It’s not unusual for Road riders to want to venture into Mountain biking, after all, it is just another form of riding to explore. However, mountain bike riding is very different and does require quite a different approach to road riding.
Mountain biking is a very friendly, relaxed recreational sport. It’s not about racing or being first across the finish line, it is about smelling the roses in a non competative environment, spending time with your friends and family, or just getting out in the bush for some fresh air, searching for that ideal single track.
There are some beautiful trails and single tracks in and around Melbourne to explore and practice your “switch”. Not too far from the city is Lysterfield Park – the perfect place to get on your bike. There are varying levels of tracks from fire trails and basic green tracks all the way up to black and double black tracks used when they held the Commonwealth games there in 2006.
So here are my 6 basic tips for crossing the line to the dark side and once you’ve tried it you may never go back!
Relax your approach
- MTB riders are a friendly social group.
- Take your time to enjoy the scenery and take some selfies
- Everyone waits for each other, its not always race
Attack Position
- Learn and perfect your attack position
- Think level pedals, elbows out, eyes up
- Use this position as your default for obstacles, corners and everything else
Start with the basics, everyone needs to get their foundations right
- Go and do a basic skills course
- Hang out with others that ride regularly and follow their lines
- Practice, practice, practice
Pick trails that are to your ability
- To get better, you need to be confident
- You also need to be able to commit to certain obstacles and skills, if you don’t you will fail
- Gradually build your skills, master one, then move onto another
Pedal all the way
- Whatever you do, don’t stop pedaling
- When you go over obstacles, up hills and inclines you need to have traction – no traction and you come to a stop
- By pedaling, you get stronger
Look where you want to go
- MTB riding is all about vision
- Sight the corner or obstacle and then look beyond it, if you continue to focus on it, that is where you will go.
- Keep your vision up and scanning all the time
Mountain biking can be so much fun. The more you do, the more you will want to do, so get yourself kitted up in a good pair of baggies and a comfortable jersey to head out onto the trails for a ride to remember!
By Wendy Snowball, Personal Trainer @spincyclewarrandyte
Wendy Snowball is a She Science Ambassador, Personal Trainer, Mountain Biker, Warrandyte MTB Club Secretary and also coaches MTB skills. She races with her daughter Courtney – who is also a She Science Ambassador. You can follow the ladies @spincyclewarrandyte, @courtney_snowball and at spincyclewarrandyte.
Due to the traditional style back it was nice and airy so my back stayed cool whilst running, but unfortunately it does look like a bra from the back. This has the upside of being very easy to get and off, but the downside is that the straight shoulder straps show if you wear a racer back top.
I don’t usually like wearing my sports bra to work. But the Anyday bra by Brooks is the perfect everyday bra to serve the purpose of work to workout.
This bra is a staple in many women’s wardrobes, Deco has a nice round moulded cup great for V neck tops. The straps on this bra aren’t bulky like some bras and it has the ability to cinch in at the back to create a flawless line across the back of racerback tops. Deco has a seam free cup design to prevent irritation across the nipple and give a soft look under clothing. This bra doesn’t only come in black, Freya always do at least one seasonal colour so you can spice up your wardrobe!
This sassy underwire black bra you can wear day to night! The soft satin outer sling and 4 piece cup creates a perfect round perky shape. The Straps on this bra are very supportive and thick to add to your comfort to wear all night. This bra is perfect for summer is it’s made from a light breathable polyester blend, the seams do not irritate the nipple and its great under scoop neck tops. Scantilly’s Peek-A-Boo bra comes in a fashion colour each season so be sure to check it out!
Coral is a full coverage underwire 3 piece cup bra. The underwire in this bra overlaps at the centre panel creating a narrow silhouette. This bra has a wide solid elastane back ensuring full support along with comfortable thick straps to get you through any day! The seams in Coral are what gives the bra its shape along with the unique underwire. Fayreform also makes a wire free version of this bra ‘Coral Soft Cup’ which is a good alternative if you prefer wire free bras. The elegant lace Coral has a cult like following within the fashion bra community and is easily accessible in Australia instore and online. Coral comes in a variety of colours which makes it so hard to pick which one to get!
Bijou is similar to Deco (previously mentioned) in many ways. This bra is an underwire plunge contour bra. The smooth cup inside and out prevents any nipple show through and is great under sheer clothing. Bijou gives a flattering rounded shape giving you a great silhouette, it even has a J-hook at the back (cinch) to hide straps under racerback tops, what more could you want! The straps on this bra are thick and supportive without being bulky. Bijou comes in nude and seasonal colour for those less conservative!
