Mountain biking is a great way to get some exercise and enjoy the great outdoors. While there are many who enjoy the “extreme†nature of the sport, you don’t have to be riding over the edge of a steep ravine to profit from a day out on your bike. All you need are some tips to make you day enjoyable and safe.
Location, location, location
There are many areas in the country that supply plenty of opportunity to take your new mountain bike for a ride. No matter where you are heading, for a few hours to a whole day's excursion, you will find numerous paths that will be perfect for either a beginner or an advanced rider.
The best places to find good bike paths are the Internet and your local bike store. There are many websites dedicated to cycling, mountain and street, which describe the local riding areas and the challenges found there. The benefit is that you can often get different reports from people who have ridden the path as well as any up to date information concerning any problems the trail may have.
If you go to your local bike store, you may be able to get information directly from the source, people who ride in your area. Additionally, you can often find a notice board that includes data on local riding groups and activities for you to join.
Preparing the Day
One of the nicest things about setting out on the trail is that you get away from the urban life for a while. The down side is that you have to take everything with you, and pack it out too. For a couple-hour trip, a couple of water bottles and some of your favorite snack bars should be enough. Additionally when it comes to a longer excursion you need to plan ahead.
Every bicycle must carry a spare tire and the tools needed for basic repairs. Make sure that your kit works on your bike. You don’t want to find out that you got the wrong set of tools or tire when you are 10 miles from the road. Also you should make sure to carry the following;
• Water: Estimate that you will need a liter an hour if the weather is warm, slightly less if it isn’t. You can reduce the need to carry it all in bottles if you use a “camelback†as well as a couple of bottles attached to your bike . If you bike hard, you need to replace the calories your burn. Fritos have the benefit of providing salt as well as calories.
• Clothing and Protection: Regardless of how nice the weather may be when you being your trip, of you believe there is the chance of showers make sure you take wet weather gear. Today’s high tech fabrics make such gear compact, lightweight and effective. It is also vital that you bring subscreen, making sure to use it often. Use sunglasses, gloves, and most importantly, your helmet.
One final tip for your personal protection. Make sure that you bring pepper spray for your self defense. While you may never encounter any danger from other cyclists, when you head up in to the mountains, you may very well encounter other wild life and pepper spray can be a good deterrent. It could also give you plenty of time to escape if you need to.
Before you go mountain biking, be sure to bring along some standard items each time to avoid problems. It is essential that you have tools, supplies, food and water. Since you won't want to carry any extra weight, only take what you need. With careful planning you can be prepared with a minimum of items.
One of the most important things is a spare inner tube, and the tools to change it. Nothing can stop your ride faster than a flat tire, and if you are far out on the trail, it can mean a very long walk home. If it's late in the afternoon, you could also run out of daylight. Getting trapped in the dark is no fun. All you need to prevent this scenario is a spare tube (with the right valve type - there are two: presta and schraeder), 3 tire levers to get your tire off the rim, and of course a pump. Mini-pumps work just fine. Cautious types may also want to carry a tube patch kit in case of another flat. If you have never changed a tube before, it's a good idea to practice at home first.
Mountain bikes are put together with allen bolts so make sure you carry a folding set of allen wrenches. Extended rides over bumpy trails can tend to make bolts loosen up. You also may want to make adjustments while on the trail to your brake or gear levers. Allen keys sets are quite small and inexpensive. If you know how to use a chain tool it wouldn't hurt to bring one along in case your chain let's go or requires adjusting.
Be sure to take adequate food and water for your ride. Powerbars are great bang for the buck. They work very well and prevent you from running out of energy. Riding when you are exhausted is no fun and risk of injury increases because of lack of focus. Water is critical. You can use water bottles if you bike frame has the mounts or a popular alternative is a Camelbak backpack bladder system. It also has ample room for tools and tubes. Or you can use an under-seat pouch.
Always make sure you are dressed appropriately for your mountain bike ride. Keep in mind you will warm up quickly after starting your ride, so don't wear a heavy jacket that you'll end up removing it after 15 minutes. It's best to dress in a series of light layers. Keep in mind that if it's wet or cold, your feet and hands will feel the cold the most. Wear riding gloves and socks suited to cycling. Your local bike store can assist you in selecting the correct gear for the kind of riding you will be doing so try and establish a good relationship with them.
Are you looking to purchase a new bicycle? In that case you must have a look at the Trek Mountain Bikes. Trek Mountain Bikes is a very ancient brand. This is in existence for a very long time and has come to stay - except maybe to the next exigent trail!
First you should note that Trek designs and produces Trek Mountain Bikes, as well as road bikes, but the corporation does much more than that. The bikes manufactured by them are of very good quality. The fact that Lance Armstrong rides a Trek goes to prove this point. This is proof enough of the quality and performance of this bike.
Trek has a row of accessories that are highly suited to mount bikers of all ages and expertise levels. Outfits and shoes, under the Trek brand are available through their official website. You can also buy the helmets and other safety equipment, locks, lights, racks, saddles, trainers, packs, bike maintenance gear, trailers, Trek souvenirs, team wear, and even computers for your Trek Mountain Bikes! Trek even has their own specifically designed water bottles, and they sell nourishment bars and packs as well!
Now that you make out that Trek is all about bikes and mountain bikes - and satisfying the needs and whims of bikers and mountain bikers, stopover at their site, and start building your Trek mountain bike. That's right! You can even construct the Trek Bike according to the features you have in mind virtually. You can set up with just the frame, or select a whole bike. You can choose the color format, and many other skin texture as well - when you have virtually designed the bike of your dreams, you can even order it if you want to! If you can't find the money for it immediately, however, you can save it, and go back and look at it over and over again.
Once you've bought your Trek mountain bike, you can use it to tour interesting locations. Trek also offers the Trek travel feature to bikers. Planning your trekking trip is very easy with the use of this feature which enables you to plan your trips according to your level of skill and expertise, your travel date plans, etc. These tours which are accompanied by guides gives you a lot of confidence. The guides are qualified to take care of your needs and the safety measures ensuring you have a relaxing and enjoyable tour.
You can still have fun and enjoy the exciting Trek mountain bikes tours even if you are not in the best of shape. Simple tours take you through with an average speed of thirty miles per day. Since the routes are usually flat, it is very easy and relaxing to ride at your speed. It is not even compulsory that you should ride every day. If you prefer something a bit more audacious, there are moderate trips on hand as well.
Muna wa Wanjiru Has Been Researching and Reporting on Mountain Bikes for Years. For More Information on Trek mountain bikes, Visit His Site at
TREK MOUNTAIN BIKESI Will Also Highly Appreciate Your Views On Trek mountain bikes At My Blog here
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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!
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