Mountain Biking on the North Downs. Peter Edwards

preference dictated in part by the kind of riding you do.

      Helmet

      The vast majority of mountain bikers wear a helmet, with very good reason. The nature of the activity means that taking a tumble is a likelihood at some point. If this happens when you are travelling downhill at speed you are at risk of serious harm. As well as injuries such as broken bones and serious gashes, a blow to the head can be fatal or cause permanent disability or paralysis. A helmet may not prevent such serious injuries in some cases, but in others it might.

      Body armour

      Some areas of the North Downs – the Surrey Hills in particular – are popular venues for downhilling and free riding, highly technical riding that involves negotiating jumps and various obstacles – both natural and those made by ‘trail builders’ – preferably at high speed. Unsurprisingly, enthusiasts often wear full-face helmets, neck braces and body armour, again, with good reason.

      Body armour is cumbersome and unnecessary for the less death-defying activity of cross country (or XC, as some style it) mountain biking, but if you like to take on a few jumps here and there, then shin, knee and elbow pads should be considered.

      Full face helmet and body armour on Holmbury Hill – a sensible choice for downhilling enthusiasts (Route 6)

      First aid kit

      Anecdotal evidence suggests that a majority of mountain bikers do not carry a first aid kit with them. Granted that a first aid kit is not much use if you break a collarbone – a not uncommon injury among mountain bikers, but there are plenty of occasions where a dressing, antiseptic wipes and painkillers can be very useful. Downland chalk is full of hard and sharp flints that can cause nasty gashes. All the more reason to wear a helmet.

      Eyewear

      Many riders wear sunglasses to reduce glare on bright days, but also as protection from mud, debris and flying insects – especially on fast descents. There are many bike-specific sunglasses on the market, some of which have interchangeable lenses with different colours for different light conditions. Downhillers and free riders sometimes wear ski goggles.

      Clothing

      There is no shortage of biking-specific clothing on the market and specialised off-road gear comprises a significant part of this. With the funds and inclination, many hundreds of pounds can be spent on equipping yourself for off-road riding and for dedicated enthusiasts it may constitute money well spent. However, there are some essentials worth considering even for infrequent mountain bikers. Wickable base layers, underwear, mid-layers and top layers can make what is often a sweaty activity much more comfortable. Stopping for a breather in a sweat-drenched cotton top is asking for trouble even in a light breeze. Shorts or wickable undershorts with a padded seat ensure a more comfortable relationship with your saddle, especially on longer rides.

      Biking-specific waterproofs are designed for a close fit and freedom of movement so as to avoid drag or getting caught up in your bike’s moving parts. Waterproofs should be a ‘breathable’ material, such as Gore-Tex.

      Many mountain bikers use the Shimano Pedalling Dynamics (SPD) system with shoes that clip onto the pedal using cleats, which provides greater stability and makes pedalling more efficient by engaging the ‘backstroke’. Whether using SPDs, ‘platform’ pedals or other systems, waterproof overshoes or waterproof socks can be useful in wet conditions.

      Gloves improve grip on your handlebars, keep your hands warm in winter and provide protection when you fall off.

      All kitted out in Gorsehill Wood (Route 20)

Tools and maintenance

      Whatever choices you make about the type of bike you ride, the more use it gets the more maintenance it will require. However expensive or inexpensive your bike, it needs to be looked after. Off-road riding can take it out of a bike, especially in wet and muddy conditions. It is important to keep your bike at least reasonably clean and keep its moving parts lubricated. A well-maintained bike performs better and its components will last longer.

      In dry periods during the summer months, many paths on the North Downs develop a thick layer of fine chalk or earth dust; loose, dry sand is also a feature in some areas. Combined with ordinary chain oil, dust and sand produce a highly effective grinding paste that will punish your bike’s drive-train. Wet sand (a problem after substantial rainfall) has the same effect. Using a ‘dry’ teflon chain lubricant reduces this phenomenon.

      Learning the basics of bike maintenance and equipping yourself with elementary tools is a good idea. You should carry a small tool-kit and pump with you while out riding and, at the very least, be able to repair a puncture, fix a broken chain and adjust your brakes and gears when necessary. A basic tool-kit including a puncture repair kit, spare inner tubes, tyre levers, allen key set, spoke key and chain link extractor can be carried in a saddlepack or backpack.

Navigation

      Many walkers and cyclists now use GPS (global positioning system) for navigation: a number of biking-specific GPS are now on the market. A GPS can make navigation easy and accurate and dispense with the need to carry maps. On the down side, they are not cheap and they are not infallible. For those without a GPS, a map and compass are just as useful for mountain bikers in unfamiliar territory as they are for walkers, although very few of the former seem to carry compasses. Although waymarking on the North Downs is extensive, it is still possible to lose your way – especially in wooded areas, and a compass can help prevent you heading miles off course.

      Holmbury Hill, one of the many wooded hills in Surrey and Kent, where good navigation is all the more important (Routes 5 and 6)

Hydration

      Always make sure you have plenty of water with you especially during the summer and on longer rides. Many mountain bikers use hydration packs – a water reservoir with a drinking tube, usually with two or three litres’ capacity, carried in a purpose-designed, small backpack. Hydration packs allow you to carry more water than water bottles carried in frame-mounted bottle cages – which are more popular with road cyclists – that can easily be dislodged when riding off-road. Be sure to be adequately hydrated before setting off on your ride.

      MTB-specific backpacks, which are designed to carry water reservoirs, come in various capacities and are usually designed to carry the essentials (tools, pump, waterproofs, snacks, mobile phone, first aid kit, map) in internal pockets. They are also designed for a comfortable and stable fit for riding. If you are thinking about acquiring one, consider how much capacity you will need for the kind of riding you do.

Food

      Carry enough food and/or make certain you can buy some food en route. If your energy levels dip when riding it is difficult to maintain output on an empty tank. When walking, hunger can be ignored to a certain extent, but mountain bikers and road cyclists are prey to the phenomenon of gnawing pangs that will not go away, which is known in some parts as ‘bonking’. It makes sense to carry lightweight, high-energy foods such as flapjacks, trail mix, ‘hi-energy’ bars and bananas – although try not to take a tumble if carrying the latter.

      Fuel stop in Peaslake, Surrey Hills (Route 6)

Rights of way and other users

      Mountain bikers have ‘right of way’ on bridleways, permissive bridleways, byways, green lanes and some white roads. This gives you the right to share the way with other users; nonetheless, you should always give way to walkers and horse riders. Do not approach walkers or horse riders at speed from behind or in front. When approaching from behind, slow right down and announce your presence with a ‘hello’ so as not