Backroad Trail Riding in Europe: Tips and Tricks

Gather around, fellow mountain bikers because, today, we’re going to share with you the secrets of the trail. Mountain bikes are nothing without mountains, and the same can be said for ‘backroadless’ mountains. Still wondering where your adventure will take you this summer? Well, wonder no more, because we will show you the best Europe has to offer in terms of backroad trails. Of course, our article would be for naught if we don’t share some stuff from our trail-blazing experience.

How to Prepare for a Backroad Trail Riding Tour Like a Pro

We know that you know what to bring along for the ride. However, it doesn’t hurt to go over the basic stuff.  First of all, make certain that your mountain bike is in tiptop shape – check the brakes, the handlebar, and get some grease on that chain.

The second thing to keep in mind is clothing. Yes, make sure to dress appropriately for you European backroad trail riding tour. Don’t bring only summer clothes because the weather can be very unpredictable.

Gear-wise, an extra pair of gloves is a must because you never know what’s on the other side of the trail. High-quality gloves give you a great grip and prevent your hands from sweating and sliding off the handlebar. More than that, the extra torque applied on the handles when going up the hill could wear out the gloves. So, go ahead and throw in an extra pair just to be on the safe side.

Now, with these things out of the way, we should really talk about your upcoming European backroad trail adventure.

Tips, Hack, Tricks, and Places to Be

Now, if you’re ready and willing to go through with this, then waste no time, because the dirt trail waits for you. To have the perfect backroad trail riding tour, you should keep a couple of things in mind.

1.      Lower your saddle

There’s a nice and not-so-cozy mountain bike circuit in Southern Italy. We really enjoyed it because it mostly went downhill. However, no matter how nice this circuit might have been, our derrieres really took a beating. The best way to counter this, regardless if you’re going uphill or downhill, is to adjust your bike’s saddle. More specifically, you should lower it an inch or two. That way, it will be easier to raise the fork when avoiding potholes and it won’t feel that uncomfortable.

2.      Watch your road

This one time, our mountain biking adventures took us through the untamed Connemara National Park, one of Ireland’s most beautiful reservations. To say that the view was breathtaking would be an understatement. That’s when we’ve learned that letting yourself get distracted is the worst thing you can do while mountain biking. We know that it’s tempting to look at the trees, rocks or other natural landmarks, but that’s exactly what you shouldn’t do because that’s how accidents happen. And you don’t want to spoil your vacation just because you couldn’t keep those peepers on the trail.

3.      Know how to work those gears

Of course, shifting gears is what they teach you in mountain bike boot camp. However, it’s one thing to ride your bike in the city or to another one, and an entirely different thing when you’re on the trail. For instance, England has some of the finest backroad trails, but the mud alone is more than one could bear. So, to avoid making yourself look like you’ve spent the night in a pigsty, adjust the gears beforehand to compensate for the road’s elevation. For this, we recommend shifting into low gear.

4.      Tire Pressure

We know that every bike rider wants to pump as much air as they can into those tires to make sure that nothing happens on the road. Now, if you’re more of a city man or woman, keeping the tire pressure between 30 and 40 psi is enough. However, when you’re on the trail, it would be for the best not to put too much air into those tires. The best way to make sure that the tires are trail-ready is to test them with your finger. If you’re able to insert your thumb into the bike’s tire, then everything’s peachy.

5.       Check and recheck everything before you go

The purpose of the whole trip is to go on an adventure. Still, that doesn’t mean you should fly in blindly. Before hitting the trail, you should definitely spend some time to research it. Check out forums, articles, Google reviews, anything that could help you get a better idea of what lies ahead. Maybe you’ll discover that you’ll need to bring along some extra tool for a particular circuit.

6.      Learning curve

The best piece of advice we’ve received from bike-savvy riders was to take it easy. So, if someone with more experience tells you that the backroad you’re on is dangerous, then do yourself a world of good and head back. We didn’t say that you should back off each time something difficult pops up. Definitely not! But don’t be that type of person that takes unnecessary risks just for the thrills.

7.      Raising fork and pushing

To overcome obstacles such as rocks, potholes or major differences in road elevation, the best approach is to raise the fork by pushing. We know that it sounds a little off, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll be doing it without realizing. Really helped us when we’ve had to deal with Northern Ireland’s rocky terrain.

Conclusion

To sum up, everything, backroad trail riding in Europe if you’re mindful of the things we’ve talked about. Don’t forget about gloves, tires, and shifting gears. How the journey ends or begins is entirely up to you. Take tons of pictures and share your amazing experiences with your friends and family.

We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.

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