Unless you have a taste for dirt, you're obviously going to want to tune-up your ride before downhill mountain biking this year. Even if you've already been out for a ride, you can still take these easy steps to keep from swallowing a buffet of rock, sand and mud.

Pump it: First things first. Get those tires pumped up, and check them for any wear. Better yet, buy a new set. Spring is a good excuse to get a new set of tires for downhill mountain biking, so you might as well. That means a new set of Maxxis for me.

Lube it: Get a good bottle of professional bike lubricant and lube all the sliders and cables from front to back. You might be tempted to use WD-40, but don't it's a quick fix that ends up drying out your parts by attracting moisture. Those plastic-lined cables don't need lube, so skip those. But, lube the fork and front suspension liberally, as you know how much abuse those take when downhill mountain biking. Just make sure to clean of any debris fist.

Make sure its tight: Bust out the allen wrenches and pliers and make sure everything is tight. Adjust the shifting, the brakes, and everything in between. Don't forget to check the crank, derailer, and chainring.

Check the head: Tighten it up, even if you don't think its loose. You'll also want to tighten the bottom bracket and hubs. Things will loosen up while downhill mountain biking, so you might as well tighten it up beforehand.

Check your grip: Just like with the tires, Spring is a good excuse to get new grips. Rip off the old ones using oil or some dishwashing liquid. Dry the handlebars thoroughly. Slip on the new grips using an air gun, or if you don't have access to one, then dip them in hot water for a few minutes to expand and then slide them on.

No Rubbing: BRAKES, CHECK YOURSELF BEFORE YOU WRECK YOURSELF!!! If you are going to be tear ass down the trail or through the freeride area you better be confident in your brakes. Whether you are using disk brakes or hydraulic brakes make sure they are dialed in. Make sure there is no rubbing and that everything is lined up correctly. If you are running hydraulic brakes check your fluid levels and make sure there are no leaks. Finally, check your cables to make sure they are out of the way.

Yank that Chain: Grab the chain and inspect it for any loose rings. Check the ring and cassette for any bent teeth. Then, lube it up heavily with professional bike lubricant.

Footing and Shifting: Ok, so we couldn't think of a witty euphemism for this step. But as you know, if you loose your footing while downhill mountain biking, you might be riding home in an ambulance or a hearse. So, secure all the screws and bolts on the pedals, and make sure your clips are tight. If you are running platforms check the pins. See that your cleats aren't worn out. You may even want to test the release of your shoes, if applicable. Don't forget to check that they are tightly connected to the crank.

Take these steps, and you'll have one less excuse not to huck yourself off something this downhill biking season.