Enjoy Mountain Biking in Breckenridge

The town of Breckenridge is named by USA Today as one of the top ten places to take kids on a bike. Cruising on Colorado’s mountain trails on a seat of a bike gives you first class tickets to glorious mountain views of the aspen trees, wildflowers and occasional mountain wildlife. Mountain biking is one of the best ways for you to enjoy the outdoors but also take off a few pounds. Breckenridge is continuously working on improving its already word-class recreational environment. So it’s not just the best place to take your kids, it is also the best place for you and your friends to explore on the seat of a bike.

Biking involves little planning and preparation as compared to other sports, but before you take your bike out there are a few tips you need to consider before going biking for the day.

Trails that are short don’t necessarily mean they’re easy. Factors such as length and elevation gain should always be considered as well as technical difficulty. Before choosing a trail, ask mountain bikers who are very familiar with the area to recommend trails that would be perfect for your skill level and also consider trails that you would like to be a little challenging, a little challenge never hurts anybody in fact in this sport it is highly recommended. Remember that taking new and unfamiliar trails should be taken with care and caution. Trails in the Summit Country are interconnected and requires range in skill level. But pushing yourself too much can never be good at the end, so don’t be embarrassed if once in a while you get off your bike and walk the rest of the route, you might be sparring yourself from scary situations up ahead.

Make you have protective gear on all the time, precautionary steps are a must do in ensuring you stay protected and safe all the time. The risk of injury is inherent in the sport of mountain biking, especially in the more extreme disciplines such as downhill biking. Therefore protective equipment is a must for every mountain biker. It can protect the rider against minor injuries, and reduce the extent or seriousness of major impacts. Helmets are not only considered as protective gear but is also a life saving device if you get into an accident. They’re usually well ventilated and lightweight so you wont even know that its there, make sure it is strapped snuggly. Biking could get more difficult when you have to reach and stretch farther for the pedals or handles, so you should consider that when you’re renting or borrowing from a friend. Make sure the parts can be adjusted to your specific needs.

Mountain trails can get very busy just like traffic on the roads. Mountain trails are open to other nature enthusiasts like hikers, nature photographers, and people going to their picnic destination or even horseback riders. A good courtesy to avoid collision and accidents is to call out your presence. Always remember to slow down when you’re turning on a blind corner. Make sure you’re not scaring the horses though, show consideration by dismounting your bike and taking a few steps downhill before getting on it again.

Colorado is home to many outdoor sports, but biking particularly have a special place. They’re host to state-wide races, bike festivals and longer and more interesting bike trails. Breckenridge in particular has one of the more exciting trails, so whether you’re a beginner or a professional, or even just a passing fancy at the moment you will never be disappointed in Breckenridge.

 

 

 

 

Sarah Fox has been teaching English as a Second Language for 11 years. She has published recipes in Healthy Eating and does all of the writing and design work for her neighborhood HOA newsletter. If you’re planning a trip to Breckenridge, Sarah will be happy to give you a few pointers. And check out great rates on lodging at http://www.officialbreckenridgelodging.com/
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December 20th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Mountain Biking – Great Exercise and Fun

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the great outdoors, exercising and having fun. Racing down a mountainside is exhilarating; however, it can also be dangerous.
Although it is consider a dangerous sport, if done with utmost caution, mountain biking can be enjoyed by the whole family.

As with any outdoor sport, selecting the right equipment and an understanding of the sport will be the key to a great adventure.

Styles of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be categorized into three different styles. There is downhill, free riding, and cross-country. Although the styles are similar in some respect, they all require different skills. The style you select will determine the type of bike.

Mountain Biking Locations

Typically, this sport is known as biking on an unpaved surface. Most regions have areas specifically designed for this grand sport. State and federal parks are a good place to mountain bike. However, you should check with your local parks to get the routes and other regulations or rules they may have. In addition, if you venture off to some state or federal land or any wilderness type area, it is best to know about the surroundings should there be any unexpected accidents.

There are also groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You could search the internet or local newspaper to see what is available in your area. There may be groups for the advanced rider as well as the novice.

Criteria to be a Great Mountain Biker

A prerequisite for a great mountain biker is endurance and stamina. In addition, it takes discipline to practice and the ambition to succeed and conquer the course. A novice mountain biker will have to overcome the bumps and bruises from falling of the bike. Like all sports, it takes practice and the constitution to keep trying.

Selecting Your Bike

Selecting your bike is a personal choice and contingent on the type of riding you will do. Bikes come in all different styles, shapes, and prices, therefore selecting the perfect one for you can be difficult. Again, do some internet research or venture out to do some comparison-shopping before you get ready to make a purchase. Ask to try out a bike before you buy. A good mountain biker becomes one with his or her bike. Check for comfort, fit, and how it is geared, all these factors need to be considered.

Staying Safe

As mentioned earlier, mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be hazardous. The typical safety gear is a helmet, knee and elbow pads. You should also consider goggles if riding in a very dense wooded area or if following a group of bikers. Safety should be your top priority and not taken lightly when riding no matter what the terrain.

December 20th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Safety Tips for Pocket Bikes

A pocket bike is a great way to have fun no matter if you are child or an adult. There is a lot of fun to be had when you are driving one of these fun motor vehicles. However you have to make sure that you are practicing great safety measures so that everyone involved is safe and sound while they are driving around on their pocket bike.

Anyone that is on a pocket bike needs to wear a helmet and other protective gear. You should make sure that you are wearing knee and elbow pads as well as eye gear. When you are on a pocket bike, you may find that you want to protect your eyes so that nothing gets in them while you are on the go. You should wear these items not only for your safety but also because it is the law.

Check your pocket bike before each ride. You should carefully go over the bikes frame to make sure that everything is in good working order. You will have to check the tires, the motor and the brakes. These are very important items on your bike and it will be necessary to keep them in good working order. Also check the lights if any and the seat and handle bars to be sure that they are tight and ready for your ride.

When you are riding at night, make sure that you are wearing the proper clothing. Wear bright colored clothes to allow the other drivers around the visibility to see you. You should have some kind of reflective items on your bike as well for even better visibility.

Do not ride alone. When possible ride with another person to ensure safety. You never know when you could break down or get into trouble. It is always better to ride in a pairs no matter what you are doing. A pocket bike ride is no different. Not only for safety but because you will have more fun when you are riding with someone too.

Know your pocket bike. Before you start going out on rides you should get to know your bike. Learn how to position your bike in the right ways so that you are feeling safe and secure. Make sure that you know how to operate the bike in the proper way so that you are practicing safety and fun at the same time. There is no rush and you should take the time to learn as much as you can about your pocket bike so that you are prepared for anything.

Use common sense when you are using your pocket bike. Do not try foolish stunts that could be potentially dangerous. You should keep in mind that this is not a toy and that you should use it in the same way that a car or motorcycle would be used. Safety is always first and you should be aware of the other drivers on the road. You are not out to impress anyone on your pocket bike. These bikes are all about having fun the safe way.

December 19th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Why The Mountain Biking Phenomenon Is Growing In Popularity

Mountain biking has taken the cycling world by storm. It wasn’t all that long ago when the phrase “mountain bike” would’ve elicited blank stares. Now you see them everywhere. Mountain bikes are made to handle almost every terrain imaginable, and that’s why they’ve become so popular. Just like SUV’s, most people who use them don’t have a need for their full range of functions, but it’s good to no the capability is there “just in case”.

Mountain bikes are nice even for the urban rider because they eliminate the worries one might have when encountering potholes, gravel, and bad road conditions. Mountain bike riders utilize their bikes for a wide range of activities and competitions. A number of races and competitions have sprung up to make use of the mountain bike’s many capabilities.

One such extreme mountain bike competition is known as cross-country (or XC) races. Cross-country mountain bike races usually cover about 30 miles and cover a variety of terrains. These races feature a mass start with all the riders taking off at the same time much like a marathon.

If cross-country races are too short for you, there’s always endurance (or enduro) racing. These races cover in excess of 70 miles and climb to elevations of 8000 feet and more.

For the real maniacs out there, the only way to go is downhill racing. Downhill races typically have staggered starts to try to minimize crashing, but as you can imagine, crashes are a regular part of such events. The racers fly down the hill at breakneck speeds, the key being to have the fastest time down the slope. Many of these races are held on ski slopes during the warmer months. Such competitions demand that the riders have the utmost skill and experience as it can be an extremely dangerous endeavor. These races aren’t for novices.

A competition rapidly growing in popularity is dirt jumping. This will be familiar to BMX enthusiasts as it’s essentially the same sort of competition. Such events aren’t races, of course. They’re judged events wherein riders compete to accomplish the biggest, most amazing jumps involving spinning the bike in the air, doing flips, and even completely letting go of the bike and getting back on before it lands.

Another form of extreme mountain bike competition is bike trials. These events involve navigating unbelievable difficult terrain without touching your feet to the ground. Bike trials require riders to balance their mountain bikes on rails, boulders, posts, tree stumps, and any number of seemingly impossible obstacles. The goal is to finish the course quickly and without having to put your feet down.

If any of these extreme mountain biking competitions appeal to you, start practicing and getting into shape. These events are for skilled and experienced riders only. They’re physically demanding and fairly dangerous. They are not for novices. Remember to wear a helmet and pads when attempting crazy stunts on your bike, and take care of yourself if you’re going to attempt extremely arduous long-distance rides.

December 18th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Pocket Dirt Bike is the Mini Master on Wheels

Pocket dirt bike specifically refers to a much smaller bike model. The introduces of the pocket dirt variety are trying hard to popularize this version of dirt bike to people of all ages. These manufacturers have come up with various pocket-sized editions of bikes at negligible costs. Giovanni, Blatta, Vulkin, Panterra and the big bosses like Honda and Yamaha are busy stealing the show with this pocket edition of dirt bikes.

Pocket dirt bicycle is the fastest roadrunner of the century

Yes, they are petite but in no way powerless. Some can even reach speeds of 80 miles per hour. Pocket dirt bikes are available in all shapes and sizes. They look exactly same like their big brothers but not in scale. This particular dirt bike variety is constructed in all sizes of 44cc, 49cc, 50cc, 85cc, 90cc and 110cc. Therefore, you have lots of options to choose from when you plan to buy.

Just check the Internet and you will find several dirt bike manufacturers ready to advertise their specified models of pocket dirt bicycles. It is better that you shop on line so as to get hold of the latest pocket dirt bikes. Compare the prices well and then make the decision.

Mini dirt bikes are very similar to the pocket racers and anyone can confuse one with the other. Both the mini bikes look same and both can carry a payload of up to 300 pounds. Both the bikes are light and you can carry them easily under your arms or in the trunk of your car.

The two-cycle air-cooled engine has also become the standard with gas-powered mini dirt bikes and pocket bikes. However, when it comes to hill climbing, free styling and off-road riding the minis always perform better than the pockets.

The pocket dirt variety is just right for those grown up kids who are on the verge of testing their skills as superfine riders on road. Just strengthen your nerves when you are trying it for the first time, take hold of your safety gear and zoom off.

There is a never-ending enjoyment in riding pocket dirt bikes. As you keep trying everything challenging and smart, you can give a start with the pocket dirt bicycle. It is definitely a darling in its own class. Safety is very important when you try pocket dirt bikes. Moreover as a novice, you should be a bit extra careful with your stunts because a first time ride can always cause danger and damage. Wear your helmets when you ride the bike. Take all precautions before you start the magic with the pocket dirt beast.

Remember, a first time ride on pocket dirt bikes is sure to make you fall in love with the mechanism.

Robert Sheehan is a freelance writer and co-owner ofhttp://www.bicycles-are-us.com Visit Robert And
read more about bicycles at http://www.bicycles-are-us.com/Pocket-Bikes.html
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December 18th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Atv and Dirt Bike Safety for Kids

A dirt bike or an ATV (All Terrain Vehicle) is meant to ride off-road. It is in fact a lightweight motorcycle equipped with rugged tires and suspension; in other words it can be called a 2 or 4 wheel off road motorcycle. ATV’s and dirt bikes have been around since the 60s and are still thriving. Kids and adults thirst for adventure and the call to rugged terrains is renewed with every generation.

ATV are used as outdoors utility vehicle such as on farms, hunting… ATVs are good recreational vehicle, they are fun to rid on dirt and sand dunes; there are many professional, sanctioned off road ATV races. The demand for dirt bikes and ATVs has drastically increased. There are many ATVs and dirt bikes available at cheap prices for kids and adults. It is now common to see youngsters who are seven to eight years old mounting dirt bikes and ATVs expertly and with ease. But injuries caused by riding dirt bikes and ATVs happen very often. Studies by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission have come up with stunning figures: many as 4 out of 10 people who are involved in an ATV accident are kids under the age of 16.

The primary safety rule of course is to first learn how to ride an ATV or Dirt Bike before hitting the outdoors. The responsibility for properly training a child to ride ATVs or dirt bikes lies with the parents. The young rider must be supervised at all times while riding an off-road machine.

The law in the US does not allow ATVs on freeways and kids should never be allowed to ride where there is traffic. Children should not be allowed carry anyone on the off road vehicle; this is a major cause of serious accidents. It’s a good practice to make a complete pre-ride check before using the ATV or dirt bike. Check the tire pressure, gas level, test the brakes front and rear as well as the lights. Please refer to the respective ATV manufacturer manual for complete details.

Riding on public roads can prove fatal. Ensure that children never ride without a helmet and wear gloves, eye protection and protective gear. It is good sense not to make do with protective gear meant for other activities such as daddy’s football gear – because the gear required for safe riding on dirt bikes and ATVs is designed with that purpose in mind.

Bikes and ATVs are age specific and size specific, so elders are well advised to buy and upgrade the bike according to the child’s age. There is no rule as to what age a kid has to be to ride an ATV or dirt bike but do not put a 4 year old on a 110cc ATV or a 50cc dirt bike. A 4 stroke 70cc ATV for kids packs enough punch for an adult to have fun on it. Thankfully most youth ATVs and dirt bikes are equipped with safety controls such as:

A speed governor that sets the maximum speed as low as 5MPH

A corded plug that allows an adult to run along with the youngster and pull to kill the engine (great feature for very young riders)

A remote control that can kill the engine by the press of a button within up to 200 feet (great to keep little older kids under control)

As for the ever-popping question, how young of a child can ride an ATV? Since every kid is different, it is up to each parent to decide what age a child can ride what ATV or dirt bike.

Remember that a child on a bike is definitely vulnerable. Riding vehicles off road can be very fun and provide a healthy workout. To reduce the risk of injury, good training, constant supervision and following the manufacturer’s instructions are a must.

Also refer to the kids ATV and dirt bike age chart – for some ideas about what bike goes with what age.
December 17th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Down Hill Mountain Biking

Extreme sports are getting more and more popular these days. Mountain biking attracts daredevils from all over the world who like to have an “adventure sport experience”.

The term mountain biking includes many different styles. The range is from gentle types such as cross country where you ride up and down the hills, and cyclo cross, which is a combination between mountain biking and road biking, to more ‘extreme’ styles. Downhill biking is one of the more extreme types and it is also one of the most popular forms of mountain biking.

As the name implies, in downhill mountain biking you only ride down the hills. The bike and the biker get transported up to the top by a lift and then begin the thrilling ride down. What you’re aiming for is to get to the bottom of the hill as fast as possible, managing to pass all the obstacles. The situations that occur often get pretty extreme. This includes jumps that can be up to twelve meters long, dropping three meters and other kinds of rough conditions that you can find on a mountain slope.

The people that are into downhill mountain biking are those that are looking for a good challenge, that long for the adrenaline pumping experience and don’t mind a few bruises. It’s for those that like to be on the risky, thrilling side of life.

The downhill bike is heavier than other mountain bikes to be able to fit the conditions. It weighs somewhere between forty and fifty pounds so forget about pedaling uphill once you’re out there. Once you’ve begun your race, there’s only one way to go and that’s down. The bike has to be able to put up with extreme conditions so it is equipped with front and rear suspension and heavy tubing. For the biker, it’s necessary to use full saftety gear with a proper helmet, goggles, a body suit plus knee and hand pads. You can expect to have some close contact with the dirt even if you are a professional downhill biker.

There are many ways to improve you skills, the most important one is of course to practice, and then to practice a bit more and a bit more. There are loads of books, DVDs and internet sites where people can watch stunts being performed by professionals sharing their tricks and ideas. This is also a great way to learn, and something you can bring with you once your actually out on the hillside. The only way to fully master it though, is to learn by the experience.

Even though downhill mountain biking is somewhat a risky sport, it’s well worth to go for it, being able to give you an experience out of the ordinary, both fun and exciting.

Jason Storm is an extreme sport enthusiast, read more of his articles and watch some cool videos at SackUpSports
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December 16th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Why You Should Buy Trek Mountain Bikes Today

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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December 16th, 2009 Comment (0) General

What the Heck is an Electric Bike?

Most people seem to be a little confused as to what an electric bike is. I mean is it a scooter, or a bike? Can you still pedal on it? Will the motor take you a long way? Is it really worth looking at, or is it just one of these Chinese gimmicky products?
Actually an electric bike is a pretty cool product. It helps you get the exercise you need, and go further distances at the same time. Let’s go over the electric bike in itself. The electric bike comes in two different styles. The first looks like a traditional styled bike but the second looks like a motor scooter.
An electric bike can look like a motor scooter. There are no regulations against it, but you must specify that it is an electric bike and doesn’t have the power of a scooter. An electric bike has certain specifications and is not allowed to run at speeds higher than 15 mph. So the motor cannot be made to go faster than that.
An electric bike does not require that you have any special licensing requirements. But some countries do have certain requirements for electric bikes. For example, in the US a person under the age of 14 cannot ride an electric bike.
In most countries you don’t have to register an electric bike. This also means you don’t have to have insurance, or pay taxes on it. In most cases you aren’t even required to wear a helmet, although we do suggest that you do.
On the other hand a scooter can go up to 30 mph; and although you don’t have to have a special license, you do have to have one.
One of the greatest benefits I have found to the electric bike is that they run on both electric energy and can be manually powered too. That means you can use the electric motor, or the pedals, whichever you feel most comfortable with at the time.
So, if you want to exercise for a while you can use the pedals, and when you get tired you can switch to the electric motor and have the bike impulse itself. You can also use the function of pedal assistance. This allows you to use the pedals and the motor to help you out, which is a great feature for inclines. When you have pedal assist, you feel like you are getting the exercise you need but in an easier and faster way.
The point is that an electric bike can help you get the exercise you need, enjoy long bike rides. They save you money because you don’t have to continually go out in the car and spend on expensive gas. They are safe and make an afternoon out truly enjoyable.
Recently, electric bikes have gained a lot more popularity because the battery technology is even better, and they are much better for the environment. This is one gadget you want to try! The electric bike brings hours of fun, and exercise to people of all ages.

December 15th, 2009 Comment (0) General

Introduction To Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be quite dangerous. Even though it’s dangerous, if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Styles of mountain biking Mountain biking can best be characterized into three different styles – downhill, free riding, and cross country. Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills. The style that you pick will determine the type of bike you get.

Locations for mountain biking The sport can best be thought of as biking on an unpaved surface. Many areas throughout North America have specific locations designed for mountain biking. Before you decide to go down a trail, you should always check with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.

You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You can look on the internet or even in a local paper and see exactly what’s available in your area. You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners.

Becoming a great biker Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker. It will also take ambition and practice to succeed as well as conquer the course. Like all other sports, it takes time and practice. Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.

Selecting your mountain bike The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing. Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices, which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed.

You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase. Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first. A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike. When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Staying safe when riding Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier. Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads. If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well. Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.

December 14th, 2009 Comment (0) General
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