Women Specific Mountain Biking

I received a note this week from the Luna Pro Chix Team and rather than paraphrase what Tom said…I thought I would include it here with the video. Not only are the representing their respective countries in the Olympics, but they are also riding for breast cancer.

I am writing to you on behalf of the Luna Pro Chix Team at this year’s Olympics. I wanted to share a video with you that we created in anticipation fo the opening ceremonies on Friday. The content is great, but even greater is the cause that this team is riding for: Breast Cancer. I was hoping you may be able to share this with your readers. Let me know what you think:

As both fans and competitors gear up for the 2012 Olympic Games, we are country-first. However, for three female mountain bikers, this year’s participation goes beyond the flags on their sleeves. Instead, it will be about leveraging their collective strengths and determination to achieve greatness.

In 2008, LUNA Chix Pro Team riders Georgia Gould for the U.S.A, Catharine Pendrel for Canada, and Katerina Nash for the Czech Republic, competed for the Gold in Beijing. Catherine, the current world champion in cross country mountain biking, finished 4th at the Olympics (by 9 seconds); Georgia, the reigning U.S.A. cross country champion finished 8th; and Katerina, a three time Olympian, did not qualify. They have come together as team members with a renewed sense of purpose that they hope will push them to new heights in London this summer.
As this video highlights, they are ready for the quick and challenging course that awaits them. Even more so, they are excited to compete on behalf of the longest running, most successful, single-sponsor female team in the history of the professional sport. Sponsored by LUNA®, The Whole Nutrition Bar for Women®, the goal of the LUNA Chix Pro Team is to inspire and motivate women from diverse backgrounds to mountain bike together. In addition to that goal, the team works closely with the Breast Cancer Fund to raise awareness on the environmental causes of breast cancer (the team will wear the Breast Cancer Fund logo on their uniforms). For Georgia, Catherine, and Katerina, these factors help push them through the finish line.

Thanks,
Tom

This guest post was written by Betty over at http://bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com

I brought up the topic of mountain biking alone, in this last post as a way to progress as a rider. A few great comments from other ladies brought up it’s about who you ride with. While, I’ve found hitting the singletrack solo has helped me lose the free advice, I also agree that riding in groups is extremely important. So how to find that right folks to ride with?

Here are some ideas to find other woman mountain bikers:

The shop ride

Almost all serious local shops have mountain bike rides. It’s a great way to hook up with local riders and a great way to learn new trails. It’s good to have an idea of what kind of mileage they typically tackle and if they “drop” riders. Basically- do they wait for everyone at every trail junction or not? I’ve gone on loads of shop rides and I always eagerly chat with other lady riders. We are definitely in the minority on most rides. Typically when I join a ride of 17-20 men, we may have two or three females. I also take this opportunity to ask the other female riders who they normally ride with, where they ride, and if we can ride together sometime.

The local mountain bike nonprofit- NEMBA or WOMBATS

Not everyone is as lucky as we are in the Northeast to have a great non-profit bike organization like NEMBA (New England Mountain Bike Association), but it’s worth the internet search to see who you can drum up. This local organization is how I’ve hooked up with other great laid-back riders. Another non-profit, female specific group to check out is WOMBATS (Women’s Mountain Bike and Tea Society).

Lead a ride

So maybe your local shop doesn’t lead rides and there aren’t any non-profit groups in your area. Consider approaching your local bike shop and proposing that you lead a ride. Most shops field tons of questions about local riding and would probably gladly pass the nod your way. Think you’re not a good enough rider to lead? Give it a try! I started leading rides for NEMBA a few years back, knowing just the basics. When folks would call or email for ride info- I was upfront and honest. Mainly, they were just excited to hook up with others riders- they weren’t looking for a full outfitter.

The bike race

This may be different for the guys, but I’ve met many lady riding partners at bike races. Typically the ladies field is pretty small and we all get to chatting. The great part about finding riding partners at bike races is that you are typically getting in touch with someone who has been riding for a while and might be a great match for your skills.

So what do you think? How have you found your riding buddies?

About Betty Mountain Girl

Betty first fell in love with biking chasing her brothers around their city block in tights and a skirt. Since then she’s taken to the trails more than the road, but continues to ride in a skirt. She likes: racing people on the trail who don’t know that they’re in a race, wind in her hair, mud on her legs. She dislikes: the feeling of wet grass when wearing sandles, slugs on the tent in the morning and wearing panty hose.

Her daily blog: http://www.bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com/

This guest post was written by Betty over at http://bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com

My boyfriend and I got serious about riding at the same time, but we progressed at very different rates. While he was killing on the cross-country trails I was hike-and-biking. He ambled nimbly over rock gardens and I made spectacular falls. At the end of rides- he was smiling and I was swearing. Why is it that for some women the mountain biking learning curve can be so drastically different? As a girl rider, I get riding advice from everybody- even when I don’t ask for it. I’ve culled the things that have really helped me ride better here.

Riding by Myself

Sounds counter intuitive to everything you read and while riding with groups certainly has helped me progress; I’ve found riding by myself just as invaluable. With a group you have all the added pressures of keeping up and not looking like a fool gulp from your CamelBak as your heart tries to break free from your chest. At times I’ve found myself walking obstacles so the guy behind can ride it. Riding by yourself, the only thing between you and the rocks- is you and the rocks. You can take your time ride things again and really tune into the ride.

Strength Training

This is huge for female riders. I rode for four or five years without any real strength training and just never seemed to improve cardio or technically wise. Then one winter to help stall out the boredom- I picked up the weights. It was nothing too crazy- just a little whole body conditioning. I started the next riding season stronger than ever and found myself easily tackling hills that were far too daunting before. Since then, if I have a weak winter of strength training- I find that I just don’t have that kick.

It’s not just hills that benefit from strength training. It’s all obstacles. It takes a combination of leg, core, and arm power to balance as you ride a rock garden or jump over a log. It’s easier for guys to carry muscle mass over seasons and harder for the ladies. It’s just the way our bodies work.

Stop Thinking

Using your frontal lobe helps as you tackle work projects and prioritizes your day, but sometimes you need to lose that nagging inner voice and just ride. We’ve all heard that inner voice before trying to integrate all our previous riding with all that darned advice we get. Lean forward, pull back, turn left, and turn right. I over think everything and whenever I am on a girl ride- we all fall into the same trap. So how do you turn the switch to off?

Here are a few ideas: get yourself good and tired or get a catchy song stuck in your head (Honkey Tonk Badonkadonk anyone?). Needless to say- it’s not easy, but letting go and just letting muscle memory handle the riding is another way to progress.

About Betty Mountain Girl

Betty first fell in love with biking chasing her brothers around their city block in tights and a skirt. Since then she’s taken to the trails more than the road, but continues to ride in a skirt. She likes: racing people on the trail who don’t know that they’re in a race, wind in her hair, mud on her legs. She dislikes: the feeling of wet grass when wearing sandles, slugs on the tent in the morning and wearing panty hose.

Her daily blog:  http://www.bettymountaingirl.blogspot.com/

Photo credits go to  LUNA Pro Team – Rich Adams

December 2008 – The BC Bike Race - The Ultimate Singletrack Experience is proud to announce the LUNA Pro Teams participation in the 2009 event scheduled for June 28^th- July 4^th.

The LUNA Pro Teams’ motto, “We are dedicated to getting more women into sports and outside to play,” dovetails nicely into the overall vision of the BC Bike Race. As a seven-day epic mountain bike stage race that incorporates some of the World’s finest singletrack, we believe that health and well being are directly related to stress relief and self-actualization. The mountain bike is one of the best mediums to have fun and get outside and BC is one of the best places to do it.

Team LUNA’s Catharine Pendrel and Katarina Nash, both former Olympians, are slated to tackle the epic BC Bike Race. Both women are at the top of their game and will be looking to have fun while still using the event as a stepping stone to their overall 2009 season.

“Having these two amazing women and the LUNA Pro Team here at the BC Bike Race will hopefully inspire more women to undertake this exhilarating challenge” said President Dean Payne. “It’s hard, but fun, and there isn’t a better way out there to see this amazing countryside.” 

A brief history of the LUNA Pro Team

Gary Erickson, co-owner of Clif Bar & Company, is the driving force behind the LUNA Pro Team. Gary’s epiphany to create the first LUNA Pro Team, the LUNA Women’s Mountain Bike Team, struck during the summer of 2001. On vacation in Greece, relaxing on the beach and watching his daughter Lydia play in the surf, Gary began to wonder what the future would hold for her as a woman and an athlete. Ignited by this moment, and encouraged by his wife Kit, Gary decided to create a professional women’s mountain bike team with support, resources and compensation on par with male counterparts.

This dynamic all-women’s program aspires to embolden and motivate women from diverse backgrounds to seek new challenges in their lives.

For more information

• LUNA Team
• BC Bike Race

Photo credits go to  LUNA Pro Team – Rich Adams

Post by: Angela Brown

I have been mountain biking for almost 13 years and seriously for the last 5 years.  I began leading a beginners mountain bike group from work, and knowing that I was them a few years back which really put things in perspective for me.  I wouldn’t even attempt a creek crossing, and if I did, my heart would be in my throat just waiting on my front wheel to buckle.  Logs, forget it, I would push over them.  Even bridges would make me pause, and I see this in my beginner group.  I try to be encouraging to build up their confidence.  That is what it took for me to improve, to hear the words, “you can do it”, “just lift your front wheel when you start over the log.”  I mean, I didn’t grow up riding dirt bikes like my husband did, so any little tip definitely helped me.  I try to think about what would help them the most, and here are a few of the tips I know helped me when I was trying to gain my confidence on my bike.

1. Shift gears in advance to prepare for the obstacle.
2. Learn that you can lean with the bike in a turn, but with care on gravel.
3. Lift your front wheel when trying to go over an obstacle like a log.
4. Watch the trail 10-20 feet ahead of your front wheel.
5. Don’t look at what you want to avoid on the trail, you WILL hit it.
6. Instead look at where you want to go.
7. Don’t forget to hydrate.
8. Take a map
9. Don’t ride alone
10. Always apply the back brake first!

To some of you, these tips may seem elementary, but I know that in my group that I lead they were helpful.  Most of my mountain bike beginner group are women that are trying mountain biking for the first time.  The more I bike the more I love the sport and the over all feeling I get when I am out there on the trails. Any encouragement that I can give anyone to help them improve their riding ability is worth the time.

So try to get out on the trails, even if it is for a short spin, and try something new, cross that log or creek with confidence.  You will be surprised how tackling a new obstacle like that will set you up for a great feeling the rest of the day!

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Consider Stumbling or Digging it below, or check out our other RIDING TIPS and PRODUCT REVIEWS. Not only will you ride smarter, but you will have better parts to go with it!

• How To Become A Better Mountain Biker
• Buying Your First Mountain Bike
• 10 Tips To Keeping Your Bike Running Smoothly
• 14 Must Have Items For Every Ride

by Angela Brown

I read an article today on bicycling.com about how to choose your first mountain bike. This article all in all was a good one with some good advice. There were some things that I wanted to post that I agree with, and some things that I tend to disagree with.

Buying a bike now a days is an investment. For instance, to get a quality bike, you are going to shell out some money. How much money can be relevant to the type of riding you want to do, how often you ride and down to the good ole budget that you have set for your purchase. The article on the web site bicycling.com stated that you should buy a bike that will fit you when you are the mountain biker you want to become. In a sense, you should buy a higher end bike to fit your advancing skills. It may be more than you need at the moment, but with some miles under your belt and increase in your skill level, you will be glad that you did in the long run.

One reason I agree with this logic is it will save you money in the end. If you buy a beginner level bike and ride religiously for a year, say 2-4 times a week, your skills will advance and you will be looking at trading up. Just like in cars, you will loose money doing this. I sold my old mountain bike and bought a new one, and I made half of the money I needed to buy the new bike doing this. Luckily, the bike I had was older, and I had gotten my use out of it anyway, so to me, there wasn’t much of a loss to me. But if you decide to do this a year after you bought your lower-end bike, you will loose money, an possibly, more money than if you had just bought the higher end bike to begin with.

Now the issue of budget. Most of us today are thinking more about gas prices and how to save on groceries because every time we go to the store food gets more expensive. When you have decided to buy that new bike, most bike shop staff will talk you through your purchase and gauge to make sure that you are buying a bike that will fit your riding style, but you may not be asked all the right questions.

In the online article, the writer had gone to a bike shop to help her sister buy a bike. The sales guy asked her where she would be riding the bike, “oh, on flat trails”. After going to the register, he asked her how far she usually rode, “oh, about 20 miles”… You could tell he knew that he missed out of the chance of a higher commission because the bike she bought would be fine for the terrain she was riding, but a higher up bike would have been more comfortable for those longer rides. I think her budget was in range to the bike she bought, but you can see where the right questions would have made a difference in the outcome and overall satisfaction with a different customer.

Where I tend to disagree with this logic is most people have good intentions when it comes to getting in shape. How many of us have workout equipment in our homes that serve no better purpose than a prop for our other things and to simply collect dust? If you know that biking may or may not fit into a weekly routine and you have a habit of not sticking with something, then, maybe the entry level bike is the better deal. Again, you have to be the honest gauge for that decision because making the right one before you buy will save you money down the road.

This article was modified from an article on Bicycle.com.

Post written by Angela Brown

As I have branched out and began riding more trails in the Pisgah National Forest, I can see how far my riding has improved over the years.  I am still not the fastest or the most agile rider out there, but I have improved none the less.  I mean my husband, Stephen, and I go out and ride, usually, the same trails every week.  We learn the curves, the rocks, and the roots, and over time, parts of those trails that seemed impossible become possible.  I believe that improvement in riding skills is the key to growing in this hobby that we have all become to love.

Recently, one of our local trails was revamped.  The trail is a favorite, and just about any weekend, you see a stream of bikes heading up to the almost highest point in Bent Creek to take the ride down Green’s Lick.  This trail was built and is maintained by our Pisgah Area SORBA (PAS) group.  I also work in the Bent Creek area and know that it was a weekly occurrence for the local fire and rescue people to be dispatched to that trail to scoop-up some rider that took it too fast and either wiped out or wiped out another rider.

PAS decided that Green’s Lick needed some new technical features to raise the perceived difficulty of the trail, so a few rocky sections were placed and some sweeping banked curves were built.  It worked.  I know that those sections will slow people down, which is what needed to happen, but it will also gave riders a trail to ride that will challenge their abilities and give them something to work up to.  The problem arose when a few mountain bikers didn’t like what was built and removed part of the technical sections, which prompted additional work days from PAS to repair.

I lead beginner rides for people that are interested in seeing what the sport of mountain biking is about.  I know that a new rider would see the rocks at the beginning of Green’s Lick and probably choose to walk across them, but that is fine.  It boils down to this, there needs to be a variety of trails out there for each level of rider. When you don’t have challenging trails, the trails that exist will be made challenging by riders going way to fast and causing accidents.

We are lucky to have the Pisgah National Forest in our backyard, and the trails that we have access to are for different rider abilities.  Now that we are beginning to have different levels of trails being built in Bent Creek, new riders need to remember that not every trail is beginner friendly, and as their skill levels improve over time, so will their appreciation of the many challenging trails we are so fortunate to have here in WNC.

Post written by Angela Brown

Many people think of one thing when it comes to cycling, those tight spandex shorts, wondering “do I have to wear those shorts if I want to get serious about cycling?”   Well people you are in luck.  Bike clothing manufacturers are making baggy bike shorts for those of us that want to be comfortable on the trails and not self conscious.

Many people just forgo the whole spandex thing by not buying cycling shorts at all not knowing that if they plan to spend any length of time on the bike that the shorts perform a very needed function.  Cycling shorts have a padded “chamois” that help protect your sit bones.  Many people that do buy the cycling shorts make one or several mistakes.  They wear other shorts over top of the spandex cycling shorts to be more modest.  This method works, you still have the protective chamois, but you also have the other shorts bunching up and that can be down right uncomfortable, not to mention making you look like a newbie.   The next mistake that people make is they wear underwear under their cycling shorts.  This is an announcement…  “you go commando under your cycling shorts!”… baggy kind or spandex kind.  Hey, before you make that “ewwww” face, you really need to try it and see how much more comfortable it is.

So you as you may be asking, “well, you mentioned the baggy cycling shorts, tell me more.”  Their are several companies that make these types of shorts, and they are the rage with mountain bikers.  One such company that makes really comfortable mountain bike clothing is Hoss Technical Gear.  Their shorts are great, and they look like normal shorts, so only you will know they are bike shorts.  This is wonderful if you have to stop by the store after a ride because there are no worries about changing clothes or covering up.  These shorts are about the best out there, and they are reasonably priced.  Another company that has a good baggy type of short for men and women is Fox.  The “Fox Diva” for women is a personal favorite of mine because it is comfortable and well made.  The Diva isn’t as well priced as the Hoss shorts, but hey ladies, don’t we always have to pay more for our clothes?

So check out your local bike shop or your favorite online cycling gear retailer and get a cool pair of baggies.  You don’t have anymore excuses on why you don’t want to ride your bike!

Today, Jenn and I headed down to Conyers, GA so that she could attend a woman’s beginner clinic held by Namrita O’Dea. Namrita is on her way to becoming the fastest endurance racer in the woman’s class so her advise for Jenn was going to be incredible. Her and her husband Eddie (another endurance monster) also own 55Nine Performance.  55Nine is the best bike fitting service in the southeast, so check them out when you are ready have your bike fit like a glove. This also gave me the chance to ride a trail that I haven’t ridden since 1996. For those of you that remember, that was the first year that mountain biking was a Olympic sport. This Olympic trail is in Conyers, GA at the International Horse Park. You can still see the wooden platforms for the camera crews scattered around the trail.

The beginner clinic went great. Jenn got a lot of valuable information during the day that will really help her riding. The guys out there can attest, sometimes your better half does not listen to your advise like she would from and outsider. This beginners clinic was a perfect chance to get woman specific riding advise from one of the best. On the way home she was really excited about the way the ride went. She even had her first OTB! Her leg is going to be pretty bruised and she is limping around a little bit…but she’ll be ok…she’s tough! I did make the following comment though…

Remember all those times that you would hit me in bed to see what hurt?!

She quickly reminded me that it would probably not be a good idea to try that out. I think she is really going to get ahold of the whole mountain biking thing. I asked her in the car if she had fun and the answer was “yes” with a big smile on her face. That really is the most important part for a beginning rider. The endurance and skill sets will come, but you really need to enjoy what you are doing.

CONYERS Horse Park Mountain Bike Trail

Like I said before, I haven’t ridden this trail since sometime in 1996 when they opened the trail to the public. From what I understand, it has changed pretty drastically since then, but the topo and terrain is still the same. I really enjoyed the trail. With a mixture of granite and rooty, fast sections, the trail really kept you on your toes. You never knew when that fast downhill was going to take a turn to a steep up. I am looking forward to the next trip back, but I think next time I will take the 6″ bike. There are a lot of areas that you can have a lot of fun on with a little bit more burl.

Overall, a great day. I got to get some riding in and Jenn got to get another real taste for mountain biking. You can’t really ask for much better than that.

Post written by Angela Brown

Image photographed by Jason Millron

BEING A B.O.B.

In the day and age of $4.00+ per gallon gas, I think all of us fall into the category of being a “Biker On a Budget”. I mean getting started in biking can be expensive, or you can cut corners in the right places to get the enjoyment you want without the large out-pouring of money.

First thing everyone thinks of is “good quality bikes are expensive”. Yes, they can be, but you don’t have to buy the latest and greatest to have a good mountain bike. Around Western North Carolina, we have a weekly paper that is published that is called the “I Wanna”. You can find just about anything in there, but the name of the game is to get it on the day it is published in order to make sure you get the first call in on the item you want to buy. Basically the I Wanna is a huge classified ad paper that People place ads in for items they want to sell or buy. I have seen some really good bikes in there, but I have also seen some that were overpriced. The key to knowing when you have a bargain on your hands is to do your homework. Know the prices of a new bike. If you see one in a classified ad, go online and see what that bike would cost new. Take into consideration how much it has been ridden. Know what kind of components it has. Once you know all the facts, you can make an educated decision whether that “used” bike is really worth it. You definitely don’t want to have to start replacing components and end up with as much money invested than if you had just bought a new bike anyway, so do your homework!

The next big question is “do I have to have all that cycling gear?” Well, that answer is yes and no. Yes, you need a helmet. I mean c’mon they only cost about $30. Even the pros will tell you that all helmets have to pass a safety standard and a cheap helmet isn’t any less safe than an expensive one. In short, the more expensive ones may have more bling and possibly be lighter, but that’s about it.

Biking shorts are another item I would put in the must have category. It is a comfort thing. If you are going to ride much, you need a pair. They are expensive, but your butt will thank you tomorrow for wearing them. Don’t buy biking shorts from used stores such as Goodwill because that would be about the same as buying used underwear. Also for those of you not “in the know,” you don’t wear underwear with biking shorts. To save money on shorts, consider buying closeouts from web sites like pricepoint.com or nashbar.com. Be sure to check out your local bike shop in the off season for deals on last years styles, trust me, you won’t run into anyone on the trail that will be able to say “oh that was so last year…”. EBay is another good option for deals on bike gear, even bikes for that matter.

Bike jersey, glasses, shoes and gloves are three items that I would rank last. Again, it’s a comfort thing, but less so than the bike shorts. Jersey’s help wick away sweat from your body and can make your ride more comfortable. Biking shoes are a step that one would take when they want to move up to clip-less pedals. This can make your pedal stroke more efficient but not necessary.

So let’s recap with a list of bike items in order of importance:

1. Bike
2. Helmet
3. Shorts
4. Glasses
5. Gloves
6. Jersey
7. Shoes

So get out there and bargain hunt, you will be surprised what you can find with a little searching and a little good luck.

Post written by Angela Brown

Last year I changed my pedals to clipless and I have never looked back. I enjoy the control and extra power that I get from being clipped in to my pedals. I have a friend of mine that changed just this year to clipless and is also finding the new pedals to be a big improvement over her standard bike pedal. She was asking for some pointers and to keep her in mind as she started off on this new endeavor.

As for my transition into the clipless world of mountain biking, I was changing from toe clips to clipless and had to retrain my brain on how to get out of the pedals. With toe clips, you pull your foot backward and the clipless is more of a side step motion, so my brain had a disadvantage to begin with. I also made the mistake of riding clipped in all the time and not gauging when I should be clipped in or when I should just pedal without being attached. I had to learn to predict my dismounts and not just stop and then worry about removing my feet. “Trust me,” this little detail led to several funny tumbles at 0-1 mph.

I was in my local bike shop a few times, and they offered to let me ride the rollers for as long as I needed to get the hang of it. Thanks guys, but I need to master this with as little of an audience as I can and in a busy bike shop was not my idea of private! Then one of the guys told me to remember “reverse Dorothy.” Instead of clicking my heels together, I needed to move them apart. I thought this was funny, and actually, it stuck in my brain, “could this be the key?”

My rides after that resulted in fewer mishaps, and I could actually tell that I was getting the hang of it. So after blaming the pedals for being the wrong ones, my clips on my shoes being in the wrong place, it was the mud, a rock was stuck… I finally decided that the pedals were fine, the shoes were fine, it was just my learning curve that needed to end. I can’t imagine riding any other way now. I always thought in the back of my head that people that used these types of pedals on mountain bike trails were just crazy, or they were just begging for a broken neck. Now I understand why they are so great, and why everyone that bikes should eventually move up to using them. You get more for your pedal stroke, and you can pull and push at the same time, which is tremendous when you are climbing or accelerating down a trail.

As for my friend and her new pedals, I think she is doing pretty good with them and already can tell a difference in her rides, so look into clipless pedals. You can get a good pair of Crank Bros. starting for around $35+ and they work like a dream.

Post by Angela Brown

Summer time brings the excitement of planning evening or weekend rides. I know that I try to plan a few rides a week, and most of the time, my husband and I ride together. There are times when he isn’t able to go, and I still want to use my time to hit the trails. Some women don’t think about it and just go ride, but I always have a bit of reservation in the back of my head because not everyone that is out on the forest trails are there for the sheer enjoyment of the forest.

I am not trying to say that there are Charlie Manson’s lingering behind every other tree, but as women, we need to be more cautious. Unfortunately, last year we had a older couple that was hiking near the Brevard area that were kidnapped and killed. It took months to find their bodies, and their killer, hopefully, has been caught. Gary Hilton, who also kidnapped and killed a female hiker in Northern Georgia, is believed to be their killer. So not to advertise a dark subject, but we need to be mindful and careful when heading out to the trails.

• I ride with others and never ride alone. I joined a local Women’s Cycling Club, and there always seem to be someone that can go ride. You just have to plan ahead and send out an email to the group ahead of time to get everyone together.
• Always tell someone that you are riding, including where you are going, how long, and when you will be back. Carry a cell phone so you can reach help if needed. I always call when I am back in my car and headed home.
• Carry a first aid kit. You never know when you might need it, and it will be priceless if you do.
• Carry an extra tube, pump, and some duct tape. If you have a puncture in a tire, you can place the duct tape over the puncture on the inside of the tire which will help hold you until you get off the mountain.
• Carry some nutrition, a GU, a granola bar.. something just in case your ride goes longer than you plan.

Keep these points in mind, while heading out or on the trail, and you will stay safer and feel more relaxed while on a ride.

Written by:
Angela Brown