Global Sports: Amateur Trail Bike Skills

Friday, December 23, 2011

Amateur Trail Bike Skills

By Amanda Laureen


Trail cycling is a thrilling sport that may be enjoyed by anyone who knows the way to ride a bike. Compared to the average bike ride, it does present some danger. Therefore , you must master the basic abilities before you hit the trails or the dirt.

You can practice these beginning talents at a local park, college, bike trail, or simply around your place. If you can, find a location wit a steep hill. Get a feel for your pedals Practice moving your foot away from the pedal, first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around for a bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals will want to spend rather more time practicing.

Sit and spin for position

Simply sit on your bicycle and pedal around. You must keep your arms a touch bent. You should also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to 90 % extended at the bottom of each stroke on the pedal. Keep your body relaxed, as there won't ever be a situation where you could have either your knees or your elbows locked.

Shifting gears

Get an understanding of shifting gears with your cycle. The higher gears are trickier to pedal and will go quicker while the lower gears are less difficult to pedal and will help you ascend hills. As you get to steeper hills, its best to shift prior to getting to the hill rather than while your on it.

Coasting

You should spend a bit of time coasting while standing on your pedals, without really sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent but do not lock your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting your body toward the rear end of the bike.

Pedal while standing

You must get as snug as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals, then crank them around. You should try this in higher gears on flat ground then again in lower gears while on a hill.

Dropping down a curb

Try finding a curb where you can simply get to the higher portion of it. Practice at a respectable speed, standing and coasting right off the curb from the upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speeds until it becomes 2nd nature.

When you practice these strategies and get into the swing of them, you'll be able to hit the trails feeling cushty on your mountain bike. Although it may require a bit of getting used to, it will become second nature before you know it.




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