The Megavalanche is a popular, adventurous decline usually on a mountain that vast amounts of bikers love to compete in to test their physical stamina. Visitors and competitors from all around the globe are venturing to Megavalanches all over to take the ultimate test of mountain biking. The increase in popularity is because of the press becoming interested in the events and more people becoming aware.

The very popular event will commence at heights of around 3000 metres depending on the location of the mountain. A biker can cover up to fifty kilometres of ground during a race. Following their flight or vehicle ride to the destination the tourists will see the hotel staff to get their room keys and any other item they require. Most vacations will offer food and drink during their short stay so they are encouraged to dine at their establishment and can also enjoy chatting to other competitors.

A large amount of participants will come in masses of societies or clubs, but some individuals do come alone or with a friend and hope to meet other people at the venue over the meals or in the bars. The tourists may also meet other people via the internet on like social networking sites; they will be able to achieve more information and guidance on how they may successfully succeed.

At first racers enjoy going to the race venue to try out the track as a practice, they may do this several times in order to prepare. Providing they have a ticket for the race they can do so at no extra cost. The experience will allow them to prepare so they will know what to expect.

Sometime later, usually a day or two at the most the individuals take part in a qualifying round where their skills and fitness will be tested by doing a test run of the race, only a shorter and trickier version. Their timing is very important as it decides where in the final race they will begin.

The times of the qualifying round are recorded and divided into groups of letters; the quickest times will be allocated to group A. The speediest racers will win the opportunity to start first in the end event and everyone else will continue when they have finished, other competitors will have their times assessed by a chip.

The hotel employees are happy to assist their clients and will ensure their registration has been completed properly. Instructors in the area may also be assigned to individuals or groups to ensure each person is aware of the quickest and safest route to the finish line.

Get up-to-the-minute details and information about the upcoming Megavalanche 2011 and the advantages and benefits of participating in this great race fast and easy! To learn about this exciting event, you can get a complete report on the Megavalanche today!

Technorati Tags: biking, cycling, extreme sports, mountain biking, mountainbiking, outdoor sports

Tags: biking, cycling, extreme sports, mountain biking, mountainbiking, outdoor sports

What do you do when the Snow is down and there is no chance of a decent ride? Probably think of sunnier climes like I do. Where is your favourite place to visit? Mine is the Pelopponese in Greece.

So, I thought that next year before I seize up altogether it could be interesting to do some Biking around that area early in the year before it gets too hot. This means either taking my own bike or renting one out there, so I did a little research and Wow!!!

Well, there is the Airline’s excess baggage charge to cover the weight of the Bike and the specialist transport box you have to put it in - this could be over 50, and the box costs around 140 to buy. You also have to dismantle your bike and re-assemble it later. Then there is the Insurance - not something you should do without as I’ve had trouble with lost baggage items in the past. All in it could cost over 200 to take my own bike.

How about hiring a bike on site? Well, in the Mani where I want to go, bike hire is available. These are either road bikes or hard tail XC bikes, and costs from 8 Euros a day - around 6.70, and expect a discount by the week of around 10%.

So, 2 weeks hire could set me back around 75 and I have no worries about the safety of my bike. Yes, it isn’t my bike, but I could always take my own helmet, saddle, tool kit and spares and still save loads of money.

What do you think? If you need your own bike to compete then bite the bullet and pay the extra.

Because I’m only intending recreational biking, I’m taking the on site hire option. Anyone needing their own bike for a competition has ,little choice but to pay up. What do you think?

Now it’s just down to some route planning - over to you.

Want to find out more about Mountain Biking, then visit Tom Gibson’s site Mountain Biking Lake District Dot Com.

Technorati Tags: extreme sports, mountain biking

Tags: extreme sports, mountain biking

When you have Snow,Snow,Snow and no chance of a decent MTB ride, what do your thoughts turn to? Maybe it’s Sun,Sun,Sun. I know I can’t wait to visit sunnier climes. Where is your favourite place to go? Mine is the Pelopponese in Greece.

So, I thought that next year before I seize up altogether it could be interesting to do some Biking around that area early in the year before it gets too hot. This means either taking my own bike or renting one out there, so I did a little research and Wow!!!

Well, some surprising results - there is the Airline baggage charge, the cost of a specialist transport box for the bike, and the combined weight of these is considerable. Also, there’s the Insurance and anything other taxes officialdom can dream up to part you from your money. As I’ve had some bad experiences with lost baggage in the past I’m not that confident about trusting a 6000 bike to the Airlines. All those costs could come to over200, so is it worth it?

So how about on site hiring? You will have to check out your intended location, but in the Mani where I want to go, bike hire is available. These are either road bikes or hard tail XC bikes, and costs from 8 Euros a day - around 6.70, and expect a discount by the week of around 10%.

So, for two weeks I could pay out say 75 and save a load of money not to mention the relief of not worrying about my own bike. Maybe the hire version won’t be as good, but hey - take your own helmet saddle, tool kit and spares and still save loads of money.

What do you think? If you need your own bike to compete then bite the bullet and pay the extra.

But if you only intend to bike recreationally, then I’d suggest the on site hire option is better and it’s the one I’m taking.

Now start planning your route - over to you.

Learn more about Mountain Biking Lake District. Stop by Tom Gibson’s site www.mountainbikinglakedistrict.com and check out the latest.

Technorati Tags: extreme sports, mountain biking

Tags: extreme sports, mountain biking

Central America MTB Races - To maintain energy levels and to cultivate mind-body endurance, I wonder what mountain bike racers tank up on? Participants from all three of the regions top MTB championships — including the most difficult mountain bike race in the world, Costa Rica’s La Ruta de los Conquistadores, as well as the Nicaraguan San Juan Howler and the Guatemalan El Retro del Quetzal — share their tips for carb-loading. Read on!

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SunamitaLim36.jpg]La Ruta de los Conquistadores - Toughest race on the planet. http://www.youtube.com/v/F4sbnYQhxb0&rel=0&hl=en_US&feature=player_embedded&version=3

Energy Foods of Bicycling Champs

Manny Prado?, Champion of La Ruta 2009. The article on the website www.manuelmannyprado.com can be found very inspirational as it says the effort made by previous year’s Costa Rica La Ruta Elite Men’s in winning their country’s ruthless course. Manny worked in pineapple fields and grew up in poverty. However, even with all of this stacked against him, he worked hard and was able to become a national mountain biking champion. He continued to pursue his aspirations, while repeating to himself: “Even the impossible is possible!” Revealing is Manny’s mantra.

By challenging his mantra : “Even the Impossible is possible, this Southern California resident continues stoking his dream. Accepting the odds, and overcoming them with a powerful determination in any challenging situation and developing mental prowess is vital. Dreaming the impossible and working hard towards achieving it, his indomitable spirit starts from within. Manny wanted to excel as a bicyclist.

If you’re thinking about your recovery foods, some of Manny’s favorites include baked potatoes, milkshakes, and McDonald’s fries — though he tries to keep sodas off this list.

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SunamitaLim23.png]Rob Thomas is not only a San Juan Howler Racer, he is also a Howler Sponsor. ” the important point is replacing ions.” Rob says: “I carry a big water bottle and a water pack, added a electrolyte solution to them”. You can order them online or find them at your local bike shop. You need to eat as the Howler race takes several hours. He makes his own trail mix using a blend of granola, honey and peanut butter.

To make sure your body has stored sufficient trace minerals, Rob also advises that starting a month or two before the event, participants should take a nutritional supplement. ” Rob sells super food smoothies in his San Juan del Sur cafe, El Gato Negro and is an avid connoisseur of it”.

How do warrior athletes battle it out? Endurance is Key

The 20-year odyssey of Juan de Cavallon, the Spanish explorer, provided Roman Urbina (the race’s creator) the inspiration for La Ruta, according to the website. Racers in this four-day stage race encounter rain forests, active volcanoes, climbs to over 9,500 feet, surging rivers, blistering heat, and high humidity while making their way from Costa Rica’s Pacific coast to the Caribbean, as de Cavallon and his team did.

It is inspiring to know endurance can be cultivated to meet and overcome personal challenges of any stripe, even Central America MTB Races, while recognizing this isn’t daily fare for everyone!

Author: Uncover the mountain bike adventures that Brian Richter and Sunamita Lim uncovered in Central America! Indiana Jones could only hope for such an extra-ordinary area for mountain bike adventures. Click on mountain bike action now to discover this unique area.

Technorati Tags: Adventure Travel, adventure vacations, Central America MTB races, extreme sports, Health and Fitness, mountain bike adventures, mountain bike races, mountain biking, sports

Tags: Adventure Travel, adventure vacations, Central America MTB races, extreme sports, Health and Fitness, mountain bike adventures, mountain bike races, mountain biking, sports

“I have raced many time going from the cold climate into a tropical one. For a rider used to temperate climates, the weather at the Howler can be an intense challenge.” Anthony Ippolito; Elite World-racer, Howler Course Designer & Owner, Southern Brazil Adventures

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SunamitaLim34.jpg]The course seems daunting, particularly the descent from the freezing cold in high altitudes down to the summery heat of San Juan del Sur, but people shouldn’t let this keep them from participating. Anytime of the year in Central America, Colombia or anywhere in the heat it is a call to world mountain bike action by transcending with mind, body, and spirit determination.

It is obvious that Anthony Ippolito is in love with mountain biking and crossing all negatives. A veteran mountain bike elite racer, he competed many times in the World Solo and the US Solo 24-Hour Championships. Here are a few really great tips from this individual from Chicago on how to get ready for Howler - and how to have a blast doing it!

Advice for a Successful Howler from Anthony Ippolito

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/12/SunamitaLim32.jpg]1) Start slower than you think you need to. “Take it easy starting off, so you will have enough energy in the race’s last half.” It happens so often in these races that the rider blows up the engine, right at the start, by pressing it too much.

2) Strategy for tanking up. Anthony recommends not consuming anything prior to a Howler.”The race is short enough that you don’t need to worry about eating beforehand.” You cannot easily digest food when you eat solid food when it is too hot out. Because your body will burn its reserves first, I did not start taking energy gels until an hour or so into the race. More than necessary intake of calories causes stomach disturbance and nausea.

3) Planning your Calories As per Anthony’s advice, total number of calories per hour should not exceed 250-300. As your body will have trouble digesting, absorbing more than that in an hour. He advises that too much will lead to bloating of the stomach — with the cascade effects of nausea and dehydration which prevent anything, including water, from getting through.

4) Water Consumption. Approximately 25 ounces per hour and may be extra in case temperature is high. To make sure the body can continue functioning normally, electrolyte tablets, containing at a minimum, sodium, potassium and calcium, are absolutely critical. Muscles will surely cramp in absence of them and with 25 ounces of water in one hour.

5) Your training was reflected in the Race day success. When training you should use the same energy gels you plan on using on racing day. “Don’t use one item to train one day and then a completely different one on race day.” This spells disaster! Consuming too many calories during a race is a common mistake. It is best to train at all stages of heart speed because you will use each one.

“For more questions of Howler race organizers or suggestions? Simply drop by San Juan Howler facebook page and join the conversation.

Author: Uncover the mountain bike vacations that Brian Richter and Sunamita Lim uncovered in Central America! You could only hope for such an extra-ordinary region mountain bike holidays. Click on mountain bike action now to discover this virgin area.

Technorati Tags: adventure holidays, Adventure Travel, extreme sports, health, mountain bike holidays, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, sports, travel, tropics

Tags: adventure holidays, Adventure Travel, extreme sports, health, mountain bike holidays, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, sports, travel, tropics

When purchasing a new bike, we’re faced with dozens of possibilities as to which ones to get. There are various types with front, back and full suspension, different frame layouts, a huge range of gears, and they all provide different benefits. While some simply want a bike for travel, others may wish to purchase a bike for serious mountain biking, going on trails and various other events. Here are the different types of mountain bike to help you along.

Non-Suspension Bike

As previously mentioned, the non-suspension mountain bikes have taken on a somewhat threatened state as they are almost phased out by hardtail and full-suspension bikes. These ones provide no suspension, but this means there’s also less maintenance and lower weight due to less components. The downside is that any shocks and bumps will be felt throughout the bike and yourself.

Hardtail Mountain Bike

With no suspension in the rear, they avoid the nuisance of absorbing your pedaling like full-suspension bikes do. Hardtail bikes may or may not come with front suspension, but regardless, they are easier to maintain and are a great first-time mountain bike. It’s advisable you consult one of the mountain bike advisors as to what kind of front suspension you’re looking for, if any.

Full-Suspension

With both back and front suspension, these provide comfort when going over bumps. They absorb shocks to a decent degree and are brilliant when going off-road. For those going on trails, they will reduce the shock from a jump and fall. However, they are also the hardest to maintain and will dampen your pedaling to some degree. Additionally, the weight of the bike will be overall raised due to the additional components.

Conclusion

You need to keep in mind two things while purchasing a bike. Your needs and your budget. Hardtail and non-suspension bikes will be considerably cheaper than full-suspension bikes. Furthermore, these two types will also be lighter and easier to maintain. If you want to go off-road and use it for entertainment purposes, a full-suspension one might be in order.

Remember to pay a visit to the mountain bikes for sale store for no cost information, reviews along with a fantastic selection of merchandise. A lot of beneficial posts on . Visit http://mountain-bikes-for-sale.net/ today.

Technorati Tags: biking, extreme sports, mountain bikes for sale, mountain biking, outdoors

Tags: biking, extreme sports, mountain bikes for sale, mountain biking, outdoors

Extreme sports requires special gear. Appropriate bike shoes are the absolute most significant piece in addition to a helmet when riding a mountain bike through grueling terrain.

Historically, the material for this sort of footwear was made from sturdy leather. Later on, it was changed because a good amount of bikes no longer had the toe clip or strap, which is very kind of like the hard rubber found on mountain bike tires.. Tough stuff!

Because the facility in pedaling originates from the ball of the foot, it is only correct for engineers to make certain that the sole is slightly curved and very cushiony and spongy. This is for the reason that there will be times that you will have to get down and carry the bicycle. When this happens, the mountain bike shoes happen to ideal for hiking until such a time which it looks safe to cycle once more.

Astoundingly, this characteristic still makes the pair very durable and will last a few months before being replaced with new ones.

There was even a point in time which mountain biking shoes had laces the same as most sporty footwear. Here were removed later since the lace had a knack of getting wrapped up with the pedal. This single-handedly has caused a lot of undoubtedly avoidable accidents, the laces for that reason had to be replaced with the velcro strap.

Here are a few thoughts that you simply must contemplate when buying a pair of mountain biking shoes.

1. It is important to check on the hardness of the sole. A lot of bike shoe makers say which the kind of material which was utilized in making it makes it more resilient. Not factual. You can ask what material it’s made from but for a biker it ought to be ideally made from carbon.

2. The mountain biking footwear should be each comfortable and breathable. A good amount of bikers can be on the path for more than two hours plus it’s definitely right that the pair purchased is in a position to give you reasonable amount of air flow.

3. The last thing to consider is the shoe’s heaviness. It ought to be lightweight so you will not have a tough time in the future going onward as you journey long distances with the extra weight of your shoes on the journey.

Apart from an excellent pair of shoes, you should additionally get a bike helmet, a jersey, as well as a pair of shorts. Nothing should hinder the biker from bycycling onward especially when pushing uphill.

Every one of these items can be found at a area sporting product store or on the web thus you will be able to join a growing club of folks who also have the will to be close with nature and their bicycle.

Northwave Biking Shoe and Northwave Bicycling Shoes

categories: Bicycling,bicycle,mountain biking,bikes,bicycling,shoes,shoe,sportswear,footwear,extreme sports,sports,recreation,feet,general

Technorati Tags: bicycle, bicycling, bikes, extreme sports, feet, footwear, general, mountain biking, recreation, shoe, shoes, sports, sportswear

Tags: bicycle, bicycling, bikes, extreme sports, feet, footwear, general, mountain biking, recreation, shoe, shoes, sports, sportswear