- So if you're new to mountain biking
something like this up behind me
could be very intimidating,
bike park jumps and downhill do look pretty fierce
and if you're new to the sport
you might be thinking it's not for you.
But hang on a second, a bike park like this,
and this is Whistler, one of the best bike parks
in the world, can be the breeding ground of champions
and your place to learn all the new skills
you need to enjoy that.
You can do it!
Honest!
- What to wear, right.
Before even entering a bike park,
you wanna have the correct riding gear.
So I'm gonna kick off with a pair of riding shorts
and a long sleeve jersey, just like that,
to protect all your skin, but if you haven't got
a budget to buy a rad jersey just like that one
and a pair of riding shorts,
a good pair of jeans and a long sleeve t-shirt
is gonna cover up all that bare skin from the elements.
Right, having the right pair of shoes is key.
You wanna closed pair of shoes,
you don't wanna go out there in
a pair of flip flops, sandals or plimsolls,
you wanna have a good, strong boot to protect your feet
because they're the closest thing to the ground
and you don't wanna knock a toe off out there.
Knee pads and elbow pads, these are key,
because this is quite a common area
for scratches when you crash,
and cuts and bruises and all that.
These are gonna help protect those
contact points in a crash.
Next up, gloves.
I recommend full finger gloves
because this is gonna help you give you secure grip
on those handlebars, especially when you get sweaty palms
when you're descending something for the first time.
Plus, it's gonna give you little bit more grip
on those levers for braking.
Right, the helmet, this is mandatory,
and I highly recommend wearing one at all times.
Also, the full face helmet.
I recommend this one a lot more than an open face one
cuz this is gonna provide a lot more protection out there.
What are you gonna protect your eyes with?
What I recommend a good pair of goggles.
This is gonna keep all the dust out,
all the elements out of the eyes
when you're following your mates out there
and keep a good vision of the trail coming up.
Full body armour and neck brace are optional extras
giving you more support around your neck,
shoulders, chest and back.
Right, I recommend two types of bikes,
an all-mountain bike and a downhill bike.
Both these bikes are super capable for taking on
all of those aggressive trails
that this bike park has to offer.
I wouldn't recommend coming into this park
with a cross country bike,
they're not suitable for all that aggressiveness
and it won't be safe.
Like the downhill bike, specifically designed
for descending, not ascending, you don't wanna
peddle this heavy machine up a hill
because it's not built for that,
it's built for technical terrain, free-ride,
and all of those gnarly downhill descents.
The all mountain bike, a full suspension rig,
with a bit more of an upright riding position
but given the ability to descend, yet ascend when needed.
These bikes are more then capable for what
a bike park, such like this one, can offer.
- If you bring your own bike to the park to ride,
then make sure you've done a full look over bike.
Make sure it's well maintained
and everything is in working order.
I would recommend that after every ride
you wash your bike and lube up the parts
that need lubricating.
I would also just go through with a few tools,
just nipping up some of the bolts on your bike
just to make sure that nothing has worked it's way loose.
Whether it's your first time in the park
or your millionth, it's important to ride smart.
Take it easy to start with and build yourself up.
Don't go crazy on your first run,
keep it chilled and progress from there.
Remember you aren't the only one in the bike park,
be smart and don't stop in the middle of the trail.
If you're slower than a rider behind you,
then give way and let them passed at a safe point.
The same goes if you're faster than the guy in front,
let them know you're behind and pass when it's safe.
At a bike park like this,
it's a great opportunity to get some coaching
from one of the guides.
Now whether you're brand new to the sport
or you've got some years of experience,
never underestimate what one of these coaches
could do for your riding.
They know so much about moving your ability
onto the next level, but also about the bike park itself.
Which trails will be right for you, what will be safe,
but also enjoyable so you can maximise your experience
here at the bike park.
Never underestimate how much one of these coaches
could move you one and improve your riding.
- So there you go, there's a beginner's guide
to how to ride a bike park, and be safe our there.
I absolutely love them.
I love riding it all day, every day,
'til the last lift, 'til I'm tired, but being it safe.
But if you wanna know, what is a bike park?
Click just down here
and click over here for five skills
to master a bike park.
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