You may not look at mountain biking as an extreme sport but does the same apply to mountain biking? If this is your first encounter with mountain biking and you consider taking it on, you might want to take a notepad and take notes because we explore the topic in excess below! 

Is mountain biking an extreme sport and why?

If you search for the definition of an extreme sport in the dictionaries - both online and offline, you are going to find it described as “a sport that is very dangerous and exciting.”. And this is true - although not completely precise since for the true extreme sports enthusiast there has to be a lot more: competitiveness, high adrenaline, and after all - fun and excitement! We have good news for you though - mountain biking is all this and a lot more!

On the other hand, when we talk about mounting biking we usually envision either dusty or very muddy mountain paths, high speeds, and very high adrenaline levels. These qualifications alone make it one of the favorite extreme sports of all people - especially those that take pleasure in biking. So if you are one of them and like to occasionally spin the wheels and enjoy nature you might consider taking up mountain biking too. But beware, there are a few things you have to keep in mind before you jump on that seat to conquer the mountains!
 

What are the most important things you should know about mountain biking?

For most spectators, mountain biking (also known as MTD) looks like something only someone crazy would do. You have to try it to realize its wonders but believe us - once you do, there is no going back to ordinary cycling. Not that you won’t do it, it just won’t be that exciting anymore. 

The first thing you have to know about mountain biking is that it is dangerous. It is considered one of the riskiest sports on the planet - even though some others are far ahead in the ranking. The reason is there are a lot of falls, injuries, and sometimes - fatalities.

Second of all mountain biking is one of the sports you will need special equipment for. And make sure it’s a quality one because otherwise - let us repeat ourselves, you might get severely, even fatally injured. So don’t ignore the health and safety precautions! They will - quite literally save your life.

We should also mention you should plan accordingly when to go mountain biking. A lot of the rules about most mountain sports apply here too. Most of all you should always check the weather forecast and be well aware of your whereabouts - especially if you’re just roaming around, having fun with the terrain. This is the moment to say that you can go mountain biking alone and enjoy it in solitude if you follow the following rules:

• always be sure to have a device with GPS with a fully charged battery and an additional portable battery with a full charge. This way if you get lost or injured you will be able to call for help - even if you first have no reception and have to travel some time to get connected.
• no matter how well you know the terrain, tell somebody where you’re going with as much accuracy as possible - the more details about your plans you share, the better
• take a pocket repair kit - anything you might need for small repairs
• … and a first aid kit - absolutely essential if you’re going alone and are planning to try risky performances
• go only well fed and hydrated and if possible, take provisions with you

Apart from that mountain biking is a fun and exciting activity that you can practice alone or with friends that share your hobby. Nature is your playground and you should enjoy it! 

 

What kind of equipment do you need for mountain biking?

We mentioned it twice and now we will dedicate a few more paragraphs to it - just because it was so important! 

To enjoy mountain biking at its fullest, you should get ready to find yourself a good bike. Consider the style you will be riding and according to that get a model that will be suitable for you. You should also take into account the terrain the bike is suitable for and keep that in mind during your adventures.

Of utmost importance is to get a good helmet, and always check if it’s secured safely with its straps to your head. Statistically speaking most mountain biking-related deaths and serious injuries are due to poor equipment or lack of it. It is also a good idea to step up even more with the protective gear. This means to put on your shopping list knee pads, elbow pads, shin pads, protective gloves. If you can - get body armor. A new trend that has become popular these days is neck braces. Whichever level of equipment you choose be sure to wear it on your mountain biking adventures. Only this way you will be well protected in case of accidents and trust us - you will thank us and yourself after that first, second, and hundredth fall for this advice. 

On account of clothes - you can wear anything you’re comfortable with, but we advise you to wear long trousers from hard to tear fabric and a long-sleeved blouse. Additional layers of protection never hurt! 

The shoes for mountain biking are a whole other topic though. In general, there are two types you can choose from: flat and clipless. The pros use the second type since there are clips you can attach to your pedals. If you are a beginner though you would want to choose the flat ones if you’re investing in mountain biking shoes in specific. Be advised though that you cannot wear them like normal shoes and as well as that - different types of mountain biking recommend different types of mountain biking shoes.

Also, keep in mind mountain biking is quite tiring and requires physical preparation. You cannot just wake up one morning with the idea to become a mountain biker and get on with it. So always make sure you are well prepared physically and warm up a little bit before you get on the bike.

We’ll also give you a pro tip: if you’re riding a trail for the first time, take the time to explore it before you rush speed on into it. You will spare yourself some falling and difficulties.

Last but not least, don’t forget to never give up - mountain biking can be challenging, especially in the beginning. Once you get the hang of it though - you are up for a world of adrenaline, diversity in styles and terrains, and a lot of fun!