Mountain Bike Magazine's Complete Guide To Mountain Biking Skills: Expert Tips On Conquering Curves, Corners, Dips, Descents, Hills, Water Hazards, And Other All-Terrain Challenges

If road riding is the arrogant godfather of the cycling world, mountain biking is the fun-loving, black-sheep stepson. The Mountain Bike magazine editors reflect this spirit, tuning their highly accessible guide to both those with dreams of widowmaker descents as well as others just looking for a pleasant Sunday spin on scenic dirt roads. Breaking the sport down into lively yet informative chapters--complete with cartoons and amusing anecdotes--they cover the basics and then some. All technical skills are addressed, including bunny hopping, high-speed cornering, and the terribly elegant nose wheelie. The guide also includes a comprehensive section on cycling fitness and customizing a training program for would-be racers. No one is alienated here, but if you fancy yourself an expert rider, you might want to look elsewhere. This guide is geared more toward the novice whose journey has only just begun. --Ben Tiffany