What mountain biking gear do you need to get to be ready to ride safely and comfortably on any terrain? Here’s a guide to what mountain biking gear you need to get including 20 things you’ll need to be ready, comfy, and safe to ride your mountain bike. So you’re excited and ready to ride your mountain bike. Whether it’s your first mountain bike ride, or your 1000th, getting the gear your need will make your ride more safe, comfortable, and fun! Prepping for a ride takes time and the more you prep in advance, the easier it is to get ready to hit the trail. Note: Best for recreational or social ride vs competitions (that’s another list!). Mountain Biking Checklist
Mountain bike with seat dropper, full suspension, disc breaks, 27 or 29-inch wheels, tubeless tires, water bottle cage (optional) if you prefer wearing a hydration pack on your back or waste like a Camelbak). My bike: Santa Cruz Tallboy CC
Helmet with MIPS for head safety, regular or choose a full-face if you’re into faster downhill riding.
Short-sleeved riding jersey like the Pearl Izumi Women’s Sugar Jersey that you can get at Sports Basement with pockets for holding your water bottles, food, and phone. Get long-sleeved riding shirts/Jersey-like Merino wool long-sleeved layers for colder, wetter, darker temps. If it looks and feels great, and isn’t too hot as you start your ride, you’re good. Pro-tip: Bring an extra 7shirt that’s dry if it’s raining or you’re just sweating a ton!
Riding vest, windbreaker, or jacket for colder days or evening rides. Insulation again the cold is good. Rain-proof.
Riding shorts with shams like the Fox Women’s Flexair Shorts. Or winter riding pants in colder weather for 55 degrees or cooler, otherwise you could probably ditch the winter pants.
Long winter pants for colder days like Specialized riding pants which I got at the Trail House in Santa Rosa. preferably with lots of big pockets that aren’t designed for a baby mouse. You can store your food and phone are usually in these big pockets, especially the latest specialized MTB riding pants. Maybe show the latest specialized in a beautiful ivory color long-sleeved shirt and pants that are really.
Riding gloves. Fox, Fast House and many others makes some great gloves that are durable, comfy and keep your hands safe and warm.
Mountain biking shoes either flats or clipped in shoes. Flats shoes are not attached to the peddles, while clips are attached. Personally, I prefer Adidas 5 women’s mountain biking flats, even though I may be sacrificing from peddle power and exerting more energy, especially if I am tired, but I love the comfort of being able to put my feet down more easily and quickly in flats.
Trail Snacks. Gu energy gels, Clif bars like Cool Mint, Clif Protein Builder bars or Block Chews, Lara bars that come in delicious flavors like blueberry, banana break, apple and more can all be bought at most sporting good stores, bike shops, or on Amazon. Save money and buy cheaply in bulk especially if you’re consuming 60 snacks per month like me! Depending on how many calories you burn during a ride and how long your ride is going to be calculate how many snacks you’ll need. Typically 200 too 1400 calories per hour is good to eat packed with nutrients and proteins and quick sugars to keep you going.
Riding backpack or Fanny pack like a Camelbak Rogue with lightweight design and a built-in water bladder that makes it easy to drink from the tube without stopping your ride and can hold up to 3 litters of water. You will want 1 litter of water per hour while riding. It’s convenient for bringing along your phone, food, universal tool, small bike pump, bandages, phone, sweat rag, extra shirt and other items.
Riding glasses and/or goggles. lots to choose from just make sure you can see in changing light conditions, cold, rain and wind. Bring a wipe to keep clean and clear.
Mountain biking socks. You’ll want to get mountain biking socks that are high enough to protect your shins from impacts like pedal strikes and other impacts while keeping you warm on colder days or evening rides. Merino wool hiking socks at REI or Sports Basement are also great when wearing flat mountain biking shoes, especially in colder weather and will keep your feet dry and snug. Buying multiple pairs is smart and helpful if you are riding a few days in a row to avoid doing lots of laundry, and avoiding stinky socks!
Headphones or earbuds for listening to music or taking calls on the go.
Bike computer such as a Wahoo or Garmin. I prefer the Garmin and tested the GPS on both simultaneously for one week to compare the GPS accuracy and records indicated the Wahoo won.
Hot hand warmer packets if it’s really cold to warm up quickly.
Headlamp and bike lamp combo like the NiteRider Lumina Micro 900 if you run out of sunlight on these short winter days.
Big and Small Bike Pump just in case you get flat like the Leznye Floor Pump or the Top Peak small bike pump kit with Universal Tool small bike pump that you can attach to your bike or put in your bike pack.
GoPro (optional) camera such as the new GoPro Hero 11 Black to capture all your epic adventures!
Cozy changeout clothes like a sweat shirt, sweatpants, and flipflops that are easy to change into.
Bike box like a durable plastic milk crate size bin or basket with handles to make it easy to transport and organize all your gear from your house to your ride site if you’re driving to your ride location. Keep a plastic bag with your changeout clothes and extra shoes like flip flops so you’re not cold and wet after your ride. This may be the most important item on this list, especially if you’re meeting up for a post-ride beer with your friends and family!
Given all of the insane precipitation we have received over the last three months, a great trail work topic to discuss is how to prevent trail erosion mitigation. This is a huge topic, especially for me and the Pedal Forward team as avid mountain bikers who want to protect and maintain the trails we love to ride. With so many many ways to prevent trail erosion, we’ve assembled a list of 7 Drain-Building Tips to guide you on how to build drains to move flowing water off the trail to effectively prevent trail erosion. Here are five things to keep in mind when building a drain.
7 Drain-Building Tips to Prevent Trail Erosion
A drain helps to divert water off a trail to minimize erosion and ruts. Water will take the path of least resistance, so a drain is essentially an attempt to create that path. It is often a strategically placed mound of dirt or ditch that crosses a trail.
As water flows down a trail and hits the drain, it should hit the drain at about a 45-degree angle. A 90-degree angle (perpendicular to the trail) is too abrupt.
Water has to be able to actually flow off the trail. Thus the drain should be placed where there is at least a 15-degree out slope.
A drain should fan out more and more as it exits the trail, creating plenty of room for sediment, leaves, sticks, and so forth to collect over time. This organic matter will need to be cleared from time to time. At least twice a year, but more so according to the weather. Heavy rain? Clear those drains ahead of time.
Imagine water flowing down a trail during a rainstorm. Will the current drain adequately capture that water and divert it off the trail, or is water likely to simply flow over the drain and keep going? If you have just built a new drain, it probably needs to be wider.
The frequency of drains is influenced by the grade of the slope. Consider a drain every 10 feet of elevation change (NOT every 10 feet of the trail!). Try to place drains above important features to reduce water’s effects.
It is a LOT easier to keep drains clear and maintained than to fix ruts.
Yoga asana (postures) creates balance, improves flexibility, and helps you be more resilient on your bike, whatever the season. Sequences are designed to improve overall flexibility and help specific activities like cycling, hiking, and climbing. Whatever your sport or goal, yoga will help balance your fitness. As riders, we know how essential balance is.
Traditionally, Hatha Yoga pairs postures with breathing techniques. Many of the yoga styles like Ashtanga, Restorative, Vinyasa, 26/2, etc.—fall under the umbrella of Hatha, meaning HA (Sun) THA (moon). Yoga is balance in your body, left/right, back/front, mind/body.
For cyclists, your body can get conditioned in the saddle. Recovery becomes essential to counter the static positions from cycling. As modern humans, we often find ourselves in static positions driving and working at screens. Practice can benefit daily life as well as recreation.
In my classes, I like to focus on traditional sequences with add-ons for a specific body area like hip & heart openers. For example, other classes will focus on standing balance, inversions, knees & feet, or shoulders. We will start with sun salutes and work our way to the floor for deep, relaxing postures to savasana (final meditation). The goal of practice is to reach a meditative state which goes back to the idea of overall balance.
Classes are mixed levels of ability that offer instruction from basic to advanced alignment of each posture. A common mistake is to focus on poses you do well and skip the challenging poses. You will learn to reverse that thinking, often making the pose you never thought possible comfortable. In this way, you will build an all-over body practice that is balanced and fun.
If you are trying the yoga/cycle combination for the first time, we welcome you.
I am an active person who understands the basics of yoga asana and body dynamics. We will start at a safe level and work to find a fun, challenging practice. I recommend you try to be consistent. I guarantee you will notice a difference in your body and your rides in as soon as thirty days. Yoga is ageless, and I hope you discover a lifetime practice for overall health.
At Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure we strive to be more than just a bike shop. We care about your health and hope to inspire you to ride more often and take more adventures. To that end, we are thrilled to begin offering a weekly yoga class being on Wednesday, February 16 from 6:15 PM to 7:30 PM. We will share more details soon.
There are many benefits to cyclists that practice yoga. With a regular yoga practice you will improve your core strength, increase your focus and relaxation while riding, reduce your risk of injury, enjoy more efficient breathing and many other benefits which we will share in future blogs.
Barbara is Let’s learn more about your instructor Barbara Ezell.
YOGA IS PART OF MY EVERYDAY LIFE!
Barbara Ezell
My practice has helped me grow stronger, flexible, and fearless on and off the mat for over twenty years. I love to learn and have practiced Anusara, Hatha, 26/2, Ashtanga & Vinyasa styles with workshops in meditation and pranayama breathing techniques. I plan to keep learning, and I am grateful to all my teachers.
ABOUT MY CLASSES
My classes combine knowledgeable sequencing that deepens practice while building strength and flexibility. I share with students how asana practice can create a nourishing healthy balance in body and mind. You should expect a good workout with a playful attitude. All levels of flexibility and yoga experience are welcome. I will modify yoga positions for less flexible or those that can not safely perform a pose.
EXTENSIVE FORMAL TRAINING
Most recently, in 2019, I became a 500 hour Registered Yoga Teacher (RYT) Certified Yoga Instructor. I completed this advanced training at TheraYoga Method & BodyWork in Arcata, CA. RYT is a distinction given to yoga teachers whose training and teaching experience meet Yoga Alliance requirements. An RYT must complete training with a Registered Yoga School (RYS), be confirmed by Yoga Alliance, and be current with annual fees and Continuing Education. Also, in 2019, I completed RYT 300 hour TheraYoga Method in Arcata, California. Previous training includes the following:
2013: Completed 200-hour RYT training with YOGA WORKS at Kalani, Hawaii. 2016: Completed a Registered Prenatal Yoga Training (RPYT) at Yoga Garden San Francisco, California. Member of Yoga Alliance.
WHAT TO EXPECT IN MY CLASSES?
Primarily yoga is learning how to control breathing to create balanced strength. Breath is paramount. Students will learn to calm their minds while challenging the body. The benefits are limitless, from a simple weekly practice to those who choose a daily commitment. I’m a strong and capable instructor and you can rest assured as I’m an insured and give individual attention. I’ve been teaching in Oakhurst, Arcata, Fortuna, Avalon & Eureka, California. I look forward to meeting and practicing with you at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure.
“Greenwashing” is when a company wants to appear “green.” They put a green leaf on their packaging, or they say that their product is “eco-friendly” or “natural” (plastic is also natural). However, these companies do not back up their claims of being green with any data or environmental studies.
When I was the Environmental Manager at Tenaya Lodge, I was cautious to “do what I preach.” As a co-owner of Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, I have that same commitment.
Since day one, I have been very concerned with operating our business responsibly and with whom we will do business. I have been happy to find bike companies doing their part with solid sustainability goals and practices.
Companies like PNW refuse to use any plastic in their packaging, and Portland Design Works partners with ecological non-profits by sending part of their profits to support these organizations.
Also, at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, we use solvents and cleaners that are 100% biodegradable, like Simple Green, plant-based chain lubes from Mountain Flow. We are considering reducing our water consumption with an Eco-parts washer with biodegradable solvents and a bike wash cleaner from Muc-off.
We buy locally and invest locally: Every time we have to make t-shirts, signs, get coffee, or anything for the shop, we first search to work with small local businesses like us, as we stated in our commitment.
2. We purchase bamboo toilet paper and paper towels with oils, but we also reuse and wash our shop rags.
3. We invest in our community: we are working with the board from the Ahwahnee hills park to grant access for bikes, especially for kids and people that start riding. We are active participants in trail maintenance with Yosemite South Gate Trails Co-Op.
4. To bring kids and families together for a fun day of riding, we organized the Mountain Area Bike Rodeo, working together with the Mountain Christian Center.
5. We are in constant conversation with landowners to build new mountain bike trails in the area.
6. We Refuse and Reuse as we said to our customers, “we fix first and replace it if it is not fixable,” we offer used parts that are in good condition, we receive used bikes in any conditions to reuse the components or fix old bikes. We donate it to somebody in need of one.
7. We reuse bike boxes to ship customers bikes and the foams and bubble wrap that come with them.
8. We also recycle!!! Yes, we do, and we collect the data! Below is a review of our results:
Pedal Forward Waste Metrics 2020-2021
Our total waste of trash and recyclables was 2,330.7 Lbs. This equals 100% of our waste. From this waste, the total trash that goes into a landfill is 151.9 Lbs; This is only 6.5% of our waste.
Our total diversion (total of all recyclables) is 2,178.8 lbs. This gives us a diversion percentage of 93.5%.
At 93% diversion Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure is attaining “Zero Waste” standards, as more than 90% of our waste is diverted.
What do we need to do to keep improving our sustainability goals?
We need to focus on working with companies that have the same sustainability goals as us. For example, during the Sea Otter festival, I just had a conversation with the Director of Fox Racing North America about their products’ excessive packaging. We need to start these conversations to show our manufacturers that we care.
For Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, there is still room for improvement, and we are going to continue to buy smart and put our money where it matters to make a difference.
Like I said at the beginning of this blog, we are not greenwashing. The only greenwashing we do here is when we use Simply Green degreaser to clean parts.
At Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure, two of our guiding principles are to support our community and inspire our customers to take more adventure. We are continually seeking ways to help. Right after we opened our shop in September of 2020, after talking to our customers, we realized that there are no safe and easy places for families and older folks to ride their bikes in Oakhurst. After some research, we determined that the Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park could be the perfect location.
We are continuing to work with the Friends of Ahwahnee Hills Park to develop a plan that will allow bikes in the park while supporting the goals of this beautiful park. We also want to grow financial support through donations to the park and preserve its beauty. We have spent many hours developing a plan and have presented it to the board several times. On October 5, 2021, we introduced the following revised plan based on feedback from the board. We sincerely appreciate all the board’s feedback to develop a plan that will support all the stakeholders, including hikers, horseback riders, and hopefully bikers.
Business Plan for bicycle usage in the Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park– September 2021
Jorge Negrete and Michael Broderick, owners of Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure located in Oakhurst, California, developed this plan on behalf of local families. Jorge is a board member of Yosemite South Gate Trails Cooperative, a mountain bike enthusiast, and former Environmental Manager at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite. Michael is also a mountain bike enthusiast, tourism expert, and former Director of Sales & Marketing at Tenaya Lodge at Yosemite.
Reference:
Families living in our mountain communities need access to safe, family-friendly bicycle trail riding, especially for beginners learning to ride on trails. Currently, there are no designated and conveniently located areas that are safe for families to ride bicycles. Due to the steep and challenging terrain of the mountain area, families cannot ride together in safe, “easy,” “green level” trails. Most of the existing bike trails access points are difficult to locate and entail long drives from Oakhurst/Ahwahnee area.
Biking is an excellent outdoor activity that enables children to stay healthy, enjoy the outdoors, and develop a passion for an active lifestyle. Currently, there are non-profits in the area that use mountain biking to keep children involved in athletics providing alternatives to video games, social media, and other potentially negative activities. The addition of convenient, safe, and fun trails within the Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park will positively benefit the community and promote the park as a place where families can spend the day together, enjoying the outdoors. Families visiting the area will have another family-friendly recreational activity that will positively impact our local businesses that rely on tourism and potentially increase donations to Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park.
Details of the plan:
A. Use Area
The topography of the park’s walking trails is ideal for family-friendly riding. The walking trails are as wide as a fire road and provide enough space for bikers and walkers to pass each other safely. For presentation purposes, we have divided the park into two main areas: the north part of the park and the south part.
The north part of the park includes the trails around the pond and trails that lead to the viewpoint. This area has a family-friendly trail loop, with only one optional section with a steep climb leading to the viewpoint trail. The loop connects with a trail around the pound that is also suitable for bikes. All of these trails currently have signs that stated “no horses.”
The south part of the park is the area that leads from the interpretive center to the gate by Wasuma school. This area has a walking trail that runs parallel to the highway and currently needs some maintenance. The walking trails in this area only intersect equestrian trails to cross bridges and are wide enough to allow crossing between hikers and bikers.
B. Signage
The trails will have a sign in the trailheads with the trail’s name, the trail’s distance, and the type of activity. See example below:
Signs for the equestrian trails will be in place and state, “Horses Only, No bikes or Hikers.”
Educational signs will be placed at the trailheads and around the park to ensure safe interactions between visitors, keep the park clean, and protect the wildlife. See example below:
Signs before every bridge crossing will state, “Hikers & Bikers, Wait for Horses to Cross,” thus giving equestrians the right of way.
The main sign with the park rules outside the interpretive center will need to be modified to include bicycle-approved trails. A new kiosk/map will also be placed next to this park rules sign. Additionally, in coordination with Ahwanee hills park, we recommend that educational signs identifying the plant species and wildlife be placed around the park to support the park’s mission to educate visitors.
Signage ExamplesEducational Signage Example
C. Security & liability
The first phase of this plan does not expand or modify the current trails; therefore, additional paid security is not included in this plan. However, Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure will organize a group of local volunteers (Park Ambassadors) who will frequent the park regularly and inform the Friends of Ahwahnee Hills of any negative activity regarding trail modifications and trail usage. Additionally, Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure will tour the park and report any issues to the board once a month. The community is eager to make this access work and help in any way needed to make riding access available.
If bicycle access is approved, the number of visitors and supporters of the park will increase along with donations. With these additional financial resources, the board can decide if additional staffing for the park, including security, is worth the investment.
Under Madera County, non of the board members are liable for accidents or incidents in the park.
Also, under California Code:
“CA Government Code § 831.4 (2017):
A public entity, public employee, or a grantor of a public easement to a public entity for any of the following purposes, is not liable for an injury caused by a condition of:
(a) Any unpaved road which provides access to fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, riding, including animal and all types of vehicular riding, water sports, recreational or scenic areas and which is not a (1) city street or highway or (2) county, state or federal highway or (3) public street or highway of a joint highway district, boulevard district, bridge, and highway district or similar district formed for the improvement or building of public streets or highways.
(b) Any trial used for the above purposes.
(c) Any paved trail, walkway, path, or sidewalk on an easement of way which has been granted to a public entity, which easement provides access to any unimproved property, so long as such public entity shall reasonably attempt to provide adequate warnings of the existence of any condition of the paved trail, walkway, path, or sidewalk which constitutes a hazard to health or safety. Warnings required by this subdivision shall only be required where pathways are paved, and such requirement shall not be construed to be a standard of care for any unpaved pathways or roads.
(Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1010.)”
Also under California Code:
“CA Government Code § 831.4 (2017):
A public entity, public employee, or a grantor of a public easement to a public entity for any of the following purposes, is not liable for an injury caused by a condition of:
(a) Any unpaved road which provides access to fishing, hunting, camping, hiking, riding, including animal and all types of vehicular riding, water sports, recreational or scenic areas and which is not a (1) city street or highway or (2) county, state or federal highway or (3) public street or highway of a joint highway district, boulevard district, bridge and highway district or similar district formed for the improvement or building of public streets or highways.
(b) Any trail used for the above purposes.
(c) Any paved trail, walkway, path, or sidewalk on an easement of way which has been granted to a public entity, which easement provides access to any unimproved property, so long as such public entity shall reasonably attempt to provide adequate warnings of the existence of any condition of the paved trail, walkway, path, or sidewalk which constitutes a hazard to health or safety. Warnings required by this subdivision shall only be required where pathways are paved, and such requirement shall not be construed to be a standard of care for any unpaved pathways or roads.
(Amended by Stats. 1979, Ch. 1010.)”
D. Maintenance of the trails
Pedal forward bikes will organize a group of volunteers that will maintain and clean the trails. These volunteers will report any abnormal activity on the trails, such as modifications on the trails, visitors not following park rules, and the cleanliness of the park’s bike trails.
Pedal forward Bikes & Adventure will work with Ahwahnee Hills Park to support the financial goals of the park by promoting the park in the shop through social media and by helping to build donations/sponsorship of the park.
E. Development of the plan:
Phase 1: Bicycle access to existing trails at Ahwahnee Hills Regional Park
Step 1:
Once the board members approve the access, signs will be ordered from locally-owned Fire Signs. Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure submitted a grant through Visit Yosemite, Madera County, for $1,500. The grant was approved in October! Installation of the signs will be carefully coordinated with Ahwahnee Hills Park.
Step 2:
Pedal Forward Bikes will organize the volunteer group (Park Ambassadors) and perform the first trail clean-up. This group will be in charge of reporting abnormalities in the park as previously outlined.
Step 3:
Grand opening of bicycle access for the public and educating the users on the rules of the park
Step 4:
Hold a meeting with board members, employees, and users for feedback regarding the bike access to Ahwahnee Hills Park.
See map below:
Proposed Trail
Map Legend Below:
Yellow Lines: Hiking and biking trail
Green Line: Pound loop (in progress) access for bikers and hikers
Red Line: Hiker and biking trail connector (steeper than a yellow and green trail)
Dotted Red Line: Horses, hikers, and bikers used (wide trails)
Dotted Yellow Line: Trail that needs maintenance
Black Half-moonLines: Bridges
Phase 2: Expansion of trails and usage of 150 acres North West of the park
This expansion will provide usage and control of the 150 acres currently not used by the park. Hikers and bikers can use this area to explore this natural park further. This proposal will only be developed if bicycle trail usage has not negatively impacted the park experience as determined by the Friends of Ahwahnee Hills board.
Step 1: Scout the 150 Acres property for an expansion of a single-track trail.
Step 2: Present trail expansion map to members of the board and community members.
Step 3: Obtain signage for the new trail.
Step 4: Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure to organize and build the new trail with volunteers and community members.
Step 5: Open the new trail for the community.
This business plan was developed on behalf of the community by:
Two of our guiding principles at Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure are to inspire our customers to take more adventures and to support our community. To that end, we’ve partnered with the Mountain Christian Center to have an exciting Bike Rodeo for the children in our community. The bike rodeo is for children from 2 to 15 years old. Below is an overview of this exciting event. Let us know if you plan to attend through our Facebook Event.
Competitions:
~ BMX Race: Races for all ages. The race will take place on the Mountain Christian Center pump track! ~ Slalom Race: Race around the slalom course to see who is the fastest in each category. ~ Jumps: The longest jump wins in each age category. ~ Barrel Race: The fastest rider in each age category wins. ~ Wheely: The longes wheely in each age category wins. ~ Skid: The longest skid in each age category wins.Agenda:
Schedule of Events:
7:30 AM: Volunteer Meeting 8:00 AM: Registration 8:45 AM: Introductions & Event Overview 9:00 AM: Competitions Begin 12:00 PM: Lunch: 1:00 PM: Awards NOTE: Depending on the turnout, the competitions might continue after lunch.
Age Categories:
~ 4 and Under: (Striders/Balance Bikes) ~ 5 – 6 ~ 7 – 8 ~ 9 – 10 ~ 11 – 12 ~ 13 – 14 ~ 15 and Up
Let us know if you are planning to attend:
visit our Facebook Event and let us know if you are planning to attend.
Call for volunteers:
We need your support for this event to run smoothly. Please DM Pedal Forward on Facebook if you are interested in being a volunteer.
FAQs:
1) Is there a registration fee? – No, this event is free! Sponsored by Mountain Christian Center 2) How do I volunteer? – DM Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure on Facebook or Instagram. Or email us at contactus@pedalforwardbikes.com 3) Do I need to have a bike? – Yes, you should bring a bike. We will attempt to have a few bikes available for riders. We will have Striders available for the 4 and under riders. 4) Is lunch free? – Yes, lunch is free and is being sponsored by the Mountain Christian Center! 5) What time does the bike rodeo start? – Registration begins at 8:00 AM. The competitions begin at 9:00. Lunch is at noon, and awards begin at 1:00. Note that the competition might extend past 1:00 PM if there is a larger than expected turnout. 6) Where will the bike rodeo take place? – The Mountain Christian Center: 40299 CA-49, Oakhurst, CA 93644 See Less
Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure is on a relentless quest to share the joy of developing a passion for mountain biking in our community. We are thrilled to share the efforts of Mike Cleary in the creation of a Yosemite Composite High School Mountain Bike Team! Below are all the details you need to get involved in this exciting initiative for our youth.
Do you love mountain biking?
Maybe you hit the trails soon after learning to pedal, or perhaps you picked up the sport later in life. Either way, few people get the opportunity to start mountain biking as part of a team. Imagine learning the ropes in fun and supportive environment focused on skills, fitness, and achieving personal bests.
Sounds pretty great, right?
The Yosemite Composite (“YoCo”) High School Mountain Bike Team will provide this opportunity to student-athletes in the Mariposa – Oakhurst area. Yes, mountain biking is a high school sport! Check out the NorCal High School Cycling League, https://www.norcalmtb.org/, and National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA), https://www.nationalmtb.org/, for details.
NICA “composite” teams are open to riders from any public, private, or home school. We are recruiting student-athletes that will be in 9th – 12th grade during the 2021 – 2022 school year. We also need adult volunteers. If you are interested, please contact Team Director Mike Cleary at mike2thec@gmail.com.
A little more information:
Racing is fun! NICA events are cross country races; there are no downhill or enduro events. The courses are challenging but beginner-friendly. No prior experience is necessary. The team will also engage in “off the bike” activities such as trail building.
When do we start? Pre-season activities start in October, official practices begin in December, and races are held from March through May (usually six events per season).
What does it cost?
The cost to join the NorCal league is $50 per student-athlete, plus $20 for NICA insurance. Each race charges a $50 registration fee. We will make a strong fundraising effort to help cover these costs.
Kids need bikes!
Obtaining bikes is another place where community support is essential. We hope to establish a fleet of race-ready loaner bikes. If you have a bike to donate or any ideas about helping kids get bikes, please contact the team director (info above).
The team needs volunteers!
We need licensed coaches to lead team rides and mentor athletes. See the NICA site for info about coach licensing. We also need volunteers to help with fundraising, bike maintenance, social media/website development, and more. Please contact the Team Director Mike Cleary atmike2thec@gmail.comgmail.com if you are interested.
Who is organizing this effort?
Mike Cleary is the Team Director. Mike got serious about mountain bike racing as a member of the Stanford University cycling team. After college, he helped start a cycling team and raced around Oregon before moving to Mariposa. Mike’s other passion is education. He’s a biology professor at UC Merced and taught 4H entomology classes in Mariposa for several years.
For those who love to explore the mountain trails or go on brisk rides around the park, owning a bike is a great way to stay healthy and get outside. However, one common problem many people have is figuring out how to store a bike at home. If you live in a small apartment or are just looking to save some space, having an effective, yet easy to access storage solution is important.
To help you get started, we asked bike experts from Vancouver, BC to New York, NY to share their best bike storage solutions on how to hang a bike in your home. Keep reading to see what they had to say.
Alternate studs
Our favorite bike storage solution is simply screwing $5.00 bike hooks at a 30-degree angle into the studs of our shed, garage, or shop, alternating high and low every other stud by about 12”, and hanging the bike vertically by its front and rear wheels. – Niner Bikes
Use drop handlebars as a bike storage solution
One of my favorite bike storage solutions in my apartment is to drill a hole in an old pair of drop handlebars and screw it into the wall. This solution holds most bikes with ease and adds flair to living or dining rooms while also adding a fashionable and hip talking point. – Z Cycle Shop
Consider monkey bars or bike shelves
Keep your bikes off the floors by using vertical bike storage solutions like Monkey Bars. If space is limited, a more creative, minimal, and space-saving approach is bike shelves that allow you to store your ride a little more flush with the wall, which may be better for apartments. – Nick Wigston, General Manager, Clydesdale Bikes
Install hooks
Design your garage to have inset vertical built-ins with a park tool bike storage hooked and mounted at the top so you can hang the bike by the front wheel. This setup will save space and has an added benefit for mountain bikes with front fork suspension as the vertical mounting ensures that the dust wipers and seals are bathed in oil, reducing stiction. – Pedal Forward Bikes & Adventure
If you’re bringing bikes inside your house, hooks are a great bike storage solution to save floor space and display your bikes. It’s important to find a sturdy hook meant to hold the weight of a bike and install it in a stud. – Bicycle Colorado
Don’t forget about your accessories
Your local hardware store should carry simple and affordable hooks for ceiling mounts, or hangers for wall mounting. Run an extension cord above your bikes to plug in a USB charging cord to easily recharge accessories like bike lights and GPS units without having to remove them from your bike. – Gravel Stoke
Keep it locked in your garage
The best bike storage solution during the season is in an easily accessible place in your garage. In our harried and competitive lives, our problem is not making bikes look good, it’s having them accessible and easy to ride. – Blue Monkey Bicycles
Consider an electric foldable bike
Folding electric bikes, make storage effortless with their compact folding designs. Homes, apartments, or offices can easily accommodate folding electric bikes in closets, storage sheds, under the stairs, cubby cabinets, and more. – E-lux Bikes
If you want to ride some amazing trails, meet some likeminded riders, enjoy some BBQ, and support foster youth please read the information below!
Thank you for inquiring about our first ever Fundraiser for the foster youth of Sierra Quest Human Services a local non profit serving youth from all over the state of CA. We are a very active program wanting our youth to experience all the recreational activities that most youth normally experience. The funds raised will go towards purchasing much needed recreational equipment for their use. For more information about our program please visit www.sierraquest.org
Fundraiser: BBQ May 1st starting at 4:00 pm
Options for Mtn Biker’s: The locals ride every Saturday morning. They start gathering at 8:00 am and will leave for the ride at 9:00. For anyone interested in joining them please gather at the BBQ location between 8:00-9:00am on Saturday, 3707 Apperson Mine road mariposa Ca 95338. All trails start from that location.
Riding options: The trails can be described as straight down single track and straight back up to the top on dirt roads. We are located in the Sierra Nevada Mountain Ranges at 4000 elevation near Yosemite National Park and there is a lot of elevation loss and gain. The trails can be challenging at top speeds with some features but non experienced bikers often use them and can enjoy them at a slower pace. All the riding is located in the same local area and we plan on riding them all. However you can always bail out at any time back to the BBQ location and relax in the shade while waiting for the BBQ.
Camping/hotels: RV and or tent camping is available on the property with no hookups both Friday and Saturday night. Portable bathrooms will be available and a hose or the local pond will be accessible for showers. You may also choose to stay in the town of Mariposa 30 min from the venue where there are many hotel options to choose from.
Please note: This event is being held on private property where the home owners will not receive anything for their generosity. Thus, please pack in and out your trash, etc. The BBQ fundraiser is the advertised event. The ride is not associated with Sierra Quest or the property owner but an option to join the locals and see some of the recreational options in the area. You ride at your own risk. Merced river is 30 min from the location for swimming and fishing and the park entrance is 45 min. away from the venue.
Donations: We purposely did not put an amount for you to donate for the event. When you choose to donate please take into account the dinner and drinks included and if you plan on camping or join in on the ride. We do not want an assumed price to exclude people or curb the amount you would like to donate. We hope that you have such a great time that you will join us again the following year and/or may want to donate on our go fund me page all year around. You may choose to donate before the event on the go fund me page as well as on site donation options.
Phone service: You will loose strong cell service leaving the towns of Mariposa and Oakhurst. There is poor to no cell service on location. Dependent on your carrier you may pick up a signal on the mountain tops surrounding the venue. If you need to be reached our land line is 209-966-3115. Or 209-742-2116. STRAVA does work!
If you would like to RSVP Click this link and fill out the form at the end.
