Mountain biking is a popular sport especially in America.
According to the National Household Travel Survey, sports and recreation represent 49 percent of all outdoor biking activities.
The Outdoor Industry Foundation reckons there are 40 million mountain bike enthusiasts in the U.
S.
Understanding mountain bike safety will enable you to avoid nasty incidents.
The following steps will help you stay safe on the bike trail.
The Right Gear.
This is the first step every mountain biker must observe religiously.
Make sure you have the right bike for the occasion.
The rule of thumb is choose a bike with good suspension,tires, and handle bars.
As a safety precaution, your body should be inclined at 45 degrees when riding.
This position makes it easy to peddle and navigate your bike on the trail.
In addition, helmets, gloves, shoulder pads, and knee pads are mandatory.
Having the right gear can make a big difference.
A study published in the Wilderness & Environmental Medicine Journal shows that most mountain biking injuries are mild.
However, 12.
3 percent of Mountain bike riders experience severe injuries.
While this number is considerably small, medical bills and rehabilitation costs can leave you financially drained.
Proper Planning.
It is necessary to plan your mountain bike excursion in advance.
This includes gathering navigation aids, first aid kits,and communication devices.
If you are not well versed with first aid techniques, take a refresher course.
This can help you treat injuries before medical personnel arrive.
If you are riding alone, inform friends and relatives about your intentions.
It will be easier for concerned parties to track your position if you are incapacitated on the bike trail.
Recognize Your Abilities.
Many people undertake mountain biking on weekends or during the summer holidays.
This means a big majority are not elite level mountain bikers.
Strive to keep speeds on the bike trail at a moderate level.
Understanding mountain bike safety is more than wearing safety gear.
It is wise to stop and check difficult trails before proceeeding.
A good knowledge of mountain trails and potential danger spots will come in handy.
It is advisable to increase bike speeds after gaining enough experience.
Failure to stay focused will only lead to life threatening injuries.
Seek Expert Advice.
Seasoned riders can spot problems on the trail well in advance.
On the other hand, a beginner will stumble headlong into a potentially dangerous situation.
It does not hurt to seek insight from expert mountain bike riders.
Not only will you gain invaluable advice, you will learn how to react when the unthinkable happens.
Many novice riders might be unaware of the danger posed by tropical heat.
An experinced hand will guide you to pack enough water supplies as well as comfortable clothing.
Mountain biking can be a rewarding hobby and pastime.
With an increase in the number of enthusiasts, safety concerns cannot be ignored.
According to the Transportation Research Board Journal, mountain bikes make up 30 percent of all bicycles in America.
At the same time, Data from the Journal of Physical Activity and Health shows the average American bikes 40 km every year.
Take up the sport and enjoy the great outdoors.