European Stars and Stripes (Newspaper) - May 10, 1990, Darmstadt, Hesse                                Ride almost exclusively on the Road. Their comfortable upright Riding position and Ultra Low gears make them bikes for All purposes a commuting shopping or pleasure trips. Mountain bikes differ from other types such As racing and touring bikes in several ways such As the heavy duty Frame and tires number of gears and upright handle bars. But with All that Quot heavy duty Quot applied to them Mountain bikes Are still made to be Light and easy to handle. Some of the More expensive bikes which can easily run $1,000 or More Are Light enough to pick up with one Finger says David Teixeira a 13-year Veteran of arc s mountaineering school in Garmisch. But most off Road bikes Range from $300 to $600 and weigh about 30 pounds. All of arc s programs Are geared to the skill of each rider and some programs begin in the parking lot Plowman said allowing inexperienced riders a Little practice with the Bike before heading out into the valleys and Over the Hills. Dean Diaz de Leon at arc s Lake Chi Emsee resort thinks everyone should give Mountain biking a try. He takes his groups on trips of up to 15 Miles or so with each ride geared to the ability of the Overall group. The longer More extreme trips Are for people who Are in Quot pretty Good shape Quot he says. All three arc areas in Bavaria a Berchtesgaden Chi Emsee and Garmisch a offer programs for both the newcomer and the experienced rider. In Berchtesgaden the new Alpine adventure program features Mountain Bike Tours alongside mountaineering treks and White water rafting. Arc Chi Emsee offers Mountain Bike rentals along with its five Day outdoor discovery program that combines Mountain biking with hiking sailing windsurfing and rafting. If you re not up for the five Day program arrangements can be made to participate Only on the biking tour which lasts about four hours Diaz de Leon says. The arc mountaineering school in Garmisch sponsors guided Mountain Bike programs of All types. Half Day and whole Day Tours Are available ranging from the easy family tour to the difficult Zug Spitze hike and Bike tour. That tour is a demanding two Day overnight trip featuring a stay in a Mountain hut and a hike up the Zug Spitze Germany s highest Mountain Bike rentals Are also available in Garmisch and Chi Emsee and rates Start As Low As $10. Other programs Start at $43 for guided Tours and All begin this month. The arc Mountain Bike tour guides can also custom design a tour for you if they get Advance notice and there s enough participation. Call for details. In Berchtesgaden the number is ets 441-s776 or civilian 08652-55830 in Chi Emsee its ets 441-2630 or civilian 08051-80389206 and for the arc mountaineering school in Garmisch its ets 440-2591 or civilian 08821-750639. A amps Gus Schu Ottun top arc s Henry Kur Mehki leads David Teixeira Down a Steep slope. Above Mountain bikes have Low gears for Tough climbs. Left a biker speeds along a Trail. A amps Gus Schuettler pedal Power May to t990 stripes Magazine 9