The season has truly begun. The days are longer, the trails are passable again, and the elevation gain begins again. After the first few laps, however, many bikers find themselves in the same situation: their legs are working well, but at a certain point, the lights go out. Breath becomes shorter, energy levels drop, and most importantly, when you finally reach the top... you're not ready to ride.
This is where the most common problem in MTB touring arises: it is not so much a question of strength or pure training, but of how to manage effort during the outing.
Starting too fast: the most common mistake
Often, we start out with too much enthusiasm. The first few minutes fly by, we maintain a brisk pace almost without realizing it, perhaps following someone slightly more fit, or simply getting carried away by the desire to push.
But the body records everything. Even if you're not clearly struggling, you're already accumulating fatigue that will take its toll sooner or later.
Finding the right rhythm (and maintaining it)
The key is learning to recognize the right pace. On long rides, what really works is an intensity you might call "conversational": you breathe evenly, you can speak without slurring your sentences, you feel like you're working hard but without being at your limit.
It's a simple sensation, but one that's often ignored. However, when your breathing becomes shallow and you start to "pull," you're already going beyond what you can sustain.
Managing this aspect completely changes the experience. It doesn't mean going slowly, but rather distributing your energy better, avoiding those peaks that seem harmless at first but become burdensome after an hour or two of pedaling.
⚠️ Mistakes to avoid on long MTB rides
- Start strong in the first few minutes to "warm up"
- Follow the pace of others even when it is too high
- Ignore shortness of breath on the first climbs
- Never slow down, not even on cycleable sections
- Arriving at the top already completely tired
These are all signs that you are expending more energy than you can afford.
The most underrated moment: the top of the climb
Another crucial step is what happens at the top of the climb. There's a sort of automaticity: you arrive, you're happy to have finished the effort, and you immediately start downhill again.
It's actually one of the most delicate moments of the whole release.
When you reach the top, your body is still "set" for the climb: high breathing, active leg muscles, and a often stiff upper body. If you immediately start downhill like this, you'll end up with tired arms, slower reaction times, and less precise steering.
Two minutes that completely change the descent
It really only takes a few minutes to completely change this situation. Stop for a moment, let your breath sink, move your hips, loosen your shoulders and arms.
It's not a real workout, but a small reactivation that allows the body to switch from climbing mode to driving mode.
It's a subtle difference, but you notice it right away when you try it.
Drive smoothly to get less tired
Many people think that downhill fatigue is solely due to the difficulty of the terrain, but in reality it's often linked to how you ride. A stiff ride, involving constant braking and contractions, is much more tiring than a smooth ride.
Being fluid means letting the bike do the work, looking ahead, and avoiding "fighting" with the terrain every few meters. It also means learning to relax your arms at the right times, not always gripping the handlebars tightly, and using your body more naturally. The two minutes I mentioned in the previous paragraph also go precisely in this direction: helping you find greater ease and control.
But there's another fundamental aspect. Just as when you want to learn to ski, you rely on an instructor to teach you the basics and guide you as you progress, even when riding mountain bikes—powered or electric—the support of a professional is essential. An expert guide can help you get on the saddle, adjust the bike, and manage your riding in the various situations you may encounter on the terrain.
It's not about pushing harder, but managing better
In the end, the concept is simple but often counterintuitive: in MTB, especially in excursions, the winner is not the one who pushes harder, but the one who arrives at key points with energy and clarity.
If you can manage your pace on the climbs, take those two minutes to reset before the descent and make the ride smoother, the way you ride changes completely.
You get less tired, have more fun and, most importantly, have more control when it really matters.
We'll go into more detail in future articles, but applying these concepts on your next ride can make a huge difference.
