Archive for October, 2009

Why Downhill Mountain Biking Is Ideal For The Specialized Stumpju Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Downhill mountain biking is extremely popular but it can also be extremely dangerous too.

When you look into the sport of mountain biking, you soon realize that there are quite a few different variations involved. From relaxing scenic mountain trails to challenging cross-country riding and to the more extreme downhill racing; all are popular with thousands of people worldwide. Downhill biking in particular is proving to be popular and there have been many people who have chosen to specialize purely in downhill biking.

Why Downhill Mountain Biking?

The main reason why most people choose to take part in downhill mountain biking is because it really gets the adrenaline pumping. You go at extreme speeds downhill and you also take part in various tricks and jumps too. It is certainly not a sport for the beginner and the chance of having an accident is extremely high. Whilst you may not pedal as much in downhill biking, due to the high speeds involved, when you do pedal it makes the sport even more dangerous. The reasons why downhill bikers choose to pedal even though it may seem that they don’t need to, is to gain an advantage over their opponents.

There are two things which could happen in downhill mountain biking. The first is that you race against an opponent and the second is that you race against time. When you choose to enter races where you race an opponent, it is known as a dual slalom. You set off at the same time as your opponent and you have to race them to the bottom to the finish line. When you race against time you usually take part in the same course twice at least. You see which one is your best time out of the two races and from that you see whether you have qualified to the next round.

No matter which type of downhill racing you do take part in, you should always wear protective gear. This helps to protect you in case you do fall off the bike. However as downhill mountain biking is a potential danger to the whole body, it is not possible to protect every single part of yourself. So there is always the risk of injury even if you have got the right protection on. Lazer helmetsare one of the best helmets ever made.

Overall as long as you wear the right protection you will have a lesser risk of hurting yourself. However you can never fully guarantee that you won’t get hurt and that is why downhill biking is such an extreme and dangerous sport to take part in.

Article Source: http://www.articledirectorylive.com

Alison Addy is a syndicated editor of www.bikecyclingreviews.com .A focused website that offers the best articles on Lazer helmets and bicycle helmets.

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace
Your Cycling Shorts Can Make Or Mar Your Mountain Biking Trip Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Do you want to speed down the best slope ever or do you want to be constantly reminded of your clothing due to an itching sensation? The right mountain bike shorts will relieve you of any such thought and make you give hundred percent to your favorite sport without a care in the world.

It is true that there is a variety of equipment that you should possess before you venture into the slopes, but mountain biking shorts are one of the items that you cannot miss. It is only easy to understand that the right mountain biking shorts will help to make your ride comfortable and the wrong apparel will effect not only during the ride but the after effects could be troublesome also.

Mountain biking is an extreme sport which is a few steps ahead of regular cycling in terms of the intensity, speed, danger and physical stamina required to display here. So it is only natural that your clothing should be appropriate for the occasion, and hence your shorts should be flexible as well as breathable giving you the comfort you need during your activity.

Especially if you are a committed biker and have a love for long and stressful trips then you need to concentrate on the road rather than on your clothing. And for that purpose you need the best possible apparel for your mountain biking expeditions.

Mountain Bike Shorts

A neat pair of mountain bike shorts is absolutely the simplest way to raise your comfort on the bike, the best feature is the soft padding of chamois sewn inside the shorts to absorb dampness and avoid chaffing.

If the weather is hot and humid then you are most likely to sweat while you ride so an absorbent piece of apparel will be very useful. Wearing the right pair of shorts will make you thank yourself when you consider the after effects of such clothing if they are not up to the mark.

Keeping Your Style

Many people think that they better not wear mountain bike shorts because it makes them feel stupid and dumpy. But, they should be aware that there is no dearth of options with regard to biking apparel in general, and hence they are most likely to find clothing that suit their taste one way or another. All you need to do is keep looking till you get the item of your choice and style. One item of choice is dmt shoes, which are the result of a great passion for cycling, uniting master craftsmanship, choice materials, and top level research in co-operation with leading professional riders.

Before you Shop

Do not forget that when you chalk out a budget for yourself do it wisely and do not include those things that you cannot do strictly without. So go ahead and take a tour of different shops and stores to land up with the fairest deal with regards to quality and prices. This way you can end up satisfied that you got the best possible deal.

Adam Peters is an online entrepreneur and writes for www.bikecyclingreviews.com .Read additional info on cool bikes or dmt shoes

Article Source: http://www.thecontentcorner.com

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace
Combining Mountain Biking And Skiing Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Think of extreme sports and going skiing would be one of the typical activites that would spring to mind. Mountain biking is also a type of extreme sport and is hugely popular across the United States. Have you considered combining those two extreme sports? In Vail, Colorado, skiers who are bummed out about the warm summer season with no snow around have found a way to get over it while waiting for the snowy season. They combine both sports and have provided some idle ski lift workers something to do. If you are into mountain biking and you like skiing, this combination of extreme sports is just for you.

Once the ski lifts have been opened up for the skiers, and for a reasonable fee, they carry the skiers to the top of the mountain with their bikes. The skiers then take the lift taking their bicycles with them. Once at the top, they jump off the lift – landing on the bicycle’s pedals and they are off. They can pick from a selection of down hill slopes to speed down at crazy speed. The only problem is that a hill with all the snow gone is often covered with rocks and other debris. These obstacles as well as the very steep grade make this sport dangerous and exciting – and of course – extreme!

Do not try this if you are a beginner to extreme sports! Protective gear is always necessary which should include helmet and pads. This is not a sport for the delicate! The bicycle itself can injure you if you smash into some rocks. The handle bars can provide serious injuries. Knee pads are recommended as well as thick gloves. When you fall off your cycle going faster than thirty MPH, you will slide a long way – possibly on loose rock and rubble – ow!

A way to stay a bit safer is to follow the normal routes on the slopes by using the standard green, blue, black, and double black diamond. It is never wise to go off the beaten track because the orange barrier net that surrounds the slope in the winter will probably have been taken away. Beginner extreme sports enthusiasts will discover that racing down ski slopes on a bicycle is not as easy as it sounds. You have to be manouverable enough to jump your wheels to avoid obstacles and make tight turns.

Slope mountain biking can be done at Vail, Colorado and other areas in that locality. Always call ahead and make sure that they allow the bicycles on the ski lifts. It is also worth asking how much it will cost to buy tickets. A lot of places are open for summer guests and they will have the lifts running for tourists who wish to ride just for the view.

Article Source: http://www.articleinfo.org

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace
Top Safety Tips For Mountain Biking Holidays Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Going mountain biking is one of my favourite ways of keeping fit and keeping my weekends busy. In particular mountain biking down hills and nature parks is my favourite pastime. When riding down trails in wooded areas, one must always be cautious of their own safety and become accustomed to wearing the right gear for when doing the trails. As much as they may seem exciting and wild to be involved with, it makes sense to be prepared to protect yourself.

Mountain biking holidays are simply breaks away and trying out their trails. Some places can be as exotic as Andalucia, Spain or South Africa. These offer great views, good trails and plenty of bikes to hire (unless you decide to take your own). People do not generally need a lot of experience to take part in these kinds of holidays; however, it helps to have some off-road biking experience and some trail riding experience.

Without knowing how to ride down hills and bumpy surfaces, you may find it difficult when going abroad to mountain bike. These can very often be fun if you have full control of your own bike, but would prove to be a difficult adventure for those who are under confident in their riding skills. Mountain biking holidays are aimed at providing people a unique experience as a holiday break, but also allowing them to see the joys of mountain biking in a different climate.

For those going for the first time and have a little bit of experience with riding bikes on rocky hills, they will need to take heed of a few safety tips before embarking on this adventure. The first most important piece of safety equipment to take is a good helmet, which should fit perfectly round your head. The ones to look out for are the ones that sit just above your eyebrows, are snug round your head (so they do not slip forward or backward) and have an adjustable strap. They should also be strong enough to protect your head and are not too heavy on your head.

You may find that some mountain biking holidays will offer safety equipment for hire; however, it is advisable to take your own, as this way you can use one without worrying about how it will fit.

Make sure you buy gloves (fully fitted or cut off), to protect them from any knocks or scratches. It is highly recommended that you also buy arm and shin guards, so if you were to fall you can protect your arms from any nasty cuts and bruises. People with mountain biking experience on hills will have experienced falling and may have sustained some injuries. With this experience comes the knowledge of how best to avoid injuries by falling the ‘right’ way e.g. rolling onto the front of your arms protecting the face. This way you will just roll on the ground rather than land onto something that may break.

The next thing you must make sure is whether you are physically fit enough to take on such an active holiday. There is no point in taking part in mountain biking holidays in Italy, created for expert riders unless you are not afraid of putting yourself at risk. It is also not recommended to try out steep mountain trails if you have a very bad sense of balance. The best thing to do is to pick out the holidays, which are tailored towards beginners or intermediate levels. This way you will enjoy easier trails and have a guide to help you on your way.

You should also consider the kind of bike you are going to take. This has to be a strong bike, which is maintained well and does not have a loose chain to hinder your riding skills. Depending on the type of biking you are into, a good mountain bike usually has good front suspension, good quality trail tyres, wide handlebars, good gear shifters and a lightweight frame. This makes for an easier and smooth ride. Personally, back suspension just does not cut it for me, but could be good for people trying out jumps and stunts.

Finally, when trailing on your bike, remember to enjoy yourself. This is a good experience and makes for one of the best active holidays around.

Article Stars: http://articlestars.com

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace
How to Prepare for Winter Mountain Biking Adventure Saturday, October 31st, 2009

Mountain biking is more commonly done during summer. But if you feel like riding during the cold season where everyone is hibernating in their homes, you are free to do so. But just like any other winter activities, certain preparation is necessary to ensure the safety of every member of your team.

I said “team” because I don’t recommend you, conquering any trail alone. You must have at least one riding companion. The following are the general ways to prepare for your winter biking adventure:

Be physically fit
One of the better ways to stay safe while on the trail is to prepare for it physically. Design a training plan that includes weight training to develop strength and cardio activities to improve your endurance. Do it at least 3 times a week for one or two months before your scheduled trip. I recommend that you train with your group members. Avoid alcohol and smoking. Get enough sleep and rest.

Moreover, mountain biking skill and physical fitness vary so before setting out, know each member’s strengths and weakness. Never try anything that is beyond the ability of the weakest person. Stick together as a group. Do not allow any member to be left behind and go ahead of the main party.

Plan
Know the trail. The worst thing that can happen to you out there is to be on an accident. Once you have identified where you want to ride your bike, do your homework. Get a map of the trail at least a week before your actual trip and know where sharp curves, steep descends, and dangerous areas are.

Get the weather report.
Winter season can have unpredictable weather patterns – especially on high altitude areas. Get an extended forecast. Do not forget to check with authorities. Forrest rangers know their areas very well. They carry important information about the trail, the condition of the place and the possible problems that may occur so you may prepare for it.

Bring the necessary equipment
The items you should bring depend on the condition of the trail and the proximity of the trail from your home. But there are things that are mandatory to bring: sufficient food and water, puncture kit (spare inner tube, pump, patches and glue), basic tool kit for bike repair, flashlights, and first aid kit. You should also carry an identification and medical info, map, compass (GPS if you have one), money, bike headlight, matches, whistle, and cellular phone or satellite phone.

Wear proper clothes
Whether you are planning to stay overnight on the trail or go back to your home at the end of the day, never take clothes for granted. Wear jacket or windbreaker that is suited for the temperature. Clothes that are compact, lightweight and can resist freezing temperature should be in your backpack. Keep your toes and fingers well-insulated. An outdoor blanket is a must if you are going out for days.

Let your family or friends know where you are
List your itineraries and give it you your family or friends who will be left behind. List down each member’s name, addresses and contact persons in case of emergency, license plate of the vehicle you are using (if there is any), and expected time of return.

Have fun and be safe!

Get free articles in various topic for your website or blog content as much as you want at Article Directory: http://www.articlecompilation.com

Enjoying life to the fullest. Exercise, fun, health, family and be in charge of our body. takecontrolofyourwellness.com weightmanagementlifestyle.com www.goldenkeytoprosperity.com

Share and Enjoy:
  • Digg
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • NewsVine
  • Reddit
  • StumbleUpon
  • YahooMyWeb
  • Google Bookmarks
  • Yahoo! Buzz
  • TwitThis
  • Live
  • LinkedIn
  • Pownce
  • MySpace