Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise and cardio while enjoying the fresh open air. It also is a fun adrenaline rush, especially when you're flying down the trail at max speed, smoothly turning and avoiding obstacles in the path with ease. Sounds like fun? It is lots of fun, but it takes some work and honing specific skills to reach that experience level. If you want to get into mountain biking, you need to master some fundamental skills first so you can safely enjoy learning to ride.
1. Get the Right Gear
Before you start heading out for the trails, it's crucial to get all the right gear that you'll need. This includes a good helmet, mountain bike goggles, a hydration pack, proper riding clothes, and a small repair and first aid kit. If you're going out alone, always make sure to tell somebody where you're going and bring your cell phone with you just to be safe.
Even if you're on a limited budget, you should invest in a superior quality helmet and goggles. You can scrimp on the other items, but those two are essential and should be high-quality products. Here are seven skills that you need for learning how to mountain bike.
Of course, don’t skimp on your most important tool, the bike. A quality mountain ebike or bike makes all the difference in the quality of your outing. With the right ebike, you’ll be safer and have far more fun.
2. Keep your eyes on the trail
The first skill necessary for mountain biking is keeping your eyes on the trail while you're riding. You should be looking up the path as far as possible, and be especially aware when turning. By scanning the trail ahead of you while you're riding, you can avoid obstacles like rocks and roots with ease. In fact, no matter where you're riding a bike, it's critically important to scan your surroundings and be aware of any potential obstacles, too.
3. Get your balance
Balance is hands-down the most important part of riding a bike. However, you need to be able to balance in any position and at different speeds. Try practicing on the pavement until you can balance and ride smoothly with no hands on the handlebars. When you have that skill down pat, you know you're good to go.
4. Pedaling correctly
Learning how to pedal efficiently is another essential step for learning how to ride a mountain bike. Efficient pedaling will also save you energy on your ride, so it's a good habit to learn and apply. Always pedal with a smooth circular motion and use firm pressure on the pedals. Try not to have reckless or out-of-control pedaling, which is counterproductive.
5. Practice your turns
If you're going to crash on your mountain bike, it's most likely going to occur while you're turning. Turns can be tricky, particularly at high speeds. However, turning fast can be a great way to keep your momentum going and save energy on your rides.
6. Plan your route
For novice mountain bikers (or even experts!), it's vital to plan out your route before you head out. This is important for a few reasons: one, so you know exactly where you're going, and you can tell somebody before you head out. Two, because you don't want to end up on an expert trail as a beginner. By doing your research and planning out exactly where you want to ride, you can see any potential issues or obstacles ahead of time and plan accordingly. Start with beginner trails to give yourself some confidence and to get the feel of your bike.
When looking for a GPS, first check out this list of the Best Garmin GPS For Mountain Biking, as well as GPS solutions from other brands, and then purchase the one most suited to your needs - you won’t be disappointed.
7. Test out your brakes
If you're a beginner, chances are you have a new bike or one you're not familiar with riding. That's why it's essential to test your brakes out before you head out on the backtrails. Practice slowing down and stopping at different speeds, directions, up and down hills, on diverse terrain, and around turns. Get a feel for your average stopping distance so you can judge it better when you're out on the trails.
Master These 7 Essential Mountain Biking Skills for Beginners
Learning how to ride a mountain bike is a fun and rewarding pastime. While it may seem daunting to beginners, mountain biking is a thrilling and enjoyable workout enjoyed by people worldwide. By learning those seven essential skills, like becoming an expert at pedaling, turns, and balancing, you can be ripping down the trails in no time, dodging and weaving through the forest and around obstacles like a pro. Take the time to learn the fundamental skills first so you have a good basic knowledge on which to build. Pretty soon, you'll be a mountain biking expert.
