Mountain Bike Basics - This section was developed to review some of the basic tips for mountain bikers who are new to the sport, or are just beginning to ride. more...

Mountain Bike Climbing - Climbing, or riding uphill, can be quite a balancing act if the terrain starts to get steep more...

Orienteering - Means maps, varied terrain and adventure. It doesn't matter how young or old or fit you are. You can run, jog or walk, you decide your own pace. more...

Full Suspension - You must have the proper stiffness of the fork and rear suspension coil springs for your weight- Too stiff of a spring, and you will loose travel! Too firm and you will bottom out or blow the seals. more...

Tyre Pressures - Ride with a consistent tire pressure and check before every ride. Use a tire pressure gauge, or pump with a gauge (Topeak Joe Blow is what I use) and check your pressure often. Always pump your tires up before a ride, because they always seem to lose a few psi's more...

Gravel and Rocks - Gravel represents the closest thing to a road that you will ride. Gravel is an area where you don't want to wipe out!! more...

Downhill - A few simple rules may apply when riding downhill. You will want to keep your weight back on the bike, and maybe even off the end of the saddle. Keep a firm grip on the handlebars, and your elbows low. Get a solid stance on your pedals more...

Safety Tips - Always wear a helmet when mountain biking- If you stop in the woods for a break you can remove it, but WATCH OUT FORACORNS! Also, one of the leading causes of death in wooded terrain is FALLING TREES! more...

Track stand - see how long you can balance on your bike while it is still. Slow down to a stop, stand up on the pedals, and see how long you can keep your feet off the ground and hold your balance. This may help you in slow, extremely tight terrain, in rock gardens, and in keeping your balance if you happen to stop at the top of a log pile, but are still able to clear it without "dabbing".

Backward Drift - while pedaling up a slight incline, try to stop the bike - keeping your balance, and then drift backwards a few inches, keep your balance, and then pedal quickly to recover... stay in the pedals during this drill.Slow race - see how slow you can ride your bike. Do this on level terrain. Select two points close together, and then see how slow you can ride between them - great for balance, slow speed handling skills, and keeping balance during steep up hills...

Slalom - Set up some rocks or small obstacles a few feet apart and then weave between them - this helps your steering skills and timing...

Tight radius turn - See how tightly you can make 3 or 4 turns in a row at slow speed in the same direction, then reverse. Keep your circle as small as possible. Terrain can be flat or slightly inclined for an added twist.

Weaving through obstacles - place a small cone or object on the ground and try to keep it on the left side of the front wheel while passing it slowly, but turn the bike sharply to make it pass the rear wheel on the right side and try not to run over it. Sometimes you may narrowly miss running over an object with the front wheel, and it is useful to know how to steer the bike so the rear wheel does not hit the same obstacle..