12 Steps to Being Better at Mountain Biking

Last Updated on August 6, 2022 by Editorial Staff

Most people have a bike, but few know how to use it. It’s time to get off the couch and out of your comfort zone. Mountain biking is one way you can do that! Read on for some tips on being better at mountain biking.

This article provides 12 helpful steps in order to be more confident while riding a bike on difficult terrains such as hills, rocky paths, or bumpy surfaces. It also discusses the need for safety equipment such as protective gear and cycling shoes with good grip which will help riders maintain control of their bikes when traveling downhill or uphill.

I hope that this list will improve your mountain biking skills.

12 Steps to Get Better at Mountain Biking

1. Mountain biking with buddies is fun

Mountain biking is more fun when you ride with friends because it’s something that everyone can enjoy together. You don’t want to go out alone and spend hours riding trails by yourself if there are people around who would rather do something else, so plan some group rides with your buddies!

2. Find your style

Every rider has their own style depending on what they are comfortable riding and how fast they want to go down a trail. I’m not saying that you should ride in only one way forever, but find which method suits you best before progressing onto other styles because you could end up getting frustrated when something doesn’t work well for you.

3. Avoid obstacles

If you are new to mountain biking then it is likely that you will come across obstacles that could cause an injury. Climbing rocks, jumping off jumps, and riding over logs can all be dangerous if you don’t have the right technique for doing so.

4. Master the basics

The best riders in the world all started out by learning how to do things like balance and steer before they moved on to more advanced techniques. Make sure that you master these basic skills first because then it will be much easier for you to learn the harder ones while avoiding any crashes along the way. For an adult rider, a 26-inch bike would be appropriate, but several factors must be taken into account, including height and weight.

5. Get a good bike

At the end of the day, having good equipment makes all the difference when you are mountain biking. You don’t need to spend thousands on your bike but getting something that fits well and is suitable for what kind of riding you plan on doing will make it easier to improve upon your skills.

Click here to see the best but cheap mountain bikes and read our honest reviews.

6. Ride safely

Mountain bikes can be dangerous if not used properly so always remember safety precautions like wearing protective gear or knowing how far away from trails other people might be before going out there alone. It is also important to use common sense while out in nature such as staying with your group, respecting wildlife, and only crossing roads at designated crossings instead of jaywalking across busy intersections.

7. Ride in different locations

The more different kinds of trails that you ride on, the better your skills will become. Try out a variety of places from natural forests to man-made trails and mountain resorts so that you can experience all the best things about riding a bike downhill!
mountain biking
Image by Gianni Crestani from Pixabay

8. Make it fun when you can

If you are feeling discouraged or bored with something then takes a break for a while before coming back to it fresh. Sometimes we get frustrated when learning new skills because they aren’t easy but if we keep practicing over time, eventually progress will happen.

9. Make time to rest

No matter how much you love something like mountain biking, it is important to make time for other things too. While I’m not saying that you should stop riding altogether, but taking a break or two every week will encourage your body and mind to recharge which can help with learning new skills as well!

10. Change your gear when needed

Biking can be tough on equipment so make sure to change it out if you need to. For example, the chain of your mountain bike may start squeaking or wearing down which could mean that it is time for a new one instead of just riding with it until something breaks.

11. Don’t give up! When you can

Sometimes mountain biking skills seem impossible because no matter how much you try, they are not coming naturally for you but don’t give up! Keep pushing yourself and practicing over time will help improve those difficult techniques. If I can do anything at all then believe me when I say this: practice makes perfect! Now get back out there and ride!

12. Ask for help

If you are not sure about something, ask someone. Whether you are unsure of how to fix your bike or if it is okay to take that sharp turn, talking with people who know more than you will help make things easier.

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