Are you interested in learning how to start mountain biking? Fantastic! We are confident that you will enjoy mountain biking as much as we do. You’ll get to see amazing places, have a blast on the trails with friends, gain confidence on and off your bike (mountain biking is great for real-life stuff too! ), get fit and strong, and so much more. Nonetheless, we also know it can be a bit intimidating to embark on a mountain bike adventure. We know! When you’re just starting out, it can all seem a bit overwhelming. Don’t let your uncertainties get in the way. In any sport, there is a learning curve – and sometimes it is steep, but once you commit to learning and step outside of your comfort zone, the fun begins.

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There are a few things we’ve learned about mountain biking that we want to share with you. You’ll learn about how not to die (that’s important), what gear is essential, how to find fun trails, and what you should expect when you go for your first ride. If you have questions about mountain biking and want answers, read on!

1. Exercise to prep yourself.

If you haven’t been to the gym for years, now is a good time to renew that membership. To survive and get the most out of your biking experience, you need to build solid legs, good stamina, and a strong core.

2. Choose the right bike.

Make sure to purchase a bike that is built for the trails. Don’t simply follow what’s on-trend instead, go for beginner-friendly bike models and even get platform pedals if needed.

3. Start on a beginner trail.

If your mountain biking buddies are pros, it might be tempting to get on the same trail as them right away. But on your first ride, do yourself a favor and start on a beginner trail. It will help you practice your bike-maneuvering skills and balance without risking your safety.

4. Stand up from the seat.

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One of the top tips of pro mountain bikers to newbies is to stand up from your bike seat as soon as you can. Doing so will boost your confidence and give you better control of the bike. When your hips aren’t locked to the saddle, the bike can move more freely allowing it to stay centered when riding downhill or obstacles.

5. Let your bike do its job.

Let loose and don’t overthink it! Learn to trust your bike and its ability to absorb shock by keeping the pedals moving over obstacles and hurdles instead of going around them.

An additional tip if you’re an overachiever: Take a lesson
You can learn some basic (or advanced) skills and build confidence on the bike by taking lessons or attending a clinic. Since you can do a number of laps in a day at most bike parks and most of them offer private lessons, bike parks are a good place to get a lesson. Also, Trek Dirt Series offers clinics all over the US and Canada, as does Ninja Mountain Bike Performance.

The final step is to do it all over again! If your first ride didn’t go as smoothly as you wanted, give mountain biking another shot, and who knows, things might just turn out differently this time.

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