Think about what you might want in a helmet and there is likely some brand out there thinking the same thing as you and offering a product to fill that need. Just like you don’t need a gravel-specific helmet like the Omne Ultra, you don’t really need a special rain helmet. You could add a helmet cover to whatever helmet you like and it would work. For those who ride in the rain regularly though, the POC Ventral Tempus MIPS is going to be your new favourite option.
Integrated lighting tends to be a big feature as well as extended coverage and a style that looks good without being too over the top for a mellow commute to work. Many of the choices that fit in this category are expensive with a lot of features. To get that kind of performance, Lazer uses a rotational impact tech called Kineticore.
Mountain bikers living in colder climates are finding that Arkansas offers nearly endless gravity riding year round, making it a popular shoulder-season and even winter riding destination. The Arkansas outdoor scene is full of southern hospitality that’s infectious. Communities are tight-knit, yet welcoming, attracting a rapidly growing number of new cyclists and giving experienced riders a place to call home. With two years of exploring Arkansas trails under her belt, Beerten has found ways to cater to riders of all levels.
Everything combined, Giro claims that compared to the previous Giro Aether MIPS, the Aries ups cooling efficiency by 2.3%. That’s on top of 4% less aerodynamic drag plus a Virginia Tech genesis bicycles STAR value score of 8.40 making it the #1 ranked helmet tested at the time of writing. Amongst all the off-road cycling events within the area, the Veneto Trail definitly stands out.
And that’s exactly why, in 2022, USA Cycling chose to move their mountain bike program to Northwest Arkansas. The Lake Leatherwood Gravity Project is a downhill haven for the air-time enthusiast in all of us. Consisting of seven distinct gravity-fed lines coming off of two hubs, this trail system has a combination of man-made and natural features. Arkansas has a reputation for being rocky and ledgy, and Leatherwood makes great use of both of these assets. Rocking a bit of a bike park vibe, the more challenging features at Leatherwood will command your full attention.
Leatherwood is known for having gnarly features, with man-made senders and happy little accidents that have come together to create some unique obstacles for riders. The lily-pad on/off feature is a prime example of creative trail building that showcases all that Arkansas has to offer. Under the watchful eye of the Christ of the Ozarks, the city of Eureka Springs lies tucked away in one of the many wrinkled valleys of the Ozark Mountains. Despite being a small city of only 2,100 residents, Eureka Springs has a lot to offer riders looking for next-level challenges. Due to Mount Nebo’s size, the trail network feels extremely physical and at times, trying.
The trails finish at the Buffalo Outdoor Center where you can meet the shuttle, grab a bite to eat and recharge before your next run. Ponca Downhill Trail in the Buffalo Outdoor Center (BOC) and Mount Nebo State Park are among Ingram’s favorite downhill-oriented trails genesis mountain bike in Northwest Arkansas. Both are located within an hour or two of increasingly populated city centers like Fayetteville and offer experienced riders a place to test their skills on long-travel bikes. They’re also places where ambitious shredders can quickly progress.
There are plenty of opportunities to get air time on a good mix of rock kickers and table tops found on this black diamond trail. Work your way down and drop off some classic Arkansas ledges, or pick your way down the stair steppy B-lines. With some chunky tech to keep things spicy, riders will need to be well rounded with their bike handling skills on and off the ground. At the top of the mountain riders will find the shuttle drop off point right next to the Topo Motel. From there, riders can choose one of the trail hubs to start their adventure. The first time Lucas Lewter visited the area, “it was like a little ray of sunshine came into my soul,” he said with a laugh.
The most obvious way to make sure you are comfortable is to make sure you have the right fit and that starts with the right size. There’s no substitute for trying a helmet on, even if that means shipping back something bought online, but there are ways to stack the deck ahead of time. Another reason that not every helmet carries a score seems to have more to do with the volume of releases. Even brands like POC, who have submitted older helmets, have newer helmets without a rating.