• Home
  • U.S. Destinations
    • Midwest
    • Northeast
    • Northwest
    • Southeast
    • Southwest
    • Coastal
  • International Destinations
    • Africa/Middle East
    • Antarctica/Arctic
    • Asia
    • Canada
    • Europe
    • Mexico/Central America/Carribean
    • Oceania
    • South America
  • Food & Drink
    • For the Home
    • On The Town
    • At the Bar
    • Recipes
  • Travel & Lifestyle
    • Getting There
    • Staying There
    • Travel Tips
    • Travel Gear & Gifts
    • People Stories
    • Focus on Photos
  • About
    • Our Site
    • Contributors
    • Write To Us
    • Write For Us
    • Work With Us
    • Disclosure
    • Subscribe
    • Privacy Policy
Confetti Travel Cafe
Celebrate travel, culture, connection
International Destinations, Outdoors, Travel & Lifestyle, Travel Gear & Gifts, Travel Tips, U.S. Destinations 0

5 Things You Should Know Before You Start Mountain Biking

By Jessica Miller · On October 12, 2020


Let’s be frank; mountain biking is a rewarding activity, and worth the sweat, considering its health and entertainment benefits. However, when you start mountain biking for the first time, going through those hilly terrains, rough rocky roads, and bypassing the streams may seem harsh.

Hence, you should know the proper biking techniques in the mountain before you start. And to help you with the cause, we have come up with 5 things you should before you start mountain biking. So, this is going to be a one-lifetime learning chance for you.

Admittedly, mountain biking can be nerve-wracking, especially during the first few times. It would be promptly best if you were calm and relaxed when you first put your feet on the MTB bike for mountain riding. However, there are five crucial points that will make your first mountain biking experience a breeze.

start mountain biking

Image by Manfred Antranias Zimmer from Pixabay

Stay Loose

We have seen many people being too stiff on their cycle and, ultimately, losing grip for it. And this is a fatal mistake.

You should understand that holding the bike handlebar firmly and keeping the cycle tight won’t help you with the challenging terrains. The purpose of your bike is to cruise through the landscapes and ups and downs with ease. And your objective is to let the bike do its job with clear guidance.

Ideally, when you pass a tree root or rocky region, you need to hover off your butt continuously on the saddle. It will help you get a good balance and allow the bike cruise through the terrains. Also, the bike would ask for more space on the technical landscapes.

Finally, when you ride down a descending pathway, don’t forget to flare your arms and legs effectively. It will allow the bike flow with motion instead of fighting against your knee weight.

mountain biking terrain

Image by skeeze from Pixabay

Know How to Shift Weight

When you prepare for a mountain biking tour, you need to prepare your mind to hit some extreme and challenging terrains. It will broadly include radical stiff ascending and descending routes full of pebbles, rocks, ancient tree routes, and hard sand.

So, when you pass these obstacles, it is a must that you shift your weight continuously and promptly. For instance, lean forward and shift your weight on the bike front when climbing up through a steep pitch. On the other side, lean back and shift your weight on the backward of the bike when you tilt downwards. It would be effectively best if you moved the weight on the saddle during this time.

start mountain biking

Image by Simon Steinberger from Pixabay

Don’t Fight with the Brakes

There will be an ardent situation when you would want to grab the brakes with your full force and hold them as powerfully as you might get. And it is natural since you will be driving through some extreme terrains where a minute flaw can prove to be lethal.

However, we suggest you resist the temptation of holding the brakes with full force. MTB bikes are among the highest quality bikes in the industry, and their brakes are susceptible. You can actually get the highest hold on the brakes with just one or two fingers at ease.

So, pushing them hard won’t do any good. Instead, focus more on the roads and press the brakes correctly when you see a corner or tricky turn. Help the brakes to control the speed without any fuss and over-forcing issues.

Maintain a Constant Momentum

It might feel a countering suggestion, especially right after we talked about controlling the brakes and speed for safety. Well, no matter how counter-intuitive it may seem, maintaining a constant momentum will help you pass through the terrains more easily.

Hence, if you get a chance to push forward with good momentum, don’t lose it. Also, a better acceleration will help you put less effort during cycling time. It is because, at an absolute momentum and velocity, it is easier to ride than achieving the momentum after slowing down.

Image by Fabricio Macedo FGMsp from Pixabay

Maintain the Safety Requirements

A hilly or mountain terrain can often come with unexpected incidents. There can suddenly be a landslide, or you may see a tiny rock right in front of the tire tumbling you. So, you need to prepare for the worst.

It means always use all the protective gear while you ride on an MTB bike on stiff terrains. Wear safety goggles, arm, elbow, and knee protectors as well. Last but not least, use a quality helmet with a mesh feature for a dry inside.

Just Start Mountain Biking!

Once you know how to prepare for the mountaineering sessions with bikes, it will be a fun and lifetime experience for you. However, going on those tough terrains without any preparation and understanding of the terrain can be hazardous.

So, keep these ardent and effective five things in mind when you first start mountain biking.

start mountain biking

Image by Fabricio Macedo FGMsp from Pixabay

For More:

  • European Cyclists’ Federation
  • On our site: 10 Reasons to Take a European Cycling Trip
  • Also on our site: Tour Cuba by Motorcycle with Christopher Baker

Download PDF
bikingcyclingJessica Millerknow before you startmountain bikingoutdoorsstart mountain biking
Share Tweet

Jessica Miller

Jessica Miller, a professional cyclist and a qualified gear expert has been exploring the world with two wheels and a drop bar for a very long time.

You Might Also Like

  • thrilling activities in Dubai Dune Bashing Shutterstock Africa/Middle East

    Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai

  • Getting There

    Staying Within Your Vacation Budget

  • Redding California Sacramento River Coastal

    Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California

No Comments

Leave a reply Cancel reply

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search

Like What You See? Write For us!

We're always interested in publishing new stories that celebrate travel, culture and connection. Take a look at our Submission Guidelines and pitch your story.

Follow Us on Instagram

Follow on Instagram

Our Contributors!

We love our Contributors and enjoy building a community of writers. Take a look at who’s writing for Confetti Travel Cafe on our Contributors page!

Recent Comments

  • Nancy Zaffaro on The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Kepler Newman on The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Nancy Zaffaro on Pub Classic: Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
  • aabella aabella on Pub Classic: Macaroni and Cheese Recipe
  • Nancy Zaffaro on How to Choose an International Yoga Retreat
  • Yoga Teacher Training on How to Choose an International Yoga Retreat

Archives

  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • February 2020
  • January 2020
  • December 2019
  • November 2019
  • October 2019
  • September 2019
  • August 2019
  • July 2019
  • June 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • March 2019
  • February 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018
  • July 2018
  • June 2018
  • May 2018
  • April 2018
  • March 2018
  • February 2018
  • January 2018
  • December 2017
  • November 2017
  • October 2017
  • September 2017
  • August 2017
  • July 2017
  • June 2017
  • May 2017
  • April 2017
  • March 2017
  • February 2017
  • January 2017
  • December 2016
  • November 2016
  • October 2016
  • September 2016
  • August 2016
  • July 2016
  • June 2016
  • May 2016

Categories

Recent Posts

  • Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai
  • Staying Within Your Vacation Budget
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California
  • The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Calafia, Valle de Guadalupe: Mexico’s Napa Valley
  • 5 Budget-friendly Outdoor Wedding Destinations
  • Breckenridge Colorado: A Destination to Swoon Over
  • Home
  • Our Site
  • Contributors
  • Write To Us
  • Write For Us
  • Work With Us
  • Disclosure

Categories

  • Africa/Middle East (16)
  • Antarctica/Arctic (1)
  • Art & Culture (27)
  • Asia (32)
  • At the Bar (61)
  • Canada (4)
  • Coastal (47)
  • Europe (44)
  • Food & Drink (148)
  • Food And Drink (77)
  • For the Home (39)
  • Getting There (32)
  • International (105)
  • International Destinations (130)
  • Mexico/Central America/Carribean (14)
  • Midwest (9)
  • Northeast (16)
  • Northwest (80)
  • Oceania (9)
  • On The Town (80)
  • Outdoors (25)
  • People Stories (25)
  • Recipes (31)
  • South America (8)
  • Southeast (42)
  • Southwest (22)
  • Staying There (56)
  • Travel & Lifestyle (91)
  • Travel Destinations (22)
  • Travel Gear & Gifts (33)
  • Travel Tips (77)
  • U.S. (95)
  • U.S. Destinations (163)
  • Uncategorized (1)

Recent Posts

  • Adventure-Seekers: Try These Thrilling Activities in Dubai
  • Staying Within Your Vacation Budget
  • Top 10 Things to Do in Redding, California
  • The Cliff Guest House: Stay in an Ancient Village in Oman
  • Calafia, Valle de Guadalupe: Mexico’s Napa Valley
  • 5 Budget-friendly Outdoor Wedding Destinations
  • Breckenridge Colorado: A Destination to Swoon Over

Tag Cloud

Dublin wine bars Stayton-Jordan covered bridge Trevi Fountain Toro Bravo Moroccan tile Vatican salt caves Southern board Shelburne Inn Pokhara Ilwaco Loy Krathong Indian curry Millennium Park Bea Chim Heritage Distilling Milk Street Israelian coffee City of Light Wild and Precious memoir drink wine airbnb hosting boat trips pop-ups Pushkar Camel Festival Prima Bistro Esalen massage Bloomingdale Trail kare-kare astro-tourism Mint Julep Tours San Saba Finholm whale watching Dallas Holocaust Museum travel photography International Pinot Noir Celebration Cape Perpetua Portland Art Museum

© 2021 Confetti Travel Cafe. All rights reserved.