Mountain biking offers thrills, exercise

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    By MICHELLE COOK

    Mountain biking. It’s a sport with benefits for riders at any skill level.

    “It combines the thrill of speed with the beauty of nature. You’re on top of the world,” said Jon Tanner, a sophomore economics major from Provo.

    Tanner, Luke Bingham, Isaac Bingham and Tyler Best are a group of friends that enjoy mountain biking together.

    Luke, a freshman zoology major from Provo, said he enjoys getting “the best of all worlds” when he bikes. He said he enjoys the exercise, thrill, speed and scenery.

    Isaac, a freshman conservation biology major from Provo, likes the challenge of the ride.

    “It’s almost like a personal goal to ride harder trails and get better,” Isaac said.

    Tanner said he likes combining camping and recreation. He said biking is more thrilling than hiking.

    Riders of various levels enjoy mountain biking.

    Shimber Carter, a junior English major from Dayton, Ohio, is new to the sport. Introduced to mountain biking by her boyfriend, the couple recently purchased new mountain bikes.

    Carter said her boyfriend helped her select her bike.

    “He says that (the bikes) are really good and I believe him,” Carter said.

    Carter went mountain biking for the first time this weekend in Moab.

    Maron Cramner, Carter’s roommate and a senior pre-physical therapy major from Glendora, Calif., is a more experienced biker than Carter.

    “Just have fun,” Cramner said, explaining that many people think riding is a chore.

    “Everyone’s got to at least do it once or twice,” Cramner said.

    Tanner, Luke and Isaac said they bike whenever possible.

    Even though they bike together, the friends have varying levels of equipment on their bikes.

    Because he does not have suspension on his bike, Best said, he gets a good technical ride trying to avoid the rocks.

    Tanner has front suspension on his bike. He explained that without suspension, the fork on the front of the bike is stiff, and a rider gets jarred while going downhill. Tanner said having suspension helps the rider take the bumps.

    “Switching to suspension on your bike is like switching from your big wheel to a two-wheeler,” Tanner said.

    Luke and Isaac have front and rear suspension on their bikes.

    There are several basic precautions and tools mountain bikers can take on their ride.

    Luke and Isaac suggested items to take on the trail: helmet, “Power Bars,” water and food (in a fanny pack), Allen wrenches, spare inner tube, patch kit, emergency pump, chain break tool, sunglasses, biking gloves, small first aid kit, matches and a shelter blanket.

    Isaac also has a “cycle computer,” which hooks to his front wheel and records his speed and distance, how long he has been riding and his average speed. He said the device helps him and his friends map out their trails.

    Utah mountain bikers have several places to choose from for their rides.

    Mountain bike trails can be found locally in Rock Canyon, Hobble Creek Canyon, Diamond Fork Canyon, Little Cottonwood Canyon and Big Cottonwood Canyon.

    There are also trails that run along the mountain benches.

    Southeastern Utah is a popular spot for mountain biking enthusiasts. Best called Moab “the world’s favorite place.”

    Tanner said he likes Moab because of its varied terrain and beautiful scenery. He also likes the ability to choose between jeep trails and single-track trails.

    Detailed trail information is available at Uinta National Forest offices in Pleasant Grove, Spanish Fork and Provo, said Lola Murray, public information officer for Uinta National Forest.

    Murray said waterproof, tear-proof maps can be purchased at the offices for $8.

    Bikers are asked to stay on trails and to not ride in wilderness areas, Murray said.

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