Forgetting the tension and pressure, riding on a mountain bike all day long is the best feeling ever. It gets even more exciting when you are with your buddies, riding to new places, new sites, having fun and chill.
Now, what can go wrong?
Well, there are many mistakes that can happen which will ruin the whole trip. Based on a practical survey, we've noticed some common possible mistakes that almost everyone does.
If you are planning to go on a road trip with your mountain bike, then you need to read this article, in which we're going to discuss 10 of the most common mountain bike road trip mistakes and tips to avoid them.
So, let’s get started!
Now, what can go wrong?
Well, there are many mistakes that can happen which will ruin the whole trip. Based on a practical survey, we've noticed some common possible mistakes that almost everyone does.
If you are planning to go on a road trip with your mountain bike, then you need to read this article, in which we're going to discuss 10 of the most common mountain bike road trip mistakes and tips to avoid them.
So, let’s get started!
1. Not Checking the Bike Before Starting
You should always check each and every part of your bike before starting the trip. It is more important if you are planning for a long trip. By checking beforehand, you’ll know if your bike is fit for a trip. Doing this can save you from hundreds of serious troubles during the trip.
Suppose you are riding the bike smoothly and all on a sudden, the front brake stops working! How would it feel?
Tips: Carefully check the whole bike before starting the trip. Mainly check the brakes and cables for any inconsistencies. You should also give a look at the chain, chain wheel, rear and front derailleur. If you have a bad memory like me, it really helps to stick a note on your bike that says "I need to check everything".
2. Being Unable to Fix Mechanical Issues
If you are unable to fix the basic mechanical issues of your bike, then it’ll be a little bit risky to go on a road trip. Suppose your shifter cable is broken and there's no place to fix it in a 10-mile radius. In such situations, you’ll have to fix these problems on your own.
If you're planning to go on a long road trip, you must have the basic knowledge of fixing a mountain bike. You need to have a rudimentary idea on how to set up or change a part of your bike like changing the derailleur cable, managing a flat tire, fixing chain issues etc.
Tips: Always bring a reliable tool set with you whenever you are going on a road trip with your mountain bike. It’s better if you learn to fix the basic issues of mountain bikes from an expert.
3. Relying On Outdated Maps
Maps are crucial when you are going on a road trip. However, to locate your trail, route, and destination, an outdated map can't help you much. Sometimes, it can create huge problems. An outdated map doesn't have the updates of new trails. You may get lost going through the old risky trails. Moreover, you can’t rely on an outdated map.
Tips: To avoid this type of mistake, you need to use an updated map of the trails, route and destination. You can use your smartphone to check the Google map. However, I recommend keeping a printed map too in case there is no signal.
Maps are crucial when you are going on a road trip. However, to locate your trail, route, and destination, an outdated map can't help you much. Sometimes, it can create huge problems. An outdated map doesn't have the updates of new trails. You may get lost going through the old risky trails. Moreover, you can’t rely on an outdated map.
Tips: To avoid this type of mistake, you need to use an updated map of the trails, route and destination. You can use your smartphone to check the Google map. However, I recommend keeping a printed map too in case there is no signal.
(photo credit: pixabay.com)
4. Not Giving Attention to the Weather
One of the common mistakes on a long road trip with a mountain bike is ignoring the weather conditions. The trip will not be enjoyable when you have a long way to go and it is raining or the sun is burning like hell.
Tips: To avoid such a situation, all you need to do is pay attention to the weather. As you are unable to control the weather, you can at least be prepared for it. It is better to plan the trip when the weather is friendly.
One of the common mistakes on a long road trip with a mountain bike is ignoring the weather conditions. The trip will not be enjoyable when you have a long way to go and it is raining or the sun is burning like hell.
Tips: To avoid such a situation, all you need to do is pay attention to the weather. As you are unable to control the weather, you can at least be prepared for it. It is better to plan the trip when the weather is friendly.
5. Having Inadequate Supplies
When you don't have enough supplies with you, there is a high chance you'll get into a trouble. Accessories like a brake cable, rear shifter cable, chain holder, or even a single piece of a screw, can prove very important to finish the trip successfully.
Tips: Bring along a bag filled with necessary spare accessories like cables, chains, screws, tools etc., whenever you are on a biking trip. Having enough supplies will bring you no harm but shortage surely will.
When you don't have enough supplies with you, there is a high chance you'll get into a trouble. Accessories like a brake cable, rear shifter cable, chain holder, or even a single piece of a screw, can prove very important to finish the trip successfully.
Tips: Bring along a bag filled with necessary spare accessories like cables, chains, screws, tools etc., whenever you are on a biking trip. Having enough supplies will bring you no harm but shortage surely will.
6. Running Out of Water and Dry Food
It is quite impossible to ride over 20 miles without drinking water, especially if the weather is hot. If you are planning for a long road trip, then you must bring some dry food and enough drinking water for the duration of the trip. I have seen many people making the mistake of not bringing enough drinking water and suffering from dehydration.
Tips: Get a large water bottle and bring enough drinking water and some dry food with you on the trip. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!
It is quite impossible to ride over 20 miles without drinking water, especially if the weather is hot. If you are planning for a long road trip, then you must bring some dry food and enough drinking water for the duration of the trip. I have seen many people making the mistake of not bringing enough drinking water and suffering from dehydration.
Tips: Get a large water bottle and bring enough drinking water and some dry food with you on the trip. Trust me, you’ll thank me later!
(photo credit: twitter.com/plvrmchr)
7. Wearing Inappropriate Clothing
Wearing inappropriate dress can ruin the comfort of your riding. Some common mistakes are not wearing a comfortable shoe, ignoring the glasses for eye protection etc.
Tips: Always wear appropriate dress on your trip. Getting the best mountain bike shoes and glasses is extremely important for ensuring safety. Also, choose the dress according to the weather.
best mountain bike shoes
Wearing inappropriate dress can ruin the comfort of your riding. Some common mistakes are not wearing a comfortable shoe, ignoring the glasses for eye protection etc.
Tips: Always wear appropriate dress on your trip. Getting the best mountain bike shoes and glasses is extremely important for ensuring safety. Also, choose the dress according to the weather.
best mountain bike shoes
8. Always Sticking to the Seat
Always sticking to the seat of your mountain bike may do harm to your back. If you are constantly sitting on the saddle for the whole trip, you may suffer from back pain.
Tips: If the trip is long, try to take breaks in between. It will also relieve boredom.
Always sticking to the seat of your mountain bike may do harm to your back. If you are constantly sitting on the saddle for the whole trip, you may suffer from back pain.
Tips: If the trip is long, try to take breaks in between. It will also relieve boredom.
9. Ignoring the Gloves and Helmet
This is one of the most common and grave mistakes that the majority of bike riders do. Gloves and a helmet are essential for safe riding. Helmets protects the head, the most important part of your body and gloves help to relieve pressure from the wrist, and increase the grip with the brakes and handle. Additionally, in case of any accidents, gloves will save your hand from serious injury.
Tips: I’ll always recommend buying the best mountain bike gloves and helmet from the market. These two are a must need for every ride. You should never compromise with safety.
best mountain bike gloves
This is one of the most common and grave mistakes that the majority of bike riders do. Gloves and a helmet are essential for safe riding. Helmets protects the head, the most important part of your body and gloves help to relieve pressure from the wrist, and increase the grip with the brakes and handle. Additionally, in case of any accidents, gloves will save your hand from serious injury.
Tips: I’ll always recommend buying the best mountain bike gloves and helmet from the market. These two are a must need for every ride. You should never compromise with safety.
best mountain bike gloves
10. Disregarding the Front Brake
Just like the rear one, the front brake also has huge significance. Unfortunately, many riders underestimate the importance of the front brake because the chain ring is connected with the back wheel only. In truth, having a poor front brake can endanger your life.
Tips: Always check the front brake before starting any ride. Take extra brake cables in case of any breakdown.
In this article, we've covered 10 mountain bike road trip mistakes & tips to avoid them. Though these mistakes may seem negligible, they are very common and often cause huge problems. So, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Just like the rear one, the front brake also has huge significance. Unfortunately, many riders underestimate the importance of the front brake because the chain ring is connected with the back wheel only. In truth, having a poor front brake can endanger your life.
Tips: Always check the front brake before starting any ride. Take extra brake cables in case of any breakdown.
In this article, we've covered 10 mountain bike road trip mistakes & tips to avoid them. Though these mistakes may seem negligible, they are very common and often cause huge problems. So, it is better to be safe than sorry.
Aletha Joseph Simon is an engineer by profession who loves to travel around the world and share her experience through blogging. She is a freelance writer at Mountain Bikes Only which provides valuable information about mountain biking.
RSS Feed