How to Mountain Bike Uphill

Mountain biking uphill shouldn't be intimidating. With the proper knowledge and basic skills, even steep hills can be negotiated with confidence.

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Mountain bike
• Helmet
• Hydration system

1. Lean slightly forward on your bike. One of the problems when climbing uphill is a loss of traction from the front wheel. By leaning forward, you put more weight on the front wheel, which gives you better traction.

2. Come up off the seat and lean in toward the handlebars to climb extremely steep hills.

3. Keep both hands firmly gripped on the handlebars. The middle of the climb is not the time to grab for your water bottle.

4. Start the climb in a fairly low gear that will keep your legs spinning. Trying to change gears while in the middle of the climb can cause your gears to grind and even slip.

5. Conserve your energy while riding your bike uphill. Trying to climb too fast will cause you to tire out too quickly. Climbing too aggressively causes lactic acid to build up in your muscles, which will make your legs feel like they are on fire. Slow but steady pedaling is the most efficient way to climb a hill.

Tips & Warnings

• 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.
• 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.

Who Can Help:

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