Mountain biking is a lot more complex than it sounds. And, the bigger issue is, it sounds quite complex! There’s plenty to explore out there which only a mountain biker would understand. Whether it is the excitement, the lack of concentration or anything else which when compiled renders a list of rookie mistakes most beginners make.
But that’s ok, as mentioned above, there’s a lot to learn after your first mountain biking ride. It’s not like you have bought a reliable brand like Scott spark, but once you practically encounter the violent nature, there are some remedial actions to put you through all those hindrances. Let’s learn some theory first and then hit those mountains with your best strength and advanced applications.
Here’s a compilation of the 5 most common mistakes and how to avoid them on the spot.
Not anticipating in advance what’s coming
This has got a lot to do with you looking far enough down the trail in order to accurately anticipate the forthcoming events. In mountain biking, your anticipation is the key. Develop a habit of looking down the way instead of just what’s ahead. You can avoid a lot of consequences once you anticipate something unusual. Even if the path is well known to you, still adjusting your line and speed will help you rule better.
Always having a firm grip on the bike
Riding a mountain bike for the first time does require you to be attentive. But that’s more inclined towards mental attention and not gripping the bike too tightly. You might feel more protected when you strongly stick to the seat. But that’s not the way it is. It makes it more difficult to move around in ergonomic terms. Technically, your control on the bike is better when you loosen the grip a bit.
Lack of leaning forward or staying back or both
Sitting on the comfortable seat might feel quite safe, but as the path gets trickier, it’s mandatory to stand up and lean forward or back to distribute the weight on shock absorbers. It’s also to distribute the stress all along the body why balancing the bike not only sideways but from the front and back. In fact, the riders hardly get settled on the seat. Every time they need to shift weights and leaning forward and back is one and only way.
Stressing a bit too much on your toes
Most beginner cyclists do not focus upon the position of their feet on the pedal. It really has a big impact on your ability to ride on rough terrain. It might feel comfortable placing your toes on the pedal as primary, but it can put a bit too much stress on your calf muscles. Try to put the exact middle of the foot on the pedal by moving it a bit forward. This helps you engage the appropriate muscle and strength to put in while pedaling drastically. Scott bikes do put a lot of focus on the materials used to avoid that pressure.
Hitting the technical section
As a beginner, you also keep the speed on the slower side. While hitting the technical section of a road, you can eliminate the risk of a pedal strike by choosing the right gear. Sometimes the natural intuition might not be the correct one. Go for the basics rather than choosing to follow an amateur’s advice(in this case “yourself”).
So, be aware of the technicalities which develop gradually. Don’t try to jump on the last plank of the ladder right from the first ride.
