by Corban Burns

Created on: March 19, 2010   Last Updated: March 21, 2010

Mountain bikes are known for there fun nature. If you ever rode on a trail with a good mountain bike, you no doubt enjoyed yourself. However, a mountain bike is not only a fun tool for exercising, but is also a dangerous one if not operated properly.

As with any biking activity, you absolutely have to own and wear a good helmet. The possibilities are endless when it comes to accidents. Whether you think it probable or not, you should always protect your head. Even the slightest injury could spell disaster for you if a tumor or concussion developed due to a head injury. However you cannot pick any helmet off the shelf of your local biking store. You need to make sure that the helmet you intend on purchasing fits your needs as well as your head size. For example, if you are on a rough and treacherous terrain, your helmet should be specifically designed for hard impacts. Also, the interior of your helmet should be well padded with shock absorption technology. The less impact felt by you and your brain, the better off you will be. Another good suggestion would be to invest in a slightly more expensive helmet that covers the entire face. This type of helmet provides the maximum amount of protection against all and any accidents to the head.

Another preventive measure to take that can keep you safe is good body armor. Many injuries suffered during a mountain bike trail is falling off the bike a hitting your spine against a boulder or tree. Such a forceful impact can cripple or even kill a mountain biker. So then, in order to stay safe, it would be wise to avoid wearing a T-shirt and pair of shorts. Rather, check some online stores known for carrying good outdoor equipment and invest in the protective gear. The conventional body armor (worn by many motorcyclists to protect them from burns, scrapes, and other damage) is made of a very hard and rigid plastic placed on the outer part of the body armor. The interior is well padded with a special type of foam specifically designed for shock absorption and to reduce the impact of a hard fall and other accidents.

Other areas you should investigate in are the brakes of your bike. Brakes are very important and should be in good working order. When on a trail or when you are just riding throughout the city, your brakes can really come in handy. Squeaky brakes or brakes that don’t respond quickly are not up to par and should quickly be fixed by a bike technician. One day they may save your life.

Remember too to always carry a first aid kit equipped with bandages and hydrogen peroxide. This way if you have minor cut, you can quickly treat it which will eliminate the risk of an infection.

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