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kiwiduncan
Joined: 18 Jun 2007
Location: New Zealand
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 Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 2:35 am Post subject: Mountain Biking Booms in Korea (Korea Times article) |
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An article from today's Korea Times
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Mountain Biking Booms
By Yoon Chul
Staff Reporter
If you ask yourself when the last time that you really enjoyed the fresh air was, can you remember?
If you are an urbanite, it is quite possible that it's been a long time.
As society has become more competitive, people have forgotten ways to truly enjoy their spare time outdoors.
Some, however, still find an escape in getting some fresh air through outdoors activity.
One of the best ways to do this is on a mountain bike.
The feeling of riding a bicycle on a flat, paved bicycle path is fun, but it doesn't compare to the feeling of going off the concrete and into Nature.
``The feeling I get while descending a mountain on a bicycle, is really fantastic and cool,'' professional mountain biker An Young-min told The Korea Times.
``It takes only 20 or 30 minutes to go down a hill, whereas climbing the mountain takes more than two or three hours.
``Just imagine descending the mountain feeling that you've conquered the mountain while breathing fresh air. It is really awesome," added An.
``In addition, your vision will definitely be shaken a lot by the speed. It thrills every rider and it is amazing.''
``When I ride, cutting through the fresh air, I feel like I get a full experience," said Kim Hee-su, a housewife around 40, told The Korea Times at OMK MTB bicycle shop. Though it was around 5 p.m. and she was sweating profusely, she showed no signs of exhaustion or distress, just happiness.
``I can say a lot about the merits of riding a bicycle. Many people think it's hard and difficult, especially for women. But it isn't," added Kim.
Before people start extreme mountain biking they often begin by riding on city streets.
Cyclists can get just about anywhere in Seoul on the city's network of bike paths and lanes. The network, which is divided into five different sections, starts south of Jamsu Bridge in Jamwon, which is now the Mecca of cycling in the city and a very impressive place for riders. An recommended Namhansanseong which is located in Hanam, west of Seoul for its mountain biking course.
``This course is pretty good for beginners to practice in a natural setting. It is not very difficult to feel some thrills. In addition it is not a very long course, taking only about three hours.?
More businessmen have begun to ride bikes to work because it's healthy and saves money. Cycling trains the whole body, making it good for maintaining health and losing weight.
``When you ride, hold the handles solidly, as this is very important for a rider's safety, and it trains your shoulders and arms. And because riding posture should be inclined to the front and bottom, sustaining the posture also will strengthen your back and abdominal muscles.''
``I think it goes without saying that it is good exercise for your legs as well,'' said An.
An said that cycling has its biggest impact on your lungs.
``Pedaling consumes a lot of energy and air, especially when riders climb the mountains first, increasing lung capacity,'' added An.
The Korea Mountainbike Federation annually opens about 10 championships and around 40 competitions are also held annually across the nation.
/ Courtesy of OMK MTB
It can also help to lose weight.
``Riding a bicycle is 1.2 times more effective than jogging. But it isn't the right sport if you only want to lose weight because cycling will also cause you to build muscle, which weighs more than fat,'' Seoul National University Health & Exercise Science Professor Kim Yeon-soo told The Korea Times.
``Even though you may lose fat, your weight may change little or not at all,'' added Kim.
The advantage of riding compared to running is that cycling can be done for much longer. Only those who are addicted to running can do so for more than two or three hours, because it can be boring and very difficult, especially for beginners. Cycling is easier and more fun, with many riders taking rides of two or three hours, or more.
``If you go cycling three times in a week - an hour each time - you can burn a kilogram fat in a month,'' Professor Kim said.
Riding a bicycle is also one of the best ways to reduce stress. But riders should also remember that the high speeds make it a dangerous sport.
``Riders should learn the right posture, as well as how to deal with an emergency,'' An said.
``Usually when beginners fall down, they always try to put their hands to the ground, but that reaction is very dangerous and can cause severe wounds and possibly a broken wrist, arm or collarbone.''
An also stressed that the right equipment is necessary to stay protected. Helmets are most important, and An suggests knee and elbow pads as well.
``When you are on the road, you should definitely be aware of the cars. And if you are on a bicycle path, be careful of runners, because in Korea runners and cyclists share the same space.
``Group riding is sometimes dangerous for runners, so if you want to to ride crowded area I recommend not riding in a group of more than five people,'' An said.
In some European countries like Switzerland, cities have lanes dedicated for cyclists. And the drivers there know to be more cautious when driving alongside cyclists and pedestrians.
Seoul has announced plans to become more bike friendly with a goal of creating enough bike paths and lanes to allow cyclists to go anywhere in Seoul safely and easily.
Bike riding is sure to become more popular among Koreans as more people begin to see it as a great pastime, the city improves conditions for cyclists, and drivers become more aware of bikes on the road.
All you need to enjoy this great activity is a bike, some protective equipment and a little enthusiasm.
[email protected]
How to find the Right Bicycle for You
1. Don't spend too much - A good budget for your first bike is about 1.2 million won.
2. Get a 27-speed - three gears in the front and nine gears on the rare wheel. If you opt for a 21- or 24-speed and want to upgrade later, it can be expensive. Getting a 27-speed can save money.
3. Choose disk brakes instead of rim brakes - Safety is the most important thing. Disk brakes slow down the bicycle while controlling the rotation of wheel, while rim brakes decrease the speed by contacting the rim of the rotating wheels. Disk brakes are more powerful and effective.
4. Find the right size - If your height is 1.7 meters you need a 17-inch bicycle measured from the ground to the seat set at its lowest. The height of the handle bars is also important, but get a good fit using the mesuring technique recommended above. |
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Bailsibub
Joined: 22 Dec 2006
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| Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 6:13 pm Post subject: |
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| As society has become more competitive, people have forgotten ways to truly enjoy their spare time outdoors. |
I'll have to remember this the next time I'm taking a break and a group of 20 ajosshis come rolling up on Sevens sporting full XTR and Crossmax. It's like a component arms race out there. |
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earthbound14
Joined: 23 Jan 2007
Location: seoul
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| Posted: Thu Jul 23, 2009 8:24 pm Post subject: |
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| Korea is a cool arse place to ride. Definately a sport they should look at continueing to support. (in all aspects, commuting, road riding, urban free style, couriers, downhill, x-country....) I'll be a super happy camper if they can copy Denmark or the Netherlands. |
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