Wear Your Helmet Every bike ride, regardless of what type of bike you're riding, should start with the buckling of a properly fitted helmet. Refer to our
May 2009 Newsletter for more information on proper helmet fit. You won't be able to ride on local trails without one and it's just not smart to ever ride without one. Even the most basic helmets will keep your head cool and ventilate well through channels in the helmet's shell. Plus, helmets often have visors to protect your eyes from glare and branches you may ride through.
Trust us, you are the exception if you think helmets are dorky. People notice the person without a helmet more than anybody with one. Don't be that guy (or girl)! It's not cool and you could end up in the hospital.
Full Suspension or Hard tailIf you are in the market for a new mountain bike, you have two options:
full suspension bikes that have shock systems in the front and back or
"hard tail" bikes that only have front suspension. Beginner riders
tend to benefit more from a good quality hard tail bike (see picture at right). These bikes tend to be more reasonably priced ($400-$800) versus even a basic full suspension bike that can start in the $1200 range and go up to thousands of dollars.
Besides price, a hard tail bike is easier for a beginner rider to learn basic bike handling skills that they will need to ride effectively off road. A hard tail bike forces the rider to pick the most efficient "line" through the trail and teaches a rider how to keep traction on the rear wheel. With a hard tail bike, a rider is more connected to the terrain and will improve their skill set more quickly than with a full suspension bike.
Clipless Pedals
Clipless pedals are one of the more significant bicycle innovations to come along in a while. The technology is actually borrowed from skiing technology and makes a rider more efficient by providing better contact between the pedal and a rider's foot. Clipless pedals are also safer since they offer almost instant entry and release.
If you are new to cycling, getting clipless pedals and shoes (you'll need both) may seem a bit much, but unless you are among the most casual riders, they are worth considering. One way to decide is to consider how you ride. If you regularly ride 10 miles or more in a given trip and expect to continue riding, we think you'll love the way a clipless pedal system enhances the cycling experience by boosting your pedal power, comfort and safety.
Hydration Systems
No matter your riding style, you will need to bring fluids with you on the trail. There are a couple of options available. The simplest is a water bottle and a bottle cage that bolts onto the bike. For not much more cost, we highly recommend a hydration pack. These are widely available from several manufacturers, the most popular being models from Hydrapak and Camelback.
tuneups and repairs.
biking. This article is part of a two-part series. This month we will cover equipment. What do you need to be outfitted and ready to jump into the sport?
There are several key advantages to a hydrations pack versus a water bottle. One key difference is that a pack stays out of the way on your back and won't fall onto the trail like a water bottle is often prone to doing. The pack will have a hose that clips to one of the shoulder straps and is easy to drink from when you need it.
reaching down to the water bottle cage can be challenging to do while still riding. The other benefit to a pack is the availability of storage space. A moderate size hydration pack can carry a lot more than water. Most have enough space for snacks, a spare tube and a cell phone among other things.
Homemade Protein Bars
