How to Mountain Bike Down Hills

Riding Down the Trail

Riding down hills while mountain biking shouldn't be a scary, or dangerous experience. With the proper knowledge and basic skills, even the novice mountain biker can ride down hills with confidence.

Difficulty:

Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need

• Mountain bike
• Helmet
• Gloves
• Shorts
• Shirt
• Shoes
• Socks
• Hydration system

Mountain Bike Down Hills

1. Lean back, slightly away from the handlebar, to place more weight on the back tire. On steeper hills you should slide back on the seat. On extremely steep hills, you may have to slide your butt all the way off the back of the seat.

2. Take a neutral riding stance. A neutral stance is a combination of having your feet level on the pedals, along with keeping your arms and legs slightly bent. Riding down hills in this relaxed position will help you glide comfortably along the trail while the bike absorbs most of the shock from the trail.

3. If you are going too fast for comfort, slightly feather the front and back brakes to slow down gradually. Sudden braking will most likely cause you to come to a sudden stop and crash. Smashing down on the front brake can cause you to fly over the handlebars.

4. Have fun, and enjoy your ride!

Tips & Warnings

• Don't keep your head pointed down while riding your mountain bike. Always look a few feet ahead of the front wheel to keep an eye out for any obstacles, such as rocks or tree roots, that may be coming up on the trail.

• Make sure your mountain bike is in good repair. At least once a year, take your bike to a local bike shop and have them perform a tuneup on your bike. A tuneup will check all the components of the bike to make sure there aren't any problems.

• Always wear your helmet!