Photo by Musume Miyuki

How you carry your bike may depend on the individual obstacle you’re overcoming, but generally placing the bike on your shoulder is more efficient than other carry options. The one exception could be small barriers on a flat stretch where you can keep your speed up with a quick modified life like a suitcase grab. But typically if you have to get off your bike you’re needing the freedom of movement to run and that’s almost always easier with your bike shouldered.

Basic Cyclocross Techniques – Shoulder

Photo by Musume Miyuki

Just in case you’re asking why not push the bike up a hill or stairs the rule is usually don’t push for more than four or five steps in any condition as pushing tends to create a downward force and friction which will slow you down and possible drive your tires into mud or ruts getting you stuck. And having a weight distributed high on your shoulder like a backpack is much easier to tote uphill than trying to push or carry low across your body.

The lift starts at the dismount, as you’re getting off your bike you’ll want to drop your right shoulder low next to your frame, reach down with your right hand and grab the down tube, near the point where the front tire is closest to the tube. With both hands, your left still on the bars, lift the bike and slide your shoulder into the frame. You’ll have to play with the exact position to find the most comfort and secure position. Once it’s on your shoulder its back to personal preference on where to hold everything in place. Some use two hand, left on the bars, right on the frame. Others reach around with their right hand to grab the bars or stem and hold the frame in place while their left hand comes free to swing with a more normal running motion. And depending on your height and arm length some people go between the wheel and down tube to grab the bars, while others go over the frame to grab the stem and bars from above. Try it out while in motion to see what works best. Unshouldering is the same process in reverse. The key thing to remember is stay in motion, this all happens while moving so you can keep your momentum going which helps you remount as well.