Everything you need to know about mountain biking

Where do we start? From the chance to explore the most beautiful natural terrain to the obvious exercise benefits, there are endless reasons why mountain biking is good for you. It’s one of those sports that boosts a lot more than just your cardiovascular fitness.

Give it a try and see your confidence, agility, mental wellbeing and even social life grow. Mountain bikers are a friendly, laid-back bunch for a reason – biking makes you happy.

For us, the most magical part has to be that exhilarating feeling you get when you nail a descent. It’s pure, blissful, good-to-be-alive adrenaline and a whole load of fun. The spectacular views you’re treated to at the end of a long climb aren’t bad either.

While there’s certainly scope to go all out on the bike gear, there’s no need to splash out on the latest clothes and accessories when you’re first starting out. That said, it is important – in the words of those wise Boy Scouts – to “be prepared”.

A good bike helmet is your first must-have item, along with biking gloves to improve your grip and some padded shorts for a comfier ride. Wear your flattest-soled trainers and take along a backpack with water, snacks, your phone and ID, a waterproof jacket and small first aid kit for any bumps and scrapes.

If you’re riding solo without a guide, you should carry (and learn how to use) the kit and tools you’ll need to replace a punctured inner tube or a broken chain. It’s not hard to do and will save you a whole world of hassle if your bike breaks in the middle of nowhere. You’ll also need the right maps or navigation apps to find your way along your route.

If you’re riding in winter, you might also want to invest in some powerful bike lights, waterproof socks and a lightweight survival blanket.

When you come and try mountain biking with us in one of our beachclubs, we’ll provide you with a TREK mountain bike, a helmet, water bottle, and gloves. Not sure what to bring? We recommend you bring your own shoes, and a small rucksack for water and snacks. We generally run two guided trails each day.

There are endless choices out there when it comes to choosing a mountain bike. From suspension to wheel size, choosing the right spec for you and your preferred terrain will take some time.

Price varies enormously between models, so take your time and do your research. You can find a decent starter bike for under £500 but prepare to be seduced by pricier full-suspension models as your obsession grows.

If you’re just giving mountain biking a go, why not hire a bike before committing to buying one? Alternatively, buy a second-hand one online.

Most dedicated bike trail centres have an on-site hire shop. Or you could book an organised guided ride with bike hire included. For example, try mountain biking on your Neilson holiday (see what we did there?) and you’ll be set up with a comfortable TREK bike, one of the best brands around.

Some basic mountain biking technique makes all the difference to your riding enjoyment:

• Keep your head up, look ahead to where you want to go, and the bike will follow. Focus on that tree you’re desperate to avoid and chances are you’ll ride straight into it!
• Bend your elbows and knees to help absorb the bumps. Think chicken wings and cowboy legs. Seriously.
• For descents, keep your weight towards the back of your bike (drop your seat a little if you can) to avoid tumbling over the handlebars.
• Keep your index fingers hovering over the brake levers so that you’re ready to pull them if need be. But try to keep braking gentle and controlled, momentum is your new best friend.
• With that in mind, make sure you use your gears as often as you need them to help you keep your speed. Try and plan a little in advance – if you see a hill coming up be ready to change down into an easier gear before you start climbing.
• Try and relax! Mountain bikes know how to handle rough terrain. All you have to do is let them do their thing.

Most beginners first try mountain biking at a purpose-built trail centre. With clearly marked and graded trails, they offer something for all abilities. There’s usually a nice café serving well-deserved post-ride cakes too.

Trails are marked using this handy colour code:

• Green – Suitable for novices and families.
• Blue – Suitable for beginner cyclists with a little experience. Likely to be longer in length than green trails so a reasonable level of fitness is required.
• Red – Suitable for experienced bikers. Likely to have some challenging descents and technical sections.
• Black – Suitable for super-fit, expert riders who want a challenge.
• Orange – Usually used to mark freeride and jump areas. Some may have sections where beginner riders can practice their new-found skills, while others will be aimed at extreme riders only.

Riding with an expert guide is a fantastic way to explore the wider world of mountain biking, without having to master the art of navigating. Discover remote valleys, jaw-dropping hilltop vistas and the most thrilling descents. Give guided mountain biking a go on your Neilson holiday and you can probably throw glorious sunshine into the mix as well. What could be better?

Raring to jump into the saddle? We offer mountain biking at all our beachclubs, but if you want to focus on mountain biking while you’re with us, we recommend Sardinian Baia dei Mori, or Greece’s Cosmos, Buca, Messini, Levante or Vounaki Beach Clubs.