Loading a bike into the back of a high ute on your own can be sketchy at the best of times. Without someone pushing from behind, most riders either stall halfway up the ramp or end up wrestling 120kg of regret back to the ground. Enter the human winch, a technique that uses speed, balance and the rear wheel to inch the bike into the tray and load it under control.
- Build Momentum
Start a few metres back from the ute so you’ve got room to move. You’ll need a decent run-up, not a casual stroll. The goal here is speed and commitment, hesitation is what gets bikes stuck halfway up ramps.
2. Commit to the Ramp
Charge up the ramp with purpose. You’re aiming to get at least the front wheel into the tray before you run out of puff. Keep your body close to the bike, head down, and push like you mean it.
3. Lock It In
Once you’ve run out of steam and can’t push any further, grab the front brake with your right hand to stop the bike dead. Move your left hand off the bar and onto the rear wheel. At this point, the bike should be stationary and balanced, this is your reset position.
4. Winch It Forward
Release the front brake and roll the rear wheel forward with your left hand. You may need to lean the bike slightly toward you to keep control. As the bike moves, quickly reapply the front brake if needed, then repeat the process.
5. Stay Calm in the Tray
Once the bike is fully in the tray and sitting flat, things get easier. You no longer need to grab the front brake every time you reset your hand on the rear wheel. Keep rolling the rear wheel forward in small movements until the bike reaches the front of the tub.
6. Finish the Job
Continue the rear-wheel winch until the bike is fully home, then throw on your strap before gravity changes its mind. Take a breath, you’ve earned it.
7. Full Throttle Tip
This trick favours taller and stronger riders. The more reach you have, the easier it is to get one hand on the handlebar and the other on the rear wheel at the same time. You’ll need enough wingspan to comfortably work between the bar and tyre while keeping the bike balanced.
If you’re loading on the opposite side of the ute where you can’t grab the front brake, speed is your friend. As you hit the ramp and run out of drive, grab the rear wheel with your right hand and use it as a brake. Roll the wheel forward, then immediately stop it from rolling back by grabbing the tyre again. Rinse and repeat, just faster.
WHO’S IT FOR
SKILL SET
Intermediate.
GENRE
Transporting your bike.
PRACTICE
Start on a lower ute before attempting this on a tall 4WD tray.
STRENGTH & HEIGHT
Taller, stronger riders will find this much easier, muscle helps here.
WIDOW POTENTIAL
High. If it rolls back or tips and crushes you, it’ll hurt… and everyone will see it.
BRAGGING RIGHTS
You’ll look like a gym junkie who actually uses their strength for something useful.
