Mountain Bike Cycling For Beginners – Tips to Get You Started
Mountain bike cycling is the most accessible type of cycling to many people, and by far the most exciting. It is fantastic for fitness and it gets you away from all the daily noise and grind.
Mountain bike cycling is done off-road, usually around country parks that allow bikes, or local bridleways, as well as specific cycle trails and difficult technical trails. Be aware though, if you are new to mountain bike cycling it is important to build up your skills before tackling tough technical trails.
Most mountain bike riders learn their skills through practice over time and sometimes watching more experienced riders. You can get loads of books and DVDs to help you but the best thing is getting lots of practice.
Before you can start practicing you obviously need a mountain bike, so deciding which one should you get is the first task. There are numerous different sorts of bikes available, varying widely in price and style. If you are just starting out it’s a good plan to get a cheaper bike until you get some experience and can decide what you like the best.
As soon as you’ve got your mountain bike you need suitable clothes to wear to ride it. Mountain bikers generally wear more casual outfits than road cyclists, for example they tend to wear baggy shorts. Specialist mountain bike shorts look like normal shorts but with a padded lining for comfort.
Above everything, there are several bits of important kit to wear at all times, whatever the weather, and these are a helmet, glasses, and gloves. Such safety gear is designed to protect you from flying debris and mud, prickly bushes and branches sticking out, and falls.
You will probably have some minor falls as that is part and parcel of mountain biking, but if you are wearing the correct protective clothing you will only get minor cuts and bruises.
When you’ve got all the right kit you need to choose where to ride. There are plenty of guides to local areas available, on both the internet and on bookshops. Visitor information centres also have loads of useful information, such as local trails and their ability levels. There are even specialist mountain bike centres run by the Forestry Commission, with marked trails that are graded for different abilities.
When you have all the appropriate kit you’re ready to go mountain bike cycling, although if you’re also armed with a little mountain bike maintenance knowledge you can stay safe and push your limits further. Above everything else, the most important factor is to enjoy the adrenalin rush you get.