SPRING        

It is such a beautiful time of year to see the natural visual beauty the landscape has to offer.  This is also a time of year many riders are spring boarded off their mounts.  Several reasons for the phenomenon come into to play here.  1) The leaves that fell in the fall have started to decay near the soil and hold moisture.  The leaves cover obstacles that in summer riding conditions we would normally avoid i.e. rocks, roots and downed limbs.  Being damp or wet makes these obstacles even more slippery than normal.  This makes falls a bit more frequent this time of year.  To aid us in our riding try dropping the seat 1-2 inches and moving it back a half inch or so.  This will lighten the front end, lower you center of gravity and allow you to float over many of these tricky areas without the disturbance to your balance that could toss you, hence the word spring.  It will also help to slow down and not ride as fast as one might do in the summer in dry conditions.

FALL

Such a beautiful time of year to see the natural visual beauty the landscape has to offer.  This is also a time of year many riders are easily thrown off their mounts.  Several reasons for the phenomenon come into to play here.  1) The leaves have fallen creating a full, thick layer of leaves that holds moisture.  The leaves cover obstacles that in summer riding conditions we would normally avoid ie rocks, roots and downed limbs.  Being damp or wet makes these obstacles even more slippery than normal.  This makes falls a bit more frequent this time of year.  To aid us in our riding try dropping the seat 1-2 inches and moving it back a half inch or so.  This will lighten the front end, lower you center of gravity and allow you to float over many of these tricky areas without the disturbance to your balance that could toss you, hence the word fall. 

THE HARDER THEM COME, THE HARDER THEY FALL

This is not just the title track of the Jimmy Cliff movie of the same name, but something to offer as food for thought while mountain bike riding.  Too often inexperienced riders will charge faster than their skill will allow them to back up the attack with.  Know your skill level and what you can ride safely.  When in doubt chicken out!

PROPER SETUP

Bike should be the right size with the seat adjusted to the right height and relationship to the bottom bracket for your body build.  Stem should be of the right height and length to provide a comfortable and efficient riding position.

LUBE BEFORE INSERTION

Don’t get stuck, lube seatpost before insertion, lube pedal before installing

CHAIN OF FOOLS

Proper chain for the drive train, Shimano chain, 8 and 9 speeds require a special pin and both are 8 and 9 speed specific.  Make sure where the chain has been joined moves freely

WE WANT TO PUMP YOU UP

Don’t fall for the manufactures recommended tire pressures.  For 2,.0 or 2.1 tires 37-47 pounds is plenty.  Too much air will make for a harsh ride as well as having the tires deflected off of rocks and roots.

TIRES, FAT IS WHERE IT’S AT

A bigger tire gives you pneumatic suspension at the point of contact and pinch flats are less likely

THE BUNNY HOP…NO, IT ISN’T A DANCE

Bunny hopping is used to jump over obstacles so one can maintain speed and have fun as well.  The idea here is to get your bike to clear a obstacle on the ground.  Think your center of mass arching over this obstacle.

PRESSURE AND REBOUND

By adding pressure to the tires with you body weight and terrain will allow you to rocket out of turns, aid in jumping, bunny hopping to float over rocks, roots and dead things.

BE ENLIGHTENED, FLOAT LIKE A BUTTERFLY

Using your skills with bunny hopping, pressure and unweighting float or hop over the ruff stuff

TO AIR IS HUMAN

Use you tires, suspension and center of mass to get air

PUSH PULL……IT IS A MATTER OF GIVE AND TAKE

Push you bike through ruff stuff, this lightens the front end and lets it float over rocks etc., when clear of the ruff stuff pull your bike back to you.

NURSE RATCHET

Ratcheting your pedals to avoid obstacles, use your crank arm to leverage over them as well

FUEL, DON’T BE A FOOL

Your body needs fuel as you pedal along burning stored fuel.  As soon as you get off the bike have something.  Beer is one of the best recovery drinks, but don’t fall into the mind set more is better.  If you are doing a long ride eat while you ride.

PRE RIDE CHECK LISTS

Before taking the epic ride give the bike check before heading out.  This could make the difference between an epic ride and an epic nightmare.  Be sure you have plenty of water, some food/fuel and the necessary tools, parts to make those trail side repairs to get you home.  Don’t to forget to dress for the weather and this time of year with the short days a light jacket would be nice just incase.