I get out on my bike now and then. We do more walking than biking to be honest. When we walk the dog, we do come across plenty of bikers and it always starts a conversation of etiquette on the trails.

I found myself reading a great beginners guide to mountain biking last night on the Halfords website. There’s a section on biking etiquette written by Fiona Outdoors. It’s important for everyone out and about to enjoy their time and we find the best riders (and walkers!) are friendly and considerate. When approaching anyone or anything, be sure to let them know without startling. Slow down and ping your bell. We find this gives us plenty of time to grab our dogs collar and we move to the side. If we offer a thanks or a nod of the head, a reply would be much appreciated too. If you find yourself catching up on another rider, give them space. Consider your speed if you are riding on narrow trails that are public walkways too. We’ve had a few nasty surprises walking around some corners in the past.

Mountain biking is a great way to get fit and you can enjoy the change in scenery along the way. Before you hit the trails, checkout this video from Sam Fowler. He explains how to improve your mountain biking skills. Using the correct technique will make your life easier when tackling steep downhill descents or overcoming obstacles. Think safety over speed!

Of course, before you head out you need to make sure you have a mountain bike! Like everything else, selecting the right bike for you requires a balance of price and quality. The best thing to do is to simply sit on one. One of the most important things to consider is reach. You can always adjust the height of the seat but you can’t alter the length of the frame. I’d always go for comfort and control over anything else.

Now for wheel size and tyres. It’s really just personal preference. 27.5″ wheels are agile and light, while 29″ wheels are perfect for straight lines. A smaller rider may find 27.5″ wheels more manageable though. The tyre style depends on where you will be riding. Thin, shallow treads suit rides on dry ground. Wider, deeper tyres are perfect for muddy trails. Try to get a balance between what suits you and where you will be riding.

Now you have an idea, you need to make sure you have all the gear! Making sure you have all the required accessories will make your ride easier. Here’s a quick list of things I’d recommend.

• Gloves – Grip, protection and warmth
• Mudguards – Mud is part of the ride but you can limit it
• Lights – Safety for night rides
• Helmet – Goes without saying!
• Water bottle – Keep you hydrated
• Pump – Not that kind, haha!
• Spare Inner tube – Just incase you need it
• Puncture repair kit – You will definitely need one of these
• Glasses – Prevent you squinting on sunny days
• Action camera – If you have the money, they’re fun to look back on

I hope you found this mountain biking post interesting and please checkout the full article over at the Halfords website.

*Disclaimer: This was a collaborative post with Halfords. All words and opinions are my own.