A Guide to Extreme Mountain Biking
October 6th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Surely you have heard of mountain biking, but extreme mountain biking is a relatively new, more intense form of mountain biking that is gaining popularity quickly. Basically extreme mountain biking is just like regular mountain biking only you go up higher, steeper and tougher hills and over rougher terrain. It is definitely harder on the body, and so you need to be in shape if you want to do this extreme sport, that’s for sure.
What you Need
If you are interested in trying out the extreme mountain biking for yourself, then there are a few pieces of equipment that you will need to get first. The most important thing of all, of course, is your bike. Depending on just how rough and rugged the terrain is that you are going to be riding over, you will want to get an appropriate bike, and you should know before you go into it that mountain bikes can be quite expensive, so unless you are planning on buying one used, and this is not typically a good idea, then you will want to have a bit of money saved up.
Another important piece of equipment that you will need for extreme mountain biking is a helmet. Because it is so extreme and potentially dangerous, you really need to make sure that you get a thick and sturdy helmet, so if you do fall down you will be protected. A helmet is really what can keep you alive in this dangerous sport, and no matter how experienced you are, you still need one.
Proper clothing is also incredibly important for the extreme mountain biking, and this is because this is a sport which absolutely demands comfortable clothing. There is clothing which is specifically designed for mountain biking and the differences between mountain biking clothing and another biking apparel is quite apparent, as mountain biking apparel is usually looser and made of a thinner fabric.
Getting Prepared
Even though you may have all of your equipment ready to go for your extreme mountain biking adventure, you still need to make sure that you are prepared physically. This means working out and strengthening and toning your body before heading out, so that you will not get out there only to overwork your body and have problems.
This is definitely an extreme sport but one that is also incredibly rewarding. Not only is it a total workout for your entire body, but as well you can have a lot of fun and really enjoy yourself while doing it.
A Guide to Mountain Bike Training
October 5th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
If you are interested in the sport of mountain biking, then you are definitely going to want to get in some time for mountain bike training before you head out on an adventure. After all, mountain biking is a very extreme and challenging sport, and so you really need to make sure that you are fully prepared, both emotionally and physically.
Mountain Bike Training
The first step to your mountain bike training is to actually find yourself a trainer. There are plenty of great ones to choose from, you just want to make sure that not only are they experienced and knowledgeable but also that you enjoy their company, because quite frankly, you are going to be spending quite a bit of time with them.
Although mountain biking is definitely an impacting sport, meaning that you can notice results and physical changes in your body almost immediately because of the serious intensity of it, it can still take quite a while to actually get your entire body into peak physical condition, and so you will generally be working with your trainer for at least four to six weeks before heading out on your own.
The next step in mountain bike training is to try a short ride on your own, so you can ride out to the woods or onto a trail, but just make sure that wherever you go you do not go too far out, as this is basically just a test run. If you want to be really serious about it, you can record your heart rate and speed during the ride, for instance, as you can then use this and compare it against your rides in the future.
As well in mountain bike training you want to make sure that you are constantly making your workouts more difficult, because if you continue to simply do the same level of exercise over and over even though your body is improving physically, then you are going to reach a plateau and simply stay there, whereas if you continue to increase the intensity of your workout at the proper times, you will be constantly improving your stamina and health as well.
There are some people who do not believe that training is necessary for mountain biking, and sometimes, if you are in good physical condition, it is not. But if you want to be able to be the best mountain biker that you can be, go on long and rough terrain biking trips, and just be healthier in general, than mountain bike training is definitely something you want to be involved with.
The Advantages of a Mountain Bike Speedometer
October 4th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
There are actually quite a few different advantages that can be gained from using a mountain bike speedometer. One in particular is that with a mountain bike speedometer you will be able to keep track of your speed statistics during each ride, and then you can use these to compare against scores in the future in order to keep track of how much you are improving.
This is actually what professional cyclists do, so that they can keep serious and detailed track of how much they are improving, and you can include other instruments in with the mountain bike speedometer as well, if you wish, such as a heart rate monitor for instance, which you can use to record your heart rate before, during and after a ride, and again use these scores to compare to those in the future in order to see how you are improving.
Things to Think About
Before you rush out and buy this or any other type of bike equipment, you really need to do a few things first. One, you need to set out a budget for yourself so that you can make the most of your money and also so that you do not go overboard and spend more than you need to.
As well, you need to do a bit of research. Take some time and learn about mountain bike speedometers, which brands are considered as being of the best quality, and so on and so forth. By doing this, you will be able to separate quality from junk when you see it, and this is very important in order to really get your money’s worth.
Where to Find one
If you are interested in getting a mountain bike speedometer for yourself and are wondering where to go to get one, then again there are a few options in particular you should be aware of. One of the best places that you can go to for a piece of equipment such as a mountain bike speedometer is Global Sources Direct, which is a company that offers incredibly high quality mountain bike products at affordable prices.
Global Sources Direct is a service that is offered by Global Sources Ltd., and Trade Sources Inc., and which lets companies of all sizes buy various products from original manufacturers in China, at very low factory prices. They are thus definitely a company that you want to check out if you are looking for bike equipment of any sort, because you can save such a great deal of money and yet still get that same high quality that is desired.
Mountain Bike Tours Are Gaining In Popularity By The Day
October 3rd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
The popularity of mountain biking is so great today that it means that you can easily find mountain bike tours in all parts of the world, and taking one that is well organized will be welcome for a number of good reasons. To begin with, you get the opportunity to go and see different places like never before, and the exercise and adventure that you get to experience is not only fun to do, but also very enervating.
Have Adequate Supplies On Hand
Mountain bike tours basically require that you have adequate supplies on hand so that you have all that is necessary to make your bike riding as much fun as possible. Most mountain bike tour operators will have all the information that you need available, and they will also provide you with a bike as well as helmet to further your enjoyment of the sport.
Before selecting a particular mountain bike tour, you must check out the different sights offered and the tour should take into consideration the skill level of the bikers. These tours are a great way of having an enthralling adventure and they help you concentrate on the task on hand while allowing you to forget all of your problems. You will be faced with a number of different options that include day and overnight trips and there are also different sceneries to consider that range from idyllic countryside to forests and complete wilderness. You can ask your guide for more information, who will be able to guide you to the most appealing ones.
Once you begin your mountain bike tour, you will immediately notice that it is so appealing that you will get hooked to it for life, and will find yourself planning for the next tour. Of course, with experience you will realize that the mountain bike tours require a great deal of planning ahead, and these tours are available to people of different levels of skill, and the time periods and scenery also changes from one place to another. Sightseeing from atop a mountain bike is certainly a very unique experience, and you will find yourself viewing things from a completely different and unique perspective.
There are many exciting mountain bike tours available like maybe going to Italy to tour Tuscany and Florence, or a trip to the Costa Brava in Spain. Simply trying out the mountains of Colorado and Vermont would be well worth checking out.
The Importance of Mountain Bike Ratings
October 2nd, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Mountain biking is thought of as a healthy, fun and rewarding hobby or pass time. However, beginning mountain bikers tend to have the problem of knowing exactly which kind of mountain bike they should buy, and don’t know just how much mountain bike ratings can help them make their decision. Mountain biking is a sport that not only takes a lot of endurance and some training to do it properly, but it’s the kind of sport that relies entirely on the kind of equipment used.
Before deciding to purchase a mountain bike, take the time to research your options and make a point to find as many mountain bike ratings as possible. This will help you to know which are better made, more reliable and worth the investment.
Some Popular Mountain Bikes and Their Ratings
The first thing to keep in mind is that mountain bike ratings are like reviews. The rating given to a particular mountain bike from one source may not be the same rating the bike will be given by another source. Because of this, make sure to read more than one mountain bike review or rating before you finish your research on a product.
A popular mountain bike is the GT Avalanche. The average rating for this mountain bike is 4 out of 5 stars, making it a popular pick for the majority of consumers who have purchased or used the bike. It’s a durable, tough sports bike made specifically for mountain biking and will run you about $1,000.
The Schwinn Mesa is a mountain bike with an average rating of 3.5 out of 5 stars. This bike is also a popular pick, both because it’s rugged but without the hefty price tag. At about $250, you can get yourself an awesome beginner’s mountain bike that will stand up to your falls and get you through the first few months of mountain biking. This option is also great for someone who doesn’t know whether they want to invest a lot of money in their own mountain bike.
Finally, the GMC Sport mountain bike has a rating average of 4 out of 5 stars, due to its sleek look along with the ability to uphold rough rocky and mountain conditions. The price of about $250 is a deal, and the bike is made to last as long as you need it to. This means that for the average mountain biker, this bike can be kept or traded in for a higher model at a later time without having to spend a ton of money until then.
Reserve Mountain Bike Jumps For Experienced Riders
October 1st, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
For different unknown reasons, many riders believe that when owning a mountain bike, jumps are a mandatory part of riding. While riding down mountain trails or on bicycle moto-cross tracks jumping will be part of the trail, either on purpose or by the nature of the trail, however those who are inexperienced or uncomfortable with mountain bike jumps should avoid them.
When using a trail with mountain bike jumps there are a few points of proper etiquette to remember when screaming down hills. First, if you are not the one that made the trail or the mountain bike jumps, do not make any changes to them. The person who made the trail is the only one with the right to initiate any changes. Additionally, if you come across any jumps that may be broken either mark them in some manner or move them out of the way, so riders behind you do not get hurt.
If riding a trail with mountain bike jumps or other stunts, and one breaks, do not go off about how useless the construction was. Either fix it right or move it out of the way. Another important aspect about mountain bike trails, if you are building a beginner trail; do not place it around a serious stunt trail. This can prove harmful for the inexperienced who get in the way of those doing stunts, as well as the more experienced riders running into the newbies.
Stick To What Experience Allows
When on a new stunt course, the rider should never attempt to do stunts without a more experienced rider to offer suggestions. Attempting an unfamiliar stunt, especially alone could have disastrous consequences with no one else around to go for help. You should also never walk on mountain bike jumps, as there is a good possibility they can be damaged. Many sturdier ramps may be able to take it, but those with poor construction could break under the concentrated weight of a person walking on them.
While there are many mountain bike jumps available to purchase that can withstand a lot of wear and tear, they can also be costly and not many individuals have the budget to buy professionally built ramps. Most build their own out of cheap lumber and for individual use in learning how to successfully negotiate mountain bike jumps, they work fine. If a large group of people begin to use them, the homemade jumps may not withstand the abuse.
