Preparing for Mountain Biking

Planning on going mountain biking? Make sure you follow this guide on the proper way to be ready for a safe and enjoyable ride.

Most enthusiasts will testify that being well prepared before mountain biking will make the ride more enjoyable. Unprepared bikers either have to cut their trip short or come home sore and miserable. But if you prepare properly, riding on trails will be an experience you will not forget.

There are five areas that you need to prepare for mountain biking: safety, comfort, hydration, first aid, and repairs.

Having the proper safety gear is the most important part of preparing to go mountain biking. The proper safety gear includes:

• A helmet that fits snug, but is not too tight that it is uncomfortable. When picking out a helmet at the sporting goods store, feel free to try them on
• Kneepads and elbow pad are suggested if you are going to be navigating some extremely rocky terrain, although it is optional and up to your discretion

Being comfortable on the trails helps you ride longer and harder than being uncomfortable. To make sure you are as comfortable as possible follow these tips:

• Wear wraparound sunglasses to protect your eyes from the sun, dirt, and dust
• Gloves with the fingertips cut out for easy grip of the handle bars and brakes
• Padded shorts to protect the crotch area
• Shoes with cleats to make walking trails while pushing a bike easier

Staying hydrated out in the sun is also important and almost goes with safety, but it is so important it deserves its own section. To stay hydrated you will need:

• A good CamelBak will keep your water cool and keep you hydrated all day

If something does go wrong while biking you will need a reliable first aid kit. Cycling-specific first aid kits can clip onto the bikes frame and should include:

• Band-Aids for cuts
• Neosporin to heal any cuts
• Wet naps form cleaning an infected area
• Aspirin for headaches

In addition to risks of injury, you should be prepared for the possibilty of bike damage on the trail. Carrying or pushing a broken bike can be tiresome. For a quick field repair, you will need small repair kit that contains:

• Patches for flat tires
• Small wrench to remove a tire
• A lever to remove the tube from the tire
• A pump

If you follow these five simple preparations to mountain biking you will be safe, hydrated, comfortable and most importantly having fun.