Mountain bicycles are very durable so you can ride them on the road, but also off-road over a variety of rough terrains. In competitive mountain biking there are a number of disciplines, including cross country, trail riding, downhill, street riding and dirt jumping. But most mountain bikers are recreational riders.
Wear Safety Gear
The presence of rocks, logs, ditches, trees and other obstacles combined with high speeds, steep downhills and loose surfaces make it far more likely that you will take a tumble mountain biking than riding on the road. You should always wear a helmet to reduce your likelihood of suffering a debilitating or fatal head injury. Buy the best helmet you can afford, and consider wearing body armor and knee pads if you are prone to parting ways with your bike.
Keep Your Head Up
Forewarned is forearmed. Keep your head up and look ahead so that you see obstacles as soon as possible. Keep your eyes on the trail ahead to avoid any unpleasant or dangerous surprises that might cause you injury or damage your bike. As a rule, try to look about 20 to 30 feet in front of you at all times, unless you are negotiating a tricky obstacle. Position yourself on the trail in a way that maximizes your visibility when approaching blind bends and hill crests.
Keep Your Butt Back
To avoid going head-first over your handlebars, especially on steep descents, make sure you keep your butt back so that as much of your weight as possible is over your rear wheel. The steeper the decline, the farther back you should try to shift your weight. In addition minimizing your chances of flipping your bike, this technique will push your rear tire into the trail surface to maximize your grip.
Maintain Your Bike
Riding a bike on rough trails puts a lot of stress on the mechanical components. Hubs, wheels, tires, headsets, breaks and gears are all prone to wear and tear, so check them before every ride. If a part of your bike fails, you are facing at the very least a long walk home. Carry spare parts and the necessary tools to perform trail-side repairs if you are going to be far from help.
Post a Ride Plan
If you are riding far from home, and especially if you are going alone, always leave details of your route and the time you expect to return with a friend or family member. You can and should carry a cell phone so you can call for help, but in case you are riding in an area with poor cell phone coverage, a ride plan will ensure that someone will know where you are and when you are due back.
References
- "Mastering Mountain Bike Skills"; Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack; 2010
- "The Complete Mountain Biking Manual"; Tim Brink; 2007
- "Mountain Bike Master: Essential Skills and Advanced Techniques Made Easy"; Mark Langton; 2008
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