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