What is Freeride Mountain Biking?
Freeride mountain biking is a relatively new discipline that combines the best elements of downhill and cross-country riding.
It’s become increasingly popular in recent years as riders looking for a more thrilling and challenging experience have flock to it. If you’re thinking about trying freeride mountain biking, here’s what you need to know.
Basics of Freeride Mountain Biking
Freeride mountain biking is, quite simply, an offshoot of mountain biking that focuses on tricks, jumps, and big air.
Riders often seek out natural features like drops and cliff faces to get their thrills, but man-made features are becoming increasingly common as well.
Slopestyle courses, for example, are designed specifically for freeride mountain bikers and often include a series of jumps, berms, and North Shore-style obstacles.
The Gear You Need
If you’re thinking about giving freeride mountain biking a try, you’ll need the right gear. A full-suspension bike is a must—you’ll need all the help you can get when landing big jumps—and it’s also important to invest in some good body armor.
Knee pads, elbow pads, and a helmet are all essential pieces of safety gear for freeriders. You might also want to consider picking up a pair of gloves with built-in wrist guards to help protect your hands in case of a fall.
Getting Started
If you’re new to freeriding, it’s important to start small and work your way up. There are plenty of beginner-friendly trails out there that will let you get a feel for the sport without putting yourself in too much danger.
And even if you do take a spill, remember that everyone crashes sometimes—it’s all part of the learning process. So, strap on your helmet, hop on your bike, and have fun!
Conclusion
Freeriding is a thrilling way to experience mountain biking like never before. If you’re looking for an adrenaline rush, this is definitely the discipline for you.
But before you hit the trails, make sure you have the right gear and start slowly to avoid getting in over your head. With a little practice, you’ll be pulling off sick stunts in no time!
