Mountain Biking Safety And Equipment Tips

"Be Safe, Cool And In Control"

There are two main ingredients to mountain biking safety: technical and personal.

Riding a mountain bike off-road differs radically from cycling on the blacktop.

So change your mental gears to prepare for the rougher road ahead.

Stronger bike frames, suspension shocks, wide knobby tires, more gear choices and better brakes all add up to technical advantages for safety.

Part of the fun of mountain biking is pushing your limits, just don't push your luck too. Keeping your senses is also important for your personal safety.

The key to mountain biking safety relies on two things:

• Riding in Control
• Using Protective Gear

Kuala Lumpur Mountain Biking Guide

• KL Mountain Biking
• Mountain Biking Safety
• Mountain Bike Video Skills
• KL Mountain Bike Shops
• KL Mountain Biking Clubs

Mountain Biking Safety - Riding in Control

Danger is definitely present on the trail. Mountain bikers sometimes ride a fine line between staying in control and crashing out. Reckless riding actions lead to personal injuries and become a hazard for other trail users.

Riding in jungle terrain requires constant adjustments to handle rocks, tree roots, gullies and wet conditions. Keep these basic biking safety tips in mind to prevent making a day out into a medical emergency.

Tip 1: Ride Within Your Abilities

Confidence on the trail keeps your focus strong. If you're not sure, take a walk and tackle it next time after getting more experience. No shame and no problem.

Tip 2: Always Wear a Helmet

Keep your wits about you and your head intact. Most mountain bike falls result in head injuries.

Tip 3: Check Need For Speed

It's easy to go too fast on downhill terrain. Check your need for speed and ride at a level that allows quick adjustments for changes along the trail.

Tip 4: Stop, Look and Slow Down

If trail sections look difficult check them out first before attempting a pass. Be sure to slow down near blind corners to avoid crashing into oncoming riders.

Tip 5: Trail Knowledge

Each trail offers new twists and turns. Build up your knowledge of the trail first before building up your speed levels.

Tip 6: Practice at Low Speed

Every trail ride provides obstacles and opportunities. Practice on small and less dangerous rock gardens or downhill slopes at super safe speeds. Eventually you'll be able to handle the hard stuff.

Tip 7: Check Crash Landings

Bailing out means reading the terrain to minimize harmful falls. Even easy trail sections can have dangerous results. Learn how to scan quick for the best option for a crash landing .

Tip 8: Ride Slower, Ride Smarter

Your brain alerts you to danger when riding on the edge of disaster. Take heed of your inner warning system and slow down to safer speeds.

Mountain Biking Safety - Prevention and Protection

No doubt, mountain biking has its risks. Cuts and bruises, punctures and abrasions from trail falls or jungle debris are part of the ride. Head injuries and twisted body parts from smacking into a tree or boulder after loosing bike control are serious trauma.

Protective gear helps to avoid minor mishaps and reduce the damage of major impacts. Use your head before starting on a new trail. Reduce risk by choosing mountain biking trails that match your skill and fitness levels.

• Keep your mountain bike in top shape to avoid breakdowns leading to falls and injuries.
• Before tackling tougher terrain, learn the right bike skills for jumping and getting over obstacles.
• Plan your outing to prevent fatigue from increasing your chance of an accident.
• And always check your mountain bike for damage after a hard ride in the jungle and lube up before the next ride.

Here's a lowdown on mountain biking gear and mountain biking apparel to better understand your equipment choices for more protection and mountain biking safety in the jungle.

Pedal Power - Pedals vary from the normal flat platform type to toe cages to a special quick-release clipless shoe. Toe cage pedals take extra time to get out of compared to platform or clipless. When falling on rough terrain you want to be able to get your feet out in a hurry.

Bike Tools and Tubes - Mountain bikers often ride on remote trail areas, so be sure to take your bike pump, tools and spare tubes to avoid being stranded with a flat tire or mechanical breakdown. Even a cell phone can't help out much in the wilderness.

Comfort Clothing - Choose the more durable mountain bike clothing over the road bike clothes to withstand the weather and scraps of jungle riding. Cotton fabrics soak up sweat like a sponge, so find sturdy lycra and polyester blends for quick drying comfort.

Hand in Gloves - Get a grip on choosing the right pair of gloves. Riding through the rainforest requires heavier-made gloves to protect hands from bamboo cuts, probing branches and to clear away overhanging brush on the trail.

Water Break - Always take extra water on jungle mountain biking trails. Hydration is vital for your safety and tropic heat can zap your reserves in no time. Load up with extra water bottles, wear a lightweight hydration pack with a drinking tube or fill up a water bag and carry it with you.

Eyes and Toes - In the jungle debris and overhanging branches on the trail present hazards that are hard to avoid. Wearing protective glasses keeps eyes from injury and filtered lenses ease the strain on sunny days. Jungle terrain is hard on footwear, so choose mountain bike shoes that can handle stream crossings, muddy trails, and rocky paths, whether clip-in or cage pedals.

Mountain Biking Safety - Trail First Aid Tips

Even with the best protective gear and mountain biking safety rules, accidents happen. Every rider deals with injuries, so be prepared to handle the common ones. Carry a simple first aid kit and get injured riders back on the trail.

Lacerations - Use a water bottle and wash away debris from a wound without touching it. Find a clean, not soiled, dressing to cover the wound. More severe cuts require pressure to stop bleeding, so use a clean hand or cloth.

Concussions - You don't have to be knocked out to suffer a concussion. Always treat head injuries with extra caution, even if that means walking, not riding, back to get help. Watch for signs such as vomiting, worse headaches and less alertness that signal a medical problem.

Broken Arm, Leg or Wrist - Broken limbs need to be immobilized. Be creative and find materials to make a splint to cover the whole body part. Use sticks, wood strips, inner tubes, clothing or even a bike pump to secure and wrap the wound. Make a sling for injured wrists to avoid painful movements.

Broken Finger - Just wrap some tape around two fingers to secure the broken one and put a soft cloth in between for more comfort. If needed use a small stick as a splint.

Broken Collarbone - Falling head over handlebars usually results in this common injury. Use a shirt to create a sling on the same side of the broken bone at a 90 degree angle. Or pull the injured rider's own shirt around the arm and fasten it near the chest area.