How to Prepare to Perform Mountain Bike Stunts

Be smart about your foray into mountain biking. Prepare both mind and body well.

Things You'll Need

• All-purpose Bike Tools
• Bike Helmets
• Bike Shin Guards
• Bike Water Bottle/cage
• Biking Gloves
• Mountain Bike Shoes
• Mountain Bikes

Instructions

1. Protect yourself: wear shin and knee guards, gloves, and a helmet.

2. Get your bike in excellent working order: adjust the seat and brakes, tighten screws, and inflate the tires correctly. "I run about 45 psi, but it all depends on your weight and the type of tires," notes Hans.

3. Don't excuse yourself by saying you're no good at technical things. If you break your right hand, after a few weeks your left has learned how to write.

4. Think of your bike as an additional body part. After a while, it will move as you do.

5. Program your mind step by step. Visualize. For each trick, think, "Okay, front wheel up, right hand there, left toe pointed here..." The right timing is important. After a while you'll be able to do these moves automatically.

6. Analyze and learn from your mistakes. Ask yourself what went wrong and how you can avoid making the same errors.

Tips & Warnings

• Says Hans, "Practice and give the techniques time. You need to get used to these new elements of coordination. You don't learn these things in a day."

• Don't be overconfident and progress before you're ready.

• Try to be smooth. Don't take it too seriously - have fun.

• Mountain biking is an inherently dangerous activity that can result in serious injury or death. We recommend that you seek proper training and equipment before attempting this activity.