Bicycle Saftey - Rider Profile - Senior Master Sgt. Bubba Beason

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Russ Scalf
  • 19th Airlift Wing Public Affairs
LITTLE ROCK AIR FORCE BASE, Ark. --  

Rider: Senior Master Sgt. Bubba Beason

Type of riding: Strictly cross country MTB (Mountain Bike)

Experience: 4-5 years

Bragging rights: lol, I try not to brag. But I can straight climb a hill on a MTB. Anyone can ride fast downhill, but it takes a lot of practice and training to keep pedaling up a hill.

Favorite local ride: Lercher 15 trails up in McRae. It's 15 plus miles of the most diverse trails around here. Crazy climbs and smoking fast downhill's, it's way better than other local parks that have too many rocks.

Dream ride: To compete and finish the Leadville 100 in Colorado, 100 miles
across the high-altitude, extreme terrain of the Rockies. Starting at 10,152 feet and climbing to 12,424 feet, it's a challenge for 100 miles...And of course to do a leg in an Xterra Triathlon.

Safety tips:

ALWAYS wear a helmet. Never take for granted the price of a good helmet. 50-75 bucks is worth the money when you come off the bike and a tree/rock has your number. If you have a helmet that fits right, you will never know it's on you. Don't be a bonehead...wear a helmet.

Always let someone know where you are riding and your expected time that you will ride
and return. You don't want to be stuck out in the woods with a broke bike or a broken body.

Always have an emergency bike repair kit. I pack a C02 tire inflator, couple of chain links, a bike multi-tool, duct tape and some energy gels. Depending on the ride I sometimes carry a spare tube.

Depending on the length you plan to ride and temperature, you need to plan on hydrating. I always have a bottle mounted on the bike and sometimes I carry a camelback. For extended rides I always have plenty of electrolyte mix as well as sodium tabs.

Wear eye protection. Some trails have low lying limps or spider webs. Watch out for these...

KNOW YOUR LIMITS! If it's your first ride, go out and learn, you won't become a super downhill racer overnight. Pace yourself and you will end up better in the long run. I always have a GPS unit and a heart rate monitor.

Sun block - enough said.

Gloves are personal preference. If you want thorns or scratches on your fingers or
hands, leave em at home.

Be a good wingman, don't leave your buddy. If you are the experienced rider don't go out there and showboat. Teach your buddy...and help him/her along.

Follow the rules of the trail. If the trail says go clockwise on a certain day... don't test fate. It's hard enough judging corners and hills so don't put yourself at risk of running head first into another biker going the right way.

It should go without saying...don't drink and ride. Period. Be aware of your surroundings. Keep your head on a swivel for ANYTHING. This includes wildlife...

If you ride a lot, have a professional bike shop fit you to your bike. If you are properly set up on your bike it will help prevent repetitive motion injuries, you will become more comfortable and it will allow you to maximize the force you put to the pedals. You will be amazed at how much more efficient you are once you take the time to do it. Plum bobs, laser levels and protractors...It's a science.