Mountain Biking
We've got the bikes and the mountains, you just need to turn up.
Wikipedia says, "The sport requires endurance, bike handling skills and self-reliance. It is an individual sport that can be performed almost anywhere. There are aspects of mountain biking that are more similar to trail running than regular bicycling…"We at the Summit indoor climbing and actvity centre love mountain biking here at The Summit Centre and it’s a good thing because we’ve got the perfect surroundings for it. The beautiful Taff-Bargoed Valley provides an idyllic gateway for using this environmentally friendly form of transport between Wales’ capital city and the splendour of the South Wales Valleys area.
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Our mountain biking facilities can be used in one of two ways. All are welcome to arrive at the centre, where we’ll provide you with one of our 26 top-of-the-range mountain bikes, maps and some good advice. Then you’re free to explore the fantastic countryside for a designated amount of time, and at your own pace. And if you choose a particularly wet day, don’t worry about how mucky the terrain is; we’re used to seeing our bikes returned totally caked in mud! |
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We try to be as flexible as possible for you; hire mountain bikes for a few hours, morning session, afternoon, evening or even full day. Alternatively, The Summit indoor climbing and actvity Centre also offers guided mountain biking tours. Our cycling manager will custom design a day of cycling for as many people as we have bikes! With an endless number of trails and expeditions to choose from, get a fully guided tour of what the beautiful local countryside has to offer. Or for those adrenaline seekers among us, simply request a more challenging and rugged route. |
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Starting Out- What’s In It For Me?
Mountain biking is an effective and enjoyable form of aerobic exercise, and reduces the risk of serious conditions such as heart disease, high blood pressure, obesity and the most common form of diabetes. A recent estimation suggests that new cyclists covering short distances can reduce their risk of death (mainly due to the reduction of heart disease) by as much as 22 per cent.
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A 30 minute bike ride three times a week burns off the equivalent of 11 pounds of fat in a year. This meets the Government's latest target on exercise: that we should take part in some mild to moderate physical activity that leaves us out of breath for at least 30 minutes three times a week. |
Moderate exercise has been found to reduce levels of depression and stress, improve mood and raise self-esteem. Not to mention the fact that getting out and about on a mountain bike also enables you to take in far more inspiring scenery than simply travelling on foot.
The Summit indoor climbing and activity Centre has recently received funding to enhance our mountain biking facilities under the Welsh Assembly Government’s Active Lifestyles Initiative. Boosting activity levels has become a progressively higher priority in the plans to create a healthier nation, as detailed in the Welsh Assembly’s sport and physical activity strategy ‘Climbing Higher.’
