Know Before You Go - What's Up With Those Mountain Bikers
As with any other activity, mountain bikers have devised their own culture, including a language of their own. If you want to get into the game, you'll have to learn a few terms:
If you're riding a "boing-boing" you're riding a bike with both front and rear suspension. If you've "bonked" you've run out of energy. To "bring home a Christmas tree" is a bad thing, it means you've crashed through dense brushes and leaves and things are hanging off your helmet - it also means you've left a trace on the hill, which is something mountain bikers - and people in general, of course, are not supposed to do.
"Death cookies" are rocks that fly up into you as you go down the trail. This happens all the time and so that's why you want to wear goggles or some kind of eye protection. To get "first blood" means you're the first rider in a group who crashes and starts bleeding as a result. Some people perhaps feel this is a mark of honor for some reason.
If you're doing an "endo" it means you're flying over the handlebars of your bike do to a sudden stop. And then you'll most likely do a "face plant" - hopefully into mud and not into a rock. Regardless, that's why you wear a helmet and eye protection!
That's only a small sampling of the terminology. Of course you'll enjoy the sport even more if you can understand what the people around you are talking about, so take a gander at a few mountain biking slang dictionaries before you hit the trails.
Mountain biking is a great sport, but there is some controversy to it, as some people feel that the cyclists destroy the natural environment in certain areas, and bicycle advocates have to fight to keep the trails open to cyclists.
All cyclists can help by following simple rules - pack out more than you take in, respect pedestrians on the trails, don't bike after heavy rains, and so on.
By using a respectful attitude toward the environment and common sense in dealing with other people, mountain biking will be a sport that will be around for a long time to come.
Related Tags: cycling, outdoors, mountain bike
Andrew Caxton is a journalist who has written more articles and newsletters on the subject for http://www.deck-porch-railings.com . He provides tips and advice about porch designs as well as on home improvement. Find further vinyl railings tips at his website.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Training With A Heart Rate Monitor
More and more people buy watches with heart monitor (heart monitor). As more people use this option - Cycling - Training To Be A Good Climber
Browse a mountain bike can be an exhausting experience but still really beautiful.The effort you mad - Mountain Bike Racing Strategies
When participating in the races is very important to have a strategy adapted to the route length and - Seasonal Biking Training
Many people ask me "How should I train in winter and spring. Tell the same story in circulation, pul - Lactic Acid - Myths And Facts
Pedal hard and you start to get tired. Of accumulated lactic acid in blood and legs that do not begi - Buy An Adult Tricycle - Your Checklist
It is always a headache when come to selecting a tricycle. There are so many different types and mod - Mountain Bike - Accesories
Once started with mountain biking is often a bit overwhelming when you walk into a bike shop to purc - Deda Dog Fang - Chain Keeper
The Deda Dog Fang is a small plastic accessory known as a 'chain keeper' which attaches to your bicy - Five Bike Gadgets Everyone Should Have
If there's one thing we all have in common, it is our love for gadgets. We love gizmos that make our - Tour De France So Far
The Tour De France started on July 3rd and finished on the 25th July as the riders completed the 97t
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Your Mountain Bike Needs A Little Lovin' Too...How To Care For Your Bike!
When you're out on the trail, miles and miles from home, you don't want any serious mechanical situa - The Beauty of Beach Cruiser Bikes
There's something beautiful about beach cruiser bikes. Where else will guys get such a chance to sh - Mountain Biking at the Next Level - At Night
Do you need a bike light?If you bike during the evenings - during the dusk or at night, it is impera - How To Be Comfortable - Safe And Smart In Bicycle Clothes
Wear The Right Bicycle Clothes While Biking Bicycling clothes must provide protection. comfort and - Bike Frames Evolution
The bicycle can trace its history back to Germany in the year 1817, when inventor Karl Drais develop - Know Your Mountain Bike
There's a lot of terminology to learn if you're a mountain biking enthusiast. These enthusiasts have - Picking a Beach Cruiser
Beach Cruisers are the most common term for bicycles with overstuffed seats, wide tires comfortable - Cycling Injuries
Cycling is a hugely popular sport across the world, but if you are cycling on the wrong size of bicy - Information on Bicycle Saddles
A saddle is different from a traditional bicycle seat. A seat is designed to carry complete weight o - Lance Armstrong
Lance Armstrong is well a known sportsman, but he is not just a great cyclist, he is also an inspira
