Posts Tagged ‘Road Biking’

Mountain Biking Down Hills Thursday, November 5th, 2009

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.

Article Stars: http://articlestars.com

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

Top Safety Tips For Mountain Biking Holidays Wednesday, October 28th, 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

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/

Preparing For A Mountain Biking Adventure Wednesday, October 21st, 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/