Become a Tough mountain biker in 20 easy steps
Willing to experience something adventurous and thrilling? Well, then you’re on the right track of having extreme fun and quality time. Among all other adventurous sports, mountain biking is also one of the most recommended ones.
It’s an exciting sport that can be enjoyed by everyone who knows how to ride a bike. Moreover, riding a bike isn’t something difficult to learn or practice. But you need to master those biking skills before hitting the real mountain dust.
So, what are you still waiting for? Just do some research, shop for a super cool mountain bike, master to ride it and just hit the mountain tracks.
Well, before you go out, make sure to have a look at some of the easy steps to become a tough mountain biker:
1. Get a Helmet
It’s simple. Get a helmet and wear it. Modern helmets are comfortable, stylish, easy to wear and every mountain biker needs to wear one. You can go to your local bike shop and they will be more than happy to help you pick the one that suits your needs and budget.
2. Other biking essentials
There are a lot of other things that you need to pack for your mountain biking tour. Cycling gloves, knee pads, water, comfy clothes are other such things you’ll need during your mountain biking experience.
3. Be strong
You need to be physically fit for getting out in the mountains for biking. So, make sure that your body is supportive enough for those long tracks. You need to prepare yourself for the harsh situations of mountain biking.
4. Flexibility
Being flexible is yet another important aspect that can help you ride smoother and safer. Mountain biking is not a lazy thing to do. It requires enough physical stress and flexibility. So, ensure to prepare your body accordingly.
5. Ride the right bike
Ensure to do some research, consider your comfort and then choose the bike accordingly. It’s highly important that you’re riding the right bike. So, make sure to do some research, try different bikes and then choose the one that can work wonders for you.
6. Bike maintenance
It’s highly important to maintain your bike in the best possible way. You definitely don’t want to own a bike that isn’t safe to ride. So, ensure that your bike gets proper maintenance and care.
7. Get Used to Your Pedals
Practice removing your foot from the pedal. You need to do this first while sitting on your bike with one foot present on the ground. Then move forward by releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around. This way, you’ll get more used to your bike pedals that can in-turn prepare you for any situation.
8. Practice balance
Before you hit around in the mountains, ensure that you have enough hold on balance. Mountain tracks are not going to be easy and it’s something that demands balance. So, ensure to be prepared for it.
9. Look ahead
You need not to panic when cycling. It’s something that offers relaxation and enjoyment. Moreover, you need to look ahead and focus on the road to make your drive a safer one. So, stay focused and keep moving ahead on the track.
10. Relax
One of the most important things to consider when mountain bike riding is to relax your mind. You can’t be in a hurry mindset when driving. So, ensure to calm down your mind and then move ahead with your mountain biking.
11. Sit and Spin For Proper Fit and Position
Sit on your bike and pedal around. It’s important that your arms should remain slightly bent and your seat height should be adjusted so that your leg is about 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every pedal stroke. Moreover, keep your body loose and relaxed. Make sure that your knees or elbows aren’t locked.
12. Shifting Gears
Ensure to learn how and when to shift the gears! It’s definitely important to get comfortable with shifting the gears on your bike. Higher gears are usually harder to pedal and will go faster while lower gears are easier to pedal and can help you get up hills. Moreover, try to get used to what gears your bike to comfortably go up on different pitched hills.
13. Never Ride Beyond Your Abilities
There is definitely no shame in walking some sections of the trail where you don’t feel confident enough to ride and don’t let anybody tell you otherwise. You don’t have to ride on the paths that you don’t feel confident with. Moreover, don’t let anyone fool you with challenges.
14. Keep Your Speed In Check
This is definitely something really important for a safe mountain biking experience. Always keep your speed at a low level. This way, you can adjust to any unforeseen obstacles or changes in trail conditions. This way, you can have more control and hold on your bike.
15. Slow Down for Blind Corners
You never know what or who is around the corner when you can’t see past it. So, ensure to slow down for blind corners. It’s definitely an important consideration.
16.Pack light
It’s important to pack all the biking essentials, but make sure that you don’t feel under the burden of the stuff you’re carrying. So, travel smart and light.
17. Stay focused
For an activity like mountain biking, you need to stay focused during the whole time. As the track is not going to be smooth, so ensure to be focused and safe.
18.Maintain your speed
It’s highly important to have a strong hold on your speed without getting it in the imbalanced state. So, avoid speed fluctuation and go for a safe driving experience.
19. Expect the unexpected
In the case of mountain biking, you can’t expect anything. Any strange situation can take place anytime. So, ensure to keep your expectations low and just go with the flow.
20.Know your destination
After the miles you’ve crossed, the hurdles you’ve faced, all that matters is your destination. So, make sure you don’t forget where you’re supposed to reach.
Well, the bottom line is that anyone can become a professional mountain biker. All you need to do is to stay dedicated and make efforts.
