Are You Ready to Mountain Bike By Mike Dire At Isnare.com Ezine Articles

If you have been bicycling for years and want to take the sport to the next level, you should try mountain biking. Mountain biking is considered an extreme sport because of the skills required, and the challenge presented. Where are a normal bike ride through town may include some run-ins with dogs, mountain biking includes careening over unknown terrain which may be dangerous and is most definitely unknown. You will encounter rocky, mountainous roads, loose silt, streams or other small bodies of water and steep inclines that will require your full attention and skills.

It is important to learn and practice these skills before you are faced with the challenges on the road. Make sure that you are wearing appropriate safety gear and find a safe place to practice. You can practice anywhere that has an open lot such as a shopping mall (while it’s closed), a park, or a school. If you can find a place with a hill, that will be even better. The following are some skills that you should practice before heading out on a mountain trail.

Start by just riding your bike. Get used to the feel of it and determine what position is most comfortable for your body. You will want to remain relaxed at all times and never lock your arms or legs. While you are mountain biking, you may have to temporarily take your feet off the pedals to stabilize yourself on rocky terrain. In order to become comfortable with this, practice removing your feet from the pedals and then returning them. The more comfortable with this you are now, the easier it will be when you are on the trail.

Mountain bikes contain gears like those of a car. The higher gears will be used when less energy is required to move the bike. The lower gears will be utilized when trekking up mountains. You must learn how to shift between these gears in order to climb the trails. You can also use curbs (make sure the street is empty) to simulate sudden drops in the trail. Increase the speed with which you approach the curb as you gain better control of your bike.

As a mountain biker, you will spend a great deal of your time standing. Some of this time will be spent pedaling and the rest will be spent standing without moving your feet. Practice both of these so you are more comfortable once you get onto the trail. Remember to stay relaxed and not tighten your body. This will make riding much easier and more enjoyable. Spend a good amount of time practicing these skills, they will ensure that your mountain biking experience is a good one. You should also begin working up to the physical stamina and strength necessary to mountain bike. You will be biking for longer periods of time and engaging more muscles then regular biking so you may have to build up to it. Biking a few hours each day should do the trick in just a few short weeks time.

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