Posts Tagged ‘Cyclists’

Mountain Biking – A Whole Different World Monday, November 23rd, 2009

The sport of mountain biking is increasing in popularity year by year. It’s an exhilarating sport, but it’s also physically demanding. Both men and women take part, but its usually people kids, teens, and young adults.

As with any other activity, mountain bikers have devised their own culture, including a language of their own. If you want to get into the game, you’ll have to learn a few terms:

If you’re riding a “boing-boing” you’re riding a bike with both front and rear suspension. If you’ve “bonked” you’ve run out of energy. To “bring home a Christmas tree” is a bad thing, it means you’ve crashed through dense brushes and leaves and things are hanging off your helmet – it also means you’ve left a trace on the hill, which is something mountain bikers – and people in general, of course, are not supposed to do.

“Death cookies” are rocks that fly up into you as you go down the trail. This happens all the time and so that’s why you want to wear goggles or some kind of eye protection. To get “first blood” means you’re the first rider in a group who crashes and starts bleeding as a result. Some people perhaps feel this is a mark of honor for some reason.

If you’re doing an “endo” it means you’re flying over the handlebars of your bike do to a sudden stop. And then you’ll most likely do a “face plant” – hopefully into mud and not into a rock. Regardless, that’s why you wear a helmet and eye protection!

That’s only a small sampling of the terminology. Of course you’ll enjoy the sport even more if you can understand what the people around you are talking about, so take a gander at a few mountain biking slang dictionaries before you hit the trails.

Mountain biking is a great sport, but there is some controversy to it, as some people feel that the cyclists destroy the natural environment in certain areas, and bicycle advocates have to fight to keep the trails open to cyclists.

All cyclists can help by following simple rules – pack out more than you take in, respect pedestrians on the trails, don’t bike after heavy rains, and so on.

By using a respectful attitude toward the environment and common sense in dealing with other people, mountain biking will be a sport that will be around for a long time to come.

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Mountain Biking Endurance Races Saturday, November 14th, 2009

For the casual cyclist, mountain biking is a wonderful way to enjoy the great outdoors as well as get a great work out. Today, mountain biking is growing rapidly into an excitingly popular sport. With that growth arises an entirely new subculture of mountain bikers who race professionally.

Every year there are hundreds of events and races organized across the nation for mountain bike enthusiasts. These endurance races are generally for those in the absolute top percentage of mountain bikers. It takes a certain amount of conditioning and performance to compete in endurance races as the competition itself is so demanding. There are plenty of different categories, but these races can be as long as 12 hours, taxing the limits of human endurance.

Types of Races

Of the many categories of endurance races, most are beyond the scope of normal cyclists’ physical limits. Starting at three hours these races only scale upwards, reaching six or even twelve hours in length. The shorter three hour races are separated by gender and occasionally by age groups, but the longer races often open up to include both genders and all age groups.

There are numerous formats for endurance races as well. Some races are strictly solo races such as the shorter races. However, as they get longer, endurance races include all combinations of team work and trade off riding, with teams of up to four riders.

Endurance races are highly organized much like the marathons many of the nation’s major cities hold annually and require registration and occasionally physicals. In addition to assuring the participants are physically capable of participating, these events often require a demonstration of certain safety equipment that meets particular regulations.

Safety Measures

Safety is probably the most important thing organizers see to when there is a race. In addition to making sure each rider is in acceptable physical condition and has the proper gear, mountain bikes themselves are often checked to ensure they are in top shape, with fully aired tires, tightened handlebars, and properly adjusted frames and shocks.

Prohibited materials on the bike are also carefully watched. Such prohibited materials include reflectors, kickstands, adjustable hubs, sound frames, true wheels and any personal media devices. All of these items are checked for and expected to be removed before the race starts.

Finding Endurance Races

Endurance mountain biking is a high level addition to the sport of mountain biking. For that reason, if you are interested in getting involved, you should try and contact your local mountain biking association or club. They’ll have all the information you need to not only train for and prepare your bike for competition but the rules associated with the sport. There are numerous websites out there that cater to the crowd of endurance mountain bikers if you are looking for more information.

For anyone who has just gotten into mountain biking endurance racing might be a bit too much for you yet. However, you’ll find that in time you’ll be looking for a bit more of a challenge, and these longer more intense races might be just the thing you’re looking for to push your limits and test your physical conditioning. If you’re serious about endurance racing, take the time necessary to research and get in the shape necessary to compete in these races.

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Tony Brian is a freelance writer for outdoor sports magazines and a contributing writer for angel paintball guns specializing in mountain biking, cyclist.

Mountain Biking Magazines: Essential Reading For The Converted Friday, October 30th, 2009

Even though sports fans are constantly being inundated with commercials for television shows and live events featuring “extreme” versions of their favorite athletic events, and even though these “extreme” versions are becoming more extreme with each passing year, there is still one sport which does not need an extreme version. Mountain biking, even for beginning bikers, brings with it a most satisfactory rush of adrenaline.

While the bicycle has been around for well over a century, and for most of that time has been the main mode of transportation for hundreds of millions of Chinese. China still has the largest number of bicyclists of any country, but no one knows for certain how many Chinese have taken up mountain biking.

The Rising Popularity of Mountain Biking

Even if mountain biking has yet to be discovered in China, however, the remarkable increase in its popularity in other countries may mean that global number of mountain bikers may soon equal, or surpass, that of traditional cyclists in China.

Mountain biking is an equal opportunity sport, appropriate for peoples of all ages, ethnicities, and athletic abilities. There have been no studies done to determine which demographic group has the greatest percentage of mountain bikers, but market researchers have taken note of the sports’ broad-based popularity and, as a result, there are more mountain-biking-related items being commercially produced than ever before.

Mountain Biking Magazines

The audience for mountain biking magazines is now large enough that there are several being published, offering vast amounts of information an anything and everything concerning the sport. Many mountain bikers have come to depend on mountain biking magazines as their primary way of keeping up on the latest news and products which might be of importance to them. Information on biking gear, clothing, bike equipment, the newest bikes, and biking events is the minimum you can expect to find in mountain biking magazines.

But the leader among the mountain biking magazines is, naturally, Mountain Biking Magazine. Mountain Biking Magazine, with articles regularly written by the best professional mountain bikers in the world, offers top quality advice on every aspect of the sport which has taken extremes sports fans by storm. Articles will cover topics like the personal biking experiences of the different bikers, the best places to ride in different parts of the world, and all the latest improvements in biking and biking gear technology.

Its contributors are able to imbue Mountain Biking Magazine with a sense of the exciting adventures which await anyone who decides to join the millions of enthusiasts who have made mountain biking their sport of choice!

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Mountain Biking Magazines: Essential Reading For The Converted Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

Even though sports fans are constantly being inundated with commercials for television shows and live events featuring “extreme” versions of their favorite athletic events, and even though these “extreme” versions are becoming more extreme with each passing year, there is still one sport which does not need an extreme version. Mountain biking, even for beginning bikers, brings with it a most satisfactory rush of adrenaline.

While the bicycle has been around for well over a century, and for most of that time has been the main mode of transportation for hundreds of millions of Chinese. China still has the largest number of bicyclists of any country, but no one knows for certain how many Chinese have taken up mountain biking.

The Rising Popularity of Mountain Biking

Even if mountain biking has yet to be discovered in China, however, the remarkable increase in its popularity in other countries may mean that global number of mountain bikers may soon equal, or surpass, that of traditional cyclists in China.

Mountain biking is an equal opportunity sport, appropriate for peoples of all ages, ethnicities, and athletic abilities. There have been no studies done to determine which demographic group has the greatest percentage of mountain bikers, but market researchers have taken note of the sports’ broad-based popularity and, as a result, there are more mountain-biking-related items being commercially produced than ever before.

Mountain Biking Magazines

The audience for mountain biking magazines is now large enough that there are several being published, offering vast amounts of information an anything and everything concerning the sport. Many mountain bikers have come to depend on mountain biking magazines as their primary way of keeping up on the latest news and products which might be of importance to them. Information on biking gear, clothing, bike equipment, the newest bikes, and biking events is the minimum you can expect to find in mountain biking magazines.

But the leader among the mountain biking magazines is, naturally, Mountain Biking Magazine. Mountain Biking Magazine, with articles regularly written by the best professional mountain bikers in the world, offers top quality advice on every aspect of the sport which has taken extremes sports fans by storm. Articles will cover topics like the personal biking experiences of the different bikers, the best places to ride in different parts of the world, and all the latest improvements in biking and biking gear technology.

Its contributors are able to imbue Mountain Biking Magazine with a sense of the exciting adventures which await anyone who decides to join the millions of enthusiasts who have made mountain biking their sport of choice!

Article Directory: http://www.articledashboard.com

Preparing For A Mountain Biking Adventure Wednesday, October 28th, 2009

For outdoor recreation, mountain biking or simply bicycling is one exciting and thrilling activity that is making lots of fun to many people. And, more than fun, many join group of mountain bikers for health reason. Many have proven that cycling is very effective way to achieve a healthy and fit body.

Mountain biking is popular in and out of Bryce Canyon; however it is dangerous due to the fact that the bikes move both fast and quiet. Also, the nature of the activity requires that most of the cyclists attention is on balance, concentration, and control, and less is available for watching for bears.

Cycling is something that you can do for your whole life as long as you keep it fun. It is an individual challenge, obliging you to depend on your own skills when out alone. Knowing how to repair your bike or care for a wound are necessary to avoid becoming stranded or worsening an injury– these are just some you need undergo in cycling.

Mountain biking is roughly broken; it is a lot like tennis or skiing. Just a few minor adjustments in techniques can make a huge difference in your control and proficiency.
It needs a lot of dedication and passion to really become a successful cyclist.

Mountain biking is mostly riding off road, but much of the time you are riding on backcountry dirt roads. A mountain biking experience is commonly slower than road biking, dustier, and with shorter climbs.

There are some important things you should remember when you want to experience this extreme sports. First, you have to visit your doctor first to make it sure that you are best-fitted for mountain biking. Then, having checked and told you are capable, you need to undergo some sort of physical fitness activity to prepare your body system. Stretching/Exercising in the morning is one way of doing that. You also need to consider eating right amount of foods, with the right nutrients. Taking vitamins can also help.

When your are already prepared physically, emotionally, mentally, it is time to prepare the necessary mountain biking accessories– ask about biking accessories you may need at the stores near you. You wil also need first aid stuffs.

More tips:

Joining in mountain biking clubs allows you to be more aware of the do’s and don’ts of this sport. That includes of course, knowing several prohibition for the sake of environmental protection. By joining clubs, you have the opportunity to be exposed in several orientations or seminars.

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

For more information, visit www.bikingmastery.com/