Trail Bikers Blog

turtlepaul asked:


I am an intermediate advanced rider who will be visiting Fall City, WA in few weeks. Thanks for your help.

David Faulkner asked:


The old saw about women being the weaker *** has, in recent decade, come up for debate as increasing numbers of women have begun to excel at many of the sports which were once considered the exclusive provinces of men. Women have even begun to compete in extreme sports, including mountain biking.

There is no anatomical reason why women mountain biking cannot manage the strong pedaling required, and enough of them have now taken up the sport that they are no longer a rarity on the mountain biking trails. But mountain biking, like any sport, can cause long-term health consequences in its participants.

There us a question of whether or not women mountain biking are endangering their reproductive systems. Research has indicated that male mountain bikers significantly increase their risk of scrotal damage overtime; there is good reason to think the women might also be at reproductive risk.

The Risks Of Women Mountain Biking

The studies done on men show that they may experience the growth of either benign or malignant scrotal masses as a result of mountain biking, and those results may imply that women mountain biking can develop assorted reproductive illness. One proven effect of women mountain biking is, in a few instances, hymenal rupture.

Even though there many be negative consequences for their reproductive systems, enormous and increasing number of women mountain biking today is a sign that most women think the benefits of mountain biking outweigh its risks. The strength-building, cardiovascular benefits, heightened reflexes, improved coordination, and tremendous self-confidence which women who mountain bike experience are certainly desirable effects.

And the large number of women mountain biking has had another effect; there are now several women’s groups organized to educate women about the health and safety issues surrounding women’s mountain biking.

One of the organizations in the forefront of promoting healthy women mountain biking is the WOMBATS, or as they are officially named, the Women’s Mountain Biking and Tea Society. The members of WOMBATS all have one thing in common–their love for the adventure of mountain biking. The group accepts women regardless of their age, ethnicity, or culture; the only requirement for admission is that an applicant be an avid mountain biker. For more info see http://www.mountainbikingreviews.com on Mountain Biking.

The myth that women are a weak *** is dead, and the reality that women mountain biking is taking the mountain biking world by storm is becoming clearer each day. If you don’t believe it, head for the nearest mountain biking trail, watch the women of all ages and physical stature taking the terrain in their biking stride, and then tell yourself they are the weaker ***.

Many brands of mountain biking shorts, shoes, and suits are also available; the brand name is not as important the degree of comfort and protection they provide. Most riders will be able to find adequate mountain biking apparel to meet their budgets; for suggestions they can always turn to one of the many sources eager to help them.

Learning all about mountain biking will take a very long time, but the first lessons should always be on safe riding techniques, and safety equipment.

DCM asked:


Anybody know of a good one in the bay area? If possible please include some information (directions) as to where it is located. Thanks.

Muna wa Wanjiru asked:


Mountain bike also called as mountain bicycle is made in particular for mountain biking, on dirt trails and many other rough surfaces. When compared to road bicycles they are better and rugged enough for such unfriendly and unsafe terrain.

These bikes have broad, knobbier tires for more grip and absorption of shock. In modern bikes, suspension for front wheel has become the custom while suspension for the full front and rear is becoming more and more general.

In few mountain bikes, the handlebars are fixed with bar ends, but riser handlebars which are made such that they oppose to a flat straight handlebar are becoming increasingly popular because a very few riders use bars with their ends extended. These bikes usually have 26 inches or 559 mm wheels, but after year 2002 many bikes are available in the markets, which have 29 inches or 622 mm wheels.

This is the diameter universally used for other normal road bikes which is also known as a 700c. However, the giant mountain bikes have a diameter much greater than the normal 622 mm and have ranges starting from 952 mm. There are many kinds of giant mountain bikes with many types of wheels.

The giant mountain bikes have wheels that have a bigger diameter. Unlike normal mountain bikes these bikes are more difficult to ride. The bigger wheels make it more difficult to control. These types of mountain bikes are mainly used for giant mountain bike challenges like the ones held in Australia. The race held in Australia using giant mountain bikes is well known.

The broader wheels make the climb easier and make ascending more steady. These wheels are specially designed for mountain biking. A beginner could find it extremely difficult to ride a giant mountain bike as they are not like normal ones. Though it is very exciting to ride a giant mountain bikes it is not recommended to ride them in unsafe conditions without enough practice.

These wheel configurations make these bikes perfect for mountain biking. It would be very unsafe to use the normal road bikes on such terrains. These bikes are more rugged and resilient and are designed by a team of internal experts in order to ensure safety. They are always tested to provide the latest cutting edge designed and quality that only increases as time passes

The advantages of using a giant mountain bike are;

They are very light in weight, they provide better climbing and acceleration, they are laterally stiff, they give us a ********** ride and absorb vibrations and most important of all they are drop-dead gorgeous.

There are many types of giant mountain bikes available in the market

They come in many colors like satin grey, vivid pink, black, blue with white spokes, grey, vivid purple, satin blue, hazy red, sky blue, yellow, orange, green etc.

With so much comfort, safety and range mountain bike is the best thing to have for a ride. These bikes are for people who are passionate about giant wheels and mountain biking.

samjam42 asked:


I’m thinking of getting into cycling - probably to start racing. I know there’s loads of racing classes, eg, cyclocross, cross country, enduro, road etc, but I only have enough cash to buy one bike, and I want to get a taste of a mixture of classes before buying specialised bikes.

Can anyone recommend any bikes for around £600 that would allow me to compete in a range of local races eg. cross country, cyclocross, and some other offroad stuff. People have told me to get a hardtail mountain bike, but wouldn’t they be a bit heavy for things like cyclocross?

I know that I would need a specialised bike for national events, but for the time being, I would like something that I could use in a variety of events if possible. Any ideas?
I said ‘a variety’ of things, i mean local cross country offroad type races rather than road races. It’s just that some classes like cyclocross require certain bikes.

aet76c asked:

Bicyclemania riders out and about in the mtb world checking out the routes.

Petrolheadsteve asked:


Hi, got about £120 to spend on a new pair on forks, used for cross country and road use, so if it has lockout will be ideal. Should be light but still quite strong as i do sometimes use my bike for light dirt jumping.
any ideas of what to get, i would like 100mm travel

thanks in advance

OG asked:


Looking for something lightweight and comfortable. Good for riding trails and bike paths.

buffalochickenlover asked:


what are intermediate or ******** beginning mountain biking trails in Conneticut???

Alastair Hamilton asked:


The sport of mountain biking is increasing in popularity year by year. It’s an exhilarating sport, but it’s also physically demanding. Both men and women take part, but its usually people kids, teens, and young adults.

As with any other activity, mountain bikers have devised their own culture, including a language of their own. If you want to get into the game, you’ll have to learn a few terms:

If you’re riding a “boing-boing” you’re riding a bike with both front and rear suspension. If you’ve “bonked” you’ve run out of energy. To “bring home a Christmas tree” is a bad thing, it means you’ve crashed through dense brushes and leaves and things are hanging off your helmet - it also means you’ve left a trace on the hill, which is something mountain bikers - and people in general, of course, are not supposed to do.

“Death cookies” are rocks that fly up into you as you go down the trail. This happens all the time and so that’s why you want to wear goggles or some kind of eye protection. To get “first blood” means you’re the first rider in a group who crashes and starts bleeding as a result. Some people perhaps feel this is a mark of honor for some reason.

If you’re doing an “endo” it means you’re flying over the handlebars of your bike do to a sudden stop. And then you’ll most likely do a “face plant” - hopefully into mud and not into a rock. Regardless, that’s why you wear a helmet and eye protection!

That’s only a small sampling of the terminology. Of course you’ll enjoy the sport even more if you can understand what the people around you are talking about, so take a gander at a few mountain biking slang dictionaries before you hit the trails.

Mountain biking is a great sport, but there is some controversy to it, as some people feel that the cyclists destroy the natural environment in certain areas, and bicycle advocates have to fight to keep the trails open to cyclists.

All cyclists can help by following simple rules - pack out more than you take in, respect pedestrians on the trails, don’t bike after heavy rains, and so on.

By using a respectful attitude toward the environment and common sense in dealing with other people, mountain biking will be a sport that will be around for a long time to come.