The Worst Times To Ride Are The Best Times to Ride

We hope you are enjoying your holiday time with the family. But you have to admit, looking out the windows at the snow-capped mountains, that it’s hard not to think about riding.

A lot of people are probably thinking the same thing, but Christmas obligations, family time, Boxing Day shopping, and endless other Yuletide traditions are getting in their way of a good downhill descent.

This can work to your favour.

Don’t let a little snow slow you down. Limited light? All the better. These may be the worst times to ride, on paper, anyway, but they are the best times to ride in the sense that you get the trails all to yourself.

Leave the slopes to the snowboarders. Don your leg armour, and you’ll be ready for anything. On a wild ride all to your own.


Family functions can wait a few hours. Now’s the time to ride.

Iron MountainWear Mountain Bike Leg Armour

Iron MountainWear now has a Google+ Business Page.

They are surely but slowly building a network of mountain bike enthusiasts. Join up, circle in, and become a part of the conversation.

They will try to keep it current with biking news, maintenance tips, community-organized events and of course images of leg armour getting blown up and run over by snow machines.

Bicycle Maintenance

Being a local mountain biking company, we get asked every question in the book, from: 'Where can I find the best North Shore riding?' to 'Do you think it will rain this weekend?' Well we can't predict the weather, but a little bird told us it looks fairly sunny for the next two weeks.

As far as your other questions, we thought we could answer at least one a month. So this month's question is: 'Where can I go to learn about doing basic bicycle repairs?'

-We have two suggestions. The first is an excellent program offered by Endless Biking in North Vancouver. Endless Biking is a multi-purpose bike company that provides rentals, tours, lessons and training on the North Shore. Professional riders, Darren Butler and Kelli Sherbinin, run the company.

This month Endless Biking is offering Level 1 and Level 2 Bicycle Maintenance packages. This is a great opportunity for novice and intermediate riders to learn about basic bicycle maintenance theory.

The classes begin with a two-day program on December 6th and 7th. The classes run from 6:00pm to 8:30pm. Included in the first maintenance series is how to change a flat, basic chain repair and shifting set-up.

The second series begins on the 13th of December and continues on the 14th with the same hours as the introductory lessons. Focus in this series will center on wheel true techniques, disc brake set-up and derailer alignment.

The two day courses each cost $95. A little pricey, but the information is invaluable if you wish to pursue an interest in the sport of mountain biking.

The second suggestion is the Bike Kitchen on the UBC campus. It's definitely less rigid and there are no specific lesson dates, but hang around the kitchen and chances are, soon enough you'll be able to cook.

And remember, if you are hitting the trails this winter, protect yourself. Wear the appropriate protective gear, starting with leg armour.