Mountain biking is an exhilarating sport that requires skill, strength, and endurance. It takes years to become an expert rider, so beginners should focus on mastering one aspect of riding before trying something new.
The dangers associated with riding must also be considered, so you must be cautious. Here are nine things you should never do while mountain biking.
Don’t Push Too Hard Uphill
If you push yourself too hard on the uphill sections of a trail, you might end up hurting yourself. This is because you will be pushing against gravity, which is why you need to make sure you aren’t going too fast.
Maintaining control of your bike also requires keeping your speed under control. Riding a bike comes with some dangers. There is the danger you might slip and fall, or that someone else might bump into you.
There could also be an accident in which a cart might run into you, or something may fall on top of you from above. You can run into other people on the road or simply lose control. Therefore, you should take measures to ensure your own safety.
Don’t Forget to Maintain Your Bike
It’s also important to take care of your bike when you’re not riding it. You should clean your bike before riding again if it is covered in dirt or mud. Not only will it make your bike react better and last for a longer time, but regular maintenance can also actually save you more money later on.
Chains that aren’t lubed will make noise on the trail and will need to be replaced before they’ve worn out. If you don’t pump up your tires before each ride, it’ll be harder to ride and you’ll be more likely to suffer from punctures. If you’re in a dry place (like summer or winter), go over it at the end of the ride every now and again.
One of the most important things to remember about bike maintenance is that it’s a lot like your health – you only realize you’re sick when you go to the doctor, but often it’s been going on for ages and you’ve contributed towards it by just not doing anything about it.
Not Wearing a Helmet
Mountain bikers should always wear helmets when riding. A helmet will protect you from head injuries and other serious consequences. Riding without a helmet might be more common in beginners, but it’s certainly not recommended.
In fact, wearing a helmet is not only safer but can also make you feel safer when riding – particularly if you’re nervous and new to the sport. Some countries have compulsory rules to wear a helmet when riding.
If you are very passionate about mountain biking you should consider looking for the best electric mountain bike. They are perfect for beginners as they require less effort, and thus, allow you to learn mountain biking much more easily.
Parking Middle of the Trail
If you are parking in the middle of the path while mountain biking, you will likely fall off your bike. Particularly if there is a lot of loose dirt or mud on the ground.
This can also cause accidents if other riders are fast riding down the trails and fail to hit the brakes on time. Always make sure to park your vehicle on the side of the trails or in designated parking spots.
Some mountain trails have parking spots and they are specially built trails for rider safety. If you are riding in uncommon trails, then you might want to keep this in mind.
Excessive Skidding
Skid control is essential when mountain biking. If you lose control while going downhill, you will likely end up crashing into things or flipping over. This is why it’s important to learn how to properly balance your bike and use proper techniques.
Skidding is a fun way to play with your bike and make it appear as if you are an expert when, in reality, it’s the opposite. When you skid, you are wasting wheels and not getting anywhere fast. Your wheels will get worse and so will your bike, not to mention that skidding is hard on the trails.
Not Acquiring Enough Knowledge on Easy Repair
Before you head out to the trails, you need to know some basics about repairing bikes because let’s face it, mishaps can happen anytime. In order to be able to learn about repairs, give yourself some downtime between rides just to grasp the correct repair techniques for a wide variety of common issues.
You should also carry a multi-tool with a chain breaker, master link, a few zip ties, a CO2 inflator, and a spare tube (or tubeless repair kit). Lastly, it is in the best interest to practice making repairs in a consequence-free environment.
Without consequence and difficult consequences, you should know the appropriate actions in a worst-case scenario. So wherever you fall into trouble you won’t feel helpless anymore.
Wear Appropriate Dress
If you wear shorts while mountain biking, you will likely end up with scrapes, cuts, bruises, and even broken bones. This is because when you lean forward, your legs are exposed to rocks, branches, and other objects that can cause serious injuries.
Mountain biking apparel means more than just functional clothing. Make sure the clothes you choose are padded, as a chaffing injury will ruin what should be a peaceful bike ride.
Gloves, protective glasses, padded bike shorts, arm, and leg warmers, and a bike jacket are essentials for enjoyable mountain biking. There is also the fact that a quality pair of shoes is necessary for stability as well as maximal support for your feet.
If you are planning to ride in cold weather, layer up your clothes; pants and shoes being the most important.
Riding on Muddy Trails
Mud trails are not safe for riding. Cycling can often be dangerous on muddy trails because they are slippery and uneven. It is also very easy to lose control when riding through mud. This can lead to serious injury.
Most mountain bikers will tell you they love the mud. But it doesn’t only impact you, it impacts everyone else who uses the trails. When we ride on wet trails, we leave deep ruts which add to erosion and widen trails and make it hard for future trail maintenance.
Don’t Ride Too Fast
If you’re new to mountain biking, it’s easy to think that speed is the only thing that matters. However, going too fast can lead to injuries. In fact, according to the estimation, more than half of all bicycle crashes involve some type of collision with another vehicle.
So, even though you might feel like you’re moving quickly, you could actually be putting yourself and others at risk. So always think before riding too fast and when you are mountain biking, this is something you can’t avoid.
Conclusion
Biking, especially mountain biking, can be one of the most intense, thrilling, enjoyable, and adventurous activities that one can participate in. However, it’s not all hunky-dory when it comes to this high adrenaline hobby. There are certain things that you need to be mindful of – many minor details such as being attired in the right way among others. Having read this article, you should now be aware of the major points you need to look out for before you head out on a mountain biking adventure!
