Beginner Mountain Bike Skills
For anyone who knows how to ride a bike, mountain biking is an exciting sport. Compared to the average bike ride, it does present some danger. Therefore, you should master these basic skills before you hit the trails or the dirt. 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.
Get a feel for your pedals
Practice moving your foot away from the pedal, first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next up, release and replace your foot placement when pedaling around for a while. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals will want to spend a bit more time practicing. Just remember that this is not a bike racing competition.
Sit and spin for position
Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. You should keep your arms slightly bent. Also make necessary changes to the height of the seat for your leg is 70 – 90% extended at every rotation of the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as there will never be a position where you should have either your knees or your elbows locked.
Shifting gears
Get a feel for shifting gears with your road bike. The higher gears are harder to pedal and will go faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal and will help you ascend hills. When approaching a more steeper hill, it is best to shift gears before reaching the hill rather than while you are on it.
Coasting
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
You should get as comfortable as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike. Stand on the pedals and move them around. Try this on lower gears while on a hill, and higher gears on flat ground.
Dropping down a curb
Try finding a curb where you can easily get to the upper portion of it. Practice at a moderate speed, standing and coasting right off the curb from the upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speeds until it becomes second nature.
You will be able to travel on feeling good on your mountain bike once you practice your techniques and get used to them. Even though it may take some getting used to, it’ll become second nature before you know it.