Post by: Angela Brown
I have been mountain biking for almost 13 years and seriously for the last 5 years. I began leading a beginners mountain bike group from work, and knowing that I was them a few years back which really put things in perspective for me. I wouldn’t even attempt a creek crossing, and if I did, my heart would be in my throat just waiting on my front wheel to buckle. Logs, forget it, I would push over them. Even bridges would make me pause, and I see this in my beginner group. I try to be encouraging to build up their confidence. That is what it took for me to improve, to hear the words, “you can do it”, “just lift your front wheel when you start over the log.” I mean, I didn’t grow up riding dirt bikes like my husband did, so any little tip definitely helped me. I try to think about what would help them the most, and here are a few of the tips I know helped me when I was trying to gain my confidence on my bike.
- Shift gears in advance to prepare for the obstacle.
- Learn that you can lean with the bike in a turn, but with care on gravel.
- Lift your front wheel when trying to go over an obstacle like a log.
- Watch the trail 10-20 feet ahead of your front wheel.
- Don’t look at what you want to avoid on the trail, you WILL hit it.
- Instead look at where you want to go.
- Don’t forget to hydrate.
- Take a map
- Don’t ride alone
- Always apply the back brake first!
To some of you, these tips may seem elementary, but I know that in my group that I lead they were helpful. Most of my mountain bike beginner group are women that are trying mountain biking for the first time. The more I bike the more I love the sport and the over all feeling I get when I am out there on the trails. Any encouragement that I can give anyone to help them improve their riding ability is worth the time.
So try to get out on the trails, even if it is for a short spin, and try something new, cross that log or creek with confidence. You will be surprised how tackling a new obstacle like that will set you up for a great feeling the rest of the day!
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