Page 13 - MTBSA JAN 2020

nother 12 months have But it’s now that time of year think about some things that
passed and with that, where we get to dream up a you would just love to do, learn
naturally, have come a set of New Year’s resolutions or see in your lifetime and in this
Alot of ups and downs – to take us through to the end case, on your bike. Here are just
specifically though on hills and of 2020. Resolutions can be a a few suggestions for mountain
trails while riding a mountain great reminder that sometimes biking-related resolutions for
it’s nice to have a sit down and
2020.
bike.
So, you know how to fix a flat
tyre, regularly pump up your
wheels before riding to get
that pressure just right and you
even clean your bike and dry it
properly after every ride.
That puts you ahead of about
75 percent of other mountain
bikers in terms of TLC.
But could you build a bike up
from scratch? Do you really
know what every single bit of
your bike does, how it connects
to the next, how to keep it in
absolute tip-top shape and how
to fix any given part should
something go wrong?
Learning all about your bike will
not only help to keep your ride
running smoothly and exactly
how you like it, but it’ll probably
save you quite a bit of cash as a
result in the long run, too.
Plus, if you do get into bike
building, you’ve got a whole
new hobby on your hands. Make sure those bike parts are fit for purpose © DEAN KOH

Autumn and
winter are prime
times for gravel
riding © DUN-
We understand it may sound CAN PHILPOTT/
like sacrilege to certain TWEED VALLEY
mountain bikers to suggest GUIDES
that they don some lycra and
climb on a road bike, but there’s
actually quite a bit mountain
bikers could learn from their
tarmac-based cousins – not least
improving endurance, which will
come in handy when you do get
back onto the trails.
Even out on the trails though,
there’s so much you can learn
from switching up your riding
patterns every now and then.
If you’re a downhill fiend,
Bikepacking can open up loads of adventures © RODRIGO PHILIPPS then a bit of cross country
won’t do your fitness levels
There’s nothing quite like There's no travelling to the trails there being a lot of purpose- any harm and you’ll end up
waking up to watch the sunrise to be done and no rush to get built gear for bikepacking on seeing some beautiful scenery
over your local hills, cooking up a up to the hills before it gets offer these days and loads of you won’t have come across
pot of coffee and then setting off busy; you’re already there. information online. before. Alternatively, if you’re a
for a day of riding even deeper It can seem like a pretty big leap Do your research, get all the dedicated XC rider, a bit of time
into the wild. to go from a few hours on the equipment together and get on the downhill trails could
There’s something deeply trails to fending for yourself for a outdoors. One trip will likely lead improve your bike handling
meditative and empowering whole weekend. But it’s a lot less to another. skills. Cyclocross can be a good keep your fitness up and weight don’t mind eating substantial
about the whole experience. daunting than it once was, with laugh too and a great way to down in winter, especially if you amounts of mud.

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