Author: Dari Abdurehm

Bike commuting to work – and to any other destination – is becoming more necessary, especially in large, urban environments. Knowing the associated dangers is a must. Knowing how to anticipate and avoid those collisions will make bike commuting a much more comfortable, profitable, and healthy experience. Dangers of Bike Commuting Three of the main causes for injury when riding a bike are: Not being visible to drivers. Not obeying the traffic laws of the road. Riding in the door zone. How to Be Safe When Bike Commuting Motorists may notice some cyclists opt to ride on sidewalks, rather than…

Mountain bikers can enjoy this area known for its open meadows, vistas, and wildlife such as elk and black bear. The Valle Vidal, part of the Carson National Forest, offers mountain biking enthusiasts opportunities for adventure in Northern New Mexico. These include remote mountain biking in an area with lake vistas, high meadows, and historical sites. How to Get There To get to the Valle Vidal, begin in the town of Cimarron, NM. Drive north on U.S. Highway 64 out of town until reaching a dirt road. A sign on the right side of the road will indicate that it is…

Railtrails are old railway lines converted into groomed trails. They offer peaceful and pleasant scenery and great bicycling trails for the whole family to enjoy. For those who love outdoor sports, the rails to trails movement is fueling a renaissance in outdoor adventure. Throughout the United States and spreading throughout the world, the rails to trails movement transforms outdated or retired railway beds into excellent bicycling trails through some of the most scenic and beautiful parts of the nation. Best of all, most railway lines run on a track with a grade of less than 10%, meaning that they are mostly smooth,…

A professional bike fitting can help to prevent overuse injuries, improve cycling performance and enhance overall comfort. The best money that can be spent to enhance bicycle performance is to get a professional bike fit. A cyclist can spend lots of money upgrading the components on a bike without actually improving the bike’s performance. The cyclist may look flashy, riding a tricked out bike, but if the bicycle doesn’t fit properly, the cyclist will be uncomfortable when riding more than a couple of miles. Professional Fit for All Bikes A professional bike fit can be done on any type of…

Purpose-built single speed bikes have a horizontal dropout; that’s the groove where the rear wheel axle fits. These dropouts allow for easy chain tensioning. Most hardtail mountain bikes have vertical dropouts so another means of getting the correct chain tension is required. Converting a Hardtail to Single Speed The most important factor for a single speed mountain bike is matching the gear chosen to suit the normal riding terrain. Most single speeders use a 32 tooth front chainring matched to a 16 tooth rear cog. This is fine for relatively flat riding but for hilly off-road terrain consider an 18…

Looking at a cyclocross bike from a distance, it appears to be a type of road bike. Upon closer examination, a cyclocross bike looks like it was built out of leftover mountain bike and road bike parts. Comparing Cyclocross Bikes to Road Bikes A cyclocross bike is a bit beefier than the average road bike, with a wider frame and wider front fork, to allow for the use of wider tires. A cyclocross bike has drop handle bars, just like a road bike. However, the handle bars on a cross bike, are usually positioned a bit higher than a road…

Drafting is a technique with which bike racers can save energy at the expense of the riders in front of them. This phenomenon lies at the heart of bike race strategy. A drafting bike racer will keep his front wheel dangerously close to the rear wheel of the rider in front of him – only 6 inches or so to be most effective. Scientists have demonstrated that a racer riding in another’s slipstream will expend 30 to 40% less energy than the rider in front. That’s a lot of energy over a 3-hour bike race, and it obviously would give a huge edge to…

Bike racing is arguably the most strategic sport in the world, and the only one in which the countryside itself is the playing field. While most European viewers know it as well as many Americans know football or baseball, the jargon of the sport can be baffling to new viewers. A few key concepts can help the general viewer understand what’s going on. Bicycle Stage Race Terms Peloton. The main field, or pack. “Peloton” is French for “small ball.” The peloton is the primary measure of what’s going on in the race. Riders in front of it are in a…

With spring approaching, bicyclists everywhere will look to their local shops for tune-ups. Here’s a primer to help the recreational rider get the most bang for the buck. When shopping for a tune-up, many recreational cyclists are bewildered by the wide range of services available and the fees charged for those services. While many bike shops offer a similar tune-up menu, often the less tangible things make the difference. The best shops will strike a balance between making a fair profit and cultivating their customers’ loyalty for years to come. The Bike Shop Many cyclists already have a favorite shop…

Mountain Unicycling or MUnicycling is seen by many as an extreme sport but keen unicyclists often buy a MUnicycle (mountain unicycle) just to get fitter. Once the basics of unicycling are mastered, what comes next? Learning simple tricks like cornering and free mounting a unicyle are essential to actually go anywhere on one wheel, but once those skills are in the bag, what is the next challenge? Whilst some riders stick to street performing and juggling on their unicycles, others take up team sports like unicycle hockey or simply go road touring. But if all that sounds too boring, then MUnicycling may be just…