| So you went out and picked up a new mountain bike. It | | | | anywhere near traffic you're going to not only want to |
| was probably pretty overwhelming at first. There were | | | | be but you're also going to want to be seen by drivers. |
| so many designs to choose from, different stores to | | | | Who hasn't suddenly come up on a bike rider and |
| shop at, different manufacturers to consider. You | | | | found themselves thinking, "He's lucky I saw him." |
| finally picked the bike you wanted and brought it home. | | | | Mountain bike lights these day are made with cutting |
| You forgot something important, though. There are | | | | edge LED lamps so they almost never need to be |
| some accessories you ought to consider for your | | | | replaced and more and more are being made with |
| mountain bike and for you.The first thing you should | | | | rechargeable batteries so you don't have to keep |
| think about is safety. Safety accessories for mountain | | | | spending money on new batteries. There are also |
| bike riders are diverse and plentiful. A key ingredient | | | | those classic models which are powered by the |
| for rider safety is the helmet. Many riders shun | | | | wheels of the bike. You should invest in lights for the |
| helmets, but no intelligent rider should be without one. | | | | front and the back of your bike to make sure you |
| Statistics woefully back up the significance of helmets. | | | | visible from every angle.Beyond safety accessories, |
| Helmets save lives: it's that simple. It's not just your | | | | there are plenty of other items which will begin to be |
| mortality you should be concerned with but also your | | | | necessary as you get into mountain bike riding. One |
| long-term health. A serious head injury can leave you | | | | such necessity will be a repair kit. What are you going |
| with a whole lifetime of health problems. Even a minor | | | | to do if you get a flat tire on a trail miles from the |
| wreck can result in serious injuries if you hit your head | | | | nearest road? This is when you'll wish you had a repair |
| and you're not wearing a helmet. Modern mountain | | | | kit. Basic repair kits are cheap and will let you patch a |
| bike helmets are light and sleek and do a better job of | | | | tire, repair brakes, fix your derailleur, and other simple |
| protecting your head than their clunkier predecessors. | | | | tasks. Along with patching that tire you'll want to be |
| In the past, riders looked down on riders who wore | | | | able to inflate it again! A small pump which attaches to |
| helmets but in recent years reason has prevailed. More | | | | the bike frame is an excellent purchase.Another good |
| and more riders choose to wear helmets. Cost | | | | idea is either a water bottle or backpack hydration |
| shouldn't be a factor as a good helmet can be | | | | system. When riding in the summer heat you'll be |
| acquired for around $30. If you want a top of the line | | | | thankful you brought some liquid refreshment with |
| model, be prepared to spend over $200.Another | | | | you.This by no means an exhaustive list of mountain |
| important safety accessory for mountain bike riders | | | | bike accessories. This just gives you an idea of the |
| are lights. If you're going to be riding at night you should | | | | range of products available. These are just the basic |
| have a light. Most jurisdictions require them. Even if | | | | ones you'll want. The more you ride your mountain bike |
| you're riding off-road, it's pretty obvious that you're | | | | the more you'll find the need for more accessories. For |
| going to want a light for your mountain bike. You want | | | | every need there's a product.Gregg Hall is an author |
| to see the trail, don't you? And if you're riding | | | | living in Navarre Beach, Florida. |