With summer now being well and truly upon us, many mountain bikers might think about hanging up their helmets for a few months until the weather cools down. Even though riding in the summer months does come with its challenges, it also has a heap of benefits, which should be taken full advantage of! So, before you decide to put your bike away for a few months, check out our top 5 reasons why you should carry on mountain biking this summer.
Long summer days, warm evenings and a lot less mud, what’s not to like? Mountain biking is a great sport, particularly in the summer months, which many people don’t seem to realise. Plenty of road cyclists take to the trails in the winter months to keep their trusty road bikes from getting ruined by the harsh winter conditions. Only to then store their mountain bikes away for months on end when the sun comes out! By doing this you really are missing out on the benefits that mountain biking can bring the warmer months, so below we have listed 5 reasons why you should keep tearing up the trails this summer.
1 - Summer rides are a perfect time to focus on technique rather than speed
Let’s face it, no one is keen to be setting PBs in 30º heat (well we certainly aren’t!). So, ditch Strava and use your summer rides to focus on your basic skills and techniques. By reducing your speed, it allows you to focus more on cornering, braking, turning and your descending skills. It also gives you the opportunity to practice some fancy tricks, so you can show off to your mates on your future rides.
Going slow might not give you the adrenaline rush you are looking for when it comes to mountain biking, but it will help improve your technique, so that you can have faster and safer rides when the weather turns cooler.
2 - Riding in the sun helps with conditioning and endurance
Sun and scenery, the perfect combo!
It’s hard to see the positives of sweating buckets whilst riding on a hot summer’s day. But by riding on a regular basis in the heat you will soon reap the rewards when the weather begins to cool. By conditioning your body to riding in the heat, which we all know can be pretty challenging, when the winter months arrive and your body doesn’t have to work as hard during your rides, you should notice some increases in your average riding speed. You will probably also find yourself climbing hills a lot easier and just feel generally fitter in yourself.
So, when you hit the trails in the winter months after a long summer of hot rides, you will be sure to be the fittest of all your friends who decided to hang up their wheels in order to relax in the sun.
3 - There’s a lot less mud!
Less cleaning required in the summer!
We all love a good muddy ride every now and then, but the work that comes after these rides can be off putting. You spend hours cleaning what seems like endless amounts of mud from your bike, clothes, shoes and everywhere else. The joy of riding in the summer is that the trails are dry and smooth, making it easy to have a hassle-free ride and really tear up the tracks. And of course, our favourite part is that there is a lot less cleaning needed, meaning more time in the saddle.
4 - Longer days means more time to ride and get out in the wild
Summer equals longer daylight and more opportunities to get out on the trails
The long summer days provide you with plenty of opportunities to get out and ride. You can ride early in the morning, avoiding the heat of the day, whilst enjoying the sun rise over the trail, or ride in the evening as the setting sun bathes the woods in orange and red. You can even ride in the afternoon if you can find a trail in the forest with plenty of shade.
The warm sun, amazing colours and bustling wildlife make the summer months a great time for a breath-taking ride and a way to escape the stresses of daily life. You can even take some lunch with you and enjoy a picnic surrounded by nature, as this will give you time to rest during your ride and give you more chance to enjoy the outdoors.
5 - The beer after tastes better in the sun!
A post-ride beer in the sun tastes SO much sweeter!
The best friend of many a mountain biker or road cyclist, a nice refreshing beer after a long ride and, as we all know, that beer always tastes better when you’re sitting in the sun with your face and legs covered in dust!
We really hope we have convinced you to keep out on your mountain bike this summer. With some more benefits of staying in the saddle, it really is in our opinion one of the best activities for a summer’s day. Let us know what you love about riding in the warmer months, road cycling or mountain biking? We would love to hear from you!
