Tips and Tricks for the Mountain Biking Novice

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Learning how to mountain bike can sometimes be a little intimidating, if you don’t have a bit of help from someone more experienced. Mountain biking is an exciting and physically demanding sport that can be enjoyed by anyyone who knows how to ride a bike. It does present, however, some additional challenges compared to the average neighbourhood ride, but that is something to be expected and part of the fun.

bmx mountain biking poster 300x300 Tips and Tricks for the Mountain Biking Novice

BMX Mountain Biking Poster: Shows oversized rider (without helmet) jumping out of the box and is also available on clothing apparel.

Master some basic skills before you hit the real dirt and turn those obstacles into something to look forward to enjoying. Some mountain biking beginner skills can be practiced at a local park, schoolyard, bike path, or just in your own backyard. Try to find a safe location with a steep hill. The most important mountain biking accessory you will need must be the helmet. This is a shameless plea, but you should always wear a bike helmet. Nobody should be on a bicycle without a helmet. Far too many people suffer serious head injuries that could have been prevented by wearing a helmet. Statistics don’t lie. Modern mountain bike helmets are both comfortable and stylish, and everyone on the trail wears one, so don’t be shy, get one for yourself!

Another must have accessory are the mountain bike gloves. When you’re on the trail, your hands can take a beating. Beginners who tend to keep a death grip on the handlebars can find them especially brutal on the hands. Your hands are also one of the first parts of your body to touch the ground when you crash and everyone crashes at some point (thinking otherwise is just trying to bolt out the inevitable, which won’t help you when you fall). Mountain bike gloves are a great mountain bike accessory because they take the beating for you. We recommend full-fingered gloves over the cut-off- finger type. Don’t get caught red handed; it can take you off the trail for days!

Another important riding accessory is the hydration system. Bring either a water bottle with you or as we recommend, take a hydration backpack. It is easy to let yourself get dehydrated, intense effort will drain the water out of your body faster than you would think, so bring water with you and drink it on the trail to keep your body running properly as you ride. The bike you get for yourself will dictate, more than anything else, the way you ride. Getting a bike that fits you and your riding style is the most critical step and, unfortunately, the hardest choice.

There is virtually no limit to how much money you can spend on a new mountain bike these days. To keep your spending under control, figure out what budget you’re working with and the price you are willing to pay for your new bike, then try to only look at bikes within that price range. That might be easier said than done because there are some beautiful bikes out there. I would not recommend buying a bike from a mass-merchant store such as Walmart, Costco or other similar ‘discount’ retailers in your country. Support your local bike shop, and get a better product for your money, and a much better service at your fingertips, so to speak.

Mountain bikes are designed for several different riding styles and terrains. You will need to figure out what type of riding you will be doing most of the time. Is it smooth trail riding or cross-country racing? All mountain cruising or lift accessed gravity mayhem? Make sure the bikes you look at fit your riding style and not the sales staff’s commission incentive. I always recommend a full suspension mountain bike, and if you can afford it, you’ll certainly feel the difference on the trail.

Safe mountain biking is fun for all the family.

Hard-tails, without rear suspension, are lighter weight and pedal more efficiently but full suspension designs offer more comfort and better control. You will want to decide based on your price range, riding style and terrain. After selecting, buying and equipping your mountain bike as we have discussed, and you should have no problems on the trail. Just enjoy yourself on this fun outdoors activity, which we call, mountain biking.

And, hey-hey-hey-hey, you be careful out there!