Capturing the Journey: 12 Tips to Film Your Bike Rides

Filming your mountain bike rides has several benefits. You can assess what you did right and wrong to better your skills. Plus, you can share your videos with others so they can learn from your experiences. And think of how fun it will be to relive your memories for years to come. Follow these tips to best capture your adventures.

1. Get a Good Camera

A dedicated, high-quality action camera, like an Insta360 or a GoPro, is the way to go for shooting MTB video. No matter how cool your trick is or how gorgeous the view is, a low quality camera just isn’t going to capture it. Fortunately, there are used cameras available that are still very good, so you can consider that as a lower budget option.

You’ll also want to invest in a high-quality mount for your helmet or mountain bike. Something that will keep it stable and prevent it from falling off. This gear might be expensive, but it’s worth it compared to losing your camera.

2. Use Your Camera’s Settings Right

Resolution

If you’re looking to share your video on YouTube or view it in high resolution, make sure you’re shooting in at least 1920×1080 and 60FPS. 4K video is becoming more common, so although it takes up massive amounts of storage space, you might want to shoot in 4K if your camera has the option.

Image stabilization

Enable image stabilization, if your camera has it, to prevent shaking, vibrations and unwanted movement. If the camera is on a helmet mount or bike mount, you’ll definitely need to stabilize the video either in camera, in post editing, or both.

Tip: If you have a paid Google photos plan, video stabilization is included in the editing tools and is pretty good!

Wide-Angle: Yes or No?

Wide angle video gives a better perspective on the trail, but a super wide angle can make it hard to see what’s going on, and can make the viewer lose perspective of how easy or intense the trail really is.

3. Shoot and check short test clips

To avoid coming home at the end of the day and realizing that your camera was pointing towards your top tube all day, shoot short test sections and check them on your camera or your phone. Then adjust settings as needed, and hit the next section of trail.

4. Film during good weather

Lighting conditions play a huge role in filming. The exact same video clip taken on a gray and cloudy day while look totally different from that clip, taken on a sunny summer day. Unless you’re specifically looking for a dreary atmosphere, it’s best to shoot on a beautiful sunny day.

If you’re filming in a deep forest with tall trees, midday hours can be best for sunlight filtering through trees. Evening hours might already be too dark and give a gloomy feel.

If you’re filming out in the desert or open areas, early morning and late afternoon can give you that golden light that will touch off rock formations or wildflower meadows with the perfect glowing light.

Low-light settings require additional camera settings or accessories for better visibility.

5. Plan All of Your Shots

Decide whether you want to record the whole ride or just certain parts. It’s easiest to film the entire outing, but you might not have the space for it. Instead you can focus on scenic settings, technical sections, or jump shots. Then you know when to start and stop filming.

Frame Your Shots

Make sure what you want to capture is within frame. You can keep the horizon level. Or try different angles for fun and dynamic shots. There’s also the rule of thirds with a subject in the left or right of the camera, leaving two-thirds of an open scene.

6. Get Different Perspectives

The same angle might get boring. Try mounting your camera on different places on your body or bike. Or use multiple cameras, all filming at once. Always include some footage from your point-of-view to immerse yourself or others in the ride.

Shoot 3rd Person, Solo

To shoot from 3rd-person perspective if you’re riding solo, walk down the trail and find a good spot to leave it propped up against a rock or a tree, or even on a mini tripod if you have one with you. Then start the video and go back to your bike and ride past your camera. Not only does this give you a new angle, but the low angle from the ground looks super cool.

Ride Right Past the Camera

For a bit of drama you can put your camera right next to the trail, and ride past it as close as you can. There’s a little danger to the camera involved here, so plan your shot carefully. But if you succeed, you’ll get a very dramatic looking perspective where it feels like the bike is going to ride straight over the viewer.

7. Try Slow Motion or Time-Lapse

Slow motion and time-lapse shots provide more dramatic and cinematic effects. Especially during action shorts. You can also condense a long ride into a shorter and more captivating video.

8. Don’t Forget Audio

Recording sounds and commentary add context to the situation, enhancing everyone’s viewing experience.

Especially if you’re planning on sharing the publishing the video on YouTube or trying to get views beyond your riding friends, you’ll probably want to invest in an external microphone for high-quality audio. Viewers might not notice high quality audio, but they’ll definitely notice low quality audio.

9. Be Sure to Edit

You should cut down a long-form video so it’s easier to watch. Either with time-lapse or taking out repetitive or unnecessary sections.

Consider adding music, titles, and transitions to improve the production value.

10. Tell a Good Story

Try to tell a story on a scenic ride or challenging journey. You can convey it through special and dynamic clips as well as added notes and commentary. Then it will be a good narrative that people will want to watch.

11. Put Safety First

Your safety is most important. Always look ahead to see what’s coming. Make sure the camera doesn’t obstruct your view or interfere with your riding in any way. Don’t risk dangerous jumps, drops or tricks, even for the shot.

12. Find Your Dream Bike