Mountain Biking MTB Singletrack Trails Offroad Bangkok and Surrounding Provinces in Thailand

© Photographer: Iloveotto | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Austin Morgan

So you have heard that there is a mountain biking track in Khao yai or somewhere so you arrange transport there with your mountain bike, pay the 400 Baht fee to get in and ask the nearest person of authority where the mountain bike track is. You get the answer 'mai mee' (no have). But you are persistent you drive and ask the information person, same answer 'mai mee' but you've come all this way an paid all that money so your not giving up yet. You drive some more to ask the next to next information box. Hooray! The guy says it's down the road on the left. Now you're excited, you get the bikes off your transport and head for the trails. Upon arriving you see the track and it's painted on the side of the road oh no its not a mountain bike track it's a 'cycle lane'.

This is a common misunderstanding made when trying to find a mountain bike track in Thailand. If you're lucky you will find an xc trail on dirt roads which can be fun but its very hard to find proper a singletrack trail in a mountain. But with so many mountains in Kanchanaburi, Khaoyai, Nakhon Ratchasima and Petchaburi there is a lot of potential in Thailand for some great swooping single track.

Tips for finding a good track:

The best place to find a track is on the internet. Or find a tour company that knows where to find a trail. Another good way is to invest in a gps receiver or even a phone with gps and a Garmin program installed these are a great help as 99% of trails are unmarked, if someone has Gps and tracked a trail you can easily follow it with out getting lost these can be downloaded from blogs and website which can easily be found with a Google search.

When asking for directions try not to mention the words 'mountain bike track' just ask for trail for walkers or hikers or even a trail going up a mountain. The best people to ask are the rangers of the area you're going to, they may now everything about the mountains.

When following a trail for the first time expect to get lost so it is very important to take as much water as you can. A good accessory to get is a hydration pack. With temperatures of around 40 degrees + high humidity water is used very quickly, I have seen people only fill up there hydration packs half way, if you know the trail this is fine but if not always fill your pack to the top as you could get lost and be stuck in the jungle with no water. The water you carry will get warm very quickly so a good tip is to add some hydration powder which not only helps with your hydration it also makes the water taste of orange, this can be bought from 7/11 or Boots for around 5 baht and is called Dchamp.

A recommended place to go for some proper mountain biking is khao I-to / E-to this is all off road with lots of different trails which are maintained by the ranger there is a very steep climb to the top on a road but if the ranger or someone in the khao i-to bike club is available they can run you to the top for a small fee. The trail are quite technical at times and are easily as good as the marked trails you would find in Europe. At the moment this place is by far the best place to go within driving distance of Bangkok for some real singletrack mountain biking some more information can be found here.

If any one has any more information about mountain biking trails, Bangkok and surrounding provinces let me know. Some companies run tours which supply you with everything you need like this one http://www.mountainbiketoursthailand.com

Trek Madone Bikes

© Photographer: Mountainbiker | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Alison Addy
 
A Choice of Professionals

Every year there are new bikes on the market. Some fizzle out shortly after being put on the market while others become instant hits with the public. The jury is still out on the new models of the Trek Madone, but so far all looks good with this great new version of this bike. One major professional cycling team has so much faith in this bike that they all agreed to ride them in the 2008 cycling season. In fact, they looked forward to riding them. There is more than one version of the Madone bike, several in fact.

Although some riders didn't care that much for the previous model of the Trek Madone, it was miraculously fast for Lance Armstrong when he rode it in one of his huge races in France. Speed was what mattered most to Lance but many feel the bike left a lot to be desired as far as appearance. There was a huge gap between the rear wheel and the tube of the seat and the tube on top sloped too far up the front. The newer Trek Madone bike is designed with a new and sleek frame design that's modern.

Technology Behind the Trek Madone

A lot of different technology goes into the making of the Trek Madone and it shows in the 15 different models.

Some of these models and the quantities of each include:

• Four Women's specific
• Four varieties of carbon
• Four Pro Frame designs
• Nine standard sizes
• Six women's sizes

In addition to the different models, you'll also find wide variety of color choices so very few people wouldn't be able to find a bike that suits and fits them. Once you decide where your budget lies, all you have to decide on are what type of wheels you're looking for and what group you like best.

Different Choices of the Madone

The Madone Pro Range offers the same design of frame that is used by professional riders but with a longer top tube and steeper head angle. Although it has a sporty and lively feel when ridden, it's not as comfortable as the original frame. The Pro 6.5 and 6.9 are made with OCLV Red Carbon with a carbon steerer while the 5.2 and 5.5 are made with Black carbon and the steerer is aluminum. The Trek Madone 6.9 is considered the top of the line and has a price tag of slightly over $8,000. The Trek Madone 4.5 is a lower model and can be purchased for a little over $2,000. These are just a few of the many styles of the Madone worth checking out and there are many more each with their own unique features. You'll find there are many choices for the ladies in many different sizes as well. You'll almost find the best way to make a good choice on your bike selection is to check them all out in person and see how they fit as well as look.

Alison Addy is the copywriter of many online magazines. Read at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/faq/New_Wheels_for_a_Trek_Madone.html more articles about Trek Madone wheels.

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Specialized Cycling Apparel

© Photographer: Nip | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Cem Sinan

If you are a runner, all you need is running shoes. You can run in any kind of clothing that you like. However, if you are a cyclist, then you need some specialized cycling apparel such as jerseys, shorts etc. You don't have to be a pro to enjoy the comfort and speed that specialized cycling shorts, shirts etc have to offer. Cycling shoes may be required for certain types of bikes; bike seats do matter if you want a comfortable ride without sore buttocks; and cycling helmets are a must for safety. Cycling jerseys and shorts are important, too, though.

You will not suddenly start riding faster and be safer when you wear cycling jerseys, but your whole riding experience will definitely be improved with these specialized apparel. Cycling shirts help you deal better with wind and other weather conditions. They are usually made of synthetic material that allows your body to sweat and absorb the wetness off your skin. Nowadays, there are many advanced types of fabrics used in cycling apparel that provide the cyclist the comfort he/she needs while resisting wind and dealing with wetness. Many cycling shirts come with a zipper in front. Zippers makes it possible for the cyclist to allow air ventilation and thus coping better with weather conditions.

Another feature of cycling shirts that is favored by cyclists is that they have a back pocket. This pocket can be crucial as it can be used to carry various things such as energy bars, cycling gloves or even cell phones. And the best part is the efficiency of your pedalling will not be affected.

Where to get cheap cycling apparel?

When shopping for cycling clothing, whether specialized cycling shorts or helmets, you must try them on to see if they work well for you. After you decide on what to buy, you can either get them at stores or you can go online and compare prices in different online stores and buy them off those websites, You can also visit cycling forums and ask people about the opinions on certain products.

For more information on specialized cycling shorts, cycling shirts and other cycling gear, visit
http://www.CyclingShirts.info

Travel Safe With World Nomads - Cheap, Easy and Flexible!

Unforgettable Cycling Holidays Up and Down the Adriatic Coast

© Photographer: Oxygen64 | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Lisa Guerrini

Every year, increases the number of holiday makers, introduced to the fun and delight of discovering the wonderful Italian Adriatic Coast landscapes, by bicycle.

A cycling holiday in Italy is so much more than a pedal promenade.

It is simply the best way to explore Italy, its natural reserves, its middle age castles and villages, its countryside.

Undiscovered destination far from crowded places, traffic and noisy cities.

Cycling holidays is a way to enjoy the sights and experiences of beautiful Italian valleys in a leisurely, enjoyable and comfortable way.

Cyclists of all abilities can look forward to an unforgettable holiday. The perfect choice for family and friends, an unforgettable experience to share, chatting and laughing all together. An opportunity to spend time with your family and friends.

From teenagers to tag along youngsters or toddlers in baby seats, this is a holiday that whole families can enjoy together.

Fresh air, exercise, great fun and plenty of excuses to pause for a while - whether for a cool dip in the river, a doze in the sun, an appetising lunch at local tavern or an hour or two exploring a castle.

The best way to plan a cycling holiday is to find out a cycling holiday hotel. Those hotels are specialised in cycling tourists accommodation.

They have been selected for their excellent facilities, friendly welcome and exceptional standards.

Quite simply a cycling holiday gives you a real sense of achievement and independence but with the reassurance of knowing hotel staff is always there to provide support along the way.

Service and smiles! If you need anything - just ask the host.

You can choose your own daily route or follow existing mapped cycling routes.

You can choose the seaside or the countryside.

You can ask for a tour guide and have a nice day, up and down the streets of the eldest European Republic, San Marino.

For those cyclists looking for a physical challenge, they can ride some of the legendary routes of cycling history, while they enjoy the scenery, the sites and tasting flavours of Italy: Riccione Bike Hotels Cycling Holidays are unmissable.

Wherever you go you can enjoy excellent food and wine, there gastronomy will be a part of your holiday.
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Generous buffet breakfasts at the hotel will set you up for the day and your host will be happy to recommend restaurants or taverns for leisurely lunches and memorable dinners.

Friendly, helpful, reliable but unobtrusive, Riccione Bike staff are there to make sure, that everything runs smoothly throughout your holiday.

Maybe...your next holiday will be a cycling one!

Lisa Guerrini, works at Pensare Web, she writes web content to promote Riccione Bike Hotels.

All About Bikes & Bicycles - Tyres

© Photographer: Fenghui | Agency: Dreamstime.com

By Wayne Armstrong

There are essentially two types of tyre for bicycles, known as 'clincher' and 'tubular'. We'll get the tubular ones out of the way first because essentially you won't come across them very often. Tubular tyres don't have beads around the edge but are instead sewn together around an inner tube. You can't use a tubular tyre on just any old  rim, you must use a special one and the tyre is held onto the rim using glue. Some riders consider tubulars to have some advantage over clinchers, such as lighter weight, more comfort and better grip but modern technology has seen the clincher tyre catch up.

The main drawbacks of tubular tyres are the fact that if you get a puncture you need to replace the whole tyre meaning you need to carry a spare. The biggest drawback though is the need to glue the tyre to the rim. The glue needs to dry for several hours before you should consider putting it through its paces otherwise the tyre and the rim may part company which almost always results in a crash. The above also means that if you are racing and get a puncture using tubulars then you are effectively out of the race as you will not be able to corner at speed etc until the glue is dry. That is unless you have a support crew following you with a spare rim and tyre ready to go.

You will find clincher type tyres on almost all rims now days and they will be the most familiar to you. Instead of wrapping completely around the inner tube, the clincher is U-shaped when you cut it in half. The edges of the tyre are held in place against the edge of the rim by the pressure of air inside it. This makes it easier to repair as you don't need any glue to hold it in place.

The clincher tyre is made up of essentially three components, the bead, the fabric and the rubber. The bead is usually a strong steel wire which makes up the tyre's edge and holds it to the rim. Some beads use more modern lightweight materials such as Kevlar which wipes out one of the advantages some riders think that the tubular has.The fabric is what gives a tyre its shape and makes up the tyre's profile, joining the two beads together. It is usually made of nylon cord and is put down in layers with each subsequent layer being placed perpendicular to the next rather than using a consistent interweaving process. These different layers are known as plies. Tyres come with different performance capabilities some of which are determined by the tyre's TPI. This denotes the number of Threads Per Inch. A higher number indicates a tyre with a thinner and more flexible fabric. Thin walled tyres tend to perform better by offering less rolling resistance and a lighter weight but they are more easily damaged.

The rubber is the part of the tyre that everyone sees but it is merely a coating on top of the constructed fabric. The rubber provides no structural advantage to the tyre and is only there to protect the fabric from damage. As with any road tyre there will normally be a tread pattern built into the rubber. This provides more advantage in wet weather than under normal conditions. Also as with any other tyre, different compounds of rubber give different performance. A soft compound will give you more grip but it will wear out quicker. A harder compound will last longer but it will slide around more when pushed to the limit.

When you put all the above together you can see that there are many different combinations that can be achieved and so it is important, especially if you are a serious rider to choose a tyre which is suited to the job. So, if you are a road racer then you need to look for specific road racing tyres that suit the rims you have chosen to ride on.

However, the same type of tyre will be useless to you downhill mountain bike racers!

Wayne Armstrong is the owner of BikeWheelShop.co.uk, which is a website which specialises in top quality but affordable bike tyres and wheels for every different situation.