Cool Biking Zone

Emergency Puncture Repair for Cyclists

By ian Williamson

An experienced bicyclist’s motto is (or should be) “never walk home”.  Flat tires, broken chains and bent frames are just some of the mechanical problems that a rider can encounter when they are out for a ride. Experienced riders learn quickly that there are not too many mechanical problems that can stop a resourceful and determined individual.

A cyclist should always be prepared to fix the most common breakdown, a flat tire. A simple tire repair kit should include a tube, a couple of tire levers to aid in removing the tire, a patch kit and a pump. The cyclist should also be prepared to repair a tire cut which leaves the tube exposed to the ground. This repair can be made by cutting a 1×1-inch piece of old tube or even by bringing along a dollar bill which can cover the cut temporarily during the ride home.

So what happens if the cyclist flats and does not have a patch kit or an extra tube? Each cyclist should carry an air pump so the tire can be periodically inflated and the ride continued. A slow leak can be annoying but you can add air each time the tube softens. Fast leaks will have to be sealed. A small piece of duct tape can be used as a temporary patch. The tube will still leak but you should be able to use the “pump and ride” approach that is used with any slow leak.

If you do not have the tape to repair a fast leak you can locate the hole and place this area outside the tire bead when remounting the tire. This exposes the tube to the ground but when the tube is pumped up the tire seals the tube. The tube will bulge outside the tire but it should not blow off the rim unless it is overinflated.

Another technique is to fold the tube back on itself inside the tire so the hole is covered. When the rider pumps up the tire the overlapping tube slows the leak.

So what happens if the rider gets a flat, and has no extra tube and most importantly does not have a pump to inflate the tube? This is when riders must be resourceful and creative. The rider can stuff grass and weeds inside the tire. The more grass the better, as that will help keep the rim from making rough contact with the ground.
In the event the bicycle tire gets ruptured and will not stay on the rim then the cyclist will be left with no choice but to ride on the rim. This makes for a tricky ride but it is possible and should not damage the rim too severely. Rear flats on road bikes will likely cause the most rim damage. The rider should be able to get the bike home while riding slowly and staying off the seat as much as possible.

A cyclist always run the risks of mechanical problems like flats. These problems can be corrected with a little ingenuity and resourcefulness, even when they find the tools available lacking for the task at hand.

–About–

For more Sport Articles by Ian Williamson pleae visit http://www.real-articles.com/Category/Sport/11
Article Source: Articles.Web.Com

Add comment March 30th, 2007

You Can Easily Lose 10 Pounds by Biking

By Abbas Abedi

So you want to lose weight. All of us do at some point and losing weight is a great way to both look and feel better. Not only that, but you’ll feel better about yourself and have more confidence. A great goal to set for yourself when initially trying to lose weight is to try and lose 10 pounds. This should be an attainable goal for almost anyone.

So where do you start? Most people, when they think of weight loss, think of unappetizing diets or strenuous exercise regimens, but it doesn’t have to be that way. If you’re looking to lose 10 pounds while still having fun and getting some fresh air, look instead to what was probably one of your favorite childhood activities: bicycling.

There are many benefits to biking, but the main one is that it’s really the only form of exercise that can also function as transportation. The reason it’s difficult for many people to lose weight is because to try work too much time into their already busy lifestyles. For example, let’s say your plan is to lose 10 pounds by getting a gym membership and going a few times a week. While this may be great at first, there’s a good chance that it’s going to start interfering with other commitments: one day you have to stay late at work so you skip gym; one day you have to pick up your son from soccer practice so you skip. Eventually it becomes easy to break the gym routine, because it’s always going to seem like some “extra” that you don’t always have time for.

Now say instead of going to the gym to lose those 10 pounds you decide to bike to work. While it may take a little longer to lose the weight, by biking to work you’re really losing no time at all. If you live in a city there’s a good chance that it’s not going to take you a whole lot longer than a car trip does. So basically you get to lose 10 pounds “for free”, as it were, because you don’t have to make time for exercise.
When you engage in most other forms of exercise, you’re engaging in it exclusively: you’re not getting anything else done when you’re at the gym. With biking, on the other hand, the exercise is almost a secondary bonus to the primary function of getting somewhere you need to go. Add to this the fact that you’re saving money on transportation and doing good for the environment, it’s hard to argue against biking as one of the best forms of exercise.

By simply biking to and from work every day you should be able to lose 10 pounds fairly quickly without affecting your schedule too much. If your employer is a far enough distance away from you that you must drive, consider instead using a bike for errands outside of work. And if you want to really lose those 10 pounds quickly, start biking for recreation too - some weekend bike riding will do wonders for weight loss.

By Abbas Abedi-To make all aspects of your dieting easier you might take a look at my blog Healthy Weight Loss
Source: ADB Article Directory

Add comment March 30th, 2007

Use of Bike Racks

by Stefan Rockhaus

You can prevent your bike from getting stolen by using a bike rack. You can securely attach your bike to a bike rack. This rack in turn is fixed to the ground, or to any other solid structure such as a building wall.

Earlier bike racks used to secure only one wheel by pushing the wheel of the bike into a forked piece of metal, but it was not effective enough. A thief could easily take away the bike by simply removing the wheel to free the bike. These kinds of bike racks are known as “wheel benders”.

A modern style of bike rack is known as a “Sheffield rack”. These racks comprise of a thick metal bar, which is given the shape of a square arch. The top part is equal to the top bar of the bicycle frame and provides security for the frame.

Bike racks are also used on automobiles for the convenience of traveling with your bike. However, you must be aware of the proper method of loading and unloading your bike from the bike rack.

Loading Your Bike

• Get your bike ready to load. Remove bottles, bicycle pumps or other items before loading.

• If you are using a bus, inform the bus driver that you will be using the bike rack. Speedily load your bike while other passengers are getting into the bus.

• Approach the bike rack from the curbside. Squeeze the handle in the center to lower the rack.

• Place your bike into the rack, fitting the wheel into a wheel slot. If you are loading your bike in the first slot then the handlebar should be towards the curb, while in the second slot, they should remain away from the curb.

• Drag the support arm in a straight line and place it over the front tire until the tire is almost covered completely. Be sure that the arm rests on the tire, not on the frame of your bike. It may damage your bike if you load it incorrectly, so you always need to be careful while loading your bike.

Unloading Your Bike

• On reaching the stop, always inform the bus driver that you will be unloading your bike. Always exit from the front door.

• Drag the support arm away from the wheel, drop it downward and pull out your bike.

• If you are the last person to remove a bike, position the rack back to its correct position.

• Move towards the curb while you are moving away from the bus.

Rack Rules

• You should be prepared before the bus arrives.

• No one but you is responsible for the loading and unloading of your bike.

• Do not hold up the bus if you are unable to load your bike properly.

• All bikes are loaded in the same way, speedily and easily. Motorized bikes are not allowed on the racks.

• Bus operators are not responsible for any damage to the bikes while in transit.

So you can now take your bike with you by using bike racks on an automobile, but be sure that you are taking all the safety measures while loading and unloading your bike. Also be sure you are not causing any inconvenience to other passengers.

–About–

Article by Stefan Rockhaus. To read more about bike racks visit bike racks guide - Find more articles at Info Hub - You may reprint this article as long as no changes are made, and this resource box is left intact.
Source: Article Board

Add comment March 30th, 2007

Using Your Mountain Bike For Exercise

Regular bikes compared to mountain bikes may have a smoother ride and are slower and heavier but are great for riding on the street. You can find information about mountain biking online or in magazines; they are geared toward beginners or professionals. Mountain biking is not really thought of as exercising but it is a great way to burn many calories.

If your interested are off-road you will need bike that can handle the terrain so you will need some big treads and a good suspension to handle the bumps and holes so get a good mountain bike, if you are just riding for fun then a regular bike will do. There are so many different styles of mountain bikes so when you are looking to purchase one make sure it fits the terrain you will be taking it on and make sure it fits your riding style. If you are going to be rough on your bike and plan on going through gravel, dirt and jumping off hills you definitely need a mountain bike.

The chassis on a mountain bike is sometimes referred to as the skeleton, this is a term that refers to the fork, frame and suspension and is looked at as one unit. Mountain bikes are equipped with knobby tires, large number of gears and handle bars that are wider; they also include shocks and a much stronger suspension. You can choose from many different suspensions on your bike, make sure the suspension you choose is going to fit the type of cycling you intend for it. These used to be the most common kind of mountain bike but they are rapidly being replaced by the more comfortable models which feature some sort of suspension system. They have had front suspension on bikes for a while now; the rear suspensions have just come into the market place, it took longer because of all of the design complexities.

Of course, there are many other things to consider when purchasing a mountain bike, but for the beginner, it’s best to just narrow it down to how much you want to spend and what kind of suspension you’re going to want.

If you want to ride your mountain bikes look for trails that are suited for mountain bikes. If you don’t have any trails or jumps, you can build them.

When you first try the toe clip style of pedal you might want to spend some time getting use to it, it will take some practice. Getting a feel for your pedals while first sitting on your bike, keep one foot on the ground and practice moving your foot away from the pedal.

If you have clip less foot pedals or toe clips, you will want to practice this quite a bit. Turn your bike upside down, move the pedals and shift gears. The pedals can also use a regular application of lubricant.

The purchase of your helmet should be at least as important as buying your bike. About 90 percent of the people riding can reduce head trauma just by wearing a helmet. Cost shouldn’t be a factor as a good helmet can be acquired for around $25-$45.

–About–
David Marc Fishman is the owner of Priceriot site. Priceriot is a new bidding site where prices drop as people shop for cameras. Ask an expert.
Source: ArticleTrader

Add comment March 28th, 2007

Cyclists are Most Welcome in the Land of the Tour de France

By Corina Clemence

The Loire Valley just two hours south of Paris has the greatest concentration of chateaux in France. This region was once a favourite hangout of French Renaissance kings who built magnificent chateaus along the Loire River (the longest river in France and the last of the wild rivers in Europe) to entertain in lavish style while enjoying the incredible beauty of the landscape.

Often called the Garden of France, it is a traditional land of sleepy towns full of narrow streets, old-fashioned cafes and markets, imposing cathedrals and opulent chateaux. The words ‘ornate’ and ‘charming’ immediately spring to mind. Strategically important during the Hundred Years War, fashionable among the Parisian rich during the Renaissance, this is France’s legendary castle country.

Today, the Loire Valley continues to lure visitors to explore the splendid French countryside with its historic castles and abbeys, and to taste some of the best food and wines in the world. The vineyards around Tours thrive on the fertile soil around the river and its tributaries, and many producers are well prepared to receive visitors and are more than happy for them to try a glass or two.

A great way to experience this gorgeous valley is on two wheels - on a bike tour along the Loire a Velo trail - a 300-mile bike trail made up of country paths and small roads that winds along the Loire River through the enchanting villages and towns of the Loire Valley. The trail meanders exquisitely beside France’s longest and most evocative river. The trail will surely become one of the most popular in Europe, partly for the extraordinary views and tranquil atmosphere.

A special “Loire a Velo” handbook has been produced to mark the project, and is an excellent companion for visiting families wishing to see the Loire Valley on two wheels. It allows cyclists to select a route to suit, discovering lesser-known areas of the Loire, chateaux, wildlife and culture.

The Loire biking season runs from April to October.
No, you don’t have to be Lance Armstrong to bike the Loire a Velo trail. That is just it. The whole point is to slow down and enjoy the scenery. Biking clubs will zoom past you on country roads, dressed to the nines in their colourful racing outfits because the Loire Valley is also a favourite destination for serious bikers as well. Remember you are in the land of the Tour de France.

–About–

Corina Clemence runs Chateau du Guerinet, near Blois a luxury chateau for up to 15 people perfect for a cycling holidayvisitin g Loire Valley’s best chateaux and vineyards. Rent a castle in France http://www.loirechateau.com Rent a French Chateau
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007

The Loire Valley - a Veritable Gastro-Cycling Paradise

By Corina Clemence

Envisage a land of mile after mile of nearly flat bike routes that gently sluice through a fertile river valley irrigating some of the world’s finest acclaimed vineyards. Picture magnificent renaissance chateaux, charming villages, and sun-flower-filled hillsides. Then, combine all this with cuisine that would make even the most seasoned chef salivate. The few drivers you encounter are pleasant and courteous showing an admiration for the cyclist. Do you know where you are? This is not fantasyland - it is the beautiful Loire Valley.

This magnificent majestic region is best experienced if you don’t approach it as a Tour de France speed. Take your time. Remember you are on holiday and you are not trying to set any records. Leisurely drink in the scenery and the culture and sample some of the acclaimed local wine whilst enjoying a picnic beside the Loire always remembering you have to get back on that bike.

The town of Blois, gateway to the Loire Valley, makes for an ideal starting point for a cycling adventure through the “Garden of France.”

Spend one day cycling past vineyards and fields of sunflowers around the magnificent chateaux of Chambord and Cheverny just east of Blois. These two famous chateaux have lured visitors for centuries. Chambord is the largest of the Loire Valley chateaux with a facade of over 18 stories high with 440 rooms and 365 chimneys it has been referred to as “the mathematisation of architecture”. It was originally designed as an ostentatious hunting lodge for Francois I. In its 500-year history it was only ever used as a royal residence for 20 years. Chambord sits proudly surrounded by the largest hunting estate in the Loire Valley.

Chateau Cheverny has a richly furnished interior that attracts art aficionados and antiques roadshow fans from all over the world. Allegedly, the exterior was the inspiration for Marlinspike, in the Tintin comics by Herge. Cheverny has a working pack of hounds and you can visit the kennel at feeding time to see the frenzy. Cheverny is also an AOC wine appellation region worthy of some wine tasting.

After you’ve had your fill of ogling architecture, spend another day, cycling around beautiful Amboise on the Loire River with its medieval chateau and charming village. Leonardo’s home, the Chateau du Clos-Luce where he spent the last four years of his life, is located just outside Amboise. Here you can visit his sitting rooms, chambers, and kitchen. There is a working museum with over 40 models of some of his incredible inventions. The park at this chateau is breathtakingly beautiful. Da Vinci’s remains are interned at Chateau Amboise.

Next you can pedal southeast across the Cher River to the castle of Chenonceau, one of the loveliest sites in the Loire Valley. Straddling the River Cher and backing off into an expanse of forest, the chateau is hemmed in by two outstanding gardens. It is the most visited chateau of the Loire with over one million visitors a year.

The history of the four dames of Chateau Chenonceau is absolutely fascinating and probably much more interesting than your schoolteacher ever alluded to. Henri II was 13 when he took Diane de Poitiers 20 years his senior as his mistress. Catherine de Medici was 18 years younger than Diane de Poitiers and three years into her marriage to Henri II, Diane was announced as his official mistress. He gifted Chateau Chenonceau to Diane de Poitiers even though it was inalienable royal property

Henri spent most of his days and nights with Diane. Diane became acutely concerned that Catherine might not produce a male heir resulting in her marriage possibly being annulled thereby exposing Diane to a potential combatant possibly not so understanding as Catherine. Diane the older wiser woman set about encouraging Henri to spend more time with Catherine. Henri would visit her chamber first then go and spend a few hours in Catherine’s chamber before returning to Diane’s bedchamber to finally retire for the night. Apparently Diane even advised Catherine on some finer points on marriage and eventually a male heir was born.

Unfortunately Henri II not being the type of monarch to sit on the sides at festivals succumbed to a nasty jousting accident and died at an early age leaving a succession of infant heirs to the throne of France. In 1559 when he died in 1559 Catherine forced Diane into exile to slum it in the smaller far less prestigious chateau of Chaumont on the banks of the Loire River closer to Blois.

After Catherine moved in to Chateau Chenonceau she had the beautiful gallery added, which is 180 feet long, 18 feet wide, with 18 windows and set on arches over the Cher River. It was originally used as a ballroom, and in war world I it became a hospital and the wounded soldiers used to fish out the windows.

Villandry lies west of Chenonceau and beckons cyclists. The Chateau de Villandry is most famous for its wonderful gardens, and is considered a must see for gardeners. There are 3 different gardens in all: a Louis the XIV style vegetable garden, an ornamental mosaic flower garden, and a water garden with pools and waterfalls. Many people skip the interior of the 16th century chateau and come for the gardens alone.

Luxury chateaux sprinkle the region, ready to soothe away any saddle sores with their great cuisine and crisp, cool acclaimed local wine. You can chose to hire a room or a whole chateau together with your friends or family members. You could not pick a more picturesque, more comfortable and leisurely, palate-friendly holiday destination anywhere in the world.

–About–

Corina Clemence runs Chateau du Guerinet, near Blois a luxury chateau for up to 15 people. The castle is perfect for visiting chateaux and vineyards and is a great base for a Loire Valley cycling holiday. Rent a castle in France http://www.loirechateau.com Rent a french chateau
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007

Bicycling For Fun and Fitness

By Steve Hudson

More and more people are still jumping on the bandwagon of going “biking” for different reasons.

Bicycles are technically defined as a vehicle. It has two wheels, a frame, saddle, pedals and is human-powered. The “bike” as we all call it today, has been integral in the modern history of many cultures all over the world. It is also a symbol of fun, fitness and environment-consciousness today.

There are different types of bicycles that are available out there in the markets today to cater to different people who are engaged in different biking activities. Discussed below are the different kinds of bikes and what they are used for:

-Mountain Bikes

Mountain bikes are primarily designed for the outdoors. There are a number of different sub-types of mountain bikes such as cross country bikes, downhill bikes and free-ride bikes. They are designed to be sturdy. These bikes have very durable frames, handlebars that are designed to counter the sudden jolts while riding and they usually have more than 20 gears. The most noticeable aspect of a mountain bike is its suspension system. Mountain bikes should make the off-road trip as comfortable as possible; therefore, they use high-quality suspension systems, which uses gas shock, air and spring.

-Utility Bikes

Utility bikes are perhaps the most common type of bike out there today. They are usually plain and simple, but they are very important in function. They are used primarily for running errands, shopping or commuting. More and more people are using them to go about their daily routine because they are fairly convenient to use and requires very minimal maintenance. Utility bikes are made with sturdy, heavy frames and upright handlebars. They usually employ internal hub gearing. These bikes usually have some other accessories that would help the owner do his errands such as a basket in front of the handlebars; however, utility bikes are not meant to be used in more specialized biking activities such as touring and mountain biking.

-Tour Bikes

These bikes, like the mountain bikes, are made to be sturdy. They are used as a main transportation vehicle to tour long distances. Tour bikes should have the capability of holding extra weight for baggage and should have good gearing systems so as to efficiently transfer the energy of the driver for very long trips.

-Racing Bikes

Whats a good thing to do with a bike if youre not into using it in everyday life? Race with it! For those people who would want to experience the sheer sound of the wind rushing against the bareness of their faces, they should try getting a race bike. Of course, race bikes are not for everyone, but what the heck? They are still things of beauty.

Racing bikes are primarily made for speed. Race bikes, unlike the other bikes are made with ultra lightweight frames and are primarily stripped off every accessory to maximize speed. They are usually equipped with a medium range gearing system, which can range from 18 to 30 gears. There are different sub-types of racing bikes such as time trial bikes and track bikes. All race bikes are equipped with a frame that maximizes the aerodynamic capabilities of the machine, therefore maximizing speed as well. Racing bikes are primarily used for racing and nothing more. Most of these bikes dont even have brake systems in them.

–About–

Steve Hudson - Bicycling For Fun and Fitness http://www.health-fitness-lifestyle.com/sp/bicycling-for-fun-and-fitness.html
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007

Trek Mountain Bikes - Riding a Tour

By Trevor Mulholland

If you are in the market for a new bike – or even for your first bike, you definitely need to check out Trek Mountain Bikes. Trek Mountain Bikes have been around since the beginning of mountain bike time, and they aren’t going anywhere soon – except maybe to the next challenging trail!

First you should note that trek designs and manufactures mountain bikes, as well as street bikes, but the company does much more than that. As for bikes, they produce such high quality rides that even Lance Armstrong rides a Trek! What better endorsement could the company have than that?

Trek has a line of accessories that are highly suited to mountain bikers of all ages and skill levels. Clothing and shoes, under the Trek brand are available through the website. You can also purchase helmets and other safety equipment, lights, locks, saddles, racks, packs, trainers, bike maintenance gear, trailers, team wear, Trek souvenirs, and even computers for your bike! Trek even has their own specially designed water bottles, and they sell nutrition bars and packs as well!

Now that you know that Trek is all about bikes and mountain bikes – and fulfilling the needs and whims of bikers and mountain bikers, visit the site, and start building your Trek mountain bike. That’s right! You can build your very own virtual Trek Bike. You can start with just the frame, or select a complete bike. You can choose the color scheme, and many other features as well – when you have virtually designed the bike of your dreams, you can order it if you want to! If you can’t afford it just yet, however, you can save it, and go back and look at it over and over again.

Once you’ve purchased your Trek mountain bike, you may be interested in a Trek mountain bike tour. Trek also caters to mountain bikers with Trek Travel. Trek Travel puts together mountain biking tours. You can plan your Trek Travel vacation based on where you want to go, the type of trip you want to take, the skill level that you are at, the dates you want to travel, or by selecting a pre-planned event. These are often guided tours, and the guides are well trained not only to make sure that you have the best biking adventure possible, but also that you remain safe during your tour.

If you aren’t quite ready to buy the Trek mountain bike, you can still go on one of the many Trek mountain bike tours – and the bike will be provided for you! You get to choose between the OCLV Carbon Fiber Trek 5.2 Madone road bike and the full-suspension Trek Fuel EX9 mountain bike – and the bike is included in the price of your tour. If you’ve already purchased a Trek bike – or any other brand of bike – and you prefer to bring your own bike on your tour, bring it along! Trek simply requires that you pack it in a bike carrying case. You will, however, be expected to reimburse Trek for any spare parts you may use during the trip, and you will be responsible for the care and maintenance, as well as the assembly and disassembly, of your own bike.

If you aren’t in the best of shape, don’t let this keep you from the fun and adventure of a Trek mountain bikes tour! There are easy tours available, where you will average thirty miles per day, or less. The terrain will be flat, and you can ride at your own pace, and riding is optional each day. If you prefer something a bit more adventurous, there are moderate trips available as well.

With a moderate trip, you will ride 30 – 45 miles per day. There will be occasional challenges and climbs, and again, riding is optional. Avid tours cover 45 to 70 or more miles per day and are extremely challenging. Choose the package that is right for your abilities, as well as a tour that fits in with the other things you want to do on your Trek mountain bikes vacation!

–About –

Trevor Mulholland - Mt-bikes.com provides you with information on giant mountain bikes, specialized mountain bikes, trek mountain bikes, mountain bike holidays and mountain bike reviews. http://www.mt-bikes.com/
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007

Buying Used Motorcycles

By John Pawlett

There are lots of motorcycles to see and decide about especially if you want to buy used motorcycles. With these babies you really need to know what you want and need other wise you are definitely heading for trouble. When you start your search for used motorcycles check out the various well known and if possible reputed motorcycle dealers.

These are the places where you will find great bargains when you decide that you want to buy used motorcycles. You can also see what the internet has in the way of used motorcycle dealerships. From these you can see what the various types of used motorcycles are like and if they fit your plans.

When you have chosen a few different bikes find out what the selling price is first off. This way you can figure out if you want to spend your money on this road monster or if you want to shop around for a couple of other models. Now on the off chance that the price of the motorcycle is what you have earmarked to buy used motorcycles then you need to go much deeper into the motorcycles various attributes.

From looking at its engine size to finding out where you can take this bike there are lots of items that you need to investigate. Of course if the dealer or person who is selling the motorcycles has no time or doesn’t want you to check the bike out then you should drop the matter like a hot potato.

Any motorcycle that you can’t check out to see if it’s in good condition for you has lots of flaws and problems that are being hidden. Therefore spending your money to buy used motorcycles that have way too many problems is ridiculous unless you want to buy used motorcycles that are of a vintage make and style.

Now when you start your investigation, first look over the tires and see if they are in good shape. Any tires that are worn out will need to be replaced immediately. You should see if then braking mechanism and the engine are also in good working condition. To find this matter out ask if you can take a test drive. With a test drive you can get the feel of the motorcycle.

There is one important consideration that you will need to take into account before you buy used motorcycles. The matter of vehicle insurance and registration must be taken care of before you start riding your new motorcycle. So you will need to find out from the seller or the owner what the status of these items is like. You should clear this matter up before you buy any used motorcycles.

When you want to buy used motorcycles there are many items that you will need to take into account before you can begin the joy of motorcycle riding. For this very reason take the time to choose a good condition used motorcycle.

I–About–

mpressive Motorcycles is an informative resources site on everything Motorcycles related. Find out how Impressive Motorcycles can expand your horizons.
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007

Beginner Mountain Bike Skills

By John Pawlett

Mountain biking is an exciting sport that can be enjoyed by anyone who knows how to ride a bike. Compared to the average bike ride, it does present some danger. Therefore, you should master these basic skills before you hit the trails or the dirt.

You can practice these beginning skills at a local park, school, bike path, or simply around your house. If you can, try to find a location with a steep hill.

Get a feel for your pedals.
Practice moving your foot away from the pedal, first while sitting on your bike with one foot on the ground. Next, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around for a bit. Those with toe clip and clipless type foot pedals will want to spend a bit more time practicing.

Sit and spin for position.
Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. You should keep your arms slightly bent. You should also adjust your seat height so your leg is 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal.

Keep your body relaxed, as there will never be a position where you should have either your knees or your elbows locked.

Shifting gears.
Get a feel for shifting gears with your bike. The
higher gears are harder to pedal and will go faster while the lower gears are easier to pedal and will help you ascend hills. As you get to steeper hills, its best to shift before you get to the hill rather than while your on it.

Coasting.
You should spend a bit of time coasting while standing on your pedals, without actually sitting on the seat. Keep your arms bent but don’t lock your knees. Now, try experimenting with shifting your body towards the rear end of the bike.

Pedal while standing.
You should get as comfortable as you can with pedaling while standing on your bike. Try lifting yourself off the seat while standing on the pedals, then crank them around. You should try this in higher gears on flat ground then again in lower gears while on a hill.

Dropping down a curb.
Try finding a curb where you can easily get to the upper portion of it. Practice at a moderate speed,
standing and coasting right off the curb from the
upper level to the lower level. Try this at different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Once you practice these techniques and get the hang of them, you’ll be able to hit the trails feeling
comfortable on your mountain bike. Even though it may take some getting used to, it’ll become second nature before you know it.

– About–

John Pawlett - Bikes Reference is an informative resources site on everything Bikes related. Find out how Bikes Reference can expand your horizons.
Source: ArticleRich

Add comment March 26th, 2007