After years of crisscrossing the globe to pursue new experiences and adventures, it’s not uncommon for world travelers to start pursuing various outdoor sports activities. After all, with so many slopes, mountains, rivers, and oceans out there, how could you not feel drawn to a particular thrill?
For example, mountain biking is a popular outdoor activity gaining traction around the world. With that said, while almost everyone knows how to ride a bike, MTB isn’t something you shouldn’t just jump into. The following are essential tips that’ll help ensure your mountain biking experience starts off right:
Fitness matters
The first thing you have to come to terms with is fitness. Try to be honest with yourself because you have to be ready for this before you try it. Biking and cycling over rugged terrain take a lot out of you, and your body should be prepared for all that work. Things may not go as planned if you haven’t worked out in a while. If you’ve never done this before, start by doing a few hours of biking for a minimum of four weeks. Once that’s done, you can get started with mountain biking. You’ll still get tired, but at least you’ll be able to do it.
Think of safety gear
You’ll need a lot of safety gear to stay safe while you mountain bike. It starts with a full-face helmet, especially when you bike downhill. You’ll also need things like 100Percent goggles for mountain biking and a neck brace. You might also want to purchase some elbow and knee protection. No matter how skilled you get, the reality is, accidents can still happen, and this means you have to be protected. Mountain biking exposes you to all sorts of terrain, and some of this terrain can be quite unforgiving if you happen to fall off your bike. Don’t be the person who didn’t wear the right gear and get severely injured.
Get turns right
Turns are always going to be one of the most challenging skills to get right. On top of that, it’s a skill you should continue working on, no matter how long you’ve been mountain biking. There are a few things to keep in mind when turning like making sure you brake before you start turning. Failing to do so could cause your bike to skid, and that could put you in danger. Another thing you’ll want to remember when turning on a mountain bike is that that you need to lean the bike and not yourself. Many beginners think they need to tilt their bodies, but that could also put you in danger. Just let your bike do the leaning while you turn.
Smart rock biking
It would be best if you learned how to bike over rocks and other bumps on the road. You don’t have to speed over these bumps but rather cruise over them. On top of that, you have to remember not to put too much weight on the handles of your bike. When biking on standard surfaces, this doesn’t matter much, but it certainly matters now. If you place too much weight on the bike’s handles, the chances of snagging are greater. This can cause you to fall while mountain biking, which you don’t want. Shift your weight towards your feet to give your bike as much balance as possible. Practice this on more straightforward terrain as much as possible before moving on.
Choose wisely
You need to make sure you choose the right bike. If you want to be a successful mountain biker, you’ll need a good bike. There’s a lot you have to keep in mind when searching for the right bike. For one, the size of the bike should always correspond to your height. Most mountain bike makers offer size charts that match you to the right bike size. If you happen to fall between one of these predetermined sizes, then choose the smaller size. There are several things you can do to modify the bike afterward. Be sure to figure out which type of mountain bike will be best for you, like flat-tire bikes are suitable for sand or snow because they give you excellent traction.
Talk to an experienced mountain biker to see if he or she has some additional pointers. Hopefully, this information helps guide you in the right direction.https://www.traveldailynews.com/post/essential-tips-for-beginner-mountain-bikers