So, you are going mountain biking, huh?

Though the summer months can be a little too hot to mountain bike in comfortably, it still remains a great time to hop on a bike and embark on an adventure. You’ll probably be in the woods anyhow, so at least you will have the comfort of the shade and it will be a little cooler than just going on an open road bike ride.

There are a few things you should remember to bring along when you go on your trip. First and foremost, do not forget a helmet. Helmets are the most important accessory when you are bike riding, especially when you are speeding through all of those trees. Another form of protection is gloves. If you crash, your hands are probably going to be the first thing to come down on the ground. The other thing is that you’ll probably have a hard grip on your handlebars if you are a beginner– so that will help from rubbing your hands raw.

The next thing to think about is your clothing. Biking shorts can prevent you from chafing, and they are more comfortable to ride in than normal shorts. Shoes are also a must. Choose your shoes depending on your pedal. Check out this article for a reference to “clipless pedals”. Wearing comfortable shoes and shoes that fit you feet are completely necessary for a comfortable bike ride. Try to buy shoes with a stiffer sole. Some sort of eye protection is also recommended. Whether it’s for the sun or against the branches that may come out of nowhere, your eyesight is important.

You should also always have something to hydrate yourself with and a snack to give you some energy along the way. Drink water before, after, and at the end of your bike ride. You may want to think about getting a Camelback or something that will allow you to drink as you go. It’s easy to forget to drink, and it’s easy to become dehydrated without realizing it, so make sure you keep up with it along the way.

Last, but not least, definitely bring along a repair kit. Imagine getting halfway up a mountain and realizing that you have a flat tire. Do you quit and go down? Or do you ditch the bike and finish by foot? Always have a patch kit for fixing flats, an extra tube in case your tube is un-repairable, tire levers, and a mini-pump.