Mountain Biking ; The Basics

Learning more about mountain biking will help you enjoy the sport more. Knowledge is key to having the right bike and equipment for your ride.

If you want a good way to spend time outside having fun, then you may want to try mountain biking. If you are looking for a fun adrenaline rush, then going very fast down the side of a mountain can be great fun, but it is also dangerous. If you are careful and take precautions, though, it is a sport that the whole family can enjoy.

Mountain Biking Styles
There are three styles of mountain biking. The three different styles include cross-country, free riding, and downhill biking. The styles are somewhat similar to each other, but they each have different skills that are needed. The mountain biking style that you want to do will determine what kind of bike that you need to purchase.

Where to Mountain Bike
Mountain biking is usually done on an unpaved surface. You can find many different areas throughout North America that have specially designed biking trails for you. It is important to check with your local park before you just take off down a trail to make sure that you know the rules and regulations that they have.

There are also groups that you can join to compete against and ride with. It is easy to find a group via the web or in your local paper. You can even ask at your local bike shop if they know of any groups. You can find groups for any experience level - from beginner to more advanced.



Basic Mountain Bike Component Identification Guide

1. Bar-ends 2. Brake levers 3. Cassette 4. Chain 5. Chain stays 6. Chainrings 7. Crank arm 8. Down tube 9. Front brake calipers 10. Front derailleur 11. Front hub 12. Front quick-release skewer 13. Front tire 14. Front wheel 15. Handlebars 16. Head tube 17. Headset 18. Headset top cap & bolt 19. Headset spacers 20. Inner tube valve 21. Integrated shifters 22. Pedals 23. Rear brake calipers 24. Rear derailleur 25. Rear hub 26. Rear quick-release skewer 27. Rear tire 28. Rear wheel 29. Removable face plate 30. Saddle 31. Seat collar 32. Seat post 33. Seat stays 34. Seat tube 35. Spokes 36. Stem 37. Suspension fork 38. Top tube 39. Water bottle bosses

Great Biker
To be an accomplished mountain biker, you must first build up your stamina and endurance. If you are racing, then you will want to add a lot of practice and ambition to the mix. Just as with any other sport, mountain biking takes practice to get good at. If you are just beginning, you will have to practice and take those bruises and spills until you get better. There is no way around it.

Mountain Bike Selection
Depending upon what kind of bike riding you will be doing, your bike choice revolves around that fact and your personal desires. You can find bikes in many different price ranges, shapes, and styles, which makes it somewhat overwhelming to find the right one for you.

The internet is a great place to start your bike search. It is easy to compare prices and look at different features of bikes on the internet because there is not stress. You will want to try out the bike before you purchase it, though, so you may have to go to the local bike shop for that. When trying out a bike, you will want to consider the comfort, fit, and how it is made and geared to help you make the best decision for you.

Safety First
Riding a mountain bike can be very dangerous because you are riding on uneven terrain. It is important that you wear a helmet no matter where your riding and elbow and knee pads to help keep yourself safe. If you choose to ride in a wooded area or are going to be following other riders, then you may want to consider adding some goggles to your equipment to help keep your eyes safe. Safety should be your top priority in preparing and riding.

Outdoor Emergency Care Publications

Outdoor Emergency Care Publications

First Aid
First Aid/Emergency Care Guidelines
· First aid treatment provided by a patroller can vary from giving out bandages for small cuts, to the transportation of an unconscious patient with a head injury. There is a wide range of first aid/emergency care certification levels and a number of good training organizations.

· The NMBP's policy on emergency care guidelines for patrols is as follows: NMBP individual patrollers must be certified in standard first aid & CPR (or equivalent) from an accredited source. First aid/emergency care and CPR training providers are listed at the end of this section.

· If a volunteer patrol is working with a land management agency, then each person in the patrol should be certified in the emergency care program required by that agency. The land manager will most likely be able to provide or arrange the necessary training for the patrol. In some cases, land managers may not want volunteers to administer first aid. If that's the case, then you must observe that policy.

· If the trails are on private land, and landowner permission for use by mountain bikers (and patrols) has been granted, NMBP recommends that patrol members be trained and certified in basic first aid or Outdoor First Care, and CPR.

· Advanced Levels of Certification: Higher levels of emergency care certification include Outdoor Emergency Care, Wilderness First Responder, and EMT. Some patrol members may be interested in these levels of certification (or may already be certified). While pursuing higher levels of certification is encouraged, it is not necessary for patrol membership.

· Local Protocols: If your group decides to seek a higher level of certification, make sure your treatment protocol meets the standards and requirements of local emergency facilities. This ensures uniformity of care.

· Legal Issues: Wherever there is a personal injury, there is a possibility of legal action. Most states have "Good Samaritan" laws that protect volunteers from legal action based on first aid care given as long as the first-aider acts according to the guidelines contained in his/her training. These laws vary from state-to-state. Find out what the law is in your state by contacting your local chapter of the American Red Cross, your local or state attorney's office, or your local land manager.

· First Aid Pack Contents: Most patrollers wear some type of pack such as a large capacity hydration pack (Camelbak H.A.W.G) which can be used to carry first aid supplies, tools and tubes. It is recommended that patrol members carry the following first aid items: (Note that the level of training and the local area will influence what supplies are carried).

rubber gloves (2 pr)
cravats (5)
glucose tablets
safety pins (10)
adhesive bandages (12)
knife (Swiss Army-type)*
lighter*
Kling (4 rolls)
small notebook*
ice pack
4" x 4" bandages (12)
Incident report sheets*
bug repellent*
5" x 9" bandages (2)
trauma scissors
compass*
adhesive tape
pocket mask
trail maps (10)
wire splint
1-4 oz. eye wash
water purification pills
4-oz. tube antibiotic cream
4-oz. bottle sunscreen
antiseptic towelettes
space blanket Ace bandage

* Items are not necessarily first aid specific, but should be carried by bikers.

· Note: Medication, lotions, bug repellents, salves, etc. should only be provided, never applied by the mountain patrollers.

reference from:
· Outdoor Emergency Care, Dr. Warren Bowman M.D., 1993, National Ski Patrol, (303) 988- 1111. Details comprehensive emergency care for the non-urban setting.
· Outdoor First Care, 1994, National Ski Patrol. Covers basic first aid and personal precautions for infection control.
· Wilderness Medicine, Dr. Paul S. Auerbach, M.D., 1995, Mosby Publishing. Covers management of wilderness emergencies.
· Wilderness First Aid, Backer M.D., Bowman M.D., Paton M.D., Steele M.D., Thygerson M.D., 1998, Jones and Bartlett Publishers. Covers emergency care for remote locations