Don’t Let Age Slow You Down! Master These Mountain Bike Tricks at 40+

Are you in your 40s and looking to level up your mountain biking skills? Whether you’re just starting out or want to push past the early challenges, it’s never too late to master essential bike tricks and build confidence on the trails. In this guide, we’ll take a step-by-step approach to help you progress through key mountain biking techniques, no matter your age!

By the end, you’ll have a clear sense of your progress and be able to confidently assess if you’ve moved beyond the beginner stage, proving that age is no barrier to mastering new skills!

Guide to Elevating Your Mountain Bike Trick Progression

Mastering Basic Mountain Bike Riding Skills

• Balance and Control: Developing strong balance and control is essential for navigating technical terrain. In your 40s, focusing on body weight shifting, riding in a straight line, and smooth turns will improve stability and reaction time. Proper pedal cadence is also important for maintaining efficiency and preventing fatigue..
• Braking Techniques: Learning effective braking techniques is crucial for staying safe, especially during descents and turns. Master the art of brake modulation, understanding when to use both front and rear brakes to control speed without skidding. Transitioning from two-finger to one-finger braking will give you more precision and reduce strain, making for a smoother ride on challenging trails.
• Pedal Techniques: Developing proper pedaling techniques becomes even more important in your 40s, as it directly impacts bike handling, power transfer, and overall riding efficiency. Mastering key skills like maintaining proper foot positioning and executing smooth, consistent pedal strokes not only enhances traction and control but also reduces strain on your joints, making your ride more comfortable. Especially on challenging or varied terrain, these techniques will give you the stability and confidence needed to ride longer and more efficiently, allowing you to fully enjoy the trails while protecting your body from unnecessary wear and tear.

Building a strong foundation of basic skills is crucial for progressing in mountain biking, especially in your 40s when safety, efficiency, and enjoyment are key. Focus on mastering balance, control, and pedal cadence by practicing straight-line riding, smooth turns, and brake modulation. Many beginners over-rely on the front brake, which can lead to a loss of control, so it’s important to get comfortable using both brakes in tandem.

Set up a simple obstacle course to practice balance, speed, and control, refining your braking and pedaling techniques as you go. In your 40s, taking the time to perfect these basics will not only improve your performance but also reduce the risk of injury.

While many people breeze through these skills, some may need extra time to get comfortable—especially if they haven’t ridden a bike in years or aren’t particularly active. The key is to enjoy the process. Practice with friends to stay motivated and share a laugh when someone takes a tumble or bumps into another rider. It’s all part of the fun, and it helps make every practice session more rewarding.

For more help, check out our guides on braking, balancing, and pedaling.

Core Tricks to Learn First for Mountain Bike

• Endo: Mastering the endo demonstrates expert control over weight distribution and braking, allowing you to lift the rear wheel while maintaining balance. This skill reflects a deeper understanding of bike dynamics and is essential for clearing obstacles with precision. In your 40s, this technique also helps minimize unnecessary strain by focusing on efficiency and control.
• Trackstand: Achieving a trackstand shows your ability to maintain balance and stability, even at low speeds. This skill is vital for handling technical sections of the trail and indicates a high level of bike control. For riders in their 40s, the trackstand is especially useful for conserving energy and maintaining focus during complex trail features
• Wheelie: Successfully pulling off a wheelie showcases your mastery of bike control and balance, representing a significant step forward in your riding progression. Beyond adding style, this trick improves overall bike handling. In your 40s, mastering the wheelie can make you feel more confident while riding and enhances your ability to tackle more technical sections of the trail.

Core tricks like wheelies and bunny hops are essential for developing bike handling skills, especially when navigating trail features like roots, rocks, and small drops. Start with trackstands, a simple yet valuable skill for assessing trail features and choosing lines. Practice endos by gently braking with the front brake while shifting your weight forward. For wheelies, focus on lifting the front wheel while pedaling.

Attempting these tricks without mastering balance and braking can result in falls or awkward movements, so be sure you’re comfortable with basic riding first. Find a flat area to practice endos and wheelies in short bursts, gradually increasing duration as you build confidence and become more familiar with your weight shifts and the bike’s response.

For more tips, check out our guides on endos, wheelies, and trackstands.

Next trick for Progressive Learning in mountain bike

• Bunny Hops: Mastering bunny hops is a key milestone for riders in their 40s, as it showcases advanced control, timing, and coordination. The ability to lift both wheels off the ground simultaneously is essential for clearing obstacles like rocks, roots, and small drops on the trail. Bunny hops not only help you navigate challenging terrain with ease but also lay the groundwork for more advanced jumping techniques. At this stage, honing this skill improves your confidence and reduces the physical strain of constantly navigating rough trails.
• Manuals: Achieving manuals reflects significant progression in your balance and bike handling skills, as you keep the front wheel elevated without pedaling. This trick enhances overall efficiency by allowing you to maintain momentum and control through technical sections without sacrificing speed. In your 40s, mastering manuals helps you conserve energy, navigate obstacles more effectively, and improve your agility, making for smoother, more enjoyable rides as you tackle more challenging trails.

Bunny hops and manuals are essential skills for clearing tougher obstacles like large roots and rocks. Once you’re comfortable with the core tricks, progress to bunny hops and manuals by focusing on timing and body movement. However, jumping into advanced tricks too soon can lead to frustration or injury, so it’s important to build a solid foundation first.

Start by setting up small obstacles, like logs or curbs, to practice bunny hops, honing your timing and technique. When you need a break, shift to practicing manuals to help recharge both your mind and body.

Check out our guide on bunny hops and manuals to level up your riding skills.

Jumping Techniques for Mountain Bike

• Jumping: Mastering jumps in your 40s is a major milestone in mountain biking, demonstrating not only your ability to control the bike in the air but also your mastery of takeoffs and landings. Successfully executing jumps requires precision, confidence, and technical proficiency, marking a significant progression from beginner-level skills. At this stage, learning to jump efficiently helps you navigate trails with more flow while reducing impact on your body.
• Table Tops: Achieving table tops reflects advanced technical skill and control while airborne. This trick demands precise management of speed, body positioning, and bike handling, showcasing your confidence in executing jumps. For riders in their 40s, mastering table tops allows you to maintain control while reducing the physical strain of landings, promoting smoother and safer rides.
• Whips: Mastering whips highlights a deep understanding of jump dynamics and advanced bike control. This trick involves manipulating the bike’s trajectory while airborne, requiring significant practice and commitment. For riders in their 40s, perfecting whips showcases your ability to ride with style and control, while also emphasizing a progression far beyond the beginner level. These skills not only add flair to your riding but also enhance your overall confidence and agility on the trail.

Jumping is one of the most exhilarating parts of mountain biking, adding a whole new level of excitement and style to your rides. There’s no way to truly describe the thrill of hitting your first big jump off a downhill slope. And when you start adding tricks like whips and table tops, the fun skyrockets—leaving your friends in awe.

Before you start throwing your bike into whips, though, make sure you’re comfortable riding down slopes and building momentum. Start with small jumps, focusing on your body position and timing for takeoff and landing. A common mistake beginners make is looking down during jumps, which throws off balance. Always keep your eyes forward, focusing on where you’re landing!

Find a small ramp or jump and practice repeatedly until the motion feels natural and your technique is solid. Once you’re confident with the basics, you can move on to more advanced jumps.

Check out our guide on jump whips and table tops to elevate your riding skills!

Advanced Tricks for Mountain Bikes

• Tire Grabs: Mastering tire grabs demonstrates refined bike control and the ability to manipulate the bike in the air, showcasing your confidence and skill. This trick requires a deep understanding of jump dynamics and precise body positioning, which are critical in your 40s for maintaining balance and avoiding injury. Successfully executing tire grabs signals a significant progression beyond beginner tricks and adds an extra level of style to your rides.
• One-Handers: Achieving one-handers reflects advanced handling skills and comfort with airtime. Letting go of the handlebars mid-jump requires confidence and balance, showing that you’ve developed strong control over your bike. For riders in their 40s, mastering one-handers highlights your progression and control, allowing you to safely explore more expressive riding techniques.
• Spins: Successfully performing spins indicates high-level coordination, spatial awareness, and bike control. Managing your bike’s rotation while maintaining balance requires an understanding of body mechanics and a commitment to practice. In your 40s, spins are a rewarding challenge that demonstrate not only your technical proficiency but also your ability to adapt to more complex maneuvers as you continue to progress.
• Fakies: Mastering fakies, or riding backward, is a testament to your balance and control. This trick requires precise weight distribution and steering, challenging you to explore more complex riding techniques. In your 40s, successfully executing fakies showcases your advanced skill level and your ability to push past traditional riding boundaries while maintaining control and safety

Trying something new can feel even more daunting as you reach your 40s. Physical tasks often seem to require more effort, and if you’re not staying on top of your fitness, fatigue can set in faster. I still remember my first attempt at riding down a steep slope for a jump—I stood at the top, frozen with doubt. Similarly, we sometimes avoid certain techniques because they seem too difficult. For years, there was one big drop I constantly skipped because it scared me—a series of steep, intimidating drops back to back.

However, once I committed to mastering basic skills, like refining my body position during jumps and drops, my confidence grew. What once seemed terrifying turned into an exciting challenge. Facing my fears and practicing consistently, even though I progressed more slowly than others, helped me build the skills I needed. Core tricks like wheelies and bunny hops eventually gave me the control and confidence to tackle jumps I never would have considered in the past.

In your 40s, mastering these foundational skills is crucial for continued progression in mountain biking. With age, technique becomes even more important, helping you ride efficiently and reducing the risk of injury. By focusing on the basics first, you’ll gain the confidence and skill set to handle more advanced maneuvers. So grab your bike, hit the trails, and start applying these tips on your next ride!

What skills are you currently working on? Feel free to share your thoughts or ask questions in the comments below!