Questions for beginners

WHETHER you are dusting off your old bike for the new season or preparing to launch yourself into a new sport that will help you get fit and make the most of the beautiful countryside both here are abroad - there are probably lots of questions you need answering.

You are not alone. Here are some of the ones we get asked all the time...

How do I get started?
Basically, if you haven't necessarily got mates to rely on who already ride then you need to come along to a skills course with Mountain Bike Skills. We have worked with people of all ability levels, just getting them started again, picking people up after they have had their confidence knocked by a fall or generally just haven't seen two wheels since before puberty. There's nothing to be ashamed of just book! There are also some good guides out there but face to face is best. There is also plenty of good advice out there from bike technicians so don't be backward in coming forward when it comes to asking for advice about where to ride.

Which trails are best for a complete beginner?
The canal is always a safe bet or somewhere with nice wide routes. It's a little bit like snowboarding: the narrower and steeper the terrain, the trickier it gets. The key when you are starting is not to scare yourself silly so go for something with long enjoyable trails and get off if you are unsure about a rocky section.

Are there any manmade trails for me?
The Marin is reasonably easy as is the North Face run in Grizedale - although there are a couple of windy board walk style sections which will test your balance. Nothing too steep here though.

What bike should I be riding?
If you are genuinely new or semi new to the sport then don't go wasting thousands unless you are sure you are keen, or have money to burn. £500 for a bike these days will get you something reasonable.

Disc breaks or V breaks?
Disc are best as they give more control, but you'll have to pay for them!

Hard tail or suspension?
Hard tail is fine for a beginner and easier to control. Although anyone with a back problem or likes a little more comfort should go full sus if possible. If your budget allows it, there are lots of different versions of lock outs now that let you have the best of all worlds so definitely ask about this in the shop.

Who makes the best suspension fork on the market?
Almost anything by Marzocchi. RockShox Psylo is also excellent on early try outs. For light weight, long travel, go with the Psylo Race, it's being fitted to my new bike...

Where can I find a beginner's mountain biking course?
mountainbikeinskills.co.uk This is a better buy than the latest component upgrade for your bike, bike parts soon wear out, skills you learn on a proper course grow with you. Go on, invest something in yourself. As recommended by MTB Britain.

Which is the best rear shock?
Most of the coil over oil type shocks are good e.g. RockShox, Fox, Noleen. RockShox and Fox also make some pretty good air shocks e.g. Fox Vanilla. Air shocks need careful shielding from wet weather grime, Use a neoprene cover and bung it in the washing machine with your dirty kit after your ride.

How can I mend punctures?
Why not consider tubeless tyres at low cost. If not, check out more tips and tricks. Check out the maintenance course at Mountain Bike Instruction

SPDs or flats
SPDs are a way of attaching your feet to the pedals and are used by road cyclists and all terrain mountain bikers. You gain stability and power on up hills but they are not always easy to master. Maybe worth a go after your first few sessions and always worth going back for another beginners course if need be just for that!

What features should I look for in a mountain bike shoe?
Front football studs, Velcro straps, chunky tread, stiff sole.

Should I try to stand on the pedals through the rough stuff?
Yes, and keep those knees relaxed and flexing.

How often should I clean my bike?
In the winter every time you ride it in the wet/mud. After a dry summer ride, lubing is all that's required.

Are suspension seatposts any good?
They are useful to give a more comfortable long ride on a hard trail and we used them when we rode across Africa. Some extra seated pedaling over bumps may be possible, but full suspension rules in that area.

Should I wear a helmet and shin/knee pads/full finger gloves for cross country or freeriding?
A helmet, yes - unless you want to face the wrath of other cyclists finger wagging at you. And if you find you're crash prone, the pads are a good investment. Full finger gloves are winter only stuff really, when you crash, it's invariably your palms that take a beating.

How can I tell if I'm on a bridleway?
The short answer is if you are lifting your bike over a stile then you are on a footpath and shouldn't be there so make sure you give way to pedestrians. On maps, the long dashed green lines are bridleways, these are all legal; short dashed lines are footpaths, keep off! If an unclassified (white) road is the obvious route to or from a Bridleway it is almost always OK. BOATs are legal (Byway Open to All Traffic) these are marked as crossed, long dashed green lines. Finally RUPPs are legal (Roads Used as Public Paths) marked as Long green dashes with alternate green dots on either side. Take care not to confuse any of these GREEN lines with BLACK County or other boundaries.

How can I tell how much climbing there is on a trail from the OS map?
Look at the brown contour lines on the map. Where the trail runs parallel with the lines, it's flat. Where the trail crosses the lines it's a slope. Look at the numbers on the lines to see if you are going to be climbing. If the trail goes at around 90 degrees to the contours and the contours are only a millimeter or two apart, you are going to be pushing. Or doing a serious descent!

How can I ride slippery tree roots?
Always aim your wheels at 90 degrees across them. Lift the front wheel and unweight the rear if crossing a tall root. Don't jump them unless you can clear the worst of it, they make for rubbish landings!

There are loads more questions, so keep them coming and we will update the list soon...