A Person Riding a Mountain Bike

Training

Take the appropriately sized mountain bike.

Your bike should fit your height, body type, and leg length. If the bike does not suit you, you will be uncomfortable and the ride will be ineffective.

Choose a bike helmet.

Based on BikesBros blog researches, a good helmet should be a priority if you want to start cycling off-road. Your helmet should fit snugly, but not block the view and not be too tight in the area of ​​the ears. Never ride a mountain bike without a helmet.

Consider an additional security mechanism.

There is some safety equipment that you may want to purchase later. The equipment of some mountain bikers seems incomplete without:

  • Gloves
  • Knee protectors
  • Transverse hand cable
  • Water bottles

Failing is okay.

During your first trip, it is likely that you will fall at some point, and you need to be sure that your bike can withstand it. You can get scratched and bruised during your first two trips, so get ready for light fails. It’s also a good idea to have water and a telephone with you. Make sure you or someone in your group has:

  • Plenty of water
  • Bandages, etc.
  • Dressing set and multi-function knife
  • Small air pump
  • Extra socks
  • Raincoat or warm clothes

Be fit.

You don’t want to go out of the middle of the trail on the steep slopes, because you are too tired and not in shape. While most mountain bikers, even experienced ones, often ride bicycles and get off at particularly difficult bends, it’s best to stay on your bike and maintain your momentum. Too frequent stops and new starts will ultimately make the trip more difficult.

If you haven’t traveled often recently, but want to start mountain biking, try a few long trips to feel comfortable again. Ride a few kilometers alternating between riding and sprinting to get yourself in good shape for cycling.

Develop skills

Start slowly.

Sit comfortably on the bike, first adjusting the steering wheel and seat to your preference. Find inferior, flat areas to ride and get used to another sensation of cycling on a not-so-smooth surface. Ride the grass to get comfortable and let the bike pick up speed. Then head to the hills to practice gear shifting and balancing.

Look forward, not down.

When you are on the trail, do not lower your eyes, but see what is ahead at a distance to see obstacles, low hanging branches, and sharp turns that await you on the way.

Brake properly.

Experienced mountain bikers learn to move their weight to increase braking on the bike without slowing down for a very long time. This is more controlled than sudden braking.

When descending, carry the weight back, but brake more with the front wheel.

It may be tempting to hit the brakes as soon as you see your first steep descent, a narrow path or an angular turn. On the track, try to avoid braking and instead learn to use speed to your advantage to overcome more difficult obstacles. The bike will ride along a certain path, so it’s easier to lose balance at slower speeds, which makes overcoming an obstacle more dangerous.

Learn the right methods of raising and ramping.

When you are about to ride uphill, try to sit still and lean forward. On the road, this position may require more power to depress the pedals, but it can also make you stretch out in the mud. Keep your butt on the seat. Do not overpress the pedals, so that there is less pressure on the chain. Shift down before driving up the hill, and then pedal.

When you go downhill, the most important thing is to relax. Do not overdo it and do not try to overly control the bike, or you risk failing.

Develop the right gear shift technique.

Shifting speeds allow the bike chain to slide in smaller or larger gear diameters, requiring less or more pedal load.

If you feel that you need to reduce the power of pressing the pedals, make one additional firm pressure, and a soft one after, which you will create yourself with the generated impulse.

Pedal and stay on your bike.

Speed ​​is your friend. Fast movement means that you can work less hard and use the momentum to your advantage, maximizing the efficiency of your bike and your body.

At the same time, don’t be too crazy about it. Slow down, make stops and check for extremely difficult-looking turns or descents before you stumble upon them too quickly. When you start, follow the beginner paths and take time to relax.

Ride with the company.

One of the best ways to acquire mountain bike riding skills is to go the routes with an experienced rider.

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