Get Ready With Me: Mountain Biking Edition

Summer is just around the corner her in Park City, which means it’s time to dust off your mountain bike, check in with the Mountain Trails Foundation for trail status, and get back in the saddle! I always find that the first few rides of the year feel a little bit clunky. Whether it’s remembering where my helmet is, what to wear, how many snacks to bring, or just how challenging those first climbs can be—it always feels like a bit of an uphill battle.

Drawing on years spent living in mountain towns and personal experiences with on-trail mechanical failures, mid-ride energy crashes, freezing in unexpected snow storms, and dehydration, I am here to help your early-season preparation and gear up for mountain biking in Park City. Below is my routine for everything from quick rides to high-alpine adventures—covering what I wear, what I pack, and how I fuel my rides.

The Basics:

There are some things that I make sure to wear every single ride, regardless of how extreme or mellow the ride is going to be. My non-negotiable biking essentials include:

• Moisture-wicking clothing: You always want something lightweight, breathable, moisture-wicking, and ideally with some sun protection. I usually wear a Stio kit head to toe. Check out a bike shop in Park City for their bike wear recommendations!
• Chamois or boy shorts: In my opinion, wearing a chamois is really a personal choice. There are reasons to use one and reasons to forgo them, but either way, using chamois cream or some sort of friction-reducing layer will pay off with multiple days of riding.
• Long socks: Anytime I have tried to wear short socks on rides, somehow rocks find their way up to my ankles to give me little unnecessary nicks. I highly recommend wearing high socks because they offer protection at your ankles when wearing shorts and are moisture-wicking.
• Gloves: The three main reasons to wear gloves while riding are 1) to improve the ability to maintain grip even with sweaty palms, and 2) to cushion the palm where the median nerve runs to reduce the risk of hand numbness while riding, and 3) to reduce the risk of cutting your hands on trees/branches when riding by. There are a lot of brands out there, so I recommend stopping at a bike shop in Park City where employees can help you make the best choice for you! 

• Helmet: Wearing a helmet while mountain biking is the most important choice you can make for safety while riding. I recommend getting a new helmet every 2-3 years as the effects of heat, UV exposure, and impacts on the helmet can reduce its ability to protect you in a fall.
• Glasses: I never go on a bike ride without sport-specific sunglasses. Our eyes need protection from the elements, such as wind, dirt, and UV, while riding. Using sport-specific glasses also helps keep your glasses from getting foggy while climbing, allowing you to see everything coming towards you. Many brands also use photochromic lenses in their higher-end models, which are nice to have when riding in and out of Park City’s amazing aspen groves.
• Mountain bike-specific shoes: Mountain bike-specific shoes provide more stiffness through the sole and a specific lug pattern and rubber that grips flat pedals. While helpful, I think this is less of a necessary investment unless you plan on riding a lot.
• Pack: Either a hip pack or a backpack is essential for carrying tools, extra layers, and snacks. Packs come in a ton of different sizes and configurations for short and long rides or depending on how much water you need to carry. Check in with a salesperson at a bike shop to discuss your riding style and where you want to go before buying!
• Water & Electrolytes: Mountain biking is super fun, but it can be strenuous! It’s important to bring along the proper amount of water to stay hydrated. I usually bring 2 water bottles with me, one with just water and the other with water + electrolytes. Depending on the length of your ride you can choose if you want to use electrolytes with added carbohydrates for fuel.
• Snacks: The general rule of thumb is to eat some form of quick-acting carbs every 30-60 minutes while riding. For more help planning snacks while riding, check out my interview with registered dietitian Lucy Mower.
• Tools:
  • Multi-tool
  • CO₂ cartridge + inflator or mini pump
  • Spare tube or tire plugs
  • Chapstick + sunscreen

All these items and more can be found in one of the many bike shops in Park City! 

What to Pack for Short, Medium, and Long Mountain Bike Rides

Short Ride (1-2 Hours)

Perfect for: Quick laps in Round Valley, Bob’s Basin, or Lost Prospector.

What To Wear:

• Clothing: Bike shorts, short-sleeved shirt, socks, and mountain bike-specific gloves and shoes.
• Helmet & Glasses: For shorter rides, I always go with a half-shell helmet and sport-specific glasses.
• Layers: Check the forecast and plan extra layers accordingly. This is a great ride to stuff a small wind shell into your pack just in case temperatures fluctuate or an unexpected storm hits.

What to Pack:

• Water bottle: If it’s not too hot, just bring one bottle with water in it. If it’s over 80 degrees, I typically will put electrolytes in it to compensate for minerals lost via sweat.
• Tools: Multi-tool, Tire plugs, CO2 or hand pump, small first aid kit.
• Snacks: Gummies (try cinnamon bears, they’re very popular in Utah), bars, or gels all work great for a fast carbohydrate pick-me-up.
• Phone, ID, trail map downloaded onto phone using Gaia, Trail Forks, or MTB Project apps.

Medium Ride (2–4 Hours)

Perfect for: Mid Mountain Trail, Armstrong, Flying Dog.

What To Wear:

• Clothing: Bike shorts or pants, short-sleeved or long-sleeved shirt, crew socks. Mountain bike-specific gloves and shoes.
• Helmet & Glasses: Half-shell helmet is comfortable for this length of cross-country rides, and sport-specific glasses with extra lenses just in case the conditions change.
• Layers: Check the forecast and plan extra layers accordingly. If there is any chance of a storm, bringing a packable rain jacket, which is a little bit burlier than a wind shell, is typically a good idea.

What to Pack:

• Water bottle: Either two water bottles or 1-2 liters in a hydration bladder. Make sure to put electrolytes in one of the bottles if you are carrying two.
• Tools: Multi-tool, Tire plugs, CO2 or hand pump, medium first aid kit, headlamp or bike light.
• Snacks: Gummies, bars, or gels all work great for a fast carbohydrate pick-me-up.

Long Ride (>4 Hours)

Perfect for: Armstrong to Wasatch Crest Loop, Bike Park days at Park City Mountain

What To Wear:

• Clothing: Bike pants, long-sleeved shirt, knee pads for bike park, crew socks. Mountain bike-specific gloves and shoes.
• Helmet & Glasses: Half-shell helmet for cross-country rides and full-faced helmet with goggles for bike park days.
• Layers: Check the forecast and plan extra layers accordingly. Bring a packable, thicker rain jacket if there is a chance of getting stuck in a storm far from the trailhead, and extra warm layers if riding in the spring or fall.

What to Pack:

• Water bottle: Either two water bottles or 2-3 liters in a hydration bladder. Make sure to put electrolytes in one of the bottles if you are carrying two. Utah has a very dry climate, and if you are prone to dehydration or sweating a lot, look into getting salt tablets to have along your ride.
• Tools: Multi-tool, Tire plugs, CO2 or hand pump, medium first aid kit, headlamp or bike light if you’re riding at night.
• Snacks: Bring more gummies, bars, or gels than you think you will need; it’s always better to finish the ride with extra snacks than to run out while on the trail.

Remember to always bring your phone, ID, credit card, trail map downloaded onto phone using Gaia, TrailForks, or MTB Project apps on any length ride!

Packing It All Up

Prepping for mountain biking can be tricky the first few rides of the season. Whether you are new to the sport or coming back after a long winter off, use this checklist to help you organize your thoughts and be prepared to make the most of your ride on Park City’s famous trails!

More Adventures in Park City

Check Out Singletrack Etiquette and Safety for Hiking and Biking

Pre-season Cardio and Strength Training for Mountain Bikers

Learn More about Mountain Biking in Park City