Northwest Recreation

Taking a peek outside, I see that there are blue skies just begging to push through to the world below.  As such, it is definitely time to break out the mountain bikes.  March 2 is officially the beginning of the beginning of spring in my books, and there is no reason why avid cyclists should not get their bikes ready.  Here are the things to do:

• Grab the oil and get your part ready to go.  Sand paper any rusty spots, then apply oil.  Make sure you get cable casings, chains, brake calipers, forks, handlebars, and other moving parts.
• Clean up the brake pads in prep for downhill mountain biking.
• Check tires for any sharp objects and powder the inside lining.
• Check all gear for soundness, including helmets, gloves, and bike.
• Grab a patch kit and some repair tools.

I would only trust a good tool for a bike repair multitool.  Most likely this won’t be from Walmart, but prove me wrong.  As far as patch kits go, I use Slime’s repair kits, because they have never failed me, even once.  Here are two to consider:

Stay tuned for biking trails!

Slime skabs are unique in their application because they provide bicyclists options apart from the typical and standard patches requiring scuffing, glue, and then a patch.  Most people don’t have to time or energy to really try to install a patch when on a trail biking, or for that matter, just riding around town.  Obviously, one of the biggest frustrations is the ever-looming “non-sticking” patch problems.  Skabs solve that problem by reducing the amount of work required and by simplifying the technique to installing.  Here are some quick pros and cons:

Quick Pros:

• Easy to install
• No glue required
• Everything needed is included
• 6 patches will keep you going for a while
• Will easily fit in a pocket
• Fast “setting”

Quick Cons:

• Too small for large holes
• Not effective on dirty tubes
• Wait time varies by temperature and moisture

Despite the fact that larger holes won’t be patched with these, I still trust Skabs each and every time I go.  I woudl definitely suggest Skabs for bikers and recreationists who don’t want to deal with the glue, scuffing, and patching that normal patch kits require.

Although many people fail to think about them, hand signals are an extremely important aspect to biking.  Whether you are on gravel roads with light vehicle traffic or busy highways, hand signals show where you are going and help others to anticipate your moves and directions.  Here are some hand signals to remember, but note that they can be different from one country to another, and these only apply in the U.S.

Left turn:  Left arm extended parallel with the road you are turning onto and pointing to your left with no bend in the elbow.

Right turn: Right arm extended to your right parallel with the road you are turning onto with no bend in the elbow, OR, left arm with forearm pointing vertical with a 90 degree bend at the elbow.

Stop:  Left arm with forearm point down to the ground and bend in the elbow.

Remember, be safe and have fun!

As an additional option for tire slime, the slime that comes in the tube is always an option to consider when you are thinking about flats on your bike or even (dare I say it?) your car!  Although no ill fortune such as this should ever have the right to descend on such visitors to Northwest Recreation, such mishaps do happen.  In this case, tire slime in the tubes at the store is yet another viable avenue.

Pros:  Comes in a tube, fairly cheap for a large amount, and easy to use.  Squirt in the tire and pump it up is the basics of how this works.  Works fairly effectively against small punctures and for thorns entering tires.

Cons:  Messy and hard to clean up if you spill it.  Also, you MUST have a PUMP in order to use the slime in a tube.  Otherwise, you’ll get the slime in and notice that you don’t have any air to put in it, anyway.

All in all, it’s a good option if you have a pump and don’t mind carrying a tube of slime around with you.  Granted, the pre-slimed tubes are much easier, but you use what you can and what you have.

As a second option to the previously mentioned Tire Slimed tires, there are always generic slimed tires you can use.  Even though I advise going with the brand, I do acknowledge that there are good generic tire slimed tubs out there.  Some say no flats, “guaranteed,” and although I am a little skeptical, I do trust those as a good source for cheap slimed tires.

I personally use both in my tires.  The Tire Slime tubes are slightly more expensive, but they work just as effectively as the generic ones, and vice versa.  Bottom line, it comes down to who has been in the business the longest.  Tire Slime has revolutionary technology that can be trusted, while generic ones are working on copies of that technology.  Do they work?  Absolutely!  Are they as good?  That’s still in debate.  For now, I would rather get down the mountain in one piece, rather than be stranded and injured because my tire went flat going over technical terrain.

As part two of the series on Tire Slime, there are available tubes with slime already in them.  These are the brand named Tire Slime that you find sold at bike stores, etc.  Out of all the pre-slimed tires, these are said to work the best and perform the most decent when punctured.

Although generic ones are available, most suggest that you stick with the brand name–and I agree.  A while back, I went biking with some buddies, only to have one friend find out that goat heads would pierce through even a thorn guard if caught the wrong way.  Had his tires been slimed like my other friends’ tires were, he wouldn’t have had a problem.  Bottom line, stick with the real slime if at all possible and use them to guard against small punctures.  If you get a larger puncture, you’re going to have to face it!  A patch is in order!

Because of the thorns that constantly get stuck in tires, I think it is only fair to cover one possible remedy for tire punctures.  This remedy, tire slime, is an effective way to control the leakage of air from a puncture in your tire tube.  There are several different options, each of which will be discussed in upcoming articles on NW Recreation.  For those who have bikes, dirt bikes, ATVs, cars, etc, it is important to consider these remedies to avoid the possibility of being stranded or walking back to a gas station.

Being prepared is an excellent way to prevent such results, and the three things we will discuss here will be:

• Tire slimed bike tubes
• Tire slime in bottle
• And generic slime in tubes

All three have a variety of benefits, and will be addressed in upcoming posts.  Happy November!

Even though fall is here, if you are like me, you don’t stop mountain biking for anything.  You might even be crazy enough to ride on the road 8 miles just to get to that favorite trail.  Well I do, but there are some important things to remember when riding on the road or in an area where heightened safety is needed.  Here are some tips for safety on a bike:

• Where a helmet!  The bottom line is, it could save your life.
• Use correct hand signals when turning:  This is especially true on the road.
• Use reflectors or lights.  If you don’t, then refuse to ride at night.  Also check local and state laws, too.
• Don’t go without a plan: Tell someone you are going, when you will be back, and where you are going.  This is vital for safety measures.

Remember folks, prevention is the best cure, but when all else fails, be prepared!  Happy riding to you all!

Mountain biking is an adrenaline laced sport, but at the end of the day (or week!), it’s nice to try something new.  If you don’t mind switching out dirt for cement, you may actually have more options to explore.  If you like mountain biking, here are some new things you can try to build your skill:

• Stairs rides:  They’re hard, but by learning to take on stairs on your bike, you’ll gain valuable skill in technical aspects of a trail.  Start with two or three, and then work your way up to bigger flights of stairs.
• Curb riding:  If you have a safe place away from the public to do so, then try riding only on the curb (about 4 inches wide).  This will increase your ability to work with logs and log rides on the trail.
• Stair jumps:  A bit extreme if you don’t know how to jump well, try flying off small flights of stairs (1-3 steps), then work up to larger flights.  Go for the smoothest and most balanced landing before working up.

Again, cement is harder, so be careful if you choose to practice some of these.  And make sure that where ever you practice them, there are no rules against it.  Good luck!

After having a flat this last week, I decided it is only fair and right to address the precise things a kit should contain while out on the trail, or at home.  I was pulling out my bike to head off to the track, and I noticed the front was a little low.  So I grab the pump off my bike and go to put air in it, when I notice a piece of gravel in my tread.  I pull the “gravel” out and lo and behold, it was a thorn on a piece of wood.  Luckily however, I was prepared with all the things a mountain biker should have to get a flat fixed in under five minutes:

1. Spare tubes
2. A bike pump
3. A bike multitool
4. Patches (in case I didn’t have a spare)
5. A cell phone (when all else fails, call your spouse, mom, dad, or friend, right?)

These are the bare essentials, and if you really want a good kit, go with some extras, like talcum powder for putting on your tube and rims again.  Remember, always be prepared and have lots of fun!