Big Drop Brian Head Mountain Bike Trail (Parowan, Utah)

Length: The descent of the big drop is about three miles. However the trail can be taken for almost twenty miles into the heart of Parowan Utah.

Difficulty: Moderate to expert. The initial descent is quite taxing and not recommended to anyone who is new to biking. However the valley trail is fairly easy riding.

Location: The big drop trail (one of the many names) starts at the northern edge of the Brian Head ski resort in the rocky mountains of Southern Utah. Brain Head is located about twenty miles south of Parowan Utah, a small farming town located off of I-15. The nearby city of Cedar City Utah offers many standard services as does the ski resort itself.

Time of year: The big drop is only accessible from late spring through fall until the first snow fall of the year.

Special considerations: Brian Head is located at a very high elevation. This means the drop can cause problems for people who are sensitive to oxygen levels.

The trail: The big drop begins at the southern edge of Brian Head and follows a level and smooth path for about 500 feet or so. At the end of this path is a sudden and very steep drop of about ten feet. It is recommended that during the drop you keep your body weight low and to the back of the bike until the trail levels out slightly. If the first drop is a bit more than you feel you can take, there are alternate paths to both the east and west of the path.

Once you have made the drop you will be spending the next three miles in an intense descent that will cover over three thousand vertical feet. During this drop will be several steep inclines that are ideal for gaining speed. However use caution as what appears to be a level trail can lead to another sudden drop. During the descent you will have several opportunities to engage in daring Ariel maneuvers such as high jumping and table topping. In fact there are a few areas that those of a very brave and robust nature can attempt jumps over a deep gorge. However do this only at your own risk as the Iron County search and rescue often can take a minute to get to you.

After the intense three thousand foot jump may people bail out onto the road and stow their bikes and gear and ride either back up to Brian Head for another run or a different trail. The honest truth though is that these early leavers are missing some of the most beautiful terrain crafted by the hand of nature. While the trail may no longer be as intense it offers a good ride with several hills and valleys through beautiful forest land. If you are going through during an early morning or late afternoon ride do not be surprised if you spy some of the local wildlife such as a deer or beaver as both are common to the area.

While this valley trail goes on for about twenty miles there are several ideal areas to leave the trail and get back on the road. However there are also many prime and open to the public camping areas. Those who either have the time or were looking to camp in the first place will find there is no shortage of wonderful camp sites. However, if you were only planning on a day trip that is fine as well. The valley trail ends at the edge of the town of Parowan near a small convenience store where you can buy a cool drink or meet with whoever you had plans with to drive you back to where ever you mean to go.

All in all the big drop is a great trail that leads through and astonishing array of trail types and scenery. If ever you have the chance to visit Southern Utah try to make it to Brian Head for this and many other fine trails.

Henderson Park Mountain Bike Trail (Tucker, GA)

Length: Each trail is about a mile.
Difficulty: Beginner to Intermediate.

Location: Tucker, just outside the perimeter. From 285 take Lavista road, exit 37, east to Chamblee Tucker Rd. Turn left and go about a mile. Take a left at the redlight in front of the Livesly school onto Livesly road. Wind through the subdivision and turn left into the park at the stop sign.

Nestled in a tangle of subdivisions Henderson Park offers a range of difficulty from flat, fast runs to steep, tricky, downhill slopes. The pleasant setting around Lake Erin is great for a quick tour, and the alternate trails allow for a different ride every time. In mid day there may be people fishing and the trail runs through a play ground so watch for kids, or just go around it, but in general Henderson Park is not very crowded.

Yellow Trail:
The main bike path can be accessed from the last parking lot. Go past the gate towards the lake and take any of the several trails that bleed into the main trail through the woods, or ride to the bottom of the hill and to the right around the lake. This path is marked with pale yellow markers, yet there are several access points to the Blue and the Red trails. Watch out for the roots and rocks in the narrow paths behind the lake but do push on through as a nice downhill run through a lush path rewards you with a beautiful and unexpected multi-tiered waterfall. Alternate entrance is at the intersection of Lake Erin drive and Brown road, slipping around the gate puts you in the fastest section of the path.

Blue Trail:
In the steep hills behind the lake the Blue trail is made for hiking, but functional for riders, particularly at the top of the hill. Watch out for dogs and raccoons and such but the biggest problem is the 50 foot slopes that merge into the yellow trail. Alternate entrance is at the top of the hill from the soccer fields off of Henderson road.

Red Trail:
Again these are more for hiking, but at low volume hours biking much of the red trail is fine. The biking in Henderson Park is greatly enhanced by these paths, giving you the sensation of exploration in the dense suburbs of Atlanta. Alternate entrance is anywhere along the main road near the first parking lot at the top of the hill.

About half way down the walk way from the last parking lot and the lake you can find a cool, color coded map of the trails which has been provided by a local boy scout troop. As a beginner, getting your first taste of off road biking or as an expert honing your skills at a convenient metro location Henderson Park is the perfect spot to spend a day of biking.

Magura Mountain Bike Brakes and Suspension

Believe it or not there was a time when Mountain biking was in its infancy that several of the luxuries we take for granted today were not available. Indeed the first mountain bikes were little more than ten speeds with heavier and more durable frames and wheels. In those early days taking a rough path was a whole new experience in back and knee pain. Well as with everything else over time, mountain biking has addressed many of the comfort and injury issues that plagued the sport in its earliest days. Now almost everyone has specialized forks, shocks, frames and tires all designed to make a ride more comfortable and reduce the amount of wear and tear on our joints.

While many companies offer great products, one of the best is Magura. Magura offers a wide range of products ranging from brake sets to rearshocks, and while these products kick butt, where Magura really kicks butt is in their offering of front forks. Somehow these guys manage to offer not only a couple of high quality forks, but they manage to offer forks for almost any riding style. If you are into going a little crazy freestyle, than you want to check out their 2008 Wotan suspension forks. If you are a just more of a functional rider than Odur style is something you want to look into. It really doesn’t matter what kind of riding style you have Magura bike parts certainly offer something for everyone. However their forks are really only the beginning.

Among the many offerings from Magura are some of the best brake sets you will find on the planet. With a combination of unique design and high quality materials, Magura has managed to create both disc and rim brakes. While true you can only do so much with a rim brake, going anywhere else but Magura for disc brakes is a waste of time. The disc brakes that Magura offer have two ideas in mind, that they work, and that they are easy to remove when you need to get to the tire. Overall they just plain rock.

So what is it that makes Magura so special? They have a passion that is almost unmatched in the field. The people at Magura want to make the best product not just for the sake of making a few bucks, but because they want the best ride they can get. This fierce dedication and passion to making bike parts has truly allowed Magura to rise above the rest of the crowd. If only all parts and bike manufacturers approached their craft in the same way.

441 Mountain Bike Trail (Athens, GA)

It is not an easy accomplishment for a single trail to satisfy the needs of multiple disciplines of riding. It is particularly difficult in an area lacking the epic combination of long, steep descents forged with technical obstacles. 441 trail, however, magnificently exploits the given terrain to create a ride that should satisfy cross-country and freeride bikers alike. With steep climbs, technical rock obstacles, and tabletop jumps, this singletrack trail is constantly progressing (thanks to hard-working local riders) into a masterful playground packed tight within encroaching development.

The trailhead begins just north of Loop 10 off of highway 441. Accessed with ease from the North Oconee River Greenway, riders often park at the North Oconee River Greenway parking lot at the intersection and MLK and College Ave. to avoid potential parking issues closer to the trailhead. After a quick ride alongside the muddy Oconee River and a skillful set of maneuvers to avoid passing walkers, joggers, and daring eastern chipmunks, exit the Greenway path to the right just before entering Sandy Creek Nature Center. This street will lead straight to Hwy. 441, with the singletrack trailhead directly across the highway, next to a gas station .

As a trail that is completely developed and maintained by a diverse set of local riders, there are no trail markers and no set routes or direction that must be obeyed. In fact, sections can be looped, bypassed, or added to create routes as diverse as the terrain. This review, however, follows a route that maximizes distance and captures a multitude of obstacles, hills, and jumps. The trail begins by squeezing through a pine dominated forest, with sections requiring careful attention to your elbows as to avoid an intimate, yet abrasive encounter with a loblolly pine. Stay right as you follow the perimeter which leads to a bumpy descent, across a wood-plank bridge.

Traverse momentarily, then take a giant gulp of oxygen and begin cranking up a fairly steep hill that includes a natural half-pipe near the top, just to keep things interesting. As you approach the top, the trail makes a sharp turn to the left that descends and traverses across the hill in which you just climbed. Momentum and balance is imperative, for rock, root, and log obstacles lie and wait to claim victim of the approaching, unsuspecting rider.

Continue winding back and forth, with the occasional stretch of ripping downhill. These downhill stretches are certainly well-earned, because hills do not go un-ridden on this trail.

The steep climbs and technical trail obstacles keep the mouths of numerous cross-country riders constantly watering while the occasional well placed set of drops and rock hits can satisfy the likes of any freerider looking to bounce down a trail on their beefy rigs, grinning from ear to ear. Before completing the first section of trail, a series of four drops can entertain any rider of any discipline.

Prepare for a sharp right turn at the bottom of the third drop, a quick ascent, and then a gradual, meandering climb out of the first forested section. The trail leads through a kudzu-ridden field, and is then intersected by a road. Cross the road and press on following the trail into the second forested section.

Quick, tight turns shortly subside and give way to yet another straight, gradual climb. A rock garden awaits you at the top. Upon successfully negotiating the rocks, you are left overlooking a ravine, which has been wonderfully transformed into a small, yet highly entertaining freeride area. Make your way around to the top of the ravine, pick your line and get ready for take off. Two tabletops, a smaller gap jump, a number of different drop-in points, and wall ride allow for a suite of combinations that puts any dollar menu to shame.

After you have had your fun at the freeride pit, you may continue up from the top of the ravine and exit the forest to a power line cut. Alternatively, there is another loop still in its infancy that begins just to the other side of the freeride drop-in. This extension loop descends and traverses the other side of the hill that you climbed moments ago. As this trail is still being developed, sections are not well worn but can certainly add mileage and more fun to your ride as it eventually loops back to the freeride pit that you just left. To exit, ride to the power line cut and head right for a fast downhill section that empties you onto the trail that enters the second forest section.

To return to the trailhead, cross the street following the trail back across the kudzu field and into the first forested section. Instead of backtracking the entire way back, one can stay right once the trail parallels the highway for a finale that leaves your heart pounding as you make fast drops and quick passes through tight trees. 441 trail is a great ride for confident beginners who are ready to progress their riding to the next level. Conversely, more advanced riders will appreciate the technicality of the ride and anxiously wait for what will come next with the ongoing development of the trail. Broken chains, flat tires, and broken arms are not strangers to this trail, so be prepared, be careful, and enjoy this rough, challenging ride, and if it is not challenging enough for you, try riding this route in the other direction.

Overall Difficulty: Intermediate – Advanced
Technical Difficulty: Moderate – Difficult
Physical Difficulty: Moderate
Configuration: Loop with some backtracking
Length: 4 miles

Google Map of the Trailhead

Cochran Shoals Mountain Bike Trail (Atlanta, GA)

Cochran Shoals is a 4.2 mile walking, and biking loop that runs parallel to the famous Chattahoochee River. It is a state park trail with a three dollar parking fee required per vehicle.

The main trail is a packed gravel trail making it a great ride for family and mountain bike beginners. If you are feeling a little adventurous, or are in the mood to stretch your skills a little, the trail forks at the 1.25 trail marker. This fork leads to a packed dirt trail that is both narrow and fast (if you’re willing to pedal through it). This offshoot has a few small s-turns but nothing to throw even the most basic riders off.

The dirt trail parallels the main trail for about twenty yards before again merging with the main trail. If you want to continue the main loop you will find yourself on a simple, yet enjoyable ride back to the parking lot you came from, but then you’d be missing the best part.

On the back side of the loop (not the riverside), there are three turn offs to the right. Take the first right turn and challenge yourself with a difficult up hill climb that is known for separating the rock stars from the groupies. At the top of this steep incline lies a small gated cemetery with grave stones from the late 1800’s. As you follow the trail around the cemetery a side trail will pop you out onto a new main trail which spans from Cochran Shoals to Sope Creek. Follow the trail to the right for about a quarter mile and you will start to see glances of houses through the trees on your left.

As far as the trail maps are concerned this is the mid-way point between the Cochran Shoals and Sope Creek, but who needs a map? Now you will turn around so get ready to rule the trail! The first quarter mile will, of course, be what you just rode, but just after the intersection of the cemetery trail, the main trail takes on a nice and lazy slope that will allow you to gain some great speed. WATCH OUT, this part of the trail is infested with wooden cross beams to contain corrosion of dirt, and they have been known to creep up on more than one unwary rider. The easiest way to approach this part of the trail would be to stay to the side and follow the grooves cut by earlier riders.

Ride at your own level, but if you are looking to really kick some butt stay in the middle once the wooden ties are spaced far enough apart because some of these baby’s will drop you two to two and half feet. With the help of the lips on the ties you can get enough air for x-ups, and if you are feeling like really stretching it out, possibly a table top. The downhill ends at the main trail which leads to a nice leisurely ride back to the parking lot.

TAG Wheels Mountain Bike Wheelsets Are Indestructible

If you were to take a poll of most bikers around the world, without a doubt one of the biggest fears you would find would be the fear of a flat down deep on a trail with no way to repair it. It makes sense; nothing in the world can ruin a kickin trail ride quicker than the loss of a tire, or even worse, a wheel. Most bikers carry a repair kit that can handle the occasional flat. However sometimes the flat is worse than can be easily fixed (pinch flats anyone) or the entire wheel decided to croak on you. With this in mind the guys over at TAG Wheels have decided to come out with some of the best wheels available.

I know there is a whole lot of techie mumbo jumbo about aerospace engineering and something known as the lost core molding process, but don’t let all that confuse you. What they really mean to say is that their wheels are damn near indestructible because they are made right. Basically their idea seemed to consist of interviewing my psychopathic nephew and following him on a couple of trails. When they learned that by observing him they could witness first hand the insanity a biker can inflict on their bike, they must have put their heads together and said “We can make something even this force of nature can’t destroy!” The final result is a wheel that to date my nephew has not been able to destroy.

So the wheels kick butt but what about flat problems. Well again semi scientific words like high impact, glass reinforced, composite materials let you know that they spared no expense in helping every rider meet the end of their trail with their bike in one piece. Again I figured they must have followed my nephew around to find every possible road threat to a tire. Again they made something near indestructible. I mean when was the last time you didn’t have to worry about a puncture flat? Admitted they still haven’t conquered the problem with pinch flats completely, but even these horrors are highly reduced compared to other wheels.

So okay with all this good stuff you got to wonder what the down side is right. Well despite the totally awesome wheels they offer, the one downside is that you are adding weight. The composite wheel alone weighs 1600g and the front hub 220g and rear 330g, so the total wheelset weighs 3750g.  However weight is a pretty small price to pay when you are looking at the fact that trails you have not been able to consider because of how rugged they were are now just a kick away. Admitted if you are doing a lot of hill climbing the weight can get kind of gruesome. So why not make a compromise? When you are doing a trail or just plain ride that weight is an issue, use normal wheels, but when you are planning on taking on a trail known for wrecking tires and wheels throw on the TAG Wheels and go nuts.

In the end the hobby of mountain biking is about seeing as much as you want to. Isn’t it a good idea then not to limit yourself because of fear that you might thrash a wheel or tire? Here at MTO bikes we believe on making sure everyone can reach their chosen peaks, so do so today.

Buy Now – Each wheelset comes with DT Swiss 440 freeride hubs and DT Swiss Skewers.  The other benefits are that the wheels switch out very easily to accomodate all axle diameters with simple end cap adapters.

FRX5 Front Wheel 100mm QR – $343.00
FRX5 Front Wheel 110mm 20mm Thru – $358.00

FRX5 Rear Wheel 135mm QR – $456.00
FRX5 Rear Wheel 135mm 10mm Thru – $456.00
FRX5 Rear Wheel 135mm 12mm Thru – $456.00
FRX5 Rear Wheel 150mm 12mm Thru – $487.00

Pay with:

Call today to place your order, 770.676.6289!

Top of the Mountain, Bottom of the Valley

A trail experience in the mountains of Southern Utah

I recently had the opportunity to go biking in the mountains and desert hills of Southern Utah. The whole region is majestic and beautiful with a combination of red rock hills, high mountain peaks and open valleys. It is no wonder that Moab Utah is on the top of almost every bikers list as a place to visit. However the trail I will be covering is located not in Moab Utah, but a little farther west near Cedar City Utah.

Not far from Cedar City is the ski resort of Brian Head Utah. Brian Head is located among the peaks of the Southern Utah Rocky Mountains. While the major draw to this resort is winter skiing the last few years have seen an increase in summer recreation due to the raising popularity of mountain biking in the area. Perhaps the best known trail in the area is called many names including the Parowan chute, the big hill and many other monikers. However no matter what name you give the trail there is not a biker alive who would refer to the run as anything less than exhilarating.

I started out the day early in the morning while the early morning dew was still abundant on the grasses and leaves of the mountain vegetation. I had dressed warm for that morning though in clothing that could be removed at one of the many breaks available on the trail. I had a full intention of traveling the full twenty mile trail that day and thus had made sure to bring a pack and some trail food. Double checking all my gear I approached the start of my trail made some small talk with my friends and then mounted my bike and began making my way on toward the days adventure.

I had heard from some other people that the trail head was the mellowest part of the whole trip, I found myself agreeing as the trail was mostly level and flat. Then after about five minutes of biking the descent came into view. I say came into view but more accurately it was more like approaching the edge of the world. As I got closer I felt a peculiar sense of anticipation mixed with dread similar to that of going on a roller coaster. I slowed my bike down a bit as I got to the edge and stopped and looked down the steepest longest trail I had ever seen up to that point. Then taking a deep speed I launched myself over the edge and was gone.

At first the only thing I could seem to keep track of was doing my best to keep my bike on the trail. The combination of loose dirt and being almost completely vertical made doing anything else seem a little less important. However after the initial and sudden drop of about ten feet the trail widened and leveled out a bit allowing me to take a breath and actually take a look around. The only word I have to describe what I saw was magnificent. The trees were in full bloom and the early morning light was streaking through them creating an almost dream like haze as we traveled along the trail. It was one of those moments I knew why I was a biker, I think everyone else on that ride agreed.

We continued along a steady decline trail for about a half mile when we came upon another steep drop. This drop was not quite as intense as the first but was much longer (I later learned that you drop three thousand feet in the first couple miles) and by the end my arms and legs both had a good burn from working to keep myself upright, but I barely noticed for the scenery was beautiful. A blend of aspen and pine trees dominated the valley we were riding through as we made our way to the next big drop.

At the start of the drop we all stopped for a bit and looked at the view, stretching out in front of us was a vision of high peaks reaching up to the sky that seemed to glow at the top as the late morning sun slowly began to offer light to this part of the trail. I took a drink of water checked my tires and once again took another plunge off a hill.

This drop was one of the most interesting because we spent most of it riding along the side of a hill as we continued to descend. It gave kind of a weird feeling of being upright and slanted all at the same time. However staying on the trial was easy as thousands of bikes going this same way had created a pretty easy to stay in groove. We finished the drop by following a small stream bed down to the bottom of the valley where we all stopped and looked back. The only way to describe looking back at the drop we had just made is amazing. Towering up above us were mountain peaks one of which we had been at the top of not to long ago.

As I looked up at those peaks I was lost in a moment of sheer joy, to of been able to make that journey on this day was indescribable, and while the rest of the trail would be a lot less intense it was still a beautiful ride through some of the most beautiful country I have ever seen. I look forward to my next time taking the big drop, or taking another of the many trails that lead from the top of the mountain to the bottom of the valley.

Overall Difficulty: Intermediate – Expert
Technical Difficulty: Intermediate
Physical Difficulty: Intermediate
Configuration: curvy descent
Length: base trail is a three mile drop, but the full run could go a full 20 miles

Chase Street Mountain Bike Trail (Athens, GA)

Despite ongoing development throughout the Georgia Piedmont, it is still possible to hop off of the unforgiving pavement and disappear into a forested seclusion filled with screaming downhills, grueling uphills, and scattered hairpin turns. Chase Street trail is no exception, located just miles from downtown Athens, GA, this trail provides an easy escape for local and visiting biking enthusiasts alike. Don’t let the distance fool you. Chase Street trail can provide a well-deserved sense of achievement for any beginner and more advanced riders can tack on a few more laps for a satisfying pace and even hill-climb workout.

Located off of Chase street just outside of Loop 10, a gravel double track leads west, parallel to Loop 10, towards the trailhead. Like of many of these urban escapes, the trail is not well marked but easily located with a watchful set of eyes. As you approach the forested section on your right, just prior to the steep double track ascent directly ahead, look right for the trailhead that quickly descends into the thick hardwood forest. A subsequent quick left turn begins a series of back and forth traverses that leaves your legs burning and quickly empties you on to another double track alongside a stream. Continue with the stream to your right, looking for a single track that veers off to the left and ascends up the hillside for another section of back and forth traversing.

After negotiating a series of down logs and steep climbs, the trail levels out and leads to a fairly technical rock garden. Easily bypassed to the right, the main trail progresses through a short, yet challenging series of rocks that has left some with a face full of dirt. After a few more turns and a gradual ascent, you are emptied back onto the gravel double track from which you began. Head right and immediately cross the road to enter a very short forested section that quickly spits you back across the same double track and into the second forested section.

Canopies of sweetgum, grapevine, and pine needles envelop the trail as you crank past the remains of old golf carts (due to the neighboring country club) and fly over a wooden bridge crossing another small stream. A steady climb evolves to a steep finish that completes the second forested section. Upon exiting, the trail leads straight to the railroad tracks. For those who have parked at the trailhead, this would be a good spot to turn around and follow the trail back to the beginning to complete a nice out and back ride. Otherwise, some folks opt to cross the tracks and head left that eventually leads to an access road to the boulevard neighborhood of Athens. Another option would be to cross and join with the Loop 10 trail that begins directly beneath the underpass.

Where this trail lacks in technical difficulty, it certainly makes up for in strenuousness. The location and trail length is accommodating for those who want to get a quick ride in after work or pound out a few laps for an intense hill workout. For those driving to the trailhead, the gravel double track had been used for parking as well as surrounding business parking lots. Parking at a business during business hours might not be appreciated so make sure where you choose to park is ok.

Overall Difficulty: Intermediate
Technical Difficulty: Easy
Physical Difficulty: Strenuous
Configuration: Out and back
Length: 2.70 miles

Google Map of the Trailhead

Mammoth Mountain Bike Park

Mammoth Mountain Bike Park features 34 trails and 4 lifts (Village Gondola, Canyon Express, Stump Alley Express, and Panorama Gondola) totaling over 100 miles of trails ranging from beginner single-track dirt trails to full-on downhill/freeride terrain. With a summit elevation of 11,053 feet and over 3,000 feet of vertical and 3,500 acres to explore, there is bound to be a trail for every rider.

Getting Up the Mountain:

The bike park shuttle departs from The Village on the half hour and head directly to Main Lodge. Riders can then board the Panorama Gondola and be transported to the summit of Mammoth Mountain located at 11,053 feet.

Gearing Up:

Visit the Adventure Center at Main Lodge for information on all things summer including mountain biking and lessons, hiking trails, scenic rides, climbing, ziplines, golfing and more. Full-suspension Kona rental bikes and lift tickets are also available.

Food:

If you’re near Main Lodge, swing by the Yodler for a full menu and bar or head over to the Mountainside Grill or Dry Creek Bar located across the street in the Mammoth Mountain Inn. Top of the Sierra Café, located on the summit of Mammoth Mountain at 11,053 feet, will offer soups, sandwiches and salads. Riders near The Village will find many restaurants with a wide variety of food offerings ranging from sushi to New York style pizza.

Hours: The bike park is open from 9am to 6pm daily.

Where to Stay:

Mammoth Mountain has a wide variety of lodging options available for riders. Freeriders who prefer intermediate and advanced terrain around Main Lodge can stay across the street from the trails at Mammoth Mountain Inn. Riders looking for a little night life can check out accommodations at The Village at Mammoth. Visitors can also consider Tamarack Lodge and Juniper Springs Resort for more secluded lodging options. Stay and Bike packages are available; to make reservations call 800.MAMMOTH.

Other Activities:

There are many summertime activities in Mammoth to compliment mountain biking. Play 18 holes at California’s highest golf course, Sierra Star. High-flying kids will love the ziplines and climbing walls at Main Lodge. Hikers will love Mammoth’s extensive trail network that includes lift-accessed trails. The Mammoth Lakes area is home to world-class fly fishing on many streams and rivers. Enjoy the breathtaking view of the Eastern Sierras with a scenic gondola ride on the Panorama Gondola. Yosemite National Park, located just to the north, offers spectacular camping and outdoor activities.

Special Interest Items:

Due to the success of the Wounded Warriors program last summer, Mammoth Mountain has again teamed up with Disabled Sports Eastern Sierra to provide a one-of-a-kind opportunity to soldiers who have been wounded while serving in Iraq and Afghanistan. Warriors and their families are provided lodging, meals and a full array of summer activities that include hand-cycling, rock climbing and kayaking. Previous participants in the program have included multiple limb amputees, burn victims and soldiers suffering from nerve damage.

What you Need (A Beginners Guide to Mountain Biking)

One of the most common questions people have when they begin the active and awarding hobby of mountain biking is “what do I need?” While some of the answers are pretty obvious such as getting a bike, there are several things that many new mountain bikers overlook. In many cases the fact that some of these things were overlooked often leads to injury, or a complete loss of interest in the hobby. It is the intent of this article to provide those who are new to the hobby a good look at what they will need to begin this exciting sport.

• Bike weight: When you are first entering the hobby remember that lighter is not always better. Most people learned how to ride a bike on a medium or even heavy weight bike. This means that when you are first starting the hobby try to select a bike that feels good as you ride it. If you are having a hard time moving the bike, chances are it is too heavy. If you are having an easy time moving the bike but can’t seem to control it well, your bike is most likely too light. Remember you can always do things to lighten the bike as your skill increases.
• Safety equipment: Even the most experienced biker will have a fall on occasion. The trails and terrain that you will be riding your bike along can at times be very rough. The last thing you want is to have to end a ride early because of injury. It is strongly advisable that not only should you buy a good helmet, but to also invest in knee and elbow pads. While this may take some of the mystique away from the hobby, you will be thankful you have such equipment the first time you wipe out on a muddy turn and go flying off your bike. When selecting safety equipment you want to make sure it fits well and is comfortable to both walk and ride in. After all, if you take off your safety equipment because it’s not comfortable, it is not doing any good.
• Repair kit: Every biker has a story about having to stop their ride in order to help another biker fix a flat or a broken chain. Also many bikers have a story about getting a flat or breaking a chain and having to push their bike back up the trail for miles instead of spending the day riding. This is why having a basic repair kit handy is a great idea.
• Proper Attire: Dressing properly for both the weather and the environment you will be riding in is a very important thing to give consideration. If you are expecting rain on a day you plan to ride, wear water proof or resistant clothing. Also if you plan to be gone most of the day, bring some warm clothing with you just in case of a sudden temperature drop. While bringing extra clothes means extra weight, having them when you need them is always a good thing.
• Snack food and water: Biking burns a lot of calories (in fact that is one of its chief benefits), however riding too long without some kind refueling of the body could create several problems. When selecting food granola bars or trail mix are probably the best. These kinds of foods tend to be light weight and easy to store while providing a lot of energy. Pure water is always the best thing to take for drinking on the trail, however Gatorade or a similar sports drink can replace much of the bodies salt that is lost during exertion.

As you gain experience with biking you will find other things that you may need or want as your ride. Some riders always bring a flashlight with them, while other riders try to remain as light as possible. The main thing is to consider safety and comfort as you begin to ride. As you become a veteran of the beautiful trials offered in the world, you will start to develop your own list that has been earned through experience. So good luck and may you find many trails as you begin this wonderful hobby.

Next Page »