Elite Mountain Bikes For Amateur And Professional Mountain Bike Racers

Booking yourself and your friends on a Costa Rica mountain biking tour is essential, if you’re ready for exciting mountain biking with a difference!

How about getting dropped off at a magnificent 10 000 feet high volcano, and biking down a 7 mile descent to the foothills of the volcano next door?

Or riding all day through lush rain forests with 800 species of birds – not to mention the primates and crocodiles!

Costa Rica mountain biking is full of these and other exciting rides. The routes feature active volcanoes, very high mountain passes, lush tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests, waterfalls, and river crossings.

As most of Costa Rica’s roads are dirt, the country easily lends itself to exploration by mountain bike. It is also extremely hilly, with many heart-stopping descents! Costa Rica mountain biking has trails suitable for riders just starting out, as well as experienced bikers looking for a challenge.

Your Costa Rica mountain biking adventure can start with a guided drive up to the top of the Irazu Volcano at 11,000 feet. Descend to 1,500 feet through miles of lush, green scenery, ending in the small town of Santa Cruz de Turrialba. If your timing is right, you may even get a taste of the Turrialba cheese fair!

The dirt road takes you through fertile dairy and farm land, cutting its way between the Irazu and Turrialba Volcano. A support van, with a driver and a guide-mechanic are available with extra bikes, food, and a first aid kit.

Alternatively, Costa Rica mountain biking can take you to the Aguila de Osa Inn from where you will be able to undertake many local rides on the bikes they provide. Most of the rides are between 1 and 3 hours in duration, and cover a wide variety of landscapes, from beach rides to river canyons (including suspension bridges!) to forests and farm areas.

The Costa Rica mountain biking experience truly is in a class of its own.

Quepos offers a number of guided biking trails. A combination bike/boat tour, will have you floating through a mangrove forest. Excellent backup is provided on the trail, as well as entertaining information about the fauna and flora.

Join an exclusive ride clinic and use your Costa Rica mountain biking travels to learn new skills, in spectacular surroundings.

Bikes are very well equipped, and safety is always taken into consideration. Romantic sunset rides are also available during high season. This is a very pleasurable way to beat the heat!

While Costa Rica mountain biking may seem more adventurous riding on your own, the conditions often make the presence of a guide preferable. You may just end up appreciating that support van after a tiring, fun-filled day…

If you want to combine Costa Rica mountain biking with other great adventures, you will find tours that include snorkeling the reefs of the Caribbean, or river rafting on the many great rivers, or just straightforward hiking with beautiful views and scenery.

A Costa Rica mountain biking tour is usually followed by delighted comments, about the fact that the places visited were not swarming with other bikers!

All of this is probably only possible with a Costa Rica mountain biking package, where over a quarter of the country was designated forever wild…

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

Texas is a large wide-open state with a lot of exciting and beautiful spaces and places. There are a variety of terrains available, providing individuals who enjoy mountain biking numerous trails and roads to travel on for hundreds of miles. This variety also caters to the sport’s five different categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding

Cross-Country (XC) is the most common form of mountain biking. Participants ride point- to-point or in a loop that includes climbs and descents on a variety of terrains. However, there is a difference between common XC and XC racing, which is much more physically demanding than leisure riding. Racers train for years to be able to compete at a national level.

A typical XC bike weighs 22-28lbs, and has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.
Freeride/Big Hit Freeride is a “do anything” discipline which encompasses everything from downhill racing without the clock, to jumping, riding “North Shore” style (elevated trails made of interconnecting bridges and logs), and generally riding trails and/or stunts that require more skill and aggressive riding than XC.

Freeride bikes are generally heavier and have beefier suspensions than XC, but usually retain much of their climbing ability. The Freeride rider builds his or her bike to lean more toward a preferred level of aggressiveness. “Slopestyle” type riding is an increasingly popular style that combines big-air, stunt-ridden freeride with BMX style tricks. Slopestyle courses are usually constructed at already-established mountain bike parks, and include jumps, large drops, quarter-pipes, and other wooden obstacles.

Downhill biking is simple — riding mountain bikes downhill. While XC riding has a downhill component, downhill (or DH for short) usually refers to racing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill racing bikes are equipped with a front and rear suspension, large brakes, and use heavier frame tubing than other mountain bikes. Downhill bikes aren’t meant to be pedaled uphill, so downhill riders and racers frequently employ trucks or ski lifts to be shuttled to the top of the hill.

Downhill courses are the most physically demanding and dangerous venues for mountain biking. They include large jumps (up to and including 40 feet), drops of 10+ feet, and are generally rough and steep, top to bottom. To negotiate these obstacles at race speed, racers must possess a unique combination of total body strength, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and mental control. Minimum body protection in a true downhill setting includes kneepads and a full-face helmet with goggles, although riders and racers commonly sport full-body suits to protect themselves.

Dirt jumping is the practice of riding bikes over shaped mounds of dirt or soil. The idea is that, after riding over the “take off,” the rider will become momentarily airborne, and aim to land on the “landing.” A mountain bike built for dirt jumping tends to have a smaller frame than one used for other disciplines. Running single speed is very common, as is using only a rear brake.

“Trials riding” consists of hopping and jumping bikes over obstacles. It can be performed either off-road or in an urban environment, and requires an excellent sense of balance. As with Dirt Jumping and BMX-style riding, emphasis is placed on style, originality and technique. There are many stylistic similarities to skateboarding. Trials bikes look almost nothing like mountain bikes. They use either 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels and have very small, low frames, some types without a saddle.

Inherent to the sport of mountain biking is the risk of injury. There are dozens of companies that manufacture protective gear, often referred to as “armor,” to protect against injury from crashes, and mostly aimed at downhill, freeride and dirt jump riders. Armor ranges from simple knee and elbow pads to full-body padding. Some companies market full-body armor suits or jackets, that allow the rider to remove some of the padding and/or plastic plates that protect the rider’s arms. Most upper body protectors also include a spine protector that is comprised of plastic plates joined together, with foam padding underneath. Full-face helmets, often resembling motocross helmets (but usually considerably lighter and with more ventilation), are required by some bike parks, although advanced riders often wear these helmets by choice, in order to better protect their heads.

Unusual and physically demanding sports such as mountain biking can be a great way to exercise to maintain good health.

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

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com

Alaska isn’t for the faint of heart, especially those that want to take in its top flight mountain biking trails. Between high altitudes, different weather conditions and the prospect of wildlife, it’s a mountain biking experience unlike anything in the Lower 48. It’s also got incredible scenery and is some of the most challenging bike terrain in the country.
For beginners, there’s the Eklutna Lake trail, about 14 miles of rolling terrain going around a beautiful lake. Fair warning – it’s up in the mountains, so it can still be cold, even in late summer, when the sun goes down (finally). Keep your camera handy for bears and other wildlife, and the lake is gorgeous!
A slightly more challenging trail is the Gull Rock trail, near Hope. This is a 10 mile track with some large boulders and roots that you may need to port your bike past, but otherwise, it’s a nice, gentle ride. It’s best before the height of summer, as it gets overgrown later in the year.
Closer to Anchorage is the Centennial Park Trail, that runs from Muldoon to the ever so inviting Stuckagain. It’s got a 12 mile area with lots of trails to go through, and it caters to every skill level, from the novice to the extreme. Look for the old rope swing off the hill, and Sheep Creek Dam. You will want to check with the Army because there’s a military training camp near North Muldoon. It’s usually clear, but when an exercise is running, they’ll want to close off access. Call ahead before packing the bikes out.
The other major mountain biking locale in the Anchorage area is the Hilltop Ski Area. It’s got 9 miles of steep climbs and awesome descents. While it’s close to Anchorage, keep an eye out for wildlife and other trail users. Side trails may be better for beginners, but the main trails are great for adrenaline seekers.
The Resurrection Pass Trail near Hope, Alaska is for the biker with endurance. It is a wooded 40-mile track at a high elevation. There are steep, technical sections, as well as some challenging downhill areas. Watch out for rocks, roots, and mud as they can be hazardous. Because of the length and remoteness of the trail, always bring plenty of water, first aid supplies, and always ride with a friend or two. There are places to camp in the area, but keep an eye out for bears.
Going a little farther north to the Matanuska-Susitna valley is Silver Creek Trail, outside of Wasilla. Mostly for ATVs, the trail is 4 miles of challenging course, that will take you over the tree line. It’s got a great view, but keep an eye out for inclement weather; like in the Rockies, weather can change fast.
With all the opportunities that we’ve presented here, we’ve barely touched the surface; Alaska is a huge state, and this will just whet your appetite for adventure as a mountain biker.

Article Source: http://www.articles.com.mx

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Booking yourself and your friends on a Costa Rica mountain biking tour is essential, if you’re ready for exciting mountain biking with a difference!

How about getting dropped off at a magnificent 10 000 feet high volcano, and biking down a 7 mile descent to the foothills of the volcano next door?

Or riding all day through lush rain forests with 800 species of birds – not to mention the primates and crocodiles!

Costa Rica mountain biking is full of these and other exciting rides. The routes feature active volcanoes, very high mountain passes, lush tropical, sub-tropical and temperate forests, waterfalls, and river crossings.

As most of Costa Rica’s roads are dirt, the country easily lends itself to exploration by mountain bike. It is also extremely hilly, with many heart-stopping descents! Costa Rica mountain biking has trails suitable for riders just starting out, as well as experienced bikers looking for a challenge.

Your Costa Rica mountain biking adventure can start with a guided drive up to the top of the Irazu Volcano at 11,000 feet. Descend to 1,500 feet through miles of lush, green scenery, ending in the small town of Santa Cruz de Turrialba. If your timing is right, you may even get a taste of the Turrialba cheese fair!

The dirt road takes you through fertile dairy and farm land, cutting its way between the Irazu and Turrialba Volcano. A support van, with a driver and a guide-mechanic are available with extra bikes, food, and a first aid kit.

Alternatively, Costa Rica mountain biking can take you to the Aguila de Osa Inn from where you will be able to undertake many local rides on the bikes they provide. Most of the rides are between 1 and 3 hours in duration, and cover a wide variety of landscapes, from beach rides to river canyons (including suspension bridges!) to forests and farm areas.

The Costa Rica mountain biking experience truly is in a class of its own.

Quepos offers a number of guided biking trails. A combination bike/boat tour, will have you floating through a mangrove forest. Excellent backup is provided on the trail, as well as entertaining information about the fauna and flora.

Join an exclusive ride clinic and use your Costa Rica mountain biking travels to learn new skills, in spectacular surroundings.

Bikes are very well equipped, and safety is always taken into consideration. Romantic sunset rides are also available during high season. This is a very pleasurable way to beat the heat!

While Costa Rica mountain biking may seem more adventurous riding on your own, the conditions often make the presence of a guide preferable. You may just end up appreciating that support van after a tiring, fun-filled day…

If you want to combine Costa Rica mountain biking with other great adventures, you will find tours that include snorkeling the reefs of the Caribbean, or river rafting on the many great rivers, or just straightforward hiking with beautiful views and scenery.

A Costa Rica mountain biking tour is usually followed by delighted comments, about the fact that the places visited were not swarming with other bikers!

All of this is probably only possible with a Costa Rica mountain biking package, where over a quarter of the country was designated forever wild…

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

Texas is a large wide-open state with a lot of exciting and beautiful spaces and places. There are a variety of terrains available, providing individuals who enjoy mountain biking numerous trails and roads to travel on for hundreds of miles. This variety also caters to the sport’s five different categories: cross country, downhill, freeride, dirt jump and trials/street riding

Cross-Country (XC) is the most common form of mountain biking. Participants ride point- to-point or in a loop that includes climbs and descents on a variety of terrains. However, there is a difference between common XC and XC racing, which is much more physically demanding than leisure riding. Racers train for years to be able to compete at a national level.

A typical XC bike weighs 22-28lbs, and has 0-4 inches of suspension travel front and rear.
Freeride/Big Hit Freeride is a “do anything” discipline which encompasses everything from downhill racing without the clock, to jumping, riding “North Shore” style (elevated trails made of interconnecting bridges and logs), and generally riding trails and/or stunts that require more skill and aggressive riding than XC.

Freeride bikes are generally heavier and have beefier suspensions than XC, but usually retain much of their climbing ability. The Freeride rider builds his or her bike to lean more toward a preferred level of aggressiveness. “Slopestyle” type riding is an increasingly popular style that combines big-air, stunt-ridden freeride with BMX style tricks. Slopestyle courses are usually constructed at already-established mountain bike parks, and include jumps, large drops, quarter-pipes, and other wooden obstacles.

Downhill biking is simple — riding mountain bikes downhill. While XC riding has a downhill component, downhill (or DH for short) usually refers to racing-oriented downhill riding. Downhill racing bikes are equipped with a front and rear suspension, large brakes, and use heavier frame tubing than other mountain bikes. Downhill bikes aren’t meant to be pedaled uphill, so downhill riders and racers frequently employ trucks or ski lifts to be shuttled to the top of the hill.

Downhill courses are the most physically demanding and dangerous venues for mountain biking. They include large jumps (up to and including 40 feet), drops of 10+ feet, and are generally rough and steep, top to bottom. To negotiate these obstacles at race speed, racers must possess a unique combination of total body strength, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, and mental control. Minimum body protection in a true downhill setting includes kneepads and a full-face helmet with goggles, although riders and racers commonly sport full-body suits to protect themselves.

Dirt jumping is the practice of riding bikes over shaped mounds of dirt or soil. The idea is that, after riding over the “take off,” the rider will become momentarily airborne, and aim to land on the “landing.” A mountain bike built for dirt jumping tends to have a smaller frame than one used for other disciplines. Running single speed is very common, as is using only a rear brake.

“Trials riding” consists of hopping and jumping bikes over obstacles. It can be performed either off-road or in an urban environment, and requires an excellent sense of balance. As with Dirt Jumping and BMX-style riding, emphasis is placed on style, originality and technique. There are many stylistic similarities to skateboarding. Trials bikes look almost nothing like mountain bikes. They use either 20″, 24″ or 26″ wheels and have very small, low frames, some types without a saddle.

Inherent to the sport of mountain biking is the risk of injury. There are dozens of companies that manufacture protective gear, often referred to as “armor,” to protect against injury from crashes, and mostly aimed at downhill, freeride and dirt jump riders. Armor ranges from simple knee and elbow pads to full-body padding. Some companies market full-body armor suits or jackets, that allow the rider to remove some of the padding and/or plastic plates that protect the rider’s arms. Most upper body protectors also include a spine protector that is comprised of plastic plates joined together, with foam padding underneath. Full-face helmets, often resembling motocross helmets (but usually considerably lighter and with more ventilation), are required by some bike parks, although advanced riders often wear these helmets by choice, in order to better protect their heads.

Unusual and physically demanding sports such as mountain biking can be a great way to exercise to maintain good health.

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

Pat Carpenter writes for Precedent Insurance Company. Precedent puts a new spin on health insurance. Learn more at Precedent.com