Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike and with differing skill levels as well. Its no more dangerous than road cycling if you take into account all the reckless drivers out on the countries road. It is however vital to master certain skills before hitting the trails.
You can practice these beginning skills at a local park, school, bike path, or simply around your garden if its large enough. You can also try to find some suitable terrain close to your home to practice , especially if it has some hill terrain.
Get a feel for your pedals Practice moving your foot away from the pedal while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around for a bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals will want to spend a bit more time practicing and getting comfortable.
Sit on your bike and pedal around , you should keep your arms slightly bent. You should also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal , ensuring maximum pedaling efficiency. Always keep your body relaxed, as you should never keep your elbows or knees totally locked while pedaling.
It is important that you are comfortable with the gears on your bike. The higher gears are harder to pedal and enable you to cycle faster and are usually used for downhills and on level stretches when you may want to cycle faster.
The lower gears are easier to pedal and help you climb hills and inclines with ease , as you get to steeper hills, its best to shift before you get to the hill rather than while your on it.
Try to spend a bit of time coasting while standing on your pedals, without actually sitting in the saddle. Keep your arms bent but don't lock your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting your body towards the rear end of the bike. Get as comfortable as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike , this is a technique that you will use often while climbing hills and steep inclines. You should practice this in higher gears on flat ground then again in lower gears while on a hill.
Practice these these techniques often until you get the hang of them. Cycle often until you are comfortable and relaxed on your mountain bike until it becomes second nature to you. Soon you will be ready to hit the trails and enjoy the wonderfull sport of mountain biking.