Posts Tagged ‘Safety Equipment’

Mountain Biking – Safety First To Avoid Crashes Wednesday, November 18th, 2009

If you love mountain biking, then you have to be practical enough to realize that crashes on mountain bikes are a reality that cannot be altogether avoided. Most of the mind-boggling crashes seen on television are fabricated with the help of stunt riders and the intention is to keep viewers glued on to the movies or the shows on television. Actual mountain crashes can vary from the very serious to the ones that are mild. Keeping in mind the nature of these crashes, it is imperative that one always wears safety equipment while mountain biking.

Inspite of wearing safety equipment, avoiding injury with mountain bike crashes is rare. Not only can these crashes cause severe damage to the bikers but it can also injure the viewers who are merely watching it as a sport. There have been cases of bikers being hospitalized with terrible wounds to the legs and also of riders being pierced with the pedals and handlebars of the bike in a serious manner. Even though all forms of mountain biking are potentially dangerous when it comes to accidents, there are certain styles like dirt jump, trials and downhill that contain the maximum risk.

The irony is that the trail style of mountain biking has gained immense popularity today and many people take to this to satiate their love of adventure. This being the case, it is more or less certain that people indulging in this form of mountain biking meet with accidents sooner or later. It is not always the fault of the biker that leads to crashes. Other riders who do not have the expertise or are not cautious can also be the cause of accidents to the careful and dedicated biker. As a result, the wise thing for riders to do is to always carry as many safety accessories as are possible.

The most vulnerable area of the human body in case of crashes are the hands, wrists and fingers. Even minor accidents can harm these delicate areas. The solution here is to buy gloves designed for mountain biking. These come in two types- the half-finger and the full-finger ones. These gloves help in protecting the skin so that it is not peeled off and also lessens the pain when the rider grips the handle bars very tightly.

One of the safety equipments that you just cannot do without is the helmet. In very serious crashes, wearing the helmet can make all the difference between life and death. Even if all the other parts of your body are injured and your head remains intact, the chances of survival are good which is why riding without the helmet is a grave mistake. Modern day helmets have been designed keeping in mind the comfort of the rider, so this is a must-have on your accessories list for safety.

Apart from this, it is advisable to have anti-skid clothing and protection for the eyes while indulging in mountain biking. Padded anti-skid clothes are useful in preventing the skid burns that occur when you fall at speeds that are very high. Again, eyes can tear because of the wind and rubble and this can lead to crashes, so it is always better to keep the eyes safe.

If you keep these basic precautions in mind, mountain biking may not be very hazardous and could also be a lot of fun. Lastly, never forget your bicycle helmets. Play safe!

Article Source: http://www.articlerampage.com}

Alison Addy is a journalist who writes newsletters on mountain bike crashes for www.bikecyclingreviews.com .Keep reading about cycling safety and bicycles at his web.

Essential Mountain Biking Safety Tips Tuesday, November 17th, 2009

Every outdoors sport needs a lot of attention as far as safety is concerned. One perfect moment could unexpectedly go wrong. Mountain biking is considerably one of the most fun yet dangerous outdoor sports. That is why; it is but vital for any mountain biking enthusiast to know the basic mountain biking safety tips.

Number one on the list of mountain biking safety tips, is to have the proper gears; from the helmet down to the other safety equipment gears. Make sure that your gears are all in very good condition to prevent unforeseen events along the way. Using the right equipments for the right terrains is also important. There are certain types of bikes for specific terrains, that is why you should be careful with these matters. Another mountain biking safety tips that you should be wary about is keeping yourself familiar with the trails. Do not push yourself into going into trails that you are not quite familiar with. Instead, if you intend to do this, at least go with someone who has been with that trail before. Your speed is also important. Maintain your speed at an average level so you can easily adjust, come unexpected obstacles or sudden trail changes and conditions.

The final and the most important mountain biking safety tips you have to be aware about is to ride in control. Do not let your bike take control over you. This is a common mistake among mountain bikers. They tend to get too complacent with the trails, not minding that they must be the ones who should take control with their bikes, as far as speed is concerned. Ride in control. This is one good way in preventing crashes; otherwise it might lead you to injuries and unforeseen events. If you are not quite sure about certain trails, why do you have to push yourself? Why not walk in sections where you are not quite confident about? And on blind corners, be sure to slow down. That way, you will not have to worry as to what and who might be around your corners. Another thing is for you to start small before you go big. Start with the smaller and easier terrains at lower or average speeds before you jump to bigger stunts and obstacles.

Mountain biking is enjoyable but at the same time dangerous. Because of the thrill it brings us, we sometimes tend to push ourselves to the limits. That is just normal for avid thrill seekers and enthusiasts. But bear in mind that there is just one fine line from pushing your limits safely or pushing it recklessly. Either way, mountain biking safety tips is a major thing you must be vigilant about.

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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.

Article Source: http://articlekarma.com

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

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