| Riding a mountain bike is pretty much the same as | | | | Get used to shifting gears. You'll use them a lot on the |
| riding any other type of bike. Except for the rocks, the | | | | trails. Higher gears make the bike go faster, but it's |
| fallen trees, the streams and the occasional mountain. | | | | harder to pedal. Lower gears make pedaling easier, so |
| In other words, mountain biking is the extreme version | | | | you'll use these gear positions when climbing hills. Be |
| of two-wheeling around the neighbourhood. It can be | | | | sure to shift to a low gear before you reach the hill, |
| dangerous, so should be respected and even a little | | | | rather than when you're already climbing it. |
| feared. If you want to hit the trails, you need to learn | | | | Drop a Curb |
| mountain biking skills. | | | | Ride down the sidewalk, and then find a curb that's |
| Mountain biking skills involve agility, balance and stamina. | | | | easily accessible. Approach the curb at moderate |
| Review the following list of exercises, and find a | | | | speed, stand up and coast right down onto the road |
| suitable place to practice. These can be don at home, | | | | (look for cars first!) If you want to learn mountain biking, |
| at a school or park, on a bike path and ideally, at a | | | | you need to know how to handle sudden drops. Try |
| place with a steep hill. | | | | this exercise at different speeds until it becomes |
| Sit and Spin | | | | second nature. |
| In other words, just go for a ride. Get on your bike and | | | | Coast is Clear |
| cruise around to find the best position for mountain | | | | Coasting on a bike can feel like flying. Get your bike up |
| biking. Your arms should be slightly bent. Your legs | | | | to a reasonable speed, stand on your pedals and just |
| should be 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of | | | | cruise without sitting down. Keep your arms bent, don't |
| every stroke on the pedal, so it may be necessary to | | | | lock your knees, and try to lean your body towards |
| adjust your seat higher or lower. | | | | the rear end of the bike. Mountain biking involves very |
| Get used to keeping your body relaxed because | | | | little sitting, so spend some time coasting to get used to |
| when you're on the trail, your knees and elbows should | | | | the feeling. |
| never be locked. | | | | Stand and Pedal |
| Feel the Pedal | | | | Just like coasting, you'll also spend a great deal of time |
| While on your bike, practice moving your foot away | | | | pedaling while standing. While pedaling, simply lift your |
| from the pedal. Do this first while sitting on your bike | | | | body off of the seat. Or, start off standing on the |
| with one foot on the ground, then try releasing and | | | | pedals then start cranking them. After you've |
| replacing your foot while pedaling around. If you have | | | | mastered standing and pedaling on flat ground, practice |
| toe clips on your pedals, you'll need to spend a little | | | | while climbing a hill in lower gear. |
| extra time with this exercise. There will be times on | | | | It's easy to learn mountain biking. You already know |
| the trail that feet will have to leave the pedals. Make | | | | how to ride a bike, so now it's time to master these |
| sure you're comfortable with this move, before you | | | | additional techniques. Once you're comfortable |
| have to use your feet to balance yourself over a | | | | coasting, dropping, standing, pedaling, spinning, and |
| bumpy path. | | | | switching gears, you'll be ready to hit the trails, and |
| Switch Gears | | | | tackle any challenge along the way. |