Mountain Biking Goals For The New Year

The new year always brings the same question: What do you want your riding to look like this season?

Maybe it is more laps after work, a big adventure ride, your first enduro race, or finally getting comfortable on steeper trails. Goals are only useful if they get you riding more, so this post is built to help you pick a goal that fits your life, then set up your gear and habits so you actually follow through.

Here’s what helps us:

• Pick one primary goal and keep it simple
• Build habits that make riding the default
• Have the right gear that removes friction on trail days
• Plan one trip or event so your season has a target

MTB goals for the new year

If you are stuck or need help, start here. Pick the one that sounds like the most fun, then make it measurable.

Ride more consistently

I think this one is big because at the end of the day, the more you ride, the better you will get.

Example goal: Ride 2 times per week for 10 weeks.

What to focus on: Keep it easy to start. Short rides count. Consistency is key.

Climb stronger

This one is helpful because not only is climbing the worst part (at least in my opinion), but once you become a stronger climber, the rest of your ride feels better, leaving more energy for the descent.

Example goal: Improve your climb time on your local benchmark trail by 10 percent.

What to focus on: One structured interval day per week, plus one longer steady ride on the weekend. (It’s easy to combine this one with the first goal)

Descend with more confidence

Descents are awesome, working on pumping the trail and getting your bike airborne will help drastically.

Example goal: Ride your favorite descent clean, track your times, and see the progression.

What to focus on: Cornering, braking control, and riding relaxed.

Do your first event

You can be a great rider, faster than all your friends, but competition will always humble you.

Example goal: Sign up for one race, festival ride, or endurance event and train for it.

What to focus on: Comfort, fueling, and showing up to ride when motivation is low.

Bike park progression

Bike parks are great for building confidence in all manners of riding. Whether it's steep tech, or jumping, you can get a lot of vertical in within a day.

Example goal: Ride park twice a month and level up one skill, like drops, jumps, or steeps.

What to focus on: Protect your body, dial in your bike, and keep the day organized.

Bigger adventure rides

Nothing beats the feeling of pedaling in the backcountry, away from crowds and soaking in the magnificent scenery.

Example goal: One big ride each month, bigger loop, more vert, new trails.

What to focus on: Carry the right essentials so you do not have to cut the ride short. Hydration AND nutrition are key to make sure you have enough energy to finish.

How to set goals you will actually keep

A simple framework that works for most riders:

• One big goal you care about
• Three small habits that support it
• One gear upgrade that removes friction

For example, if your goal is to ride more consistently, your habits might be a set weeknight ride, a weekend ride, and one 20 minute strength session. Your gear upgrade might be something that makes trail days easier, like a hydration pack that keeps water and tools in one place, or gloves that stay comfortable for longer rides.

Most riders do not need a full rebuild of their kit. The best upgrades are the ones that keep you riding, especially when the weather is weird, the ride is long, or the trails get rowdy.

If you are aiming for bigger rides, more vert, or adventure loops, having water and essentials on your back makes the whole day smoother. A purpose built hydration pack for mountain biking keeps your tools, snacks, layers, and phone organized, and it lets you drink without stopping.

If your goal includes descending faster, riding park, or just riding more days per week, gloves are one of the simplest upgrades that can improve comfort and control. Good gloves reduce fatigue, help with braking feel, and keep your grip consistent when conditions change.

If you want a lighter glove that works across riding, travel days, and shoulder season activities, the Reveler Glove is a great fit. If your riding leans more aggressive, or you want a slightly more structured feel for trail, enduro, and moto crossover, the Renegade Glove tends to be the move.

One of the most underrated ways to ride more is making it easier to get out the door, the ability to just get in the truck is the hardest part sometimes. If you are hauling bikes regularly, especially with friends, a tailgate pad can save time and reduce the stress of loading, unloading, and keeping bikes from bouncing into each other. The High Roller V2 Tailgate Pad is built to keep loading simple and protect your bikes and truck at the same time.

MTB gear checklist for your first ride of the year

If you want a simple way to start the season, use this checklist before your first real ride. It covers the essentials that prevent most ride ending issues.

Must have

• Water, bottle or bladder, plus electrolytes if it is hot or long
• Multi tool
• Tube, plug kit, or both depending on your setup
• Tire levers and a small patch kit
• Pump or CO2 with the right inflator head
• Quick calories, bar or gels, plus a little extra
• Phone, ID, and a card or cash
• Gloves you trust for grip and braking feel

Nice to have for longer rides

• Light layer, wind shell or packable jacket
• Small first aid item, at minimum a couple bandages and a wipe
• Extra brake pads or quick link if you ride remote areas
• A pack that keeps everything organized and stable so you are not stuffing pockets

If you want one thing that keeps you stoked all year, plan a trip or an event. Even a single weekend gives your training rides a reason.

• Ride a new trail system once a month
• Plan one destination weekend and commit to dates
• Do one event, race, festival ride, or group ride series
• Join a trail day and give back to the spots you love

Frequently asked questions, let us know if we missed any.

Do you need a backpack for mountain biking?

For rides longer than about an hour, or any ride where you want tools, snacks, layers, and reliable hydration, a mountain bike backpack makes the day easier. It is one of the simplest ways to ride longer with fewer stops. If you are looking for a pack built for long days, the Defender 15 Hydration Backpack is designed to keep essentials organized and stable on trail.

What should you carry on a mountain bike ride?

At minimum, water, a multi-tool, a tube or plug kit, a way to inflate, and a snack. For longer rides, add a light layer and a basic first aid item.

How do you stop a pack from bouncing?

Tighten the waist belt first, then adjust shoulder straps to bring the load close to your back. Packs designed for riding should keep weight stable, especially on descents.

Pick one goal you care about, build a few habits that make it easy to stick with, and set yourself up with gear that removes friction. The rest takes care of itself when you are out there putting in laps.

If you want, share your goal for the season. More rides after work, a big trip, an event, or finally sending that feature you have been eyeing, we want to hear it.