| Anyone who knows how to ride a bicycle can enjoy | | | | faster speedTry a low gear-Easier to pedal, |
| mountain biking. There are some dangers to mountain | | | | particularly useful while on hillsTry shifting prior to |
| biking, when it is compared to the standard bike ride. It | | | | reaching the hill-This is important because it is easy to |
| is for this reason that mastering the following beginner | | | | overcome a shift before the hill than it is while on the |
| mountain bike skills is a necessity prior to taking off for | | | | hill.Practice coasting with the following:Practice this |
| your mountain bike excursion.These skills can all be | | | | while standing on the pedals, not sitting on the bike |
| practiced by heading to any school, local park, around | | | | seatDo not lock your kneesKeep arms slightly |
| your house, or on a bike path. The key to the right | | | | bentAttempt coasting while shifting the body towards |
| location is if it has a steep hill for you to practice | | | | the rear of the mountain bikePractice pedaling while |
| on.The pedals are an important part of a mountain | | | | standing with the following:This is important in mountain |
| bike. You can practice getting a feel for the pedals by | | | | biking |
| doing the following:Sit on your bike | | | | Try pedaling standing up in two different ways, once |
| Place one foot on the ground | | | | you have become comfortable with standing on the |
| Release and Replace your foot while pedaling around | | | | pedals.First, pedal while standing in a high gear on |
| Note: If you have clipless foot pedals or toe clips, you | | | | flatter grounds.Then, pedal while standing in a low gear |
| will want to practice this quite a bit.Sit and Spin for | | | | on hills.Practice dropping down a curb with the |
| position with the following:Adjust the seat height so | | | | following:Locate a curb in the area; it should be easily |
| that the leg is a minimum of 70% extended at the | | | | accessible in regards to the upper portion |
| bottom of each pedal cycle | | | | Using a moderate speed, practice coasting and |
| Bend arms slightly | | | | standing off the curb to the lower level from the upper |
| Keep the body as relaxed as possible; a position | | | | level.Continue this at different speeds until you are |
| should never occur that requires you to lock your | | | | comfortable with it and it is like second natureThe |
| elbows or knees.Sit on the Mountain bike and | | | | above practicing techniques are important because |
| pedalPractice shifting gears with the following:Make | | | | they will give you the feel of the mountain bike trail, |
| sure you know the differences in gears on your | | | | without having to be on one while you are |
| bikeTry a high gear-It is hard to pedal, but rides at a | | | | training.Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. |