Have you ever met someone who lives and breathes bikes? Like, they can’t go a day without getting on one, and every trip they plan involves biking somehow? That’s our best friends, Shota and Shelby. So when it came to why I wanted to try mountain biking… let’s just say it was (loving) peer pressure, haha.
And for someone who already loves being outside, mountain biking quickly became another fun way to connect with the outdoors!
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Table of Contents
Trying Mountain Biking For the First Time
Before we get into it, one thing to know: mountain biking is an expensive hobby. I wasn’t ready to invest in a bunch of gear before even trying it, so I signed up for a beginner mountain biking class for women. I learned a ton in just one afternoon – and had so much fun!
By that time, my husband had already bought a mountain bike, and I didn’t want to miss out on the fun. So I got my own bike, lovingly named Mango.
I’ll be honest – I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with mountain biking. It’s physically challenging, sometimes a little scary, but it’s also SO fun. It forces me to be present, trust my body, and feel connected to the trail.
Whenever someone says they’re even slightly interested in mountain biking, I tell them: try it! If you can, take a class or find a local women’s riding group. Riding with friends is truly the best part.
It’s been three years since that first class. Since then, I’ve gone on dozens of rides around Arizona and even tried bikepacking! I often get questions about the gear I use, so now that you know a bit about my journey, here’s what I ride with as a beginner mountain biker.
Beginner Mountain Biking Gear
Protective Gear
You can’t skip the gear that keeps you safe! When I asked my mountain bike instructor what gear I really needed, she said:
“Prepare for what you’re scared of. If you’re scared of bashing your teeth, get a full-face helmet. If you’re scared of falling, get elbow and knee pads.”
That mindset stuck with me – and I now apply it to every outdoor activity I do. Now I’m not the best about protective gear, but I always wear these essentials:
- Helmet: I use the Giro Fixture Mips II Bike Helmet for everyday rides and the Giro Switchblade MIPS Helmet if I want full-face protection.
- Eyewear: Your regular sunglasses can work in a pinch, but I highly recommend getting a pair with more protection. I love the Radke Performance Sunglasses from Wildhorne Outfitter.
- Gloves: The Wild Rye Galena Gel Bike Gloves help keep my hands grippy and protected from the sun.
Clothing
The number one thing? Padded bike shorts aka a chamois. I haven’t found my perfect pair yet – still on the hunt for ones with big enough pockets for my phone. A friend recommended trying a bib (like this one), and I’ll update this blog once I find one I love!
For tops, I usually wear something thrifted or my favorite sun hoodie. If it’s going to be cold, I like to layer up with my Patagonia Nano Puff Vest.
Mountain bike shoes have flat, stiff soles that help keep your feet on the pedals. I scored my Five Ten Trailcross Mountain Bike Shoes on super sale a couple of years ago they have been great! If you don’t have bike shoes, an old pair of vans or converse works in a pinch!
Packs
When I go on longer rides, I like to bring a backpack with enough room for a hydration bladder, extra snacks, a bike multitool, layers, the ten essentials, etc. I like to use my Gregory Nano 18 H2O Hydration Pack. My husband prefers his fanny-pack-style hydration bag from DAKINE.
If I’m on a shorter ride and won’t need more than the water bottle in my bike bottle cage, I’ll use a fanny pack to hold my phone, snacks, spf, etc. I rotate between this 1-liter bag from Gregory and this little Patagnoia belt bag.
My Mountain Bike(s)
Buying a mountain bike is a big investment – especially a full-suspension one like mine. I highly recommend renting or borrowing a bike first if you can. Local outdoor stores may also offer beginner classes.
- My first bike: the 2022 Scott Spark 970. It’s light, playful, and handles tough terrain like a champ. It’s also really cute – always a bonus! This is the bike I took bikepacking (more on that below) and I wouldn’t change a thing about my setup.
- My e-bike: I tried an e-mountain bike a year and a half into my journey and was instantly hooked. I now have and love the Co-op Cycles DRT e3.1 Electric Mountain Bike. It’s a full-suspension pedal-assist e-bike and an absolute joy to ride.
Isn’t an e-mountain bike cheating? Not at all! Pedal-assist means you still have to work – just with a little help. My e-bike weighs 55 pounds, so riding it up and over rocky trails is still a workout. Plus, I can go 3x further, which means more time outside!
Mountain biking isn’t a competition for me – it’s about fun and freedom. You can’t cheat that! As long as e-bikers are respectful on the trails, I love seeing more people out enjoying the great outdoors.
Bikepacking Setup
Remember the friends who got us into mountain biking? They also inspired us to go bikepacking – a mix of backpacking and biking. We did our first overnight trip in Tonto National Forest this year and had such a blast that we’re already planning more!
That said… bikepacking is pricey. Lightweight bags and gear for two bikes added up quickly. Thankfully, we found deals through REI Re/Supply and borrowed a few items from friends.
Here’s what I packed:
- Seat Bag: The Revelate Designs Spinelock 16L Seat Bag carried my sleeping pad, clothes and towel with my Tevas and camp mug clipped to the outside.
- Handlebar Harness: The Revelate Designs Handlebar Harness fit my foam sleeping pad and sleeping bag.
- Frame Bag: The REI Co-op Link Frame Bag fit my food, cooking gear, and anything else I needed!
Dom used the same bikepacking setup but with the Revelate Designs Spinelock 10L Seat Bag.
The only thing I’d like to add to my bikepacking setup is a top tube bag! But same issue with the bike shorts – I’ve yet to find one that can fit my massive iPhone, haha.
Where I Ride In Arizona
Over the past few years, I’ve explored a bunch of mountain bike trails across Arizona – from smooth desert singletrack to rocky, technical climbs.
Before you explore these trails yourself, I highly recommend checking them out on MTB Project or Trailforks! These sites are like Alltrails but for biking – you can find routes, read recent trail reports and see difficulty ratings.
With that – here are a few of my favorite mountain bike trails in Arizona:
- Papago Park (Phoenix/Tempe): Riding around the buttes at Papago is great beginner-friendly loop if you’re just getting started! It’s not too technical, has one mellow climb, and is super accessible if you are in the city. Psst! I have a whole blog post sharing my favorite trails at Papago Park!
- South Mountain (Phoenix): The Desert Classic trail is the easiest and least technical route in South Mountain. It’s fun and flowy and for that reason, it’s crowded! Good news is the Pima Canyon trailhead has plenty of parking, bathrooms and water.
- Sedona: No matter where you ride, the views are incredible! Sedona has a reputation for being technical (which is true), but there are a few more mellow trails if you’re still learning. I really liked riding Slim Shady Trail and around Bell Rock. Note – a majority of Sedona trails are not open to e-bikes.
- The Arizona Trail (Flagstaff): I love riding Aspen Corner to FR 418 on the Arizona Trail! It’s a smooth and flowy singletrack with some of the best views in the state!
14 Short + Easy Hikes In Sedona | 2023 Hiking Guide
The Ten Essentials For Hiking (+ some extras)
Beginner-Friendly Backpacking Kitchen Gear Guide
Final Thoughts
Mountain biking has made me stronger, more confident, and given me some of my favorite outdoor memories. If you’ve been thinking about trying it – consider this your sign!
Looking for more tips? I put together this video with beginner-friendly advice and encouragement to help you get started.
See you on the trail!
