Training....or maybe I could say Improving :)

So I was thinking about writing a little bit about training, but then I realized that I haven't ever trained for a big race or anything! So I decided to change the wording a little to how you could improve your biking skills. Now, I can't say I'm an expert by any means, but I have definitely been able to improve my biking skills from the first few rides I ever went on until now.

So I know that it might sound dumb when I say this, but really the best thing that I've done is ride on different trails and different terrains. We started out riding a lot around this area, for example Bonneville Shoreline trail up behind Weber State, Wheeler's Creek up around the Ogden Canyon area, different trails up at Snowbasin, and Mueller Creek over in Bountiful. These trails are really great and fun, but they aren't very 'hard' if I dare say that. When we went down to Moab, those trails are hard. They have ledges and drop-offs and some are just killers! And really after riding harder trails like that, coming back up to Northern Utah and riding the trails around here, it just seemed like they were easier. It was a fun feeling and made me feel good and let me know that I really was improving.

The last thing I'll say about this is keep exercising during the winter! I know it is hard to do, but that is the best thing to do. You could even just run in the gym or ride the stationary bikes in the Weber gym for example. So keep up the hard work so when Spring comes around we'll be ready to get out riding the trails again!

Much needed Accessories!!

The first bike ride that I ever went on I had my bike and a helmet....needless to say, after the ride I was dying!! Having gone on quite a few rides now, there are some things that I've learned to make the ride a lot more enjoyable. So let's talk about some of the much needed accessories!

First, you obviously need a helmet. And I will talk a little about helmet safety later, and I wouldn't consider this an accessory....this is a necessity! So the first thing I found was a lot easier was having a Camelbak. Water bottles are great, don't get me wrong and for shorter rides around home, a lot of times they are more convenient, but having a Camelbak, especially for those longer rides is a life saver! It really doesn't weigh much and you can get a light weight and relatively inexpensive one for around 30 or 35 dollars. When I have it on, you can barely notice it and along with the water, you can pack an extra tube, energy gels and small tools in case something happens on the trail.

Another thing that makes the ride better are gloves. At first you wouldn't think that they would make a big difference, I sure didn't realize it before using them, but they are awesome! I noticed the biggest difference on the longer rides. They protect your hands from getting blisters and protect you when you fall (because let's be honest, it happens to us all).

The last thing I'd like to mention is an accessory and kind of a little toy. It is a bike computer. It isn't really needed to have a great ride, but it is fun to look at how far you've really gone, how fast and how long you've been riding for. So really you don't need one to enjoy yourself, but it is definitely fun!!

When is the best time to buy a bike?

Now, I wouldn't take this as doctrine or anything, but overall the best time to buy a bike is right now!! November and December are great times to buy bikes because the season is over and a lot of people want to sell the bike they have so that the next season they can upgrade. Now we don't have the time or money to just buy a bike and sell it and buy one the next year and continue this cycle. If you are in the same boat, then now is the time to buy! You can go to bike shops in the area and another great place is KSL.com. It doesn't seem like it but they have some great deals. My husband just bought a 2010 bike for a great deal just because it was the end of the season. Some deals are so good they are almost too good to be true!! Like I said, I'm not saying that this is the only time to look, but during the fall, it is a great time to buy a bike. Sometimes it is hard because you have to wait until Spring to use it, but when that time comes, with the money you could save now, it would be totally worth it!!

Last trip of the season to Moab

So over fall break we went to Moab for the last time this year. It was so much fun, as it always is. We stay in a campground just above the Slick Rock trail and it is just 10 bucks a night per car load! The only downside is that there is no shower, so we have to take a portable one when we go. Overall, just to tell you how cheap the trip was, we spent 150 dollars between my husband and I to go down there with some family. That was for food, gas, and where we stayed, for 3 days in total! Awesome trip and you can plan it super cheap too!

So about the trails. I rode on 3 trails this time around, Slick Rock, Sovereign and one called Monitor and Merrimac. They were awesome trails! Monitor and Merrimac was the shortest of the 3, it was super fun, but last time I had a Full-Suspension and this time a Hardtail....I noticed a difference to say the least. Sovereign was the longest most challenging of the 3. It was definitely fun, and I learned a lot, but it was long and hard and would love to have a Full-Suspension next time for this ride too! The last, but probably my favorite was Slick Rock. It was really smooth overall and pretty much the whole trail is on Slick Rock, hence the name. At first it can be a little intimidating and there are some really steep parts, but it was the best and I'd recommend any of these trails for those that go down to Moab!

Hardtail or Full-Suspension?

HARDTAIL

FULL-SUSPENSION

One of the biggest differences in mountain bikes is whether they are Full-Suspension or a Hardtail. Road bikes are more than anything the same, as in the way they are built. None have shocks on the front or back and so the differences are in the components and the material the frame is made out of (aluminum or carbon fiber). But the difference between a Full-Suspension and a Hardtail are huge. So what is the difference though? A Hardtail mountain bike means that you have a shock on the front, but there isn't one on the back of the bike. A Full-Suspension has a shock on the front and also in the back of the bike (see images).

So if they make 2 different bikes, there has to be pros and cons to both right? We'll start with the Hardtail. These bikes are great for racing because they are lighter and easier to control, two big things needed to help win a race. But the down side is that you can lose momentum and bounce around a lot, if the trail is super bumpy. A Full-Suspension on the other hand has the shock absorber on the back as well and so it makes it easier to have a smoother, more enjoyable ride. The downside though is that it makes the bike heavier and a little harder to control.

Having taken rides on both bikes, the difference is pretty big. Depending on where you ride, if it be on smoother trails like up in Bountiful or crazy rocky ledges in Moab, personally I'd take a Full-Suspension any day. But don't count out the Hardtail, it is a great learning bike and from my little experience at least, it helps you to appreciate the Full-Suspension when you one day get one.