Bike riding should be fun. If it’s not fun, then you’re doing something wrong. It takes a lot of experience to get things done right, but when you do, your muscle memory kicks in, and you don’t really have to think about how you are going to do something. One of the most important aspects of biking is the location. The foothills of the Appalachian Mountains in Southeastern Ohio have lots of woods and lakes and that park atmosphere that so many love.
However, before you hit the road on your new bike, check out these points, and find out what works for you.
Hardtail or Full Suspension? You’ll need the right one for Ohio mountain biking.
A hardtail bike comes without rear suspension. Suspension forks can be added to the front, but the back remains rigid.
Full suspension bikes come with both front and rear suspension, which easily absorb bumps on the road thus giving you a smoother ride all the way.
Both of these bikes come in many models and makes so it is up to you to decide, which one suits you best. Factors to consider when buying your bike are:
Budget: they don’t all cost the same. Ideally, the more costly the bike the smoother the ride
The type of riding you have in mind
The type of terrain and angle of descent you intend to work with
Generally, a hard bike will perform better on steep climbs and will give you faster speeds on sprints; it will also require less maintenance. In order for you to properly tame the trails, you will need to prepare before the ride. Keep these tips in mind:
Eat the right meals: processed foods won’t cut it and neither will copious amounts of caffeine and sugar.
Get plenty of rest before the ride
Don’t get sucked into the warrior trap: start small. Four good sessions a week will do more for you than one long one that leaves you dog-tired and needing a couple of months to recover.
Remember, consistency is key
Mountain biking should be fun so if it doesn’t feel that way for you, then start by finding new partners, and try new routes. The Wolf Run State Park in Ohio is a wonderful place to explore. There’s Seneca Lake right next to Senecaville, which is another beautiful park to explore in the afternoons during spring and summer. There is also the Buckeye Trail, which will get you through Lake Tappan, Clendening and Piedmont.