Compared to usual biking, mountain biking is far more exciting.
It has more dangerous though, that is why you should master some of the basic skills before you maneuver your bike on the trail or dirt.
Anyone who knows how to ride a bike can ride a mountain bike.
The main difference with mountain biking is that you are biking uphill or downhill and other difficult types of terrains.
This article will enumerate some basic skills you need to acquire to have an enjoyable and safe mountain bike ride.
Being Comfortable With the Pedal Sit on your bike with one foot on the ground, practice moving your foot far from the pedal.
Then, move to release and replace your foot while pedaling slightly.
Those bikes with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals are a little harder to get familiar with.
Finding the Right Position Bend your arms slightly.
Adjust your seat in such a way that your leg is 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom for every corresponding stroke on the pedal.
Make sure your entire body is relaxed.
There will be no position that your elbows or knees will be locked as you ride the bike.
Shifting Gears Familiarize yourself with the gears of your mountain bike.
Higher gears will make you go faster but it makes pedaling more difficult.
On the other hand, lower gears however are easier to pedal, perfect for uphill biking.
Remember that it is better to change gears as you approach steeper hills, than shifting gears while already on it.
Coasting Your Bike Coast while you stand on your pedals - avoid sitting as you do this.
Bend your arms slightly but never lock your knees as you do this.
You can experiment with this by shifting your body towards the bike's rear end.
Stand While Pedaling Get comfortable with pedaling on your bike.
While riding, lift your body from the seat and stand on the pedals, then start pedaling.
Do this in high gears if you're in flat land, and lower gears whole on a hill.
Working Your Way on a Curb Begin by practicing at normal speed.
Then, stand and coast right off the curb, starting from the upper level to the lower level.
Try this at different speed rates until you are able to master your controls of the mountain bike.
Once you practice and master these techniques, you can easily maneuver your mountain bike on trails and feel comfortable with riding in it.
Once you practice these techniques and be able to master them, you'll be able to hit the trails feeling comfortable on your mountain bike.
Even though it may take some before you can get used to it, it'll become second nature to you somehow with consistent practice.
Though some may be hard to perform, once you become familiar with it, it will be almost natural for your body to perform various shifts while on trail.
Try practicing these basic skills at a local park, school, bike path or simply around you lawn.
If you can find steep hills, it would be better to practice there.