How to Maintain a High Energy Level While Mountain Biking

There's nothing worse than running out of gas in the middle of a mountain bike ride. Fortunately, there are many ways to ensure your tank stays full.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fresh Fruit
• Fresh Fruit
• Energy Bars
• Bike Water Bottles
• Hydration Packs

1. Drink plenty of water and eat nutritious, high-energy foods before, during and after your ride. Bananas, oranges and sports bars are all good choices.

2. Try to pedal in circles - use your legs to both pull up and push down on your pedals. This is a far more efficient method of pedaling than the common practice of just pushing down.

3. Shift into gears that allow you to keep your legs moving at a quick pace.

4. Avoid running out of breath. Do this by maintaining a pace that is appropriate for your level of fitness.

5. Ride new and intriguing trails. If you ride the same trail over and over, you're bound to get bored - and tired.

6. Experiment with energy bars on practice rides, not during your first race.

7. Have fun. The more you enjoy the ride, the more energy you'll have.

Tips & Warnings

• Try not to sprint at the beginning of the ride. Doing so only saps your energy early and leads to difficulties down the trail.
• Mountain biking is a physically demanding sport that could result in serious injury. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.

Who Can Help Sponsored

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on 7/24/2006 If there is one thing I have learned about mountain biking it is this:

Drink lots of fluids! Everybody thinks that you should only drink when you are thirsty. This isn't good for you. Drink tons of water or other healthy fluid before, during and after your ride.

on 11/22/2005 Eat a high energy food, then drink coffee. Caffeine dramatically increases endurance. Works for running too, it cuts down your mile time.