What it means to be a beginner biker in 2025
This year I am enthused about mountain biking for some reason. I was a road cyclist over 20 years ago. My bike from that time is gathering dust.
Meanwhile my BMX bike and medium-old (15 yrs old) mountain bike are getting lots of use.
My old biking days
Before I started college in 2000, I was a regular biker. I rode a scrappy old used mountain bike to work, a little motorbike to school, and still had my high school racing bike available.
Fast forward a decade.
My mountain bike is from roughly 2010, a Devinci Cameleon. It has shock forks and 21 speeds. It fit me great and didn’t break the bank. I bought in to the dirt lifestyle. I am doing so again since late 2024.
This bike has sat unused after I unfortunately was hit by (another) car and broke my arms and some of my legs (again).
I took it out last summer now and then when local lakes had algae issues and I couldn’t go paddling so easily. Standup paddleboarding was (and is) my main after-work activity besides blogging.
This year already I’ve had my good old bike out several times. It still works great. It’s just outdated.
I’ve lost weight and gained muscle. That’s partially due to the BMX bike as well, which is solely used on pavement.
The parks and people
Part of what rekindled my interest in bikes is the often vivid memories that pop into my head about “boonie bashing” with my BMX bike as a child and teen.
I realized my city has many skateboard parks where BMX bikers go. I could become one of them? I may be 50 but I look young.
Then late last summer. 2024, I noticed a few old guys on BMX bikes at the pump tracks. I also noticed girls on mountain bikes – that wasn’t really a thing when I was a teenager. Bikes were for boys. Dirt was definitely still for boys at that time.
Since my dad’s house is in a wooded area and close to our local regional trail system, I started riding the mountain bike out there and l never looked back. I can ride while Dad walks, or I go ahead without him and meet up as he’s walking home from a nearby park.
We never did that when I was younger. Ever. I think my mom (passed in 2023) is along for the ride as well.
The gear and shops
We have a lot of bike shops in my area! Most of the old shops are gone, and in their place we have independent and social shops that together provide a lot of choices and opinions.
The bikes are quite different than 10 or 20 years ago. They are more sophisticated and can be expensive.
I think there’s a minimum quality level to aim for. You’ll benefit from a shock fork for sure, to reduce fatigue. Rear suspension isn’t necessary but is enjoyed by a lot of people who do aggressive riding on rugged trails.
Many people like me ride with some padding at knees and elbows. I’d prefer to have a roost or chest protector but I’m still shopping because the local stores don’t sell them in adult sizes. I would never go offroad motorbiking without full gear, so I can’t imagine mountain biking much longer without the chest protector. I have every other delicate part padded now, including my butt.
Helmets are a personal matter. Do wear one, for sure. I have a skateboard multi-purpose type myself, but don’t limit your thinking to any particular type if you’re in need of a bike-capable helmet.
Head down to your local stores to see what’s on the market. Try the helmets on until you find a brand and style that fits you and suits the type of riding you’ll do.
The attitude
The attitude locally is very welcoming, at least in my area. I’m on Vancouver Island which is blanketed with forestry lands, coastlines, and lots of hills for road cyclists and mountain bikers alike.
I live in the city of Victoria at the southern tip. I’ve also travelled into the mountains and long highway passages throughout the island, right to the northern town of Port Hardy. Everywhere in between, you’ll find mountain bikers, skiiers, surfers, kayakers, and so much more.
‘Up island’ as we say (anywhere north of Victoria), you’ll find quaint and welcoming folks. Even in the big city here, you’ll find friendly men and women young and old on their bikes. I see grey-haired BMXers as much as I see mud-covered teen girls on mountain bikes.
We won’t get into the spandex or road cycling crowds in this post. They’re often very friendly too, but the scene on road was very cliquey in the 1980s and 1990s in my experienced opinion.
Basic steps for beginner or returning bikers
I have a few tips if you are joining or returning to biking this year.
First, look at your current gear
If your existing bike and riding gear is not feeling right, no longer fits you, or looks outdated, by all means go to a local shop and ask for some advice. Take the old stuff with you if possible.
Ask about their top 1 or 2 recommendations for upgrades.
Gear may not age gracefully
The shorts and gloves and helmets of a decade ago are probably not worth salvaging. If you experience any discomfort, try one new thing and see if it helps. Even the gloves I got ten years ago are not as comfy, protective, and stylish as those I bought this year.
About shoes for biking
Consider investing in bike shoes. I’m not sure what the clipless options are nowadays because I don’t use them on any of my bikes.
Ask your local stores for advice about clipless vs. standard pedals that work well for the type of trail riding you intend to do.
Mine are platform or standard pedals, with metal pins (screws actually) that protrude and grasp my bike shoes. It seems to work. More about that in a future post.
Use it or lose it, applied to mountain bike gear
Finally, if you have some existing gear, use it up. Get some experience with it so that you can at least know what you don’t like about it. It will help narrow down your future purchases.
Gear for mountain bikers starting from scratch
If you don’t have existing gear, try to find a rental shop or borrow a bike that fits you. You’ll find lots of advice in a Google search for bike fit, and other gear concerns.
Finally, just get out there!
Have fun and safe riding, everyone!
I’ll discuss my old and new mountain bike gear in a future post.
Heidi
