Riding tips for riders that are just starting out and that have been riding for years.
So what am I referring to? It is a great idea to carry an extra full water bottle with you on your longer rides. This little tip has helped me through some of the most brutal rides I can remember. On a normal ride, I will carry my 100oz bladder full of water. This is normally perfect on any ride that I have done previously or I know will not end in a do or die feeling.
At lower pressures, you are going to notice more grip and a softer ride. You want to run the pressures low enough that you get these benefits but not so low that you get experience pinch flats. Pinch flats occur when the tire bottoms out on the rim pinching the tube between the ground and the rim. This punctures the tube and causes a flat.
I read an article today on bicycling.com about how to choose your first mountain bike. This article all in all was a good one with some good advice. There were some things that I wanted to post that I agree with, and some things that I tend to disagree with.
Awhile back, I did a post on “How To Wreck” where I touched on the importance of getting back on the horse after you wreck. For 99% of mountain bikers, it is a “when” not “if” situation when it comes to going down on the bike. It is the risk that we take as mountain bikers for the payoff we receive.
During a discussion about our ride over the weekend at Rich Mountain, Joe wrote a post that will inspire beginner riders. He gave me the permission to publish his post word for word here. Post by epoJoe (you have seen his photography work several times on this site).
The following list contains items that you must have with you during every ride. Many riders find it unnecessary to carry all of these items on their local rides, but I have found that it is these rides where I end up needing most of the items on this list the most.
Nothing is more annoying on the trail than equipment that is not cooperating with you. An ill-functioning bike can ruin even the best of rides. It is extremely important to keep your bike a well oiled machine so your rides are focused on fun rather than repair.
With every ride, you need to challenge yourself in at least one aspect of your riding. This does not always have to be some huge accomplishment and actually it is better if they are not. As you start to ride more (or are an experienced rider) achieving these accomplishments does several things.
When you purchase a bike, you really need to make sure that you get the right size. Any competent local bike shop should be able to size out the correct bike. However, what most shops do not have is a fitting service. If you are new to biking or have been riding for a long time, but the fit or efficiency never really felt right…then it is time for a professional fitting.
As I have branched out and began riding more trails in the Pisgah National Forest, I can see how far my riding has improved over the years. I am still not the fastest or the most agile rider out there, but I have improved none the less. I mean my husband, Stephen, and I go out and ride, usually, the same trails every week.