Many cyclists prefer the challenge, excitement and spontaneity of mountain biking over road riding. Mountain biking requires a different kind of bike and a separate set of riding skills, but it's rewarding and fairly easy to master if you don't mind taking an occasional spill.
Getting Ready to Mountain Bike If you're planning to get into mountain biking as a family endeavor, the first question to ask is, Are my children ready for this style of cycling. They'll need excellent balance and reflexes. Obstacles on the trail come up fast and require quick reactions. In general, it's advisable for kids to have a few years of general biking behind them before you consider mountain biking. If you do plan to ride off-road, you'll need a trail bike equipped to handle the conditions. A road bike just wouldn't last long on the trail. You can load up a trail bike with a lot of features such as elaborate shock-absorption systems and an ultralight frame, but following are some of the basics: Tires on the trail bikes are fatter (figure A) and the frame is thicker (figure B). This rugged design is built to endure some punishment. Brakes and gear-shifts on the handlebars, and some bikes have up to 27 gears. If you're not used to biking with these features, it'll take a little practice and getting used to. Getting acclimated to a mountain bike can be thought of as a three-step process: - First, get comfortable with the brakes. Start by standing on pavement and, with your outer three fingers, squeezing the brake-levers (figure C) one at a time to feel how the bike responds. Now it's time to try it for real. Pedal at a slow speed and gently practice using your brakes. First the rear (usually on the right side), then the front (on your left). Mastering the proper use of brakes is critical. On the trail, braking too fast can flip you right over the top -- especially if you bear down too hard on the front brake while traveling downhill at high speed. Too slow on the brakes and you can gather dangerous speed. Getting a feel for braking is crucial. Body position is important as well. Distribute your weight evenly between your feet and hands. Your rear will actually be about an inch out of the saddle. On the trail you use both front and rear brakes together.
- Next, practice shifting gears. Shifters work a little differently on different bike models, but the concept is essentially the same. Your right hand controls the gear for your back wheel; your left hand controls the front. You'll notice that the front and back work in opposite ways. In the front, the smallest gear creates the least resistance while in the back it creates the most. Start with both gears set to the least amount of resistance, pedal forward and carefully work through all the settings on your right shifter.
- Once you're confident with braking and shifting, it's time for the fun part: mastering the ability of getting over and around obstacles. Though curb-jumping ( figure D) is a no-no on a light-framed road bike, mountain bikes can take the punishment, and this is a good way to prepare for roots and rock ledges you'll encounter on a trail. Practice at home or at a nearby park. Pick out a stretch of curb and sidewalk with some grass close at hand. Try to find a secluded spot where you can practice your technique away from traffic. The whole idea here is to get comfortable with your balance. Once you've done that, you're ready to go off-road.
Tips on Falling Falling is just part of the sport of mountain biking. If you feel it's happening, try to relax. That sounds like silly advice, but if your body's loose when you fall, it does a better job of absorbing the impact. Try to follow these tips:
- Stay calm.
- If necessary, ask someone to go find a help.
- Check for cuts or abrasions. If you do have a cut, apply direct pressure (press on it steadily with your hand) to help it stop bleeding.
Mountain-Biking Etiquette
Before you take to the trail, make yourself familiar with trail-biking etiquette. Here's a list of rules to follow:
- Respect trail closures. Ride only where it's permitted.
- Leave no trace: pack out what you pack in. Stick to the designated trail.
- Always stay in control of your bicycle.
- Yield to others. Remember to respect the hikers and other riders using the trail.
- Plan ahead. Know where you're going, and make sure you're carrying what you need. That may means bike tools, plenty of water, snacks for fuel and a change of clothes.
RESOURCES :
BIKE Magazine
Web site: www.bikemag.com
Mountain Bike magazine
www.mountainbike.com
Bell bike helmets
Bell Bicycle Helments
are available from Bell Sports
1924 County Rd., 3000 North
Rantoul, IL 61866-9512
Web site:
www.bellbikehelmets.com
or
www.bellsports.com
Trek bicycles and bike equipment
Trek Bicycle Corp.
801 W. Madison St.
Waterloo, WI 53594
Toll-free: 800-369-8735
Web site: www.trekbikes.com
International Bicycle Fund
The International Bicycle Fund is a non-governmental, nonprofit organization, promoting sustainable transport and international understanding. Major areas of activity are non-motorized urban planning, economic development, bike safety education, responsible travel and cycle tourism, and cross-cultural, educational programs.
Web site: www.ibike.org
National Park Service Web-site
The Web site for the U.S. National Park Service is a great place to begin researching hiking and camping locations near to where you live or where you may be vacationing.
Web site: www.nps.gov
Wheat Ridge Cyclery
Web site: www.ridewrc.com
Rails to Trails Conservancy
Rails to Trails Conservancy is an organization dedicated to converting abandoned railroads into usable, environmentally beneficial trails that are ideal for many uses such as bicycling, walking, in-line skating, cross-country skiing, plus equestrian and wheelchair use. Rail-trails are multi-purpose public paths created from former railroad corridors. Flat or following a gentle grade, they traverse urban, suburban and rural America. Rail-trails are extremely popular as recreation and transportation corridors. Since the 1960s, almost 11,000 miles of rail-trails have been created across the country. Rail-trails also serve as wildlife conservation corridors, linking isolated parks and creating greenways through developed areas, and as a means of preserving historic landmarks. They often stimulate local economies by increasing tourism and promoting local business.
National headquarters:
1100 Seventeenth Street, NW
Washington, DC 20036
Phone: 202-331-9696
Toll-free: 800-888-7747
Web site: www.railtrails.org
-or-
www.traillink.com
U.S. Forest Service Web-site
Web site: www.fs.fed.us
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