Are you thinking of getting into mountain bike riding? Before you get into your first mountain bike track, there are some things you should probably know. For example, how good mountain biking is for your health, how much fun you can have when you ride alone or with your friends… You should also be aware of some precautions that you should take while riding: all the security and safety gear you need, for example.
This article is born to provide you with all this information. This is anything you need to do before you get into mtb bike trails.
- Part 1: General Description of Mountain Bike Track Riding
- Part 2: The Advantages of Mountain Bike Track Riding
- Part 3: Track Mountain Bike: Any Disadvantage
- Part 4: Cautions for Mountain Biking
Part 1: What is Mountain Bike Track Riding
We all know what bicycles are: a frame, a couple of wheels and pedals, and a handlebar. But what is a mountain bike?
Mountain bikes are bikes meant to ride off-road paths. Therefore, mountain biking is the sport of riding bicycles off-road. When you ride a mountain bike, you’re often going through mountain paths, rough terrains, riding uphill or downhill along narrow dirt paths. This is why road bicycles aren’t suitable for this kind of activity: they would be too light, weak, their tires too thin and smooth, and their brakes not powerful enough.
If what you want to do with your bike is climbing and descending mountains, then what you need is mtb for trail. This mountain would have peculiar characteristics (strength, powerful brakes, suspensions…) to ensure your safety. Still, you need to know what you are doing and this is why you should keep on reading this article.
Part 2: The Advantages of Mountain Bike Track Riding
There are some things you need to know about mtb trails: how good this sport is for your health and mood, for example, but also the things you should pay attention to avoid useless risks. In this section, we’ll discuss the pros and cons of mtb trails and mountain bike riding in general.
1. Weight Loss
Mtb bike trails are perfect for anyone who would like to lose some weight: this sport is considered low-impact and, therefore, it could be very effective while reducing the risk of damage to joints and muscles. What does it mean?
When someone who is a bit overweight starts doing sports, he or she can have some problems related to their joints and muscles being too stressed because of the enhanced weight they need to withstand. For example, if you are overweight and you start running, you’ll most certainly start having some pain in your knees or ankles, and sometimes even lower back or neck.
Mountain bikes are less stressful for your joints and muscles. So, do you want to lose some weight? Pick one of the best mtb trails around your place and enjoy the mountains, nature, and sun while doing some exercise.
2. Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, and Diabetes
Mountain bike riding is aerobic exercise, therefore it helps lower your cholesterol levels, it improves your heart efficiency so that it can help lower your blood pressure, and it also takes sugar away from your blood flow, helping fight diabetes.
If you already have one of these conditions, talk about it to your doctor. But, you’ll see, he or she will have anything against mtb bike trails.
3. Sleep Quality
If you ride on mtb trails regularly, your sleep quality will also improve. This is because of some physiological reasons, but it’s also because your mental energy and mood will improve, as well as your stress levels.
4. Improved Metabolism
Bike riding can improve your metabolism as well as improve digestion. This is another aspect that helps fight and prevent issues like diabetes, high blood pressure, and cholesterol.
5. It’s Fun
Mountain biking doesn’t feel like exercising: it feels like going around by yourself or with your friends, visiting places, and enjoying nature. If you’ve ever struggled with gyms and sports, you should try mountain biking.
Part 3: Track Mountain Bike: Any Disadvantage
There are not many disadvantages to mountain bike riding. We could find only a couple.
1. Back Pain
When people start riding mountain bikes regularly they may start experiencing some back pain because of the position they maintain on their bikes. However, this is something that a good posture and some back strength exercises can’t solve.
2. Costs
Mountain bikes can be expensive. But the good news is that, if you are a beginner, you don’t need the best mountain bike trail bike. You can find great second-hand deals, and there are also good entry-level options: see the Cannondale Trail series.
Part 4: Cautions for Mountain Biking
So, you have your mountain bike, you’ve checked the best mtb trails around you, and you are ready for your first mountain bike trail. Before you go, however, take the time to read this section and make sure you have anything you need to avoid any risks.
1. Pick the right bike
The best bike trails can offer great views and encounters, but to avoid any bad surprises you need to be equipped with the right means: you need a track mountain bike strong, sturdy, and provided with good suspension and brakes.
There is no need for going to the absolute best mountain bike trail bike. Still, keep in mind the kind of paths you want to ride and purchase the mtb with the right characteristics.
2. Wear safety gear
Never forget your helmet. Plus, when you are on trails you may want to have a headlight, some pepper spray (if you encounter any big animal), and sometimes even protective glasses.
3. Check your bike
Mountain bike tracks can be very long and you could stay away for hours. Check your bike before you go: if something goes wrong in the middle of the track, you may have to push or pull your bike for miles and miles.
