Mountain Bike Skills

Launch of Google maps for mountain biking locations

MOUNTAIN bikers are always a little reluctant to get out the OS map and start thumbing through rides, bridleways and footpaths. There's a reason for this: getting stuck on a bridleway that's as thin as a needle with rocks the size Golliath would be scared of, is no fun.

So we've launched a mashup map that anyone can add to, detailing the best rides and where to find out about them.

You can add maps, pictures and coordinates - with a link to details of the ride elsewhere. Happy pinning!

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Open adventure in the West Pennines

Mountain bikers will be heading to the Pennines and Lakes in the coming weeks for a major cross country adventure.

Returning for a 5th series, the Mountain Hardwear Open5 adventure race series takes place in November and December.

The competition is made up of five races in different locations.

The aim of the event is for competitors, who can enter as solos or pairs, to gather as many points in the 5-hour period by bike and on foot.

The terrain will be challenging but this is an area of tremendous beauty.

The new series will start in November and will visit the Lake District, Yorkshire Dales, York Moors, North Pennines and the Peak District.

Those entering all five events will get a real tour of the country and experience some great views and amazing cycling.

Series winners are taken from the best three scores from the five events. Mountain Hardwear is sponsoring the event with over £2500 prizes over the series, with podium winners walking away with over £100 of great kit for getting outdoors.

Tim Higginbottom won the 2007 series.

The dates and venues are:
# North Pennines (Blanchland) - 2nd November
# Lake District (Staveley) - 7th December
# York Moors (Stokesley) - 1st February
# Yorkshire Dales (Malham) - 1st March
# Peak District (Hope) - 5th April 09

For further details and online entry check out www.openadventure.com

Tips for looking after your bike

IF the rain is getting you down and your forks are starting to creak, not to mention the gears jumping every time you want to change up and down - then it's likely you need to start showing your bike a bit of TLC.

The mud might be fun when you are hurtling down the trail, but it's not great when left to harden on all the mechanics of your bike.

Washing it down as soon as you get off the trail is by far the best thing - but if you have to pack it away in the boot of your car before heading home then be sure to follow these tips.

1) scrub the chain
2) degrease the chain
3) wipe the chain
4) lube the chain
5) wipte the cables
6) lube the cables
7) scrub the mech
8) lube the mechs
9) clear out the cables
10) scrub the sprockets

Check out the full post at Bike Radar.

Girl power

It's all about the girls for once thanks to a guided ride for women.

Female riders over the age of 16 can give mountain biking a shot at Cowalfest in Argyll, Scotland on Saturday October 4th.

The ride will be led by Lindsay Moss, a female rider who lives in Glasgow, and follows a route that includes some stunning views, downhills and a stream crossing. There’ll also be a well deserved opportunity for tea and cakes after the ride.

It all gets underway at 10am on Saturday October 4th, starting at the Benmore Garden Car Park near Dunoon. If you’re interested book your tickets via the Cowalfest website.