Tips to off-road cycling and mountain biking

We have some excellent tips for you if you've been considering taking up Mountain Biking or the slightly less strenuous Off-Road Riding but aren't sure where to begin.

You might be an expert road cyclist who wants to try something new, or you might have taken up riding during lockdown and want to improve your cycling abilities. The following advice will provide you with all the knowledge you need if you're considering starting mountain biking but are unsure of where to begin.

Control your cadence:
The proper cadence improves traction on single-track tracks and keeps your legs feeling more energetic. In loose terrain or gravel, traction may be lost while utilizing a very light gear and high cadence. In tough climbs involving rocks and roots, it can be difficult to climb with too big of a gear and a low cadence. Although you'll be moving forward, which is wonderful, you're more likely to stall out or become trapped. The ideal cadence for mountain riding does not exist. Cadence will probably be far more variable in your training data than it would be on an endurance road or dirt ride. Additionally, think about reducing your tire pressure if you feel like you are bouncing off rocks rather than rolling over them.

Learn to do switchbacks uphill:
The nemesis of a beginner mountain cyclist can be switchbacks. You can stay on your bike and gain a significant amount of time over your rivals with a little concentration and experience. Bring your front wheel around the outside of the corner as you approach the corner from a distance outside of the turn. Although the inner line could seem alluring, it is frequently too steep, too tight, and too loose for you to stay in control. Interestingly, instead of following your front wheel in extremely tight turns, your rear wheel will take a shorter path and virtually rotate. 

Mountain bikers should consider the following when descending:
There are some fundamental requirements, such as maintaining a forward gaze, bending your knees and elbows, and keeping your chest low to maintain a ready posture. Let's move on to some more sophisticated abilities.

Through Tight Downhill Switchbacks, Find the Fast Line:
Start at the outside of the trail and move toward the corner. Although the outside line is a little bit longer, it gives you greater momentum. The "attack position" or "ready position" you want to be in simply entails getting your butt off the saddle (though not necessary from behind it), with your knees and elbows bent. You can independently lean your body and the bike in this posture. Most of your hard braking should be done before the corner.

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