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Mountain bikes are a fun way to exercise and connect with nature. compared to road bikes they have the following characteristics:

Fatter tires with rugged tread for stability and durability on off-road terrain

A more upright cycling position that lets you enjoy the view

Some have a suspension system that absorbs shock from a more comfortable ride

There are a lot of ways to have fun with mountain biking, and you don’t even have to be in the mountains. Trails Verifone Pleasant rides on wide, flowing logging roads to high-adrenaline challenges on technical singletrack. Today will teach you about the basics of what to expect before you go on your first ride, including an overview of different types of mountain bike terrain, styles of mountain biking in the basics for getting geared up for the fun that you will have on the trails.

Types of Mountain Bike Terrain

While you might start out on the trails that are relatively smooth and flat, your ability to navigate around-or over-obstacles will develop as you gain experience and becomes part of the fun of the sport. Mountain-bike-specific trails are typically marked by skill level (beginner, intermediate, expert and double expert) and are maintained.

Singletrack, the most common trail type, has a width that varies from just a little wider than your shoulders on up to the track that’s just right enough for two bikes to pass. Many single track trails are open to one-way travel and when their way through the best terrain that the landscape offers.

Doubletrack trails are normally double the width of a typical singletrack trail with enough room for two bikes to ride side-by-side. Often double-track trails follow abandoned logging roads, fire roads or power-line roads, where the tires of vehicles created two single tracks. Doubletrack trails are usually a gentler grade than singletrack and tend to have less-technical features.

Mountain bike terrain parks are popping up everywhere from jump-and-pump tracks under urban overpasses to lift-serviced trails at ski resorts. Expect some features like elevated bridges, halfpipes, jumps of various sizes, berms, banked corners and hairy downhill switchbacks.

Mountain Biking Styles

Many bike manufacturers categorize their bikes based on the following mountain biking styles to help you decide what type of bike is appropriate for you.

Trail: This is possibly the most common mountain biking style because the category isn’t grounded in any specific type of racing. If you have an interest in meeting up with friends at the local trailhead and riding a mixture of climbs and descents, then this is the style for you. Bikes in this category place equal emphasis on fun, efficiency and sensible overall weight.

Cross-country: This style of riding typically implies riding fast, with an emphasis on climbing prowess. Distances can vary from just a couple of miles to 25-plus, and bikes tend to concentrate on lightweight and efficiency. These bikes can be good if you’re considering getting competitive or would like a racier ride for your local trails.

All-mountain/enduro: Think of all-mountain/enduro riding as trail riding on steroids, with bigger leg-burning climbs, longer white-knuckle descents, and more technical features—both man-made and natural. These bikes are for all-mountain/enduro riding are designed to perform well on precipitous descents while also being light and agile enough to pedal uphill. The term enduro comes from the racing world and describes a competition that has timed downhill stages and untimed uphill stages. The winner is whoever has the fastest combined time on the downhills. Enduro riding has gotten very famous, and the term is now often used interchangeably with all-mountain regardless of whether you’re racing or not.

Downhill/park: This type of riding is mostly done at lift-serviced bike parks (often during a ski resort’s warmer months). You ride big, tough bikes and wear full-face helmets and body armor. The bikes boast more durable parts and fewer gears, and the suspension has more travel. This can help you conquer jumps, berms, rock gardens and wooden ladders. Let’s say that you’re on a perpetual descent the entire time, you don’t have to pedal a lot, but you still get a nice workout because you’re going to keep reacting to the fast-approaching terrain.

Fat biking: Imagine the type of bike you always wanted as a kid: one with giant tires that can roll through just about anything. Fat tire bikes are bikes with tires that are at least 3.7 in. wide (and may be as wide as 5 in. or more). They have amazing traction through snow and sand. Fat biking is not limited to these conditions and has proven to be a fast-growing addition to all-season trail riding. Fat bikes can be a great choice for beginner mountain bikers because they are very forgiving on rough terrain.

How to Dress for Mountain Biking

Clothing that is made specifically for biking makes for a more comfortable ride, no matter what style of biking you’re doing. That said, different styles of mountain biking will dictate what type of clothing you’ll choose.

Shorts: Options for mountain biking shorts range from form-fitting styles (often worn by cross-country racers) to baggy styles with a more casual look and more coverage and durability for snags along the trail. These generally have an inner lining with a padded chamois that helps reduce saddle fatigue and reduces some of the trail impacts.

Jersey: Similar to shorts, jerseys range from form-fitting to loose and more casual-looking. Regardless of fit, you still want to choose something that wicks sweat and dries quickly. You’ll also want something you can wash and dry with little fuss. If you plan to carry a backpack, you won’t need a lot of pockets—although some mountain-bike jerseys offer that option.

Gloves: You’ll be shocked how much a good pair of gloves reduces hand and wrist fatigue; get a pair with padding at the palm. Full-fingered gloves keep your hands warmer and provide some texture between your fingers and the grip on the brakes and gear shifters. Both fingerless and full-fingered gloves add protection in the event of a crash.

Mountain Bike Helmets

Mountain bike helmets usually offer more coverage and protection than road bike helmets. Find one with a lot of venting and protection at the lower back of the head. For downhill riding, consider a full-face helmet; most bike parks rent those models. Regardless of style, all models on the market have to pass rigorous safety tests. Some helmets now feature the new MIPS technology, a low-friction layer that slides independent of the outer shell and limits the rotational forces to the brain when the helmet gets hit at an angle.

Hydration Backpacks

Hydration packs are too bulky for road bikers, but their convenience makes them perfect for mountain biking. Go with a pack that has sufficient storage space for an extra clothing layer, repair essentials, and snacks, and a clip to secure your hydration sleeve to the shoulder or sternum strap of the pack.

In conclusion

You can mountain bike without following these tips and it would be very fun. But when you follow these tips to the exact and prepare beforehand, you can have double the fun because you will be ready for exactly where you going and what you want. Having proper equipment can make your experience of mountain trailing more easier. So have fun working out or just enjoying some time with your friends and family.