Top Arizona Bike Trails

By Patricia J Walker

Arizona is noted for its smooth, flat desert terrain which is great for working on your biking speed. There are also plenty of opportunities for biking up and down hills and rocky slopes too. That's why Arizona is such a great place to ride your bike, plus you get to enjoy the beauty of nature in this scenic state.

If you are looking for an easy trail that the whole family will love, then visit Buffalo Park near Flagstaff, Arizona. This is a two mile loop that is mostly flat and offers several cool down stations where the kids can rest and cool off. The trail is kept in good condition. It is popular though so be on watch for hikers, bikers and dogs.

If you are looking to bike for speed, head to the Dynamite trail by Scottsdale. This is one of the fastest trails in the state. It is 20 miles of smooth trail over rolling terrain. The area has several trails which added together actually offer way more than 20 miles. It's a good idea to bring along a map and plenty of water when biking this trail.

There is a trail for everyone at the Greaterville Trails. You can choose from trails of various difficulty and practice different types of biking. There is a lot of variation so you will never get bored. There's not much traffic either so you can have a rare chance at solitude and ride just for the fun of it.

Submarine Rock Trail is located near beautiful Sedona, Arizona. This desert trail will keep you on your toes. It offers plenty of dirt, sand, rocks and even some slickrock. The views along this trail are pretty awesome too.

The Sunset Trail is located near Flagstaff. This trail will give you a real workout. It covers a seven mile climb that increases your altitude by 2000 feet when you make it to the top. The real fun begins when you make the incredible descent back down to the bottom.

If you are an experienced rider, you will love the 345-347 loop near Prescott. This is a challenging ten mile loop with a steep climb and awesome descent. This trail puts boulders in your path and features technical sections that are curvy and rocky along with dry sandy washes and wet creek crossings. Be prepared to pay a $5 fee if you get on the trail at Granite Mountain recreation area. This is a beautiful area to go biking but it is especially pretty in the spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.

Southern Arizona has some of the best and often overlooked bike trails in the state that run through its national forests. On these you will experience great biking and amazing scenic canyon views and just might even get a visit from local Arizona wildlife. It doesn't matter how well you ride or if you ride for fun or adventure, Arizona has a trail just for you.

About the Author:

Are you considering women's bikes? If so, check out PJs selection in the Comfort Bike Shop. She has sourced a great selection of quality comfort bikes for men and women. Her low price promise is the best on the net and cant be beat.

The Old Faithful

By James Weir

Bikers query concerns old aluminium bike and the new carbon bike. For a biker, his bike is almost a part of him. It is hard to put away a bike no matter how old, and the aluminium bike was good for 10 years. The shop owners advice was that he should use the old bike on a trainer. To sell or not to sell the old bike was not an issue, since the old bike was worth only $600. How best the bike could be used was the question to be dealt with.

The choice of using the old bike on a trainer would be the most sound because you would be able to build and hone your bicycle skills. Using the trainer also keeps you in good shape. Since cycling makes use of the leg muscles, these must always be exercised to keep them supple and strong. A trainer basically has a frame, a clamp to secure the bicycle, a roller that presses against the rear wheel and a mechanism to provide resistance to the pedals.

The two most popular kinds of bicycle trainers are: the Kinetic Road Machine Fluid Trainer, and the CycleOps Fluid 2 Trainer. Since the trainer is fitted indoors, the environment is a highly controlled one and terrains can be simulated. For example, if you are training yourself for hill riding, then you can simulate and size of hill as well as any steepness. Trainers can be equipped with sensors to monitor the performance of the rider.

Cadence, virtual speed, power output and heart rate can all be calculated and analyzed. This would greatly help the rider improve his riding technique. No matter whether the frame is made of carbon, steel, aluminium or titanium, the stress on the bike frame is the same. Therefore, instead of using the new carbon bike on a trainer and subjecting it to stress it would make better sense to use your old aluminium bike on the trainer.

A point to remember is that while riding on the trainer, the rider is bound to sweat, and sweat being corrosive, it is always a good idea to cover the top of the bike with a towel. The old bike could be used outdoors in bad weather. If need be, it could be fitted with mudguards, to protect the wheels. The new carbon bike could be used in dry, warm weather, as well as for all racing and other important events. Thus, you would be using both your bikes.

In any case, having your old bike as a stand-by is a sensible thing to do, especially if you are a bicycle aficionado and enjoy biking in all weathers. In case there is a problem with one bike, you will always have the other one handy.

About the Author:

Are you interested in carbon frame bike?, James Weir is an online entrepreneur and writes for many articles. Keep reading about carbon frame for Bicycles

Great Places to Ride Your Bike in New York

By PJ Williams

When most people think of New York, they probably think of the city. But there is so much more to the state than large cities. Upstate New York has some of the most beautiful country to be found anywhere in the United States. It comes as no surprise that bike trails abound here. Let's look at some of the absolute best bike trails in New York. We'll start with something easy and work up to those trails that are for the experienced biker.

If you are new to cycling, the Auburn Fleming Trail in Auburn, NY is a great place to start. This trail began its life at a railroad track. It is a short ride in biking terms (only 3 miles long), but there is tremendous scenery from start to finish. The only caution with this trail is that its inherent popularity makes it a bit crowded with other riders and pedestrians.

Mason Lake of Speculator, New York is the perfect network of trails for the beginner. It is 6 miles of old logging road that has been opened up for mountain biking. The gravel trail is kept well-maintained, has lots of great scenery, and isn't widely traveled. So, it's perfect for a leisurely ride in solitude or with friends and family.

Grab your camera and head to Weedsport. The Erie Canal/Cayuga Country Trail System offers one of the more distinctive trails in New York. Stretching from Buffalo to Albany, this trail follows the Erie Canal towpath. This trail is mostly rolling hills and the most scenic spots are actually flat. There are many paths leading on an off the trail throughout the 15 miles of track so you can customize your ride.

The Ninham Mountain trail is a 15-miles loop near Carmel, New York. There is something here for everyone, but since there are no maps of the area, it might be best to ride with someone who knows the trail. You absolutely must climb the old Ninham Mountain fire tower for incredible views of Catskills!

If you enjoy the well paved paths often provided by popular ski resorts, you will love the Dryer Road bike trails of Victor. There are so many options with these paths that you will not get bored. They often add new bike paths throughout the season, so this is a favorite among regulars. There is plenty to practice on with s-turns, descents and great cut backs.

The Hither Woods trails of Montauk, New York are for the more experienced biker. There are over 40 miles of extremely scenic trails on 3,000 acres of park land, so it is highly recommended that you get a map of the area so you do not get lost. Not all the trails are well-marked. There are five different trail heads and each trail has something different to offer. Most of the trails are packed sand and relatively narrow and tight with lots of up and down action. So, be especially careful near the cliffs or water. Be prepared for a challenge!

Hopefully we've covered a trail here that interests you. These trails also represent a wide variety of areas in New York. No matter what part of the state you find yourself in, there's always a great place to ride!

About the Author:

In today's economy you need to shop around for the best price. PJ offers a 200 percent price match promise on all of her comfort bikes, including her excellent selction of women's bikes. She has done the price shopping for you. Find Your Ride in The Comfort Bike Shop today.

Bernard Peak - Idaho Panhandle National Forest

Mountain Biking
Location: Near Athol, Idaho
Duration: 1 Day
Season: Spring - Fall
Distance: ~9 miles, round trip

Difficulty: Difficult

Bernard Peak is located in the Idaho Panhandle National Forest with its scenic mountains, pristine forests and abundant wildlife. It's also located on the banks of Lake Pend Oreille, the state’s largest lake with a surface area of 94,600 acres and numerous forested coves, a flat-water paradise.
　
As for the trail, Bernard Peak is an intermediate level ride with a good cardiovascular workout, challenging switchbacks and some great single-track.
　
A more secluded trail with dense forest cover this trail is a great place to stay cool on those hot summer days. This trail is not known for its views because of the dense forest cover, which makes it unique if you like the deep dark forests.
　
The trail can be taken as an up-and-back trail topping out at the summit of Bernard Peak. The route is mostly single-track with a few old logging roads on the bottom section. The trails smooth but demanding with an elevation gain of approximately 2600ft over 4.5 miles. This trail is not for the faint of heart.
　
The other option for those not up for a hard workout is to drive to the top and just downhill it.

Directions - From I-90 in Coeur d’Alene Idaho, head north on Highway 95 to Athol Idaho. At the light in Athol Idaho go east or right on Highway 54 for 4 miles and you will come to the navigation circle. Head south here on Goodhope Road for about a mile to Twete Road.At Twete Road take a left and drive past the gravel pit to the end of the road and the trailhead.

NOTE: If you want to just downhill it and drive to the top you can by continuing south on Goodhope Road for 1 more mile (2 miles total) to Bunco Road. Take a left on Bunco Road and travel 2 more miles to the entrance into the National Forest and the end of the pavement. There’s a big parking lot here for snowmobiles in the winter, just head past it and up the hill on FSR #332. At the top of the hill (~4.2 miles) you will come to a side road FSR #2707. Take a left and follow it up the hill making sure to stay to the left at the forks up ahead (~.25 miles). It’s about 2 miles to the top, but make sure you stay to the left on the way up. The road is rough and the vegetation is thick, so don’t go up the last section if you like the paint job on your car.

For a map, pictures and more info click on Bernard Peak

See you on the trail,
--Greg

Mountain Bike Cycling For Beginners - Getting Started

Image by richardmasoner via Flickr

By Johno Altamiruno

Mountain bike cycling is the most easily accessible form of cycling and it is open to everyone to have a go. It's good for keeping fit while taking you away from the noise and grind of everyday life.

Mountain bike cycling is usually done off-road, which means in the countryside, on bridleways and allotted cycle trails, and sometimes on more difficult technical trails. It's important to practice your skills first before you go on difficult technical trails though.

To improve your riding skills the best thing you can do is practice a lot. It can be helpful sometimes to watch more experienced riders to pick up tips, or even watch DVD's but the most helpful thing is definitely practice.

Before you can start practicing you obviously need a mountain bike, so deciding which one should you get is the first task. There are numerous different sorts of bikes available, varying widely in price and style. If you are just starting it's a good idea to go for a less expensive model until you gain experience and decide where you like riding the most.

Once you have your bike you'll need to get some suitable clothes to wear to ride it. Mountain bikers usually go for a fairly casual look, such as baggy shorts. You can get specialist mountain bike shorts that look like ordinary shorts but they have a padded lining for comfort on a bike.

There are several items that are essential to wear when mountain bike cycling, at all times, whatever the weather or trail. These are gloves, glasses and a helmet. They are safety equipment to protect you from flying debris, such as stones and mud, low hanging and prickly branches, and falls.

You will no doubt have some minor falls, as these are part and parcel of mountain bike cycling. However if you wear the essential protective gear you will most likely only suffer minor injuries, like bruises and grazes.

When you've got all the appropriate gear you'll have to think of where to go mountain bike cycling. There are plenty of guides to local areas available from bike shops, book shops or on the internet, and you can get really good local information from Visitor Information Centers locally. There are even some allocated mountain bike centers run by the Forestry Commission with marked bike trails for different abilities.

When you've got your bike, your safety gear and some ideas of where to cycle you are ready to go! A little knowledge of some basic mountain bike maintenance would also be an advantage but the most important thing now is to get out and enjoy the adrenalin rush you get from mountain bike cycling.

About the Author:

Read more on mountain bike cycling, clothing, shoes and protective gear before you set out.

See you on the trail,
--Greg

Intro To Mountain Biking

Intro To Mountain Biking

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side
of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be quite dangerous. Even though it's dangerous, if you ride with caution, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Styles of mountain biking
Mountain biking can best be characterized into three different styles - downhill, free riding, and cross-country. Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills. The style that you pick will determine the type of bike you get.

Locations for mountain biking
The sport can best be thought of as biking on an unpaved surface. Many areas throughout North America have specific locations designed for mountain biking. Before you decide to go down a trail, you should always check with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.

You can also find groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions. You can look on the internet or even in a local paper and see exactly what's available in your area. You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners.

Becoming a great biker
Endurance and stamina are a must for a great mountain biker. It will also take ambition and practice to succeed as well as conquer the course. Like all other sports, it takes time and practice. Those just beginning will have to get past the bumps and bruises from falling off the bike.

Selecting your mountain bike
The bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing. Bikes come in all styles, shapes, and prices,  which will make selecting one for yourself very difficult indeed.

You should use the internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase. Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first. A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike. When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Staying safe when riding
Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier. Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet and gloves, some even wear knee and elbow pads. If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well. Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking.

See you on the trail,
Greg

The John Wayne Trail / Iron Horse State Park

Mountain Biking/Hiking
Location: Snoqualmie Pass, Washington
Duration: 1 Day
Season: Spring - Fall
Distance: ~33 miles, round trip or ~16 miles, one way
Difficulty: Easy

Washington State's John Wayne Pioneer Trail follows the former railbed of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad two-thirds of the way across Washington. The light gravel pathway] offers hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, wagons and cross-country skiers a chance to travel along the historic Milwaukee Road right-of-way on a gentle, easy-to-negotiate grade. The 100-mile portion from Cedar Falls (near North Bend) to the Columbia River near Vantage is managed as Iron Horse State Park.

The trail was created in the 1980’s when Washington State Parks acquired the abandoned Milwaukee Road corridor. In its heyday, the Milwaukee Road was a vital trade link between Seattle and the Midwest and was the world’s first electric rail line. This trip specifically documents the section of trail between exit 38 East of North bend to exit 54 at Hyak on the Eastside of Snoqualmie Pass.

The railroad tracks have been removed and the area has been turned into a state park, known as Iron Horse State Park. Some people call the trail the John Wayne Trail west of Snoqualmie Pass and the Iron Horse Trail east of Snoqualmie Pass, while others call the entire trail the Iron Horse Trail, yet still others refer to it as the John Wayne Trail in Iron Horse State Park (Oh well). The trail is relatively smooth, but not paved and because of this along with its length, most people use it as a mountain bike trail.

It's an easy ride with spectacular views. On average, the trail is about half a mile from the highway and about 300 feet higher, so that the noise and exhaust fumes of the trucks on the highway are not bothersome. As you can see from the map, there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit. At the time this trip was documented, the trestle over Hall Creek, about a mile East of Exit 38 west, was broken and could not be crossed, although plans were in the works to fix this trestle in the near future.

The river between the Interstate and the trail is called the Snoqualmie River. The trail itself is approximately 16.5 miles to Hyak and rises steadily from exit 38 to an elevation of approximately 2500 feet. This is high enough so that one can expect snow here in the winter. At its peak elevation, just after Humpback Creek, the trail enters Snoqualmie Tunnel (a 2-mile long tunnel). The tunnel is indicated by yellow on the map.

Snoqualmie Pass, the lowest point at which it is possible to cross the mountains here, is at 3,000 feet. The amount of snowfall at that altitude in winter is so great that it would have been difficult to keep the railroad open all winter if it ran over the Pass, to say nothing of the climb required. So it made sense to the builders of the railroad to make a tunnel through the mountain at this point.

NOTE: The ride through the tunnel can be extremely DARK. At two miles in length, the far end is just a small pinpoint of light. Be sure to have a good light and where a jacket. The tunnel is very dark, wet and cool inside. As for the trail its self, the gravel path is level and smooth making for an easy ride. Also, the tunnel is usually closed from November 1 to May 1. After you leave the East end of the tunnel at Hyak, it’s time to backtrack to the trailhead. The return to the trailhead is all downhill making for a quick and easy ride (the whole trip is approximately 33 miles, round-trip).

If you want, it's just a short ride on the old railroad grade East to Lake Keechelus for a nice lunch spot. Another option is to drop off a shuttle car at exit 38 and the leave from the East end of the Snoqualmie Tunnel and Pass and ride downhill one-way.

Directions: Take Exit 38, 38 miles east of Seattle, Washington, along Interstate I-90. As you can see from the map, there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit. At the time this trip was documented, the trestle over Hall Creek, about a mile East of Exit 38 west was broken and could not be crossed. Although, plans were in the works to fix this trestle in the near future.

For a map, pictures and more info click on The John Wayne Trail

See you on the trail,

--Greg