WHAT I
LEARNED FROM SKATEBOARDING
When I first started skateboarding, I thought it was only about showing other people thatI belonged to a specific group, wearing a specific kind of outfit and hanging out with my skateboard just to impress others. By the time I went beyond this idea, I realized skateboarding was way more than that. I got hooked on the sport, I felt the vibes skateboarding was giving me and skateboarding turned out to be not only a hobby for Sundays but a lifetime deal. After years of practicing, I could say this wooden deck taught me a lot. About myself, my limit and created a solid group of brothers I can always rely on. And no matter where I am on the world, there is always a local skate spot where I can easily hang out and bond with other people who share my values. Lesson 1 With skateboarding, I learned how to deal with pain. Injuries such as shinners, twisted ankles, scorpion sacks, credit cards and popsicles are behind the corner. Once you know the pain you’re going through, you get familiar with it and learn how to cope with the most painful situation you run into during your daily life. Lesson 2 Fear. Skateboarding taught me how to control fear. When you are planning to do a specific trick down a set of stairs, during your daily street session with your fellas. You know you have to be bold when attempting the trick. You have to firmly approach the stair set with the right speed and proper mindset. If you don’t, you will double the chance of not landing it, or worse, to hurt yourself. This lesson helped me when facing difficult situations where you have to make a decision. You decide your move and then just jump. Lesson 3 Order, respect and awareness. Often local skateparks are overcrowded with every kind of skater, from kids to old school skaters, from beginners to pro skaters. When approaching an obstacle, you have to be aware of your surroundings and the people skating the spot. If you are slowly approaching the ledge with a trick you’re not familiar with, you better wait for the skatepark to be less crowded in order to avoid keeping the obstacle busy for too long. Also you have to respect other people's lines. Be aware of who else is skating your same lineand what trick they are performing. Give a glance to understand whether the skaters near you are about to drop in, use all your senses to be aware of the space around you. If you drop someone's line, make sure to apologize. If you do respect other skaters, they will respect you.
TIPS FOR CHOOSING THE RIGHT MOUNTAIN BIKE
Mountain biking is one of the most popular action sports. But with so many mountain bikes on the market, how do you know which one is best for you?
In this post, we will give you some top tips for choosing the right mountain bike.
What Style Of mountain Biking Do You Want To Do?
There are many different types of mountain bikes, all made for a specific riding style. Some of these bikes blur the lines between the categories, but here is a breakdown of the main categories of mountain bikes you can buy:
Cross Country: Lightweight mountain bikes for riding uphill and long distances. These bikes have very little suspension travel, making them efficient to pedal but not very comfortable.
Trail Bikes: These are the most common mountain bikes due to their versatility. They are great for climbing, downhills, and riding in trail centers. Trail bikes are great fun and good all-rounders.
Enduro Bikes: Often referred to as "all-mountain" bikes. They are similar to trail bikes but are more rugged. These allow you to scale mountains and take on technical descents.
Downhill Bikes: These are designed to go downhill as fast as possible. They have lots of suspension travel to take on gnarly terrain and big hits from huge jumps.
Downhill bikes are geared for accelerating downhill, so avoid this type of bike if you need to ride uphill.
Hardtail Or Full-Suspension?
A hardtail mountain bike has a suspension fork to absorb shock and vibrations before they transfer into your hands and arms.
A good hardtail mountain bike can handle most trails and are relatively low maintenance. This makes them a good choice for beginner riders or those who want something playful.
If you ride more technical trails, you may be better off with a full-suspension mountain bike. These have a suspension fork and a rear shock absorber.
Full-suspension bikes are more comfortable and allow you to ride rugged terrain with more confidence. You also get more traction when riding a full-suspension bike, allowing you to ride faster.
You can buy hardtails and full-suspension mountain bikes with different amounts of travel. Travel is how much the suspension compresses and will make a difference on different trails.
When you have lots of travel, you can ride rougher terrain, but your bike will be less efficient to pedal and heavier. Shorter travel bikes are more playful but not as capable.
Think About Your Budget
Unfortunately, your budget will play a large part in what mountain bike you can buy. High-quality mountain bikes have carbon fiber frames and high-end components, making them extremely expensive.
At the other end of the spectrum, cheap mountain bikes are heavy and have poor quality components. This makes them less capable and less reliable.
You need to research what is available within your budget. There will always be a compromise unless you have money to burn.
It is possible to buy quality used mountain bikes, but you need to know what you are looking for to make sure you get a good one.
Final Thoughts
If you are a beginner, you will be fine with a good hardtail trail bike. They are reasonably priced, and riding one will teach you many skills essential for having fun on the trails.
THE BEST ADVICED I RECEIVED
ABOUT DIRT BIKING
Starting a new sport or pastime involves a lot of trial, error, and guesswork. But if you take this approach too literally with dirt biking, you can get yourself into a whole world of trouble.
Therefore, in this article, I will give you the best advice I received about dirt biking. These top tips will make the learning curve more manageable, but they will also allow you to enjoy your dirt biking more quickly and safely.
Don't Scrimp On Your Boots
Boots are the most expensive pieces of gear in dirt biking after your helmet and bike. However, they are essential, and if you buy cheap ones, you will soon regret it.
You can buy dirt bike boots for as little as $100. But these are not quality items and don't have enough flex in them, preventing you from feeling the brakes and the shifter. Therefore, they will cause you to look down each time you change gear or brake, which will cause lots of crashes.
Also, a decent pair of boots will protect you from accidents and collisions when riding.
Buy A Decent Helmet
You should avoid cheap helmets as they are inferior to more expensive ones. They can be very uncomfortable, thanks to poor ventilation. More expensive dirt bike helmets are more comfortable, but they are safer too. You only have one head, so look after it by wearing a quality helmet.
A Dirt Bike Is Not Like A Mountain Bike
Many beginners sit on a dirt bike like they would on a regular mountain bike. But dirt bikes require a more aggressive posture to absorb bumps and stay in control.
Sit forward on the dirt bike, and squeeze it with your knees. This will allow you to use your legs to turn and lean the bike over. In addition to this, put weight on the footpegs and just a fraction of your weight on the seat.
You should be sitting on the bike with a straight back with your elbows high. This will allow you to cope with changes in the terrain, make quick turns and control the bike during skids.
Start On Dirt
The best place to get to grips with your dirt bike is on an old dirt road or a deserted track. A flat dirt road with no obstacles will allow you to practice without any nasty surprises.
Start with learning how to use the clutch and brakes and perform low-speed turns. At this point, you need to know how to start and stop without crashing. But, it is OK to get a little bit of speed up. After all, it is part of the fun, but don't go silly.
Head somewhere with a few gentle hills once you have got used to these basics. Here you will be able to practice balancing your dirt bike on more varied terrain and get used to climbing and descending.
It would be best if you started off slow to build confidence and reduce your risk of getting injured.
Don't Start On A Powerful Dirt Bike
This tip is crucial, as powerful bikes are not for beginners. Something like a 450cc dirt bike is too powerful for a beginner and scary to ride, ruining your fun and leading to nasty accidents.
Most adults, even those with lots of experience, stick to 250cc dirt bikes. They are obviously less powerful but still fast enough to have fun on. 250cc dirt bikes are also lighter, making them more manoeuvrable through obstacles and in corners.
THE
ARTICLES
SCRAPES,
BRUISES,
SCARS
TYPE OF BLOG
There is an array of action sports and not only do we design our apparel with them in mind to fit you with the latest style on your body, but we also strive to provide you with some useful info regarding these extreme sports for you to explore.
CRASH
COURSE
TOPICS
DIRT
BIKING
101
Dirt biking is a thrilling action sport that a lot of people enjoy. But what exactly makes dirt biking an action sport? Here are some secrets about dirt bikes that you may not know. Dirt biking is definitely an adrenaline rush, and it's always exciting to ride one. So if you're looking for an exciting new hobby, consider giving dirt biking a try! You won't be disappointed.
Secret 1: It takes a lot of balance
Dirt biking is an action sport that requires a ton of balance. To ride a dirt bike, you need to be able to keep your bike balanced while driving at high speeds through uneven trails and hills. If you don't have a very good balance, this may not be the right sport for you.
Secret 2: It takes a lot of strength
Dirt biking also requires a ton of strength. Not only do you need to be able to keep your bike balanced, but you also need to be able to control it while driving through trails that are filled with bumps, potholes, rocks, and other obstacles that could knock you off balance. If you don't have a lot of upper body strength, dirt biking may not be the right activity for you.
Secret 3: You can take it anywhere
Another secret about dirt bikes is that they're easy to transport. After a long day riding, instead of having to find a truck or trailer to haul your bike home, all you have to do is pick it up and carry it. That's right, these dirt bikes are lightweight enough that they can be picked up by most people with ease! You won't have to worry about finding a way home after your ride because you can just walk your bike back.
Secret 4: It takes a lot of patience
Dirt biking is an action sport that takes a lot of patience. If you're not willing to take it slow on occasion, or if you're prone to getting mad or frustrated easily, dirt biking may not be the right activity for you. Sometimes the trail isn't perfect. Sometimes you fall off your bike. Sometimes people make mistakes while riding and they crash. When this happens, it's imperative to keep your cool and try again.
Secret 5: It takes a lot of practice
If you want to be good at dirt biking, it's going to take a lot of practice. Many people give up on this sport because they don't realize that before you can go fast, or perform stunts in the air, you need to learn how to do basic things like accelerating, brake, and turning the bike. Without a lot of practice, this will be harder than it needs to be.
Final Words
Dirt biking is definitely an action sport that takes a lot of balance, strength, and patience to get good at. Not many people know this, but you can take dirt bikes practically anywhere. All you need is some open space and you're good to go. Finally, practice makes perfect! If you want to be a pro dirt biker, make sure to practice as much as possible. Thanks for reading our blog post on the secrets of dirt biking!
BEGINNER'S
GUIDE TO
BMX
Riding a BMX gives you a good dose of adrenaline without breaking the bank. It is super fun to do, and you can take it as far as you want, thanks to the different disciplines and variety of tricks.
In this beginner's guide to BMX, we will give you all the information you need to get started and unlock all the possibilities a BMX can bring.
Buy A Bike
Of course, you need a bike, but which one do you get? There are loads of BMX bikes suitable for beginners, and they have specific characteristics.
As a beginner BMXer, you need a bike that can be used for all disciplines. Make sure it is suitable for flatland, park, dirt, pump tracks, and street, as you will be able to give them all a try before deciding which discipline you want to focus on. Once you get an idea, you can upgrade or customize your bike to suit.
When it comes to buying a BMX, you get what you pay for. You don't need anything too fancy at this stage, but cheap ones won't last. They have inferior components and are less fun to ride.
Buy a BMX from a reputable brand such as Mongoose, Hoffman, Wethepeople, or Haro. If you don't, you will soon realize that you want a better bike, costing you more in the long run.
Expect to pay between $150 to $300 for a BMX from a recognized brand. But remember to budget for the other things associated with riding a BMX.
Protect Yourself
As with any extreme sport, you need t to protect yourself. A bare minimum is to wear a helmet, as it is the most essential piece of protective equipment. Make sure it is a proper BMX helmet, and it fits and is comfortable.
You may want to buy elbow and knee pads too. These are more for park or dirt riding, and you will probably wear them under your pants. Pads do a great job of protecting your joints but also give you confidence when you are trying to progress.
Gloves are a good purchase, too, as they help with gripping onto the handlebars. In addition to this, they give you a little protection when you crash, saving the skin on your hands.
Some BMXers wear wristguards, but they are not essential. It is down to your personal preference whether you wear wristguards or not. But no matter who you are, when you fall, you will raise your hands to protect your face exposing your wrists. However, they are not very comfortable, especially if you wear gloves.
Wear The Right Clothing
You will be taking some hard landings when you jump your BMX, as the bikes are rigid with no suspension. Therefore, you will be thankful for anything that will help to absorb the impacts.
Look for a good pair of BMX shoes, as they have thick soles that absorb shock from landings. They also have excellent ankle support while providing grip on the pedals. If you don't have BMX shoes, you will be able to get away with some skate shoes, but you will want to upgrade when you start doing bigger jumps.
