Angrymountainbiker Show

I may make some roadies angry with this one. But my climbing tips are fantastic and will make your next steep hill go a bit easier, faster, and safer.

Good braking techniques separates the good from the great, so listen up for some tips to get your body position dialed in for better braking.

Shifting and pedaling at the right cadence are fundamentally important in mountain biking.  I cover the what, why, and how for newer and intermediate riders, give an important tip for easier shifting, and explain why chainline is an important concept.  I may also get a bit unhinged over drivers that don't go on green lights because they are Facebooking at stop lights.

Do you know the neutral and ready positions? Today I break them down in simple terms and give you the what, why and how so that you can hit the trail with more skill.  I also address an issue a listener messaged me about regarding my use of the AngryMountainBiker handle.  Controversial? You decide and let me know! AngrySingleSpeeder link Global Mountain Bike Youtube on Body Position

Sean Johnson, owner of 304 Biking, talks candidly about his recent accident, which resulted in a broken femur. He's also the MORE trail liason for Seneca Greenway and the co-liason for the South Germantown Bike Park. 304 Biking specializes in teaching kids to bike, and Sean shares his tips to help parents and others get their kid off to a good start. We also talk about the newly rebuilt flow trail in MoCo, the 10 Mile Creek Trail. He also breaks down his recent accident where he broke his femur, and agrees with me on flat pedals and bike geometry.  :) 304 Biking South Germantown Bike Park Facebook Page

I get into the philosophy of riding mountain bikes, and why approaching it like a beginner can be valuable, no matter how good you are.  I also rant about the debacle that is wood fired pizza, and cover upcoming events like Take a Kid Mountain Biking Day. Check the MORE site for details.

You've heard my rants on flat pedals, and today I break down the techniques you'll need to start riding them as you add this new skill.  I also pimp some upcoming interviews and spray praise on Harlan Price's skills.  I recommend Five Ten FreeRider Contacts for a flat pedal shoe. Expensive but the stiff midsole and quality construction are fantastic.

A touching interview with my friend Rob Raker about his adventures with blind climber Erik Weihenmayer, birding, biking, and prostate cancer. Erik Weihenmayer's web site Prostate Cancer fact sheet Rob Raker's photo site    

Here's another remote podcast from Cape May New Jersey, where I'm still hanging out with my friend Rob Raker and even managed to ride my bike.  Today I introduce the phases of training you might use in a systematic, periodized approach to training. I also share a bad experience I had trying to buy some stuff at an autoparts store. And, I talk about a cool new hitch rack from Rocky Mounts, which swings out of the way and was intro'd at Interbike. Rocky Mounts Bike Racks

Sorry folks, no time to record a new episode tonight so I'll repost the interview with Martin Fernandez, mountain bike guidebook author and creator of www.bestridesdc.com.  Enjoy!

Today I'm broadcasting from Cape May NJ, where we are preparing to shoot photos of North America's largest migration of hawks, falcons, and other birds as they move south.  I cover how to find your maximum heart rate, why it may be important, and then do a bit of intro to periodized training cycles. I also rant about the militarization of police and their intimidating vehicles.  

My old friend Rob Raker visits the studio. He listens to me rant about exercise bike design, bad tube patch kits, and we compare our experience trading bikes on the Bear Creek Trail in Morrison Colorado.  Rob Raker's Website--Killer Wildlife photography

Today I correct a mistake I made in talking about heart rate zone training.  As part of a series starting with this episode I'm talking about training, today I talked about Zone 1 and it's importance, as well as recovery rides. My main resource for training comes from a climbing training book, because I believe the cardio loads, and full body fitness requirements are very similar to high performance alpine rock and ice climbing: Long days where endurance and strength are tested in critical situations.  Here's the book: Training for the New Alpinism

Local fast rider and strength training instructor Mark Zaragoza visited the studio to talk about Crossfit and weight training and why it is important for mountain biking.  Mark was a certified Crossfit instructor for five years and experienced endurance athlete, as well as a Shenandoah Mountain 100 finisher and ambassador for Bike Pro Shop in Alexandria.  Enjoy! Bicycle Pro Shop in Alexandria Bike James website

A few life rants on Verizon, bad milkshakes, plastic beer mugs, then I break down a New York Times Travel article by John O'Connor.  They had a fascinating adventure and while perhaps a bit underprepared and underskilled, but at some level, aren't we all? New York Times article on Maah Daah Hey Trail in North Dakota MTBProject.com Maah Daah Hey Trail Description

I break down what can go wrong at a bike shop, and why learning to do your own maintenance is important. Trailwerks Cyclery Bike Lane bike shop