Don't be Uncool - Protect Your Head - Wear a Helmet

A Wise Move…

With the ever increasing amount of people riding mountain bikes now days in Kathmandu and the Valley we are seeing more and more riders not wearing helmets. It's not a nice thing to see.

Why? Well as anyone who rides mountain bikes regularly will know it’s an expensive sport. For most Nepalese these things are out of reach. Ignorance also plays a small part in it… there is very limited information and advice about the importance of Helmets. So the point of this blog is to try and solve a few of those issues :).

The one message we would like to pass is .. “It is NOT COOL to not wear a helmet, so dont be a Fool. “

Let us share a story with you. You may know Raj Kumar Shrestha one of the top riders in Nepal. A month ago his younger brother who was keen to follow in Raj Kumar’s footsteps went out riding without wearing a helmet. He fell badly and had to get six stitches in his head, he was lucky….it could have been much worse. Why was he not wearing a helmet? Simple he could not afford to buy one!

We have since given him a second hand helmet to wear. 

One month later Raj Kumar Shrestha who is currently training hard to be one of a group of five riders who will be a part of the first Nepal National MTB Team to represent Nepal in a WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP RACE in South Africa this coming June, had an horrific accident in Shivapuri National Park. Raj Kumar was wearing a helmet, still he was unconscious for  15 mins and got several stitches in his face. Picture the Helmet below, this was the helmet he was wearing. Note the damage to the Helmet, this is what helmets are design to do…take the majority of the impact of a fall, THEY ARE DESIGN TO BRAKE SO THAT YOUR HEAD DOES NOT. If RK was not wearing a helmet, there is no doubt he would not be standing in our workshop today fixing bikes…… The message should be resoundingly clear….HELMETS SAVE LIVES!

RAJ KUMAR'S HELMET.

What to look for in a Helmet (Buyers Guide)

1.       Cheaper is not always best – Quality and safety always comes at a price. For most people after they have scrounged up their life savings to by their dream bike, a helmet is a last minute add on and normally they buy the cheapest one. At HST we do not stock cheap Chinese helmets. You should always buy the most expensive helmet you can afford. (The helmet in the picture cost US$160)

2.       Make sure it fits….most people buy based on color and price, most important is to make sure it Fit!

IMPORTANT SAFETY ADVICE

•          Once you have crashed badly you should replace your helmet….
•          When buying a helmet always check the manufactures expiry date….yes all good helmets have one! After the expiry date the materials used (high density foam) can start to deteriorate and lose their effectiveness.
•          Check the inside of your helmet to make sure there is a Safety  Standard Sticker.

      FITTING A  HELMETS

Here you can see a XC (Cross Country) Helmet and a Downhill. You can get a friend to help. A downhill helmet offers full protection in a heavy crash, used by Downhill Riders.

1. Place the Helmet on your head

2. Adjust the head band fitting

3. Check the helmet is firmly in place

4.Fasten the Chin Strap

6.Notice the clip position under the ear.

5. Make sure its not too tight - two finger space

But like we mentioned above, the sad thing is this is a developing country and many enthusiastic riders have already overreached no existent budgets to get riding in the first place, proper gear and safety equipment is simply a pipe dream…..

That’s why HST is setting up our DONATE TO RIDE SCHEME

Anyone touring with us is welcome to leave behind gloves, jerseys and Helmets for the riders, also if you have a bike club or group, perhaps you can send us your old kit.

Where will it go?

•           Nepal’s developing Professional Riders. Many young riders are now joining the ranks of the top level riders and they are doing it on tiny budgets with limited equipment, You can help keep them on the trails safely.
•           Himalayan Children’s Foundation is a Children's home in the east of the Kathmandu Valley that takes care of the education and future of kids from remote areas of Nepal. They have recently taken up cycling as a recreation and also with the possibly to developing future biker and mountain bike guides. HST is working with them to develop a vocational training program for their older students. Of course they have already brought the bikes but have a very small budget to maintain the bikes and provide equipment for the boys and girls!
• 
  

What Can you Donate?

Small sizes are better – Slacks, Jerseys, Gloves, Shoes and Helmets

Usefull bike parts and accessories are always appreciated.

For more information on how you can help please email info@himalayansingletrack.com

Brands we Stand By - Qaulity for Mountain Biking

At Himalayan Single Track we pride ourselves on quality and good service and we like to pass that on to our valued customers.  Here is some information about the brands we stock and the brands that support Himalayan Single Track. Although we understand the value of money and the expense of mountain biking we always advise our customers to go for quality over price as in the long term you will spend less and enjoy a whole other world of comfort, performance and reliability.

GIANT BIKES – “Ride Life, Ride Giant”
The driving force behind Giant is the philosophy – “Create a better cycling experience for people around the world.” After humble beginnings in 1972 this company has now expanded into a Multinational, Global Award winning company that produces some of the best technology and a huge percent of the worlds bikes every year!

The founders of Giant were craftsmen and engineers. They understood their strengths. So to make cycling more enjoyable and accessible to people around the world, they did what they knew best. They set out to improve the cycling experience by following three guiding principles: craftsmanship, innovation and inspiration.

"It began with lightweight aluminum frames. Giant’s ability to produce high-quality bikes at an affordable price allowed more riders to experience cycling in a whole new way. Since then, Giant has pioneered advancements in both aluminum and composite(Carbon) engineering. We introduced the first affordable carbon fiber bike, the Cadex 980 C, and transformed high-performance road bikes with our Total Compact Road design."

When is comes to mountain biking, Giant’s Maestro Suspension established a new level of performance for off-road riding and racing unseen before, allowing stiffer rear ends for climbing and more stable descending with superior traction and control. Giants mountain bike range includes Revel (29er Entry Level Bikes), Talon (Mid-range Hardtails), Anthem X (XC Full Suspension), XTC (Performance Hardtail), Reign ( All Mountain/Free Ride), Glory (Downhill) and Trance X (All Mountain).When you buy Giant you are not just buying a high performing affordable machine, you are buying into a highly renowned worldwide reputation.

In 2014 Giant is extending it's know-how and technology to include three wheels sizes – 26, 27.5 and 29 inches.

SHIMANO – “To promote health and happiness through the enjoyment of nature and the world around us”
Shimano is one of the world’s biggest and well known distributors of quality bike parts and accessories.
The mission statement of Shimano says a lot about their passion for health and environment, two keys points many of us over look in our busy day to day lives.

"People know the joy of contacting their hearts to the breathing of nature. People know the joy of meeting someone to communicate with each other. That's simply because all people have nature in themselves."

And tools are largely connected with the joy of people.  Shimano has been providing attractive products with a focus on cycling and fishing, the most popular outdoor sports. Wind touching the skin, sunlight streaming through the trees and wave patterns covering the water excite the hearts of people. We are aiming to become a company to create excitements among people. We will continue to support people to realize their dreams to create new lifestyles to bring them closer to nature and share the joy of life with each other.

Without a doubt Shimano produce the best range of bike mechanical parts, making your riding experience smooth, seamless and pure fun! Reliable and durable bike parts at an affordable price are the mainstay of the market. High end performance is also high on the cards at Shimano. Himalayan Single Track Stock a range of bike components from Acrea (Entry Level) all the way up to the high performing and Ultra Light XTR.

BLACK DIAMOND - "Quality Outdoor Gear"
The Black Diamond name is associated with quality, high performance outdoor apparel and gear. The company was established in 1957.   “We're a company of users—it's who we are. We're the greatest dreamers about what could be, and the harshest of critics about what exists and because of this—the creation of Black Diamond is a process which will never end. The company today is more committed than ever, thanks to the many people here in the U.S, at Black Diamond Europe and at Black Diamond Asia whose limitless energy and hands-on involvement have created a promising future for all climbers and skiers worldwide.”

Although mainly focused on skiing and climbing, Himalayan Single Track has selected a small range of Black Diamond Camel Paks, Bladders and headlights that adapt perfectly to suit the needs of relational cyclists and mountain bikers in Nepal. Tough, Robust and great looking these items are now in store at Himalayan Single Track. Black Diamond is a product that will not let you down.

FUNKIER – “Look Like a Model, Ride Like a Pro”
Funkier are producers of outstanding performance and quality cycling wear and it’s a brand we love. Super cool designs make the clothing fun to wear. Funkier Bike is synonymous with design and manufacture of innovative, high-quality biking apparel for men and women. The professional experience and knowledge of the Funkier fashion chain, established in 1990, are translated directly into the biking apparel manufactured by its subsidiary, Funkier Bike. The advantages of a company that specializes in biking and is nourished by a fashion manufacturer are reflected in the result: a new generation of biking apparel - the trendiest and most comfortable biking clothes around!

The clothes - Quality, Comfort and Style on wheels!

Funkier Bike's cycling apparel includes professional elements from the world of fashion - they look good and feel fantastic. The ultimate biking clothes are manufactured using advanced technologies and perspiration evaporating materials that enable air to enter and leave in both directions. The use of different types of textile provides a pleasant, unrestricted ride in all weather conditions, and enables bikers to enjoy warm winter clothing and cool summer apparel. Just like other clothes manufactured by its mother company, Funkier Bike clothes are characterized by high quality textiles and sewing. Investment in product quality entails attention to the smallest of details without compromising even a zipper or label that may disrupt the ride - everything is adapted to providing the ultimate biking experience.

Check out some of the products on line -

View Himalayan Single Track Website

Beating the Winter Chills.

The best way to beat the winter blues is to be active and the best way to be active is to get out and ride your bike! But its cold I hear you say? Well here are some great products and solutions to keep you warm in the winter and to keep you riding your bike.

Conditions in Kathmandu during the winter are dry and dusty, so first let’s take care of the bike and its most important moving bits we call "The Drive Train" (Chain, Cassette, Crank and Derailleur’s). This is the part of the bike that keeps you moving and shifting gears effectively. So in this dry dusty season, make sure you use a small brush to remove the dust from these moving parts after riding and before riding use a Dry Chain Lube to keep your bike running smoothly. Wet lubes can easily "Gunk" up in the dusty Season!

Now what about you.....?If you want to enjoy winter riding then you have to have the right gear to keep you warm!

LAYERING UP

Base Layers- Base layers are good, tight fitting layers that go under your outer layers. They included a long sleeve top with a high neck, fitted wrist bands and a long tail that can be pulled down over your bottom region. Our advice is to buy the best quality inner layer you can afford, with this kind of thing quality is everything! One well made, well design base layer is a good investment.

COLD FEET

Our body looses most of its heat through the feet. So to keep them warm get some good socks, woolen ones are the best, but not too thick, if you wear to thicker socks, then you can reduce the circulation of blood to your feet which again can make your toes cold. Good shoes are important, not canvas ones, something a bit waterproof is good to keep out the cold air. Shoe covers are also a really good idea to keep your feet insulated and warm for riding. Funkier make some really awesome Micro fleece waterproof shoe covers with Lycra for a snug fit over your shoes.

HOT HEAD

We always wear a helmet when we go biking, yes its true, but a helmet alone will not keep your head warm. Try an elasticized cotton buff, or a cycling specific micro fleece head cap for really cold times. Make sure to cover your ears, another key point of our body susceptible to cold.

FROZEN FINGERS

Our fingers play a key role in cycling…we use them for braking and controlling the bike but they are always one of the first parts of our bodies to get cold. So gloves are the way to go. Here you need specific cycling gloves which are not bulky and will not impede your bike handling. Full fingered warm gloves which have a good tight fit and stretchable material.

ACCESSORIES

Leg Warmers and Arm Warmers are two great accessories for keeping you warm or warming up at the start of your ride and cooling down at the end of it. They are easy to peel on and off while riding to regulate your body temperature.

FROM THE OUTSIDE

A good top layer is essential to keep you warm. Stay away from  cheap rain coat fabrics as it makes you sweat, look for a light breathable outer layer that is windproof. This will seal in the heat, not make you sweat to much or overheat and make your winter riding enjoyable. Most cycling specific winter jackets also have nifty pockets to stash tools and tubes.

DON’T FORGET

Remember a few important things, getting wet will make you more cold and getting wet also includes sweat! So if you plan on doing a long hill climb, it’s a good idea to carry a dry top to put on for the downhill. Remember it’s okay to take your outer layer off while climbing, but make sure you put it on for the downhill, this is where you will get cold!

SAFTEY TIPS

*Helmet Fit – When wearing a cap or buff under your helmet, be sure to readjust your helmet fittings and straps to keep your helmet correctly fitted and safe. Many people neglect this.

*Light – In winter time with early starts, it can be dark, always carry a headlight or a cycling torch with you, don’t forget also in the afternoon the light fades fast, so better be prepared.

*Hydration – It’s common in winter for us to drink less, but just because its cold does not mean we don’t need water….always drink, always hydrate and keep your performance level great.

Drop by Himalayan Single Track to see our great Funkier Winter Cycling products.Online Bike Shop

Happy Trails.

Funkier Winter Base Layer

Full Fingered Riding Gloves

Micro Fleece Leg Warmers

Micro Fleece Head Cap

Winter Shoe Covers