By John Steinert from Juan’s Mountain Sports

What makes a mountain bike different? Well, to begin, let's go way back to the 1970s when some guys with more time than brains began hauling old clunky cruiser bikes with balloon tires up California mountain roads in the back of their pick-up. Once on top, they would rip back down the mountain, losing parts (bike and body) along the way. They would then wait for the pick-up and go again for another downhill run. I think the guy
who always got stuck with driving the pick-up figured out that if he equipped one of these fat-tired bikes with gears he could ride up and down and leave the pick-up at home. Thus was born the mountain bike.

With a mixture of Yankee ingenuity and Japanese parts, the mountain bike has rapidly progressed from its humble (and usually broken) beginnings. Frames are now made of chromium and steel alloys, aluminum and wide handlebars position the rider in a more upright position so you can look at the scenery instead of the road. And, my favorite technological advance, the gel-filled saddle, smoothes out those bumps that used to knock my fillings loose.

Mountain bikes are equipped with precision components that make riding up hills almost as easy as down. Well, maybe not, but you do have up to twenty-one gears that allow you to maintain a steady cadence over a variety of terrain. Click shifters make selecting a gear a cinch. Cantilevered brakes assure quick and controlled stops.

The thing about mountain bikes that appeals to many people is that they take you back to the good ol' days, bringing forth the memories of afternoons spent riding to the creek and lets you forget all the grown-up worries for a while. You feel like you have found an old friend. Except now, the old friend has changed in ways that compensate for the fact you aren’t a kid anymore.

Now that you are thinking like you are a kid again, this is probably a good time to hear a few words from Mom. Things like, don’t ride without a helmet, obey all traffic rules and wear clean underwear in case you have an accident and they have to take you to the hospital. Colorado law treats bicycles as vehicles, with all the rights and responsibilities that go along with it. Ride on the right side of the road with the traffic flow. Always ride in single file as close to the shoulder as possible. Don’t ride on the sidewalk; remember you are a vehicle, not a pedestrian. While you and I know what our rights are as a bicyclist, assume that no one else does and ride defensively. The fact that you had the right of way will provide little comfort when you and your bike are mangled by a truck who thought you didn’t really mean it when you signaled for that left turn. Always make sure that other vehicles are aware of you and understand your intentions.

Riding in the backcountry requires another set of cautions, so let’s listen to another Mom as she tells us about them. Mother Nature says that you should stay on the trail, pack out all your trash, be extra careful around horses you may pass on the trail, and respect private property. Also, be aware that the weather can change quickly in the mountains, so take along rain gear. However, afternoon showers should not be something that stops your ride. There are few things more invigorating than a cool shower while riding back down to the car after a long, hard uphill ride. Just remember to keep your mouth closed or you will eat the mud flying off your front tire.

Newcomers to the area should also be aware that altitude will cause you to sunburn more quickly and make it harder to breathe. Take along a good sunscreen and reapply it during the ride. If you have come from a lower elevation, you may want to wait a day or two before you tackle Elwood Pass. You will be better acclimated to the elevation after a few days which will make tougher rides more enjoyable. Perhaps your first day of riding can be a leisurely trip where you can experience the “Joy of Slow Riding.”

Get in that little chainring and take the time to smell the roses, or coffee, or wildflowers, or whatever you are supposed to smell. Many roads have raspberries growing along side them, and while I always take along a plastic bucket, the raspberries are usually eaten on the spot. Take along your camera and look for wildlife, mushrooms, birds, or scenery. Many animals are more easily approachable on a bike than in a car or even walking. Pack a picnic lunch and take the kids. Mountain bikes designed specifically for kids are available at local bike rental shops. You will be surprised at how quickly the little ones learn to shift and how well they ride up the hills. Take advantage of local guide services that offer well-planned tours specifically suited to your riding abilities. These guides have a variety of tours from family oriented two-hour sunset tours to “pedal-till-ya-die” all day rides.

Mountain biking is different things to different people. But it is
an experience that no one will forget. Whether you are intent on
racking up the miles, or just want to commune with nature, you
can do it on a mountain bike.

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