Learning how to ride up and downhills correctly is an important component of mountain riding. Stay seated and lean forward into the slope when going uphill. Standing on the road gives you greater pedal power, but it can also lead you to spin off on mud. Maintain your buttocks in the seat. If you want to go fast, jump on your footplates and blast away! As far as equipment goes, this is what you need: a good quality mountain bike, helmet, gloves, boots, and pants/shorts. A good quality bicycle is essential; otherwise, you won't be able to withstand the forces involved while still having full control of the situation. A helmet is necessary for protection against falling objects and your own mistakes. Gloves are useful if you plan to use your hands to steer or brake. Mountain bikes can be dangerous; thus, wearing protective clothing is recommended. Pants/shorts are useful if you want to show off your muscles or not wear underwear. Finally, shoes are important because they provide traction on surfaces such as grass or gravel. You can get by with less equipment, but it's better to have too much than not enough. There are two ways to ride a mountain bike: freestyle and trail riding. Both involve using your skills to navigate through obstacles such as jumps, drops, and rocks. Freestyle riding is done at parks or other areas where there are no trails. The main goal is to have fun and enjoy yourself.