Mountain bike riding has become a very popular recreational activity. There are many places to ride from trails to lake shores to forests, and yes, mountains. Being prepared for riding will make your riding adventure more enjoyable. Here are some mountain bike riding tips for the beginner. Advanced riders may also find this information useful.
On Your Mark...
- The first important tip that any rider should know is to have proper equipment, such as a helmet. Even if you don't buy another accessory, make sure you don't skimp on your helmet.
- Another accessory, but not required, are riding gloves. If you are riding for any extended length of time, they will come in handy. You will be gripping hard on the handle grips at times and you will need extra padding. This will help keep your hands from getting tired. They also offer some protection when and if you fall.
- Padded cycling shorts are good too. They will increase your comfort on the bike for those long rough rides.
- A cycling jersey can be beneficial since they are loose fitting and usually have pockets that have zippers or velcro.
- A good pair of cycling/hiking shoes can make or break your day. Sometimes you may need to carry your bike over some terrains that you can't ride on and you want good gripping shoes.
- Eye protection, like sunglasses or clear unbreakable lenses will keep bugs, dust and other debris out of your eyes.
- Water is an essential item. Don't go without this one. You can dehydrate very quickly when cycling. Also if you are biking in the sun, use sunscreen.
Get Ready...
- The type of mountain bike you ride needs to be designed for the type of riding you are going to do.
- The body frame of your bike must fit your unique size and proportion.
- The brakes must be more powerful than a standard bike to keep the wheel from moving when hopping on uneven ground.
- Since you are riding on dirt, mountain bike tires need to be knobby not skinny. This ensures traction on rugged terrain.
- Your bike should be checked regularly and any repairs made that are necessary before you take your mountain bike out for a ride.
A prepared rider will have a bike that fits well and works properly. This will give you greater comfort and a more enjoyable riding experience, and help prevent unnecessary pain and injuries.
Get Set...
Do your part to preserve and enhance the mountain biker's access and image by observing the following rules:
- Obey all of the rules. They were designed in part for your safety.
- Don't damage our ecosystem. If you are riding and damaging a wet trail, this not only leads to erosion but also will lead to trail closures.
- Ride only on open trails. Closed trails are closed for a reason and riding on one is illegal. Don't do it. It just gives the mountain bikers a bad reputation.
- Pay attention to the dirt beneath you. If it is soft consider other riding options, but stay on existing trails and don't make new ones.
Go...
Hopefully these mountain bike-riding tips will get you started happily and safely on your way to a great experience. Now that you are ready... Go!
Folding mountain bikes are quite famous nowadays. For bicycle riders who are looking forward to great outdoor adventure, they opt to choose mountain bikes that are easy to carry, convenient and practical. On the other hand, there are also some who want a mean of transportation that would allow them to commute without hassle. This is where folding mountain bikes come in to the picture. With a great demand come great models that suit every preference. The HARO DX cycle in Korea gives you the features of a folding mountain bike that you would definitely want to try.
Samchuly is the founder of the HARO DX Cycle which is known as Korea's most renowned and largest bicycle manufacturer. They have been in the industry nearly 60 years now. They are known for having a good reputation of making quality cycles to ISO9001 standard. They have also supplied bicycles to the 1988 Olympics and to the FIFA 2002 World Cup. Despite its quality of construction, this model is more of a recreational bike rather than actually designed for hurling yourself off mountain sides competitively. This is a great option for both mountain riders and ordinary commuters.
Folding mountain bikes make use of different riding position and frame sizing more frequently as compared to ordinary and conventional bikes. The HARO DX folding mountain bike design emphasizes on the compactness of a bike as would expect. It also plays a clever trick within the 16 inch frame size to achieve a small folded size with full size wheels. Most tall cyclists who usually prefer traditional and very high-ride road-bike position may sacrifice a little folded compactness by fitting a longer seat post in order to make room for your longer legs.
This bike is perfect for commuting everyday and can be easily be transported by car, bus, motor home, train and airplane. There is no need for a cycle rack, as they can be carried easily and unfolded for use in seconds without the use of any tools using the built-in quick release levers. It folds to under 30x90x90 cm without having to remove the wheels or all the other spare parts of the bicycle. These bikes are also supplied with a carry bag. It has long zip around the three sides with a carrying handle that can be carried over to your shoulder. This may cost a little expensive but is the quality is worth it. The bag is heavy duty with a water resistant internal coating. The generous three sided zip enable a l opening great for easy loading. It has a simple 'square' design that does not only make the bag for versatile but it also offers an ample 'gap' for stowing helmets and all other stuffs.
The Haro range of bikes comes in various models and designs. There are a lot of styles that you can choose from with varying prices. Some of these models are sold in discount rates which are quite a good deal in your favor.
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Contrary to popular belief, mountain bike racing is not just a sport for young, adrenaline-crazed muscular macho men in leather jackets. Rather, today's "adrenaline-crazed" bike rider is as likely to be middle aged as he is young, flabby as he is muscular, and feminine as he is macho. Mountain bike racing is an equal opportunity sport that only requires one thing from its participants-that they have fun.
Before you can enjoy this activity, however, you must learn a few basic rules of the game. Fortunately, learning these rules is almost as enjoyable as competing in the bike race.
Mountain Bike Racing is for Everyone
Unlike other sports, mountain bike racing does not discriminate against gender, age, or particular body types. Because this sport's focus is on fun rather than competition, it is open to all to participate.
To enable fair competition, however, a number of competition levels, or categories, exist within this sport. There are categories for beginners, categories for different age groups - even a category for those weighting more than 220 pounds (the Clydesdale category.) Thus, do your research and find the category that best suits your particular needs.
But choose carefully. If you overestimate your ability, you might well end up with a bruised ego (and dust on your face) as your competitors cross the finish line way ahead of you. Conversely, if you underestimate your riding ability and choose a category that is not sufficiently challenging, you might be labeled a "sandbagger" (e.g., someone who enters a lower division race simply to increase his/her chances of winning) by your competitors.
Of course, as always, prior to embarking upon this new pursuit, however, it is wise to obtain your doctor's approval. Mountain bike racing is loosely considered an "extreme sport" for a reason-it can be (and frequently is) quite physically taxing.
Why Choose Mountain Bike Racing?
If you are an avid bike rider (but not a racer) you may be surprised to learn that taking your beloved bike out for an occasional race will actually turn you into a better rider. Experts say that the varied, sometimes dangerous, terrain of a racing course forces the mind to focus on quick solutions for safely traversing unpredictable course. These "split-second" decisions, made with full concentration, enables a rider learn techniques faster than years of casual riding, in addition to sharpening reactions in response to sudden changes in terrain or unexpected conditions.
Tips for Choosing (and Maintaining) Your Bike
A common misconception by those new to this sport is that they have to have a "special" bike. Certainly to compete at the highest level, a bike of a certain quality is required to enable a level playing field. However, the most expensive choice is certainly not a necessity. Rather, the most important aspect of the bike is that it be sturdy and reliable.
While suspension and dual hydraulic disc brakes may be appealing, with respect to off-road racing it is crucial that the bicycle be lightweight. Towards the end of a race every extra pound will begin to feel like fifty. Additionally, excellent quality front shocks will substantially absorb the rocky terrain encountered in mountain bike racing.
Finally, as may be obvious, the essential factor in choosing the right racing bicycle is that it be suitably matched to the racing course. Cross-country mountain bikes are better suited for trails, whereas downhill mountain bikes are clearly designed for enhanced safety for downhill racing.
To ensure that you are able to address repair or maintenance issues, the following items (at minimum) should be carried by the rider: extra tire tubes, toolkit, and a puncture repair kit.
Rules of the Road
In mountain bike racing, the rules of the road depend upon the type of the race. The three most popular types of mountain bike races are cross-country (XC), hillclimb (HC) and downhill (DH).
Cross-country: This is the most common type of mountain bike race. The riders compete directly against one another while riding around a circular track of varied terrain. In instances where there are significant numbers of racers, the group is typically divided into sub-groups by age or ability levels. This is a rigorous form of racing, as riders must jockey for position and understand the mechanics and timing of passing other riders.
Hillclimb: This race pits rider against the mountain as compared to rider against rider. The riders are paced as they climb the hill, individually, a few moments apart. The winner is judged by how fast he, or she, reaches the top of the hill.
Downhill: The riders in this race are timed by the speed with which they navigate the hill. As with the hillclimb, each rider is released downhill individually. The courses in downhill racing frequently involve difficult obstacles for the riders to surmount, thus accounting for the challenge of the this type of race.
Dos and Don'ts of Mountain Bike Racing
Although becoming a skilled mountain bike racer takes training and experience, a few basic dos and don'ts should be noted:
DO:
· Practice. Practice. Practice. To become a skilled mountain bike rider, you must ride-often.
· Cross-train. Mountain bike racing takes strong leg muscles, in particular, and you will be at a disadvantage if your are not physically ready for the challenge.
· Accept the fact that you are embarking in a potentially risky activitym where injuries are not only not uncommon, but even to be expected.
· Research the course before the race. Ensure that you 'pre-ride' the course (or one similar)prior to the race day.
· Carry an adequate supply of water with electrolytes.
· Thoroughly inspect your bicycle and ensure that all maintenance appointments are up-to-date.
· Conserve your energy during the race by appropriately pacing yourself.
· Allow other riders to pass you - never try to block a passing attempt.
DON'T:
· Worry about the other riders with the (perhaps) flashier bicycles, gear or outfits. Their ability to buy expensive racing equipment is no indication of their skill level.
· Ride when you should walk. Almost every racecourse has small sections and obstacles that are difficult to traverse. Endeavoring to muscle your way (via the pedals) over such hurdles may seriously tax the remaining energy required to complete the race, and heighten the probability of injury.
· Arrive late. You should arrive at least an hour prior to the start of the race. This will provide sufficient time to enable a 20-minute warm up ride and listen to the pre-race briefing to ensure that there have been no last minute changes to the course.
· Consider the other racers. Doing so will simply increase anxiety levels and inhibit optimal performance. Instead, focus upon the upcoming excitement of the race.
· Don't pass other riders, during the race, without appropriately notifying them of your intent. A simple "passing on the left" or "passing on the right" is sufficient to prevent collisions and resulting injuries.
The Finish Line
The finish line in mountain bike racing is rarely the finish line. Those who love extreme sports, such as this one, are rarely satisfied by the thrill of just one race. It is likely, therefore, that you will one day look back on dozens of races that consumed every ounce of your energy and tested your stamina.
Whether you won or lost these races is incidental - what you will remember is the fun that you experienced.
There is no doubt that the market place has changed drastically in the last few years. This has happened due to the upcoming internet market, which practically sells everything.
What you have to understand are the mechanics of this novel market. Someone can rip you in a second and the next moment someone else makes you an offer that you cannot resist. This is what makes this market very fluid and opportune place to buy from. What it actually requires is the understanding.
When you wish to buy a mountain bike at an unbeatable price, you will not find it in your local market. What you will find are fixed prices, unless there is a special offer or a grand season sale. But at the internet, it is a grand season sale every day. What you have to do is find the right place.
In order to buy a GT mountain bike browse around the net initially to get price comparisons for the model that you wish to have. This will give you an array of prices of the same model. You will be surprised to see the price difference, but don't stop here.
Go out and ask the dealers if they can match the price quote that you have. In most of the cases you will come to know that online price is way less than what it is being sold in the market.
This is not a scam, but a fact that you can even get half the price in comparison to the market, including shipment and delivery which will take about 3 to 5 days, depending up on your location.
The reason behind these low prices of GT mountain bikes online is that the online dealers just send your order to the company and rest of the things are done by the company. This reduces the overheads and other commissions from the price. And you get all the advantages in this scenario.
Cycling has and will always be a great sport and a way to enjoy travelling. There are many people around the world who consider paddling to their destination a healthier and a better way than traveling on a fuel powered vehicle.
When we weigh the pros and cons of fuel powered mechanical transport against the two wheeled paddle powered ones there is no match as both have their own advantages and disadvantages with speed, safety, comfort, health effects and pollution. It is just a matter of personal preferences that some choose comfort and speed while some opt for health and environment friendly means of transportation.
When you choose a better way of life for yourself that is healthy and good for your surroundings, you choose to travel on a bike. This gives you health advantages as you get to exercise while you go to places where otherwise you would have reached in a car or a bus without any exercise.
There is a lot of variety in the two wheelers which have their own plus points and utilities. Out of the entire range of bikes, I prefer the mountain bikes because the advantages that they offer are far more than that offered by the regular bikes.
The mountain bikes are far more reliable and durable than any other version. They provide comfort to the user with its full suspension system and better road grip with its thicker and wider tires which never lets the biker slip even on the rainiest and slipperiest of tracks. The frames are made of alloys which are stronger and much lighter in weight than the conventional bicycle frames.
These advantages make the mountain bikes a better choice over the regular street bicycles even for riding around the streets of your town, if you are not interested in the hyper sport which involves the use of these bikes.
