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ITESM - CQ

Once a rider has the bike that's right for him, he must know about the consequences of having the right equipment. The purpose of this essay is to discuss the effects of not wearing proper biking gear. These effects can be classified into physical, mechanical and what I call performance effects, although some gear elements may be in more than one classification. Physical effects are those that cause bodily damage to the biker. For example, not wearing sunglasses when riding under direct sunlight or through loose gravel can be dangerous. Sand or other small particles are bound to get into the eyes producing irritation or even permanent harm. I also recommend using sun block. Another effect could be lower back and prostate problems caused by not wearing lycra shorts. These types of shorts provide cushion and support to the rider's lower body. A helmet is also a must for any cyclist. A biker that crashes and isn't wearing a helmet is more likely to suffer severe injuries than a biker that is. The effects related to properly using the mountain bikes' components are known as mechanical effects. For instance, gloves are essential when riding for long periods of time, because they minimize vibration and allow the rider to effectively grip the bar ends, brake levers and shifting gears. In another example, clip-on or "clipless" shoes are necessary when using pedals that attach to the bottom of the shoe (SPD, TIME pedals, etc.). Without the right shoes you can't use these pedals. All mountain bikers want to ride at their best. The effect of carrying, for example, a water bottle or camelback is that they maintain the body hydrated throughout the entire ride allowing the biker to achieve and maintain top performance. A cycling jersey is designed to cut air and let the body release heat, thus helping the cooling process and keeping peak levels of energy. Energy bars are also very effective. As you can see, having the right gear must be one of the top priorities of a cyclist. Mechanical, physical and performance effects are all related. A mechanical problem affects performance, a physical problem affects performance, and so on. Being well equipped eliminates these effects and enables the rider to have a great trek every time.