Elite Mountain Bikes For Amateur And Professional Mountain Bike Racers

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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Extreme sports are getting more and more popular these days. Mountain biking attracts daredevils from all over the world who like to have an “adventure sport experience”.

The term mountain biking includes many different styles. The range is from gentle types such as cross country where you ride up and down the hills, and cyclo cross, which is a combination between mountain biking and road biking, to more ‘extreme’ styles. Downhill biking is one of the more extreme types and it is also one of the most popular forms of mountain biking.

As the name implies, in downhill mountain biking you only ride down the hills. The bike and the biker get transported up to the top by a lift and then begin the thrilling ride down. What you’re aiming for is to get to the bottom of the hill as fast as possible, managing to pass all the obstacles. The situations that occur often get pretty extreme. This includes jumps that can be up to twelve meters long, dropping three meters and other kinds of rough conditions that you can find on a mountain slope.

The people that are into downhill mountain biking are those that are looking for a good challenge, that long for the adrenaline pumping experience and don’t mind a few bruises. It’s for those that like to be on the risky, thrilling side of life.

The downhill bike is heavier than other mountain bikes to be able to fit the conditions. It weighs somewhere between forty and fifty pounds so forget about pedaling uphill once you’re out there. Once you’ve begun your race, there’s only one way to go and that’s down. The bike has to be able to put up with extreme conditions so it is equipped with front and rear suspension and heavy tubing. For the biker, it’s necessary to use full saftety gear with a proper helmet, goggles, a body suit plus knee and hand pads. You can expect to have some close contact with the dirt even if you are a professional downhill biker.

There are many ways to improve you skills, the most important one is of course to practice, and then to practice a bit more and a bit more. There are loads of books, DVDs and internet sites where people can watch stunts being performed by professionals sharing their tricks and ideas. This is also a great way to learn, and something you can bring with you once your actually out on the hillside. The only way to fully master it though, is to learn by the experience.

Even though there are risky aspects to downhill mountain biking, it’s a sport that’s very worthwhile. It has the ability to give you an experience that is both fun and exciting.

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When you think of exercise, you may imagine running in place on a treadmill at the gym. However, losing weight and getting fit does not have to be that boring. People of all ages are beginning to dust off their mountain bikes and get exercise by exploring the world around them. Whether you dream of racing down a steep hill or taking a leisurely ride on an easy trail, mountain biking is a great way to exercise and have fun at the same time.

Mountain bikes are a great form of exercise because when you cycle, even slowly, you burn plenty of calories. It is a great way of toning muscles so whether you are trying to lose weight or simply tone up you are bound to be happy with the results.

If like most of us you are one of those people who finds it hard to get motivated to do exercise, then mountain biking is a great way to get in shape with friends. Mountain bikes are a great way to spend time with friends and family whilst getting some exercise at the same time.

Another great benefit of mountain bikes is the fact that they allow you to get outside and experience nature. After spending all week in an office, warehouse, or cooped up inside your home, the effect of biking is both soothing and energising.

Some trails are easy and allow for a leisurely ride while others are intense with uneven terrain, lots of hills and obstacles (trees, bushes, rocks, logs, etc.) Depending upon the level of exercise you want to get on your bike as well as your level of experience, you need to determine which trails are right for your needs.

A great way to uncover trails is to find other owners of mountain bikes and ask them to point you in the right direction. Most people will be happy to help and you will discover trails it is unlikely that you would have found on your own.

Safety gear is important when riding mountain bikes as it can be a dangerous activity at times. You should buy a pair of goggles to wear during your workout because as you ride through various trails, you may be surprised by low – hanging branches and small insects. The goggles will protect your eyes and ultimately your safety on your bike.

It is also advisable to buy some elbow and knee pads. If you fall off of your bike the impact can be rough on these areas so it is wise to protect them with the right gear.

Mountain bikes are a great way to get outdoors, exercise and experience nature. You can burn extra calories, discover great new biking trails and enjoy the company of friends at the same time. Make sure you are well – equipped with water and the right safety gear and you are ready to start mountain biking and getting fit.

Leisure Lakes Bikes build bicycles that are built and tested by trained mechanics. mountain bikes offer free after sales advice to guarantee that you are happy with your purchase. Submitted by search engine consultants at www.webrepairservices.co.uk

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Every sport has its accessories, and mountian biking is no different. But many of these accessories are designed to save, if not lives, then certainly unnecessary aches and pains.

There’s more to mountain biking than just getting a cool bike. Mountain biking can be a dangerous sport – as is any sport where you’re heading downhill at speed.

The younger generation has a tendency to think it is invincible, and so will not bother with the common sense safety gear that could save them from unnecessary bumps, bruises, cuts or breaks. Of course, even with all the safety gear, those bumps, bruises, cuts and breaks can happen, but they’ll more than likely be less severe.

Bike helmet

The helmet is not really an “accessory,” is an essential part of the mountain biker’s gear. Every mountain biker is going to fall off his or her bike at one time or another – and the helmet will very likely come in for a beating – much better than the rider’s head. Helmets these days are comfortable and come in an array of styles. Make sure you purchase one which fits properly.

Eye protection

Second only to the helmet, eye protection such as goggles are a must. Going downhill at speed, it’s easy for your tires to kick up rocks or dirt that, if they get in your eyes, will blind you and cause you to run off the trail and into a tree, as often as not. There’s always the chance that mosquitoes, midges, or other no-see-ems will get into your eyes, which is why goggles are better than glasses or sunglasses – although they will serve.

Once you’ve got the helmet and eye protection out of the way, everything else can safely be classified as “accessories,” which would definitely be nice to have but are not mandatory.

Trail repair kit

Of these types of accessories, perhaps the most important is the trail repair kit. You may be able to ride your entire life on the streets of your city without getting a flat tire, but when you’re going cross country or down mountains, the chance of getting a flat tire rises exponentially. You don’t want to get stuck on the trail – so make sure you have a repair kit underneath your bike seat. And just as important – practice with that repair kit so that you actually know how to use the tools!

Gloves

It is more comfortable to ride any bike with gloves than without them. Mountain bike gloves ar specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions under which they’re used, and not only will they save you stress in just gripping the handlebars, but they’ll also prevent any nasty scrapes should you take a header.

Hydration system

Nothing ruins the ride more than feeling hungry or thirsty while you’re in the middle of it… but thirst probably is more annoying than hunger. Bring a water bottle at the very least. A hydration backpack also fits the bill – all this is is a specially fitted backpack with liquid of your choice in various containers, fitted so that they feel almost weightless.

Shoes

For many types of biking, your average tennis shoe will work just fine. But for mountain biking, shoes made specifically for the sport are pretty nice to have. You want them to be comfortable, durable, and suited to t heir purpose – which is to keep your feet safe and injury free while you ride. They come with stiff soles for better efficiency while pedaling, and you can get them for clip or clipless pedals.

Shorts

Padded shorts are a must for any type of biking! It increases the comfort of the ride no end (along with a gel-filled saddle!)

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Every sport has its accessories, and mountian biking is no different. But many of these accessories are designed to save, if not lives, then certainly unnecessary aches and pains.

There’s more to mountain biking than just getting a cool bike. Mountain biking can be a dangerous sport – as is any sport where you’re heading downhill at speed.

The younger generation has a tendency to think it is invincible, and so will not bother with the common sense safety gear that could save them from unnecessary bumps, bruises, cuts or breaks. Of course, even with all the safety gear, those bumps, bruises, cuts and breaks can happen, but they’ll more than likely be less severe.

Bike helmet

The helmet is not really an “accessory,” is an essential part of the mountain biker’s gear. Every mountain biker is going to fall off his or her bike at one time or another – and the helmet will very likely come in for a beating – much better than the rider’s head. Helmets these days are comfortable and come in an array of styles. Make sure you purchase one which fits properly.

Eye protection

Second only to the helmet, eye protection such as goggles are a must. Going downhill at speed, it’s easy for your tires to kick up rocks or dirt that, if they get in your eyes, will blind you and cause you to run off the trail and into a tree, as often as not. There’s always the chance that mosquitoes, midges, or other no-see-ems will get into your eyes, which is why goggles are better than glasses or sunglasses – although they will serve.

Once you’ve got the helmet and eye protection out of the way, everything else can safely be classified as “accessories,” which would definitely be nice to have but are not mandatory.

Trail repair kit

Of these types of accessories, perhaps the most important is the trail repair kit. You may be able to ride your entire life on the streets of your city without getting a flat tire, but when you’re going cross country or down mountains, the chance of getting a flat tire rises exponentially. You don’t want to get stuck on the trail – so make sure you have a repair kit underneath your bike seat. And just as important – practice with that repair kit so that you actually know how to use the tools!

Gloves

It is more comfortable to ride any bike with gloves than without them. Mountain bike gloves ar specially designed to withstand the harsh conditions under which they’re used, and not only will they save you stress in just gripping the handlebars, but they’ll also prevent any nasty scrapes should you take a header.

Hydration system

Nothing ruins the ride more than feeling hungry or thirsty while you’re in the middle of it… but thirst probably is more annoying than hunger. Bring a water bottle at the very least. A hydration backpack also fits the bill – all this is is a specially fitted backpack with liquid of your choice in various containers, fitted so that they feel almost weightless.

Shoes

For many types of biking, your average tennis shoe will work just fine. But for mountain biking, shoes made specifically for the sport are pretty nice to have. You want them to be comfortable, durable, and suited to t heir purpose – which is to keep your feet safe and injury free while you ride. They come with stiff soles for better efficiency while pedaling, and you can get them for clip or clipless pedals.

Shorts

Padded shorts are a must for any type of biking! It increases the comfort of the ride no end (along with a gel-filled saddle!)

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