Mountain Biking 101

Table of Contents with Selected Images

Not all, but some of the images, so that you can get an idea of what this book is about.

• Introduction
Who This Book is For
Why This Book?
Why Do You Ride?
The Riding Game
Where I’m Coming From
Using the Book

• Part One / The Riding Environment
• Chapter 1 | Types of Single-Track Trails
1.1 Ridge Trails
1.2 Valley Trails
1.3 Hillside Trails
1.4 Prairie Trails





Chapter 2 | Fire-Roads
 





• Part Two / The Form of Riding
• Chapter 3 | Riding Positions
3.1 The Attack Position
3.2 The Ready Position


• Chapter 4 | Level Riding
4.1 Touring Position
4.2 Ready Position
4.3 Attack Position
4.4 Attack Position, Pedaling




• Chapter 5 | Downhill Riding
5.1 Downhill Ready
5.2 Downhill Attack
5.3 Downhill Seated, Cruising Position
5.4 Downhill Seated, Upright Posture
5.5 Downhill Seated, Saddle Down
5.6 Downhill Attack (Extreme)




• Chapter 6 | Uphill Riding
6.1 Uphill, Upright Posture
6.2 Uphill, Weight Forward
6.3 Uphill, Standing
6.4 Uphill, Saddle Down




• Part Three / The Theory of Riding
• Chapter 7 | Balance
7.1 Where Does Balance Come From?
7.2 Slow vs. Fast
7.3 Balance Out of the Saddle

• Chapter 8 | Steering
8.1 Steering vs. Counter-steering
8.2 The Cross-over Zone

• Chapter 9 | Wheel Caster
 


• Part Four / The Practice of Riding
• Chapter 10 | Where to Look
10.1 Where to Look
10.2 How Far Ahead to Look

• Chapter 11 | Basic Technique
11.1 Pedaling
11.2 Climbing
11.3 Descending
11.4 Shifting
11.5 Braking in Turns
11.6 Low Speed Balance
11.7 Wheel-Lifts








• Chapter 12 | Technique by Terrain
12.1 Exposure
12.2 Rock Gardens
12.3 Sand and Loose Soil
12.4 Ruts
12.5 Switchbacks
12.6 Dipswitches
12.7 Dips and G-Outs
12.8 Off-camber Riding
12.9 Descending Steps or Other Obstacles
12.10 Soft Shoulders on Hillside Trails
12.11 U- and V-Shaped Trails
12.12 Roots
12.13 Water Crossings
12.14 Mud
12.15 Snow
12.16 Embankments
12.17 Water Bars
12.18 Braking Bumps
12.19 Minimum Speed Limit


















• Chapter 13 | Other Techniques
13.1 Dabbing
13.2 Paddling
13.3 Smooth Pedaling While Standing
13.4 Restarting on Hills
13.5 Impulse Power
13.6 Gear Testing
13.7 Braking
13.8 Tiptoeing
13.9 Jumping
13.10 The Manual Wheel-Lift
13.11 Techniques Not Covered





• Chapter 14 | Line Choice
14.1 Reading the Trail
14.2 Traction
14.3 Support
14.4 Fire-Road Line Choice
14.5 Reactive vs. Proactive
14.6 Miscellaneous Line Observations



• Chapter 15 | Falling
15.1 How to Fall
15.2 Getting Up from an Awkward Fall
15.3 Ditching


• Chapter 16 | Training by Repetition
16.1 Sessioning
16.2 Drills
16.3 Mantras
16.4 Games


• Chapter 17 | Technique Wrap-up
 
• Part Five / Bike Tuning
• Chapter 18 | Cockpit Tuning
18.1 Saddle Fitment
18.2 Brake Lever Angle
18.3 Handlebar Width
18.4 Crank Length



• Chapter 19 | Tire and Shock Pressures
19.1 Tire Pressures
19.2 Shock Pressures
• Chapter 20 | Other Areas of Tuning
20.1 Spoke Tension
20.2 Brake Pads
• Part Six / Riding Gear
• Chapter 21 | Gear on Your Bike
21.1 Pedals—Flats vs. Clips
21.2 Water Bottle and Cage
21.3 Saddle Bag
21.4 Bell
21.5 Headlights
21.6 Ride Computer



• Chapter 22 | Gear that You Wear
22.1 The Basics
22.2 Optional Gear
22.3 Cold Weather Gear


• Chapter 23 | Gear in Your Backpack
23.1 Always Carry
23.2 Recommended Carry
23.3 Deep Excursions
23.4 Deep Solo Excursions
23.5 Consumables
23.6 Backpack
23.7 Backpack Gear Wrap-up
• Chapter 24 | Virtual Gear
24.1 Ride Tracking Services
24.2 Other Mobile Applications



• Chapter 25 | Gear for Your Gear
 
• Part Seven / Buying and Upgrading Your Bike
• Chapter 26 | Mountain Bike Types
26.1 Bike Geometry
26.2 MTB Type Comparison
26.3 The Middle
26.4 The Intermediate
26.5 The Extremes
26.6 Fat Bikes
26.7 eMountain Bikes

• Chapter 27 | Upgrades
27.1 The Human to Machine Interface
27.2 The Machine to Ground Interface
27.3 Drive Train Components
27.4 Brakes
27.5 Suspension
27.6 Wheels
• Part Eight / Physical Limitations and Aging
• Chapter 28 | Physical Limitations and Aging
28.1 Rounded-Back
28.2 Sitting
28.3 Lordosis


• Chapter 29 | Riding Posture
29.1 Rounded Back
29.2 Modified Positions




• Chapter 30 | Geriatric Fitment
30.1 Steerer Stem
30.2 Saddle Position
30.3 Handlebar Width
30.4 Geriatric Fitment Wrap-up
• Chapter 31 | Other Geriatric Topics
31.1 Coming to a Stop
31.2 Mounting and Dismounting
31.3 Issues of Vision
31.4 Weight
31.5 Important Disclaimer


• Part Nine / Other Topics
• Chapter 32 | Responsibilities
32.1 Trail Etiquette
32.2 Trail Maintenance



• Chapter 33 | Omnium Gatherum
33.1 When to Ride
33.2 Night Riding
33.3 What Do You Think About While Riding?
33.4 MTB Trail Ratings
33.5 Parking Your Bike
33.6 Trail Hazards
33.7 Recovery & Supplements
33.8 Warming Up
33.9 Call of the Wild
33.10 Carrying Your Valuables
33.11 Resources






• Afterword
• About the Author
• Glossary
• Index