Book excerpt: In this fun, friendly primer, The Mountain Bike Experience, Dave King, acknowledged as a mountain biking "guru" by Sports Illustrated, opens the sport to everyone--young or old, athletic or not. Along the way, you'll discover how to keep fit, enjoy the great outdoors, and even change your outlook on life's everyday challenges. With an approach the New York Times dubbed "Zen and the art of mountain biking," King has helped thousands of riders discover the sport, as founder and former director of the Mount Snow Mountain Bike Center in Vermont. Now King shares the total experience of mountain biking, with a special focus on the emotional and spiritual rewards the sport can offer--both on and off the trail. After all, says King, "mountain biking is not a series of obstacles, but a succession of opportunities. Attitude, not ability, sets your limits." Comprehensive in scope, The Mountain Bike Experience covers: Conquering fear and embracing challenges Skills and techniques for all levels and all types of terrain Basic bike maintenance, including "Dave's 10-Step Program to Keep Your Bike in Top Running Condition" Trail selection and navigation Safety, repairs, training and conditioning Buying your first mountain bike and the gear to go with it Exploring and protecting the natural environment In addition, a handy appendix lists a variety of sources--including nonprofit organizations, bike tour companies, publications, and online resources--to aid in the further pursuit of mountain biking. Hit the trail with Dave King and discover the thrilling world of off-road riding.