Mountain Bike Outing

Where? North Scottsdale Preserves &McDowell Mountain Regional Park

When? December 3 & 4, 2011

Details www.phoenix323.org

AgendaSat 8:00 am Meet at LOM SchoolSat 9:30 am Regroup at Pima Rd/Dixileta trailheadSat 10:00 am Ride startsSat 11:30 am Lunch – pack your own sack lunchSat 1:00 pm Ride continuesSat 3:00 pm Ride reaches 150th St. park entranceSat 4:00 pm Ride ends at park Staging AreaSat 6:30 pm Seasonal feastSunday 7:00 am BreakfastSunday 8:30 am Optional ride on Competitive Long Loop for advanced riders

Break down and clean up campSunday 11:00 am Return back to LOM School

BMX Bike

Small wheels (20”), fat tires

Small, sturdy steel frame

Solid suspension

Mountain/AT/XC Bike

Large wheels (26” & 29”), fat tires

Pneumatic/sprung suspension (front/rear)

Large, sturdy aluminum frame

Single speed Lots of gears (21 - 27)

Large, fragile titanium/carbon-

fiber frame

High handle bars

Level handle bars

Low handle bars

Large wheels (27”), skinny tires

Solid suspension

Few gears (7 - 10)

Road Bike Hybrid/Commuter Bike

Large wheels (26”), medium tires

Lots of gears (21 - 27)

Large, sturdy aluminum frame

Solid suspension

Level handle bars

19th Century Gearing 21st Century Gearing

Uphill Downhill Flat

Chain “Suck”

Start Accelerate Accelerate

Accelerate Accelerate Fast

Basic Maintenance• Ensure your front and rear brakes are properly adjusted. If you hold your bike and try pushing

backwards and forwards with each brake applied in turn, you should skid in one direction, and raise the other end of the bike up in the other direction.

• Check brake cables for fraying, and check brake blocks or disc pads for wear.• Check that your rims are not excessively warped; if you have rim brakes, they will not work well on

warped rims. Minor warps can be corrected by adjusting spoke tension; major warps will require repair or replacement by a competent bike shop.

• Inflate tires properly – see the tire wall for specifications for your tire – too soft or too hard are both unsafe.

• Check that your handlebars are not loose; hold the front wheel between your legs, and try to turn the handlebars; if you can turn them, they need tightening.

• Check that your pedals are not falling apart, or worn so your foot might slip off.• Use reflectors and lights in compliance with the law (front and rear reflectors; front light), but also have a

bright rear light, and reflectors on your wheels and pedals.

Other Bicycle Maintenance• Do your gear sprockets or chain squeak? This is easy to fix; simply add a small amount of lubricant. You

can use ordinary oil, although it tends to attract dirt. WD-40 or a special bicycle chain lubricant is better.• Clunking or clicking may indicate a worn ball bearing in the hub, crank, or pedals. You should get this

checked before it gets too bad, or you may pay for a more expensive repair.• Are you having trouble changing gear? You may need an adjustment to compensate for a stretching or

slipping cable. It could also be due to your chain stretching; if this is the case, you will need a new chain; they are not very expensive.

• Clean your bike after each use – hose it down (no high pressure hoses else water gets in the bearings) and lube the chain and sprockets

Mountain Bike Safety• Wear a proper cycle helmet – head injury is the leading cause of death from bicycle crashes; riders who

don’t wear helmets are 60 times more likely to die in a crash.• Wear glasses – sunglasses or regular spectacles are OK – in the desert you are guarding against stones

kicking up; in trees they protect against branches• Don’t exceed your capabilities – mountain biking is strenuous and dangerous – don’t go fast if you cannot

see ahead, take corners slowly; sit back over the rear wheel when going downhill• Don’t exceed your bike’s capabilities – most mountain bikes are not designed to do jumps; most bikes from

Walmart or Target have a trail life of 100 miles; maintain your bike frequently• Study the trail in guides and maps before setting out• Carry adequate water and energy bars• Ride with a buddy and leave a copy of your itinerary with someone at home• Carry spare tube and chain – these are the most common things to break• Carry tools (adjustable wrench, Phillips screwdriver, tire levers, chain tool, allen wrench), puncture repair

kit and pump• Slime your tires• Inflate your tires to 35 – 40 psi (too low = pinch flat on impact; too high = bursts on impact)• Hang your weight over the rear wheel in sand and gravel, and on steep downhills• Carry basic 1st Aid kit (butterfly bandaid, roll bandage, gauze, wipes, comb, tweezers)• Carry a cell phone – it may work even in remote areas if a cell tower is on top of a mountain with line of sight• Bikes give way to pedestrians and horses; downhill riders give way to uphill riders• Pay attention, and don’t fool around. Falling from a mountain bike hurts – common injuries are road rash,

broken bones (collar bone, arm and shoulder), eye injury (to those not wearing glasses), cactus scars to those going too fast or not paying attention, head injuries to those not wearing a helmet

Road Bike Safety• Wear a proper cycle helmet – head injury is the leading cause of death from bicycle crashes; riders who

don’t wear helmets are 60 times more likely to die in a crash.• Always stop and check for traffic in both directions when leaving your driveway, an alley, or a curb.

Some people in cars just don't see cyclists.• Watch traffic closely for turning cars or cars pulling out of driveways. • Don't ride too closely to parked cars - doors can open suddenly• Ride on the right; it’s the law! Drivers do not expect cyclists on the wrong side of the road, and may not see

them until too late.• Keep close to the side of the road, and watch carefully for potholes, drains, rocks, debris – anything

that might cause you to swerve. (Don’t get so close to the curb, however, that you can only swerve out into traffic.)

• Watch out for loose gravel when you are making a sharp turn, or trying to stop.• Ride in single file except where there is (a) plenty of room, (b) a speed limit of 25 mph or less, and (c) light

traffic. (On our outing, we will ride in single file outside McDowell Mountain Park, but it is OK to ride two abreast inside the park.)

• Tuck in loose items. Take care not to wear any clothes or carry anything that could get caught in the wheels or chain. If wearing long pants, always tuck the right leg into your sock.

• Don’t carry anything in your hands, and don’t wear a heavy backpack. Keep weight as low as possible by using racks and water bottle holders.

• Give clear turn signals early enough so that drivers can understand your plans.• Look behind you before pulling out into the street, turning left, or changing lane .• Make yourself visible, especially at night. Wear something bright and/or light.• Pay attention, and don’t fool around. Many drivers do not notice cyclists, and some don’t like them on the

road, and may try to drive very close to frighten you.

Ride Gear List

• Bike (mountain bike only)– Tires slimed and inflated– Chain lubed– Gears and brakes checked and working

• Helmet – no helmet, no ride• Sunglasses or regular glasses – if not, no ride• Gloves – bike gloves (baseball batters gloves work fine)• Hydration pack with 2 liters of water• Personal first aid kit (including comb and tweezers)• Spare tube• Tire pump• Tire levers• Whistle• Compass• Sunblock

If not – go to a bike store

NOW and get it serviced

Local Bike StoresTry-Me Bicyles – 1514 W Hatcher Rd, Sunnyslope

Exhale Bicycles - 2814 W Bell RdREI - 12634 N Paradise Village Pkwy

Slippery Pig - 5036 N Central Ave

Make sure you know how

to use your gears – do 2 practice rides

Mountain Biking TrainingVideos Online

• Equipment• Maintenance• Clothing• Safety• Trail first aid• Skills

– Basic

– Intermediate

– Advanced

http://www.mountainzone.com/videos/category.asp?cid=100145