Product Description

Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is your guide for riding better, faster and more confidently on all terrain. World champion racer Brian Lopes and renowned coach Lee McCormack provide you with all of the key techniques and skills you’ll need to take your ride to the next level.

Customer Reviews (72)

Haul the Mail with this Book!
Great book - easy to understand, lots of useful photos, repetition of basic information so that it sinks in for us knuckleheads, plenty of technical skills and tricks to keep me busy with trying to improve my riding for years to come.Gives advise on what to look for when buying a bike, suspension/bike set-up, riding position, pedaling, cornering, and dealing with various types of terrain. And as an added bonus it is actually fun to read!

Excellent detail and descriptions of beginner to advanced mountain biking
In a nutshell...the book examines impediments to progress in developing MTB skills and then goes on to describe in excellent detail how to accomplish the full range of useful MTB maneuvers. Even if you consider yourself an expert rider, there is something in this book that will at least improve your riding.

It's a good investment for any MTB rider, just keep it nearby while you relax at home and read a little and then go out and practice.

Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more
A top sports library pick is Brian Lopes and Lee McCormack's MASTERING MOUNTAIN BIKE SKILLS, appearing in its second updated edition to prove technical direction for trail, downhill, racing and other mountain bike riders. Photo sequences and demonstrations show how to handle jumps, do wheelies, and more.

Mountain Biking
Very difficult to read. Probably useful to a professional racer, does not give a clear picture of mountain biking to the beginner.

Best book I've read on bike skills improvement
Mastering Mountain Bike Skills is one book that every rider should have, whatever level they are in. The tips are very practical and easy to follow. A great book. It has helped me improve my riding skills. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (2)

A great guide to riding some of the best Terrain our there.
As a 27 year resident of Northern California, I must say that I was pleasantly surprised by some of the trails I found in this book.The trail coverage is broad as Northern California is not a small place.This book outlines some of the best trails throughout Santa Cruz, San Jose, San Franciso, and all the way up to the California-Oregon border.I look forward to riding some of the far Northern California trails that are outlined in this book.

Excellent trail guide!
This book covers Northern California trails in pretty good detail.The book does a good job of covering the famous trails and covering some less well known backcountry trails that even locals may not know about.The directions to the trail heads are usually pretty good.The trail directions are sometimes out of date and a little vague, but usually good enough to keep from getting lost.Overall, I definitely recommed it! ... Read more

Product Description
With 100 rides to choose from, Mountain Biking Utah takesfat-tire enthusiasts on a tour of the state's unique landscapes-fromthe rugged mountains in the north to the spacious central plateaus andfamed canyon country in the south.Pedal through the WasatchMountains near Salt Lake City, relish the endless vistas atop BrianHead Resort, and discover Moab's redrock splendor in and around Archesand Canyonlands National Parks.Mountain bikers of all abilities willenjoy the classic assortment of rides varying in length and difficultyand appealing to a variety of moods, skills, and fitness levels.Detailed route descriptions, elevation profiles and easy-to-use mapshelp you find the trailhead and stay on track. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Great book...shipping took longer than promiced
The book is very comprehensive and has made planning a Utah bike trip much easier. The book itself is quite large and heavy so I would not plan to use it as an on-trail guide.

The product arived in good condition but took 3 weeks longer than advertised on Amazon which made for a late Christmas gift.

Product was well worth the price...just give yourself lots of additional delivery time.

Mountain Biking Utah
I bought this book from my boyfriend and it said it was in a new condition. It was not. There were many scratchs on the book and it had a yellow marker line on the bottom on the book across the bottom of the pages. I was really embarresed to give it to my boyfriend becuase of the condition that this book was in. I was also upset because i recieved it 3 days later than the date that i was supposed to get it. It was packaged well but the condiditon was worse than I thought.

Great Guide Book!
I can't stop singing the praises of this book. I've been biking Utah for a while, and this book exposed me to some trails that I hadn't seen. If you're in Utah and want to find some great trails, or if you're coming toUtah to ride, GET THIS BOOK! ... Read more

Product Description
Hit the trail with the assurance and daring of a pro biker. Get the adrenaline rush of flying under your own power. And take Mountain biking along. It's packed with all the nuts and bolts of mountain biking: Equipment ("Homemade," "Beware," "Must Have"); Techniques--with real-life examples. Strickland writes from his own experience--and he takes you along. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Short , Sweet, Informative
My complaint with most mountain bike "how-to" guides is that they gear the reader toward being a professional rider. That's because they are most often written by professional riders. Seldom has a book been written that just covers the basic questions like "How do I jump a small dirt mound?" or "What is the difference between the different types of rear-suspensions that are available?" This book answers those basic questions without getting into so much detail that the average rider will be bored. The text and illustrations are clear, concise, and entertaining. The outline of the book brings the reader from shopping for their first bike, right up through explaining some of the most basic "expert" techniques. But, again, the book is very much geared toward first time or beginner riders and is intended to gradually step them up through the ranks of bad, to better, to good.

In short, this book covers most all of the basic techniques you will need to be a good novice mountain bike rider. And that's exactly what I want to be.

A great read!
A great source of information for us newies who want to take our riding a step further. Bill obviously has a great passion for the sport and his style sums up what mountain biking is all about - fun!

Really is the ultimate guide
An excellent book!Strickland's style is casual, funny, and fun to read, while still being packed with information.I recommend this book to all fat-tire enthusiasts out there.

Team Grimace
Team Grimace is the best!Keep on BIKING everyone!Oh ya...... this book is good.

Bill is my Yoda!
Oh no it's Mr.Bill! Don't let that sway you my friends.Forany of you who have read Mountain Bike magazine you certainly knowMr. Bill Strickland.If you don't you are in for a treat. Mr Bill is a fountain of knowledge that he explains with accuracy and witt.

Listen young one's.Listen and learn..... ... Read more

Product Description
Mountain biking presents unique challenges, and noted expert Joe Friel addresses them all in his latest book. Covering every aspect of training, he helps riders maximize their experience and minimize problems. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (21)

Great Planning Tool
Friel does a great job of going through the stages of planning a year of meaningful training.I think the book is written in realistic terms, and with a few days of earnest study, is helpful to any aspiring biker that wants to up his/her biking game.I am hoping to race in the Leadville race coming up here in Colorado in July; Friel's planning, I feel two months into it, is at least giving me some purposeful and consistent workouts.Easy to read, and with charts etc... included.The book allows the reader to create their own personal workout plan that can be easily scheduled around irritating things like work.If you are willing to 1. read the book and do the research, 2. follow through with the 'best laid plans', I think this book is a good source.

Very good book
I I've not read yet all the book, but until now it is one of the best books that I read about trainning.
It give us tools to understand the objective of tranning and how to plan it.

Sound & Effective Training Plan for Competing
If you're looking for a training regimen that is specifically designed for you with specific goals in mind, this book is for you.Friel helps you find your strengths and weaknesses as well as identifying your goals.He then guides you in making a training plan designed to keep you growing toward your goals without geting burned out or peaking too soon.It is a great guide to help you peak at just the right time to be your best for a race or other competition.

Mountain Biker's Training Bible, a great book the for hardcore mountain bike racer.
After reading this book I will have a much more planned and refined approach to my training.This book helps give meaning to every step in the training process. Specifically geared toward mountain biking as well.

Too hardcore for recreational riders!
Thorough book but only for those that are interested in racing.This book is way too in-depth and is not user friendly for those of us who want to get better and use a training schedule but do not race.I would not recommend this book to anyone who is not interested in racing and becoming a professional rider. ... Read more

Product Description
Here are 31 of the best rides in the Bend area, from thebanks of the Deschutes River to the rim of the Newberry Crater, and fromSmith Rock to high mountain lakes and lava beds near the crest of theCascades. Take your pick from scenic road routes, hot singletracks,thigh-burning climbs, and demented downhills. Detailed ride descriptionsmake it easy to find the trailheads and follow the routes--helping youstay on track with accurate distances keyed to easy-to-read maps andratings for physical and technical difficulty. This handy pocket-sizedguide will help you choose a ride that is appropriate for your fitnessand skill levels and will be an indispensable companion for all of yourfat tire fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

The Bend Experiance
Awesome book from a mountain bikers point of view. Plenty of facts and details make using this guide a no brainer. The info is very accurate and the choices are endless for rides of various lengths and skill levels. I never new how much riding Oregon offered(and Bend in particular)but this Book made the trip easy breezey as far as what to ride.

Must have for exploring the trails around Bend
A tad dated (hint for a revisied edition!), this is the most authoratative description of Bend's mountain biking trail system. After four years of living and mountain biking in the Bend area, I still have a couple trails that Scott has written about that I haven't completed. This book along with the Bend area Adventure map (available at any local bike shop) are indispensible when enjoying the amazing and endless mountain bike trails of central Oregon.

excellent resource
has majority of trails in the area; gives detailed instructions ... Read more

Product Description
PEDOMETER WALKING

Customer Reviews (12)

Great tips!
small and basic things are covered pretty well.I'm a haevy trail rider with 30 - 40 miles of trail riding every week.basic tune ups and cleaning and lining are well explained and that made me save a lot of money.

It is very very basic book
I am very surprised by so many positive reviews of this book. In my opinion, it's useless, unless you are very very much beginner to bike repair (and thus to cycling as well). I bought it as a gift for my brother, who bothers me with his bike repair requests all the time. Sincerely saying, I even didn't look into the book and I just gave it my bro, who soon complained to me that the book seemed to have very few use for him. Well, I didn't trust him and took it to look through.
First of all, this maintenance guide is extremely basic. Even more basic, that any "dummy" guide I've ever seen. In fact, it just gives you a systematized and illustrated list of bike components with short comments on their set up. For example, book gives a short introduction on what are the possible brake types you may see at your bike (thus, it assumes, you are very newbie to the subject), but after that, you read just few sentences on how to set up each type of brakes. I am on bike since 1996 (I am 30 years old) and although I am not repair guru, I had experience of almost every bike job. Believe me, you cannot set up brakes by this book. It's merely not giving you enough information neither on this, nor any other subject. Another example, author says that vast majority of modern mountain bikes has a thread-less headset and steerer set up, however you may find threaded design as well. So logically, while describing how to set up this components, you expect to find author mentioning threaded type as well, but it doesn't happen. He gives just very basic description on thread less parts and that's all.
I've read the whole book just for interest and frankly saying, I cannot understand what purpose it serves. It cannot be a maintenance guide due to lack of subject depth. You may find it useful only in case you are absolute "dummy" to bicycle, who even doesn't suspect existence of e.g. disk brakes or clip less pedals, so when you buy this book, you ll know it. My opinion is, that this book became a victim of attempt to make it as easier as possible.

I give two stars for good publishing level of material and for author's language, but I am afraid, these are the only ads of this "guide"

Bottom line: Do not buy it. Even if you are very beginner (and particularly if you are very beginner), you ll not find any use in such reading

Very informative book
I bought this for my husband at Christmas right after he got a new mountain bike.He loves it and refers to it often.Great book for anyone who wants to maintain their bike.

Great Cycling guide!
I own both the "Road Bike" and the "Mountain Bike" guides. I bought the Road-bike guide, loved it, and hoped the Mountain-Bike Guide would be just as good. It was! The photography, text, and even the Binding design are all perfect...now if Guy Andrews and Gary Fisher would write an identically designed guide on Fixed-Gear / Single-Speed Track, Urban, and Messenger Bike Guide...

Great book for basic maintenance.
I am a recent mountain bike owner and long-time DIYer. This book is great for fully explaining how to perform all the work I will ever want to do on my bike. Good pictures to illustrate the parts and work to be done. Highly recommended. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

Mountain Biking Washington State
Very well written and a "must" if your out of state and want to know the "scoop" on where the trails are. Simple easy to follow directions and a must to truly discover Washington outdoors by bike. ... Read more

Product Description
Veteran rider and local author Santo Criscuolo becomes a personal mountain bike trail guide as he explores every twist and turn of single track in the Puget Sound region from Olympia to Bellingham and from the Kitsap Peninsula to Cle Elum and Cashmere. Not only does he tell bikers where to find the trails, he tells them how and when to ride them to avoid poor trail conditions, crowds, and potential natural disasters common out in the dirt. Delivered with a fresh, irreverent perspective, this highly detailed mountain bike guide uses easy quick-references so readers can find what they are searching for right away. Mountain Biking the Puget Sound Area also provides some of the most detailed maps of any guidebook available.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (3)

Best Seattle/Puget Sound area mountain bike guidebook
I just returned from a trip to Seattle. I bought all three Mountain bike guides available and I found Criscuolo's book to be the best. His maps were better that Zilly's, directions were better, and the descriptions of the trails were more accurate. I also appreciate that the trails in Crisculol's book are rides that are mostly 10-30+ miles. Zilly's book "Kissing the Trail" is loaded with "rides" that are 1 to 5 miles.

Acutally, the book has new rides in it...
I wonder about the previous review and if writer isn't a friend of Zilly's. Did he even read Criscuolo's book and use it out on the dirt? Puget Sound Mountain Biking has several rides mapped out that have never been published in any book. For example, the Black Diamond Coal Mine and Tokul Creek. Maps are much more detailed than Zilly's books plus Criscuolo provides relevant commentary on the thrills or lack there of on each trail.

Rehashed Guidebooks & Knowledge
With 3-4 excellent guidebooks already covering these areas, this one is really a rehash of those books.In addition, many of the areas covered have incorrect landowner and access information, as well as poor instructions on how to ride the loops for maximum fun.Look to Zilly's books and local group rides for the best trail guides. ... Read more

Product Description
We flock to it in droves to pay homage to what many consider the North Shore, the Mount Everest, the Vatican, the Taj Mahal, the Empire State Building, the Marilyn Monroe of mountain biking -- Moab, Utah. But mind you, Moab is not for everyone. Nowhere is the terrain more challenging or more dangerous. Nowhere is the penalty stiffer for screwing up. But if mountain bikers don't ride Moab, they will forever dream of what could have been. Moab is simply the best mountain bike destination on earth. No question. No controversy. No ifs, ands, or buts. It gets under your skin. Come here once, and you will come again and again.

From this book mountain bikers can expect exhaustive and comprehensive trail descriptions, from beginner to advanced, GPS-quality, digitally designed relief maps detailing each ride, and accurate profiles maps showing the ups and downs of each route. In addition, detailed directions get cyclists to the ride without getting them lost. Detailed mile-by-mile directional cues are also provided with difficulty ratings, elevation gain, trail contacts, and much more.
Amazon.com Review
Moab is a mecca for mountain bikers, who come from around theworld to ride its challenging trails. Whether you're a newcomer to thearea or a frequent fat-tire flier, Mountain Bike America: Moabis a great addition to your fanny pack. Local cyclist Lee Bridgersblends his passion for mountain biking with his obvious love of Moab,describing 49 rides ranging from easy (Old Moab Highway, Dalton Wells)to "very difficult to abusive" (Porcupine Rim). Each starts with anoverview--where to start, how far the ride is, how long you can expectit to take, warnings, environmental concerns, and how to getthere--before launching into a detailed description of what you'llexperience along the way, be it slick rock, deep sand, dinosaurtracks, or rusted mining equipment. Bridgers is careful to point outplaces where cyclists should use caution, encouraging less experiencedriders to dismount--"if you are pushing a mountain bike, you are stillmountain biking. Live to ride tomorrow." Detailed maps will help youplan your days--especially the cross-sections of each ride's ups anddowns. Throughout the book, Bridgers emphasizes the need to protectthe environment--"as mountain bikers we had better learn to co-existwith nature or else we'll lose the privileges to enjoy it from thesaddle"--and offers up stories from his experiences as one of Moab'sleading bike tour guides. Special sections on safety (carry more waterthan you think you'll need), bike selection and repair, Moab-necessarytechniques (sand riding, dealing with flies), and area food, lodging,and services make this a useful all-around resource. --SunnyDelaney ... Read more

Customer Reviews (26)

Lee Bridger's Chip on the Shoulder
There are a lot of rides described in this book however, this guy has a chip on his shoulder! He can't say much good about anyone except himself. As others have said - there are other good guide books with good trail information and not all the drivel!

Fine riding info, but bad taste
This book has fine details on many of Moab's great rides. Throughout much of this guide, however, I got the feel that this author has a chip on his shoulder. He seems to be getting all his revenge and mean spirits out through this guide book. Some of it is actually comical, but most of it just rude. One example (and I'm paraphrasing): riding the White Rim in 4-5 days is "boring". Note to author: some of us actually use our mtn bikes to take us to beautiful, tranquil areas. It's not always about how much air we get or how many miles logged. Anyone who would call 5 days in Canyonlands with a mtn bike "boring" is lacking some serious taste for life.
Instead, buy the Falcon pocket guide by Crowell. It's got great info, is small enough for your pack, and without the rude gossip.

Mountain Biking Moab, 2nd Edition: A Guide to Moab, Utah's Greatest Off-Road Bicycle Rides
I read several guides about mountain biking Utah prior to my recent trip.I have to say that of the 3 I read, Lee's book was not only thorough, but very accurate.When you get to Utah, you realize how immense the actual area is.There's alot of opportunity to ride, but also for peril.Lee does a nice job of telling stories that are interesting, give a heads up on local cool things, covers ecological and social issues that are relevant, and is a hip and thoughful author.I give the book 5 chili peppers.I will say, it would be nice to have a smaller format I could take in my hydrapack.Instead, I used a human guide!

Poor and biased
I've read the book and biked with the authors company based in Moab and don't recommend either.

There are many other guides to Moab which are cheaper and equally informative (try Biker Mel's.). Only when you meet the author, ride the routes he describes, the routes he doesn't describe and hear what the locals have to say about him (all bad) do you realise how unreliable this book is. It is just too biased by the authors own personal opinion.

This guy is decsribed locally as a biker snob who made enemies after slagging off everybody else in Moab in this book and who refers to routes as 'his trails'.

Great Book
Any one going to Moab needs this book.Some of the trails are just variations of the same main trail but it gives some great information. ... Read more

Product Description
This handy guide offers more than 80 rides from the birthplace of the mountain bike revolution; from the top of Mount Tamalpais to the redwoods of Big Basin. Ride legendary Repack, Annadel State Park, Mount Diablo, Wilder Ranch, Henry Coe State Park, and El Corte de Madera Creek Open Space Preserve. Mountain biker, triathlete, and author Lorene Jackson offers tidbits on local history, wildlife, and points of interest to make this more than just a trail guide to the best mountain bike rides in and around the San Francisco Bay Area, including rides in the North Bay, South Bay, East Bay, and San Francisco Peninsula.
... Read more

Customer Reviews (4)

Good Guide, Used it Quite a Bit
Picked this up for an extended Northern California hiking and riding trip. I purchased about four others as well and I used all of them as each has a little something different. Not a single one was useless and none warranted less than 4 stars. I would reccomend doing the same rather than just picking one for your trip.

Never Wonder Again Where to Find Good Dirt
As a serious S.F. Bay Area cyclist for over 40 years I approach any guidebook to my "back yard" with a certain degree of skepticism, as in "What new can you possibly show me?"I was delighted to find that Ms. Jackson did indeed show me some new mountain biking delights I'd overlooked, but along the way I learned even more new tidbits about what I supposedly already knew.Almost every featured ride has "enrichment" far beyond the necessary trail and topographical stats.No doubt the author learned things from her literary predecessors, which is as it should be, but there is also no doubt she has written the currently definitive off-road guide for mountain bikers of this region.The miracle of the S.F. area is that 5 million people can live so close to so much open space. It is no mean feat to review it all personally, provide directions that are simultaneously explicit and open ended, and simultaneously appeal to the first time rider and a "show me" old time rider such as myself.But Ms. Jackson has done this much, and more.I mean her guide book is not only that, but a fun read as well.Imagine!

For the Rider, the Wannabe, and the Curious
Mountain Biking the San Francisco Bay Area is what the title says it is and much more. Lorene Jackson has tackled a huge subject (argueably the area with the largest number of mountain biking options in the country) and covered it well, providing the rider with all he/she needs to know before hitting the trail. But she does more than that. Beyond describing the ride, the terrain, and what's of interest, she makes each ride enticing.

Beyond offering detailed descriptions of 40 rides around the Bay Area, plus 17 more "Honorable Mentions," she provides much background material and information that will equip the novice and intermediate rider to be prepared and assured of a pleasureable experience.

But what I enjoyed most was her breezy enthusiasm that will draw many armchair riders to actually get on a bike and head for the mountains. Lorene Jackson and this book should spread the mountain biking "gospel" beyond it's current circle. I can't wait for her book on Lake Tahoe rides!

An Excellent Bay Area Mountain Biking Resource!
If you love moutain biking in the San Francisco Bay Area, then this book is your new best friend!

Detailed maps, great photos and tons of great rides that will challenge and inspire you as well as leave you breathless (both figuratively and literally).This book's detailed descriptions of where to catch the trails and navigate some of the best mountain biking in the world is a must for both locals and visitors to the birthplace of mountain biking.I especially loved the Marin trails section because it opened my eyes to some rides I didn't know about which have now become some of my favorites.And if you love single track riding, then Jackson will take you on some of the most harrowing rides you can imagine -- I've got the scabs and scars on my knees and thighs to prove it!

Buy this book! ... Read more

Product Description
MOUNTAIN BIKING ADVENTURES:FOU

Customer Reviews (1)

Good pocket guide...
Not only does the size of the book lend itself to being on the trail (easily stuffs into a camelpack or daypack), but it does a good job of explaining some basic repairs or problems you may encounter during a ride.Such things covered include: brake pads rubbing against the rim, unable to unclip from your pedal, a jammed chain, loose hub, or simply not having tire levers.A description is given of the problem, how to diagnose the problem, and what steps you can take to repair it yourself (or at least get back to the trialhead).

This book also provides diagrams, labeling components.This is beneficial to new riders who may not be certain of what is a cog, derailleur, or hub for instance.

While there may be other, more detailed repair books out there, this is a great book that you can easily take with you as you are first learning how to fix some common problems yourself.Definitely a good pocket guide. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (62)

Mtn Bike Maitenance
The book is excellent. It covers a wide selection of popular components and basic bike maintenance.

Keep on cranking
With this book you will be able to do a simple repair to a major one, If you plan on ridding alot of dirt trails buy this book,it will pay for it self.

great for the beginner
great for the beginner, my only complaint is usually when you are working on your bike it is hard to keep the book open, spiral bound would have been better for practical sense.I advice photocopying the pages you need then you don't have to worry about grease stains in the book.

A Great resource for mountain bike tech
used this to fix up and get my mountain bike running again. very good at helping pick out the tools and parts needed to maintain your bike for miles to come. looking forward to using this more and more with my bikes.

Muy antiguo
Si bien hay mucha mecánica es muy simple pero desactualizada, lo único rescatable son los tips para corregir las posiciones de sillín, potencia, manillar, tamaño del cuadro, etc. ... Read more

Product Description

Customer Reviews (3)

Indispensable guide to southwest Utah mountain biking
I found Bruce Grubbs's guide essential to locating and navigating the trails of Washington and Garfield counties in southwest Utah.I rode the Green Valley, J.E.M., Thunder Mountain, and Paradise Canyon trails in May 2001, and particularly loved the Green Valley and Thunder Mountain trails.Be careful -- each of these trails has hazards and technical challenges.

The book fits nicely in one's hydration pack or jersey pocket.One thing that Grubbs notes is worth repeating: you have to have an odometer to locate and navigate some of the trails he reviews.Otherwise you won't find them.

Another good source of information is the trail reviews at Mountain Bike Review's website...And some local clubs and stores have useful websites with trail descriptions.Use a search engine to locate them.

Key to Heavenly Mountain Bike Rides
I just finished a mountain biking vacation in the Zion area.Between this book and Dean at "Bike Zion," I found some incredible singletrack: Green Valley and Church Rocks in the St. George area, and Gooseberry Mesa, the JEM trail, and Slickrock Swamp just outside of Zion. I rode them all and loved them.I ride in Moab frequently, and the trailson Gooseberry surpass anything in Moab, except maybe Jackson's Hole.Thebook is very helpful with directions and trail descriptions, but why arenot more Zion area rides included?In July, I'm headed back to the area,this time to Brian Head, with book in hand! To the author: thanks for yourresearch and sharing these world-class rides.

Mountain Biking St. George/Cedar City
This is a super handy book that describes biking trails in Southwestern Utah.With trails ranging in elevation from under 4,000 feet to around 11,000 feet, you can ride just about any day of the year somewhere near St. George or Cedar City.There are trails for all levels of abilities, fromadvanced to Sunday sight-seeing. Although most trails involve a lot ofsingletrack layout, there are a few that are on jeep roads or even smoothersurfaces.This book opened my eyes to the fact that there is much more tomountain biking in Utah than just heading down to Moab.And I especiallylike the smaller size of the book, that allows it to easily fit in yourback pocket or in your camelback. ... Read more

Product Description
This is the comprehensive and up-to-date guide to theextensive mountain biking possibilities in Orange County, California. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (6)

Excellent book
This book is both excellent and bad, but the excellent greatly outweighs the bad.

First, the bad: it is OLD. It is more than a decade old as I write this. A lot of development has taken place in SoCal since it was written, and I've encountered two situations where driving directions were no longer accurate. Both of them involved rides starting in Corona. I found the ride in both situations, but you need to be aware of this. If you're not familiar with the area you want to ride, I suggest checking out the info using a mapping/directions website like Google or Yahoo maps. That should be more than enough to get you to any trail.

As far as the good goes: this book has very clear trail directions and with one exception, I have never been lost following their directions (the one incident was probably my fault). By far the most useful part of the book is their trail ratings for each ride. I find the "grunt factor" to be my most valuable tool in picking a ride, as I'm still kind of new and am not capable of some of the rides with higher "grunt" ratings. Their maps are fantastic, trail rating info is fantastic, and everything else is just pretty much fantastic.

In conclusion, if you ride in OC you should own this book. I've ridden many of the trails in it and have found the info to be more than 90% accurate, even with a decade separating me from the publishing date. Cross-reference some of the driving directions and you'll have the best guide you could ask for.

Absolutely the most have
If you live in Orange County and interested in mountain biking, this book is the must have, no other books come close to it in detail information. It breaks down all trails in strenth rating, downhill rating, and technical rating, which helps reader to select his or her ride according to personal ability, you can also mix and match the same level of trails in one ride and get a lot of veriaty at the same area.
I recently move to Nor. Cal and bought 3 trail books but really miss the way this book was edited, very clear description in techinal info and landscape scenary, not only provides guideline but also pumps you up before and after every ride.

Beware!Not updated in 9 years
My first attempt to use this book got me lost before I even found the trail-head.I am now wary of using this book, and looking for something more up to date.

Excellent Book
It has everything, from rates to times, to miles. The hows and the don'ts. Very extensive coverage with nice graphics and maps. It describes as if you were riding along and it makes you feel safe when riding. This is a must have.

Nice Maps and Trail Descriptions
I have taken many of the trails listed in this book and was impressed with the accurate trail maps which include mileage markers, geologic features, and elevations of mountain peaks. Trail descriptions include the distance, estimated time required, start and end elevations, and technical ratings. The book is useful for both mountain bikers and hikers. About fifty pages are devoted solely to trails in the Santa Ana Mountains. Unfortunately, recent development has eliminated some of the trailheads, especially in Aliso & Wood Canyons Park. ... Read more

Product Description
Mountain bikers, beginner to expert, all share a common need - a place to ride. Mountain Biking Portland gives fat-tire enthusiasts the skinny on where to ride. Here are twenty-eight of the best rides in the Portland area, from the city's western hills and Vancouver's mountain loops to the tracks and trails of Mount Hood and Mount St. Helens. Take your pick from scenic road routes, hot singletracks, lung-popping climbs, and demented downhills. Detailed ride descriptions make it easy to find the trailheads and follow the routes. You stay on track with accurate distances keyed to easy-to-read maps and ratings for physical and technical difficulty.

This handy pocket-size guide will help you choose a ride that's appropriate for your fitness and skill levels. It's an indispensable companion for all your fat-tire fun. ... Read more

Customer Reviews (1)

A Great Little Book!
Having just moved to Portland, I was dying to find places where the townsfolk got dirty (on their bikes, that is). While I didn't buy this book from Amazon (sorry, got it at Powell's downtown), this is a great little guide to mountain bike rides in Portland and the surrounding areas. The book details each ride, rates them on their difficulty, and conveniently categorizes them so you can can plan your day in the dirt. The best thing about this book is its size, because it's small enough to cart along with you on the trail. I've even taking to crossing off the rides as I complete them.

If you're riding in Portland, you should get this book! ... Read more

Product Description
Where else can mountain bikers complement a day's bike ride with a dizzying glissade down a mid-August snowfield? Where else can they descend nearly 40 miles through five biogeographical zones? Where else can they catch a major league game and be ripping along rocky singletrack 30 minutes later? Colorado, that's where. Snow in August, lighting above timberline, and 100 degree desert temperatures are all to be expected in the sport of Colorado mountain biking. As the country's highest state, Colorado offers its mountain bikers a unique perspective into the sport and raises the bar for all who ride. Under the expert guidance of local cyclist Stephen Hlawaty, come admire the beauty and revere the majesty that is Colorado. From this newly revised book, cyclists can expect exhaustive and comprehensive trail descriptions of more than 50 of the state's greatest mountain bike adventures, from beginner to advanced. Included are GPS-quality, digitally designed relief maps, and accurate route profiles showing the ups and downs of each ride. In addition, detailed directions get cyclists to the ride without getting them lost. Detailed mile-by-mile directional cues are also provided with difficulty ratings, elevation gain, trail contacts, and much more. More than 60 photographs round out this book's presentation. It's not just a mountain bike guide to Colorado. It's a guide to Colorado by mountain bike.
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Product Description
If you're looking for the ultimate mountain bike guide for the totally honed, welcome to William (Not Bill) Nealy's world.

Nealy's expertise (acquired through years of crash-and-burn) enables him to translate hard-learned reflexes and instinctive responses into easy-to-understand drawings: drawings that will make you into a much better rider.

Nealy's cartoon illustrations combine insight with humor and knowledge with humiliation. So, if you are ready to shorten the learning curve and master the advanced techniques of mountain biking, get ready to have some laughs and log a few miles with William Nealy.Amazon.com Review
At first glance, you may think that Nealy isn't serious aboutteaching riding skills. The hand-printed pages--colored with hilariousanimations--give the guide a comic-book appearance. But instead ofassaulting his readers with dry chapters on technique, Nealy leads hisreaders on an entertaining tour of the mountain-biking world and howto survive it. He explains how to bunny hop, how to downhill, how toride powerfully, and how to crash with style. He also includes a"Stupid Bike Tricks" section. One trick, The Invisible Mountain Biker,explains how to jump off of your bike and let it glide, unmanned,across the path of frightened hikers. Note that Nealy advisesagainst heaving your bike into a crowd of hikers. Existing lawsprohibit it.

Whether you're a pro who's ready to soar throughflaming hoops, or the neophyte who's merely searching for the pedals,Nealy's guide is bound to be fun--and isn't that what mountain bikingis all about? --Ben Tiffany ... Read more

Customer Reviews (27)

Very useful
Had some tricks I learned on my own, but pointed out better when you must use them.Good illustrations and clear writing.Has information that I had not learned in a couple of years of mountain biking that is helping me improve! It is dated with toe clips, but this has not effect on what you learn that I can see.Very helpful overall and friends are borrowing it.

I am so glad someone told me about this on a ride!
I would have looked at the publishing date and dismissed this book entirely (and unfairly). I have not ridden single track in over ten years, and mostly got by on general good shape back then. This book is a godsend. 90% of the information and tips inside are timeless. No, it doesn't go into the advances in gear since it was written, but the basic fundamentals are spot on perfect. Do not let the publishing date turn you off, if you are trying to go beyond just rails to trails and into a bit more off road, this is a great resource. It may not be the only book you need, but it is a great starting point.

William Nealy gets to the heart of bike skills
I love this book. William Nealy manages to capture the essence of mountain biking skills, and have a lot of fun with it. His drawings are excellent, and funny. Beginners willlearn a lot, intermediate and advanced riders will enjoy this book too (just seeing the things we do already, in funny diagrams).

1992? Good resource. 2010? Not so much.
Note the date of publication - 1992. As such suspension, now not only commonplace but integral to modern techniques of mountain biking, is not discussed. Some of the finer and basic points such as body and pedal position, weight transfer, climbing and crash survival still apply but the more complicated techniques do not. Also, though the illustrations are good at conveying subject matter, the entire text of the book is handwritten script, is incessant with the groin jokes, and features a bit of profanity. At the end of the day, it's cheap, a quick read, and has some good basic pointers, but it's outdated and strives a bit too much to be a comic strip.

Essential fundamentals are never outdated.
What I love most about this book is it teaches the essential elements about how you balance a bike. This never gets old or outdated. Yes, the newer books are more advanced, but that is a selling point for this book, even if you are not a beginner. Also, the more times and the more different ways you take in information, the better you understand it. Well worth the time spent. ... Read more

Product Description
This guide profiles 40 rides in the Inland Empire of eastern Washington and the panhandle of Idaho. Detailed maps, elevation profiles, and a handy, pocket-size format help make this book an indispensable reference guide for mountain bikers in Idaho and Washington.
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Customer Reviews (2)

Info is getting out of date
We have used this book to help us learn about mountain biking in Spokane.It has some good information for beginning to find your way to good rides, but a number of the rides are out of date.For example, the Minehaha loop ride has some trail changes and improvements not mentioned in the book.More importantly, at least one ride, Marshall Dips, is no longer rideable due to ownership changes - the trailhead and areas on the trail have "No Trespassing" signs.Another ride, Garden Springs, has some sections that are changed or missing due to new development.

So, this book has some good info, but don't count on it to get you through the whole ride.Be prepared to do some route-finding or change your plans.

Great Intro to Spokane/CDA area
This book introduced me to some great rides in the Spokane/CDA area that I never would have known about otherwise.Good variety fo rides with varied types of terrain from beginners to expert riders.My only complaint is the maps aren't always as detailed as they should be, sometimes making it hard to find out where you are at on some rides.Spokane/CDA is a moutain bikers paradise that is little known about and offers trails without much crowd.Enjoy! ... Read more

Product Description
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