If you have decided to take mountain biking on for a size, before you actually get through with it, there are a couple of things you should know. Most professional mountain bike racers say that the most important feature that they had to work on prior to riding is their physical condition and skill. Therefore, before riding like a pro, you need to bring yourself in the best shape for it.
mountain bike
- gigi 62Â Â
Professional extreme mountain bike champions are rarely some godlike, muscular figures with flashing bikes, rigged with the most bleeding edge gear. Rather, these are people have practiced hard because of their love for speed, racing and, of course, mountain bikes.
Only a couple of mountain bike races require actual technical skills with the bike. All others usually focus on your strength, agility, dexterity and general fitness for the sake of endurance. For instance, in order to win a 3 mile race you do not need to have the best bike that money can buy, but you need to have enough strength to turn those pedals relentlessly, until you reach that finish line. The more laps the race has, the longer you need to be pushed to your limits. Therefore, the point is not thinking about your bike, but thinking about your strength and inner power. Nevertheless, having a high quality mountain bike made for these kinds of extreme sports is always a plus, so make sure you do invest in yours.
As far as your bike is concerned, in order for it to be good enough for your mountain bike race, it needs to have gears which are working flawlessly. While many racers and bike enthusiasts worry too much about the suspensions, disc brakes and what not, they tend to neglect the importance of small weight of the bike and the efficiency of its gears and this proves to be their point of weakness once those racing hours take the best of them.
Also, the tires are your greatest advantage. Do not listen to stories and legends. Experience of many riders has taught them that only tires pumped to their full are good enough for withstanding the impact of rugged terrains during races. Additionally, since you never know what can happen during your riding, make sure you bring a spare set of tires or a tire repairing kit with you. Moreover, bringing a set of basic bike repairing tools can be life-saving. Even though it might add some weight to the bike, it is worth the sacrifice.
As it was mentioned above, the mountain bike races last for hours and during that time you might feel hunger or lack of energy. Since you do not have time for enjoying a sandwich, it is best to carry an energy bar with you, along with a bottle of water. That should be enough for a couple of hours.
Finally, make sure you sit on your bike with as much knowledge about it as possible. Learn about the sport you love and about the way your bicycle functions. This way, you can use this knowledge in your favor and leave your rivals far behind.
Jeremy Haze is a blogger and triathlon enthusiast. His passion for biking has taken him all across the globe and he enjoys sharing his personal experience with others.
