One of the best childhood memories is learning to ride a bike. I’m sure it’s easy for many of us to instantly remember our riding instructors and the location of our first adventures on two wheels. Bicycling is a long tradition that has been passed down through many families and generations.
Truly a first sample of freedom and responsibility, the bicycle is often a right of passage for the maturity of youth. While most kids are satisfied just swinging safely on two wheels, there will always be daring minds who want to break the traditional mold. In this article we will go over the various types of mountain biking and the proper equipment used in the experience.
When selecting a style of bike that’s right for you, it’s worth checking out subcategories such as cross country (XC), all mountain (AM), downhill (DH), four-cross/dual slalom (4X), freestyle/big air (BA) , dirt jumping (DJ), trial (TL) and cycling (MBT).
The many faces of this sport have their own unique teams, rules, and communities. By reading about each niche, we can find the one that best suits our personal needs and desires.
Sitting on a mountain bike and racing down a mountain can be the thrill of a lifetime for those who decide to take the plunge. If you are a beginner starting with cross country (XC) is the recommended first step. It is most popular among novice riders and is a genre of mountain biking where rider safety and difficulty level are easy to control. Cross country generally consists of guided uphill, downhill, and flat terrain trails where skill levels are often conveniently separated by marked trails and maps. For those wishing to participate in this sport, there is an equipment checklist that you should constantly review and maintain.
Choosing the bike is probably the most difficult choice. It is advisable to go to a trusted specialist when buying a mountain bike. Not only will you learn about the latest technology in mountain biking, but you’ll also be able to ensure you get the bike that best suits your body shape and riding preferences. Once you get past buying one bike, the rest of the mountain bike accessories are much easier to obtain. When preparing for a mountain ride, the other specialized equipment you’ll need may include gloves, glasses, shoes, clothing, hydration systems, GPS/navigation tracking, tire inflators, repair tools, spare parts, and communication devices.
Due to the risky nature of mountain biking, additional safety precautions and protections are mandatory. Factors that will affect protective equipment needs are obstacle awareness, environment, weather, guide recommendations, education level, technical skill, physical condition, and risk tolerance. When mountain biking, safety should never be compromised and items like helmets, body armor, and first aid kits are a must. Once you stock up and become familiar with the gear mentioned above, you should be more than ready to tackle a mountain trail or two.
In the digital age it seems that we find fewer and fewer reasons to participate in outdoor activities. Luckily for us, mountain biking gives us a really good excuse to unplug from our computers and enjoy some climactic climbing. Mountain biking not only tests us mentally and physically, but it is a great opportunity to spend time with friends and family in a constructive and productive environment.
Unfortunately, the world’s natural habitats are being depleted at an unacceptable rate, and if we choose to enjoy the gifts of the earth, we must care for them too. Mountain biking is so many sensations in one and it is one of those life experiences that no one should pass up.
It can even take you back to those days as a kid and your first pair of training wheels or trial and error bike training crashes. Mountain biking is an adrenaline rush. It is a slice of life that promotes health and happiness. Mountains are inspiring and when you add a bike and the human mind, great things can happen. In life we all seek to reach the top of the mountain and a bicycle is just one more tool we were given to get there. Hope to see you at the summit.