| You've decided to take up the exciting and challenging | | | | and when you need a drink you just reach over with |
| sport of mountain biking. Unlike casual biking, you need | | | | your mouth to the bite valve and take a sip. |
| much more than just a helmet to ensure that you have | | | | Mountain bike shorts |
| a safe ride as you hit the trails. | | | | These days bike saddles are a lot more comfortable |
| Mountain biking is such a popular sport that there is | | | | than they used to be. There are saddles made |
| now a vast range of accessories for both men and | | | | especially for women as well as men, and you can |
| women. Make sure you do a bit of research on each | | | | purchase gel-filled saddles that make the hours you |
| item you want to purchase to make sure you buy the | | | | spend on your bike a bit more comfortable. But you'll |
| best quality for the amount of money you want to | | | | also want padded bike underwear and padded bike |
| spend. | | | | shorts, just for extra comfort. |
| Bike helmet | | | | Mountain bike gloves |
| We may be listing the bike helmet as an 'accessory' | | | | If you fall off your bike (or should that be, when), your |
| but it really isn't. It is a necessary piece of equipment. In | | | | hands will probably be the first thing to hit the ground - |
| mountain biking, it is not a question of if you're going to | | | | either a paved road, a graveled road, dirt, mud, |
| fall, it's a question of when. And when you take a | | | | bushes...all sorts of hazards that can rip up your hands |
| header over your handlebars, having a secure helmet | | | | unless they're properly protected. Gloves serve |
| on your head could well save your life. Although you | | | | another purpose as well, of course. If you're heading |
| can buy most accessories second hand if you so | | | | down the trail your hands will get sweaty which could |
| desire, the bike helmet is something that you want to | | | | cause problems keeping your hands on your bike grips. |
| buy brand-new, and make sure that it fits your head | | | | Wearing gloves eliminates that problem. |
| properly. And if you do have an accident in which any | | | | Mountain biking shoes |
| damage occurs to the helmet, the wisdom is that you | | | | These days there's a shoe made for every sport |
| should purchase another one. One accident per helmet | | | | under the sun, including that of mountain biking. The |
| - that's the rule. | | | | main difference in mountain bike shoes is the type of |
| Eye protection | | | | sole - designed for the different types of pedals out |
| Have you ever been riding on the road and been | | | | there: with clips or clipless. The clipless type of pedal |
| passed by a car that sends up a spurt of gravel at | | | | requires that your shoes be fitted with special cleats. |
| you? If any of that gets into your eyes, you have to | | | | The shoes need to be durable and comfortable. |
| stop immediately to clear your vision. If you're on a trail | | | | Trail repair kit |
| heading downhill at a breakneck pace, and a baleful | | | | Regardless of what type of biking you do, it always |
| bee takes that opportunity to hit you in the eye, the | | | | makes sense to carry a bicycle repair kit with you. |
| following seconds could end up being very | | | | However, you can 'get away' with not carrying one if |
| uncomfortable. Glasses or sunglasses are one solution, | | | | you ride on the streets of your city. You'll just be a |
| but the best method is to wear goggles. Whatever | | | | phone call away from someone who can come and |
| you get, make sure that lenses are non-breakable. | | | | help you if you have a flat, after all. It's not that easy if |
| Hydration system | | | | you're out in the woods and your cell phone doesn't |
| It's common sense to bring a water bottle with you | | | | work. Always have a a multi-tool designed for bike |
| when you go out on a trail ride. It's very easy to get | | | | repair, tire levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tires. |
| dehydrated which brings your energy right down. | | | | However, having a repair kit will do you little good if |
| However, in order to drink from your water bottle you | | | | you don't know how to use the tools! So make sure |
| have to take your hand off one of the handles, and | | | | that after you purchase your kit you familiarize with |
| there are sometimes when you don't want to do that. | | | | each of the tools and how to use them! It's easy once |
| A hydration backpack is a good solution. As a | | | | you know how. |
| backpack you can put all kinds of necessary inside it, | | | | |