| With mountain bikes currently enjoying a huge surge in | | | | 5. Learn about local trails. It's no good getting a |
| popularity, many people are approaching the sport for | | | | mountain bike for vacations and then not really |
| the first time - but even if you're used to riding road | | | | knowing how to use it. There are mountain bike clubs |
| bikes, it can be difficult to know what to look for and | | | | all over the world which can direct you to the best |
| what to do when you're planning to ride in a new | | | | trails near your home. |
| environment. Here are ten ways to get the most out | | | | 6. Play safe. If you're riding your mountain bike hard, it's |
| of your mountain bike: | | | | inevitable that you'll fall sooner or later. Investing in a |
| 1. Choose the right bike for you. Don't go straight for | | | | good helmet can make all the difference. Some |
| the most impressive looking mountain bike you see - | | | | mountain bike riders also like to wear protective pads - |
| choose a bike which fits you properly. Take it for a | | | | and don't forget to wear sunscreen when biking in hot |
| test ride to make sure it's comfortable. | | | | weather. |
| 2. You may think that it doesn't make much sense to | | | | 7. Look after your bike. Cleaning and storing your |
| spend a lot of money on a mountain bike without | | | | mountain bike correctly can make it perform better |
| knowing first how much you will like riding it. While it's a | | | | and last much longer. You will save money on repairs |
| fact that the pricey mountain bikes offer advantages | | | | by investing some time and effort. |
| to experienced riders, it's still worth spending your | | | | 8. Build up slowly. When you first get a mountain bike |
| money on a good bike and avoid costly repairs in the | | | | you may feel tempted to spend all day riding it. |
| future. You should figure on spending between six and | | | | However, riding off-road can strain your muscles in |
| eight hundred dollars on your first mountain bike. | | | | unexpected ways. Pace yourself as you get used to |
| 3. Select the correct wheels. Since the wheels will | | | | the experience - you don't want to strain a muscle and |
| obviously take most of the abuse and wear, make | | | | end up being unable to ride at all for weeks. |
| sure you choose the right tires based on the type of | | | | 9. Develop a taste for adventure. You can go to |
| terrain and trails you plan to ride on and how much off | | | | places you may never have thought of going before |
| road riding you think you will be doing. | | | | on your mountain bike. You can find advice on the |
| 4. Ease off on the brakes. To ride a mountain bike | | | | wide range of new riding experiences now open to |
| effectively you need to learn how to cruise. It may not | | | | you from bike shops, clubs and magazines. |
| feel that way, but in general, the faster you're going the | | | | 10. Have fun! A regular bike may simply be a tool for |
| more stable you are. Let your bike take the strain on | | | | keeping fit or getting to work, but mountain bikes are all |
| long downhill slopes and use that momentum for the | | | | about having a good time! |
| next rise. | | | | |