MOUNTAIN BIKING
Mountain biking is the activity of riding a bicycle on a variety of off-road trails. It requires endurance, balance, speed, and technical skills to navigate through bumpy terrains. Mountain bikers, unlike road bikers, pursue obstacles and see the world as a natural and challenging playground full of adventurous trails. Vertical downhill sections, steep ascents, water crossings, loose rocks, tree roots; every obstacle is an opportunity to put their abilities to the test!
There are different mountain biking disciplines, ranging from descent from steep slopes to gentle rides on scenic forest trails. Whether you are a trained biker or a complete beginner, you are sure to find a perfect trail to match your level of expertise and abilities. Getting a guide is highly recommended for those who are new to mountain biking.
Knowing how to handle a mountain bike, feeling confident and comfortable with the equipment: the bike’s saddle; the height of pedals; the brakes; and the position of the helmet, is crucial for this activity. Being able to fix any mechanical problems that may occur along the way is yet another necessary skill that could come handy for this adventure sport.
Mountain biking is a vigorous sport that involves a total body workout. On a ride, not only do you work your legs and strengthen your heart and lungs, but you also enhance your upper body strength (while climbing with your bike or maneuvering your bike with your arms). Cycling also improves the riders’ balance, coordination and stability.
Exploring the outdoors and the changing scenery on every ride makes mountain biking a mentally relaxing and stress-relieving sport too.
Some people who take part in mountain biking also join mountain biking races in order to level-up the adventure. Others, simply enjoy riding as a pleasurable and soothing activity that allows them to exercise and feel joined with nature.
Feeling excited to hit the off-road? Make sure to check your equipment carefully beforehand, pick up a trail which suits your level of riding expertise, and stay hydrated throughout the ride. Enjoy your ride!
TYPES OF MOUNTAIN BIKING
Trail riding is a pleasurable form of cycling. It’s all about a leisurely ride on marked trails, including uphill and downhill sections.
Cross-country cyclingis the most popular form of mountain biking and also the less extreme. It consists of completing a point-to-point long trail or a defined round circuit, on a terrain that could range from a single track: a narrow trail to fit only one rider at a time, to fire roads or even paved roads. The tracks are filled with either natural or man-made obstacles. The sport demands endurance and very good bike handling skills, but it does not put much focus on speed. The bikes used for cross-country cycling are needed to be lightweight.
Downhill biking is an extremely thrilling type of mountain biking. In this type of biking the biker descends a trail at a very high speed. Usually, they reach a mountain peak by using a car or a lift, and then roll down the peak on their bikes. The bikers stand up during their ride downhill in order to maintain balance, so the workout is quite tiring. Downhill bikes have a full suspension, are heavier than cross-country bikes and are specially prepared for high-speed descent.
EQUIPMENT
Mountain bike. As we mentioned before, there are different types of bikes (downhill, enduro, cross-country,‘fat bikes’, which are especially useful for riding snowy trails and also on sand and mud; ‘E-Bikes’, a regular bike with a battery-powered motor to make pedaling easier. E-Bikes are rising their popularity all around the world, specially among less-frequent riders.
Knee pads, elbow pads and riding gloves.
Footwear.
Waterproof shoes, with good grips for hiking and comfortable for using the bike’s pedals should be selected.
Protective Glass.
Hydration packs are commonly used for mountain biking. Another items you can take include food, an aid supply, sunscreen, maps or GPS, extra clothing and a bike-repair kit.
OBSTACLES
BASIC INFORMATION ON ATV
MINIMUM AREA REQUIRED
1 acre