Mountain Bike Fun!

stormn9852 asked:

Tree Farm is a 10 mile mountain bike trail located in Novi, Michigan’s Lakeshore Park. The trail has a lot of fun and challenging obstacles. It is fairly compact making many tight and technical turns. You can find directions and other information at: www.cityofnovi.org

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. If you’re a young individual who likes to try difficult sports like mountain biking to keep healthy, you should take a look at the revolutionary, comprehensive individual health insurance solutions created by Precedent specifically for you. For more information, visit us at our website, [http://www.precedent.com]. We offer a unique and innovative suite of individual health insurance solutions, including highly competitive HSA-qualified plans and an unparalleled “real time” application and acceptance experience.



By: Patt Carpenter

About the Author:

Mountain biking has become a very popular sport and recreational activity. Due to the popularity of mountain biking there have been a lot of new mountain bike trails that have been created in a wide range of places. Some of the mountain biking trails run along the side of lakes, through forests and over mountains. There are a wide variety of trails so it is possible to select a trial that is suitable for your individual capability.

Regardless of which mountain bike trails you are planning on using it is very important to have the correct safety equipment as this will help to keep you safe. One of the most important accessories that you need to purchase for biking is a suitable helmet. It is important to get a mountain biking helmet, as it will help to protect your head from damage if you fall off the bike at high speed. It is also a good idea to have a pair of mountain biking gloves however these are not essential. The mountain biking gloves will help to protect you hands not only whilst you are cycling but also if you have an accident.

Some of the other accessories that are available and that will help you look the part on the mountain bike trails include things such as cycling shorts, cycling shoes and eye protection to name a few things. The cycling shorts are ideal for cycling for a long period of time as they are padded so will increase your level of comfort.

The cycling jerseys are also very good as they are loose fitting have usually feature an array of pockets that have Velcro or in some cases zips. It is very important to take a bottle of water with you when you go out cycling as you will dehydrate very quickly especially of you are cycling in the sun.



By: Azlan Irda

About the Author:

noPain asked:


It seems like there’s a lot of disparity from one brand’s shoe to the next, whether the shoes are made for road biking or mountain biking. Some mountain biking shoes seem more comfortable for everyday use or for walking. What’s the downside in getting mountain biking shoes for a road bike?

For anyone who does enough mountain biking, it is only a matter of time before you need to play doctor on your two wheeled vehicle. You can of course take your bike to the bike shop, but we are usually not talking something as complicated as open gear surgery and it is much more fulfilling and rewarding to be able do your own bike maintenance yourself when necessary.

Many people start by turning their mountain bike upside down or finding a way to prop your bike up on something at home. This is not the best way to go about it as you learn pretty quickly. Your back is not going to like it, your bike is definitely not going to like it, and you are likely to get frustrated. Hence some smart person out there invented the bike work stand, which is simply a tool that firmly holds your bike in place at an elevated level. As time went on the various bike tool companies became more advance at what they do and started making them better and better. Work stands are now portable, capable of rotating your bike 360 degrees, and extremely sturdy if you get a decent one.

If you are still trying to work on your mountain bike without a proper work stand, here are some major reasons to considering investing in one:

Stability

Home made bike stands are not helpful if your bike isn’t held rock solid sturdy and having no stand at all is even worse. The #1 benefit of a good stand is that it keeps your bike stable and extremely sturdy while you work on it. Cheaper bike work stands are usually NOT sturdy, especially with bigger mountain bikes so be careful with what you buy. Saving money on a cheap stand is not necessarily going to save you money in the long run.

Efficiency

Holding your bike still with one hand while doing repairs with the other is not only frustrating but can waste a lot of time. Quickly attaching your bike up to a work stand and getting the job done allows you to spend more time on your bike and less on your repairs.

Less $$$

You will need to spend money on the work stand. You also need to spend money on a few tools if you don’t have any. After that, you begin to save, as it is a lot less expensive to do your own repairs then taking it to a shop. All minor bike repairs can now be easily learned online or through books by anyone who has an interest. The world wide web is an incredible learning resource these days for home bike repairs.

Easy Cleaning

I once read a story online about a guy who uses a power washer to hose his bike down because it made his bike cleaning so much faster. While I wouldn’t do that myself, there’s no doubt that cleaning your bike can be a chore and we are all looking for the short cuts. A nice benefit of a good bike work stand is that it allows you to elevate your bike and rotate it to any position you need while you clean it. Using a stand also places less stress on your back when you are getting into the hard to reach places.

A bike work stand is one of those tools that you can try and do without in the beginning but having a good one can make your mountain bike maintenance a much more enjoyable and efficient experience. It’s a worthwhile investment if you are getting serious with your bike repairs.

By: Samuel Walker

About the Author:

Mountain biking has become a very popular sport and recreational activity. Due to the popularity of mountain biking there have been a lot of new mountain bike trails that have been created in a wide range of places. Some of the mountain biking trails run along the side of lakes, through forests and over mountains. There are a wide variety of trails so it is possible to select a trial that is suitable for your individual capability.

Regardless of which mountain bike trails you are planning on using it is very important to have the correct safety equipment as this will help to keep you safe. One of the most important accessories that you need to purchase for biking is a suitable helmet. It is important to get a mountain biking helmet, as it will help to protect your head from damage if you fall off the bike at high speed. It is also a good idea to have a pair of mountain biking gloves however these are not essential. The mountain biking gloves will help to protect you hands not only whilst you are cycling but also if you have an accident.

Some of the other accessories that are available and that will help you look the part on the mountain bike trails include things such as cycling shorts, cycling shoes and eye protection to name a few things. The cycling shorts are ideal for cycling for a long period of time as they are padded so will increase your level of comfort.

The cycling jerseys are also very good as they are loose fitting have usually feature an array of pockets that have Velcro or in some cases zips. It is very important to take a bottle of water with you when you go out cycling as you will dehydrate very quickly especially of you are cycling in the sun.

By: Azlan Irda

About the Author:

Mountain biking has become a very popular sport and recreational activity. Due to the popularity of mountain biking there have been a lot of new mountain bike trails that have been created in a wide range of places. Some of the mountain biking trails run along the side of lakes, through forests and over mountains. There are a wide variety of trails so it is possible to select a trial that is suitable for your individual capability.

Regardless of which mountain bike trails you are planning on using it is very important to have the correct safety equipment as this will help to keep you safe. One of the most important accessories that you need to purchase for biking is a suitable helmet. It is important to get a mountain biking helmet, as it will help to protect your head from damage if you fall off the bike at high speed. It is also a good idea to have a pair of mountain biking gloves however these are not essential. The mountain biking gloves will help to protect you hands not only whilst you are cycling but also if you have an accident.

Some of the other accessories that are available and that will help you look the part on the mountain bike trails include things such as cycling shorts, cycling shoes and eye protection to name a few things. The cycling shorts are ideal for cycling for a long period of time as they are padded so will increase your level of comfort.

The cycling jerseys are also very good as they are loose fitting have usually feature an array of pockets that have Velcro or in some cases zips. It is very important to take a bottle of water with you when you go out cycling as you will dehydrate very quickly especially of you are cycling in the sun.

By: Azlan Irda

About the Author:

Are you having knee pain while mountain biking? Back pain? Hands hurting or going numb? There may be an easy solution. Your mountain bike may not fit you properly.

A poor mountain bike fit can cause a lot of problems and discomfort while riding. When buying a mountain bike, it is important to make sure that the frame fits you properly and then the components like the seat and handlebars can be adjusted as needed. Many stores offer a fitting when you buy a mountain bike, but some fittings are very basic, while others may involve extra cost, which is why it is a good idea to have some basic knowledge of how to know if a mountain bike fits you well.

If you are having pain in your hands, back, or knees while mountain biking, the solution may be as simple as making some slight adjustments to your mountain bike saddle and handlebars.

Hand Numbness or Pain?

If your hands are going numb or hurting while riding, you may be putting too much weight on your handlebars. It’s important to stay light on the handlebars while riding. If you feel like you are sliding off the seat and have to hold yourself up with your arms, try tilting the front of the seat up slightly so it is level with the ground from front to back.

Incorrectly adjusted handlebars could also cause hand or wrist pain. If your hands feel like they are at an awkward angle on the handlebars, try rotating the handlebars slightly or adjusting the position of the shift and brake levers.

Knee Pain?

A common cause for knee pain while mountain biking is an incorrectly adjusted saddle. If the front part of the saddle is tilted down, it can cause a lot of stress on the knees. Try adjusting the saddle in a neutral position that is level from front to back and then make very slight adjustments as needed.

If your seat is too low or high, this can also cause knee pain.

Back Pain?

If your back hurts when riding, check to see if your mountain bike seat height is adjusted properly. If the seat is too high, it can cause your hips to rock, which causes strain on the lower back.

Another reason for back pain could be too long of a reach to the handlebars. Raising the handlebars may be enough to shorten the reach, but if the reach is still too far, you may need a shorter stem.

By: Mary Blomquist

About the Author:

Mountain bike training has a lot of “trail myths” surrounding it. When someone decides that they want to get better on the trail they are usually told things like “work on your cardio”, “ride your bike more” and “get a bike fit”…but there is more to each of those pieces of advice.

- “Work on your cardio”: While cardio is important, the real key to riding faster and longer is to achieve better efficiency on the trail. Cardio is like the size of your gas tank and your efficiency is like the mile-per-gallon. You can get more by working on both than simply shoving a bigger gas tank in.

Efficiency comes from working on mobility and strength in the gym and on your skills off the trail. Increased mobility and strength will result in less wasted energy on the bike as your body is better able to achieve and maintain optimal alignment and movement. Increased technical skills will result in less wasted speed and momentum on the trail which means less overall “effort” to achieve the same speed.

Add it all up and you are able to go faster while pedaling less, which means better use of the cardio capacity you already have. For most riders starting out with a mountain bike training program, this is the first place to start. Increased “cardio” is nice but if you’re wasting a ton of energy on the trail it is like pouring water into a bucket with a hole in it- it will never get full until you plug the leak!

- “Ride you bike more”: When new riders first start every time they go out for a ride they feel like they are improving. However, this honeymoon period soon ends and riders are left trying to figure out how to continue improving. The advice from most veteran riders is that since riding helped in the beginning, then riding more must be the answer, right?

Not so fast, my friend. Riding your bike is the best way to learn how to apply your current fitness and skill levels to the trail. After a year or so of riding most people have maxed out their current fitness and skill levels, which is why they stop improving. While riding more can improve those things, you eventually run into the ugly truth – you hit the point of diminishing returns and an extra couple hours of riding each week doesn’t really improve your overall performance.

Strength and conditioning is one of the most efficient uses of your mountain bike training time and can dramatically raise your performance potential. When done right, it can improve fitness and skill levels as you develop better body awareness, strength, power and mobility. That way, when you hit the trail you are learning to apply those new levels, resulting in an increase in performance without a large increase in riding time.

- “Get a bike fit”: Bike fits are great – if you’re a roadie. On the trail they are very limited when the perfect world of the roadie meets the chaos of the trail. Mountain biking carries a very high technical skill element and you want your bike set up to best fit this need, not to work around your mobility and movement deficits.

Most bike fits looks to change how the bike is set up around you regardless of how those changes affect the balance and handling on the trail. Some of the most common bike fit “fixes”, such as changing stem length, will negatively affect your ability to corner and handle your bike. Mountain bikers need to pick the weapon that will give them the best balance and position and then work on fitting their body into that set up. It is rarely the fit that is holding a rider back; it is more often the tight and weak rider that is holding the bike back.

While working on your cardio, riding more and getting a bike fit can be helpful and result in some progress, they are not the most efficient and effective ways to transform your trail riding. The foundational movement and strength levels of the rider determine their true potential and by working on these things you can ride faster, longer and with more confidence no matter what bike you’re riding or trail you’re on. Strength and mobility training deserves an important spot in your mountain bike training program if you really want to stop riding at the same level year after year.

-James Wilson-

By: James P Wilson

About the Author:

Azlan Irda asked:




Mountain biking has become a very popular sport and recreational activity. Due to the popularity of mountain biking there have been a lot of new mountain bike trails that have been created in a wide range of places. Some of the mountain biking trails run along the side of lakes, through forests and over mountains. There are a wide variety of trails so it is possible to select a trial that is suitable for your individual capability.

Regardless of which mountain bike trails you are planning on using it is very important to have the correct safety equipment as this will help to keep you safe. One of the most important accessories that you need to purchase for biking is a suitable helmet. It is important to get a mountain biking helmet, as it will help to protect your head from damage if you fall off the bike at high speed. It is also a good idea to have a pair of mountain biking gloves however these are not essential. The mountain biking gloves will help to protect you hands not only whilst you are cycling but also if you have an accident.

Some of the other accessories that are available and that will help you look the part on the mountain bike trails include things such as cycling shorts, cycling shoes and eye protection to name a few things. The cycling shorts are ideal for cycling for a long period of time as they are padded so will increase your level of comfort.

The cycling jerseys are also very good as they are loose fitting have usually feature an array of pockets that have Velcro or in some cases zips. It is very important to take a bottle of water with you when you go out cycling as you will dehydrate very quickly especially of you are cycling in the sun.