Mountain Bike Outing

1. Where? North Scottsdale Preserves & McDowell Mountain Regional Park When? December 3 & 4, 2011 Details www.phoenix323.org Agenda Sat 8:00 am Meet at LOM School Sat 9:30 am Regroup at Pima Rd/Dixileta trailhead Sat 10:00 am Ride starts Sat 11:30 am Lunch – pack your own sack lunch Sat 1:00 pm Ride continues Sat 3:00 pm Ride reaches 150th St. park entrance Sat 4:00 pm Ride ends at park Staging Area Sat 6:30 pm Seasonal feast Sunday 7:00 am Breakfast Sunday 8:30 am Optional ride on Competitive Long Loop for advanced riders Break down and clean up camp Sunday 11:00 am Return back to LOM School Mountain Bike Outing

2. Mountain/AT/XC Bike BMX Bike Level handle bars High handle bars Small, sturdy steel frame Large, sturdy aluminum frame Lots of gears (21 - 27) Single speed Pneumatic/sprung suspension (front/rear) Small wheels (20”), fat tires Large wheels (26” & 29”), fat tires Solid suspension Road Bike Hybrid/Commuter Bike Large, fragile titanium/carbon-fiber frame Low handle bars Large, sturdy aluminum frame Level handle bars Lots of gears (21 - 27) Few gears (7 - 10) Large wheels (26”), medium tires Large wheels (27”), skinny tires Solid suspension Solid suspension

3. 21st Century Gearing 19th Century Gearing Start Accelerate Accelerate Accelerate Accelerate Fast Downhill Flat Uphill Chain “Suck”

4. 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 Basic Maintenance

5. 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 Mountain Bike Safety

6. 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. Road Bike Safety

7. 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 Ride Gear List If not – go to a bike store NOW and get it serviced Make sure you know how to use your gears – do 2 practice rides Local Bike Stores Try-Me Bicyles – 1514 W Hatcher Rd, Sunnyslope Exhale Bicycles - 2814 W Bell Rd REI - 12634 N Paradise Village Pkwy Slippery Pig - 5036 N Central Ave

8. Equipment Maintenance Clothing Safety Trail first aid Skills Basic Intermediate Advanced http://www.mountainzone.com/videos/category.asp?cid=100145 Mountain Biking TrainingVideos Online