Mountain Bike Trail Riding - Some Training And Safety Tips

To get the most from mountain biking and to be safe you need to be fit

, both physically and mentally. Just like any other demanding sport you will need to train properly to make sure you get the most from your mountain biking and to ensure you are safe. You should also pay particular attention to safety to ensure both your own and fellow riders have a safe and enjoyable trip.

Mountain Bike Safety Tips

Before any mountain bike ride make a thorough inspection of your bike and your safety gear. Always wear adequate clothing, preferably leathers to protect you if you fall off and an approved helmet. While riding on the trails stay alert at all times as lack of concentration is a major cause of accidents and injuries. On long trails ride with a group or a partner for safety and always let someone know where you are going and your expected time of return. Carry a small emergency pack containing a first aid kit, a flashlight and repair kit for tires, water and emergency food supplies. If you are going on long trails it would be a good idea to use a GPS navigator device so you don't get lost and a satellite phone.

Mountain Bike Training Tips

Mountain biking requires both stamina and physical strength so you need to do both cardio and strength training exercises. Aim to strengthen core muscles and try to train at least for 30 minutes four days a week. As always when you are embarking on a new training routine it is wise to check your general fitness with a physician or health worker before you start. It is also important that you make sure your diet is good. Add more fruit and vegetables and stay away from fried or processed food as much as possible. A healthy diet is essential to achieve the peak of fitness you are aiming for. Also drink enough water. Many people do not drink enough water to be healthy so aim for around eight glasses of pure water (not water in soft drinks etc!) every day.

Ensuring Your Mountain Bike is in Good Condition

A major concern when mountain biking over rough terrain is the braking system so you must make sure your bike has a good set of brakes. You will need to brake often and sharply so, for your safety, you need to check the brakes every time you set out on a ride.

The suspension on a mountain bike is also vitally important to both your safety and comfort. A dual suspension system is well worth investing in as it will help to absorb shocks and make riding in rougher terrain much easier and more comfortable.

Using your gears is going to take practice so you may want to practice in gentler conditions if you are new to mountain biking. On flat surfaces low gears are useful as they make pedaling easy but they will make accelerating slower. In high gear you can increase speed more easily but they are harder to use if you are not used to them. Always start slowly and use the higher gears as your speed increases.

As you master the gears you can begin to also master the art of instant turning. Although this is difficult at first it is an essential skill to learn as it can be useful in many situations and will help you to prevent injuries. An instant turn involves a sharp turn, steering to the opposite side then another sharp turn. While you are doing this your body will lean into the turn so that you can quickly get out of trouble.

Conclusion

Mountain biking is a fun and exhilarating sport as long as you are aware of your abilities and do not try to do more than you are capable of. Pay attention to safety at all times and you will have a great time on your mountain bike and make some wonderful memories.

by:janet ashby

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