Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Preparation
• Part 2 of 3: Developing Skills
• Part 3 of 3: Finding Trails
• What do you need
• Tips
• Warnings

The rapidly changing pictures between trees as you ride on two wheels are a familiar mountain biking experience. Mountain biking is a popular extreme sport for this very reason. If you are interested in understanding how a mountain biking person feels, you can learn this by preparing properly on your first trails, developing the skills needed to handle mountain biking, and finding trails that suit your skill level and interests. ... Go! See Step 1 for more information.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Preparation

1. 1 Get an appropriately sized mountain bike. Your bike should be suitable for your height, body type and leg length. If the bike does not fit you, then you will be uncomfortable and ineffective riding. A good bike shop will be able to find a bike that suits your specifications. Many of them offer repairs, service or discounts on future purchases. In general, there are three types of mountain bikes that you can try, depending on your interests:
   • Rigid mountain bikes have no suspension, which means there are fewer mechanical parts to worry about and you can move on to riding it and ride on easier roads. It is more difficult to ride off-road, but it does not have any of the shock absorption effects of more complex bicycles.
   • Hardtail bikes are good for most beginners looking to get started on tricky terrain. This type of bike (as the name suggests) has a front wheel suspension and a rigid rear wheel.
   • Bi-suspension bikes are the most expensive mountain bikes, but they have front and rear suspension, making them the most efficient and comfortable bikes for tough terrain.
   • You don't need to buy a bike right off the bat, so consider one or more test rides to make sure you pick the mountain bike that's right for you. Bike shops are often located next to parks that have trails on which to test the rented bike. There is no point in investing a ton of money in a brand new bike if it's not something you can enjoy.
2. 2 Choose a bike helmet. A good helmet should be a priority if you want to get started off-road cycling. Your helmet should fit snugly, but not obstruct your vision or pull down around your ears. Never ride a mountain bike without a helmet.
3. 3 Consider an additional security mechanism. While there is no need to buy something right away for your pre-travel arrangements, there are some safety equipment you might want to purchase later. As you progress in this sport, you may find that you need more, but that is entirely up to you, your riding style and your needs. Some mountain bikers seem incomplete without:
   • Gloves
   • Shchitkov
   • Hand staples
   • Water bottles
4. 4 Be prepared to fail. On your first ride, as possible on subsequent rides, it is likely that you will fall at some point, and you need to be sure your bike can handle it. You will catch air rolling over rocks, bumping into branches.You can get scratched and bruised on your first two rides, so prepare for minor bruises. It is 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 and plaster
   • Bandage kit and multifunctional knife
   • Small air pump
   • Extra socks
   • Raincoat or warm clothing
5. 5 Get fit. Mountain biking is part of a walk in the forest, part of aerobic exercise and part of a bike show. Besides a good bike, a healthy body will be your most important piece of equipment. You don't want to get out of the middle of the trail on the steep slopes because you are too tired and walk back. While most mountain bikers, even experienced ones, ride their bikes frequently and get off on particularly tricky turns, it's best to stay on your bike and keep your momentum. Stopping too often and starting again because you are out of shape will ultimately make the trip more difficult.
   • If you haven't ridden a lot lately, but want to start mountain biking, try taking a few longer rides to feel comfortable again. Walk a few kilometers, alternating between riding and sprinting, to get yourself back in good shape for cycling.

Part 2 of 3: Developing Skills

1. 1 Start slowly. Sit comfortably on your bike by first adjusting the handlebar and seat to your preference so that you feel comfortable. You don't have to amaze everyone with master-level tracks or start freeriding. Find weak, level areas to ride and get used to the different feeling of cycling on not very smooth surfaces. Ride on the grass to get comfortable and give your bike a boost. Then head to the hills to practice gear shifting and balancing.
2. 2 Look forward, not down. When you are on the trail, keep your eyes on the ground and look about 15 meters ahead to see obstacles, low hanging branches and sharp turns that await you along the way. It can be tempting, distracted by something interesting, or staring at yourself, which can cause you to lose your balance and ignore the obstacles ahead. It will be easier for you to stay balanced and let the bike do all the work for you.
3. 3 Brake properly. Experienced mountain bikers learn to shift their weight to increase braking on the bike without braking for very long. This is more controllable than hard braking.
   • When descending, shift your weight back, but brake more with the front wheel. Braking too hard in the front can lead to a flip, and braking from the back can force you into the block, so be careful. There is more weight concentrated there, so use this brake to slow yourself down and control your descent.
   • It can be tempting to hit the brakes as soon as you see your first steep descent, narrow trail, or sharp turn. On the track, try to avoid riding the brakes and instead learn to use speed to your advantage to overcome more difficult obstacles. The bike will travel in a specific trajectory, so it is easier to lose balance at slower speeds, making it more dangerous to overcome an obstacle.
4. 4 Learn the correct lifting and riding techniques. Approaching a grade will effectively keep you on course quickly and comfortably while maximizing efficiency. Learning to behave properly while descending is a big part of mountain biking.
   • When you are about to climb a hill, try to sit still and lean forward. On the road, this position can require more pedaling power, but it can also cause you to stretch out in the mud. Keep your ass on the seat.Do not overdo it with pedal pressure so that there is less pressure on the chain. Shift down a gear before entering a hill and then step on the pedals.
   • When you go downhill, the most important thing is to relax. Don't overdo it and try to over-control the bike, or you risk failing. Focus on the obstacle and get out of the seat keeping the pedals parallel to the ground.
5. 5 Develop the correct gear shifting technique. Shifting allows the bike chain to slide on a smaller or larger gear diameter, requiring less or more pedal stress, respectively. It is important to try to shift before it becomes necessary, before you get to a hill, which will require you to move up and change gears before you start to slow down significantly.
   • Offset after working stroke. If you feel that you need to reduce the pedaling power, apply one additional firm pressure, and then a soft one that you create yourself, generated by the impulse. Shift towards a gentle pressure and make sure the chain wedges are reduced.
6. 6 Pedal and stay on your bike. Speed ​​is your friend. Moving faster means you can work less hard and use momentum to your advantage, maximizing the efficiency of your bike and your body. Keep moving and try not to slow down too much, even if you're worried about the class. Keep moving and the bike will do all the work for you.
   • At the same time, don't be stupid. Slow down, make stops and check out extremely difficult-looking turns or descents before you bump into them too quickly. When starting out, stick to the beginner trails and rest anyway.
7. 7 Traveling with the company. One of the best ways to learn mountain biking skills is to do the trails with an experienced raider. When you ride the trails, do not try to make every jump, jump over a root and a stone, keep up with more experienced people. Over time, your technique will improve and you can develop your own pace. Be sure to wear a helmet, stay in the saddle and have fun.

Part 3 of 3: Finding Trails

1. 1 Talk to local bike shop staff. Other riders in your area should be familiar with the local routes that cyclists are allowed to use. Many parks have dedicated mountain biking areas. In addition, many cities have clubs that design and maintain routes specifically for cycling. Find out which ones are most suitable for beginners and check them out with other mountain bikers. Common mountain bike trails include:
   • State or national parks
   • "Hot Roads"
   • Rural driveways
   • Private property (with permission)
2. 2 Learn the rules. When driving on a trail, you must stick to a section of it and give pedestrians the right of way. Often you will encounter pedestrians on beginner trails, and sometimes you will encounter tourists, dogs, people on horseback and children playing, so it is very important to stick to the rules and watch what you do. Don't go too fast, especially if it's a particularly busy day on the trail, and don't blindly go through corners. You should be aware of other riders around you and get out of the way when they approach you from behind.
   • Don't be one of those cyclists who leave a bad reputation for themselves. Do not chase near people by splashing sod on their faces. The road does not belong to you. It is common.
3. 3 To get started, take a walk along the trails. Generally, you should familiarize yourself with the trail while walking. It's a good idea to know what to expect, where there are big hills, and what you are going to do.This can turn out to be quite a fun walk in which you explore your future route, making your first trip more exciting. Think of it not as “destroying surprise,” but as training the pros.
4. 4 Look for famous and popular routes. Many online and local communities can help you find trails in your area, but you might also consider going to a popular mountain biking destination once you get some experience.

What do you need

• Helmet specially made for cycling.
• Mountain bike.

Tips

• You will most likely want to become more adapted to mountain biking on your own. This is where local bike shops come into play. When buying a bike, it is important to know that each bike is very specific, depending on the height and body type of a person. If the bike does not suit you, then it will be uncomfortable and even painful for you to ride. This is why it is important to buy it from your local store. Good shops will be able to find you a bike that's right for you. Many of them offer repairs, service or discounts on future purchases. Try different bikes that you like as they may be from different manufacturers and vary.
• On your first ride, you don't need to have all the gear you'll see on most people.
• If you have chosen an uncomfortable trail, get off and walk before driving and adjusting.

Warnings

• Always wear a helmet and take proper precautions when mountain biking.