Mountain Biking Essentials: Everything You Need to Know

Do you have the desire to become a ‘shred head’ or mountain biker, as they are also known? Then you have come to the right place! If the trail is calling you, just check out our comprehensive guide on everything you need to know about mountain biking, below.

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Mountain Biking Basics

Start shredding up the trail sections. It’s important to have the basics down. Indeed, knowing things like the fact that different-level roots are graded into different colors will make a big difference when you first begin. After all, you don’t want to end up doing a black route (which is for experts) if you’re still just a beginner; that’s best suited to a green trail.

It’s also helpful to know that there are a range of different types of mountain bike activities, such as trail, downhill, endurance (also known as Enduro in the scene) and cross country. Each of these is slightly different and requires varying skill sets, so it’s best to look into this in more detail to see which one best fits your needs.

Choosing The Right Bike

Choosing the right type of mountain bike for dirt surfing is essential. This choice is usually between a full suspension, which has two shock absorbers, and a Hardtail rig, which has just one. The size of your bike frame is incredibly important because when it’s right, it will not only improve comfort on the trail but also give you more control. Remember that larger wheels roll obstacles much more easily, and taking a ride for a test drive before you buy is always better where possible.

Essential Safety Gear

Just like any kind of bike ride, having the right safety gear is not just advisable but vital to your well-being. Mountain bikers should absolutely always wear a helmet, so their skills are protected in the case of an accident. Gloves are also a good choice as they provide you with improved grip control on even rough trails. If you want to protect your extremities, then you and elbow pads are a good choice as well. Investing in some eye protection will not only help you see clearly but also make sure your eyes are protected from rogue branches, debris and dust. all of which are common on the trail.

Basic Skills

Before you head out onto a mountain biking trail. You need to make sure you have a good grasp of the basic skills required. One of the most important skills is being able to brake properly ongoing downhill, which means slowing and stopping smoothly with both brakes. It’s also crucial that you are able to maintain control of your bike on even ground, as most of the terrain on the trail will be like this. Next, you will need to be able to take a corner without losing traction, and you’ll need to be able to shift gears at the right time, making sure your pedalling stays smooth even when climbing uphill.

Finding The Best Mountain Biking Locations Worldwide

Part of the joy of mountain biking is discovering new trails and exploring them either solo or with your buddies. It’s best to start off locally with beginner green level trails and work your way up to some of the more iconic locations worldwide.

Once you have mastered the basics, you may like to try some of the famous mountain biking trails, such as Corner Brook, Newfoundland, for forest trails, MOAB, Utah, for desert riding, and Rotorua, New Zealand, for also for forest trails.

Transporting Your Bike With Hitch Racks

Although if you plan on travelling to different locations to ride, you’ll need a reliable way to get your bike there. One of the best options for this is to use a vertical bike rack that fixes onto a car hitch. The great thing about these kinds of vertical bike racks is that they can hold a whopping five bikes at a time, making them ideal for mounting biking families or groups of Friends. They are also designed to protect the bike frames, as only the tires touch the rack straps, helping to keep your bike in the best possible condition even when it’s been transported.

Tools And Repair Essentials

When doing a sport like mountain biking that relies specifically on equipment, you will need to make sure that you have the tools and supplies you need to make repairs in the field. Always pack your portable bike multitool, as this will allow you to make any adjustments trailside. You’ll also benefit from a spare inner tube so you can deal with punctures quickly and get back on the trail. Last of all, your kit should contain a chain repair quick link. This will ensure that you can fix your chain if it were to break, allowing you to continue riding for the day.

Trial Etiquette

Did you know there is quite a bit of etiquette you need to be aware of on the trails when mountain biking? The first convention is that you should always yield to uphill riders. This is because those climbing a hill are working harder than those coming down, and so should be given the right of way. Another is that you must always stay on your marked mountain bike trails. Remember, part of the joy of mountain biking is being in nature, and you can do your bit to protect those beautiful natural surroundings by sticking to the allotted trail.

Building Your Fitness For Riding

Since mountain bike riding requires a good level of fitness, taking it up as a hobby means you’ll need to make sure you achieve and maintain this. In particular, it’s important to focus on building your leg strength so you have enough power to get up the steeper hills. Good core strength is also important because it ensures you can maintain proper balance when on your bike. Lastly, getting into a routine of stretching and flexibility is crucial too, as this can help you avoid injury, especially when it includes a good warm-up and cool-down session at either end of your ride.

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