Mountain Biking Tips for Advanced Bikers

Mountain biking is an adventure sport that has become extremely popular over the years. It is an adrenalin filled sport which costs very little and is ideal for a wide range of fitness levels. Advanced mountain biking requires a great deal of skill and yet does not have the level of maintenence costs of many similar sports. Bicycle touring has also become very popular, many individuals like to travel long distances on bikes requiring endurance.

Although mountain biking is accessible to almost everyone, advanced mountain biking requires high levels of fitness and skill. You need to make sure that while your ride is exciting, it is also safe. Make sure when going mountain biking off road, you have carefully planned your trip in advance. Carefully study a map to locate existing trails and do not stray from them. Also consider the weather and season when planning the difficulty of your trip. For example, in the summer look for trails that are shaded and avoid biking midday, try to ride in the early morning or late afternoon to avoid intense heat.

There are some general tips to follow when advanced mountain biking. It is important to keep a loose grip on the handlebars. Also make sure your shoulders are loose and your elbows are bent. This will help you to absorb shock and will mean you will tire slower.

When riding make sure you keep looking ahead, not down at your wheel. You need to be alert to obstacles in order to keep safe. Don`t only look at the immediate obstacle but potential obstacles further up the trail. If you are in mud, water or a similar soft surface you should change to an easier gear and shift back in your seat. This will allow you to glide through across the surface.

It is vitally important to ensure you have a top quality bike for advanced mountain biking. Your bike should be of a high quality and kept in top condition. One of the most highly regarded mountain bikes of this year is the Trek Fuel EX 8. This is a high end specialised bike that has a light alloy frame. Other top bikes include the Scott Genius 10, Raleigh XXIX Pro, Santa Cruz Blue LT and the Cannondale Rize 3.

As well as a high quality bike, advanced mountain bikers require the correct biking gear. Make sure you have a good quality waterproof jacket for insulation and for keeping dry, vital for any trip. A waterproof jacket is particularly vital for winter, do not skimp on this item. You should buy waterproof jackets from recognised adventure sport brands such as Cannondale, Rip Curl, roxy clothing and O’Shea. Make sure you also have suitable gloves and in the winter, wear a base layer. You can find a whole range of accessories from many extreme sports brands and retailers.

What Are Some Mountain Bike Skills For The Beginner?

Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike. Compared to the average bike ride, it does present some danger. Therefore, you should master these basic skills before you hit the trails or the dirt.

You can practice these beginning skills at a local park, school, bike path, or simply around your house. If you can, try to find a location with a steep hill.

Get a feel for your pedals

Practice moving your foot away from the pedal, first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around for a bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals will want to spend a bit more time practicing.

Sit and spin for position

Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. You should keep your arms slightly bent. You should also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as there will never be a position where you should have either your knees or your elbows locked.

Shifting gears

Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. The higher gears are harder to pedal and will go faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal and will help you ascend hills. As you get to steeper hills, its best to shift before you get to the hill rather than while your on it.

Coasting

You should spend a bit of time coasting while standing on your pedals, without actually sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don’t lock your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting your body towards the rear end of the bike.

Pedal while standing

You should get as comfortable as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals, then crank them around. You should try this in higher gears on flat ground then again in lower gears while on a hill.

Dropping down a curb

Try finding a curb where you can easily get to the upper portion of it. Practice at a moderate speed,
standing and coasting right off the curb from the upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Once you practice these techniques and get the hang of them, you’ll be able to hit the trails feeling
comfortable on your mountain bike. Even though it may take some getting used to, it’ll become second
nature before you know it.

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