Mountain biking is amazing partly because it allows you to get way out into the beautiful backcountry.
Bike technology has made bikes lighter and more fun, yet they are still complicated machines that can breakdown on the trail.
Bike gloves are a good idea, and riders tackling more aggressive downhill riding might also want to add some more pads to their kit.
Packing a couple of tools and having some basic trailside maintenance skills will go a long way in helping you be ready for anything out on the trails.