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Clothing:- Always wear a helmet (make sure it fits snuck).
- Full finger gloves, long pants and sweatshirt can further prevent scratches.
- Knee and Elbow pads are optional but offer further protection.
- If available, Mountain biking shoes afford additional arch support and the relatively stiff sole makes for easier energy transfer.
- At any rate the shoes you wear should be good for walking with a non-slip sole if possible. Wear tennis, hiking or sport shoes. Sandals or slippers are not suitable.
- Eyewear in some cases is helpful keeping bugs and the occasional bush out of the eyes. Clear glasses are the best in forest riding conditions, sunglasses may be to dark to make out the exact contour of the ground.
- A light raincoat for wet and cooler conditions in Thailand is only during the rainy season on longer trips necessary.
- A small Daypack can hold all your belongings. No messenger bags.
Personal Fitness:
You should be reasonably fit, and comfortable biking in regular conditions before going OFF Road.
Drink light (alcohol) the night before, maybe do a little carbo-loading
and you find the trip the next day more enjoyable.
Food and Drink, First Aid:- Drink a little extra water before the ride; bring at least 1 liter water for 3 hrs and 2 liters or more for 6 hrs in a daypack.
- A high energy snack (nuts, chocolate, granola bar ) is a good idea, even for short trips. The more energy you have the more control.
- First Aid Kit should hold some tape, gauzes, bandages and anti bacterial powder. (Trip leader)
Repairs on the trail:
Being in the woods means no outside support and one must be self-sufficient. Ones riding style should also adapt to that fact. It could mean a long walk out in case of severe bike damage.
You (or group leader) should bring at least:
A mountain biking multi tool, they are fairly complete.
Spare tubes, set of extra break pads, tools to change tires, chain tool, oil, pump
Good practices:- Check your bike again right before your trip.
- Check that your wheels are attached securely.
- Check that your breaks are working properly.
- For steep down hills have your saddle adjusted lower than usual, it makes it easier to keep your weight of the handlebars. Make sure your front and rear derailer are correctly set.
- You must pedal when changing gear, test on flat ground.
- For those who don't know, the chain positioned on the largest chain ring in the back and smallest chain ring the front is the easiest setting to go uphill.
Riding conduct and traffic:- Stay on the left to avoid traffic, keep plenty of distance between you and the next rider.
- We don't pass each other on down hills, it breaks the concentration of the rider being passed, everyone should know that they have the full with of the trail at all times.
- Look at the ground in front and not at the rider ahead of you.
- The instructors or other riders speed is no indication how fast you should travel.
- Ride at your own speed that you are comfortable with.
- Do not increase your speed to catch up, the rest of the group is happy to wait.
- Those racing ahead should wait at every intersection, if you race ahead and get lost, we will see you back in Chiang Mai.
Riding techniques:
Breaking:
Definitely a big part in down hill biking, you find your hands get tired easily, such we take plenty of rests on the way.
Always have 2 fingers on your
breaks!
Always use both rear and front breaks together.
Before going on steep down hill you should have your breaks fully pressed and release your breaks to speed up, rather than press them to slow you down.
Remember when you suddenly slow down due to heavy breaking or encountering an object your weight gets thrown forward, so counter by leaning back.
When approaching a small obstacle on a downhill or enter a hole, its best to increase your speed to get over the obstacle or out of the hole rather than breaking into it. (Minimal release of the break for a split second does the trick.)
Do not try to slow a moving bike by lowering yourself between the saddle and the handlebar and dragging your foot onto the ground. Use your breaks to come to a complete stop first then put your foot down.
Body position going down hill:- The steeper the downhill the further shift your weight back.
- Shifting your weight back means, keep your upper body low and shift your behind back.
- Standing on your pedals (parallel to the ground) and squeezing your saddle with your thighs allows more flexibility and easier weight shifting when (rolling) fast on rough terrain.
- Standing on your pedals (parallel to the ground) and squeezing your saddle with your thighs allows more flexibility and easier weight shifting when (rolling) fast on rough terrain.
- Flexible elbows proof that you have sufficient weight off the handlebars and transferred into your legs.
Trail conditions:
Downhill- Focus on where you can ride ,rather where you will fall, this will help keep you focused
- Size up each section of the trail and set your speed accordingly, start slow and increase your speed if you feel its safe.
- Entering deep sand and deep mud will slow you down and throw your weight forward, as you enter shift weight back and use more speed to get you through, no sharp turns, keep your wheel straight as possible.
- When riding on a dirt road with deep ruts stay on the top .
If you do slide into a rut, take the momentum and get out on the other side.
- On wet surface plan your directional change well in advance and keep your wheels pointing downward as much as possible, Avoid turning your wheel sharp left or right it could result in sliding. You can only slide straight down so keep your wheels pointed in that direction. Allow more time for braking, sudden sharp breaking will result in sliding.
Uphill
- Shift into your easiest gear before you reach the steep part of an up hill, so that you don't put to much pressure onto the individual chain links. Shift easy, don't force especially when using a grip shifter. If you fail to get into the right gear on the uphill step off your bike and walk until you get to a less steep uphill.
Falling of your bike:- The best chance of falling is within the first 15 minutes, so take care and control your speed until you are warmed up.
- The main reason for falling is a sudden change of direction combined with abrupt stopping resulting your weight getting thrown forward and of the bike.
- When you feel things getting out of hand, your first reaction should be weight back, this eliminates 99 % of all problems.
- When falling (or if) slide over the back of the bike and let the bike role ahead. Do not break the fall with an extended arm and wrist; rather take the fall with your shoulder and role off. transfer the energy from the fall into a roll.
- Do not pick your nose while riding, ( ha ha )
- Stop anytime and walk the really hard bits.
All in all this sport commands your full concentration and that is why we love it.
Have fun, see you on the trail.
Aidan Schmer
Your Mountain Biking Instructor |
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