Attach your bike to the lift and off you go.
© Petri Paananen
MTB

10 beginner-friendly tips on how to survive your first day in a bike park

First time in a Bike Park? No worries - we’ve got you covered!
Written by Hanna Jonsson
6 min readPublished on
The bike park season is finally here and riders across the country are jumping up and down with excitement. However, if it's your first time in a bike park you are probably feeling slightly nervous and maybe even a little scared. Chairlifts, equipment, downhill bikes, clothing, trail signs, trail etiquette... how do things actually work in a bike park?
No need to worry, we've got you covered. Here are 10 things to think about when you hit up the bike park for the first time.

1. Make sure you’ve got the right bike

It doesn’t matter if you’re only going to ride the easiest tracks on the hill - having a proper Downhill or Enduro bike is necessary when riding in a bike park. Leave your XC bike at home! Having a bike that is suitable for a bike park will be safer, make you feel more comfortable and it will also be more fun to ride.
If you don't own a mountain bike you can rent one at most bike parks or in certain bike shops. It is always good to pre-book to make sure they have a bike available in your size on the day.
A Downhill bike has a lot more suspension than an XC bike.

A Downhill bike has a lot more suspension than an XC bike.

© Jean-Baptiste Liautard

2. Make sure you’ve got the right safety equipment

Most bike parks require that you wear a full-face helmet in the park. That means that you can't wear your normal "half-face" MTB lid or commuter helmet. If you don't own a full-face helmet, most bike parks have some to rent (together with other necessary safety equipment).
It is also a good idea to wear knee pads, a back protector, goggles and riding gloves and why not throw on some elbow pads while you're at it.
Again, if you're going to rent safety equipment, make sure you pre-book it before heading to the park.
Full face helmets are often mandatory in bike parks.

Full face helmets are often mandatory in bike parks.

© Jan Kasl / Red Bull Content Pool

3. Dress appropriately

As you’ll be riding down trails with plenty of rocks and roots, you'll want to dress as “safe” as possible. Don't rock up in short shorts and a cut-off t-shirt as it won't protect you in the slightest if you crash. But don't wear super baggy clothing either, as it can snag on the bike and actually cause you to crash.
Most riders wear bike specific gear which is made out of sturdy, yet breathable material - knee-length shorts or full-length sports trousers and a long-sleeve jersey.
If you don’t own bike specific shoes, wear a pair of skater sneakers with a grippy sole. Normal running shoes are too soft and don’t provide any support under or around the foot.
Get more detailed MTB clothing tips below:
And why not read up on some bike park style tips too:

4. Ask for help at the lift

It can be both intimidating and confusing taking your bike with you on the lift for the first time. It doesn’t get any easier by the fact that there are several different "hook systems" to put bikes onto chairlifts. On some you rest the saddle on two hooks on the side, on others you roll your front wheel on to a hook on the back of the lift in front and on some you hook your front wheel onto the side of the lift. It is confusing even for an experienced rider!
Attach your bike to the lift and off you go.

Attach your bike to the lift and off you go.

© Petri Paananen

Just ask the lift guard or person behind you for help. Everyone has been a beginner at some point and knows how hard it can be.

5. Start off easy - chose the right coloured trail

Trails are colour-graded for a reason. Green is the easiest, then comes blue, red and finally black. Make sure you go down trails that match your abilities and take it one step at the time. If you are a beginner, keep to the greens and blues. Red and black trails often contain mandatory jumps, drops and technical sections that are not meant for beginners.
Bike park tracks are colour-graded according to difficulty.

Bike park tracks are colour-graded according to difficulty.

© Vallåsen Bike Park

6. Look behind you before dropping in

If you’re a skier you (hopefully) know to look behind you before setting off down a slope so that you don't collide with someone coming down behind you. Well, the same goes for biking - the person standing still has to give way for the person in motion.
If you have stopped at a trailhead (the start of a trail) or somewhere along it make sure to look behind you before setting off again, so that no one is coming behind you at full speed. It can be very dangerous for both you and the other rider if you just suddenly set off.
More bike park "rules" in this article:

7. Make sure to get off the trail when you stop

It is totally okay to stop midway down a trail, but make sure you stop and chill somewhere off the trail when you do so. Otherwise, you will be in the way of other riders coming down and they can potentially crash into you if you are still on the track.
The same goes for when you want to look at a certain jump or technical section before riding it. Make sure you are not standing on the take-off or landing of a jump or in the middle of a technical section. Just stand to the side of the track and you won't be in any ones way.

8. Take a lesson

Taking a MTB lesson can help you become a better, faster and safer rider. Whether you're a beginner or more experienced rider, taking a lesson will teach you a ton of tips and tricks that will help you have more fun on the bike.
Check with the bike park you are heading too to see what kind of courses they offer. It will be worth it!

9. Bring a friend

Everything becomes more fun when you’ve can share the experience with someone. You can learn, laugh and ride together and conquer new trails and features by pushing and inspiring one another. Having fun with your friends is part of what makes MTB so awesome.

10. Have fun!

Bike parks are fun, exciting and make for an awesome day out. So make sure to relax and enjoy the ride!
Everything is better with a friend!

Everything is better with a friend!

© Petri Paananen

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Want to know more about bike parks, how to dress for MTBing or how to act on the trails? Check these articles out: