....

[markbrosnan78]

I wanna learn to ride, not audition for the next Jackass film.

Tbh I never understood longboarders who "paddled". Unless you are pumping a long distance why bother? You have legs right?

[Travis]

It's a totally different workout, looks like you're upper body would get ripped after doing it for a while.

[Jasper]

practice...or tic tac

[markbrosnan78]

I'd never remember to do it on both sides so I'd get ripped on just on side.

Jasper I've watched your tic tac video. You make it look easy but I bet it's not. I will just have to practice instead. Reckon I'd just need to get used to the weight distribution being different and not tripping over my own feet or wheels.

[Jasper]

Not sure if u skate or not, get your front foot pointed as forward as possible, then start your push with your back foot on the toe side of the board and start the push about level with your front wheels and really extend the leg right along.

For example, when you row a boat the best strokes are long and deep, not shallow and short.

Generally i dont push much, its a pain in the arse and when i ride street i tic tac as i dont hit gaps or stairs.

Also, tic tacing is easy, its just hard work. Pushing on a mboard is mostly hard because a mountain board is such a beast to move compared to a skateboard. So practice will build muscles and eventually make it much easier to push.

[PURE63]

ive been a street rider for a long time the best way i think...

have you ever snow shoed?
when pushing your board you need to have your legs spread wide similar to if you had a pair of snow shoes on
this should help your foot avoid the tires and board

turning your forward foot tward the nose helps

if you get it down and you have ever ran in snow shows. then you can act more as if the board is a snow shoe. pushing off the grip of the tread to gain more speed

i fell that acting if your in snow shoes is the best way to aproach pushing a mountainboard