Pursuit
Mountain Biking
Singletrack and bikepacking — body position, braking, and trail repair.
About mountain biking
Mountain biking covers more ground than hiking with a steeper skills curve. Body position and braking control are the two levers that make hard trail feel easy.
Season: Dry trail seasons; avoid riding mud and wrecking tread.
Learn these first
- Neutral and ready position, with heels down through chunk
- Braking before corners, not in them
- Line choice and looking through the turn
- Trailside repair: tube, chain link, and derailleur reality checks
Kit that matters
- Hardtail or full suspension matched to your trails
- Helmet, gloves, and glasses
- Multi-tool, pump, plug kit, spare tube, quick link
- Hydration pack or frame bags for longer rides
Honest hazard notes
- Riding above your sightline on blind descents
- Wet roots and off-camber rock
- Mechanical failure far from the trailhead
Plan a mountain biking trip
Mountain Biking FAQ
Hardtail or full suspension to start?
A quality hardtail teaches line choice and is cheaper to maintain. Full suspension pays off on genuinely rough terrain.
What's the most common trailside failure?
Flats. Carry a plug kit and a tube even if you're tubeless.