This is one of the most exciting activities that you can enjoy, and if you have the fitness to keep those wheels turning for hours every day, you can ride through different types of terrain and scenery. Whether your preference is for downhill mountain biking, cross country, or a little blend of both, it is possible to choose a route that will give you an amazing experience over several days. There are many different factors to bear in mind when it comes to planning your trip, but mountain biking can be a varied, interesting and rewarding way to see a different perspective on a destination that most people won't get to see.


 

Choosing Your Destination

The right mountain biking destination will vary depending on your own tastes and your budget, with Colorado a great destination for those who love cross country and downhill mountain biking, while Ecuador offers several different areas where you can ride around volcanoes. Looking at different parts of the world, you can also find some wonderful routes in stunning natural surroundings in New Zealand, while Scotland is famous for its wealth of exhilarating downhill. Look for somewhere that will offer the type of trip you want, and remember that you don't have to travel huge distances to get some amazing thrills.

 

Several Single Stages Or Long Distance Route?

Downhill riders will usually find that they get the best value from doing several single stages, mainly because their bikes are not necessarily designed for the uphill sections. The benefit of choosing to ride single stages is that you can base yourself in one town or city and ride different highlights in the area each day, while the comfort of going back to a hotel is also a big plus point.

Planning a longer excursion into the countryside means you will sometimes need to stay in back country huts or shape your stages around the small amount of accommodation available, but for those who like camping the long distance routes in the wilderness can be amazingly rewarding.

 

Preparing Your Bike For The Trip

It is important to make sure that you have given your bike a good service before you head out on your adventure, and making sure that everything is oiled and running freely is the first step in making sure the bike is ready. Test the brakes and the gears, and make sure that the tires have plenty of tread to keep you on the trail, while it is also worth making sure that the forks and the suspension on the bike are also in good working order.

 

Supplies And Equipment

What you choose to carry will largely depend on how long you are traveling for, and whether or not you are camping or carrying all your gear with you. Either way, it is very important that you have enough food and water each day, and if you are on a multi-day trip, having a water filter or purification tablets should also be on your list, as not all water sources will be safe to drink. If you are camping or traveling between different accommodation each night, you may want to take a set of panniers, but make sure you keep your waterproofs towards the top of the luggage, as they will often be needed at short notice.

 

Safety And Transport For The Trip

Make sure you leave your travel plans with someone else, so that if you do get injured and stuck on the trail then somebody will know where to check for you. If you are really heading out into the wilderness, you can't always depend on getting cell phone signal, so you may want to consider taking an emergency beacon too. On a more basic level, a good first aid kit can also be very useful, with measures for cuts and grazes alongside the usual parts of the kit. Many areas will have transport that can take you to and from the trail head, so if you are likely to be tired at the end, it is often worth getting a lift back to your accommodation, and it will rarely be very expensive.