Whether you are looking to get in shape, chase a thrill, or just get outside mountain biking can satisfy your needs. No matter what type of rider you are (or wish to be) there are a few tips on technique that should be practiced to guarantee an enjoyable ride.

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Riding on trails gives outdoor enthusiasts the chance to be part of a natural habitat that otherwise might be unseen while hiking on foot. A day of challenging trail riding is certain to give even the fittest riders some sore muscles the next day. Surely, any adrenaline junkie can attest there never seems to be a dull moment while mountain biking. 

Mountain Biking Trail Basics

Getting dirty and taking on challenging trails may be fun but it can also be dangerous. So, it’s a good idea for beginner mountain bikers to practice riding on rail trails in an effort to acclimate themselves with the brakes and gears of their bike. Rail trails are old railways that have been converted for biking, and often have scenic routes with rolling hills. 

Check out this site to find rail trails near you: www.railstotrails.org. If rail trails are not readily available in your area, any fairly level off-road area will work. 

Practice concentrating on the terrain ahead of you and adjusting the gears and brakes accordingly. Anticipate what is coming, this will prove valuable when riding on twisting trails with blind turns and steep hills. Rail trails are also good for riding at high speeds to acquire balance while getting in and out of the saddle. The more challenging the trail, the more time you’ll be spending riding out of the saddle. 

Riding Mountain Bike Trails

Anticipate: Visualizing the terrain ahead is probably the most important tip for any mountain biker. Shifting into the right gear, with the right amount of speed is the difference between walking your bike up a hill and actually riding it. Likewise, knowing when to brake could be the difference between an exhilarating decent and a flight over the handlebars. 

Tabletop: To safely and effectively absorb the shocks encountered from all the rocks, roots, and bumps riders employ what is commonly called platforming, or the tabletop position. Imagine your pedals as the hands of a clock and keep your feet in the 3 and 9 o’clock positions. Your hands should rest on the handlebars so you are in a push-up position with elbows slightly bent. This enables you to keep balance while the bike moves under you (try not to hunch your shoulders or grip the handlebars too tight) and you’ll have the clearance to avoid any obstacles. 

Turns: A lot of bike trails are single track, meaning there is only enough room for one bike. This can make some turns rather difficult. Remember to visualize and brake accordingly. It’s also useful to lean into the turns in these situations. If you’re afraid of leaning because of your speed, chances are you’re going to fast for the turn anyway.

Climbing: In order to fly down those thrilling descents you must first be able to climb with your bike. You should have a good amount of speed on your approach. This will enable you to stay out of your easiest gear while climbing. Its important to stay out of your easiest gear (unless the hill is extremely steep) so the bike maintains traction. Remember to shift before you’re actually on the hill, shifting while the gears are under pressure could cause the chain to pop off. 

Your position on the bike while climbing should be low, stay in your saddle unless you absolutely need to stand. Your weight should be toward the front of the bike; dropping your shoulders slightly towards the handlebars can do this. You can even slide up to the front of your seat, although this may be somewhat uncomfortable. The goal here is to maintain traction and keep the front wheel on the ground. Resist the common urge to pull up on the handlebars. Remember to breathe, once you’ve made it to the top its always nice to stop and see how far you’ve climbed!

Descending: Once you crest the climb and are entering the descent you’ll want your weight to shift to the back of the bike. So, slide back on the saddle and get into the tabletop position. Your arms will take most of the bump and shock, be sure to keep your fingers hovering over the brakes. In some cases you should lightly pump the brakes to maintain a safe speed while descending.  Don’t put too much pressure on the front brake, this may cause your wheel to lock sending you over the handlebars. 

Visualizing your next move is extremely vital. Looking about 10-15 feet down the hill will allow you to plan your exit, especially if there are turns involved. Really survey where you are and where you want to end up. Presumably, you’ll be going faster on this part of the trail so keep an eye out for rocks, roots, or other potentially dangerous obstacles. 

Practice Your Mountain Biking Technique

Practice makes perfect, and eventually you’ll become much more comfortable climbing, turning, and descending.  When you’re riding on the road or in town look for little curbs or other small obstacles to ride over, using the techniques described in this article. The goal is to be as comfortable as possible on the bike, in any situation. Remember, mountain biking is not easy (that’s what makes it fun) and if done incorrectly can be dangerous. Stay on the bike and out of trouble.