| Mountain biking for a woman does present some | | | | secure-fitting Triple S Short by Shebeest is an |
| gender-specific issues. These range from the | | | | example. The aerodynamic cut, with eliminated |
| practical pain-in-the-butt riding, to the broader | | | | inseams and flatlock center seam, is a dream to |
| concerns of women in the sport.One of the first | | | | wear. DriStyle fabric ensures superb |
| questions that is asked, is whether a | | | | wicking.Padded baggie shorts are gaining in |
| women-specific bike is necessary in mountain | | | | popularity. Look for names such as Sugoi and |
| biking for a woman.The answer will depend | | | | Pearl Izumo.In warmer weather, your top can be |
| entirely on your build, your preferences, and your | | | | a cap sleeve base in Silkweight Micro Polyester |
| riding style. Finding the right bike for you, involves | | | | with Spandex, by Shebeest. This offers the |
| test-riding as many types as possible. This will give | | | | lightness you need in mountain biking for a |
| you the best indication of your body's fit on a | | | | woman. In cold weather, you can add the Full Zip |
| non-gender specific bike, compared to a | | | | Velocity Jersey in DriStyle. The zippered pockets |
| women-specific bike.Looking at mountain biking for | | | | come in handy, and the full zip front gives a |
| a woman, a regular bike is fine, but your hip | | | | variety of cooling options.Fox Racing protective |
| structure may necessitate choosing a more | | | | gear has a great range aimed at mountain biking |
| suitable saddle. If you are narrow-hipped, you | | | | for a woman. Their elbow/arm pads and knee |
| probably won't have a problem. If this is not the | | | | shin guards in size small seem to fit most small |
| case, you will be more comfortable on the wider | | | | women well.Mountain biking for a woman, is no |
| structure of a women-specific saddle.As for the | | | | longer limited to the sidelines. Many strong-voiced |
| bike itself, unless you are quite small, with a short | | | | advocates are emerging to promote the sport |
| upper body and short arms, there is a good | | | | among women. Finding ways of making |
| chance that you won't need a women-specific | | | | entry-level racing more open to women, are |
| bike. In most cases a normal frame type with the | | | | often on the agenda at conferences.Bike shops, |
| straight bar, holds up better for mountain bikes, | | | | clinics, and clubs also play an important role in |
| and is commonly used in mountain biking for a | | | | opening up the sport. Bike shops are no longer |
| woman.This type of frame encourages a position | | | | seen as intimidating and over-technical. They are |
| where the weight of your body is more evenly | | | | constantly trying to come up with ways to make |
| distributed between the two wheels. On the | | | | the store inviting enough to support mountain |
| typical 'women's' bike with a sloping top tube, the | | | | biking for woman.Many articles and books have |
| weight is placed back on the saddle. This position | | | | been written about mountain biking for a woman. |
| is not very effective in mountain biking for a | | | | These offer how-to advice, bike buying tips, basic |
| woman.Also keep in mind that, in mountain biking | | | | riding know-how, and trail advice. One of these is |
| for a woman, an elastomer fork may be your | | | | 'Mountain Biking For Women' by Robin Stuart and |
| most comfortable choice. Lighter riders perform | | | | Cathy Jensen. It is clear from their writing that |
| better with these.Find a specialized bike shop with | | | | they are experienced riders.Watching the |
| a reputation for good mechanics and service, as | | | | 'Wildflower Mountain Biking for Women' video, is a |
| well as knowledgeable salespeople. If you are a | | | | great way to start mountain biking for a woman. |
| novice, you will need some guidance at first. It is | | | | It features topics such as bike selection, bike |
| important to make sure that they have | | | | maintenance, finding riding companions, practice |
| experience in mountain biking for a | | | | drills, and more.It will be difficult to find a more |
| woman.Mountain biking for a woman involves | | | | entertaining, mind-and-body building sport than |
| more of a distinction when it comes to clothing. | | | | mountain biking for a woman.For more information |
| The main difference is in the shorts, so to | | | | visit Best-Mountain-Biking.comRika Susan of |
| speak!You will need a good pair of cycling shorts, | | | | researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the |
| with a chamois, specifically made for use in | | | | Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. |
| mountain biking for a woman. You don't want the | | | | This article may be reprinted if the resource box |
| chafing center seam present in men's shorts - | | | | and hyperlinks are left intact. |
| riding isn't supposed to be torture! The | | | | |