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Cold weather has always been a challenge in mountain biking because you have to start cold then warm up to break a sweat, making yourself wet. When you travel in this kind of situation, the combination of wet skin  and the windchill will be more chilling.

There are some cold weather clothing below that will minimize your bone chilling experience when you ride in the winter season.

When you ride in a cold temperature, the feet are them most exposed part of your anatomy.  Force from pedaling will tend to cut off the circulaton to your toes and this can put you at a risk of frostbite. You must wear neoprene booties. It will zip over your shoes and has a pattern in the sole where you can cut out a piece for cleats.

Wear a gloves when riding during winter.  There are some manufacturer that makes “lobster gloves”, a hybrid glove that seperate your index finger and thumb from the rest of your hand and these are warmer than regular gloves.  This gloves will not affect your riding because the index finger is free and will allow you to operate shifting and brake levers.  It is also advisable that you bring along a pair of lightweight glove liner to protect your hand from cold.

Wraparound glasses provides you a maximum protection from the wind, cold and debris while riding.

Try to wear lightweight socks as this could make your feet warm without bulk. If you still need some extra layer, try silk ski sock, it is very warm and extra lightweight. Wearing heavy socks will make your shoes tight, cut off the circulation and even make your feet cold. 

Polypropylene underwear is lightweight and best for colder weather.

Wear a wind protection, you will be able to vent  perpiration while also protecting yourself from windchill.  Choose a pants and a jacket based on durability, breathing and price. 

Use a helmet with fleece liner during winter riding because it is designed to protect your head and ears from cold temperature. Your head is very important because you lose 50 percent of your body heat through your head.

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It may take a while when you are buying something specially mountain bike. You have to determine the specification, the accessories and the price before you lay down the cash and buy.  Below are some tips and things to be aware of:

• Price. It is better to determine first the price, actually there are really no limit as how much would you spend on a mountain bike. To help you keep your spending under control, you have to budget your money on how much you are going to pay for a new bike. You should buy on local bike shop so you could choose for a much better bike and also a much better service than buying from a mass merchant stores like Wal-Mart.
• Style. Mountain bike are designed with different style, so you have to figure out what style of riding will you do most.  Are you interested in smooth riding or something like cross country racing, mountain cruising or lift accessed downhill riding? Better be sure that the bike you select fits your style and not that you bought it because it is on sale.A full suspension mountain bike always worth the purchase but more expensive because it offers more comfort and overall better control.  A hardtail is lighter in weight and pedal more efficiently.  You have to select based on your price range, riding style and the type of terrain you will be riding most.
• Components or Parts. There are many mountain bike component that have many combinations available.  The best thing to do is to find a few components that are most important to you. Start with the fork, the wheels and the rear derailleur. Make sure that the price falls within your range. 
• Discounts. The price of the mountain bike during Spring to summer is higher because it is the main season for buying one, but normally in the fall and winter, you can save a couple of hundred dollars. Many local bike shop also offers discount or other accessories during fall and winter season.Find a good dealer that cares about selling you a great bike than selling you a highed price bike. 
• Test Drive for Overall Performance. You should test ride all the bikes that fits within your price range and riding style.  Some bike will feel right while others won’t and you will know what works and what doesn’t, if you test drive one.

Study the overall performance and reliability about a mountain bike and always look at what other owners and reviews think about a bike before buying.

written by \\ tags: Mountain Bike, mountain biking, tips on buying bikes

Mountain biking is a sport that requires a lot of gear both for comfort and safety.

Mountain biking accessories and other products can be bought in your biking store. Just be mindful of the things that your really need to buy as the sales people in the store will just lure you into buying a lot of stuff, many of these you don’t really need.

What should one buy when just starting out? Here are tips on what you should purchase on your first biking adventure.

• Biking helmet. It is the most important accessory a biking enthusiast should buy. Aside from the comfort and style it offers, it also serves as a protection for serious head injuries.
•  Mountain bike gloves. Bikers especially beginners keep a very firm grip on their handle bars which can be very cruel to their hands. The gloves will protect your hands from the weather and from scratching when you fall.
•  Mountain bike shorts.  Bike shorts are important because it will provide your rear the comfort especially when your body is adjusting during your biking.
•  Mountain bike shoes. Choose shoes according to your bike type and pedals. If your bike has pedal that are clip less, you should get shoes that is comfortable with the special cleat on your pedal. The bike shoes should be durable, comfortable and has a stiff sole for better movement when pedaling along e terrain.
•  Eye Protection gear. Non breakable sunglasses can help protect your eyes from debris and the wind.
•  Hydrating system. When biking, the body loses a lot of water. Always make sure you have a water bottle or hydration pack with you.
•  Trail Repair Kit. A multi-tool designed for bike repair, tire levers and a patch kit for fixing flat tires are a must have for both beginner and advanced bikers.

written by \\ tags: biking, biking accessories, mountain biking

Mountain biking  is a dangerous but exciting sport that you need to  mastered how to ride a bicycle and enough skills before you hit the trails and the dirts. Although average bike and mountain bike are the same, but it has a different purpose.

Practicing the beginner’s skill can be made simply around your house, local parks, bike path and if possible, try to find a spot with a simple terrains.

These are some of the beginner skills.

Simply get a feel on the pedal, this could be practice by moving your foot away from the pedal on the ground, move on to releasing and replacing your foot while pedaling around.  There are some pedals with toe clip and clipless type but you must spend more time to practice this.

Simply sit on your bike and pedal around. Arms are slightly bent, your sit height must adjust your sit so that your legs must at least be 70 to 90 percent extended at the bottom of every stroke on the pedal. Your body should be relax because there will some time that your position that either your knees or your elbows are locked.

In shifting gears with your bike, higher gears are much harder to pedal while the lower gear are easier and it will help you to ascend hills. When going to a steeper hill it is best to change your gear rather  than changing while you are already in it.

Spend a bit of time coasting  while on the pedals. Try to experiment standing on the pedals and without actually sitting on the seat, shift your body toward the rear end of the bike. Arms must bent but do not lock your knees.

You can also pedal while standing on the pedals.  This position might help when your are climbing a hill on a lower gear and also on flat grounds when you are in a higher gear.

When dropping down a curb, try to get the upper portion of the curb for much safety reasons. Practice this at a moderate speed, standing and coasting right off the curb. Try this at different speeds until it becomes second nature.

Practice make perfect even though it may take some time.

written by \\ tags: biking, biking skills to a beginner, mountain biking

You don’t go mountain biking without bringing all the essential things that you need for the long travel. But of course, you wouldn’t be off riding your bike with too much to bring!

1. Back pack 
2. Handy Waterproof
3. Water  and Food. At least 2 liters of water, sandwiches and energy bars.
4. Pump – take a good one with you, as the small mini pumps are a waste of time and money
5. Tools in case of emergency repair. This includes tire levers ,two small inner tubes and  a felt tip pen on inner tubes, a piece of medium emery paper about 3 inches long and an inch wide,a cut up tube of Crest for pinch punctures or to use as a tire boot, a carpet needle, a card of linen thread to repair torn tires, a good chain splitter, black pins,a set of allen wrenches, a small screwdriver, a spokey spoke key.
6. A first aid kit that includes an elastic bandage.
7.  Some lunch and phone money.

written by \\ tags: mountain biking, things to bring on mountain biking