Mountain biking

Mountain biking demands a state of total immersion and peak performance. This off-road cycling on rugged terrain involves tackling steep climbs, rapid descents, and winding forest paths. Riders must remain hyper-aware and focused, making split-second decisions to navigate trail changes and obstacles.

This is your brain on mountain biking:

1. Fear modulation: As you move into a state of flow, your amygdala's activity decreases, keeping you calm and focused, even when facing the trail's toughest sections [1]. 

2. Loss of self: When riding, the activity in your prefrontal cortex diminishes, enabling your instincts (basal ganglia and cerebellum) to take over motor control functions [2]. This shift allows for more fluid and automatic movements, enhancing your ability to respond quickly to the terrain.

3. Timelessness: Mountain biking can alter your perception of time, making it feel as though time slows down or speeds up. This altered time perception allows you to react to obstacles with greater precision and agility [3].

Get started:

1. Choose a mountain bike. Hardtail bikes can be preferable for beginners due to their lower cost and lighter weight.  Bikes start at around $600.

2. Get safety gear, including a helmet, gloves, and knee pads.

3. Join local skill clinics to meet other riders and improve technique.

4. Start on local beginner trails and gradually progress to more advanced routes.