Woman and Mountain Biking - The Skills You Need to Master

Learning mountain biking is not that hard. Beginners would find the rules easy to follow as they start the lessons. Just like simple biking, mountain biking is enjoyable and full of excitement since you will have to face many challenges along the road and that you will need specials skills in biking so as you will not get hooked up while climbing up or going down a hill.

You can practice these beginning skills at a local park, school, bike path, or simply around your house. If you can, try to find a location with a steep hill.

Practice how to go with your pedals

Be familiar with your own pedals by practicing some foot movements then slowly move your foot away from the pedal while the other one is on the ground. Then practice the release and replace of your foot while pedaling around the area. If your pedal is toe clip or clip-less type, you have to do more practice to master the skills correctly.

Sit and spin for position

Practice biking by just simply sitting on your bike and pedal around the area. While pedaling, slightly bend your arms and adjust the height of your seat to keep your leg on a 70% to 90% position. This will make your body and your leg properly adjusted to every pedal you will hit. Make sure that your whole body, including your legs and arms, are all relaxed because you will need to keep your position as you go along the steep hills.

Shifting gears

Shifting gears with your bike is not just a simple skill. You need to do it at a perfect time and at a perfect speed especially if you are up on a hill or down it. The higher gears are usually harder to pedal but go faster; on the other hand, the lower gears are easy to pedal when you are ascending hills. You should also take note that you need to shift gear before going to a steeper hill so that you can have full control of your bike.

Practice your coasting skills

You should spend a bit of time coasting while standing on your pedals, without actually sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don't lock your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting your body towards the rear end of the bike.

Pedal while standing

Do some tricks that you can with your bike by standing on it while pedaling. Be comfortable with some positions that you think may seem very necessary when biking. Bike around some areas while standing on the pedals and try shifting gears from higher to lower as you are standing.

Learn the skills of dropping down a curb

Learn how to do the curb by trying to find one so that you can get to the upper portion easily. Try doing some practice at different speeds from moderate to faster speed as long as you can control your gears. Try doing it while standing and coasting until you are familiar and comfortable with the skills.

With constant practice of these techniques and skills, you will be able to mountain bike with no problems and difficulties even when you climb uphill or down. In no time at all, you will find it as easy as riding a bike!