Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking

Mountain Biking: A Beginners Guide to MTB

Updated April 2023

We live in a world where you can do pretty much anything with so many sports, hobbies, and things to try.

Sometimes, people try these out of curiosity, some want to have some fun and others it’s getting that dream body or just to keep active, but have you tried Mountain Biking?

Mountain Biking in the Woods: Photo credit H-Collins

Mountain Biking Benefits: Why Start Mountain Biking?

Fitness, Health, Mixed With a Little Adrenaline.

Don't get me wrong, I am no fitness guru but riding is a great method to take your fitness to another level without spending countless hours looking at a gym wall. The up-hills are grim but the view from the top and the rapid descent is always worth it.

With the variety of bikes that are now available, it’s also a great way to take an adventure to the next level without ruining your joints. Riding a mountain bike trail is also, always a surefire way to stimulate some adrenaline with courses offering jumps, rocks turns and flat-out sections!

Adventure, Nature and the Great Outdoors.

Riding around a mountain or in the local woods has become an ever-accessible way of getting your adventure fix, you can pick up a bike for £300, pop a helmet on and you are away. Where a gruelling mountain walk would take you a day you can cover the same distance in a matter of hours.

Coming from a mountain biker I'm not one for over-appreciating nature but when you climb up through the clouds and are met with glorious sunshine you can't help but take a moment to let it all sink in.

Lifestyle...and Beer.

The extreme sports lifestyle is plastered all over social media with beautiful places and crazy stunts. mountain biking is no different, the social element is like no other with like-minded people come friends, good times and more importantly a cold beer afterwards.

Where There is Will there is Racing.

There are always people out there who are driven to the competitive periphery of any sport and mountain biking is no different.

It’s a sport where competition is widely accessible to all ages and skill levels. Be it hurtling down a downhill track for a couple of minutes, going shoulder to shoulder on a four cross race or a grinding hour a 24 hour endurance race. Racers see mountain biking as a way to push their limits of both body and mind.

Beginners Mountain biking Equipment: What you need to start MTB

Now if you’ve not already been persuaded, here are the basics of what you will need for your first steps into mountain biking;

Bike

Mountain Bikes come in all sorts of shapes and sizes, you can even get electric ones.

Buying the right bike for your needs is always a great start to getting the most out of your riding. Taking a few simple measurements or going to a popular retailer and trying some out, the best bikes to start out on are Hardtails (front suspension only).

They offer an all-round package that you can develop skills and techniques and you can take pretty much anywhere.

We put together a brief mountain bike guide for beginners here.

Courtesy of Matt Delmore photography

Helmet

Mountain biking is an excellent sport but can be very dangerous, trees don’t move that’s for sure! Getting a helmet that fits well and provides appropriate protection is key.

Puncture Repair / Spare inner tube.

This is the first thing that is likely to break when you go out on your bike. The inner tube is found in the tyre and keeps it all inflated. Having a spare means you can switch it out with ease, alternatively, you can repair it but they are sometimes not quite reliable! Inner tubes are cheap and a great way of keeping your mountain biking experience rolling!

Aside from your bike and a kit, you have to prepare yourself, mountain biking can quickly go from a walk in the park to a pinball rock garden. You should always check where you are riding and if you haven't ridden a decent before always make sure you can see what's around the corner.

If you can’t, you're going too fast!  

Mountain Biking Must-Haves: The Equipment you need to get

Helmet

Always wear a helmet, it’s worth the investment as what's upstairs is precious indeed.

Chamois

As much as I’m against lycra, a Chamois saves your backside when you have been in the saddle all day. A cheap way of enjoying your day even more.

Gloves and Shoes

You are connected to your bike in four places. Having the best grip helps reduce the chance of crashing which can be painful indeed! Get some gloves, it’s important

Waterproofs

When you wake up and it’s raining outside a good jacket is more than a reason to go and experience riding in the mud.

Nutrition and Hydration

Often neglected by the world’s best, making sure you eat well before going for a ride makes getting to the top that extra bit easier.

So, when are you trying out Mountain Biking for Yourself?

Like with all new things, you need a bit of kit, a bit of motivation and most importantly, a sense of adventure. Why not try Mountain Biking as an alternative to your current fitness or exercise regime?

Instead of spending your time trying to figure out how to move a Peloton from one room to another, trying to get a view without the view seeing you, why not get out into nature and hop on a real bike?

You might just love getting out into the outdoors, socialising and seeing some incredible scenery!

Check out our guide to where to Mountain Bike in Wales!