Category Archives: riding skills

Inner Tube Towing System

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My son is almost 10 years old now, and I’ve been wanting to get him up on the singletrack. A good portion of our local trails aren’t too technical, and are easy enough for kids; however, there is still is still quite a bit of steep climbing in sandy conditions. I thought of driving halfway up the mountain, but then he’d be missing some of the best downhill. What to do? I remembered something I had seen a couple years ago, and decided to give it a try.

Kid Ride
At the Trailhead

A couple years ago, I saw a lady towing her son up the hill using inner tubes as a flexible tow strap. I couldn’t remember exactly how she had it setup, so I experimented at home in the drive way. Here’s what I came up with. We’ll call it the Inner Tube Towing System, or ITTS for short.

Kid Ride
ITTS – Inner Tube Towing System

I have a hoard of “to-be-patched” inner tubes sitting in my garage. I took two of these old tubes from the pile to make my ITTS. The first tube was simply placed over my seat and held by tension to the seatpost. When stretched, it clears the rear tire with plenty of space. The second tube was folded over the inside of the first tube like a taco. Each end of the second tube was placed around a side of the handlebars, and moved towards the center near the stem. Done. Easy to install and take off.

Kid Ride
Free climbing without the aid of the ITTS

I thought my geared bike would be great for towing, but grabbed one of my single speeds since it was ready to go. I was surprised how smooth the towing was, even with the tall gearing of the single speed! There was no complaint from my son either, and he was able to pedal without being jerked all around the trail. We had difficulty in a couple of the big dips, as there was a little too much accordion action happening as I climbed out while he was dropping in. For the most part though, we powered right up the steeper spots as easy as we would on our tandem.

Kid Ride
Break Time

Like I mentioned earlier, the ITTS uninstalls quickly, and is easily stowed in a pack. This turned out to be great for my budding mountain biker, as I wanted to give my son a crack at some of the easier hills. We both had more fun this way, and I wasn’t stuck pedaling the dead weight of the tandem bike either.

Kid Ride
We made it to the top!

It wasn’t long before we got to the top of the trail, and I was surprised how easy we got up there. My son was having fun, and wasn’t burned out from too much climbing. He got to practice his shifting and climbing skills all on his own too.

Kid Ride
Yeah! Singletrack!

Once at the top, the ITTS never came out of the pack again. My son got to ride all the way back down the hill on his own, and he was having a blast! He was actually going a little too fast for my comfort level, so I got up in front of him and set the pace. This seemed to work out good, since I knew where the tricky sections were, and could get the speed down to a safe level to better negotiate the trail when needed.

Kid Ride
And there he goes…

We only had one wipe-out on the way down, but he jumped to safety instead of hitting the dirt. He seemed to think this was pretty cool though, and talked about the crash for quite some time after! I would definitely use the ITTS again, and it really has me thinking of all the trails we can do now. Flume Trail? I bet we could.

The ITTS worked out pretty well for slow gentle climbing, but as I mentioned, it was pretty jerky in the big dips. I recommend only using this method for smooth climbs and for speeds up to 5mph. Anything else would probably be too dangerous. This method would probably work pretty well for towing a buddy with a broken drive train as well. If you had some flat miles to cover, it would be much easier than walking.

Riding Switchbacks

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Singletrack switchbacks are one of the more challenging obstacles you encounter when out on the trail.   While many obstacles you encounter allow for different shades of success, switchbacks are more black and white.  It seems you either make it or you don’t.  Here are some tips to help your ride them successfully.

DESCENDING

Riding down a tight switchback requires little to no pedaling, and is a good way to practice your technique.  With gravity on your side, you just need to concentrate on your line and your balance.   In the following photo sequence, Scott Russel shows us the proper way to execute a descending left turn switchback.

Switchback

Entering the Switchback:  Switchbacks are very tight turns, so you need to utilize as much of the trail as possible for your turn.  If you take the inside line, you’ve just shaved off 2 or 3 feet of  available trail.  As you approach the switchback, head towards the outside of the trail.  You’ll probably notice a wide spot on the outside line right before the turn.  Riders are using this little section to swing even wider, and maximize the turning radius.  In the photo above, Scott is preparing to make a left hand turn.  He actually swings his front tire to the right near the bush to get the front tire as far to the outside as possible before starting the left turn.  His eyes are scanning the turn for the best line.

Switchback

The Turn:  As you enter the turn, you want to start cutting the turn as tightly as possible.   Try to visualize getting your rear wheel as close to the inside of the turn as you can.  Your front wheel swings a big arc while the back wheel pivots around the inside.

The other important thing in the turn is balance.  Some switchbacks are so tight that your bike is barely moving.  You are getting very little gyroscopic effect from the wheels, so your balance is coming almost entirely from proper body position.  In the photo above, notice that Scott’s body is upright and his body weight is centered over the bike.  He’s leaning the bike slightly into the turn, and he’s got a finger on the front and rear brake to precisely control his speed.  Also notice he’s looking down the trail where he hopes to be in a few moments.  Keeping your head up and your eyes down the trail will help your balance and pull you to where you want to go.

Switchback

Finishing the Turn:  As Scott finishes the turn, his rear wheel is still on the inside of the turn, and his front wheel is still taking advantage of the whole outer side of the trail.  His body position is the same as it was in the middle of the turn, but he’s getting ready to straighten the bike up, get off the brakes, and flow out of the turn.

ASCENDING

You use the same technique to ascend switchbacks, but without gravity on your side, you must pedal to keep your momentum while trying to maintain balance throughout the turn. This can be particularly difficult when you’re winded, and sometimes you have to time your pedal strokes to keep from hitting trail obstacles. This takes a lot of practice, but is made easier if you’re taking the right line and using the techniques above.

PRACTICE

The photos above were taken on the Evidence Trail in Ash Canyon.  There are several switchbacks on this trail, and each one seems to have its own unique challenge.   This is a great place to practice your descending and ascending switchbacks, as the trail is not too steep.  There are a couple turns that give me fits when ascending.  If I have extra time, I’ll stop and practice them until I get it right.  There was one particular turn that I just couldn’t seem to master climbing, and I knew I was taking a bad line.  So one time, I rode down it and marked where I was putting my wheels.  I climbed it using my descending line, and I made it!

What tips would you add for negotiating switchbacks?  Have you mastered all the switchbacks on the Evidence Trail?

Bicycle Commuter Classes

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Commuter Education Classes for Bike to Work Week!

Just in the last week, I’ve seen several incidents of unsafe cycling around town. Most notably, I’ve had cyclists riding against traffic straight toward me on my narrow share of the road. I’ve also seen many examples of riding the sidewalks. These riders are just trying to be safe, but in reality, they are riding unpredictably and could cause serious accidents. Thankfully, a little bicycle safety education can go a long way to keeping you safe on the road.

Can you spot the safety hazard in this photo?

Muscle Powered‘s Dan Allison will be giving two bicycle commuter classes this week. These events do not depend upon each other, you may take one or both. Come down and learn some cycling skills for next week’s Bike to Work Week (May 17th- 21st)! There is no charge, both classes are FREE.

Commuter Bike Rodeo, Thursday, May 13, 5:30–7:00PM, Curry & Third parking lot

Learn and practice skills for safe and enjoyable bike commuting. Bike and helmet required – you will be riding your bike and must sign a League of American Bicyclists educational course waiver. This class works for beginners and is a good refresher for experienced bicyclists. Limited to 10 people – sign up by emailing LCI instructor Dan Allison at allisondan52@gmail.com.

• starting/stopping
• straight line/gears
• scan drill
• scan/signal/turn
• rock dodge
• avoidance weave
• and for fun, a slow race

Commuter Class, Friday, May 14, 5:30–7:00PM, Comma Coffee courtyard

Learn about and discuss tips for making your bike commute safer and more enjoyable. Bikes not required.

• Why commute?
• Which bike?
• Helmets
• Commuting routes
• Bicycle handling skills
• Riding in traffic
• Hazards
• Clothing
• Bicycle security
• Back up plan
• ABC Quick Check
• Lights
• Encouragement

May is Bike Month in Carson City

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May is Bike Month! Here’s a summary of what’s going on in Carson City during this month long celebration of the bicycle. For complete details including dates, times, and locations, please visit our Google Calendar. Make sure you check the latest details before heading out. We will also promote each event on the blog a day or two in advance to help you remember.

bm2.jpg
May is Bike Month!

Bike Month 2010

  • April 29th – (Almost) Full Moon MTB Ride
  • May 2nd – 3rd Annual Tour of Carson from Bike Habitat
  • May 13th – Bike Rodeo with Dan Allison
  • May 14th – Commuter Clinic with Dan Allison at Comma Coffee
  • May 15th – Movie Night at Capitol Automotive
  • May 17th – 21st – Bike to Work Week including the Corporate Commuter Challenge
  • May 17th – Commuter Libation at the Feisty Goat
  • May 18th – Flat Tire Fix at the Bike Smith
  • May 19th – Downtown Family Cruiser Ride
  • May 21st – Bike to Work Day FREE Coffee Stations
  • May 21st – BTWW Party at the Firkin and Fox
  • May 27th – Full Moon MTB Ride

Winter Hydration

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Have you ever returned from a winter ride and discovered that little or no water was missing from your water bottle? The body mechanism that gets us to reach for the water bottle in the summer heat doesn’t seem to work when the weather is really cold. But even though we don’t feel as thirsty during these winter months, we need to make sure we are properly hydrated. In fact, staying hydrated in the winter is just as important as it is in the summer.

Snow Commute
Don’t forget to hydrate in the Winter!

I was reading a backpacking guide earlier this year, and I came across some excellent cold weather advice that I tucked away in my memory for winter. In Ray Jardine’s book, The PCT Hiker’s Handbook, he had this to say about cold weather hydration:

In alpine conditions, hikers must be particularly careful to avoid dehydration. As they breathe cold air, their lungs exude additional moisture used to warm the air. And breathing heavily in cold air exacerbates the moisture losses. Furthermore, water’s vapor pressure is lower at higher altitudes, resulting in increased evaporation within the lungs. The resulting dehydration hampers circulation and the body’s ability to warm its extremities. Therefore, drinking copiously is essential in preserving body warmth while hiking in wintry, alpine climes.

The last two sentences in Jardine’s quote above really got me thinking. Keeping fingers and toes warm during winter cycling is tough, but staying well hydrated will help. You can think of water working in your body the same way coolant/antifreeze works in engines. A properly hydrated body will help keep you cooler in the summer, and warmer in the winter.

Snow Commute
Snowy bicycle commute

I’ve found that one of the reasons I don’t drink as much as I should in the winter is that water in the bottle gets uncomfortably cold to drink. I can only sip it at best without getting brain freeze.  I’ve started thinking of ways I can hydrate better without forcing myself to drink freezing water.

Drinking a lot of water a couple hours before you go out riding would be beneficial. This would prevent you from starting the ride in an almost dehydrated state. There are also a number of insulated bottles and CamelBak style drink systems designed to keep your water cool in the summer. I imagine they’d work in the winter the opposite way, by keeping your water from getting too cold or frozen.

What are your ideas for keeping properly hydrated during the winter?

Turning Technique – Cornering Skills to Make You a Faster Rider

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Today’s long travel mountain bikes do a great job of eating up bumps on the trail, enabling even the novice mountain biker to ride faster than on bikes from a decade ago. But if you go on a group ride, you’ll find that suspension doesn’t have much to do with who the fastest riders are. Singletrack is full of twists and turns, and it’s the riders who have mastered the art of corning that are the fastest.

Scott Russel railing a high speed sandy turn

When we first learned to ride bikes, we were taught to lean with the bike when turning. But leaning is only part of the cornering equation. Simply leaning with the bike when going through a turn unweights the portion of the tire that is in contact with the ground, pushing the tire in the opposite direction that you’re leaning.  Here are some cornering skills that will make you a faster rider.

Proper Body Positioning and Balance – For maximum traction in a turn, the rider must lean the bike over, while at the same time keep their upper body more upright. Most mountain bike tires have very aggressive side knobbies, and keeping the upper body more upright will drive the knobbies down into the dirt for maximum traction. The faster or flatter the turn, the more you have to emphasize your body positioning. Sliding your butt over to the outside edge of the seat through a turn helps get your body in the proper position to weight the tires. Use your arms to get the bike leaned over while keeping your weight over the front tire. Keeping your weight properly balanced between the front and back tires is also important.

Look Through the Turns (photo by Scott Russel)

Stay Off the Brakes – Another key to turning is to stay off the brakes as much as possible. Braking in a corner can slide the tires, but it also changes your weight distribution on the bike. This effect is amplified on a suspension bike; upon braking, your body weight is thrust forward,  the front suspension is compressed, and the geometry of the bike changes. To keep from braking in a turn, get your braking done before you enter the turn.  And as a bonus, if you’re not on the brakes through a turn, your perfect balance and control will allow you to start pedaling after the apex of the turn and accelerate out of the corner.  The more you ride, the easier it’ll be to gauge how much speed you can carry through a turn.

Look Through the Turn – As you’ve discovered while riding, sometimes not under the best of circumstances, your front tire will go in the direction you are looking. Look off the trail or at a rock, and that’s where your bike goes! The same is true for corning. Look towards the exit of the turn, and that’s where you’ll go. Use your peripheral vision to keep an eye on the obstacles in front of you. This can really help on singletrack in overgrown grass. If you wanted to see the trail in this situation, you’d have to look almost directly down in front of you, and this makes it hard to turn. It takes a little faith, but you can look through the turn and see where the trail is going by the break in the grass.

Riding smooth through twisty singletrack is fastest

Ride Smooth – One way I like to practice my corning technique is to find a stretch of singletrack with a gentle descent and try to go as fast as I can without using the brakes. This forces me to balance to the best of my abilities through the corner, and ride smooth without constantly changing between acceleration and braking. While powerful braking and hard acceleration looks really fast, riding smooth is faster. You’ll have more traction, you’ll be less fatigued, and the trail will be in better shape from not skidding.

While this article primarily focuses on mountain biking, it also applies to biking on the road.  Getting your body weight over those skinny road tires is equally important.   Take advantage of your bicycle commute or road ride to practice body positioning around the corners.

I hope you enjoyed this skills tip.  Let me know how it works for you. Did I leave anything out? What other riding skills would you like to learn more about?