Mountain biking is a fun and adventurous activity that you should definitely try some time. Getting away from the mundane lives of the modern society and spending some time in the nature is a pleasurable experience.
If you are new to mountain biking, then you should know that mountain biking involves riding from tough terrains and trails. These trails are not like the roads that most people cycle on. You will encounter several obstacles along the way and you must learn how to mitigate them, because if you would not, these obstacles could topple your bike and seriously injure you. It’s not just your skills but the quality of the bike that matters too for such terrain so remember to check out some mountain bike reviews before making a purchase.
Now let’s get started with the list of obstacles and how to handle them.
Backroad obstacle logs: When you have to hop over a log, which is the only way to bypass the obstacle, put the weight of your body backwards, raise the handlebars and pedal forward in one really quick motion. By doing this, the front portion of the mountain bike is freed up and you will quickly hop over the log. Once you have cleared the log, don’t apply brakes immediately; keep pedalling because if you won’t, you will topple over.
Rocks: Rocks are probably the worst obstacles of rocky trails. They are worse than potholes. When you are going over rocks, the number one thing to keep in mind is to stay relaxed. By staying relaxed and keeping elbows lose, the entire shock of the rock will be absorbed at your knees and your elbows. Stay seated the whole time, by doing this, the weight of your body will remain concentrated at the rear wheel and that will prevent the mountain bike from slipping accidentally.
Water: The third worst enemy for mountain bikers on rocky terrains in water, streams and puddles. Before entering the puddle, you should check its depth. Stop near the puddle, and dip your hand inside it to make sure that it is not too deep. You don’t want to lose to control of your mountain bike while trying to cross the stream. Once you are done with checking the depth of water for safety, stand on the pedals of your bike and slowly cross the stream. By standing, you are putting the weight of your body on the front wheel and that really helps in the stability of the mountain bike.
Leaves: You may think that soft obstacles such as leaves are harmless, but you will be surprised to know that wet leaves can be as dangerous as other obstacles. If a trail is covered with wet leaves, it means that it is slippery. Crossing such a trail at high speeds will most certainly going to make the rear tire slip and you will surely take a fall.
Mud: Mud is another dangerous obstacle that you should learn to overcome. If you ever encounter mud, your best strategy is to keep pedalling on vigorously. The strategy here is to reach the other end before mud clogs up the front tire and causes your bike to topple.
Also, always wear safety gear, in case of a topple, the safety gear will protect you from injuries.