MountainBikeAZ has mountain bike trail information and reviews by our staff and our readers. Browse through our trails section to find a trail in the area you would like to ride. We rate the trails by skill, effort, type, season and mileage.

Check out our mountain biking photos from around the state. Photos of trails, races and whatever else we point the camera towards. The videos section has videos of trails and racing from around the state, plus videos we have collected around the internet that have to do with cycling.

We have some good articles on cycling and interviews with the pros. We used to have a journalist, but he has moved on to bigger and better things.

Riding a bike has been a major part of our childhood’s for as long as anyone can remember. You will always remember the first time you rode one, the first time you managed to ride on two wheels without assistance, and the bumps and bruises it took to get there. Then the mountain bike came along and enhanced our experience of the bicycle forever.

Whether you are thinking of doing something more physical than playing on partypoker de or watching re-runs of Scrubs, or perhaps you are just curious, it never hurts to learn a few interesting facts. Let us see how much you know about the sport.

- The history of mountain biking dates way back to 1970 in California USA. The origin of mountain biking can be traced to Mount Tamalpais, where the founders of the sport: Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Charlie Cunningham, Tom Richie and Keith Bontrager started it all.

- Original mountain bikes were not designed to ride uphill. Coaster brakes on converted bikes made the original prototypes useful for downhill riding only. Bikes had to be transported up to the tallest point, so they could ride downhill.

- The first ever mountain biking event was won by Netherlands native, Bart Jen Brentjens. It was at the Atlanta Olympics.

- The longest ever mountain bike race in the world, was between Canada and Mexico. The ride was 2700 miles over the continental divide in the Rocky Mountains.

- There are several variations of the sport. They are: winter downhill, free ride, cross country, extreme and endurance. Each type requires different skills, and offers varying experiences. They all have one thing in common though. The adrenaline rush.

- The World’s highest mountain bike race is the Trans Himalayan Challenge. It takes place in the Tibetan area of Mount Everest. The race has an altitude of 17,160ft, and is the most dangerous race a mountain biker can participate in.

Getting home your first mountain bike can be an incredible feeling. However, if you are going to get it the first time, it’s a tough job to do. Though you will hear a lot about getting so and so brand from your friends, but until and unless you have an idea about the basics of mountain bike, it’s difficult to have it. The only way is to sit, relax and work out your need and specifications. Then only you can actually land into a place where the following tips would help you to get the best mountain bike. With these tips, you can make your buying experience fun and enjoyable.

Set your budget first: There is no limit of putting money in getting a mountain bike. To keep things in limit, set your budget, the money you can afford for this. Ones you fix the money you are ready to invest, you can focus on the decided range of bikes. Though you can visit any branded place, however, the local cycle store can be preferred since you can get a mountain bike within your set limit.

The frame size: The size is often a vital part to consider while buying a mountain bike. The road bike frame is generally bigger than the any mountain bike. A thumb rule is the frame of the mountain bike should be around 3 inches smaller than your normal bike frame. It’s imperative to go for a correct size frame, because they give you the right comfort while riding your mountain bike. Make sure you get a bike where small adjustments like adjusting the stem length, angle of seat post; height and so on is possible.

The saddle compatibility: It is vital to get a right saddle since you will be seating for around two hours at least while you ride your bike. Saddle come in different ways for men and women, make sure you opt for the relevant one. When you take a test ride, make sure you check the comfort level of your saddle, get the one which you find yourself the most comfortable.

Cross check the mountain bike components: Before you ride away your mountain bike, make sure you properly check the shifting of the gears. Check its gear ratio; see it moves smoothly and conveniently without any hassle. Check whether the cables, limiting screws, cog and so on is properly fixed in their appropriate ways. Make sure you check the following components neatly:

Brakes: Check them, whether they are smoothly working. See if you are able to lock the wheels mostly using your two fingers. If your bike has V brakes, check the pad alignments in it. Make sure it does not touch the rims when it rotates. Lastly, check the distance between the pads, whether they are same from the rim.

Wheels: Move the wheels of mountain bike and check the one end of the fork or the brake pads. Make sure the distance between the two remains constant. If you do not notice the same that means its alignment is not proper. Ask the man at the store to do the needful. Also check the tires too, you should not see any or very minimal wear on them.

Suspension: You will find the front suspension in the fork of your mountain bike. They are meant for front suspension action. You will find the rear suspension always in the mountain bikes which are full suspension bikes. They are meant to give additional comfort to the rider, which you will not notice in any road bikes. It’s important to check the amount of travel the suspension carries. They are generally 1 to 4 inches which goes as per the bike you select. Check the feel of rear suspension with a proper bike ride. Always opt for an adjustable suspension system, this help you to adjust your bike in different terrains.

Final Word: You cannot decide to have any mountain bike; it requires proper research and hard work. Make sure you have the review of different bikes, before you make your mind for any. Once you decide upon for any particular mountain bike, the points above given would certainly help you in getting the right kind of bike. So whatever way you select your bike, remember the bottom line, it should be good in performance and quality.

About the author: Alia is a blogger by profession. She loves writing on technology and gizmos. Beside this she is fond of reading. These days she is reading a book on landscape design. She recently wrote a fabulous article on electric cars.

Buying a mountain bike may be an ardent task if you are not familiar with what to look for. You need to consider a number of things while choosing the best bike for you. From the brand to the cost to the features, everything is important. Here are some useful guidelines to follow while selecting right mountain bike.

First thing you need to decide is your budget. There are different types of bikes by various manufacturers. Most of these are similar but may vary slightly in their features. If you have a fixed budget, get one that satisfies your requirements considering your budget also. Mass-produced ones can be bought for about $300. For high-end models, you may have to shell out a few thousands.

Durability and stability are the crucial things. When you buy cheap bikes, they may not be very strongly built. They may not offer you the stability and strength you are looking for. Since you will be riding on unstable roads, you need to have strong and stable bikes. It may not be comfortable too.

The most important factor to check is the comfort. You have to be comfortable while riding the bike. Look for one with a comfortable seat. If you are not able to sit comfortably then your ride will not be fine. If you buy cheap bikes, they may not have the basic features like suspension. This can make your ride very uncomfortable and difficult. Buy the best type of bike your money can afford.

Consider the frame of the bike. Most of the bikes have frames made of steel or aluminum. Bikes with aluminum frames come with inexpensive price. If you are a beginner, traditional diamond frames are the best. However, they do not allow full suspension. Bikes that come with rear suspension have modified frame, without the vertical tube under the seat. Rear suspension is necessary to make your ride comfortable and ready for all kinds of hard terrain.

Choose a bike that is fit for you. As a general rule, the mountain bikes have to be smaller than your regular road model. If you are familiar with the size of your road bike, choose a mountain bike that is smaller by two inches.

The length is also very important. Consider how you wish to ride by sitting up right or in a low position. If you choose low handle bars, they provide maximum speed. They may not be comfortable if you have back problems or are short.

If you are not sure about the position, try various bikes and see which is comfortable. Try various brands also and consider the above mentioned factors. They will be useful for choosing the best mountain bike. If you are a beginner, look for efficiency and not costly components. If you want to go uphill, downhill and flat trails, choose cross-country bikes. They are made of lightweight components and have the front suspension system only. If you are interested only in downhill rides, look for those with dual suspension systems.

About the author: Alia Haley is a blogger who is also a technology freak. She loves blogging on automobiles and tech innovations. She also happens to be a nature lover and hence, is a big fan of the cars based on the concept of green design.

Introduction
Mountain biking is an exciting and exhilarating sport enjoyed by many people across the world. It is an interesting sport because you can enjoy cycling on different kinds of difficult terrains. If not done properly, it can be dangerous too. If you want to become a mountain biker, you have to consider various things to be safe and improve your performance. The best way to learn more about the sport, is to go through various sports magazines that have a lot of information about mountain biking. You can also browse the internet for a lot of information. If you are a beginner, here are some important tips for you.

1. Do some research
To know more about your new-found interest, you have to do a lot of research. Read specialty magazines and browse internet websites that are dedicated to mountain biking. You will be able to get a lot of important information on the sport. When you are loaded with information you will be able to know what to look out for in the sport and what kind of bike to buy etc.

2. Buy an appropriate bike
The most important thing is to get the right kind of bike. You should be comfortable using it. The mountain bikes come in various models and sizes with different specifications. Since you are a beginner, there is no need to get the most expensive types. Look for affordable models. Choose a model that has a comfortable seat. Commencal bikes are good for the beginners. They can be used both by beginners and advance level riders.

3. Learn to ride the bike properly
If you have bought a Commencal bike then your ride may vary greatly from the normal road bike. You have to learn to use all the controls properly especially, the brakes. You may feel that it is easy. But riding downhill fast may be a bit challenging. If you are not thorough with the bike, you may injure yourself.

4. Select the right trails
Since you are a beginner, the initial rides are very important. When you are engaged in mountain biking you will not be riding the normal flat roads. The surface will mostly be unstable. There are trails that are rated according to the difficulty levels. First, try the simple ones and gradually progress to the difficult levels.

5. Find other riders
Instead of riding alone, it is a good idea to find other riders for company. This is beneficial because you can take their help in case of injuries or any other assistance. It will also be more exciting to ride along with a companion. When you have a companion you can safely advance to difficult levels too. If you wish to ride alone, leave a map of your trail, take a first aid kit and inform your friend about where you are going and when you will be returning. This is for safety purposes because if you do not return on the specified time someone can come looking for you.

Conclusion
Mountain biking is truly an exciting and challenging sport. If you follow the guidelines properly there are less chances of getting injured or contacting other problems. Ensure that you take all safety measures so that you have a safe experience too. Overall, it is an interesting activity that can provide you a lot of enjoyment.

Trek Dirt Series Mountain Bike Camps – Fruita, Colorado September 24-25, 2011

The Trek Dirt Series has recently opened registration for their women’s specific and co-ed mountain bike skills camps, offering confidence building and inspiring learning opportunities throughout Western Canada and the US.

The camps are open to beginner, intermediate, and advanced riders, and cover techniques from basic front wheel lifts and switchback turns to technical climbs, descents, and drops.

The program includes skill development sessions in the mornings, instructional rides in the afternoons, and bike maintenance clinics, food, and drinks in the evening.

Operating for over a decade, the Trek Dirt Series has an outstanding reputation for professional and motivating instruction, and for delivering new skills that make riding more fun than ever.

If you’re at all inclined, or if you know of someone who might be, visit www.dirtseries.com for more details.

Way Back Home is the incredible new riding clip from Danny MacAskill, it follows him on a journey from Edinburgh back to his hometown Dunvegan, in the Isle of Skye.

Our team Jass Racing won 3rd place in the corporate division this weekend at the Dawn to Dusk Mountain Bike Race at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. Our team was awesome! The weather was perfect! The competition was fierce! The event was sold out!

The competition was tougher than expected. We were in 6th place for most of the day. With our goal to make the podium, we really started to put the hammer down and gaining valuable time back.By our 8th lap we were in fourth place and five minutes out of 3rd place. Wyll cranked out a one hour lap to pull us within about 30 seconds of 3rd place. For our 9th and final lap, the 3rd place team rider left about 30 seconds in front of Jay and the 5th place rider left about 20 seconds behind Jay. The battle was going to be between 3rd, 4th and 5th place.

About 1 mile into the 9th lap, Jay passed the 3rd place rider without a problem, but then about 1/2 mile later, the 5th place rider caught and passed Jay. Jay jumped onto his wheel and followed him up the 6 mile climb. They battled it out switching places for another 8 miles. Within the final mile, the 5th place team rider dropped his chain and Jay pulled away for our 3rd place victory. Jay’s final lap time was a blistering 57 minutes flat. The fastest lap for our team all day.

Thanks to DCB Extreme Adventures for putting on such a great event! Can’t wait until next year!

Every summer, Maricopa County Parks and Recreation put on night rides at McDowell Mountain Regional Park, Estrella Mountain Park and San Tan Mountain Regional Park. These rides are great! Make sure you bring a high powered light, helmet and plenty of water. Also, make sure you bring a little cash with you, because each park has a vehicle parking fee. These aren’t guided tours, but the trails are marked well and volunteers will sweep the course at the end of the night. Every rider needs to be off the trail by 9:30pm.

See the schedule and more AZ Mountain Bike Races and Rides

Had a great mountain bike ride today on the competitive loop out at White Tank Regional Park with Ben and Wyll. The trail is in very good shape. We rode 21 miles which was 3 laps non-stop. It took me about 7 miles to warm up, feeling very sluggish at the beginning. Both of Ben and Wyll are very strong and fast. If you chase those 2 around, it will only make you faster. I felt like my training wasn’t progressing very well trying to hang on to their wheels, but by the end of the 3 laps I felt pretty good, except for a cramp coming on in my right quad. The trail only has about 570 feet of climbing per lap, but it takes adds up after 3 laps. The switchback climb at 3.5 miles is very steep and gets pretty difficult on the 3rd lap.

I have been training for the 24 Hours of Fury mountain bike race coming up on November 6th, 2010 at McDowell Mountain Regional Park. This was a great training ride. My training has not been where I want it to be, but I am fit enough to at least survive the race.