MOUNTAIN BIKING TECHNIQUES FOR BEGINNERS

Jim Cicchese

INTRODUCTION Jim Cicchese serves as a REALTOR® at California's Keller

Williams Westlake Village, where he lists and sells homes. In his free time, Jim Cicchese enjoys mountain biking.

One of the essential mountain biking skills is knowing how to adjust your technique for different terrain. Uphill, downhill, and flat riding require different approaches to all aspects of cycling, ranging from pedaling to braking.

Flat riding is the simplest. To move forward smoothly, the rider needs only to keep the pedals moving and find an even pace. The rider can stay smooth by looking ahead down the trail for any obstacles or changes in elevation.

MOUNTAIN BIKING When coming to an ascent, the rider can shift into a lower

gear. He or she can stay seated and lean slightly forward, so as to add weight to the front of the bike and keep it grounded. By continuing to pedal steadily, the cyclist can minimize the total amount of work needed to get up the hill.

Downhills, by contrast, require the rider simply to allow gravity to take over, braking when necessary. Shifting onto the largest chain ring can keep the chain itself steady, while moving the pedals parallel to the ground helps avoid obstacles. Staying up out of the seat helps to protect the rider from impact, particularly if elbows and knees are bent and braced.