Distinctly Montana Magazine

D I S T I N C T L Y M O N T A N A F A L L | 2 0 1 4 2 4 Gal pick The righT Bike To ensure becoming a comfortable and confident rider, it's crucial to consider the following. What is your height and weight? Be sure that at least the balls of your feet touch the ground when sitting so you can hold the bike up and safely start and stop. Lowering kits can be added to bikes until you get comfortable with its height. When compar- ing your weight to the bike's, make sure the bike isn't so heavy that you can't pick it up. Do you want a two-stroke or four-stroke? At the beginner level, four-strokes are less intense and more user-friendly in letting the rider choose how they want to ride. Two-strokes are more abrupt and meant to be ridden fast and aggressively. Will you be riding mainly tracks or trails? Track riding works better with a motocross-designed bike that is lighter and has better sus- pension for jumping. Off-road-designed four-strokes work better on tight trails, especially those equipped with lower gearing, skid plates, and hand guards for rougher, rock and tree strewn terrain. Both styles can handle most terrains with an experienced rider though. Kick start or electric? For beginners, electric start makes things less frustrating, especially when you stall out on a hill. correcTly posiTion your Body Proper body positioning and weight distribution makes riding easier and more comfortable. I personally hate riding down steep hills, but I've learned that standing up with my weight slightly forward and gripping the sides of the bike with my thighs actually gives me more stability and control. When jumping, make sure your weight is back and adjust the angle of the bike in the air by using the throttle and rear brake. Adjust the bike angle for landing according to whether the ground is level, slightly downhill or uphill. Just remember, you ride the bike; the bike doesn't ride you. 1 2 moTo cross racing By Lacey Middltead y o u s h o u l d k n o W ! 5 f i v e T h i n g s Since my father owned a powersports dealership in Helena for over 30 years, I was born and bred on motorized toys. I've ridden four-wheelers and snowmobiles for years but most recently, I've taken up dirt bikes. Dirt biking is a challenging, competitive, and adrenaline-filled sport. Traditionally a male- dominated activity, increasing numbers of women are showing up on trails and starting lines unafraid of a little speed and dirt. For any gals starting to ride or those who have always wanted to, here are five riding tips. These phoTos Were Taken aT The l asT chance riders asso ciaTion moTorcross race in June, 2014

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