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Here is some information and advice that may be of
use in the complicated and often expensive world of Mountain biking.
What you're going to need :-
- Firstly you're Obviously going to need a bike, BUT what kind of
bike should you go for? with many different types and with such a
vast price range how do you choose? Click this link to find out>
Types
of Mountain Bike
- Jointly first you're definitely going to need a helmet as you should
never go riding without one on! And with many helmets these days being
so affordable and looking so stylish why not wear one and cover up
that odd shaped head you have! Click this link for more information
on Mountain bike helmets> Helmets
- You could probably ride your new Mountain bike for months even years
and never get a puncture, but you can bet that the first time you
went for a ride without a pump and repair kit......... you get the
picture! A good mini pump that you can fix to your bike or in your
back pack is essential and at the very least, a set of tyre levers
and puncture repair kit. although a small multi tool (which are
around the size of a snack size Mars Bar) isnt a bad idea to
have if your going to be travelling further than a few miles from
your home, we usually carry at least one spare innertube and some
pre-glued innertube patches which are available from all good bike
shops as this will save you a lot of time at the side of the trail
(just pop your spare tube in and off you go, then repair the punctured
tube when you get home) > Pumps/
Multi tools etc
- Hydration- either a water bottle or better still a water bladder
that you can fit in your back pack. It is really important that you
stay hydrated while riding so take plenty of fluid. Better to take
some home and throw it away than run out half way around your local
trail. I try to drink at least 1 litre for every hour I ride although
I drink more when the weather is hot. During hot weather we also use
electrolyte sports drinks (as well as, not instead of water)
to help replace fluids lost from sweating, it is said that the electrolyte
helps to prevent cramps and boost your performance during sport in
the heat . > bottles/bladders
- Specific cycle clothing is something you could purchase at a later
date once you have really been bitten by the Mountain biking bug,
so to start with just a sensible pair of training type shoes with
a firm but grippy sole, and perhaps a pair of light weight material
shorts or not to baggy light weight jogging type bottoms (Please,
I cant Stress Enough How Important It Is NOT To Wear a Shell Suit
While Out On Your Bike, Especially If Its Purple ;) !! its for your
own good !!) If the weather is warm and you are going to
sweat then a light weight, preferable wicking type top is a good idea.
Even if its cold it is a good idea to wear one of these type tops
underneath your top layer as they help to remove sweat away from your
body quickly and they dry quickly to, Aviod wearing cotton at all
costs as this will cling to you when you sweat and will hold the sweat
which will quickly turn cold when you stop riding. A pair of gloves
is optional, some riders like wearing them and some don't as they
say that it takes some of the direct feel of the grips and brake levers
away, personally I always wear gloves (light weight and skinny
in the summer, waterproof when raining and thermal when cold) as
even the thinnest of gloves will offer some protection when you come
unstuck and fall off, and believe me you WILL fall off at some stage.
plus after a long ride your rubber grips can begin to chaff your hands
so gloves help reduce this as well as Trail vibrations transmitted
through the Handlebars. Lastly but not Leastly eye protection, just
a pair of lightly tinted sunglasses will sufice when you first start
riding, these will keep the dirt and water spray being thrown up from
your front tyre from getting into your eyes, not mention to bugs that
have a habbit of finding there way into your eye just as your descending
an interesting section of downhill you've been looking forward to
all the way around the trail. > clothing/
gloves/ eye protection etc
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