Downhill biking can look intimidating and intense if you have never mountain biked before. It’s not all extreme stunts and speeds, as long as you are comfortable riding a bike on trails, you can enjoy downhill mountain biking. But it's important to prepare yourself for this new adventure, here are some tips and tricks to make your day as awesome as possible.

COVER UP FROM HEAD TO TOE:

Weather, obstacles, or crashes can wreck a day pretty fast if you are not properly geared up!  Protect your body and your day with these recommended protective gear designed for your ride out at Tabor Mountain.

• Helmet (Mandatory) – A helmet is required for all riders in the bike park. We strongly recommend a full-face helmet
• Goggles – Goggles can protect your eyes from branches and the elements, keep your vision clear and your eyes safe with the different styles availalbe
• Elbow, Knee and Shin Pads – Provide protection from cuts, scrapes, and any impact to these parts of your body that are most common to be injured in a crash.
• Closed-Toe Shoes – Shoes with a durable toe box and high ankle support are important to manage the rough terrain and impact.
• Long Sleeved Shirt and Shorts – Cover up with the proper clothing to limit the amount of bare skin showing.
• Full Finger Gloves – Use these to keep your hands on your bars with secure grip on your brakes. Your hands are typically are first to support you in a crash so you want them covered up.
• Body Armour – Optional for anyone who wants extra protection for your back and chest.
• Neck Brace – Optional for anyone who wants extra neck support which typically is needed when hitting large jumps and drops.

• NOT ANY OLD MOUNTAIN BIKE WILL DO.

  Riding the Bike Park requires a different type of mountain bike than you might be used to. Mountain bikes with full suspension with the right geometry and components for downhill riding will make your day in the park safer and fun. You must have a mountain bike with disk brakes to ride at Tabor Mountain.

• Downhill – Downhill specific bikes are intended for all levels of riders who want to enjoy the most out of the Bike Park.  A full suspension, downhill specific bike  handles the Bike Park’s technical and free-ride terrain the best and is specifically designed for descending, not ascending.  We recommend this type of bike for any level of rider in the bike park.
• All-Mountain – All-mountain bikes combine full suspension in the front and rear with a more upright design allowing riders to descent yet ascend when needed.  At the minimum, bike park riders should have an all-mountain, full-suspension bike, which is best suited for beginner and intermediate terrain.  Please note, uphill riding is not permitted in the bike park.
• Cross-Country (Not Recommended) – Cross-country bikes generally have less suspension than most mountain bikes, making them ideal for pedaling long distances. Cross-country bikes are not recommended in the bike park.

It is important to keep your bike tuned up by qualified bike mechanics. Trust in your bike is the first step to the best riding. 

• THERE IS MORE TO KNOW THAN YOU THINK.

  Whether it’s your first time in the park or it’s your first lap, it’s important to ride smart. Slow down before you speed up because crashes can happen often on your first lap. Ride a trail multiple times to get familiar with the features and equipment first so you can confidently push your limits without pushing your threshold. 

• Pre-Ride -Warm up the brain and body and inspect the trail at low speed.

• Re-Ride – Lap a trail a few times and get to know the flow of the features.

• Free-Ride  – Start small and work your way up to faster speeds and larger features.

 

All trails within the Bike Park are designated by colour coded markers at the start of each descent. Work your way up to more advanced trails and features based on your progression, skill, and comfort level. A description of the colour markers can be found here.