Mountain Biking Tips for Beginners

Cypress Hills mountain biking

New to mountain biking? These mountain biking tips are going to shorten your learning curve and make it fun to get out on your bike. I spoke with several very keen mountain bikers and asked them for their best mountain biking tips for first time riders and included their suggestions in this post.

I’ve also thrown some of my own mountain biking tips for beginners in too. Then the exciting part is going out to practice and explore on your mountain bike.

15 Mountain Biking Tips for Beginners
My new Cannondale mountain bike

The right mountain bike matters

The right mountain bike matters, both for fitting your interest but more importantly the actual fit of your bike is key. (I recently got a new Cannondale from Sporting Life and the tech spent a full hour with me to make sure seat, pedals and handle bars fit my body properly.)

Getting properly fitted for my new Cannondale bike
Getting properly fitted for my new Cannondale bike – one of the important mountain biking tips

Choosing the right mountain biking trails

Pick the right trails for your first mountain biking experience. Check trail reviews to make sure that they match your skill level.

Don’t worry if a section of the trail is too difficult. Just get off the bike and walk around it. (I call this hikey bikey and I do a lot of it! It’s one of my top mountain biking tips – and there is no shame.)

Also, check out your local bike shop for a map and trail advice. Maps of sanctioned trails provide key information about access, distances and difficulty. Trails are typically ranked as beginner, intermediate and advanced/expert or sometimes green, blue and black. This is important to know and one of the mountain biking tips that will keep you out of trouble.

Match the trails to your skill and fitness levels. Be sure to ask where the up and down trails are located. There is nothing worse than pushing your bike up a downhill trail.

I would also suggest checking out the International Mountain Biking Association for information on the closest trail centre to you.

15 tips for first time mountain bikers
Calgary’s Nosehill Park is a great place for first time mountain bikers (Fish Creek Provincial Park is also very good)

Fitness level 

Match your fitness level to the amount of riding time you have. Mountain biking for the first time is going to take a lot out of you.

You’ll need to focus on a winding trail, manage terrain change and possibly do some uphill climbing. For the first time out make it brief – 30 to 45 minutes is good.

Mountain bikes can be heavy and riding trails is like interval training. Flat fast sections, quick descents and tough climbs can lead to fatigue and crashes. Bike achievable distances and carry at least two water bottles (1.5 to 2 litres).

Another one of the important mountain biking tips is to mix electrolytes in your water—to avoid cramping on hot days. Remember to consume at least 30-60 grams of carbs an hour to reduce fatigue.

10 Mountain Biking Tips for Beginners
The Secret to Mountain Biking is Pretty Simple says Julie Furtado – the slower you go the more likely you’ll crash

Know your bike – one of the supremely important mountain biking tips

Be sure that your mountain bike fits. A saddle that is too high will cause chafing and imbalance, whereas one that is too low will cause muscle fatigue and knee pain.

Check your height by sitting on the saddle, place your foot on the peddle and rotate until it is parallel with the ground.

If your leg is not straight then increase the height. If your hips rock back and forth as you peddle, lower it.

Getting fitted for a bike at SilverStar Mountain Resort
Getting fitted for a bike at SilverStar Mountain Resort

Inspect your mountain bike before heading out

Do a pre-trip inspection of the tire pressure, brakes, wheels and headset. Use the recommended maximum pressure for road riding and packed non-technical trails.

Use lower pressure for mud and snow. Brakes should stop on a dime, be responsive and snap back after release.

Wheels should spin freely without any wobbles and be sure that there is no side-to-side play. Your headset should be firmly secured. If you’re concerned about any of these issues get a tune up done a local bike shop.

Know your brakes

It’s one thing to have functional brakes but it’s another to use them effectively.

Remember that when riding downhill, 70‰ of your braking power is in your front brakes. Use both to maximize your slowing and stopping power. A gentle squeeze of the levers will prevent you from sailing over the handlebars.

Mountain biking at Nipika Mountain Resort with beautiful views of the Kootenay River as a backdrop
Mountain biking at Nipika Mountain Resort with beautiful views of the Kootenay River as a backdrop

Be sure your bike helmet fits

Know your helmet. Beginners often have loose fitting helmets that wobble from side-to-side. I even once saw a guy wearing a helmet backwards!

Helmets that don’t fit properly provide little protection. Be sure that they fit snugly to your head and that the chinstrap binds under your chin (not your throat—gag…gag).

Beware of helmets that don’t meet state or provincial safety standards. Look for a CSA or equivalent sticker on the inside of your helmet.

Know what you're getting yourself into on the trails
Know what you’re getting yourself into on the trails

Foot placement – one of the helpful mountain biking tips

Keep your heels down and weight into the pedals with the dominant foot forward. Let your hands float – especially when its sandy.

Fun mountain biking beside the Edmonton River on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Trail
I’m having fun mountain biking beside the Edmonton River on a stretch of the Trans-Canada Trail

Practice biking uphill

Get into a lower gear. Then put more power into your pedaling and increase the frequency.

Remain seated but lean into the handlebars while moving towards the edge of your saddle. You want the tires to have traction so the front tire doesn’t pop up, as it can on a steep slope. This is one of the important mountain biking tips that will prevent you from losing upward momentum.

Practice mountain biking downhill

I spent time with a mountain biking instructor at a New Hampshire bike park. I mentioned that I always got nervous on big downhills.

His word of advice that did wonders for me. This is one of the mountain biking tips that really helped me. “Look ahead, lead with your eyes and your bike will follow.”

It’s so true and those few words made a world of difference to me. Also get into a higher gear and if it’s really steep move your butt behind the saddle. Bend your elbows to absorb shock and keep your body loose.

Move your butt behind the saddle for steep downhills
Move your butt behind the saddle for steep downhills

So what makes you happy – mountain biking tips for beginners 

Biking on rough surfaces, even just dirt paths and roads is a lot of fun. And that’s what the sport is all about. Do what makes you happy and you’ll keep on biking.

Biking the Iron Horse Trail in eastern Alberta
Biking the Iron Horse Trail in eastern Alberta; that’s a mixture of mud and cow poo on my legs! Photo credit: Sheila Thompson

Further reading on biking

Click on the photo to bookmark to your Pinterest boards.

Mountain biking tips for beginners

 

 

 

 
 
 

My Cart Close (×)

Your cart is empty
Browse Shop