Safe Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a fun sport but it is also dangerous. However, participants can lesson their chances of injury by taking a few precautions. First off, of course, they should have the necessary skills before even getting on the mountain.




Practically anyone can get on a bike and ride around their neighborhood, go across flat countryside or ride up and down hills, but when it comes to mountain biking, the rider should have certain skills before giving it a try.




Depending on how long you’ve ridden your bike, it’s quite possible that you do have these skills – so let’s just run through them.




1) Feel the pedals. Are you used to keeping your feet on your pedals at all times? Of course you are. But when you’re mountain biking (or doing stunts), feet come off the pedals… and have to be able to find them again without hesitation. So practice taking your feet off the pedals and replacing them…this will instill “muscle memory” so your feet always will know where the pedals should be at any given time.



2) Shift the gears. If you live in a flat area, you probably don’t do a lot of gear shifting. This will change when you get on the slopes, so find yourself a hill near your home and practicing shifting as you go both up and down. Also, if you get tired just biking up a regular-sized hill, you’ll want to do some wind sprints up that same hill for a couple of weeks before you decide to take on a mountain.



3) Stand up for yourself. Most people sit on their bikes while they ride, but again, on a mountain bike you don’t have that luxury. You’ll be off your seat more often than not. So practice coasting along while standing, and then pedaling while standing….and don’t do it for just a few yards and then stop.



4) Before you go hurtling down
Mountain biking is a dangerous sport, and you should always wear a helmet, and knee and elbow pads. And when you’re practicing going over curbs – the same should apply.




You want to practice going up and over curbs to get the feel of doing it on a hill. You know your own bike best – exactly how high can an obstruction be before you can’t go over it with your bike? Probably about six inches.




Going off a curb is another thing entirely. As long as you have good balance and strong hands to keep your front tire straight, you can get quite a bit of “air” before hitting the ground again – but you need to know the ground you’ll be landing on to ensure that there’s no obstructions that will get in your way. So always ride a downhill trail relatively slowly the first time, before you go full out.




But back to practicing. Check out the curbs in your neighborhood, and – while wearing your safety gear and making sure there’s no traffic in the area – practice going over them at different speeds. If all the curbs are of the same height, you’ll have to increase them using man-made objects such as ramps. However… you learned to crawl before you could walk, and by the same token, become very comfortable on those short curbs before you try to increase the height and air of your jumps, and always wear your safety gear while you do it.




There’s no need to be impatient. Work on your skills first, then tackle a beginners mountain biking trail or two to perfect your skills even more. Once you’ve got the skills, mountain biking will be a breeze!

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What Are Ebikes?

Worried about the high price you’re paying for gasoline? Looking for some new excitement in your life? Eliminate your money worries by traveling around town on a fun motorized ebike. Just imagine the adrenaline rush you’re going to experience behind the handlebars of a new ebike made right here in the USA.

Most ebikes are compact enough to be stored in a small place such as in a closet or in a public transportation compartment. Ebikes range in size from mini to full-size and boast an assortment of speed options and can travel at a safe street legal limit of a range of 15-28 mph.

Ebikes are available fun colors and optional features. Some ebikes can travel up 50 miles alone on a single battery charge without pedaling at all and never require gas. It is easy to find a parking spot because they are so compact. You can even take you ebike into your office with you and park it in a closet or under a desk. It’s just that simple because many models are foldable. That’s right, they are made for folding.

But of course the best part is that they are fun and healthily way to travel. 

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How To Choose The Bike That's Right For You

There are many different types and styles of bicycles. You will need to decide on the type of biking you will be predominantly doing in order to help you narrow down your choices. Below are just some of the types of bicycles available on the market today.

The first bicycle we will mention here are what are considered by some to be comfort bicycles. These are the type used by most weekend recreational bike riders. They usually have a comfortable shock-absorbing seat and shock absorbing front forks and wide pedals.

Another type of bike which is a bit more rugged than the comfort bike is a trail bike or light duty mountain bike. These bikes can take a bit more rough stuff than the bikes mentioned above but are not meant for serious mountain biking.

Touring bicycles are for those who go long distances and faster than recreational bike riders. These bikes are built for riding on the pavement. They are light weight bikes with more shock absorbency than comfort bikes.

Cruiser bikes are heavier than the comfort bikes with fatter tires. They are good for the road, or riding in the sand.

A true mountain bike has a stronger frame and components than any other bike as they are intended for off road and rugged terrain. The tires on a mountain bike are knobby and wide for more shock support. The seat and handlebars are positioned to allow for the rider to lean over while maneuvering the bike.

Recumbent bicycles are becoming very popular with older riders and those who have some limits in physical ability. The rider reclines while pedaling in a feet forward position. The seat is much more comfortable than on any other bicycle. Recumbent bikes sit low to the ground and have multiple gears.

An electric bike will give you that extra boost and make make hills effortless. An electric bike will also save money as an alternate for of transportation.

Talk with family and friends who own bikes to get their opinion on what may be the best investment for you. If you don’t think that you’ll stick with bike riding long term and if you don’t plan to do more than weekend riding you don’t need to spend a fortune. Visit several bicycles shops and talk with the pro’s before making a decision. You can get many years of enjoyment if you choose the right bike for you.

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Fun With Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the great outdoors, exercising and having fun. Racing down a mountainside is exhilarating; however, it can also be dangerous. Although it is consider a dangerous sport, if done with utmost caution, mountain biking can be enjoyed by the whole family. As with any outdoor sport, selecting the right equipment and an understanding of the sport will be the key to a great adventure. Mountain biking is also an excellent way of working out. Bikes are high impact cardio vascular workout machines. They can asist in losing weight by shedding the calories and also help in toning up the muscles of the lower body especially the lower limb and the calf muscles.



Styles of Mountain Biking




Mountain biking can be categorized into three different styles. There is downhill, free riding, and cross-country. Although the styles are similar in some respect, they all require different skills. The style you select will determine the type of bike.



Mountain Biking Locations




Typically, this sport is known as biking on an unpaved surface. Most regions have areas specifically designed for this grand sport. State and federal parks are a good place to mountain bike. However, you should check with your local parks to get the routes and other regulations or rules they may have. In addition, if you venture off to some state or federal land or any wilderness type area, it is best to know about the surroundings should there be any unexpected accidents. There are also groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You could search the internet or local newspaper to see what is available in your area. There may be groups for the advanced rider as well as the novice.



Criteria to be a Great Mountain Biker




A prerequisite for a great mountain biker is endurance and stamina. In addition, it takes discipline to practice and the ambition to succeed and conquer the course. A novice mountain biker will have to overcome the bumps and bruises from falling of the bike. Like all sports, it takes practice and the constitution to keep trying.


Selecting Your Bike




Selecting your bike is a personal choice and contingent on the type of riding you will do. Bikes come in all different styles, shapes, and prices, therefore selecting the perfect one for you can be difficult. Again, do some internet research or venture out to do some comparison-shopping before you get ready to make a purchase. Ask to try out a bike before you buy. A good mountain biker becomes one with his or her bike. Check for comfort, fit, and how it is geared, all these factors need to be considered.




As mentioned earlier, mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be hazardous. The typical safety gear is a helmet, knee and elbow pads. You should also consider goggles if riding in a very dense wooded area or if following a group of bikers. Safety should be your top priority and not taken lightly when riding no matter what the terrain.

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