Posts Tagged mountain biking
What Bikers Look For in a Mountain Bike Shoe
Posted by Plato Serrano in fitness on October 23rd, 2009
Extreme sports requires specialized equipment. Good bike shoes are the overall most significant piece besides a bike helmet when riding a touring bike through brutal territory.
Traditionally, the outer layer for this type of shoe was made from robust leather. After that, it was changed as a good amount of bikes no longer had the toe clip or strap, which is awfully kind of like the hard rubber found on mountain bike tires.. Rough stuff!
Because the ability in pedaling originates from the ball of the foot, it’s sensibly right for designers to make sure that the sole is a little curved and very soft. This can be for the reason that there will be times in which you will need to get down and then carry the bike. When this happens, the mountain bike shoes become perfect for hiking until such a point in time which it looks safe and sound to cycle again.
Astoundingly, this characteristic still makes the shoes amazingly sturdy and will last a few months prior to being replaced with new ones.
There was also a time which mountain biking shoes had laces almost like most sporty shoes on the market. These were phased out later as the lace had a knack of becoming wrapped up with the pedal. This by yourself has created a whole lot of undoubtedly avoidable accidents, the laces therefore had to be replaced with the velcro strap.
Here are a few thoughts that you ought to contemplate when purchasing a pair of mountain biking shoes.
1. It is important to check on the hardness of the sole. A whole lot of manufacturers say which the kind of material that was used in making it makes it more resilient. Not true. You can ask what fabric it is made from but for a bike rider it should be ideally made from carbon.
2. The mountain biking footwear ought to be each comfortable and breathable. Nearly all bikers can be on the trail for more than only 2 hours and it is only right that the pair purchased is able to provide reasonable amount of air flow.
3. The final issue to contemplate is the shoe’s weight. It should be light-weight thus you won’t have a tough time in the future going onward as you travel long distances with the additional weight of your shoes on the outing.
Apart from an excellent pair of shoes, you can additionally get a helmet, a pullover, as well as a couple of biker shorts. Nothing should hinder the mountain biker from bycycling forward particularly when going uphill.
Every one of these items can be purchased at a local sporting goods store or on the web therefore you will be in a position to join a growing club of folks who also have the will to be close with nature and their bike.
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Mountain Bike Cycling - Tips to Help You Get Started
Posted by Johno Altamiruno in fitness on May 26th, 2009
Mountain bike cycling is exhilarating and open to anyone to join in. It is great for getting fit as well as getting away from all the noise of traffic and the grind of everyday life.
Mountain bike cycling is usually done off-road, which means in the countryside, on bridleways and allotted cycle trails, and sometimes on more difficult technical trails. It’s important to practice your skills first before you go on difficult technical trails though.
Most mountain bike riders learn their skills through practice over time and sometimes watching more experienced riders. You could also get books and DVDs to help, but the best thing to do is to get out on your bike and practice.
Before you can start practicing you obviously need a mountain bike, so deciding which one should you get is the first task. There are numerous different sorts of bikes available, varying widely in price and style. If you are just starting it’s a good idea to go for a less expensive model until you gain experience and decide where you like riding the most.
When you have your mountain bike you need something suitable to wear when out riding it. Mountain bikers tend to go for a more casual look than road cyclists, for example they often wear baggy shorts. Proper mountain bike shorts look like normal shorts but they’ve got a padded lining for comfort when riding.
Most importantly, there are several critical bits of kit that are important to wear at all times, irrespective of the weather, and these are a helmet, glasses, and gloves. These safety items are to help protect you against flying mud and stones, low hanging branches, troublesome bushes, and falling off your bike.
You will no doubt have some minor falls, as these are part and parcel of mountain bike cycling. However if you wear the essential protective gear you will most likely only suffer minor injuries, like bruises and grazes.
Once you have all the right equipment you’ll have to think about where to go mountain bike cycling. There are lots of guides to your local area available on the internet or in bookshops. You can also get useful information from Visitor Centres and Tourist Information Offices around the country. There are also some specialist mountain bike centres run by the Forestry Commission, that have marked and graded trails.
Once you’re all set up with the right equipment and armed with information you’ll be ready to go out mountain bike cycling. Some basic mountain bike maintenance knowledge would also be a benefit to you in case of breakdowns, to help boost your confidence. The most important part of mountain bike cycling though is to enjoy to buzz it gives you.
John Wayne Pioneer Trail
Posted by Gregory Rouse in fitness on May 24th, 2009
The John Wayne Pioneer Trail is located in Washington State and travels two-thirds of the way across the state. It offers a trail for all kinds of activities like hiking, bicycling and cross-country skiing.
The 100-mile portion from Cedar Falls (near North Bend) to the Columbia River near Vantage is managed as Iron Horse State Park.
In the 1980s Washington State Parks acquired the abandoned Milwaukee Road corridor that was built by Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad the worlds first electric rail line. This article talks about the trail on the Eastside of Snoqualmie Pass.
Some people call the trail the John Wayne Trail west of Snoqualmie Pass and the Iron Horse Trail east of Snoqualmie Pass, while others call the entire trail the Iron Horse Trail.
The trail is relatively smooth, but not paved and because of this along with its length, most people use it as a mountain bike trail. It’s an easy ride with spectacular views. On average, the trail is about half a mile from the highway and about 300 feet higher, so that the noise and exhaust fumes of the trucks on the highway are not bothersome.
On the map there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit. At the time this trip was documented, the trestle over Hall Creek, about a mile East of Exit 38 west, was broken and could not be crossed, although plans were in the works to fix this trestle in the near future.
The river down below is called the Snoqualmie River. The trail itself is approximately 16.5 miles to Hyak and rises steadily from exit 38 to an elevation of approximately 2500 feet.
Because of snowfall high in the mountains, the builders of the railroad decided to make a tunnel through the mountain at Snoqualmie Pass. So, at its peak elevation, just after Humpback Creek, the trail enters Snoqualmie Tunnel (a 2-mile long tunnel).
NOTE: The ride through the tunnel can be extremely DARK. At two miles in length, the far end is just a small pinpoint of light. Be sure to have a good light and where a jacket. The tunnel is very dark, wet and cool inside. As for the trail its self, the gravel path is level and smooth making for an easy ride. Also, the tunnel is usually closed from November 1 to May 1.
Once through the tunnel at Hyak, its time to return to the trailhead. The return is all downhill making for a quick ride (the whole trip is approximately 33 miles, round-trip).
If you want, it’s just a short ride on the old railroad grade East to Lake Keechelus for a nice lunch spot. Another option is to drop off a shuttle car at exit 38 and the leave from the East end of the Snoqualmie Tunnel and Pass and ride downhill one-way.
For directions and current conditions check out the Washington State Parks website at http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Iron Horse
What Type Of Mountain Bike Is Best For Me?
Posted by Alex Preston in fitness on May 22nd, 2009
Mountain biking is without a doubt one of the most exciting forms of recreation suitable for all ages, sizes and abilities. It’s a wonderful way to exercise, explore outdoors, and have loads of fun. All that is needed is a fitting mountain bike, a bit of enthusiasm and, of course, the helmet.
Mountain bikes are designed for different styles and terrain. Before you buy one, you should know what kind of riding you will do. Will that be cross country, downhill/freeride, all-mountain, or trials? Different styles, different bikes.
There are actually more categories than four, but those are the main ones. Each offers a different experience. The style you choose will determine the type of your bike. So you should know where you’re going to ride it and what kind of obstacles are you going to face.
If you want to venture in the extreme venues of mountain biking then consider Freeride/Downhill bikes. They are made for extreme and intense riding. These bikes are heavy, durable, with full suspension and large disc brakes to help them stop during high speeds. Heavy, tough and very expensive.
All-mountain bikes combine the advantages of cross country and downhill/freeride bike types. They are made to be a match for almost any situation and are suitable for both climbing and descending on a variety of different terrains.
Cross country bikes are not suited to riders who enjoy big drops and other extremes, but for the average mountain biker, they are a great choice. They are all-round good performers, lighter that other bikes. They come with full gear set (generally 27) and usually just front suspension.
Trial mountain bikes don’t look anything like mountain bikes. They have smaller, lower frames and some types come without a saddle. They’re set up specifically for bike trials.
After you decide what you wanna do with your bike, it’s time to go buy it. But how to choose, there are so many brands? Well, brands are not that important. I myself am a fan of Iron Horse bicycles, but that’s just me. When buying a mountain bike you should concentrate on the quality of the components.
That’s it. Now put on your helmet and enjoy the ride.