Get The Whole Family Into Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is one of the fastest-rising sports, and with good reason - it's an opportunity to improve your fitness and commune with nature at the same time. With the right equipment and sensible route choices, the whole family can enjoy mountain biking.

Most people think of racing when they think of mountain biking, but there's no need to get nervous if this isn't your thing. Beginners in mountain biking don't have to head out on rough terrain - they can start on flat surfaces until they get used to how the bike works. This may be the most feasible option anyway if you have young children with you.

A mountain bike differs from a road bike - it is specifically built to handle tough off-road trails and the numerous obstacles that may come with it. When choosing your mountain bike, weight is an important factor, as a heavy bike, although usually cheaper, is also harder to control. If you want to save some money, do so, but not with the helmet - a good helmet can save anyone from serious head injury. Be firm when it comes to teaching your kids to ride a bike - the rule should be "no helmet, no ride", no exceptions whatsoever.

The world is still rich in beautiful parks and nature reserves where mountain bikers can pass through on their trails. And once you and your family have familiarized yourselves with how your bikes work, you can go one level further and start going up and down small hills. And since children will most likely enjoy biking downhill, watch them closely should they try such a thing!

The most important thing perhaps about a mountain biking family vacation would be the chance to see the world in a brand new light. This is even better than your usual hiking vacation, because your children won't get bored so easily, and still be able to see the beautiful forests and wildlife scenery. And when you're cycling in the forests, you can get to see the wildlife - no one will be happier to see this than the kids. Of course, when we say wildlife, we mean deer and rabbits, not mountain lion!

There are tour companies that cater specifically for mountain bike vacations, offering packages that include accommodation and guided tours for beginners. One thing to note is that mountain bike trails are marked according to difficulty, so take this into consideration and also ask yourself how experienced you and your family think you are when it comes to mountain biking. As you all get fitter and more skilled on your bikes, you can try the more difficult trails, but remember to take into consideration the stamina of your children - they may seem to have a lot of energy, but it is usually found in short spurts.

You and the entire family can enjoy the sport of mountain biking - staying fit and enjoying nature in all its splendor. You can see so many wonderful things while staying physically fit as a family. Just remember - No Helmet, No Ride!