| With some practice, you can become a wonderful | | | | By learning what each gear feels like, then you will |
| mountain biker. Practice the techniques described in this | | | | learn how you should shift them to make your riding |
| article and you will be on your way to becoming a | | | | more competitive and fun. A higher gear will make it |
| better biker. | | | | more difficult to pedal, but will allow you to go quicker, |
| Anyone who enjoys riding a bike will also enjoy the | | | | while a lower gear makes it easy to pedal and is |
| sport of mountain biking. It is a little more dangerous | | | | helpful when you are climbing hills. Practicing shifting |
| and adrenaline inducing, but it is quite a bit of fun and a | | | | your gears will help you to learn when to shift to get |
| challenge to ride the dirt trails. | | | | maximum efficiency. |
| If you want to practice mountain biking, then you can | | | | Coasting |
| hone your skills around your home, school, bike paths, | | | | Coasting is great fun. You need to practice coasting |
| or even park. You may want to find a place with a | | | | while standing up on your pedals. Keep your knees |
| steep hill so that you can practice on an incline. | | | | unlocked and your arms bent. Learn how to move |
| Feeling Your Pedals | | | | your weight toward to back of your bike and get a |
| You want to get a feel for your pedals before you | | | | feel for it. |
| take off down a mountain. You first want to be able | | | | Standing and Pedaling |
| to move your foot away from the pedal and then | | | | It is important that you get comfortable with standing |
| replace it back on the pedal. This will take some | | | | and pedaling on your bicycle. If you can lift yourself |
| practice to get good at, but once you master this, then | | | | from the seat, then you should try cranking the pedals |
| you will be on your way to feeling your pedals and | | | | around a few times. Do this in both high and low gear |
| having more control. | | | | until you become comfortable. |
| Position Yourself By Learning To Sit and Spin | | | | Dropping Down |
| Sit on your bike and simply pedal around. Keep your | | | | Locate a curb that you can easily get to the top of. At |
| arms a little bent and adjust the height of your seat to | | | | a moderate speed, stand and coast from the top to |
| make sure that your legs are at least 70% extended | | | | the bottom of the curb. Do this using several different |
| when you pedal at the bottom stroke. Relax your | | | | curb levels until you are comfortable doing this. |
| body, so that your knees and elbows are never | | | | After you get these things where they are second |
| locked. This will enable to you feel the right position so | | | | nature, then you will be able to ride the mountain trails |
| that you will know if you are not riding correctly. | | | | with almost no problem. With dedicated practice, you |
| Gear Shifting | | | | will get to where you love mountain biking and it is |
| You need to learn how to shift the gears on your bike. | | | | comfortable to you. |