Mountain Biking, the do's and the dont's
Mountain biking was derived from cyclo-cross in Europe and modified bikes were made for the same purpose in California.
Mountain biking was recognised as a different sport in 1970s and early 1980s and bicycle companies started to manufacture the lightweight mountain vehicles.
High-tech light weight materials were used by Specialized to ideally suit the riders in the hilly and undulating riding conditions. Specialized are known for designing state of the art vehicles and is a top choice for numerous professional mountain bikers.
While commenting on its latest 2012 design an aerodynamicist and Tri specialist on Specialized development team has briefed that the new bicycle is more sharper and easy to handle at the corners.
“Traditional frames are mitered and joined with a weld that goes around that area," said Cote.
"This is very different. It's a hydroformed top tube, down tube and head tube — an independent head tube for every size of frame”.
“And this was a concept that Chris [D'Aluisio] came up with a couple of years ago in how to make a weld more efficient”.
“It's about creating a natural valley that you can fill with weld material. That way you can make the walls thin as opposed to a butted section with a thick wall".
Mountain biking gained a lot of popularity through 1990-2000 after it was accepted as an Olympics event in 1996.
Mountain bike is a hazardous sport and a number of things should be taken in account before setting up a mountain bike ride.
The do’s of mountain biking
The first and the most important tip for a beginner is to never ride alone and ensure to have a buddy for assistance in case of an accident.
An appropriate mountain bike should be used for the mountain ride as a correct vehicle can totally change the riding experience and can also reduce the hazards.
A mountain biker must always be wearing a long-sleeved shirt at all times during the ride which can be a little awkward but also very effective.
The sleeve prevents from cuts, rashes, scratches and even poison ivy in case a rider falls off his bike, which is a common observation.
It is also recommended to receive full training from a professional or a group of riders who have polished their skills during the course of time.
New places and obstacles should be tried in order to make the sport more challenging and entertaining.
A helmet must be worn at all times to protect the head from any severe injuries in case of a disaster.
The dont’s of mountain biking
It is always suggested not to try new hindrances or new places unless you are experienced enough to take on the new challenges.
Wearing headphones can also prove to be quite fatal as it can distort the concentration.
Music can be used for boring rides, not when you are climbing a mountain on a bike, which is not boring from any aspect.
Mountain biking in rain can proved to be fatal as the rain reduces friction and chances of falling-off your bike are more.
It is also very difficult to handle the bike on a slippery track and there is no harm in waiting a day before it dries up.
The rider must always keep a close eye on his bike and check the gears, brakes, chains and air pressure is a very vital part of the mountain ride.
One should never overrate his skills and all the new obstacles must be closely analysed to your skills before finally going to them.
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