Mountain biking is a great sport. It gets you riding like the wind, rolling over rocks, shooting up hills, descending near-vertical downhill sections, enjoying the enchanting outdoors all the while getting some fitness in. No matter what your mountain biking goals are, you have to get the basics. 

Here are some tips to start you off;  

BE FLEXIBLE, BALANCED AND WELL POSITIONED

It’s easy to stay on your saddle in a smooth flat trail but when riding a rough terrain especially descending, staying on the saddles can be a tall order. You should position your seat properly to help you get in the correct body position. Normally while descending, your weight should pivot around the bottom bracket to ensure you channel your weight through the back of the bike to counteract angle of a drop. You should be very flexible to be able to handle any unforeseen situation that may arise along the trail.

BRAKE TECHNIQUES

Braking seems quite simple; you squeeze the levers and the bike slows down. That is just the half of it. Braking should be consistent and controlled. Don’t slam the brakes when you want to stop but rather do it softly and proactively. Be specific in your breaking points. Braking over obstacles will send your bike sideways and result in an accident. Learn to break effectively and a good point to note is that most braking power comes from the front brakes.

INVEST IN A QUALITY BIKE

Find a bike that fits your style and the terrain you want to tread. Be sure that the bike is set up to fit your body structure. A bike that is too big or too small will be hard to control for the rider. Mountain bikes should be robust and with Bikester Mountain Bikes, no terrain will be hard to beat.  The bike should be well maintained and clean. Before every ride do a quick check to make sure everything is in working order. Test the brakes, gears and make sure the tires are inflated according to specifications.

ALWAYS LOOK AHEAD

Ride the trail with your eyes before you start cycling. Where you look significantly affects where you go. This is called target fixation. Scanning the trail properly will help you anticipate obstacles and changes in the trails. This will allow you to ride faster and more confidently while having fun at it. Always remember to remain calm and relaxed. Tensing up will make your bike rigid and uncontrollable leading to accidents.

SHIFTING GEARS

Mountain biking involves hills and slopes and it’s good to know how to shift gears properly. The gears on a mountain bike are intended to give the rider a smooth pedaling rhythm in unpredictable terrain. The gears might seem complex but once you learn how to shift gears on a mountain bike, it will be a less intimidation process. You should anticipate the trail ahead so that you can prepare to gradually change the gears beforehand instead of abruptly overcompensating which might cause the chain to slip from position.

TRAIL ETIQUETTE

Mountain biking is often done in forests, trails or roads shared with other riders, hikers or even animals. Therefore, only ride the trails open to mountain bike use. Always be courteous and responsible rider and be in control of your bike. Yield a right-of-way to cyclists travelling uphill and slow down when approaching hikers. Progression is key. It’s tempting to take a huge leap in a day but its paramount to move from a small slope to a big one gradually and you will be less likely to injure yourself. Learn the skills of using a mountain bike and slowly put them in practice each day.

TRY SOMETHING NEW

Once you have mastered your local trails, step out of your comfort zone venture forth into other regions. New trails and challenges make mountain biking more exciting and sharpens your skills. This is actually the main key to becoming a well-rounded biker.