| Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can | | | | ascend hills. As you get tosteeper hills, its best to |
| beenjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a | | | | shift before you getto the hill rather than while your |
| bike. | | | | on it. |
| Compared to the average bike ride, it does | | | | Coasting |
| presentsome danger. Therefore, you should master | | | | You should spend a bit of time coasting whilestanding |
| thesebasic skills before you hit the trails or thedirt. | | | | on your pedals, without actually sittingon the seat. |
| You can practice these beginning skills at a localpark, | | | | Keep your arms bent but don't lockyour knees. Now, |
| school, bike path, or simply around yourhouse. If you | | | | try experimenting with shiftingyour body towards the |
| can, try to find a location witha steep hill. | | | | rear end of the bike. |
| Get a feel for your pedals | | | | Pedal while standing |
| Practice moving your foot away from the pedal,first | | | | You should get as comfortable as you can |
| while sitting on your bike with one foot onthe ground. | | | | withpedaling while standing on your bike. Try |
| Next, move on to releasing andreplacing your foot | | | | liftingyourself off the seat while standing on the |
| while pedaling around for abit. Those with toe clip and | | | | pedals,then crank them around. You should try this |
| clipless type footpedals will want to spend a bit more | | | | inhigher gears on flat ground then again in lowergears |
| timepracticing. | | | | while on a hill. |
| Sit and spin for position | | | | Dropping down a curb |
| Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. Youshould | | | | Try finding a curb where you can easily get to |
| keep your arms slightly bent. You shouldalso adjust | | | | theupper portion of it. Practice at a moderate |
| your seat height so your leg is 70 to | | | | speed,standing and coasting right off the curb from |
| 90 percent extended at the bottom of every | | | | theupper level to the lower level. Try this atdifferent |
| strokeon the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as | | | | speeds until it becomes second nature. |
| therewill never be a position where you should | | | | Once you practice these techniques and get thehang |
| haveeither your knees or your elbows locked. | | | | of them, you'll be able to hit the trails |
| Shifting gears | | | | feelingcomfortable on your mountain bike. Even |
| Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. Thehigher | | | | though itmay take some getting used to, it'll become |
| gears are harder to pedal and will gofaster while the | | | | secondnature before you know it. |
| lower gears are easier to pedaland will help you | | | | |