Master the South Downs Trails: Your Guide to a Smooth Mountain Bike Adventure
Planning Your Ride:
- Plan Your Route: Komoot is a great app for planning rides, calculating distance and elevation, and offering GPS-style route guidance. However, double-check your route on an Ordnance Survey (OS) map to ensure you stick to Bridleways, as Komoot may occasionally include footpaths.
- Fuel Up: Consider where you can stop for a drink or a bite to eat. We recommend doing this at the two-thirds mark of your ride, as it can be tougher to climb after lunch!
E-MTB Advantages:
- Ride Together: Electric bikes are transforming mountain biking. Similar to a golf handicap, they allow riders of different fitness levels to enjoy the trails together.
Trail Etiquette:
- Be Courteous: Always ride on the left and slow down significantly for walkers and especially horses.
- Leave No Trace: Use a proper bike water bottle. Plastic water bottles will bounce out of your bottle cage and litter the trail.
Preparation is Key:
- Be Prepared for Punctures: Pack a puncture repair kit and a quick-link chain tool (and learn how to use them!).
- Beware of Slippery Surfaces: Watch out for chalk, especially when wet, as it's as slippery as soap (but fortunately, easy to spot).
- Protect Yourself: Always wear a helmet! Consider knee, elbow and wrist protectors and wearing long leggings, even in summer, for protection against ticks and nettles. Carry a small First Aid kit.
Riding Tips:
- Shifting Gears: If you reach the bottom of a climb in a high gear after descending, don't force your gears and risk breaking the chain. Shift down before tackling the climb.
Explore the South Downs:
- Unforgettable Trails: The South Downs boasts a fantastic network of spectacular trails accessible to anyone with moderate fitness who can ride a bike. Make the most of this incredible area with Southern eBike Rentals!
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