Mountain biking is an action sport, which can be dangerous if you are not adequately prepared. To get the most out of the experience, make sure you have a read of our quick guide below and get ready for the challenge!

Fitness level

If you are keen for skills lessons, get in touch with our friends over at mtnbike.com.au

Skill level

You should be able to handle a bicycle comfortably and confidently on the road before going mountain biking.

A good litmus test is how confident you are at jumping off and hopping on curbs, because you will be going over rough terrain on the trails.

Always to remember to select trails that best suit your bike handling abilities and it's good to head out in pairs at least if you are not familiar with the terrain.

What gears are included

We will supply you with a mountain bike specific helmet, a multi tool, a pump, a tire lever and a spare inner tube.

What to bring

Wear comfortable closed toe shoes with good grip.

Ride in shorts and a breathable t-shirt or jersey made from active sports fabrics. Don't wear jeans since they will restrict your movement and don't wear cotton t-shirts since they will get heavy with your sweat.

Energy bars or some trail-side snacks are great for keeping your energy up throughout the ride.

Bring plenty of drinking water, we recommend a minimum of 1L for a 3 hour ride on a chilled day. During the summer, you should bring at least 2L for a 3 hour ride.

Lastly, don't forget to bring a comfortable backpack to carry your gears and snacks. Ones with clips around your waist and chest are great for stopping them bouncing around over rough terrain.

Navigation

There's an awesome community over at Trailforks who maintain a database of up to date trail maps with GPS markers. They have apps for both Android and iOS that allow you to download their maps to use offline.

A lot of trails in Sydney do not have cell phone service, so don't rely on Google maps or any online based service for navigation.

For your safety, tell a friend or a family member where you are going and when you expect to be back.

Dealing with mechanical issues

No matter how well maintained the bikes are, tire punctures and mechanical breakdowns do happen on the trail. It's just the nature of the sport. Here are a few videos by the folks at GMBN to help you with some basic trail side repairs.