College of Central FloridaThe Thrill of ATV RidingRobin ShilstonePersonal Wellness, HLP 1081Professor Steve AbbruzziApril 8, 2014Have you ever felt the thrill of mountain biking? You start pedaling and off you go for a mountain bike nature trail. At first, when you start pedaling up the first hill, your legs start to burn like there's no tomorrow. But all of a sudden you reach that hill and you gain the confidence that you can do it. The next hill is bigger and you have to remember to change gears while pedaling harder. “Mountain biking is not a series of obstacles, but a succession of opportunities. Every rock, every log, every hill offers an opportunity to improve your skills and broaden your experience” (King and Kaminer 145). Aerobic fitness is an added benefit to the mountain biker because it increases lung capacity and heart size. The benefit of aerobic fitness gives the mountain biker stamina and stamina. Mountain biking is a great sport that builds stamina, endurance and aerobic fitness, but safety needs come first. Additionally, mountain biking safety comes first, and having the right equipment goes hand in hand with safety. The mountain biker must have a bike of suitable size to escape chronic pain associated with mountain biking. There are many mountain bikes to choose from, and it depends on your budget. “Mountain biking is a great sport but it can also be dangerous, which is why we always recommend wearing a helmet” (BikeRadar pars 5). The helmet should fit well and not block your vision. Another safety tip is to wear gloves with your fingers extending about an inch beyond the gloves. Gloves will protect you in case you...... middle of paper...... and again. Each hill successfully climbed as well as each log and rock crossed gives the rider more confidence in his or her ability to achieve other goals in life. The thrill of mountain biking creates opportunities to excel, and triumphs outweigh failures. Additionally, an added benefit of mountain biking is aerobic fitness which increases the flow of oxygen to the muscles and vital organs of the body. The physically fit person has the advantage of being stronger, as well as having endurance and flexibility. Page cited: King, David and Michael Kaminer. The MTB Experience: a complete introduction to the joys of off-road driving. New York: Henry Holt, 1996.KindleSchnofield, Ruth. “Beginner's Guide to Mountain Biking, Part 1.” Bikeradar.com. the canvas. October 23 2009. .