Mountain biking is unlike any other form of cycling. You get to explore nature from a unique angle and get fitter at the same time. Because you’re doing it at whatever pace you desire, it can also make for a great social activity you can do with friends or co-workers. If you’re thinking about adding it to your list of activities, here are a few tips that will help make your experience much better:
- Have the right bike – and maintain it
If you plan on mountain biking regularly, it’s best to invest in the right bike for the job. If you’re a beginner, you might want to consider a bike with wider tires for easier, less bumpy riding, while more advanced mountain bikes are light enough to make pedalling uphill easy, while performing well on descents at the same time. You’ll also need to look at suspension for better impact absorption and traction. Whichever you decide on, remember to ensure you maintain and service your bike properly, or at least before every major ride.
- Find the line
The biggest challenge people experience when mountain biking is where to look. There’s beautiful scenery around you and also potentially treacherous rocks and obstacles in your path. In order to keep a decent pace without disrupting yourself, expert riders advise that you pick out a visual ‘line’ a metre or two in front of you, instead of on the ground directly on your path. This will help you avoid collisions and sudden braking – and it’s what psychologists call ‘target fixation’.
- Relax
If you want to avoid slipping and create traction when moving uphill, you need to relax your body, so your weight is evenly distributed over the bike. Lower your centre of gravity by keeping your elbows and body low. When going downhill, shift your weight so that it leans to the rear and keep your limbs relaxed to let them absorb the bumps.
In time, you’ll find that you can negotiate even the steepest incline or descent effortlessly this way.
Ready to impress your friends on your next mountain biking experience? Make sure you’ve got the perfect mountain bike for your individual experience and all the necessary accessories to go along with it.
Visit us instore or online today stock up on all your mountain biking needs!
Related Tag: Electric Mountain Bike
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