| Anyone who knows how to ride a bicycle can | | | | faster speed |
| enjoy mountain biking. There are some dangers | | | | Try a low gear-Easier to pedal, particularly useful |
| to mountain biking, when it is compared to the | | | | while on hills |
| standard bike ride. It is for this reason that | | | | Try shifting prior to reaching the hill-This is |
| mastering the following beginner mountain bike | | | | important because it is easy to overcome a shift |
| skills is a necessity prior to taking off for your | | | | before the hill than it is while on the hill. |
| mountain bike excursion. | | | | Practice coasting with the following: |
| These skills can all be practiced by heading to any | | | | Practice this while standing on the pedals, not |
| school, local park, around your house, or on a bike | | | | sitting on the bike seat |
| path. The key to the right location is if it has a | | | | Do not lock your knees |
| steep hill for you to practice on. | | | | Keep arms slightly bent |
| The pedals are an important part of a mountain | | | | Attempt coasting while shifting the body towards |
| bike. You can practice getting a feel for the | | | | the rear of the mountain bike |
| pedals by doing the following: | | | | Practice pedaling while standing with the following: |
| Sit on your bike | | | | This is important in mountain biking |
| Place one foot on the ground | | | | Try pedaling standing up in two different ways, |
| Release and Replace your foot while pedaling | | | | once you have become comfortable with standing |
| around | | | | on the pedals. |
| Note: If you have clipless foot pedals or toe clips, | | | | First, pedal while standing in a high gear on flatter |
| you will want to practice this quite a bit. | | | | grounds. |
| Sit and Spin for position with the following: | | | | Then, pedal while standing in a low gear on hills. |
| Adjust the seat height so that the leg is a | | | | Practice dropping down a curb with the following: |
| minimum of 70% extended at the bottom of | | | | Locate a curb in the area; it should be easily |
| each pedal cycle | | | | accessible in regards to the upper portion |
| Bend arms slightly | | | | Using a moderate speed, practice coasting and |
| Keep the body as relaxed as possible; a position | | | | standing off the curb to the lower level from the |
| should never occur that requires you to lock your | | | | upper level. |
| elbows or knees. | | | | Continue this at different speeds until you are |
| Sit on the Mountain bike and pedal | | | | comfortable with it and it is like second nature |
| Practice shifting gears with the following: | | | | The above practicing techniques are important |
| Make sure you know the differences in gears on | | | | because they will give you the feel of the |
| your bike | | | | mountain bike trail, without having to be on one |
| Try a high gear-It is hard to pedal, but rides at a | | | | while you are training. |