Starting With Mountain Biking - Basic Skills

Almost all individuals who know how to ride a bike would definitely want the excitement that mountain biking can bring. This is very different from the ordinary biking since it involves tough challenges and some biking skills that may not be utilized with biking on ordinary places. Mastering the basic skills in mountain biking before going on into the hills is very important so as your biking will be more enjoyable, safe, and confident.

You can start practicing the basic skills on your desired plots such as at a local park, school, bike path, or simply around your house. You may also try going out on a steep hill where you can slowly learn how to use your bike and become familiar with it.

Practice how to go with 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 to look for the right position

Practice biking by just simply sitting on your bike and pedal around the area. While pedaling, slightly bend your arms and adjust the height of your seat to keep your leg on a 70% to 90% position. This will make your body and your leg properly adjusted to every pedal you will hit. Make sure that your whole body, including your legs and arms, are all relaxed because you will need to keep your position as you go along the steep hills.

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.

Learn coasting or gliding

Learn how to coast some time on your bike while you are standing on it and not sitting on your seat. Position your arms bended properly and do not allow your legs to be locked. While you are doing this, try making a simple shift as if you are experimenting your moves.

Practice pedaling 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.

Dropping down a curb

Learn how to do the curb by trying to find one so that you can get to the upper portion easily. Try doing some practice at different speeds from moderate to faster speed as long as you can control your gears. Try doing it while standing and coasting until you are familiar and comfortable with the skills.

You will find that when you finally master these techniques and biking skills, you can comfortably hit the trails up and down the hills making your biking more enjoyable.

Michael Saunders

Michael Saunders has bicycled his entire life. Shop at his online Ladies Mountain Bike Website and for the beginning cyclist visit the Boys Bike Website.