How to Mountain Bike for the First Time

By eHow Sports & Fitness Editor

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On your first mountain bike ride only one thing is certain: You're bound to have a good time.

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Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

Things You’ll Need:

All-purpose Bike Tools
Bike Helmets
Bike Pumps
Bike Tire Inner Tubes
Biking Gloves
Mountain Bikes

Step1

Choose an easy trail or dirt road for your first ride. Check in at your local bike shop for recommendations.

Step2

Tell others where you're going and see if you can rally a few friends to go along with you. If you can find riders who are more experienced than you, that's even better.

Step3

Plan ahead. Consider what you need for the ride, including plenty of water and food.

Step4

Wear a helmet.

Step5

Be fearless. It won't be as hard as you think.

Tips & Warnings

Avoid riding solo. You'll be glad you're with friends if something goes wrong.
Keep the mileage to a minimum for your first few rides. Eventually you'll build up endurance and longer rides will come naturally.
Know how to change a flat before you hit the trails.

Comments

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 The "Use your rear brake" tip is good advice for beginners. I would add that a good goal is to begin getting used to the front brake (on a flat surface) and using it to augment the rear. The front is much more powerful (it's a matter of physics when your weight shifts to the front brake during braking), and balanced use will ultimately lead to better control, amazing stopping power, and less environmental damage (from skidding when you just use the rear). It's too late to learn when you find yourself going too fast downhill without rear wheel traction!

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Always check out a new trail yourself before bringing the kids along, even if you've read about the trail in a guide. This will save you from getting stuck in difficult terrain and/or putting your kids in a dangerous situation.

Anonymous said

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on 11/22/2005 Always use the rear brake to slow down the bike when stopping. Front brakes must be used very carefully on mountain bikes to avoid flipping the bike forward or sending the rider over the handlebars. This is particularly important on downhill slopes.

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