“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

Let us show you how easy it is to rock to Central America’s newest premier mountain bike action racing scene-Nicaragua’s San Juan Howler.

San Juan Howler, Nicaragua’s Mountain Bike Racing

San Juan Howler is an undiscovered premier mountain bike race in Central America that literally rocks seasoned mountain bikers and those new to cycling adventures. Young compared to Guatemala’s El Reto del Quetzal and Costa Rica’s La Ruta de los Conquistadores, and ounce for ounce just as exciting, Howler’s third annual race on December 11, 2010 juices up adrenalin on Nicaragua’s pristine mountain trails.

Howler, what makes it so unique?

It’s totally refreshing to find mountain bike action that is purely gratifying in connecting body, mind, spirit and nature at a time when we’re jaded out of our senses and craving for unusual experiences. [I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/SunamitaLim3.jpg]

“Test of Metal” for Cycles and Riders

A February 2010 participant, Rod Dagneau’s photo essay Mountain Biking in the Second Poorest Country in the Western Hemisphere, outline’s how Bob Bombardier’s, Howler’s course is “strung together horse and foot trails, steep chundery and loose descents, dry stream beds and constructed several kilometers of new single track.”

Rod also points out that Nicaragua is the third safest country in the Americas after Canada and Chile. Coupled with a low foreign currency exchange rate, San Juan Howler is a mountain biker’s dream come true-to “test the metal” of a person’s true spirit with his or her mountain bike while racing on unspoiled terrain.

Making Howler Rock

Registering for this cheap mountain bike holiday treat is real easy.

* Sign up online at, wwwsanjuanhowler.com (Wouldn’t it be nice to surprise someone with a Howler gift?)

* Write larry@bodhin.com

* Or, call toll-free 866-GO-BURRO from the U.S.

* Stop by the offices of Grupo Max in San Juan del Sur, 9-5, Monday to Friday

* Not quite sure? Well then, just show up one hour before the race starts on December 11, 2010 and you can still be a shoo-in Howler mountain bike racer

[I:http://www.picmig.com/freedownloads/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/SunamitaLim4.jpg] San Juan Howler mountain bike action is organized by Bodhin Adventures of San Juan del Sur. Owner Larry Thraen’s goal is, “to offer a great race, for a great cause,” for athletes and their supporters, while also benefiting the local community. Long after athletes have returned home, two charities continue to rock with proceeds from Howler - Comunidad Connect and Fundacion Tierra. US$10,000 is the goal set to be raised for these two nonprofits.

Author: Uncover the mountain bike adventures that Brian Richter and Sunamita Lim uncovered in Central America! Indiana Jones could only hope for such a fascinating region for mountain biking. Click on mountain bike action now to discover this virgin area.

Technorati Tags: adventure vacations, biking, Central America, charity, cycling, Health and Fitness, life style, mountain bike action, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, outdoors, recreation and leisure, sports

Tags: adventure vacations, biking, Central America, charity, cycling, Health and Fitness, life style, mountain bike action, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, outdoors, recreation and leisure, sports

[youtube:82DzpLZ547I?fs=1;[link:Elings Park SoCal Mountain Bike Racing_Dreamscape Images];http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=82DzpLZ547I?fs=1&feature=related]The pale gray sky reminded me of the east coast, not the beautiful horizon of Santa Barbara. Some local hikers trekked up the path and I asked what happened to the California weather. They reminded me it was June glum; the weather condition occurring mostly in June when the fog rolls into the California coastline to paint a dreary scenery.

Today, the beneficiaries of June glum were the Cat 3 riders at the Elings Park mountain bike race. The cool weather was sure to keep dehydration problems to a minimum. For the late Cat 1 starters, that was not the case as the sun pierced the morning fog by midday.

The Elings Park mountain bike event is one of the largest in the area and sure to remind people that Santa Barbara is one of the premier places in California to take a trip with the family. With its lush green hills overlooking the Pacific Ocean, it’s a good idea to bring a camera along for the memories.

To capture some speed in motion, I decided to bring out the video camera today. With its mix of single track trails and fire roads on a multi-lap course with plenty twist and turns, there would be many opportunities to capture some good footage.

With the hills on this course, a solid warm-up is mandatory. Shortly after the start of the race…you are going vertical. The race is made up of fire roads and single track trails, which climb to the top of Elings Park before descending. During the second lap near the beginning, the course turns off from the first lap trail and tackles plenty of winding trails and U-Turns to the top.

After capturing some video and still images, I found an excellent shooting position on the second lap ascent. The day was going as planned. So far, I had not fallen down any hills with my camera gear. Later in the day, I realized the day was still young.

The Cat 1 and 2 riders looked strong as the sun welcomed the riders with high 70 degree temperatures. My goal today was to capture these mountain bikers at close range so I climbed the hills surrounding the course to find the best angle and the heart beat of this race. After slipping down a few hills, I managed to create some serious ventilation in my clothing - an eight inch rip in my jeans from the crotch down the pant leg. Thankfully, anyone coming my way only cared about one thing going fast.

The MTB racers were given a splendid view of the Pacific Ocean once they climb to the top of the course. However, with the winding trails, the view was short lived.

Deep in some bushes with the winding, single track trail looping around me, I managed to find a good shooting point where I could capture the MTB competitors riding the twisting trail in front of me.

After capturing a few riders and satisfied I got the footage necessary, I managed to checkout my surroundings. It was at that moment that I realized one of the disadvantages of being in the zone. There I stood with an eight inch tear down my pant leg surrounded by poison ivy! The Elings Park mountain bike race will always hold a special memory for me. It reminded me that I too have to watch the path in front of me.

If you are looking for a great race to take the family for a few days, the Elings Park mountain bike race is one of the best. Put together by Team Big Bear, the race is sure to challenge your mountain bike fitness level.

Staying on the trail is highly recommended.

Keith Rejino is a sports photographer for Dreamscape Images, a personal trainer, triathlete and MTB rider. His Socal Mountain Bike website provides mountain bike event coverage, training and sports nutrition tips for the mountain biker. For more mountain bike event coverage, check out Dreamscape Images MTB site.

Technorati Tags: bike, bike racing, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, mtb race, sports, sports competition

Tags: bike, bike racing, cycling, exercise, fitness, mountain bike, mountain bike race, mountain bike racing, mountain biking, mtb race, sports, sports competition