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Posts Tagged ‘Mountain’

There are numerous ways that you can improve your mountain bike safety. Many riders will tell you that wearing a helmet is the most important step to staying safe. The second most important step is
that you should always ride in control of your mountain bike.

By riding in control you’ll not only prevent crashes, but keep others on the trail safe as well. When riding out of control you loose the ability to adjust to the terrain as you ride over it. This can and usually does result in serious injury to yourself and others.

Follow these helpful guidelines and you’ll remain safe when riding your mountain bike.

Gear
Always make sure that you wear a helmet and other necessary safety gear for the conditions that you plan to ride in.

Never ride beyond your control
There is never any shame in walking the areas of the trail that you don’t feel comfortable in riding and you should never let anyone else tell you that there is.

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be quite dangerous.  Even though it’s dangerous,  if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Styles of mountain biking

Mountain biking can best be characterized into three different styles – downhill, free riding, and cross country.  Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills.  The style that you pick will determine the type of bike you get.

Locations for mountain biking

The sport can best be thought of as biking on an unpaved surface.  Many areas throughout North America have specific locations designed for mountain biking.  Before you decide to go down a trail, you should always check with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.

You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions.  You can look on the internet or even in a local paper and see exactly what’s available in your area.  You may be able to find groups for the more
advanced riders as well as beginners.

Becoming a great biker

Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker.  It will also take ambition and practice to succeed as well as conquer the course.  Like all other sports, it takes time and practice.  Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling
off the bike.

Selecting your mountain bike
The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing.  Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices,  which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed.

You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase.  Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first.  A great mountain biker will become
one with his or her own bike.  When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Staying safe when riding
Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very  dangerous, as  mentioned earlier.  Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads.  If you are following a group or riding in the
woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well.  Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.

Taking a mountain biking vacation is an excellent way to unwind and explore America.  There are several companies that offer mountain biking tours that go through scenic routes, and they often arrange any accomodations for travelers as well.  For athletic couples, these types of vacations offer the perfect way to relax and enjoy some exercise together.

Each and every region in the United States has some truly awesome mountain biking trails.  It’s not just  the major mountain ranges that offer these trails, as any hilly, scenic, rough trail can provide riders with
the adventure they seek.  Some of the best areas to mountain bike ride in the United States are the Pacific Northwest, Southwest, and Southeast states such as  North Carolina.

Even though the entire American West area is great for a mountain biking vacation, the Southwest area is rapidly becoming a popular area for the sport as well.  In the Southwest, some of the best trails include Pinery Canyon Road in Arizona, South Boundary Trail in New Mexico, and Flume Trail in Nevada.

Each and every trail deserves it’s reputation as a tough ride.  Each one of these trails is over 20 miles in length, with Pinery Canyon being the longest, at over 50 miles!  Keep in mind though, just because you go to a trail it doesn’t mean you have to ride the entire length.

The Pacific Northwest is also a great place for a mountain biking vacation.  The three best trails in the entire region are Surveyor’s Ridge in Oregon, Mount Tamalpais in California, and the Methow Trial System in Washington.

A mountain biking vacation is perfect for athletic people who have the desire to explore regions at their own  pace.  These trips are much less expensive than other trips, yet they can easily be the adventure of a  lifetime.

As a sport or a hobby, mountain biking can be split into 9 different categories.  These categories are very versed in what they offer.  They are:

1.  BMX
BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels. These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or with dirt jumps.  Because of their smaller wheels and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier to perform tricks and stunts with.

2.  Cross country
This type of mountain biking involves riding your bike up and down hills.  Although it’s the least extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country
riders are very fit and go on long rides.

3.  Cyclo cross
This is a cross between road and mountain biking. These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through rivers, and race on and off the course.

4.  Dirt jumping
Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they are in the air.  These jumps are normally close
together so riders can go over six or more jumps in one run, gaining a flow to give them more  speed for bigger jumps.

5.  Downhill
Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill as fast as possible.  This type of riding is very intense and extreme, offering riders the chance  for ultimate thrills and excitement.

6.  Freeride
Free riding involves finding the perfect line down the mountain using all of the terrain to express yourself.  These competitions are very popular, as riders can express themselves any way they see fit.

7.  Single speed
No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form of cross country biking that’s done using a bike with only one gear and fewer components.  The idea
with single speed is simplicity.  The straight chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and the lack of components mean less mechanical  problems and a lighter bike.

8.  Street and urban
This type of riding involves riding in urban areas, ledges, and other types of man made obstacles. Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks as well, such as stalls and grinds.

9.  Trails
Trials are considered an aspect of mountain biking, although the bikes used look nothing like mountain bikes.  They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport
small, low frames.  Trail riders will hop and jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires an extreme amount of balance and concentration.