For the Love of Mountain Biking

Those that like to bike have the choice of bicycling on the roads or trails.

The June, 2018 June speaker successfully conveyed his love of mountain biking at the Evanston Bicycle Club monthly member meeting.  George Pastonino is both a road cyclist and a mountain biker but prefers off road cycling.

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​Some reasons why mountain biking is preferred by some:

• Safety, you are separated from autos
• Quiet, an absence of honking cars and trucks
• Ability to roll through a forest
• You never know what is around the corner, trail builders maximize turns

George, owner of  7 road bikes,  10 mountain bikes, and a tandem, brought with him his latest ride, a Trek Farley carbon fiber with full suspension , SRAM components, 29 inch rims with 3 inch tires. grip shifters, and platform pedals.  It has a small single front chain ring and a large rear cog.  He inflates the tires to 4-5 psi.  He claims the bike provides a comfortable ride in rough terrain and allows the rider to easily roll over rocks, roots, and hit pot holes and is great for getting around town in the snow. 

George is active in a variety of mountain biking organizations.  He is a member of the National Mountain Bike Patrol, an organization’s whose mission on the trails is to Assist, Educate and Inform.  The mountain bike patrol is invited by event organizers to provide support at events.  They will ride the course, provide minor first aid and carry bike repair tools, evacuate any serious injuries and be a visible presence.   Last year he was invited to join the Wisconsin Bike Patrol, which he claims is the best in the country. 
The patrol assists with minor bike repairs such as fixing flat tires, chains, and seat adjustments.  If there is an issue while riding, they will help cyclists off the trail and to safety.  They educate by encouraging riders to only ride open and dry trails.  Riding a wet trail results in damage and property owners may rescind the right to ride on their property.  They promote the Leave No Trace philosophy, to carry out as much as you carry in. 
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The patrol informs by encouraging riders:

• Not to ride beyond their training
• To always control your bicycle.  With the advent of the Strava mobile app and web site, the patrol has seen an increase in reckless riding
• To yield to horses and respond calmly if encountering them on a trail
• Plan ahead to carry all the supplies such as water you will need
• To Inform the trail land manager of any issues

Among events the Wisconsin Bike Patrol supports is the National Interscholastic Cycling Association (NICA) which sponsors student biking events in 26 states including Wisconsin (but not Illinois).  An event may have up to 600 kids participating from grades 6-8 and a peanut league for the 5-9 year olds.  He says the NICA events are like tail gating at a football game and includes tents, sponsors, and cow bells and the parents are all present and involved.  These events promote physical activity in youth and allows those that may not have natural athletic ability to develop these skills.