Mountain biking is a great form of exercise, and few things beat taking a ride during the beautiful fall months. However, it can also be very dangerous. That is why it is so important that you take the proper precautions while out cycling. When you employ the tactics outlined below, you will stay safe and secure while out exploring your environment.
Wear Protective Gear
For starters, when out mountain biking, you should always make sure that you are wearing a helmet. In fact, while this sounds fairly a fairly simplistic tip, it’s one people often avoid. This is actually the most important step you can take, as you need to protect your head in the case that you take any falls while out and about. Similar to this, you should also gear up in any other appropriate safety equipment like body armor, padded shorts, elbow pads, shin pads, ankle protection, medical bracelets for kids, wrist protection and bike gloves. With this protection gear on, you will be better preparing your body for any conditions that may come your way while out biking. The fall months in particular can make navigating trails more difficult as leaves and fallen tree branches often impede trail access.
Know Your Limits
Another important safety tip is that you do not overdo what you are capable of. You must never ride beyond your abilities. If there is a section of the trail you are on that seems too complicated for your skill set, skip over it. It is perfectly fine to walk some parts of trail. Do not ever let anyone pressure you into attempting parts of the course that you do not feel comfortable with. In other words, know your limits here and stick to them.
Use the Right Equipment
Similar to all this, you should also use the appropriate mountain biking equipment when it comes to the type of track you are cycling over. That is because some bikes are just better suited for different situations. Even if you see tire tracks on the terrain, that does not mean it is okay for your particular bike to be going over it. Those tire tracks could belong to someone whose bicycle is specifically designed for that type of terrain, so don’t let that base your decision on what types of track to attempt.
Don’t Speed
While you are mountain biking, it may be tempting to speed away. However, under no circumstances should you do that. Always makes sure that your speed stays at a safe level. That’s because you never know what type of obstacles or changes in trail conditions will be up ahead. For instance, you may come across a small lake, tree branches or even an animal. If that happens and you are speeding down the trail, you could end up being in a serious accident that leaves you injured.
Stick to a Trail You Know
You should also know the trail that you are going on, this way you can expected the unexpected. That is why it is very unsafe to try out an unfamiliar trail, especially alone. However, if you must for whatever reason, make sure to go at a slower speed so that you can fully prepare for anything that could throw you off completely.
Work Your Way Up to the More Difficult Tasks
Finally, the phrase “go big or go home” is completely irrelevant here. In order to stay safe while mountain biking, you have to work your way up to doing any stunts or crazy obstacles. If you want to work on your skills, practice mountain biking in areas that are far less complicated. Also, make sure at that time you are going at a slow speed, so that if anything happens, it won’t be as serious.
While mountain biking can be an exhilarating experience, it can also be very dangerous. That is why you must employ safety measures every step of the way. By doing everything from wearing a helmet to riding at a slow speed, you are protecting yourself from encountering the unthinkable. Now go out and enjoy the beautiful autumn weather!
Author Bio
Karleia is a freelance blogger and outdoor enthusiast. Away from the office she enjoys spending time with her two daughters.
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