The need for speed.Account exec goes mountain biking mountain biking Sports medicine A sport in which participants use specialized bicycles to navigate rough, steep trails covered with unforgiving rocks Injury risk Concussions, fractures, death. See Extreme sport, Novelty seeking behavior. for thrills Most people would slow down if they were approaching a cliff on a mountain bike. Douglas Evans speeds up. "There's an unbelievable adrenaline adrenaline (ədrĕn`əlĭn, –lēn): see epinephrine. rush when you're flying through the air off a cliff like that," he says. Evans is an extreme-sports enthusiast A person who enjoys using computers and electronic equipment. Enthusiasts like technology and are willing to learn more of the ins and outs of a product than the average consumer, who just wants to use it. An enthusiast is more like a "prosumer." See consumer and prosumer. who skis and mountain bikes for fun. "It's the challenge that draws me. It's a great opportunity to express my athletic ability and test my courage." The 38-year-old East Coast account executive for ViaNovus, a California-based software company that designs construction program management software, was first introduced to extreme mountain biking in 1997 by a group of friends. Evans prefers to cycle in the spring to late fall when the weather is pleasant, but, he says, "Bad weather doesn't deter me at all. It just adds an extra element of excitement to it." While many bicycling enthusiasts go to reserves and ride for free, Evans frequents the Catskill Mountains Catskill Mountains, dissected plateau of the Appalachian Mt. system, SE N.Y., W of the Hudson River. This glaciated region, wooded and rolling, with deep gorges and many waterfalls, is drained by the headstreams of the Delaware River and by Esopus, Schoharie, in upstate New York Upstate New York is the region of New York State north of the core of the New York metropolitan area. It has a population of 7,121,911 out of New York State's total 18,976,457. Were it an independent state, it would be ranked 13th by population. or the mountains at the Ringwood and Mountain Creek Mountain Creek is a ski resort located in Vernon Township, New Jersey, on Route 94, owned and operated by Intrawest. History of Mountain Creek Mountain Creek originally began as two separate ski areas, Vernon Valley and Great Gorge. resorts in New Jersey. "Off-season ski mountains make really good mountain bike terrain," he says. Bumps and bruises Bruises Definition Bruises, or ecchymoses, are a discoloration and tenderness of the skin or mucous membranes due to the leakage of blood from an injured blood vessel into the tissues. Pupura refers to bruising as the result of a disease condition. come with the territory; mountain biking is not a spectator Spectator, English daily periodical published jointly by Joseph Addison and Richard Steele with occasional contributions from other writers. It succeeded the Tatler, a periodical begun by Steele on Apr. 12, 1709, under the pseudonym Isaac Bickerstaff. sport. Evans once landed badly after a cliff jump, was knocked unconscious, broke his cheekbone cheek·bone n. See zygomatic bone. in three places, and required stitches in his lip. He recovered quickly and was back on the mountains in no time, but if he hadn't been wearing the proper gear, his injuries could have been a lot worse. The Website www.mtbinfo.com offers mountain biking advice from BikeDoctor. Among the tips are always ride with one or more people, carry a small tool kit for any bicycle repairs, and take along an energy bar and water, no matter how short you think your ride is going to be. Another good idea is to tape your name and phone number, as well as that of an emergency contact, inside your helmet in case you crash. Evans works hard and plays hard and says extreme mountain biking has a bonus. Along with the adrenaline rush, "it's a great way to get in shape. I've lost 20 pounds doing it." Getting started * COSTS: Mountain bike $1,000-$2,000 Helmet $70-$150 Bike shoes $70-$200 Cycling shirt and pants $40-$70 Water bottle $10-$30 Lighting system for night riding:(helmet light, bike light and battery pack) Approx. $200 * WEBSITES: www.extreme.nas.net www.greatoutdoors.com www.mtbinfo.com www.dirtworld.com, * ASSOCIATIONS: The International Mountain Bicycling Association (IMBA) 1121 Broadway, Suite 203 P.O. Box 7578 Boulder, CO 80306 888-442-4622; www.imba.com The National Off-Road Bicycle Association (NORBA) One Olympic Plaza Colorado Springs, CO 80909 719-578-4581; www.usacycling.org |
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