all things travel, biking, chile & patagonia
Can I use WD-40 to lube my bicycle chain?
No. You should never use WD40 as chain lubricant since WD-40 is NOT a true lubricant since it’s primary use is as a solvent or rust dissolver.
What is the healthiest beer?
Darker beers, such as stouts and porters, and extra hoppy beers, such as DIPAs and Imperial IPAs are the healthiest, along with Trappist beers and spontaneous fermented beers, such as Lambics and Gose.
Why do you ride?
Several academic studies have asked this question, “why do mountain bikers ride?”
I thought I’d have some fun and find out what these researchers found out, and put the findings into a real-world context.
I contacted the Marin Museum of Bicycling in Marin County, California to find out. Joe Breeze, who is the curator of the museum replied to my question, and yes, this is the same Joe Breeze who is credited with creating the first mountain bike back in 1977.
Road helmets usually don’t have a visor, are sleeker, more compact, and have more & larger air vents compared to the heavier, rounder, bulkier and airflow restricted mountain bike helmet.
However, the real question might be what helmet offers better protection?
What are some of the best snacks and snacking ideas you have when it comes to being out on the trail?
I posted this question to 7 different biking and hiking clubs and received over 500 responses. This post outlines the most popular trail snacks, and the best snacking ideas for mountain bikers, or anyone who likes to snack in the great outdoors.
A thru-axle is a type of wheel attachment system where the axle shaft goes through one side of the fork then through the hub and is screwed into the other side of the fork.
What does travel on a mountain bike mean?
Mountain biking ‘travel’ refers to how far moving parts move or “travel” and is usually measured in millimeters (mm). Travel used to refer specifically to the mountain bike (MTB) suspension, but now also includes the dropper seatpost.
The bottom bracket is the 'spinny' thing where the pedals come together
MTBers and road cyclists are near the top when it comes to frequency of eye-injuries, with the vast majority being preventable with a pair of riding glasses or goggles. Sport-specific glasses or goggles are an essential mountain biking equipment and should be considered non-negotiable protective gear, just like your helmet and gloves.
Do you really need a dropper post?
Despite the extra weight, price, and complexity - Dropper-Posts offer more pedal efficiency, increased safety and make riding more fun.
What are the best beers to drink warm?
Malt-driven beers, amber ales, scotch ales, English ESBs, Belgian doubles, and some low bitterness chocolate stouts will be your best choices. Avoid hoppy & lager-style beers and industrial beer.
Do clipless pedals make a difference and does cycling with them improve performance, efficiency, and increased pedal power?
Clipless pedal systems provide approximately 10% more maximum power output during short periods (<30 seconds) of all-out sprints and steep climbing, compared to flat pedals.
How much water should I drink while mountain biking to stay hydrated?
Mountain bikers and cyclists should drink to the dictates of their thirst. This means drinking to satiate thirst, and stopping once thirst has been quenched.
What muscle groups are used while mountain biking?
The muscles of the buttock, hamstrings, quads, calf, shoulder, chest, arms & forearms and the core muscles are all heavily involved while mountain biking.
This post focuses on beer, and why it’s the perfect beverage after a day of riding singletrack/biking paths.
How are mountain bike trails rated?
MTB trail difficulty ratings are generally based upon 6 parameters: surface features, gradient, trail width, natural obstacles, technical features, and fitness level.
Chilena cuisine is the result of the combination of the native indigenous people, most notably the Mapuche along with contributions from the Spaniards, and German influence from the 19th-century
How fast does a mountain biker go?
Average speed for an MTBer≈ 10 mph (16 kph) during singletrack riding. Uphill sections average ≈ 8 mph (13 kph) with downhill sections averaging ≈ 12 mph (19 kph).
Chile is one of the most geographical and climatically diverse places on the planet. Continental Chile passes through 39 degrees of southern latitude, which has an immense effect on the formation of unique patterns
How many calories does MTB burn?
Mountain biking burns between 200 - 1400 calories per hour. Approximately 680 calories are burned per hour during moderate cross-country singletrack riding.
What’s the national drink of Chile?
The Terremoto is the real national drink of Chile, while the Pisco Sour is the officially recognized drink. What is a Terremoto drink? It’s a cocktail with….
Looking for some book ideas? I have personally read over 2000 books and here are four of my top 50. Your welcome
The Patagonia has two separate time zones
The southern portion of Chile’s Patagonia and all of Argentina’s Patagonia is in GMT-3 (2 hours ahead of New York City, during Standard Time)
Northern Patagonia of Chile is located in GMT-4 (one hour ahead of New York City, during Standard Time)
Can I flush the toilet paper in Patagonia?
The answer to this question is a bit tricky as “La Patagonia” resides in two nations and is larger than the entire state of Texas. As a general rule, you should NOT flush used toilet paper down the toilet, but instead, deposit it in the wastebasket.
Can I drink the tap water in Patagonia?
Yes. You can drink the tap water in Patagonia as the water is safe. However, If you have a sensitive stomach, then it's advisable to drink bottled water as gastrointestinal discomfort can affect those unaccustomed to the region's water.
How often should I replace my mountain bike chain?
There is no set mileage or timeframe, but you should replace your chain before there is considerable wear. The best way to determine when to replace your chain is by measuring your chain stretch. The rate of chain stretch depends on where you ride, riding style, weather, and lubing schedule.
Is Chile considered a third world country?
The term ‘Third World’ arose during the Cold War to define countries that remained ‘non-aligned’ with the Communist Soviet bloc or the Capitalist NATO bloc. By this original definition, Chile is a ‘Third World' country, as Chile remained neutral during the Cold War era.
What does counter-steering mean for MTBing and bike riding?
Countersteering is defined as the act of steering in the opposite direction to initiate a turn. The word counter-steering is a mashup of counter and steering where counter means against and steer means to guide or direct.
What is the origin and meaning of the place-name Patagonia?
Ferdinand Magellan named the southern tip of South America Patagonia in 1520. The meaning of Patagonia is most likely derived from the book, The Primaleon, which was first published in 1512, and featured a wild race of people called the Patagonians.
What is a boozy shakerato?
A Boozy Shakerato is an alcoholic version of the classic Italian Caffe Shakerato with the addition of rum and cream. The classic version is a non-alcoholic drink but is also served throughout Italy with Grappa, and is traditionally served in a martini glass.
What languages are spoken in Patagonia?
Spanish is the official language in Patagonia. Mapudungun, German, and Welsh are minority languages of Patagonia, as Spanish is the predominant and official language of both the Chilean and Argentinian Patagonia.
Why were early bikes designed with a giant front wheel?
The high wheeler/ordinary/penny-farthing was developed in the 1870s and had a huge front wheel, which allowed the bicycle to travel greater distances with each pedal stroke, and provided a smoother ride on shoddy roads.
What is a strawberry bandito?
A strawberry bandito is a jalapeño tequila-based version of a strawberry daiquiri. Instead of rum, use a jalapeño infused tequila, shaken with frozen strawberry cubes, lime juice, simple syrup, and salt.
Why is a bicycle seat called a saddle?
Bicycles were designed to be a mode of transportation similar to a horse but under the propulsion of man. The motion of mounting and riding a bike is very similar to that of mounting a saddled horse.
What are the differences between dry and wet lubricants?
Dry lubes don’t last as long and are best used in dry conditions. Wet lubes stay on significantly longer, even while riding in inclement conditions.
Is mineral oil the same as Dot brake fluid for hydraulic disc brakes?
No, mineral oil and DOT brake fluid are different and are NOT compatible.
What soap should I use to wash my road or mountain bike?
Use a mild grease-cutting soap like Dawn Dishwashing Liquid.
