Mountain biking is a fun, exhilarating sport that can help keep you in shape while challenging you in a natural setting. There’s a lot to love about careening down a mountain on two wheels, but getting into mountain biking isn’t as easy as hopping on just any old bike and heading out to the trail.
Integrate these five quick tips to help get you acquainted with mountain biking safely and quickly.
Tip #1: Keep safety first!
If you’re going to be doing any bike riding at all, it’s highly suggested that you invest in a quality helmet, gloves, and elbow or knee guards. For easier trails that don’t have a lot of obstacles, you can probably stay safe with just the helmet, but the gloves can help with grip of the handlebars, which will be essential on longer rides.
Tip #2: Know your trail.
One of the most common mistakes made by newbie mountain bikers is biting off more than they can chew on their first trail. Before you decide to ride, do some research on the trail in question, and make sure that it’s a fit for your skill level.
Tip #3: Ensure your bike is tuned up and ready to roll.
Basic maintenance for bicycles can be performed by anyone with a few hand tools and access to the internet. Just hop on YouTube and search for videos on bicycle maintenance, and you’ll be able to complete most of the required tasks yourself.
Tip #4: Stay hydrated.
It’s very easy to get caught up in the thrill of mountain biking. It’s so easy in fact that other important things like hydration can be forgotten. A great fix for this is to have a backpack with a water reservoir in it, including a hose that extends to your mouth. Do a search for ‘Camel Back’, and you’ll find some great options.
Tip #5: Don’t get discouraged, and be patient with yourself.
Mountain biking is a high-skill sport that requires extensive understanding of momentum and body english. No one is going to become an expert mountain biker after their first ride, so be sure to give yourself some time to get use to the experience.
With some dedication and a commitment to getting better, you can become an efficient, fantastic mountain bike-riding machine in less time than you expected! Now it’s time to get out there and hit the trail. Have fun!
