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Online Viewing Quiz
- Can you name the State Park where the family went on their mountain biking adventure?
- True or False? It is important for even experienced bike riders to practice riding on the mountain bike before riding on the trails.
- True or False? The right hand controls the back brake and the left hand controls the front brake.
- Can you describe why it is dangerous to suddenly squeeze both hand brakes at the same time?
- What percentage of braking is done with the back brakes?
- True or False? Low gears make it easy for you to pedal and are best for riding up hills.
- True or False? High gears make it harder for you to pedal but each turn provides more power. High gears are best for going fast.
- True or False? By shifting gears, you change the amount of tension on the bicycle chain?
- The family enjoyed biking along the "Rails to Trails" pathway. Name the original use for the pathways.
- After leaving the wide Rails to Trails pathway the family moved onto a single track. How wide is a typical single track for biking?
Answers
Show/Hide
- The family visited Ohio Pyle State Park.
- True, in addition to practicing on the bike, the rider will be able to make sure the bike fits them. It is also a good idea to speak to someone who is familiar with the trails before you attempt to ride. Know your own limits, and choose a bike trail according to your level of experience and fitness.
- True.
- If both front and back brakes are squeezed suddenly the rider may flip over the front of the handlebars.
- Nearly 90% of all braking is done with the back brake. The front brake can be used when a quick stop is needed or to slow the bike down.
- True.
- True.
- True.
- The Rails to Trails pathway uses old train railways and converts them into multipurpose trails for biking, jogging, roller blading and walking.
- A single track is only wide enough for one bike. Riders must ride single file on this type of trail. Many of the trails used in mountain biking are single track.
After watching the Outdoor Family Adventure Mountain Biking episode, you may have some questions about mountain biking that you would like answered-How did the sport begin? What makes a mountain bike different from other bicycles? How can I get involved in mountain biking? The following article will hopefully answer some of your questions. Feel free to visit the web site listed to learn more.
"What is a Mountain Bike?"
Mountain bikes are the 4x4 vehicles of the bicycling community. They are capable of alternating between pavement, forests, fields, hills, valleys, and mountains. In short, you can do it all on a mountain bike.
Mountain biking, as we know it today, began in North America in the early 1970's as a grass-roots pastime. Scattered groups of individuals began to put fat tires on their road bikes and, over a period of years, these groups found one another and began to do what came naturally - compete. Soon two segments of the sport evolved: downhill and cross-country. Today, the different categories of bikes and events can sound very confusing. However, all mountain bikes still fit into one of the original groups.
Geoff Slater and Andrea Mulder-Slater, "What is a Mountain Bike?"(2004)
Retrieved April 2, 2006, from www.geoffslater.com/mtb/whatis.shtml
Geography
PA Academic Standards - 7.1.3 A
Off-road biking can take place just about anywhere off-road, but if you are interested in learning more about mountain biking, it is a good idea to begin by visiting a park or recreation center with mountain bike trails. Practice your geography map reading skills by visiting the following web site to learn more about the different mountain bike trails all over the United States. You can select a state and view a map showing all of the different mountain bike trails. See if you can locate the state and city where you live. Now, find the three mountain bike trails closest to your home. Are the mountain bike trails near or far from your home? What makes an area better for mountain biking? Good luck and happy hunting!
www.trails.com
Mathmatics
PA Academic Standards - 2.5.3 A
You may recall, one of the challenges the family faced while on their mountain biking adventure was to change a bicycle tire. In fact, the most common repair performed on a bicycle is fixing a flat. The tools needed to change a flat tire include prying bars, a tube patch kit and a pump. Repair kits can be purchased at most bike shops. It's a good idea to have a repair kit with you whenever you go mountain biking. It is also a good idea to know how to fix a flat tire. Using your problem-solving skills, see if you can place the directions for fixing a flat in the correct order or sequence. Good luck and happy repairs!
The following directions are mixed up; see if you can place them in the proper order. There are 10 different steps, but they have been broken down into three categories for you. First = 1-3 Next = 4-6 Last = 7-10
First:
- Remove the tube from the rim.
- Open the air valve and let out any air that is left in the tube.
- Use the prying bars to pry the tire back and then over the edge of the rim.
Next:
- Mark the leak on the tube.
- Put glue over the leak and cover it with a patch and press evenly on the patch for a minute or two.
- Find the leak in the tube by listening for leaking air or by looking for bubbles on a wet tube.
Last:
- Pump up or inflate the tire 1/3 of the way and then check to make sure the tube in not twisted or off centered in the tire.
- Place the patched tube in the tire.
- Inflate the tire to the correct pressure.
- Pull the tire over the rim.
Answers
Show/Hide
First:
- 3
- 1
- 2
Next:
- 5
- 6
- 4
Last:
- 9
- 7
- 10
- 8
Reading, Writing, Speaking & Listening
PA Academic Standards - 1.4.3 F
The sport of mountain biking was invented because bicyclists wanted to escape the crowded, dangerous streets of the city. When they took their bicycles off-road to a natural setting, they found new exciting challenges for themselves and their bikes. The dangers of the city were replaced with rocks, tree roots and narrow winding paths. To face the new natural challenges, the bicyclists needed to design a different bicycle. Mountain bikes were first created by using parts from many different bikes. Through trial and error, the creators adjusted the brakes, gears, handle bars and tires to create the mountain bike. It took a lot of creativity, imagination, and many, many falls to design a new bicycle.
Now, it's your chance to be creative. Use your imagination to create a NEW type of bicycle. This bike can have any special feature you would like. For example you could create a bicycle with special helicopter blades to help you fly up a big hill. Write a short story about your new bicycle and its special features. Describe all of the wonderful things your new bike can do. Don't forget to include detailed descriptions of the people, places and things you see while riding your new bike. Share your story with your teacher, family and friends. Who knows, maybe someday someone will build your bicycle, and a brand new sport will be born!
Arts & Humanities
PA Academic Standards - 9.0.3 J
Using the short story you created in the last section, draw, paint or sketch a picture of your bicycle. Include the scenery you pass while riding your bicycle in your picture. Try to create your picture using a variety of art materials such as paint, pencils, chalk, charcoal and pens. You may even want to build a model of your bicycle using clay. Have fun and let your imagination and creativity be your guide.
Health, Safety & Physical Education
PA Academic Standards - 10.5.3 A
Both on and off-road biking can be exciting and fun. Unfortunately, many people fail to realize that a bicycle can be dangerous if basic safety rules are not followed. See if you can answer the following questions about bicycle safety.
True or False?
- The most important piece of bicycle safety equipment is your helmet.
- On the road, a biker must follow the same laws as someone driving a car.
- To signal that you are going to make a right hand turn, you hold your right arm straight out.
- To signal that you are going to make a left hand turn, you hold your left arm straight out.
- To signal that you are going to stop or slow down, wave your left arm high above your head in a wiggling motion.
- It is best to bike with a buddy and always leave word with someone about your route, destination, and when you'll be back.
- If you are riding with a group of other bikers, it is all right to spread out across the road.
- While riding off-road, only bike on designated trails.
- It is safe to use mountain bike trails when it is raining or has recently rained.
- While biking always carry adequate water, food, clothing, a first aid kit and a tire repair kit.
Answers
Show/Hide
- True, you should NEVER ride your bike without wearing your helmet.
- True, bikers have the same rights and duties as someone driving a car. Bikers are required to follow the same rules of the road as motor vehicles.
- True, another way to signal a right turn is to hold your left arm out and bend it straight up at the elbow. It is very important to always signal your turns.
- True.
- False, to signal a stop hold your left arm so it is pointing to the ground.
- True.
- False, when biking with a group, always ride single file so that you can stay clear of other vehicles.
- True.
- False, never mountain bike in the rain or if it is wet and muddy. Your bike may slip and you could become seriously hurt, also you may damage the bike trail.
- True. You never know when you may have an emergency. It is always best to be prepared.
Learn Even More About Mountain Biking
Mountain Biking web sites:
www.rit.edu/~zpg7157/imm/project1/
www.geoffslater.com/mtb/
www.extreme.nas.net
www.imba.com
www.adventuresports.com
www.wombats.org
Resources Used
Mountain Biking Techniques and Tricks by Aaron Rosenberg, copyright 2003 by the Rosen Publishing Group, Inc.
Beginning Mountain Biking by Julie Jensen, copyright 1997 by Lerner Publications Company.
Safety on Your Bicycle by Joanne Mattern, copyright 1999 by Adbo Consulting Group.
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