Mountain biking often involves cycling in extreme environments. Steep hills and sharp rocks make mountain biking a sport for the most daring cyclists. The danger is part of the experience, and for some people it generates a wonderful feeling of freedom. If you are just getting started in mountain biking, this post is for you. We have 7 tips to help you master this advanced type of cycling!
Take a Course in Mountain Biking
Of course, riding a bike in the mountains requires a high level of technical skill, which you need to learn and then practice. The journey begins on berm-filled playgrounds, the best training field before tackling the mountains. Most big cities offer courses in mountain biking, especially in the summer. Some even offer specialized courses, such as courses for women only.
Benefits of Mountain Biking
If you like the idea of cycling on mountains, you will be pleased to learn that mountain biking is a full-body exercise. You might consider using a fitness tracker to monitor the way mountain biking helps you lose weight and build muscle mass. It has been proven that cycling actually causes muscle cells to grow.
Get the right training, do a lot of practicing, and you should be ready to go. To help you on your way, here are 7 tips that could help you to become a confident mountain biker.
Tip 1: Bike Maintenance is Crucial for Good Mountain Biking
Body and bike ride in sync. If one is not in the best shape, the other has to make up for it. As such, it goes without saying that your bike should always be thoroughly checked before any mountain biking. A faulty bike can make riding harder, and you could end up with a serious injury. If you have the technical knowledge, check it yourself. If you do not, take it to your local bike shop and have them give it a thorough check.
Tip 2: Maintain Proper Posture on Your Mountain Bike
Highly technical and rugged terrain places severe strain on your bike and your body. It is crucial to maintain the correct riding posture. Keep a slight bend in your knees, waist and elbows, so that you can more easily absorb the bumps.
Tip 3: Relax Your Muscles while Riding
This is of the utmost importance. Relax your muscles so as to minimize stress on your body. Keep a firm but relaxed hold on the grips. Relax your arms as much as possible. Also relax the muscles of your calves.
Tip 4: Develop Your Ability to Deal with Obstacles on Mountain Trails
The defining feature of the mountain environment is its wilderness. Anything can pop up when you are off the beaten track, forcing you to cope with sudden obstacles. If going around is not an option, riding over obstacles such as rocks or logs can be done by using the front suspension to the maximum. Skilled mountain cyclists do this by pushing down on the fork right before an obstacle and pulling up on the bars as soon as the bike is upon it.
This is a skill which you should begin learning in a course, and only graduate to doing it on a mountain once you have mastered the skill. A good course will teach you how to ride a bike over logs and rocks.
Tip 5: Master Your Brakes
Learning how and when to brake is essential to successful mountain biking. Great braking skills will give you better control over the bike and enhance your confidence enormously. On the other hand, if you apply the front brakes too sharply on a downhill, you may fly over the handlebars. Another issue is when to brake. You should slow down before going into a corner, not during it.
Make sure you have completely mastered your braking skills before you try going down a mountain. A good mountain biking course will emphasizes braking skills.
Tip 6: Perfect Your Speed
Skilled mountain bikers use speed to fly over difficult parts of the track. While speed can smoothen the ride, too much speed can be dangerous. Practicing your mountain biking over a variety of terrains will eventually teach you the optimum speed for various conditions. As you get better at this, your confidence will grow.
Tip 7: Use Your Body Weight
You should never be static on your bike, and this is especially true on rugged terrain. For example, you will find climbing is easier if you shift your weight forward. On the other hand, shifting your weight backwards while descending will help you to balance. You will find that with more experience, you get better and better at moving your body to improve your cycling.
To conclude, mountain biking can be enormous fun. It provides exciting challenges that train the mind, and workout the entire body. Plus, it gives you an opportunity to really enjoy nature All in all, mountain biking is a perfect activity for your healthy lifestyle. Good luck with it, and I hope my tips help you!
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