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Mountain Biking | by Ed Pope
This month's column gives you a few pointers on how to get started in the fast growing sport of mountain biking. Naturally, you will need to get yourself a mountain bike. I recommend that you go to a local bike shop and make sure they have someone who understands bike fit. The main thing to remember is that you should have 2-4 inches of space between your crotch and the top tube when you straddle the bike. There is a good internet site on bike fit at: http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit.htm.
While you are at the bike shop, you may want to get some additional equipment. A helmet should be at the top of the list. Some folks think they don't need a helmet, because they don't ride fast. I do not understand this logic at all. Even if you are moving at your slowest speed, if you should lose your balance and hit the pavement or other hard object with your head, you could easily incur serious brain damage. Unfortunately, when bike shop personnel try to convince customers to get a helmet, people think they are just looking after their own economic interests. In a way, they are. No deceased person has ever walked into their shop and bought anything.
Another item you will need is something to carry water. Many mountain bikers use a Camelback or similar system instead of the standard water bottles and cages. If you use water bottles and ride off-road, your front tire will kick dirt up towards your water bottle. Camelbacks are bags you carry like a backpack, and have a long tube that you drink from. This allows you to drink while keeping your hands on the handlebars. The down side of this system is that you have to keep the bag dry while not in use, and not allow mold to grow in it. Whatever you do, make sure you have plenty of water when you ride. Remember Camelback's slogan - "Hydrate or die."
Before you start riding trails, there are a few items you need to know. Mountain bikers have a bad reputation and seem to be about as welcome as malaria germs in many places. Like most bad reputations, this one is due to a few bikers, while most mountain bikers ride responsibly. The first thing you need to know is when not to ride. Don't ride when the trail is muddy! This creates ruts that seem to last forever. You should also avoid skidding your tires. This not only damages the trail, but it is not the quickest way to slow down (that's why cars have anti-lock brakes).
Proper Mountain Bike Etiquette Include:
*Do not scare animals-either domestic or wild.
*Always yield to pedestrians or equestrians.
* Yield to other mountain bikers who are heading uphill.
In short, be very conscientious while mountain biking. There are not many mountain bike trails in Central Indiana and even one closure due to irresponsible riding would be a major blow to the mountain biking community.
Trails In and Around Indianapolis
The most popular around Indianapolis is where 96th Street crosses White River. Other trails around Central Indiana include: France Park, Logansport (6 miles of trail), Wapehani Mountain Bike Park, Bloomington (8 miles of trail),
Gnaw Bone, Nashville (25 miles of trail) and Hoosier National Forest (plenty of miles of trail)
The first three places have an admission charge, while a $3 pass is required to ride the trails in Hoosier National Forest. For other trails, check out the http://mtbreview.com/ Internet site. Click on "Trail Reviews". This site also has great reviews on mountain bike equipment.
Some members of the Central Indiana Bicycling Association mountain bike at Gnaw Bone on the first Saturday of each month. Gnaw Bone is a good place for first time mountain bikers. If you are interested in attending, call Tony at 465-0071.
For more information aimed at the beginning off-road cyclist, check out http://www.stanford.edu/~scoop/romp/begnrclc.html on the Internet. The site is maintained by ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers), which is a mountain bike club in the San Francisco area..•
Ed Pope is an experienced cyclist and author of 25 Bicycle Tours in Southern Indiana. He is co-owner of Pete & Ed Books, which sells outdoor recreation books, maps, and videos on the internet at: http://www.a1.com/pebooks/
books.htm. and at Circle City Bicycles & Fitness, located at 5506 Madison Avenue. You can e-mail him at pebooks@indy.net. Comments, questions, and column ideas are always welcome.
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This month's column gives you a few pointers on how to get started in the fast growing sport of mountain biking. Naturally, you will need to get yourself a mountain bike. I recommend that you go to a local bike shop and make sure they have someone who understands bike fit. The main thing to remember is that you should have 2-4 inches of space between your crotch and the top tube when you straddle the bike. There is a good internet site on bike fit at: http://www.coloradocyclist.com/bikefit.htm.
While you are at the bike shop, you may want to get some additional equipment. A helmet should be at the top of the list. Some folks think they don't need a helmet, because they don't ride fast. I do not understand this logic at all. Even if you are moving at your slowest speed, if you should lose your balance and hit the pavement or other hard object with your head, you could easily incur serious brain damage. Unfortunately, when bike shop personnel try to convince customers to get a helmet, people think they are just looking after their own economic interests. In a way, they are. No deceased person has ever walked into their shop and bought anything.
Another item you will need is something to carry water. Many mountain bikers use a Camelback or similar system instead of the standard water bottles and cages. If you use water bottles and ride off-road, your front tire will kick dirt up towards your water bottle. Camelbacks are bags you carry like a backpack, and have a long tube that you drink from. This allows you to drink while keeping your hands on the handlebars. The down side of this system is that you have to keep the bag dry while not in use, and not allow mold to grow in it. Whatever you do, make sure you have plenty of water when you ride. Remember Camelback's slogan - "Hydrate or die."
Before you start riding trails, there are a few items you need to know. Mountain bikers have a bad reputation and seem to be about as welcome as malaria germs in many places. Like most bad reputations, this one is due to a few bikers, while most mountain bikers ride responsibly. The first thing you need to know is when not to ride. Don't ride when the trail is muddy! This creates ruts that seem to last forever. You should also avoid skidding your tires. This not only damages the trail, but it is not the quickest way to slow down (that's why cars have anti-lock brakes).
Proper Mountain Bike Etiquette Include:
*Do not scare animals-either domestic or wild.
*Always yield to pedestrians or equestrians.
* Yield to other mountain bikers who are heading uphill.
In short, be very conscientious while mountain biking. There are not many mountain bike trails in Central Indiana and even one closure due to irresponsible riding would be a major blow to the mountain biking community.
Trails In and Around Indianapolis
The most popular around Indianapolis is where 96th Street crosses White River. Other trails around Central Indiana include: France Park, Logansport (6 miles of trail), Wapehani Mountain Bike Park, Bloomington (8 miles of trail),
Gnaw Bone, Nashville (25 miles of trail) and Hoosier National Forest (plenty of miles of trail)
The first three places have an admission charge, while a $3 pass is required to ride the trails in Hoosier National Forest. For other trails, check out the http://mtbreview.com/ Internet site. Click on "Trail Reviews". This site also has great reviews on mountain bike equipment.
Some members of the Central Indiana Bicycling Association mountain bike at Gnaw Bone on the first Saturday of each month. Gnaw Bone is a good place for first time mountain bikers. If you are interested in attending, call Tony at 465-0071.
For more information aimed at the beginning off-road cyclist, check out http://www.stanford.edu/~scoop/romp/begnrclc.html on the Internet. The site is maintained by ROMP (Responsible Organized Mountain Pedalers), which is a mountain bike club in the San Francisco area..•
Ed Pope is an experienced cyclist and author of 25 Bicycle Tours in Southern Indiana. He is co-owner of Pete & Ed Books, which sells outdoor recreation books, maps, and videos on the internet at: http://www.a1.com/pebooks/
books.htm. and at Circle City Bicycles & Fitness, located at 5506 Madison Avenue. You can e-mail him at pebooks@indy.net. Comments, questions, and column ideas are always welcome.
Join the FREE Fitness Club Now for Weight loss, Strength and Fat Burning Workouts!
BACK TO ARTICLES