| er you are a beginner or could do with a refresher on | | | | When you are ready to mount hold onto the handlebar |
| the tips and tricks of mountain biking you are on the | | | | with two hands, lift your right leg over the back part of |
| right track! As a beginner you may have recently | | | | the saddle and put your right foot onto the pedal which |
| bought a mountain bike or just be in the process of | | | | you can flick around to engage with the cleat |
| choosing one. Once you have it the first thing to do is | | | | mechanism or toe-clip. Next push off with your left |
| get to know your bike. Mountain bikes such as | | | | foot and lower your rear end into the saddle. When |
| Saracen, Commencal, Norco, Raleigh and other | | | | the left pedal comes round to the top centre you can |
| manufacturers will be made up of the same basic | | | | put your left foot there and continue to pedal. |
| components but as a beginner it is good to familiarise | | | | All the time that you are mountain biking you should be |
| yourself at the outset. | | | | in the mindset of thinking a couple of moves ahead. It |
| The anatomy of a mountain bike has the frame | | | | will help to expand your vision so as not to have a |
| materials which will differ depending on which | | | | narrow focus on one single obstacle. In the same way |
| conditions you are choosing your mountain bike to ride | | | | do not focus your vision on the rider ahead of you |
| in, the bike brakes, handlebars, bike shifters, pedals, | | | | either, as you will not be taking in the expansive view. |
| wheels and saddles. These parts are self explanatory. | | | | When holding the bike’s handlebars do not grip |
| The mountain bike also has a bike crank and derailleur; | | | | them too tightly as this will cause tension in your upper |
| the crank is the part of the bike which is attached to | | | | body making you feel tired faster and not so fluid. Be |
| the chain rings and makes the bike move, whereas the | | | | loose but not too loose. Do not put your thumb on the |
| derailleur is what shifts the chain from one to the other. | | | | top part of the handlebar as you will lose your grip |
| Finally it has the bike suspension system which is what | | | | quicker if you do hit something. Keep your elbows |
| helps keep you and your bike in decent condition after | | | | slightly bent and your shoulders loose but not hunched. |
| your adventurous trip in the elements and through | | | | At all times commit yourself to one particular track in |
| interesting terrain. | | | | advance. Do not hesitate as this can cause problems. |
| Next you need to understand about mounting and | | | | Be careful of letting your mind become overactive with |
| dismounting your mountain bike. One of your pedals | | | | thoughts or fear as this can have a knock on effect |
| should be in the 2 o clock position. You need to check | | | | on your body making your posture change and tension |
| that the size of the gear is not too low or large. If this | | | | increase. Try to be at one with your bike and the |
| does need changing you can lift up the back wheel | | | | environment; practice being fluid. |
| and shift gear as you turn the pedals with one foot. | | | | |