| Just make sure that you remember the following: | | | | Wear your helmet and gloves. Keep your speed in |
| Do's | | | | check. Do not ride too fast. Keep in control of your |
| • Arrive in good physical condition. | | | | bike and plan your crash at all times. |
| Improve your overall physical condition at least one or | | | | • Inform a family member or a friend about your |
| two months before the trip. Train harder as the day | | | | trip |
| nears. Ride regularly and combine it with weight training | | | | Write down everything about your trip including, the |
| to develop muscle. | | | | location, your itineraries, and expected time and day of |
| • Bring the right equipment. | | | | return. |
| Your backpack should include multi-tools (wrenches for | | | | Don'ts |
| nuts and bolts), tire repair kit (pump, spare inner tube, | | | | • Don't ignore safety warnings |
| patches and glue), first aid kit, blanket/sleeping bag, | | | | Most biking trails have rules, safety warnings and |
| flashlight, matches, cellular phone or satellite phone, and | | | | markers. They are designed for your safety so make |
| money. | | | | sure that you follow all of them. There are places |
| If possible, assign someone to carry one or some | | | | where you can bend or even break the rules; this is |
| items that need not to be duplicated like multi-tools and | | | | not one of those. |
| pump. | | | | • Don't ride beyond your skill |
| • Wear the right clothes. | | | | Most beginners commit one common mistake: |
| Being trendy is good but it is often unnecessary. Wear | | | | becoming too proud of themselves. This can be |
| clothes that are comfortable and right for the weather | | | | dangerous as they try stunts and stuffs that are |
| condition. | | | | beyond their capability. Remember, there is no shame |
| • Check your bike. | | | | on walking and carrying your bike if you are not |
| Just like your car, mountain bikes need to be checked, | | | | comfortable riding on it. If you are not sure that you |
| especially if are going for a long trip. Check the tires, | | | | can cross rivers or traverse cliffs on your bike, do not |
| suspension, chains, gears, brakes, nuts and bolts. Any | | | | even attempt to do it. |
| small damage can become a big problem on the road. | | | | • Don't try anything stupid |
| Replace parts that need to be replaced to minimize | | | | If you don't want to be airlifted and spend several |
| the chances of breakdown. | | | | days in the hospital, then make sure that you keep |
| • Know the trail | | | | your actions checked. Never ride alone. Keep up with |
| Any seasoned mountain biker would agree that | | | | the pace of the group. If you think you are the |
| experience and skill is no match with knowledge of the | | | | weakest person, insist that you ride in the middle of the |
| trail. Learn every curve, bend, dips, terrain condition, and | | | | pack. If you think you are the strongest, then don't think |
| everything that can be learned about the trail. This | | | | that you can do everything you want. Stay as a team |
| way, you will be able to plan your sleep and anticipate | | | | at all times. Do not ride ahead or behind of the main |
| danger even before you arrive in the area. | | | | party. |
| • Take extra caution | | | | |