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Do I Need Cycling Socks?

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Do I Need Cycling Socks?

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There’s a number of pieces of gear that are obvious when it comes to mountain biking: Knee pads, elbow pads, helmet, and goggles. In addition to these, us mountain bikers usually gravitate towards clothes that allow us to move. But what about what we’re putting on our feet? Many of us don’t think that we need cycling specific socks, and if you don’t, you’re right. However, cycling specific socks have a number of details that can make your foot all that more comfortable when you’re riding. Here’s what you might be missing out on.

Wick Away Sweat

It’s no secret that mountain biking is a sweaty sport. You’re pushing yourself hard, especially during the spring, summer, and fall months when temperatures are high. As a result, your feet, among other body parts, are going to sweat. Wearing socks that are made of a moisture wicking fabric can help keep your feet dry. As an added benefit, these fabrics are often anti-microbial, meaning they are less prone to being smelly!

Tight Fit

There’s no room for loose garments in cycling. Loose clothing can be a hazard. It can get caught on bars, your seat or even worse, your chain. Tight socks are not only safer, they are healthier for your feet. The tight fit can support your arch and act as a compression sleeve.

Sock Height

The height of your cycling socks is a matter of preference. That being said, most mountain bikers opt for a sock that is higher than ankle height. This feature can act as a barrier between you and possible hazards. These hazards include your pedals, bugs, rocks, and plants that could be a skin irritant.

Breathability

The fabric that cycling and performance socks are made of boosts breathability and comfort. Breathability is important as it can prevent chaffing which in turn can lead to blisters. The fabrics commonly used are synthetic materials like nylon or polyester or natural fibers such as merino wool. Additionally, this feature helps keep your feet cool, dry, and not to mention, less smelly.

McCoo’s has a wide selection of cycling specific socks. If you’re still not sold on why socks should be part of your mountain biking kit, come on into the store to see the variety of socks we have in stock. Once you add this into what you’re wearing when you ride your bike, you won’t go back. We can put our foot on it!

New And Improved Bike Park Trails

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New And Improved Bike Park Trails

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The Whistler Mountain Bike Park trail crew has been busy this season! There have been some new additions to the park as well as some upgrades to already existing trails. Hips, drops, and loads of loam are popping up in all sorts of places, making the bike park even more exciting than before. Now, we know that discovering where the trail crew has been moving dirt is all part of the fun, but to get you riding the goods right away, we’ve gathered up some of the new and improved bike park trails. Yes, you’re welcome!

DIRT MERCHANT

The Dirt Merchant rebuild started last season and as of late, has been completed. The wait seemed like it would never end but let us be the first to say, it was well worth it. What used to be a double black trail is now a pro line with the addition of some burly features. New drops, hips, and doubles have made their way into the build, and wow, is it good.

ORIGINAL SIN

This classic has seen some love and even the addition of a few new hits. The lower section now finishes with a hip right above the Oakley jump. This smooth exit might just keep you coming back for more Original Sin hits than ever before.

RIPPIN’ RUTABAGA

Rutabaga has made a come back and it’s so good! This trail had faded into the background and was able to be accessed through Dirt Merchant but often didn’t see much action. Since Dirt Merchant’s ascent into pro status, Rutabaga has turned into an option that riders can take instead of carrying on through the hardest part of the trail. Nice dirt and jumps will have you opting for this line more than you probably think.

CREEKSIDE ZONE

The Creekside Zone has seen the addition of a few new trails and even some new features. This part of Whistler Mountain is known for it’s nice dirt and beautiful builds. A word of advice is to pay attention for changes to some of your beloved favourites from last year. As the trails have become bedded in, new lines are appearing and can catch riders off guard.

The Whistler Mountain Bike Park has had some wicked updates and even some entirely new trails making their way onto the map. As if riding laps all day long could get better but now, there’s even more to choose from. Make sure your ready for the park with the latest and greatest mountain bike gear on the market. Come on into McCoo’s and let us outfit you for a season you won’t soon forget.

5 Essentials You Need For Spring Mountain Biking

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5 Essentials You Need For Spring Mountain Biking

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It’s mountain bike season! The dirt is prime and the weather is inviting you to get out for a ride. Many of the trails have recently been worked on and you might not find as good of conditions at any other point of the year. Alongside the new season, comes many unique variables. Mud, sun, rain, and hero dirt can all be found in a single ride. With such a range, it pays to be well-prepared and well-versed in what to expect. To help you make the most of your early season riding, here are 5 essentials you’ll need while on the trail during spring.

Light Jacket

Stop wind and rain right in their tracks with a light jacket. Both these weather conditions can come at any time. What’s more, temperatures are known to change as you ascend and then descend. Grab a Loose Riders Jacket which is both wind-proof and water-proof to protect against a variety of conditions… and at a great price point too!

Gloves

Slippery hands can be dangerous when you’re going mach ten down a jump trail. Unfortunately, this can be a common occurrence, especially during the spring when light rain is a high possibility. Avoid going OTB by investing in a good pair of gloves like Oakley cycling gloves.

Performance Glasses

Seeing the trail is key to riding safely. In spring, muddy areas can lead to dirt flying everywhere, especially when you ride through. Consequently, getting dirt in your eyes happens more often than we’d like to think. Protect your eyes and enjoy the ride even more with a pair of Smith Performance Glasses.

Socks

Pedaling is a sweaty pursuit. And this includes your feet. Not only can sweaty feet lead to the obvious, stinky feet, it can also contribute to how warm your body is on a ride. Grab a pair of Mons Royale riding socks to wick away moisture and prevent the seemingly inevitable stinky feet situation.

Adequate Protection

Sure, wearing pads while mountain biking seems like the obvious thing to do but we’d like to take this chance to reaffirm its importance. Spring is the time when there’s more likely to be slippery woodwork, wet rocks, and even dry, marble-like dirt. In a nutshell, trail conditions can change on a dime. This means that having proper knee, elbow, and head protection like the gear from POC, could be the difference between a close call and a season ender. Wear your pads! Spring riding is a time when we all meet again on the trails after a long winter to enjoy the epic conditions. With that, comes unexpected weather, temperatures, and even changing trails. To maximize your fun while minimizing your discomfort, these 5 essentials will keep you safe and happy on your spring ride. For anything and everything else gear related, come into the store and speak to our friendly staff!

Preparing For Mountain Bike Season

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Preparing For Mountain Bike Season

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Did you see that little bit of dirt peeking out from underneath the snow? We did. If that’s any indication of what’s coming, then mountain bike season is pretty much here. As with the start of any season, there is a need to pull out gear and evaluate what needs replacing and what can withstand more shredding. But that’s not all that needs to be done. Passes need to be purchased, screws need tightening, and often, there are a few or more upgrades that just can’t wait. So here’s what you need to do in order to be prepared for the mountain bike season.
Purchase Your Whistler Mountain Bike Park Pass
Mountain bike season in Whistler isn’t limited to the all-mountain trails. No, there is a lot more where that came from. Here in Whistler, there’s the Whistler Mountain Bike Park to play in along with 300km of other trails. Opening day is just around the corner so don’t get stuck standing in line trying to get your pass sorted. Pre-purchase your pass so that you can get out there and enjoy all the trails that have been unrideable since last fall.

Dust Off Your Gear And Upgrade If Necessary

The start of the mountain bike season is the perfect opportunity to pull out your gear and evaluate what needs to be tossed and what needs to be replaced. Take a peek at this list while going through your gear:
  • Helmet- If your helmet was involved in a crash, its protective capabilities could be compromised. To ensure your helmet is safe, replace it if it has received a hit.
  • Knee Pads- Rips and broken straps could prevent your knee pads from staying in place should they come in contact with the ground.
  • Goggles- Scratches and discolouration can obstruct your vision, resulting in an added challenge while riding. Replace your goggles accordingly.

Go Through Your Bike

Go through your bike with a fine tooth comb. Look for cracks, broken pieces, and replace anything that might not be in working order. A word of advice: start the season off with fresh brake pads. By the time you’re warmed up, your brake pads will be bedded in and ready to go.

Grease, tighten, repeat!

Tighten bolts and grease everything and anything that’s moving. The hope is that you did this step before you retired your bike for the winter, but better late than never! Mountain bike season in Whistler is here. With the preparation suggestions listed above, you’ll be ready to hit the trails. For gear upgrades and replacements, stop by McCoo’s. We have the latest Oakley, POC, and Loose Rider Gear for you to throw on and get shredding!