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Brain power: 5 awesome books every mountain biker should own

The very best mountain bikers know it’s all about the head game.

There’s no replacement for getting out there and cycling the hard yards, but the time you spend away from the trail makes a truly massive impact.

Whether you’re hunting down a thrilling new trail, polishing your technique, or keeping your beloved bike in perfect working order, the right books are a vital part of your mountain biking arsenal.

To feed your love for this fantastic sport – and keep you smashing goals day after day – we’ve pulled together five awesome books that every mountain biker should own.

So let’s crack on…

1. GET INSPIRED

RUSCH TO GLORY: ADVENTURE, RISK & TRIUMPH ON THE PATH LESS TRAVELED – Rebecca Rusch, with Selene Yeager

Rebecca Rusch is a one-woman machine.

From rock climbing and whitewater rafting, to endurance running and top-flight mountain bike racing, the ‘Queen of Pain’ conquered gauntlet after gauntlet in her staggering career as a professional athlete.

But Rusch isn’t superhuman, and her book holds nothing back.

Even when she’s spinning tales from rain-soaked jungles in Borneo, blistering deserts in Morocco and a dead-winter Grand Canyon, Rusch stays brutally honest.

Rusch to Glory takes in her not-so-special beginnings as a ‘scrawny kid’ just looking for a free tracksuit, her struggles with sport, the death of a personal friend and the very toughest of decisions aged 38: retire, or completely reinvent herself on two wheels.

An intoxicating tour through the eyes of one of this generation’s greatest endurance athletes, Rusch to Glory is one hell of a ride.

And it’s guaranteed to set fire to every mountain biker’s aspirations.

Hunting inspiration? Buy it here,

2. GET STARTED

MOUNTAIN BIKING: THE MANUAL – Chris Ball

History, training, technique, fitness, nutrition…this book has it all.

Written by former Scottish champion and professional MTB coach Chris Ball, The Manual crams insights and advice from an amazing team of mountain biking’s greatest heroes.

Among them is the iron-cast legend of men’s downhill, Steve Peat. And, as the 17 times World Cup champion puts it himself:

“From the first timer on a mountain bike to a fully-fledged racing snake, there is knowledge here for all. The Manual will show you the fundamentals, the in-between bits and the moves to make your family proud of you. You will all be better riders for it.”

The Manual covers all that and more. You’ll find hands-on advice and take-home tips for every aspect of mountain biking – every page punctuated with racing wisdom from iconic riders and truly mind blowing photography.

Simply put, The Manual is the ultimate guide to this oh-so addictive sport.

Want to be a better rider? Buy it here.

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3. HONE YOUR TECHNIQUE

MASTERING MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS – Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack

Take the hard-earned experience of multiple world champion Brian Lopes on one hand, add the precision insights of prolific writer and elite coach Lee McCormack, and what do you get?

Possibly the greatest book on mountain biking technique out there.

Whether you’re a fresh new rider looking for confidence and the tools you need to keep up, or a veteran looking to accelerate past the competition, this book has you covered.

In trail, gravity, aggro, racing and a whole host of other areas, Lopes and McCormack break seriously advanced techniques into simple, detailed strategies you can crack on with right away.

Spiced up with Brian’s unforgettable racing tales and some beautifully executed photo sequences, this isn’t one to miss.

Looking to fine tune your biking technique? Buy the 2017 edition here.

4. LEARN TO LOVE BIKE MAINTENANCE

ZINN & THE ART OF MOUNTAIN BIKE MAINTENANCE

Lennard Zinn

There’s a reason this is the world’s best-selling guide to mountain bike maintenance.

Like the title says, Zinn doesn’t see this topic as a painful chore; he sees it as an art. That’s an attitude that makes this exhaustive guide sing!

Covering mountain bikes, hybrids and fat bikes, Zinn’s enthusiasm shines through the pages. From the very basics like fixing a flat tire to advanced overhauls of drivetrains and brakes, there are hundreds of problems solved and hours of biking pain prevented.

The hand-drawn illustrations and diagrams go right down to the fine details of bike maintenance, and you can be sure that this tome is ruthlessly up to date. The sixth edition adds the latest tips on areas like disc-brakes, suspension and electronic shifting systems.

The Art of Mountain Bike Maintenance sets out to give every biker the tools they need to make bike maintenance more than a must-do – a genuine piece of fun.

Want to get smart about bike maintenance? Grab the all-new 2018 edition here.

5. DISCOVER

5. DISCOVER

ALPS MOUNTAIN BIKING FROM AOSTA TO ZERMATT:

THE BEST SINGLETRACK, ENDURO AND DOWNHILL TRAILS IN THE ALPS

Steve Mallett

Whether you’ve already got an Alpine trip in mind, or you’re just looking to ogle some truly beautiful biking backdrops, this is the book for you.

Alps Mountain Biking soaks in all the best-known hotspots in the Western Alps, but the book’s real value is shedding light on some hidden gems.

A local area guide, Mallett offers the inside track on the best routes around. With this book in hand, you’re primed to escape the crowds and use lifts, buses and – of course – hard riding to discover trails that the bulk of bike tourists miss.

It’s not all pure biking though. Mallett also takes the time to build in useful information on accommodation, lifts and travel, with information on pricing and the peak times to visit.

This is a truly brilliant guide to a mountain biking paradise – and the photography is jaw dropping too.

Hungry for fresh discovery? Buy it here.

BRAIN POWER

And there you have it, five awesome books we think every mountain biker should own.

Remember: the books you read shape the rider you’ll become.

So make sure you stay smart with the very best reads around – keep learning, keep improving and keep discovering your own unique biking style.

Whether reading or riding, your style is yours alone. So why not learn a little more about yourself? Take our quiz and find out your mountain biking alter ego.

Rather keep reading? Why not embrace the outdoors, and check out the 5 books all trail runners can benefit from?