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Beginner Mountain Bike Skills
from: Maxx Adventure TravelMountain biking is truly a fun and exciting sport and what's great is anyone who knows how to ride a bike can take part in the adventure. However, you must remember that compared an average bike ride, there are some dangers. Therefore, it's important that you master some basic skills before you hit the trails or the dirt.
If you have a local park handy, you can practice these beginning skills or even at school, or find yourself a bike path, or simply around your house. If possible, a location with a steep hill is best for simulating the bike terrain you'll be travelling once you start your mountain biking tour.
Get a Feel for Your Pedals
You should start by practicing moving your foot away from the pedal, first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around. If you have a toe clip or clipless type foot pedal you'll want to spend a bit more time practicing.
Sit and Spin for Position
Simply sit on your bike and pedal around while keeping your arms slightly bent. You should also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70% to 90% extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal. Always keep your body relaxed, since there's never going to be a position when you should have either your knees or your elbows locked.
Shifting Gears
Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. The higher gears are harder to pedal and will go faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal and will help you ascend hills. As you get to steeper hills, it's best to shift before you get to the hill rather than while your on it.
Coasting
Spend some time coasting while standing on your pedals, without sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don't lock your knees and then try experimenting with shifting your body towards the rear end of the bike.
Pedal While Standing
You should get as comfortable as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals, then crank them around. Try this in the higher gears on flat ground and then again in lower gears while on a hill.
Dropping Down a Curb
Find a curb where you can easily get to the upper portion of it. Practice at moderate speed, standing and coasting right off the curb from the upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speeds until it becomes second nature.
Once you've practiced some of these techniques you'll find yourself getting the hang of them, and you'll hit the trails feeling completely comfortable on your mountain bike. It may take some time and practice to get used to, but with perseverance it'll become second nature in no time.
Mountain Biking News
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