Extreme Sports

A mountain bike is a lot of fun although it does require some maintenance. You should always lube your bike 15 hours or so before riding, as quick jobs right before you take off normally doesn’t get everything lubed. Some lube jobs will last for more rides, although if things get loud or shifting gets sticky, it’s time to lube.

Here is how to lube your bike:

1.  The chain
Apply a generous amount of mountain bike lube to your chain as you move the pedals around backwards. It also helps to find a spot to steady your hand such as the frame while you move the pedals around and around. Make sure you watch out for the cranks and chain rings as they move around.

2.  Front Deraileur
On the front defaileur, lube the pivots. Use a spot of lube everywhere you can see movement when you move the shift lever.

3.  Rear deraileur
Just like the front deraileur, lube the pivots. 

4.  Pedals
There are some types of clipless pedals that will need to have the release mechanism lubed. You should only lube this mechanism if you have this type of pedal.

5.  Everything into motion
Pedal around, shift your gears, and bounce your bike around. If you hear anything squeak, there’s a moving part there are it should be lubed immediately.

6.  Wipe it all clean
Once you’ve lubed everything and wiped it all around, simply wipe it all back off. Use a rag to wipe away all the lube you used, including all the lube off the chain. Wiping it away will leave the lube in between the parts but clean it away from everywhere it isn’t needed. This will keep your bike from collecting dirt while you ride.

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A mountain bike is the one thing you need before you go mountain biking. A mountain bike contains many parts, which will be covered below:

1.  Bottom bracket – This attaches the crankset to the body of a bike.

2.  Brake cable – This is the cable that connects the brake lever to the brake mechanism.

3.  Brake lever – The lever on the handlebar to activate the brakes. The left side is the front brake and the right side is the rear brake.

4.  Chain – The circular set of links that transfer power from the chain ring to the cogs.

5.  Chain ring – The toothed rings that attach to the crank to hold the chain.

6.  Crank – The lever that extends from the bottom bracket to the pedal, transferring the power to the chain rings.

7.  Derailleur – The mechanism for moving the chain from one cog to another.

8.  Down tube – The section of frame that extends downward from the stem to the bottom bracket.

9.  Front shock – The shock absorber on the front fork.

10.  Handlebar – The horizontal bar attached to the stem with handgrips on the end.

11.  Headset – The mechanism in front of the frame that connects the front fork to the stem and handlebars.

12.  Hub – The center part of the wheel that the spokes are attached to.

13.  Idler pulley – The bottom pulley of the rear derailleur that provides spring tension to keep the chain tight.

14.  Nipple – A threaded receptacle that holds the end of the spoke to the rim.

15.  Pedal – The platform to pedal on; attaches to the crank.  Read more...

With mountain biking being a very popular sport, there are many bikes to choose from. Depending on what type of riding you like, the style of bikes you can choose from will vary. Below, you’ll find tips on the different types of bikes available.

1.  Cross country
Almost all mountain bikes will fit into this category. Cross country mountain bikes are light weight, making them easy to ride over most terrains, even up and down hills. This is the most common mountain bike and it can be used with ease for riding on the path or even commuting.

2.  Downhill
These types of bikes are for serious bikers who crave the ultimate adventure. Downhill bikes have front and rear suspension, strong parts, and disc brakes. Rarely available off the shelf, most riders like to custom build their own.

3.  Trials
Trail mountain biking involves a great degree of skill and is classified as the precision riding of the sport. Similiar to downhill bikes, trial riders will often build their own bikes rather than purchase one off a shelf. Generally very light and very strong, these bikes require a lot of discipline.

4.  Jump and slalom
Slalom and jump bikes are very strong and designed for jumping, street racing, and slalom. They offer a front suspension and use very strong components dedicated to what they do. These bikes are very popular with the sport of mountain biking.

Even if you are new to mountain biking, the sport can be a lot of fun. There are several bikes to choose from, all of which depend on your style. If you are still looking for the best style for you, all you have to do is try out several bikes and see which one suites you the best.

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Highlife is delighted to offer you a unique opportunity which brings together world-class 3 Valleys skiing with a refreshing yoga programme. Combining the best of skiing in the magnificent French Alps with the effective and thoughtful courses of Irish company Sunrise Yoga, this excellent holiday is designed to be as flexible as its participants!

The exciting programme gives you the perfect mix of the finest skiing and the most relaxing yoga at Highlife’s Chalet Amelie in Méribel. Start each day with an invigorating morning yoga class, followed by a wholesome breakfast, which includes cereals, porridge, French pastries, smoothies, yoghurts, fresh fruit, juices, tea & coffee, and a range of hot options including a Chef’s Special every morning. You can relax over your breakfast indoors or enjoy the crisp morning mountain air with your muesli (breathing deeply!), out on your private sundeck.

To ensure you enjoy a great week on the slopes, ski lessons or exclusive ski guiding with experienced Highlife guides is arranged each day. A second restorative yoga class awaits on your return from the slopes to help ease any tired muscles, as will a wind down in your Jacuzzi. The evening continues with your private chef preparing a delicious three course meal which you can enjoy with a range of carefully selected French wines and, of course, Highlife chefs are happy to provide excellent vegetarian and vegan options.

Sunrise Yoga teacher Caragh Egan will lead the yoga classes, offering a very special holiday combination for yoga lovers and novices, as well as practiced skiers and beginners alike. So relax and ski, all you yogis and yoginis – whichever combination suits you, Highlife has the perfect holiday!

 Read more...

1.  BMX BMX is a style where the bikes offer 20 inch wheels. These bikes are commonly used at skate parks or with dirt jumps.  Because of their smaller wheels and shorter wheel bases, BMX bikes are much easier to perform tricks and stunts with.

2.  Cross country This type of mountain biking involves riding your bike up and down hills.  Although it’s the least extreme form of mountain biking, most cross country riders are very fit and go on long rides.

3.  Cyclo cross This is a cross between road and mountain biking. These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through rivers, and race on and off the course.

4.  Dirt jumping Dirt jumping involves jumping the bike over large man made dirt jumps then doing tricks while they are in the air.  These jumps are normally close together so riders can go over six or more jumps in one run, gaining a flow to give them more  speed for bigger jumps.

5.  Downhill Downhill mountain biking involves racing downhill as fast as possible.  This type of riding is very intense and extreme, offering riders the chance  for ultimate thrills and excitement.

6.  Freeride Free riding involves finding the perfect line down the mountain using all of the terrain to express yourself.  These competitions are very popular,  as riders can express themselves any way they see fit.

7.  Single speed No to be confused with fixed gears, this is a form of cross country biking that’s done using a bike with only one gear and fewer components.  The idea with single speed is simplicity.  The straight chain line will provide efficient pedaling, and the lack of components mean less mechanical  problems and a lighter bike.  Read more...