| You've decided to take up the exciting and | | | | put all kinds of necessary inside it, and when you |
| challenging sport of mountain biking. Unlike casual | | | | need a drink you just reach over with your mouth to |
| biking, you need much more than just a helmet to | | | | the bite valve and take a sip. |
| ensure that you have a safe ride as you hit the trails. | | | | Mountain bike shorts These days bike saddles are a |
| Mountain biking is such a popular sport that there is | | | | lot more comfortable than they used to be. There |
| now a vast range of accessories for both men and | | | | are saddles made especially for women as well as |
| women. Make sure you do a bit of research on each | | | | men, and you can purchase gel-filled saddles that |
| item you want to purchase to make sure you buy | | | | make the hours you spend on your bike a bit more |
| the best quality for the amount of money you want | | | | comfortable. But you'll also want padded bike |
| to spend. | | | | underwear and padded bike shorts, just for extra |
| Bike helmet We may be listing the bike helmet as an | | | | comfort. |
| 'accessory' but it really isn't. It is a necessary piece of | | | | Mountain bike gloves If you fall off your bike (or |
| equipment. In mountain biking, it is not a question of | | | | should that be, when), your hands will probably be |
| if you're going to fall, it's a question of when. And | | | | the first thing to hit the ground - either a paved |
| when you take a header over your handlebars, | | | | road, a graveled road, dirt, mud, bushes...all sorts of |
| having a secure helmet on your head could well save | | | | hazards that can rip up your hands unless they're |
| your life. Although you can buy most accessories | | | | properly protected. Gloves serve another purpose as |
| second hand if you so desire, the bike helmet is | | | | well, of course. If you're heading down the trail your |
| something that you want to buy brand-new, and | | | | hands will get sweaty which could cause problems |
| make sure that it fits your head properly. And if you | | | | keeping your hands on your bike grips. Wearing |
| do have an accident in which any damage occurs to | | | | gloves eliminates that problem. |
| the helmet, the wisdom is that you should purchase | | | | Mountain biking shoes |
| another one. One accident per helmet - that's the | | | | These days there's a shoe made for every sport |
| rule. | | | | under the sun, including that of mountain biking. The |
| Eye protection Have you ever been riding on the | | | | main difference in mountain bike shoes is the type of |
| road and been passed by a car that sends up a spurt | | | | sole - designed for the different types of pedals out |
| of gravel at you? If any of that gets into your eyes, | | | | there: with clips or clipless. The clipless type of pedal |
| you have to stop immediately to clear your vision. If | | | | requires that your shoes be fitted with special cleats. |
| you're on a trail heading downhill at a breakneck pace, | | | | The shoes need to be durable and comfortable. |
| and a baleful bee takes that opportunity to hit you in | | | | Trail repair kit Regardless of what type of biking you |
| the eye, the following seconds could end up being | | | | do, it always makes sense to carry a bicycle repair |
| very uncomfortable. Glasses or sunglasses are one | | | | kit with you. However, you can 'get away' with not |
| solution, but the best method is to wear goggles. | | | | carrying one if you ride on the streets of your city. |
| Whatever you get, make sure that lenses are | | | | You'll just be a phone call away from someone who |
| non-breakable. | | | | can come and help you if you have a flat, after all. |
| Hydration system It's common sense to bring a | | | | It's not that easy if you're out in the woods and |
| water bottle with you when you go out on a trail | | | | your cell phone doesn't work. Always have a a |
| ride. It's very easy to get dehydrated which brings | | | | multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers, and a |
| your energy right down. However, in order to drink | | | | patch kit for fixing flat tires. However, having a repair |
| from your water bottle you have to take your hand | | | | kit will do you little good if you don't know how to |
| off one of the handles, and there are sometimes | | | | use the tools! So make sure that after you purchase |
| when you don't want to do that. A hydration | | | | your kit you familiarize with each of the tools and |
| backpack is a good solution. As a backpack you can | | | | how to use them! It's easy once you know how. |