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Mtb tours
Almabike Mtb Tours -Express Yourself-
Cycling
Each of our tours is accompanied by background information in order to make you understand what kind of excursion you are participating in. Part of this information is the kind of bike we recommend for the tour you have chosen (MTB, Trekking Bike, etc. ..). The wrong bike could endanger the success of the excursion. Using a downhill bike uphill would be too heavy and would lead to an unnecessary duplication of effort. A City-Bike, by contrast, may be uncomfortable and even dangerous in case of a descent on gravel as it might not be able to absorb the acceleration.
If you have any questions we kindly ask you to contact us for more information and clarification. In case you use your own bike and not one of our AlmaBikes we find it necessary to strongly remind you that your bike has to be in the best conditions in order to prevent accidents or slowdowns. The bicycle must be kept clean (which makes necessary quick repairs much easier). It has to be periodically checked by a specialized technician if you are not able to assess the status of your bike and its components and adjust and/or repair them by yourself. All of this ensures the highest safety of the vehicle. We advise you to periodically lubricate the chain (as well as the brake cable and gear change) with appropriate cleaning products which you can get in bike stores.
To grease the chain you should first wash and dry the bike (it's not necessary to use degreaser) and then put a few drops of synthetic oil on the chain and slide it by turning the cranks as if you were riding. Then you should re-apply the cloth to remove excess lubricant which would cause an unnecessary buildup of dirt right from the start.
To lubricate the cables it is better to use a special lubricant spray. It should be applied at the exit point of the cable sheath and act on the gear lever to help the liquid enter.
Nutrition and hydration
Before each trip we recommend proper nourishisment and hydration, which means to eat and drink in the correct manner. The importance of salt has long been proven for all types of sporting activities. Drinking a good amount of water helps prevent cramps, muscle fatigue, tiredness. Water should be drank in advance (20' before) and of course during the tour frequently in order to prevent dehydration.
It is also important to eat at least 2 hours prior to the excursion in order to not start pedaling being already tired from the digestive process.
You should also have had a good amount of carbohydrates (bread, pasta, cereal, potatoes) prepared in a simple and not too seasoned way.
Furthermore, fruits and vegetables should never be missing on our dining tables. It is very important to have water and some snacks, energy bars or dried fruit with you during the tour to ward off the risk of dehydration and loss of sugars.
Equipment
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Please let us know if you are equipped with the following material:
- Do you have a bike or do you need to rent one?
- Do you have a helmet, gloves, and glasses?
- Do you have appropriate clothing? In case you need to rent a bike:
- Do you use trainers or pedals with clips?
- How tall are you? What is your weight and sex?
- What kind of bike rides do you usually you do (on dirt roads, asphalt, cycling, races, etc. ...?)
- Backpack (a good and experienced cycler knows that either a comfortable backpack or bike bags to store the equipment are obligatory)
- Fresh underwear to change
- Rain jacket
- Sunscreen
- Snacks (dried fruit, energy bars)
- 1 liter of water
- Salt supplements in a bag
Tips for a successful excursion -
What to bring and what to wear during an ALMABIKE Tour:
The clothing that goes with bike rides has become more and more specific and technologically advanced. It is important to know how to dress properly and what precautions to take in order to keep the clothing in good condition even after frequent use.
Underwear: clothing in direct contact with the skin which therefore should facilitate perspiration and wick away the sweat so as to keep the body as dry as possible.
Middleware: the main function of middle-wear is to provide thermal insulation, allow perspiration and the emanation of moisture.
Outerwear: the primary function of outerwear is to protect the rider from the elements (wind and rain in particular) and to allow perspiration. The most used products have membranes that are waterproof and permeable to air.
The Helmet: if not already required by law, a helmet should be mandatory for each cyclist for reasons of common sense. Having to meet the ever increasing safety standards the latest helmet generation has not only a much nicer look, but has above all increased the cyclist's comfort and safety. Therefore it is important to use an approved, well fitting cycling helmet without any obvious signs of damage.
Gloves: using gloves should not only be seen as a habit but as an absolute necessity. The gloves should be comfortable and have ideal characteristics for the respective type of use. Apart from guaranteeing a perfect grip on the steering wheel in moments of intense perspiration and absorbing vibrations, gloves protect from blows and bruises.
Sunglasses: sunglasses are ideal to protect your eyes from any kind of weather conditions. The glasses have to be light, comfy to wear and have no lenses made of glass.
Chart Map legend of the tours' level of difficulty
- *(touristic):
Route consisting of dirt roads of compact and well ridable surfaces or asphalt streets. - **(for cycle excursionists with average technical capacity):
Routes along dirt roads with only slightly unconnected or slightly irregular (and uneven) surfaces or trails with compact and smooth surfaces. - ***(for cycle excursionists with good technical skills):
Route with rough dirt roads, mule trails and technically challenging but overall pretty well rideable tracks. The slopes are never excessive. Natural obstacles might be encountered (roots, rock steps, etc.). - ****(for cycle excursionists with excellent technical skills):
Long tracks on very rough and very irregular (and uneven) dirt roads with lots of obstacles. The downhill slopes can be very challenging. - ****(highest level):
Tracks only dedicated to experts. The paths are very uneven, with frequent steps and obstacles which often require very high trail techniques and an excellent physical preparation.
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