Mountain biking is one of the most popular sports today. Whether you’re doing it alone, with a friend or with a whole family, you are bound to have tons of fun. Not to mention it’s healthy for you.

Many times when people look for a new bike they have trouble choosing the right one. With so many manufacturers, brands, different types, shapes, sizes, it’s no wonder they have problems. In this article we will try to explain what’s important to know when buying a new bike.

First, you need to decide how much you’re willing to spend on your new bike. Determine your price and try to look only at bikes within that range. Quality and prices can vary greatly, but always remember, you get what you pay for.

Next, you need to know what kind of riding will you do. There are different types of bikes designed for different terrains and riding styles. The main question is – where will you ride? Off road or mostly on paved surfaces. Full suspension, front suspension, or no suspension?

The next important thing is choosing the correct size. Size matters. If the bike doesn’t fit you, it will ruin all the fun. Bikes are generally measured in frame size (inches). Depending on your height you should be able to determine what size frame will suit you. Most common sizes are: 17″ (for people between 5′4″ to 5′11″), 19″ (5′11″ to 6′2″), and 21″ and up (taller than 6′2″).

When to buy? If you can, try to avoid the main buying season from spring through summer. The best time to buy is September because that is when next year’s models usually come out. When this happens the prices for older models typical drop.

After you bought yourself a wonderful bike, don’t forget about biking gear. For safety and comfort you should also get a helmet, gloves, glasses, water bottle and biking shorts.

Today, mountain biking is extremely popular all around the world and still increasing in popularity. It’s fun, enjoyable, exciting and it keeps you in good physical shape. What’s there not to like?

Of course, with popularity comes more choice, but with so many manufacturers and brands and types and whatnot around, it has become quite a complicated task to choose the right mountain bike. Hopefully, this article will help.

What type of bike should I get? This is a very important question, because bikes are made for different terrains and types of riding. There are 3 main categories to choose from – downhill/freeride, cross country, and all-mountain. Do you need full suspension, or will the front suspension do ok?

The second step is choosing the size. Size is important and you must get a bike that fits you. Here is a general guide depending on your height: 15″ bikes or less are for people shorter than 5′4″, 17″ normally fits people that are between 5′4″ and 5′11″, 19″ are for people between 5′11″ and 6′2″, and 21″ and up are for people taller than 6′2″.

You can spend a lot of money on a mountain bike, so it’s good to have your budget set before buying. You don’t want to spend more than is necessary, but you don’t want to be cheap either. Remember, you get what you pay for. The best time to buy is in the fall when next year’s models come out. When new stock arrives, old stock is cleared and prices drop.

The goal is to get the highest quality bike in your price range. You should look carefully at the bike’s components like brakes, brake levers, shift levers, derailleurs and so on. If you think that a full-suspension bicycle for $150 is a quality bike, think again. With poor-quality components you won’t get very far.

Biking gear is also essential. Don’t forget a helmet, water bottle, speedometer, gloves, glasses and a decent pair of padded biking shorts. Trust me, your behind will be thankful.

Today, one of the fastest growing sports in the world is mountain biking. It’s not only practiced by the elite professionals, but is also a wonderful way for the entire families to enjoy quality time together. What better way to keep fit and see the countryside?

Mountain biking was born in the 70s on Mount Tamalpais, better known as Mt. Tam, in California, USA. A group of enthusiasts consisting of famous names like Gary Fisher, Joe Breeze, Keith Bontrager and Otis Guy among others, started modifying the heavy Cruiser bikes to be used for riding down the mountain trails. The mountain bike was born.

In the early days, mountain biking was perceived as quite a risk. In fact, it was. First mountain bikers were purely downhillers. They would race only downhill, to get up a mountain they used a truck. Because the slopes were more than those first bikes could handle, they started modifying and improving, which lead to the first real mountain bikes.

The first real mountain bike made with all new components was build in 1978 by Joe Breeze. Other giants in the field like Gary Fisher, Tom Ritchey, Charlie Kelley and Charlie Cunningham just to name a few, soon followed.

Since the 70s much has changed. Technology and popularity has improved tremendously. In the 90s mountain biking really exploded. Few of the pioneers who rode down the rocky trails of Mt Tamalpais, would have believed how widespread their passion would become. Are you aware that mountain biking is an Olympic sport? It is.

Over the years many aspects of mountain biking developed and improved. New technologies, new materials and new styles were discovered. Performance was greatly enhanced. Nowadays you have all kinds of bikes that meet the demands of a variety of terrains and riding styles. Cross country, downhill, freeride, all-mountain, and trials. There is a lot to choose from.

Mountain biking started about 30 years ago as a crazy pastime. Today, it is a widely popular mainstream sport, recreational activity and a huge industry. From the adaptation of the Cruiser bicycles, mountain bikes have come a long way.

Washington State’s John Wayne Pioneer Trail follows the former railbed of the Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad two-thirds of the way across Washington. The light gravel pathway offers hikers, bicyclists, equestrians, wagons and cross-country skiers a chance to travel along the historic Milwaukee Road right-of-way on a gentle, easy-to-negotiate grade.

The 100-mile portion from Cedar Falls (near North Bend) to the Columbia River near Vantage is managed as Iron Horse State Park.

Chicago-Milwaukee-St. Paul-Pacific Railroad abandoned this corridor and it was later turned into a trail in the 1980s when Washington State Parks acquired it. In the past, the Milwaukee Road was a vital trade link between Seattle and the Midwest. This article is about the trail between exit 38 East of North bend to exit 54 at Hyak on the Eastside of Snoqualmie Pass.

Some people call the trail the John Wayne Trail west of Snoqualmie Pass and the Iron Horse Trail east of Snoqualmie Pass, while others call the entire trail the Iron Horse Trail.

The trail is relatively smooth, but not paved and because of this along with its length, most people use it as a mountain bike trail. It’s an easy ride with spectacular views. On average, the trail is about half a mile from the highway and about 300 feet higher, so that the noise and exhaust fumes of the trucks on the highway are not bothersome.

If you look at a map there are two Exits 38: Exit 38 west and Exit 38 east, about two miles apart and connected by a side road. You can access the trail from either exit.

The section I’ll talk about is approximately 16.5 miles to Hyak and rises steadily from exit 38 to an elevation of approximately 2500 feet.

At the top, the trail enters Snoqualmie Tunnel (a 2-mile long tunnel). This is located at Snoqualmie Pass, the lowest point in these mountains to cross over. Because of the snowfall here the builders of the railroad decided to make a tunnel through the mountain at this point.

NOTE: The ride through the tunnel can be extremely DARK. At two miles in length, the far end is just a small pinpoint of light. Be sure to have a good light and where a jacket. The tunnel is very dark, wet and cool inside. As for the trail its self, the gravel path is level and smooth making for an easy ride. Also, the tunnel is usually closed from November 1 to May 1.

After you leave the East end of the tunnel at Hyak, its time to backtrack to the trailhead. The return to the trailhead is all downhill making for a quick and easy ride (the whole trip is approximately 33 miles, round-trip).

Another option is to drop off a car at each end and then just ride one way or start at the East end of Snoqualmie Tunnel and ride downhill one-way.

For directions and current conditions check out the Washington State Parks website at http://www.parks.wa.gov/parks/?selectedpark=Iron Horse