To be good at mountain biking is not enough to be fast and stay upright. There are various skills and techniques that need to be worked on and mastered.

This is something that will take time, effort, and patience, but if done right, you will become a great mountain biker and be able to take on some incredible trails.

Here are helpful tips for you to improve your mountain biking skills.

advertisement

Pick a good riding partner or group

Having a solid support group or even one other person you can ride with will have a massive impact on the development of your skills. Surrounding yourself with people interested in growing and learning is a great way to stay motivated and accountable and push yourself further.

You will have people to check out new trails with and learn from, and as you get better, you might be able to teach someone something about mountain biking, which will give you a huge boost in confidence.

Work at mastering the climb

Flying down a hill is a rush, but learning how to get up those hills more easily and efficiently can boost your confidence. Learn how to position your body properly, what gears to use, and how to pedal correctly to conquer any hills you encounter. Being able to master rocky and root-laden climbs can take you to some breathtaking views that few others can get to.

Learn to be comfortable in the air

You may not have to jump from rock to rock, but some trails require your bike’s tires to come off the ground. Whether it’s to get down from an elevated ledge, jump, or another reason. Getting comfortable with having your tires off the ground will take your mountain biking skills to the next level.

Get comfortable being out of the saddle

You will learn about the saddle in many instances, so learning to be comfortable is a must. You may have to lift your bike up to get over some rocks or shift your weight back as you go down a steep hill; however, learning to be comfortable is an excellent way to advance your mountain biking skills.

Keep riding a section of a trail that you find hard

If there is a section of the trail that you are riding that you find to be super hard. Keep riding it until you have figured out how to clear it. Getting outside your comfort zone and mastering a rocky climb, tight corners, or a steep descent is the only way to grow.

Master how to use your bike

Take the time to learn how your bike works and how to make it do what you want. Learn the gear system’s ins and outs, how to use your breaks to get around tight corners or go down hills, and the suspension in your bike. Learning how to do minor repairs on your bike is also important. Learning different techniques and skills to repair your bike will make you an overall better biker.

Strength train

Don’t just depend on the time you are on the trails to develop your skills. Mountain biking takes a lot of strength and endurance. Start incorporating weightlifting into your everyday routine so your body is ready to take on more challenging trails. You use your entire body while riding, so a full-body weightlifting routine would serve you best.

Clean up your diet

It is hard to get your body to perform at its best if you are not fueling it properly. Filling up on processed, junky food is a great way to feel like crap daily. It is no secret that including more fruits and vegetables in your diet and drinking water are paths to good health. Start incorporating more produce into your diet and drinking enough water to fuel your body properly. You will notice huge improvements in your performance on the trails when you start to clean up your diet.

advertisement

Don’t be afraid to take clean lines through challenging trails

Taking a clean line through a challenging trail rather than the hardest one isn’t a show of skill. It’s a matter of being smart. Trying to do a bunch of hard maneuvers when you could take a clean line is a waste of your energy and could put you at risk of injury. Sometimes developing our skills is also putting common sense to use.

Ride your bike as often as possible

This means on and off the trails. If you can ride your bike to work or do errands. The more time you can spend riding your bike, the more comfortable you will become and the easier it will become to maneuver on the trails.

Award your successes

Don’t forget to remember how far you have come. Even if you feel you haven’t, I’m sure you have improved leaps and bounds from the first time you got on your mountain bike until now. There’s nothing wrong with awarding your successes and being proud of yourself.

Conclusion

Mountain biking is a great sport that requires a certain level of fitness and vitality from the rider.

Learning how to hone your mountain biking skills won’t happen overnight or even in a week, but being consistent and taking the time to learn strategies and techniques will have you riding with the best of them.

advertisement