Posts Tagged ‘mountain biking’
Mountain Bike Expeditions – Part of the Eco-tourism Programs
Our contemporary society is continuously looking for new ways of protecting the green planet. Mountain biking fully responded to this global trend. Thus, the MTBs soon became the viable alternative to the urban motor cars circulation, in the attempt of reducing the pollution.
No doubt, the tourism potential of every country needs to be exploited. However, it is advisable to enlarge the tourism industry and protect the environment at the same time. This is how, out of concern for the natural surroundings, the eco-tourism was created. In the eco-tourism programs, mountain biking represents a central element, while the mountain bikes (also the MTBs) are the most recommendable means of transportation.
Mountain bike expeditions have been rapidly adopted particularly in the Western Europe. Special lay-outs have been organized for the mountain bike lovers. The approved mountain bike routes are also marked on maps. The mountain bike industry tends to become more and more prosperous, including MTBs renting centers, organized MTBs trips lead by professional guides. The routes are chosen according to their length and degree of difficulty.
Presently, more and more people, of all ages, find that a half an hour walk on your mountain bike is an experience that worth being tried for. A mountain bike expedition through the woods, alone or together with your friends, tenses the muscles while clearing your mind. This is a very useful and handy way to get rid of the daily stress, and it works better than you might think. Choosing the itinerary should not be a problem: a trail through the woods or, sometimes, simply an unpaved country road; a forest corridor sliding up and down through the hills or, on occasion, along the river banks.
Mountain biking is a tempting activity also because it may be practiced at all ages. You are never too old or too young to ride a mountain bike. MTBs are not exclusively for teenagers, young people or professional sportsmen. Children and women find it equally attractive and practical. What you really need in order to be able to ride an MTB is a strong will to stand up from the couch, to turn off the TV and leave the remote control aside, availability for effort, a physical condition directly correlated to the number of miles you want to run and, obviously, a mountain bike.
It is important to choose the mountain bike type and the lay-out, particularly the length and the degree of difficulty, according to your physical training and availability for effort. The ten-point question is: do I have the necessary exercise in order to keep pedaling for a few hours on a rough terrain? It is crucial for each of us to be very much aware of our limits and health state. We should not ignore the fact that mountain biking is generally practiced in isolated areas, less inhabited and less accessible to other means of transportation, except for the MTBs. Therefore, any minor MTBs accident might have horrible consequences. The running speed of the MTB should be adjusted, depending on everyone’s ability to keep the MTB under permanent control. It is always better to be safe than sorry.
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Blue
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KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Silver
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Israel 1996 Sport 1.05 Mountain Bike Full Sheet Sc 1256
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Tags: Mountain Bike Expeditions, mountain biking, MTBs
Mountain Biking: Leisure, Extreme Sport, and Olympic Discipline
Well, with a good mountain bike you can do all of them. The mountain bike action is genuine excitement, but at the same time, it has an inherent degree of hazard and requires very good technical and physical resources.
A trip on the mountain or along the difficult country roads, using the mountain bikes, is always an exciting and out-of-the-ordinary experience. Besides the wonderful natural views lying all around you, there is also to consider the feelings stirred by the mountain bike trips, along sinuous and abrupt trails and wood paths full of twists and turns, where man must control himself and have a total control of his MTB.
This sort of off-road expeditions and mountain bike contests are more and more appreciated nowadays, when the mountain bike sport has more and more supporters and practitioners. It is not easy to engage yourself in such mountain bike off-road races, but once you hit the road and felt the “taste” of the mountain bike excitement, there is only you and your MTB. And that is all it matters. Even if you decide to participate to a mountain bike race, you should always experience the ultimate pleasure of the trip. Otherwise, you will never be able to win. Just like any other sportive discipline, mountain biking requires skills, a lot of training, determination and enthusiasm.
A mountain bike walk in the woods should not be confounded with an extreme sport. In the end, any sport might become extreme; it depends on how far you decide to push your own limits and how badly you feel the need of adrenaline and action. Also, swimming may become an extremely dangerous sport if one chooses to share the swimming pool with a shark. However, we should always bear in minds the fact that the line between pushing the limits carefully and securely, and pushing them recklessly, irresponsibly is so fragile and it is easy to cross over.
Strictly from the point of view of the mountain biking as sportive disciple, there are at least three distinct disciplines associated to this general denomination: cross-country (which is also an Olympic discipline), downhill and fourcross respectively. The sport of mountain bike racing was recognized relatively late, in the 90s; in the same year, the first world championships we organized. Six years later, the cross country mountain bike events were added to the sports participating to the Olympic Games.
At the end of the day, whether leisure activity, extreme sport or Olympic discipline, mountain biking requires an excellent physical conditions, a wild courage, and a total control of the mountain bike, all at amazing speeds.
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Blue
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:28:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Silver
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:31:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Israel 1996 Sport 1.05 Mountain Bike Full Sheet Sc 1256
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US $16.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 9:01:04 PST Buy It Now for only: US $16.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Tags: mountain biking, mountain biking requires
Wheel Truing
Wheel truing is actually something that is very easy to do. Even if you have no experience with mountain biking or truing a wheel, it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to accomplish it.
The first thing to do is make sure that none of your spokes are loose. To check, grab each spoke in turn and try to shake it back and forth. If the spoke wobbles, or makes pinging and grating noises, it’s loose. If it’s loose, add tension to the spoke by turning the spokey anti-clockwise with your finger and thumb pressure.
Keep turning and shaking until the noise is gone and the spoke doesn’t wobble or move. Move on to the next spoke until you’ve gone all the way around the wheel and checked them all.
Now, it’s time to see just how true the wheel actually is. Turn your bike upside down then spin the wheel to see where it comes closest to rubbing on the brake.
You may need to rotate the wheel backwards then forwards to locate the middle of the bulge on the wheel.
Tighten the spokes which run on to the other side of the rim. If those spokes are already tight, you’ll need to loosen a few of the spokes which run to the bulge side of the hub.
Truing a wheel is easier than you may think, although it can be a little tough with some wheels. If you need to loosen spokes, be very careful that you don’t break them. They can be very tough to loosen on older mountain bikes.
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Blue
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:28:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Silver
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:31:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Israel 1996 Sport 1.05 Mountain Bike Full Sheet Sc 1256
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US $16.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 9:01:04 PST Buy It Now for only: US $16.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Tags: mountain biking, wheel truing
Types Of Mountain Biking
As a sport or a hobby, mountain biking can be split into 9 different categories. These categories are very versed in what they offer. They are:
1. BMX
BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels. These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or with dirt jumps. Because of their smaller wheels and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier to perform tricks and stunts with.
2. Cross country
This type of mountain biking involves riding your bike up and down hills. Although it’s the least extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country riders are very fit and go on long rides.
3. Cyclo cross
This is a cross between road and mountain biking. These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through rivers, and race on and off the course.
4. Dirt jumping
Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they are in the air. These jumps are normally close together so riders can go over six or more jumps in one run, gaining a flow to give them more speed for bigger jumps.
5. Downhill
Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill as fast as possible. This type of riding is very intense and extreme, offering riders the chance for ultimate thrills and excitement.
6. Freeride
Free riding involves finding the perfect line down the mountain using all of the terrain to express yourself. These competitions are very popular, as riders can express themselves any way they see fit.
7. Single speed
No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form of cross country biking that’s done using a bike with only one gear and fewer components. The idea with single speed is simplicity. The straight chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and the lack of components mean less mechanical problems and a lighter bike.
8. Street and urban
This type of riding involves riding in urban areas, ledges, and other types of man made obstacles. Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks as well, such as stalls and grinds.
9. Trails
Trials are considered an aspect of mountain biking, although the bikes used look nothing like mountain bikes. They use 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport small, low frames. Trail riders will hop and jump their bikes over obstacles, which requires an extreme amount of balance and concentration.
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Blue
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:28:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Silver
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:31:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Israel 1996 Sport 1.05 Mountain Bike Full Sheet Sc 1256
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US $16.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 9:01:04 PST Buy It Now for only: US $16.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Tags: cross country, mountain biking
Things To Take With You
When you decide to go mountain biking on a long days ride, there are several things that you should take with you. Below, you’ll find the essentials that you should have with you.
1. Back pack - a camelback or mule is a good idea here.
2. Waterproof - the type that packs down very small is the best to have.
3. Water - you need at least 2 liters for a long ride.
4. Food - sandwiches and energy bars are the best to have with you to eat.
5. Pump - take a good one with you, as the small mini pumps are a waste of time and money.
6. Tire levers if you need them.
7. Two small inner tubes.
8. A piece of medium emery paper about 3 inches long and an inch wide.
9. A cut up tube of Crest for pinch punctures or to use as a tire boot.
10. A carpet needle.
11. A card of linen thread to repair torn tires.
12. A good chain splitter
13. At least two black pins. You should tape these to the inside lid of your puncture repair kit.
14. A set of allen wrenches. The penknife style is the best to get.
15. A small screwdriver.
16. A first aid kit that includes an elastic bandage.
17. A Spokey spoke key.
18. A felt tip pen that will show on inner tubes.
19. Some lunch and phone money.
If you take the above with you, you should have no problems with long mountain bike rides. Everything on the above list will serve a purpose, all you have to do is give them a chance. If you’ve ever been mountain biking and ran into problems in the past, you should know first hand just how important the proper supplies can actually be.
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Blue
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:28:59 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
KCNC Z6 Steel Axle MTB QR Skewers/Quick Release/1Pair/Full CNC/64g/Silver
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US $49.99 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 6:31:00 PST Buy It Now for only: US $49.99 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Israel 1996 Sport 1.05 Mountain Bike Full Sheet Sc 1256
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US $16.00 End Date: Saturday Feb-04-2012 9:01:04 PST Buy It Now for only: US $16.00 Buy it now | Add to watch list |
Tags: mountain biking