Even if there are no mountains where you live, it can make sense to buy a mountain bike, just because of the security they provide, even in urban areas. And there’s always the chance of a weekend ride in the country.
If you’re a bicycle enthusiast but have only tried cycling on the road, it’s time you gave mountain biking a try.
By mountain biking, I mean more than heading down an actual mountain – although that is what most people think about when they hear the phrase “Mountain biking.”
However, mountain bikes – light bikes with fat tires and front suspension – make it easy to go cross country riding as well.
So even if you live in an area with no mountains – get yourself a mountain bike anyway! Those fat tires make for a nice ride – and as long as they’re properly inflated, they can go almost as fast as the thinner tires of road bikes, but you don’t need to worry about going up curbs or down curbs.
- Air Support Back Panel: Designed with Body Mapping Technology to allow for maximum ventilation on the hottest areas of your back
- Magnetic Tube Trap: Keeps your tube secure and accessible when you need it
- Removable Waist Strap: Added stability when you need it
- 3D Vent Mesh Harness: Lightweight and breathable with added cargo. Designed for all-day comfort.
- Helmet Carry: Stow and secure hel
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There are three styles of mountain biking – everyone thinks of which downhill riding, free riding, and cross country.
Suppose you’re a professional cyclist or a dedicated amateur. In that case, you’ll want to buy a bike specifically designed for each style, but if you’re a casual cyclist who wants to try one style one weekend and a different style the next, any good mountain bike will do.
Most people buy a new tool whenever they take up a new hobby.
This is a mistake. Examine yourself first – are you ready for a big investment?
Have you done this in the past – decided on a hobby, bought all the equipment, used it once – then stored it in your garage and never used it again?
So, if possible, rent a bike first – indeed, in so doing, you’ll be able to try out quite a few bikes and decide on which one you’d like to buy. Make sure that the people renting you the bikes have taken proper care of them and that they’re not just “beaters.”
Are you a beginner?
If there’s any mountain biking in your area, chances are there’ll be a club or two which will cater to beginners.
The best thing to do is to seek out your local bike shop. Anyone there can tell you what goes on in your area. In addition, most bike shops will have racks featuring the brochures of local clubs and bike maps of the local trails for free.
Practice makes perfect
If you’re not in shape – you can get in shape with mountain biking… if you make a concentrated effort to do so.
Set yourself goals of miles to ride each day.
If you don’t have the time to ride an hour or so every day, but if you have a steep hill near your home, you can always spend ten minutes doing wind sprints up and down that hill.
This will increase your stamina and strengthen your leg muscles no end. (Make sure you check with your doctor to make sure you have no health problems that would limit vigorous exercise.)
Don’t get on a bike; find the toughest trail and throw yourself down it. Start with beginning trails and work on your skills for a while.
Staying safe
Riders fall.
Face it – it’s going to happen. So the most important equipment you have, after a good bike – is a good helmet.
Never buy a used helmet – you don’t know what’s happened to it.
Also of use to the mountain biker are goggles or other eye protection, elbow and knee pads, and good shoes.
Always carry a few dollars and some change in a pocket so you can call for help and ensure you have identification on you at all times. That last bit of advice is good for biking or jogging if it should ever come to that!
Always be prepared for the worst to happen, and then it [probably] never will.
