Launched in 2005, WellesleyWeston Magazine is a quarterly publication tailored to Wellesley and Weston residents and edited to enrich the experience of living in two of Massachusetts' most desirable communities.
Issue link: https://wellesleywestonmagazine.epubxp.com/i/819093
n n n n n many obstacles. "This sport is relatively fast paced, making it appealing to the weekend warrior or adventure seeker. The mountain machine is heavier than its road counterpart and often comes equipped with [such high-tech features as] hydraulic suspension systems and disc- style brakes," they note. Palmgren says his store has seen a big resurgence in mountain bik- ing as of late, especially with adults who were teenagers in the '90s and are now in their late 30s and early 40s. With rugged tires that can go from 2.3 inches to 4 or 5 inches wide, "or fat bikes," mountain bikes go from $900 to $12,000. Fat bikes are ideal for winter riding, but it may be necessary to purchase a second set of tires specially designed to han- dle deep snow and ice. One of the benefits of mountain biking, or any off-road biking, is that you don't have to contend with cars. You can have an accident mountain biking, that's for sure, says Tanny, "but an accident on the road isn't always one from which you can walk away… Mountain bik- ing is more challenging tech-wise, but it's safer, in my opinion." Tanny notes that he rides his mountain bike about 50 miles a week — despite having had a knee operation which makes sports like running difficult. At 52, he says he rides with a group of guys who are 45 to 60. "They all say, 'this hurts, or that hurts, but I can still ride a bike.'" There are a number of trails in our community open to mountain bikers, but Tanny notes you need to share them with people who are walking, running, or riding horses. Cyclocross The cyclocross bike is a cross between a road and mountain bike, with mountain bike-like tires along with drop handle bars and light weight, like a road bicycle. These are more durable road bikes. Riders often ride in groups on an off-road course, with the goal of speed like a road race. A typical race, says Palmgren, is a 45-minute course over a field and woods or sometimes a school ground, where there are stairs or ramps to run up and down while you carry your bike. Basically the tires need to be wide enough for off-road biking, and the bike needs to be light enough to carry over obstacles. It's an awesome spectator sport, says Palmgren. Cyclocross bikes start at about $1,000. M E D I A B A K E R Y Where Can I Ride my Bike in Our Area? Wellesley and Weston are loaded with on-road and off-road biking routes that offer a short ride to a serious trek. The only rule of thumb for off-road cycling is that you need to share the path with walkers, runners, and horseback riders. Here are some websites to help you find the perfect path. n WELLESLEY CYCLING TRAILS: www.mapmyride.com/us/wellesley-ma/ n WESTON CYCLING TRAILS: www.mapmyride.com/us/weston-ma/ n WELLESLEY BIKING AND HIKING TRAILS: Bikeitorhikeit.org/wellesley_trails.htm n TOWN OF WELLESLEY TRAILS: www.Wellesleyma.gov/Pages/WellesleyMA_Trails/trails n WESTON FOREST AND TRAIL ASSOCIATION: www.Westonforesttrail.org/projects-c10d6 150 W e l l e s l e y W e s t o n M a g a z i n e | s u m m e r 2 0 1 7 fitness & health "appealing to the weekend warrior"