Mountain Bike Cycling For Beginners - Getting Started

Mountain bike cycling is exhilarating and open to anyone to join in. It is great for getting fit as well as getting away from all the noise of traffic and the grind of everyday life.

Mountain bike cycling is usually done off-road, which means in the countryside, on bridleways and allotted cycle trails, and sometimes on more difficult technical trails. It's important to practice your skills first before you go on difficult technical trails though.

Most mountain bike riders learn their skills through practice over time and sometimes watching more experienced riders. You could also get books and DVDs to help, but the best thing to do is to get out on your bike and practice.

So you need a mountain bike to get started, and get practicing, therefore you need to choose one that you think is suitable for you. There are lots of different types of bikes on the market and they range in price and design. If you are a beginner it's a good idea to get a less expensive bike, so you can try out mountain bike cycling before you splash out lots of cash.

Once you have your bike you'll need to get some suitable clothes to wear to ride it. Mountan bikers usually go for a fairly casual look, such as baggy shorts. You can get specialist mountain bike shorts that look like ordinary shorts but they have a padded lining for comfort on a bike.

More importantly than how you look there are a few pieces of safety equipment that must be worn at all times when out mountain bike cycling. These are a helmet, glasses and gloves. They are to protect you from falls, low hanging branches and prickly protruding bushes, and flying mud and grit.

You will no doubt have some minor falls, as these are part and parcel of mountain bike cycling. However if you wear the essential protective gear you will most likely only suffer minor injuries, like bruises and grazes.

Once you have all the right equipment you'll have to think about where to go mountain bike cycling. There are lots of guides to your local area available on the internet or in bookshops. You can also get useful information from Visitor Centres and Tourist Information Offices around the country. There are also some specialist mountain bike centres run by the Forestry Commission, that have marked and graded trails.

When you've got your bike, your safety gear and some ideas of where to cycle you are ready to go! A little knowledge of some basic mountain bike maintenance would also be an advantage but the most important thing now is to get out and enjoy the adrenalin rush you get from mountain bike cycling.