Mountain bike riding is a great sport and a fun time activity. In the United States alone, 40 million people are reported to participate in mountain biking annually. Mountain biking is one of the best adventures you can try in your lifetime. Besides the obvious health benefits of mountain biking, it is an exhilarating and tough sport that tests your endurance, coordination, strength, and many more.
You don’t even need to be in the mountains to enjoy mountain biking; there are many different ways to do it. The trails range from calm, leisurely rides along wide, flowing logging roads to exhilarating trials on difficult single-track. We’ll go over the basics of what to expect before your first ride in this article, including an overview of the benefits of mountain biking and the best places to ride the mountain bike.
If you are interested in learning more about the adventure and thrill of mountain biking, read on.
Benefits of Mountain Biking
1. Mountain biking helps you feel better mentally
Needless to say, exercise is very beneficial to our mental health aside from our physical health. Studies have proven that any form of aerobic exercise is guaranteed to reduce anxiety and depression. Mountain biking is a great form of aerobic exercise, and it can help your mental health in a number of ways. Since mountain biking is an active form of exercise, it can help reverse low mood and depression. Moreover, it can function as a first aid in lowering stress and anxiety. It can help you feel better, have more energy, and sleep better. Spending time on the trails can improve your mood if you’re dealing with mental health problems.
2. Mountain biking can help you connect with nature
Spending time in nature has been shown to have numerous positive effects on mental health and overall happiness, so if you’re looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, spending time on the trails can be a great way to do it. Additionally, if you live in an area with stunning scenery, mountain biking is a great way to appreciate the natural world.
3. Mountain biking can be a great family activity
Are you trying to find more time to spend with your family? You may actually get mountain bikes for everyone. The main activity that brings family together is likely mountain biking. Your family could go on mountain biking trips, go on local trail rides together, eat after rides, talk about bikes, and so much more! Thus, mountain biking can be one of the great activates you can spend with your family.
4. Mountain biking can help you lose weight or maintain a healthy weight
Mountain biking is a great exercise if you want to lose some weight. Bike riding for 30 minutes at a moderate speed can burn about 300 calories. Of course, the amount of calories you burn while biking will vary depending on a variety of factors, including your current weight, your level of intensity, and the terrain. However, mountain biking can still assist you in maintaining a healthy weight even if you are not trying to lose weight. Maintaining a healthy weight is crucial for your overall health because obesity has been linked to a number of chronic illnesses, including type 2 diabetes, heart disease, and stroke.
5. Mountain biking helps improve your confidence.
Riding a mountain bike down a single-track trail makes you feel cool and confident, regardless of your fitness level or skill level. The improved self-esteem in life, work, relationships, your body, and so much more often results from this confidence! In order to boost your self-esteem and confidence, hop on a mountain bike and go for a ride. Mountain biking is a fantastic activity for keeping fit, taking in the scenery, and hanging out with friends and family. If you want to unwind, mountain biking is another excellent option. Why then do you still hold back? Take to the trails right away and begin your explorations!
Knowing the Best Mountain Bike Destinations
What then distinguishes a top mountain biking destination? It takes much more than just having a lot of trails to be a great mountain biking destination. Mountain bike destinations, as opposed to places we ride simply because we’re visiting some peers or family, are places that riders specifically seek out for riding.
It’s a tall order for sure, and developing a top destination takes years, if it ever happens at all, which makes these picks all the more special and rare. Mountain bikers also expect a variety of trail experiences when visiting a top destination, and not every day needs to be a park day.
Some Great Places to Ride Mountain Bikes
1. Moab, Utah
Moab is a solid choice for the top mountain biking destination in the US, and what’s amazing is how long it’s held that position. Given the harsh desert environment and the fact that many of the most well-traveled trails can be difficult for novice and young riders, it is all the more amazing.
Nevertheless, a trip to Moab has long been a staple of the culture of mountain biking. We go there to ride the newest bikes on some of the most challenging trails. Although Moab only has a small number of truly beginner-friendly trails, riders can access a wide range of trails in the area, from flowy to slabby and technical, and from forested high alpine single-track to expansive desert trails. There are numerous options for camping and sightseeing because it is surrounded by vast and beautiful public lands.
New trail developments and improvements are ongoing, making Moab a place that’s worth visiting repeatedly. The Moab economy clearly revolves around outdoor recreation, and some of the most fierce and dedicated mountain bike advocates call Moab home.
2. Sedona
It took some time for mountain bikers to realize Sedona is among the best places in the US to ride, but now it’s common knowledge. It has grown to be a must-ride destination for both novice and expert riders due to its stunning scenery and some of the best early-season weather.
The Verde Valley Cyclist Coalition is actively involved in supporting trail maintenance and new trail builds, as well as helping staff the unofficial start of the US mountain bike season, the Sedona Bike Festival. Sedona also offers riders and their families a wide variety of places to stay and eat, from down home to chiche.
3. Park City
Riding a mountain bike in Park City is like booking a week at an all-inclusive resort; you really don’t have to think about where you’re going to ride, how you’re going to get your bike to the trailhead, or where you’ll eat and sleep. Everything is accessible pretty much right in town, with hotels, restaurants, bike rentals, and even trailheads seemingly around every corner. There are plenty of options for beginners to experts, and the lift-served terrain has a few black- and double-black-diamond rated trails even though Park City isn’t known for technical trail riding. Mountain biking is best enjoyed in Park City during the summer, when there are high alpine and forested trails to escape the heat. There are many things to do and see in Park City after a day of mountain biking, making it one of the more family-friendly mountain biking destinations.
4. Grand Valley
The Grand Valley and Moab are two of the best places to go mountain biking, so their proximity almost seems unfair. It turns out that’s not a coincidence, as the Grand Valley and its neighbor to the southwest have similar topographic and geopolitical features. In addition, it is rumored that a friendly rivalry inspired local mountain bikers in Fruita and Grand Junction to build trails decades ago to compete with those of their neighbors. Mountain bikers looking for riding in the desert that ranges from fun and fast to technical and demanding now frequently travel to the Grand Valley in western Colorado. The newest trail, the Palisade Plunge, is encouraging many riders to make additional trips there.
5. Crested Butte
Another well-known mountain bike destination is Crested Butte, which has attracted riders virtually since the beginning of the sport. The remote mountain town has a vibe that makes you want to park your van and stay forever, and the summertime alpine scenery is fantastic. Many find appeal in the seemingly endless natural single-track that leads out of town, while others prefer the lift-served Evolution Bike Park with its abundance of difficult features and steep trails. Camping on public lands outside of town is an option for visitors, or they can upgrade to resort-style lodging in Mount Crested Butte. After a long day of riding, the small, neighborhood restaurants make the compact downtown area a fun place to hang out.
6. Pisgah, North Carolina
Pisgah is renowned for its difficult trails, much like Moab. The recent opening of the Old Fort Gateway trails, which are located east of Asheville, is just one example of the new beginner- and family-friendly trails that are changing this reputation. In Pisgah, visitors can explore miles of singletrack that ranges from flowy and enjoyable to physically and technically challenging. Pisgah is more broadly defined than some of the other places on this list, including both trails in the National Forest and well-liked riding locations like Dupont State Forest and Bent Creek. There are numerous camping and lodging options, whether you start your trip in Brevard, Asheville, or Mills River. Don’t even get us started on the breweries; it would be simple to skip the biking entirely and plan a trip around visiting them all.
Conclusion
Mountain biking doesn’t require mountains. Any off-road riding will provide you with a healthy dose of exercise, fresh air, and—if there are hills or mountains nearby—the thrill of beautiful scenery and long downhill stretches.
While mountain biking has innumerable benefits, it is important to note that you have to prepare for the road and equip yourself first with the basic guidelines before you hit the trails.