Two-wheel Traveling on a Mountain Bike
If you’re looking for a truck or SUV to explore the countryside, you’re thinking two wheels too many. To get really close to nature, have a blast and keep in shape, grab a mountain bike and head for the hills.
Today’s popular “mountain bike” style was developed, as the name suggests, from bicycles that were designed for cruising up and down mountains. Obviously, racing down a mountainside can be a serious adrenaline rush, but it can also be quite dangerous. If you’re actually considering taking on a mountain pass, you must invest in a bike designed to accomplish such a task. Using the right equipment and some common sense, mountain biking can be a fun sport for the entire family.
Ride in Style
There are three basic styles of mountain biking: cross-country, freestyle, and downhill. Although the styles vary in many ways, each demands a great deal of skill. Choosing your personal riding style will determine the type of mountain bike you should buy. In other words, don’t buy a heavy downhill bike if you plan on busting moves with your buddies. A lighter freestyle model is better suited for trick riding.
Practice Makes Perfect
To be a great mountain biker you need stamina and endurance. Conquering nature’s courses also requires ambition and, sometimes, courage. Like all sports, mountain biking also involves time and practice. A lot of practice. Just because you’ve been riding your bike, you may not be ready for scaling rocky hills and maneuvering through winding trails. You’ll have to suffer a few bumps and bruises before you’re ready to ride with the big kids.
Location, Location, Location
Think of mountain biking as riding an unpaved surface. Your bike is ready to take you virtually anywhere you want to be, and many North American parks offer designated biking locations. Before hitting the trails in a park or conservatory, check for rules and regulations. There may even be trail maps available for you to bring along on your trek. Ask about local mountain biking clubs and group trail rides and competitions. You can easily find this information by asking at a local bike shop, checking the papers or searching online. Beginner to advanced groups are available, so be sure you’re joining a club that matches your skill level.
Buying Your Bike
Once you’ve narrowed down your mountain biking style to cross-country, freestyle or downhill, you can use personal preference in choosing your bike. There is a huge variety of mountain bike makes and models on the market today. Shop around and compare styles, shapes and price.
Consider the quality of the bike and the reliability of the manufacturer, and don’t be fooled into thinking that the most expensive models must be the best bikes. Use the Internet as an effecting comparison tool while shopping for a bike, as many website compare the quality, features and prices for you.
When you find a bike you like, ask for a test drive. A great mountain biker needs to feel as one with his or her own bike. Check for a comfortable seat and position, and be sure that the brakes and gears are suited to you.
A mountain bike can be a big investment, so ask around and do your homework before you buy.
Keep it Safe
Mountain biking on unpaved roads and through unexplored territories can be very dangerous. You literally do not know what’s lying around the corner. Always wear a helmet, wherever you ride. Elbow and kneepads and riding gloves are also good choices to help keep you safe and comfortable, and goggles should be worn if you’re riding in the woods or following a group. Finally, keep a few band-aids in your pack — just in case.
Cruising around the county or riding cross-country is more fun on a mountain bike. It’s a great sport for seeing the sights and staying in shape. Buy a bike, wear a helmet, get out there and have fun!
Essayist Colette Thyman provides material for numerous Internet sites, on family recreation and golf products themes.
Tags: bicycle, bike, cycling, mountain bike, mountain bikingRelated posts
July 05 2008 06:19 pm | Mountain Bikes