Mountain Bike Events - Ten Tips for Beginners

Mountain bike events can be a great way to ride a part of the countryside you wouldn't normally be able to access and provide an opportunity to meet like minded people. Undertaking your first event may be a little daunting but rest assured there will be other first timers and plenty of support on the day. Here are ten tips for riding your first event taken from my own personal experience of riding and being part of a support crew. Take note of these and you will not only complete the race but actually enjoy it as well.

1. Try to train in similar terrain and conditions to those which you will experience on the day.
2. Get your bike in for a service at least a couple of weeks before the event to give time for any major repairs. You don't want to waste all that training with an avoidable gear failure on the day and bike shops can't be expected to turn around a significant job with a couple of days notice.
3. Ensure your bike is properly set-up for you. Bike shops or sports physios can help with this. Riding a poorly set-up bike at high intensity for a long period will cause you back or leg problems that will take a while to recover from.
4. Start using energy bars and drinks (including recovery formula) during your training so that your body becomes used to them. Don't suddenly start using a new product on the day from one of the onsite sponsors. Your body may not be used to it and react badly.
5. For longer rides use a chamoix cream or vasoline to reduce chafing. One of my friends goes by the "if it moves vas it!"
6. Organise a great support crew to help you get ready, cheer like hell during the event and be there to help you recover at the end of the race.
7. Get to the event early and go for a warm up ride to get rid of nerves, stretch the legs and undertake final checks on the bike.
8. Make sure you know the course and don't rely on those ahead of you to be taking the right turns.
9. Ride to your own pace and don't be tempted to blast after the pros off the start line. Also ride to your own ability in any technical sections.
10. Have fun, smile lots and banter with your fellow riders - you never know when you might need their help!

Karl Check writes for Perweek, a New Zealand online retail business that allows you to finance your purchases. If you are riding in New Zealand or thinking about coming out for a holiday you should read Karl's Mountain Bike Events page. The page has links to some of New Zealand's most popular mountain bike races. http://www.perweek.co.nz/mountain-bike-events

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Bike Pedals Should Be Of Good Quality For Safety

What started as a very regular event has now metamorphosed into a very thrilling activity, and now addressed as one of the major forms of extreme sports. Today mountain biking is understood as requiring special talents with a growing band of admirers because it gives the rider a real adrenaline rush when the individual performs the many kinds of maneuvers. This sporting event is gaining ground as days pass by with more and more people joining the bandwagon.

Similar to Snow Skiing

Without any contradiction the most popular form of mountain biking is the activity of downhill biking. This has similarities with what a snow skier does on the icy terrains, though with mountain biking you will find the biker reaching for downhill with the wheels flying in the air quite often. For the majority of bikers, just the thought of being able to perform downhill on a mountain bike is enough to get an adrenaline buzz, not to speak about the actual thrilling experience they encounter.

A Risky Sport

Do not mix downhill mountain biking with ordinary regular biking and consider it just biking on undulating hills. It is also different from cross country biking where just a little bit of downhill biking can be involved. The performance of downhill mountain biking needs the biker to utilize a bike that has unique rear and front suspension that can brace the stress mountainous tracks thrust on the bike. Also, downhill bikes have much more weight than standard bikes since the frames are stronger. An average mountain bike should have a weight between eighty and hundred kilos.

One more feature of downhill mountain biking is that the biker does not need to pedal when he or she has reached the summit of the mountain. They will have to store all their physical stamina to roll down the mountain which requires a lot of strength and is also fraught with danger. This should be undertaken only when the safety conditions are ensured.

The tracks used for downhill mountain biking are incredible steep as well as treacherous and jumps of forty feet are usual. The very thrilling sensations gained from downhill mountain biking set the bikers on a tizzy of adventure sports and is the best experience they can ever dream to have. However, for this very reason, wearing a helmet and protection for the elbow, knees and hands, as well as glasses for the eyes.

Adam Peters is the journalist of consumer websites, who has written more articles on bike suspension for http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com Keep reading about cheap lowrider bikes and bicycles at his web.

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Good Bicycle Seats Keep You Safe And Comfortable

No one can contest the saying that necessity is the mother of invention. When looking at the history of mountain biking this necessity becomes the chief inspiration for making the sport competitive, fun and popular.

The three factors that inform the history of mountain biking are the people passionate enough to pursue the sport, the geographical terrain, and the invention of the mountain bike.

The People:

It was in the late 1960s when a couple from San Francisco grew tired of the grinding life they were leading. Their departure from urban life took them to Marin County where life was calmer and less hectic with a rustic escapade.

Over time, their passion for cycling together with the mountainous prospect landed them up with competitive bike races which were organized through a 3 mile fire trail track in the city of Fairfax. Other bikers soon joined the race with the hope for creating new records. There was a downward slope of 1600 feet that was included in the race. Thus began mountain bike racing.

Soon the word spread around but in the face of possible threats the sports manifested it had to be canceled. This was because the racers failed to meet insurance requirements. This was how the race came to an end.

The Geographical Area

However, the popularity did not die. The official birthplace of mountain biking was accorded to Mount Tamalpais in California.

In the beginning, bicyclists would race down Mount Tam and take the bikes to the top of the mount by other means of conveyance. Later, they not only came down but also explored uphill trails too. This was a good thing because it stretched the scope of the mountain biking race - not only racing down but racing up as well.

The Equipment

The bike also went through a metamorphosis. Modifications began to take place on the mountain bike like tires, seat, safety arrangements. One of the changes included the replacement of typical braking system in an ordinary bike with cantilever brakes. This gave the bike the strength to pause quickly to brave extreme terrains. If you are an avid mountain biker you must agree that a mountain bike does need to brave it out on severely dangerous terrains.

Another modification included more gears for the biker to enable scaling of higher mountains and hills. Because all bikers do not use their mountain bikes for scaling mountains of the same height. A competent enough bike, therefore, needs to be tough enough for all kinds of heights.

Adam Peters is a syndicated columnist on different resources like http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com Keep reading about bike reviews and cool bikes at his web.

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SRAM Red Groupset - Know All About It

How much fruitful is your mountain biking activities is largely dependent on many factors in which is included the nature of the terrain on which you ride on, which is frequently a challenge. However, without doubt, the most primary consideration for making the most of mountain biking experience is the mountain bike itself. The success in this game requires that you have the perfect bike made from the best components. It should suit your skills as a mountain biker - no matter whether you are a beginner or an advanced level mountain biker. Get a good mountain bike for yourself and half your work is done. And what does the right mountain bike mean? It means the component parts of the bike, of course!

The first most important mountain bike components that your bike must possess are tires, wheels brakes, suspension, pedals, and seat saddles. These items make a direct impact on how much enjoyment you glean from your activities. Of all these parts, your mountain bike tires will ensure that you have smooth and comfortable ride on uneven terrains. Here, you will find opinions are divided in terms of using tubeless tires, though veteran mountain bikers do not like them.

The reason why tubeless tires are not preferred by mountain bikers is they have a high chance of getting punctured when applied to the roughness of mountain biking. Apart from this, it is also believed that tubeless tires get a leak even in the bike shops themselves and are also more expensive then tube tires. After this, you should make sure that the brakes are in top condition and that they are functioning adequately.

The next important bike component a mountain biker needs to look into is the suspension fork or the bike suspension which is responsible for your comfort and safety. Seat saddles are equally helpful for a comfortable ride. Pedals and gloves follow seat saddle, and all this put together makes sure that your ride is as good as possible, with precautions against mishaps on the road.

Once you are out shopping for your bike parts you will be amazed to find the sheer amount of different bike parts available. A thorough comparison of price and quality will land you up with the best product suited to your needs.

The growing fame of mountain biking is also witnessing more and more companies joining the bandwagon, and many of them are constantly making the effort to provide newer and more high-tech items to their clients.

Alison Addy is the editor of many articles on bike shifters published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com

More articles on bicycle handlebars and carbon bicycle handlebars at his web.

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HARO Folding Mountain Bikes

Folding mountain bikes are quite famous nowadays. For bicycle riders who are looking forward to great outdoor adventure, they opt to choose mountain bikes that are easy to carry, convenient and practical. On the other hand, there are also some who want a mean of transportation that would allow them to commute without hassle. This is where folding mountain bikes come in to the picture. With a great demand come great models that suit every preference. The HARO DX cycle in Korea gives you the features of a folding mountain bike that you would definitely want to try.

Samchuly is the founder of the HARO DX Cycle which is known as Korea's most renowned and largest bicycle manufacturer. They have been in the industry nearly 60 years now. They are known for having a good reputation of making quality cycles to ISO9001 standard. They have also supplied bicycles to the 1988 Olympics and to the FIFA 2002 World Cup. Despite its quality of construction, this model is more of a recreational bike rather than actually designed for hurling yourself off mountain sides competitively. This is a great option for both mountain riders and ordinary commuters.

Folding mountain bikes make use of different riding position and frame sizing more frequently as compared to ordinary and conventional bikes. The HARO DX folding mountain bike design emphasizes on the compactness of a bike as would expect. It also plays a clever trick within the 16 inch frame size to achieve a small folded size with full size wheels. Most tall cyclists who usually prefer traditional and very high-ride road-bike position may sacrifice a little folded compactness by fitting a longer seat post in order to make room for your longer legs.

This bike is perfect for commuting everyday and can be easily be transported by car, bus, motor home, train and airplane. There is no need for a cycle rack, as they can be carried easily and unfolded for use in seconds without the use of any tools using the built-in quick release levers. It folds to under 30x90x90 cm without having to remove the wheels or all the other spare parts of the bicycle. These bikes are also supplied with a carry bag. It has long zip around the three sides with a carrying handle that can be carried over to your shoulder. This may cost a little expensive but is the quality is worth it. The bag is heavy duty with a water resistant internal coating. The generous three sided zip enable a l opening great for easy loading. It has a simple 'square' design that does not only make the bag for versatile but it also offers an ample 'gap' for stowing helmets and all other stuffs.

The Haro range of bikes comes in various models and designs. There are a lot of styles that you can choose from with varying prices. Some of these models are sold in discount rates which are quite a good deal in your favor.

Article Folding Mountain Bikes is written by Cassaundra Flores, owner of skyfireproducts.com

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Kona Mountain Bikes - Quality and Performance?

Kona rules the road when it comes to manufacturing mountain bikes. Kona Mountain Bikes first came into creation with the Whistler Blackcomb Mountain Bike Park back in 1998. Ever since, these bikes have been used all over the world to counter the rugged terrains and move the aggressive adventurer beyond the limits he/she had set for himself.

Kona Mountain Bikes are designer mountain bikes which are a creation of a bicycle company called Kona bikes. The company of course sells other essentials like racing bikes, parts, frames and other accessories.

For its bizarre yet super bike names the company has been referred to as the "fun" bike company. This company is definitely the first to be "on board" as far as Freeride or "North Shore" was in consideration. There are several odd bikes which are big hits which come out of this company's manufacturing.

Kona Mountain Bikes are definitely very amenable for riding in tough weather conditions. Thus they obviously have the biggest share in worldwide bike markets. When the Kona bike range is concerned, the Kona Stinky and inevitably the Smoke are easily the better ones opted for by both fanatic bike riders and novice cyclists.

The lovely Kona bike collection has a huge sales success in the market. There are of course several examples like the Lana I 2005 Mountain Bike, the Fire Mountain 2006 Mountain Bike, the Shred 2006 Mountain Bike, the Cinder Cone Sole 2007 Mountain Bike, the Unit 2007 Mountain Bike, the Kikapu-8 2007 Mountain Bike which are downright winners at this game.

In case you have anything more to know about Kona or its products, there is a shopping help webpage which should provide you with answers. Resumes and sponsorship requests are attended by the company through email. With the local Kona dealers discounted prices can be obtained on bikes.

In case you are already a proud owner of a Kona Mountain Bike, there is of course their very efficient customer service to which you speak to if required. To install, say, a DH fork or a particular variety of tire or just the inclusion of greater suspension on the bike- all of this is attended to by the customer service. The type of the bike along with its date of manufacture and its serial number is what you will require to tell them.

Find out more on Kona Mountain Bikes and discover where to buy them at discounted prices at http://www.buymountainbikes.net.

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A Buyer's Guide to Mountain Bikes

The wife and I recently invested in a couple of mountain bikes in an effort to get fit, save money, and perhaps be a little kinder to the environment. I'm pleased to say, several months on, that we're certainly fitter, have saved some money being more active and not driving everywhere, and as for the environment I suppose you could say we're doing our little bit.

I was amazed at the start of our little life change at the myriad of mountain bikes out there to tempt all levels of ability and certainly all sizes of wallet. I admit to being confused at that time as to where to start and I expect I was not, then or now, the only one. The categories detailed below may help you as they helped me to cut through the jargon and the sales pitch so that you buy the right bike for you.

• Price Range. You can spend a whole lot of money on a decent mountain bike but my advice is to stick to a price range and only road test those bikes that fall in that price range, period. I do the same when I'm buying a new car, that's why I'm still married.
• Terrain. What type of mountain biking you will do can impact the type of bike you buy. Will it be thrill seeking downhill, trail racing, cross county racing, or like me, mountain cruising.
• Comfort. My advice here is to go for a full suspension mountain bike, the alternative hardtails may be cheaper, but in the long term the full suspension bikes are more comfortable. Your derrière will thank you for it.
• Components. There are huge combinations of components available when buying a mountain bike. Start with the fork, wheelsets, and rear derailleur. Remember, if you buy the right bike you can replace many of the components later.
• Right time to buy. Mountain bike prices can be seasonal with many models being sold spring through to summer. If you buy out of season you may well pick up a good deal.
• The Dealer. I recommend you buy, or the very least test ride, your mountain bike at your local dealer. You will get a far better service, even if you end up buying the bike for a cheaper price elsewhere. Remember the points above, this bike is for you, not necessarily the bike the dealer would like to own.
• Product Reviews. Once you've found the right bike, take a deep breath and walk away for twenty four hours. In that time go and read some product reviews. This breathing space may reinforce your decision as a good one, or get you to rethink. At least you will be sure.

I hope you find the right mountain bike to suit your needs. Remember to have fun, mountain biking in all its' styles is a great sport and a great way to get fit.

Find out more about Mountain Bikes and discover where to buy them at http://www.myusedmountainbikes.com

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