If you are looking for a fun and adventurous hobby that will help you to keep fit and active, then mountain biking could be a great choice for you. As well as learning new skills and getting fit, you also get to spend time outdoors – getting started up in mountain biking is easier than you might think…

Firstly, and most importantly, you need to choose the right bike. As a beginner, you should start off with a mountain bike that has only front suspension. Choose a more affordable bike to start off with – you may even be able to get a good one second hand, so it is worth keeping an eye out. Then, as you grow in confidence and learn more skills, you can upgrade to a full suspension bike which offers more control when on rough terrain and is more comfortable.

In addition to the bike itself, you will also need other equipment – gloves, a helmet and suitable footwear are all essential requirements. Knee and elbow pads are also a good idea as they will give you additional protection.

You also need to think about how you will transport your bike – most cars will not be large enough to transport a bike and all the other equipment; however, a trailer is a great way to move it all around. Buying a trailer is less costly than buying a large van and you can do much of the maintenance yourself – you can get trailer parts online from places like this //autoandtrailer.com/shop/trailer-parts for example.