Since I wasn’t ready to fully commit to buying gear (before I knew if I even liked the sport), I rented a mountain bike and helmet. I also borrowed padded bike shorts and gloves from a friend (thank goodness—the padding makes a big difference). I was not the best-dressed biker, but I felt prepared, safe, and excited, rather than under-equipped.
Wanting to build a solid foundation before heading into the hills, I signed up for a beginner mountain biking lesson through White Pine Touring in Park City. Let me be clear - I know how to ride a bike. But pedaling, balancing, and maneuvering on a bike over dirt and rocks between trees and bushes is a far cry from the beach cruising I did in my younger years. I’m so glad I started on the right foot with a lesson. My instructor, Delaney, was patient and knowledgeable, and helped ease the intimidation factor that comes with trying a new sport.
After a quick helmet check and bike fitting (which took a total of 15 minutes), we began with the fundamentals: braking, body positioning, cornering, bike-body separation, and shifting gears. While I have experience on a road bike, mountain biking is an entirely different animal.
Braking, for example, isn’t just about slowing down—it’s about doing it in a way that keeps you balanced and in control on dirt and gravel. I learned that the front and rear brakes behave very differently and are used in different situations. Delaney demonstrated that using only the rear brakes will slow me down, but likely won't stop me completely. On the other hand, the front brake is more powerful, so if I used it aggressively or in the wrong situation, I could end up flipping over the handlebars. As a beginner, Delaney suggested I gently use both brakes at the same time for all my slowing and stopping.
Body positioning was a huge eye-opener. On a road bike, your posture stays relatively static. But on a mountain bike, your body is in constant motion—leaning forward for climbs, dropping your heels on descents, and keeping your elbows out for control. Delaney had me focus on my active and neutral stances on the bike. When the terrain was relatively flat, I was able to be more upright with my arms and legs straighter. However, being in an active (or ready) position with my arms bent and torso lower / closer to the handlebars helped me navigate more technical sections and turns.
Learning bike-body separation was a bit more difficult; I had to get comfortable with the idea that my bike could move underneath me without throwing me off. It’s exactly what it sounds like – the bike is learning at a steeper angle as you initiate and execute a turn, but your body stays in a more upright position. (NOTE: for this skill, we talked a lot about the similarities to skiing and angulation.)
Cornering and gear shifting felt familiar but required new finesse. On dirt trails, turns are tighter and more technical, and shifting has to happen quickly as the terrain constantly changes. Most mountain bikes have 10 to 12 gears, and I found I was shifting between gears as often as every few seconds.
I took the new skills I learned to Round Valley, a scenic network of trails just outside Park City, which is perfect for beginners. With its gentle climbs, flowing descents, and wide-open views, it was the ideal place to put theory into practice without feeling overwhelmed. The trails are well-marked, the vibe is low-key, and the terrain offers just enough challenge to keep things interesting. I also learned trail etiquette, with the biggest takeaway being that downhill riders must yield to others going uphill (which makes sense, as it's way harder to gain momentum going uphill). Putting all of these new skills together was humbling, exciting, and empowering all at once.
By the end of the ride, I was smiling ear to ear. For me, the challenge of learning something new is such an amazing feeling. The photos confirmed how focused, present, and in the moment I was. This experience gave me a fresh appreciation for Utah’s landscape. I’m already looking forward to my next ride.
