Mountain Biking for Beginners, Mountain Biking – Safety & Precautions Mountain biking is all about the art of properly handling the bike on a steep hill. Most amateur riders would constantly look for the least steep ways around, but one has to improve his or her skill set, and take on the biking challenges. Start with Gradual Ascents  Being a trained mountain biker takes time, and you should start practicing soon. First take on the gradual ascents, as they are your first step in steep climbing. Remember to shift into one of the low gears. Try out a bunch of low gears, until you find the one, which is ideal for a number of various, inclines.

Analyze the Climb

Most probably, the entire journey is not going to be made on the same gear, and the climb consists of different level of steepness. Before taking on the challenge, analyze the terrain, and the miles you have to cover.

Lean Forward

One of the most important aspects of mountain biking is to keep the back straight and to lean forward. You need maximum grip with the rocks, and steep climbs. Shift your weight onto the front wheel by leaning forward on the handlebars.

Adjust Yourself

When taking on quite a steep terrain, your body feels going backwards, and the front wheel lifts off the ground. To avoid such hazard synonymous to mountain biking, you must lean towards the front wheel, as much as you may require.

Pedal like it is Your Last Ride

Push downwards, and transfer your weight to both the wheels of your mountain bike to maintain maximum balance. You must pedal with your full force, even if it appears that you should quit after a minute of hard throbbing.

Do not lock your Joints

Care must be taken, not to lock your joints. Bend your arms and legs to get the maximum grip.

Introduce the Excitement

Exercise different muscles of your body when you get tired. If the constant throbbing is making you bored, you may stand up to the pedals, and give yourself some airtime. This mountain biking tip comes in handy when you are up against long steep climbs.

Get in a higher gear

As you get going, make sure to switch into a higher gear. Remember to lift yourself off the pedals, if your thigh muscles are becoming tired.

Center Your Weight

Keep the bike in a steady position by pressing down on the handlebars, and keep your body at the center to avoid shaking the bike, otherwise, you will get tired quite quickly.

Safety Precautions

Warm up &Steadiness

Do not tackle steep ascents at once. Give time for your body to warm up to the challenge. Once you start on the harder course, you may feel like quitting or taking a break after the first 16 minutes or so. In such a state in mountain biking, you should keep on pedaling for at least 30 minutes more, as your body will start to get used to the workout.

Light vs. Heavy Cyclist

If you have a heavy body, you are better off just squatting down and pedaling, but in the case you are light and agile, you can stand for a while too.

Eat healthy

Even the most experienced mountain bikers prepare in advance. It is a requisite of mountain biking to eat high fiber foods. If the climb is long – particularly more than an hour or so – you are better off bringing some sort of a bar or gel with you to keep yourself energized.

Helmet

If you are over 50, you may not wear a helmet when it is hot or humid, otherwise, you should wear one in all circumstances.

Do not stand for too long

It is a fundamental mountain biking tip not to stand for too long, as standing burns off vital energy.