Mountain Bike 101: Getting Started

Let’s do away with the most obvious part of this first.

You need a mountain bike!  If you are going to ride off-road, and especially on “single-track,”  you will need the right tool for the job.

There are a bewildering number of mountain bike types on the market today.  Come into the shop and let us help you pick out one that will work for you.  But as a general rule, begin with a good, but basic bike.  Then go ride it!  You’ll learn what appeals to you, and later on, if necessary, you can move up to a bike that is more appropriate to your style and conditions.

Basic Moves:  Mounting and Dismounting

We can hear you thinking,  “Oh come on!  I know how to get on my bike!”  Sure you do, and the method you’ve been using has been working for you.  But permit us a bit of leeway.  We see an awful lot of folks become frustrated as they approach off-road riding, and that frustration is caused by falling.  Most of those falls result from poor mount and dismount technique.  Part of the problem is that pavement, and road bike efficiency, permit one to get away with sloppy technique.

Mounting:

1. Straddle the bike.  (Really!  Don’t try to put one foot on the pedal and swing over the bike.  If you try this on a dirt hill, you are going down!)
2. Lock your brakes.
3. Raise the pedal on your “launch side” to the power position, and place your foot on it.  (If you are using toe straps or clipless pedals, get that foot in now.)
4. Step down on that power foot, while releasing the brakes.  At the same time, use the pedal as a step and get your backside on the saddle.
5. Put your other foot on the pedal and start pedaling!!!!!  (Do not worry about clipping in with the second foot.  Pedal!)
6. When you have a suitable opportunity (coasting on a straight flat or gentle downhill) you may concentrate on getting that second foot clipped in.  (It may have already taken care of this by itself.  Cool!)

Dismounting:

Get out of the saddle!!!

1. Use one pedal as a step, and go to the ground with your other foot.
2. Practice this with either foot!  (You will ofte have to do a fast dismount with the “wrong” foot.  Be ready for it.

NOTE:  If you try to get to the ground, with your butt on the saddle, you will fall over more than half the time.

Remember!  Practice makes perfect.  You can practice these moves with any bike (your road bike will work) at any time.  And just by the way, this is a better and safer way to operate on your road bike too!