Most people have heard of mountain biking, but only a few know what it’s all about. For most of us, our first introduction to this action-packed sport was on the television when we watched professionals compete in events like X-Games or Tour De France. These athletes displayed superhuman fitness and abilities while performing death-defying feats and stunts.
These days, with the various makes and models available to anyone who wants one, mountain bikes have become a staple accessory, with or without the expensive price tag or specially designed mountain bike setup.
Being a successful biker doesn’t just involve physical fitness and an adventurous spirit. You’ll need the technical abilities and bike handling skills to perform and ride without injuring yourself or others.
Ideal Body Position
Maintaining proper posture and a good position on your bike will make for a better experience and safer riding. When traversing off-road terrain, your body weight needs to be over the wheels as you stand on the pedals.
Absorb a bumpy terrain with arms and legs slackened at the elbow and knees. It’s also a good idea to keep your eyes directly ahead of you to remain aware of your surroundings and cover the brakes with your fingers in case of an emergency stop.
Having proper body position will prevent you from having back pains and allow you to ride longer without experiencing aches that could hamper your activity. Ensuring that you follow the proper body position will also fend off neck pains the next day.
Keep Good Company
Getting better as a rider will come with the use of correct technique and practice, but riding with those who are more experienced than you, or with friends who push you to do better, will open your eyes to the possibilities that mountain biking can bring.
Watch what the experienced do, how they position themselves on the bike, and their techniques when riding downhill or swerving around corners. Don’t feel pressured or embarrassed to try new things either; everyone started at the beginning, so just have fun with it.
Additionally, having companions with you is safer since someone can look after your welfare as you ride. You can never tell when accidents can happen. Even if you’ve prepared well and worn all the protective gear required, you can’t escape the situation if, for instance, somebody bumps you from behind. So, having companions as you ride is a good thing.
Electric Bikes
For mountain bikers, the purpose of a bike ride is to enjoy the beauty of nature, not to struggle with a heavy, clunky bike. The mountain bike is a classic, but an electric bike makes riding off-road more fun, more efficient, and easier than ever before. The guys over at Himiway bikes know what having an electric bike can do for your biking skills and performance. Now you can hit the mountains with an electric bike, and forget about peddling up the most challenging trails. You can enjoy them from a whole new perspective. There is no better way to explore the mountains than by electric bike. It allows you to ride farther and more easily on your favorite trails and enjoy the outdoors for that much longer.
A mountain e-bike can give you more fun on the trail. You’ll feel like you have supercharged legs as it assists you in pedaling so you can cover more ground within a limited time period. The ease of use of mountain e-bikes will allow you to ride effortlessly, with reduced huffing and puffing caused by much exertion on the pedal.
Strength Training
Mountain biking can be an extremely physically active sport, so whether or not you succeed as a professional or hobbyist, getting fit will only serve to benefit you. Don’t just focus on leg day, either. Mountain biking requires leg strength, upper body and core strength, and the stamina to keep going for long periods.
When mountain biking regularly, ensure you do some form of strength training or additional exercise. You’ll be sure to experience the benefits of mountain biking when you’re not aching after a long day in the hills.
Regular biking can keep you away from debilitating diseases, like stroke, obesity, heart disease, and depression. It’ll also strengthen your lungs and maintain your weight.
Perfect Your Cadence Style
Without proper pedaling technique, you’ll discover you’re working harder for the same amount of output. You can perfect the rotation of the bike cranks to develop a good spin style.
The right pedaling to gear style ratio prevents losing traction on trail surfaces, helps maintain balance, and prevents exhaustion. Get better at this by putting your bike in the right gear and pedaling in circles. If you’re geared too high or too low, you’ll be able to feel it.
Know-How to Brake
Most people have at some point ridden a bike, but there’s a certain skill involved in braking when on a mountain bike. Especially important is perfecting the correct technique while riding on different terrains.
If you’re a beginner, it’s probably best to use both brakes until you get used to your new bike. The front brake can be surprisingly powerful, and to prevent locking your brakes, ‘feather’ your brakes during sustained downhills or tight corners.
Mountain biking is one of the most rewarding and action-packed, all-around sports. In order to make your ride as painless and fun as possible, it’s essential to choose the right bike and maintain the correct form.
If you wish to use your mountain bike for your daily commute, you’ll also help the environment by reducing your carbon footprint.
Regardless of your level of expertise with mountain biking, you should always strive to learn something new and improve your abilities. The activity can be as fun and painless as possible. These techniques should help you improve speed, balance, and general talent, making your trips all the more worthwhile.
