| Anyone who knows how to ride a bicycle can enjoy | | | | faster speedTry a low gear-Easier to pedal, |
| mountain biking. There are some dangers to mountain | | | | particularly useful while on hillsTry shifting prior to |
| biking, when it is compared to the standard bike ride. | | | | reaching the hill-This is important because it is easy to |
| It is for this reason that mastering the following | | | | overcome a shift before the hill than it is while on the |
| beginner mountain bike skills is a necessity prior to | | | | hill.Practice coasting with the following:Practice this |
| taking off for your mountain bike excursion.These | | | | while standing on the pedals, not sitting on the bike |
| skills can all be practiced by heading to any school, | | | | seatDo not lock your kneesKeep arms slightly |
| local park, around your house, or on a bike path. The | | | | bentAttempt coasting while shifting the body |
| key to the right location is if it has a steep hill for | | | | towards the rear of the mountain bikePractice |
| you to practice on.The pedals are an important part | | | | pedaling while standing with the following:This is |
| of a mountain bike. You can practice getting a feel | | | | important in mountain biking |
| for the pedals by doing the following:Sit on your bike | | | | Try pedaling standing up in two different ways, |
| Place one foot on the ground | | | | once you have become comfortable with standing on |
| Release and Replace your foot while pedaling around | | | | the pedals.First, pedal while standing in a high gear on |
| Note: If you have clipless foot pedals or toe clips, | | | | flatter grounds.Then, pedal while standing in a low |
| you will want to practice this quite a bit.Sit and Spin | | | | gear on hills.Practice dropping down a curb with the |
| for position with the following:Adjust the seat height | | | | following:Locate a curb in the area; it should be easily |
| so that the leg is a minimum of 70% extended at | | | | accessible in regards to the upper portion |
| the bottom of each pedal cycle | | | | Using a moderate speed, practice coasting and |
| Bend arms slightly | | | | standing off the curb to the lower level from the |
| Keep the body as relaxed as possible; a position | | | | upper level.Continue this at different speeds until you |
| should never occur that requires you to lock your | | | | are comfortable with it and it is like second |
| elbows or knees.Sit on the Mountain bike and | | | | natureThe above practicing techniques are important |
| pedalPractice shifting gears with the following:Make | | | | because they will give you the feel of the mountain |
| sure you know the differences in gears on your | | | | bike trail, without having to be on one while you are |
| bikeTry a high gear-It is hard to pedal, but rides at a | | | | training.Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. |