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Mountain Trail Shorts
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Hiking is yearly increasing in popularity as families and individuals discover this relatively inexpensive way to enjoy nature and get in shape. Though it is true that one can spend hundreds of dollars on high-tech outdoor gear, it is not necessary to have the latest-and-greatest gadgets to get started on the trails. Anyone who is able to walk even a moderate distance, including young children and older adults, can find a trail to match their abilities and fitness levels.
Comfort and safety are very important, and can be the difference between calling it quits after your first hike or pursuing many future outdoor adventures. The following gear list is suitable for an afternoon of exploring well-marked trails, with tips on how to cut down on initial cost.
Clothing
Leave your cotton clothes at home. Wear and take clothing that is made from wool or synthetic material. These materials are still able to keep you warm when wet and dry quickly. Wet cotton can quickly chill you on even a cool summer day, leading to a risk of hypothermia. Search the thrift stores and watch for sales. Outdoor clothing is easily accumulated this way at a minimal cost. You should begin with the following list:
- Hat
- T-shirt/long-sleeve shirt
- Wool/fleece sweater
- Jacket
- Nylon pants/shorts
- Wool/synthetic socks
- Rain jacket
- Extra pair of dry socks
Safety
Even on a short hike a first-aid kit should be included in your backpack. It only takes an hour or two for a blister to begin to develop, or one tumble to scratch your knee. You may either put together your own first-aid kit or buy a ready-made one. A small kit suitable for a short hike close to home will only cost a couple of dollars. For an afternoon hike, include in your first aid kit:
- Bandages
- Antiseptic wipes
- Mole skin
- Antibacterial cream
- A few allergy tabs and
- Tensor Bandage
Other Safety-related items:
- Whistle
- Matches
- Sunscreen
- Insect repellent
- Map and compass
- Small flashlight
- Travel plan left with friend or family member
- At least one hiking partner
Food and Water
For an afternoon of hiking, you do not need to worry too much about specially planning your diet. Raid your pantry for food already on hand and make your own granola bars to keep the cost of food down. Don't forget a bottle or two of water.
- Healthy snacks
- Some sweet snacks
- Extra food
- Water
Footwear
Arguably, the most important gear is what is on your feet. If your feet are miserable, the rest of you will be, too. It is fine to begin your hiking adventures in a good pair of running shoes that fit well, but as the length and difficulty of your hikes increase, along with the load on your back, you will want to invest in a good pair of hiking shoes/boots that will support your ankles. Unfortunately, hiking footwear will probably be the most expensive part of your initial investment, but this is not the place to skimp on quality and fit for the sake of cost. You can start a change jar labeled "Hiking Boot Fund" and throw all your change in there until you are able to afford good footwear.
Backpack
Lastly, you will need something to carry everything you are not wearing. Any backpack you have around the house will serve the purpose until you find something you like better. Hip belts and chest straps are nice and add to carrying comfort, but they are not necessary for a light load. Again, watch for store sales, the classifieds and maybe even the thrift shops for an inexpensive backpack.
The above is a list of physical items you need to start hiking, but perhaps more important than all the right gear is a positive attitude. If you are determined not to enjoy hiking, then spare your trip partners the grousing and stay home. However, if you are willing to give it a chance, pack up your gear, load your friends in the car and head out for an afternoon of fresh air and exercise; you may surprise yourself and find you've discovered a favourite pastime!
Copyright October 2010
Top Five Mountain Bike Holidays
My favourite past-time during the summer holiday is to go for mountain bike holidays, either camping locally where there is a designated spot for bikers, or actually travelling abroad to try out the trails at an exotic location. Holidays like this one keep you active throughout your time out, as well as give you the opportunity to stay active and fit. Furthermore, one can enjoy the beautiful scenery, whilst climbing up the mountain trails.
People who are new to mountain biking, will feel a little overwhelmed by the amount of hills that they are likely to come across when going to a specific location. Morzine in France is known for its bumpy trails, challenging slopes and endless riding, making it more suitable for people who have more experience with difficult trails. This offers a variety of trails, to which some beginners maybe able to appreciate the single track flatland trails.
Morzine is not only well known for its mountain bike holidays, but also for their daring ski slopes and skiing resorts. During the summer this makes an ideal spot for some sporting biking trails. Local villagers are friendly enough to direct you to some of unknown trails, which could be a new challenge for expert bikers looking for more downhill experiences. Morzine is certainly not for the faint hearted and ideal for people looking for biking all day every day.
Another great place for mountain biking is Spain. The trails of Spain offer great riding experiences, including mountain trails by the coast, long cross country road biking and of course no mountain biking holiday is complete without the challenging forest trails where one can practise their jumps. The Costa Le Luz is not a known part of the Andalusia, offering plenty of unspoilt coastline and sunshine. This makes a good taster trip for beginners especially, as they are able to try some mountain trails, which extend further for miles, however, are not so frightening in terms of being steep.
However, if money is tight for you, then taking a weekend break in the UK is probably your next best plan for a good mountain biking adventure. The UK has plenty of short mountain peaks, forest trails and flatland cross country routes to keep you busy during the weekend. Wales, Afan and the Lake District are two of the most popular bike trails, both good for camping and short tuition days. Beginners can be rest assured that the tutors will go through the trails and give you a tour guide of the area, also challenge you a bit further by introducing you to uphill and downhill trails.
Experienced bikers will benefit from the forest trails, with small mounds for jump biking, steep winding single tracks and miles of cross country riding.
Mountain bike holidays are all about honing your skills and enjoying the scenery around you, as well as reaching that goal of either climbing the top peak of the mountain or finishing off your cross country trail. For those looking for a real challenge then perhaps one of the most exciting and thrilling adventure would be further out towards Peru, Ecuador or Brazil. Choose from the single track of Peru or the trails of Chapada Diamantina national park in Brazil; or perhaps you could try biking through the quaint villages and the Andean Highlands of Ecuador.
The great thing about a holiday in Brazil, Peru or Ecuador is that you gain much more satisfaction from learning about the culture, experiencing the life with the locals, experience the natural tropics and taking in the amazing scenery when biking by the mountains.
The best mountain biking holiday would require one to travel further afield into Africa, where beginners through to professionals can sample the everlasting long roads, winding single track mountain routes or ride along through the village on the flatland road surface. One of the most incredible adventures lies in Malawi, whereby bikers can enjoy Africa's Great Rift Valley boasting towering mountains, lush scenery and clear lakes to suit the budding explorer.
Much of the culture, vibrancy and fun trails are situated up north of Malawi, so bikers can try out the shores of Lake Malawi, ride past the sandy beach, ride by the fishing community and even ride through the inland forest.
About the Author
Anna Stenning is a big fan of mountain bike holidays, especially when taking short breaks away for the weekend.
Mountain bike on the road?
Some of my Road riding friends want to get together for a ride, On the road of course. I don't want to put those skinny tires on. (call me vain) but I don't want to use my trail tires. I was looking at the kenda sb8 (dense pattern) tire but someone suggested kenda karma(short knobs).
Has anyone had a similar issue and/or resolution?
ps. maybe I'll run into a mean hobo
Sheldon died? didn't know that, too bad I have been to his site a few times, always seems very educated in the bike field.
Might buy a roadie next year, just bought a new MTB frame to build up.
don't really want to use my Nevegals on the road, btw i love changing tires,(im sick i know) I have different tires for different weather. the road is a new frontier though.
my friends are well aware of my disadvantage, its more of a social thing than a serious road trip.
Panzer - not yet, I bought a 2nd frame instead. "it was on sale" I told my wife. it is last years Kula made for a 29" wheel. I love that frame.
If you don't wanna use skinny tires, you may try some thicker road tires. Just like some SUVs, your bike would still look aggressive, but it would be a decent road vehicle.
At the high end you may find something like Schwalbe Marathon Supreme. It has a standard XC size, light weight and a standard road surface.
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI307A09-Schwalbe+Marathon+Supreme+Tire.aspx
Some light trail or semi slick tires may also work fine
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI405A06-Kenda+Komfort+Tire.aspx
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI400A17-Continental+Town+And+Country+Tire.aspx
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI401D09-Kenda+Kwick+Tire.aspx
http://www.jensonusa.com/store/product/TI401B15-Hutchinson+Acrobat+Tire.aspx
And yes, the Kenda SB8 is also fine for the road, much better than Karma (I've ridden both), but not as good as those above. Anyway, I have ridden on SB8s at 40+ mph on the road with no problem.
Good luck
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