| A mountain biking beginner may feel totally | | | | trail. This will contain the basics for fixing a flat, and a |
| overwhelmed when introduced to bikes, maintenance | | | | multi-tool for bike repairs. |
| basics, and all the trails and tribulations of riding! | | | | As a mountain biking beginner you have to be |
| However, introducing some basic skills will quickly give | | | | ear-to-the-ground for valuable tips from experienced |
| a mountain biking beginner the ability to start | | | | riders, who know how to take care of small mishaps. |
| enjoying the sport, and to tackle obstacles with | | | | Make sure that the store where you buy your bike, |
| confidence. It doesn't have to take years to reach | | | | offer a repair service. Make a note of maintenance |
| this point! | | | | advice, such as cables needing to be wiped and |
| The first and most important step in beginner | | | | relubed. As a mountain biking beginner, a good habit |
| mountain biking is to make sure that you have a | | | | to get into, is washing your bike immediately after |
| well-fitted helmet. No biker, beginner or otherwise, | | | | any ride. Some sticky stuff becomes a permanent |
| should ever be on the road without this vital piece of | | | | part of your riding kit if you don't do this! |
| equipment. Buy the best you can afford - your life | | | | Beginner mountain biking skills will quickly progress |
| may depend on it! | | | | from the basics, such as getting to know your |
| When you are learning the ropes as a mountain biking | | | | pedals. Practice will soon give you the confidence to |
| beginner, you are less confident, and more likely to | | | | start taking your foot on and off the pedals while |
| make contact with the road at some point! Protect | | | | pedaling. Remember that your body weight needs to |
| your hands with a good pair of gloves. This will also | | | | be to the rear of the bike on a steep descent. |
| be more comfortable than gripping the handlebars | | | | Shifting gears is an important skill to master as a |
| with bare hands. | | | | mountain biking beginner. Lower gears will help you up |
| For a mountain biking beginner, Lycra cycling shorts is | | | | a hill, but you need to shift gear before you actually |
| still a good choice, especially if you are planning a long | | | | get to the hill. It is a question of timing, which will |
| ride. Padded mountain biking shorts is another good | | | | become second nature with experience. |
| option, gaining in popularity. It is a matter of personal | | | | To stop your bike, use the front brake more than |
| choice. Try both, and decide which one you prefer. | | | | the back. Use a series of quick, tiny micro-braking |
| Clipless pedals necessitates special mountain biking | | | | actions called "feathering". If you feel your brakes are |
| shoes, designed to clip into the cleat. A good pair of | | | | getting less effective, one common problem is pad |
| sunglasses will help to protect beginner mountain | | | | residue on your rims. It is easy to fix this, by cleaning |
| biking eyes from flying insects and other strange | | | | the rims with steel wool. |
| objects! Also make sure that you have a full water | | | | As a mountain biking beginner, you will find that |
| bottle, and something to eat. | | | | learning specialized techniques is a confidence-builder. |
| Beginner mountain biking can be daunting, but if you | | | | Perfecting your bunny hopping will help you to get |
| make contact with knowledgeable personnel in a | | | | over all those obstacles, and will impress your riding |
| specialized shop, talk with experienced bikers, and do | | | | companions no end! |
| some reading, you will soon get the hang of it. | | | | Keep in mind that a common mistake mountain biking |
| To buy a bike suitable for a mountain biking beginner, | | | | beginners make, is trying to avoid an obstacle. This is |
| find someone you can trust to give you the best | | | | the surest way to crash! Always focus on where |
| advice. Your budget, and the terrain on which you will | | | | you want to go, not on the obstacle itself. |
| use the bike, will determine your choice. Go for full | | | | Most importantly, learn to relax and enjoy yourself. |
| suspension if at all possible. Make sure that the saddle | | | | When you finish that first trail ride, you will forget all |
| is adjusted according to your height. | | | | about the hard work that preceded it. |
| A long list of accessories are available. Not all of | | | | Riding like a pro, is just around the corner! Soon you |
| these are necessary for mountain biking beginners! | | | | will no longer be a mountain biking beginner, but the |
| Use your common sense, and buy according to your | | | | one other novices approach for advice... |
| needs. One must-have is a repair kit for use on the | | | | |