Sometimes, it may be too easy to experience discouragement, in dirt biking, when you encounter so many other racers who seem light years beyond your capabilities. Like any other activity, it’s important to never dwell too much on the surrounding folks, and figure out how to get in your zone and build confidence.
While this takes substantial time and effort, we’ll show you the basic components, pointing you in the right direction for long-term riding success.
Start Well with Proper Gear
Always make sure you aren’t heading onto trails and racing courses with subpar equipment. There’s a lot to cover here, which we’ve explored in previous posts, but no credible rider would be found without a dependable bike (obviously), helmet, goggles, gloves, and neck protector. From there, be sure also to equip acceptable boots, riding jersey, and never forget that your bike, like your car, needs plenty of gas.
Baby Steps; Start Slowly
Many riders are in too much of a hurry to do massive vertical jumps or compete with pros on Enduro races. It’s way smarter to approach this hobby through incrementalism. Learn how to ride your bike in clear, flat areas first. Explore the different gears, and master smooth shifting with the clutch. Then work your way into simple drills. If you approach all this by progressively intensifying the difficulty and duration, then you’ll get to intermediate and advanced riding in no time.
Consider a League Membership
Even though you should resist the urge to compare yourself to other riders, we recommend the value of dirt-bike-riding camaraderie. We can’t understate the utility of partnering with a reputable racing league, one with lots of regular participation. Fortunately, there are several available. On our website, you’ll find about 10 that are well worth your consideration, depending on your location, skill level, riding preferences, and so forth. This is a terrific way to get to know people and learn from several seasoned veterans in dirt biking.
Know How to Handle Failures
Every rider experiences a crash at some point, perhaps several times. The first thing you should do, if you crash, is remain calm and take a break (seek first aid or medical attention if necessary). After regaining composure, retrace your steps and figure out where you went wrong. Be aware that it may not have even been your fault since random road hazards can knock down even the best of us. Finally, it never hurts to ride in a group or with at least one trusted best friend. That’s because they can help you regroup and won’t hassle you over shortcomings.
Need More Help? Consult the Pros at Colorado DirtBike Info!
As you were reading this, did any particular riding issues spring to mind? If so, then bring your questions and concerns to the resident experts.
After all, we don’t call ourselves Colorado DirtBike Info for nothing. Our mission is to furnish all the relevant information and resources for beginner, intermediate, and expert racers around the Rocky Mountain region. So, whenever you need help with something specific, drop us a line anytime for prompt support.
