Mountain biking is an exciting activity that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike. Compared to the average bike ride, it does present a different set of challenges. It's good and would make your riding more enjoyable if you master certain basic skills before you (figuratively) 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.
Feel 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.
Practice how to sit and spin for position
This is just the basic skill of sitting and spinning on your bike while pedaling around the area. Just make sure your arms are slightly bent and your leg is positioned on a 70 to 90 percent with your seat adjusted accordingly. Relax your body while biking so as your shoulders and knees and elbows are not locked.
Learn when to shift gears
Practice how and when you should shift the gears. Bikes with higher gears would be hard to pedal and would move on fast while bikes with lower gears are easy to pedal but will be able to support you in ascending the hills. As a beginner you should know that upon approaching steeper hills your gears should be shift by now instead of shifting the gears when you are already on the hill.
Practice your coasting skills
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
Make yourself comfortable with your pedals while standing on it as you bike around. Lift yourself off the seat and do the pedaling while shifting your gears to high when in flat ground and low gears on steep hills.
Practice 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.
With constant practice of these techniques and skills, you will be able to mountain bike with no problems and difficulties even when you climb uphill or down. In no time at all, you will find it as easy as riding a bike!
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.
Feel 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.
Practice how to sit and spin for position
This is just the basic skill of sitting and spinning on your bike while pedaling around the area. Just make sure your arms are slightly bent and your leg is positioned on a 70 to 90 percent with your seat adjusted accordingly. Relax your body while biking so as your shoulders and knees and elbows are not locked.
Learn when to shift gears
Practice how and when you should shift the gears. Bikes with higher gears would be hard to pedal and would move on fast while bikes with lower gears are easy to pedal but will be able to support you in ascending the hills. As a beginner you should know that upon approaching steeper hills your gears should be shift by now instead of shifting the gears when you are already on the hill.
Practice your coasting skills
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
Make yourself comfortable with your pedals while standing on it as you bike around. Lift yourself off the seat and do the pedaling while shifting your gears to high when in flat ground and low gears on steep hills.
Practice 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.
With constant practice of these techniques and skills, you will be able to mountain bike with no problems and difficulties even when you climb uphill or down. In no time at all, you will find it as easy as riding a bike!
About the Author:
Michael has bicycled his entire life. Shop at his online Ladies Mountain Bike Store and for the beginning biker visit the Boys Bike Store. Get a totally unique version of this article from our article submission service
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