Perpetual Travelers

What a special summertime it has been. Last week we went on a ride through the Sequoia Park. Everything about the trip was impressive except for the drive up there. My gear was packed with my bike ready the night before. I started the mtn bike ride up alone as I left early from the office. My meet up time was set for eight pm where I was to meet with my friends on the mountain since I didnt know where exactly the campsite would be. I knew my window of opportunity was about 30 mins. If I didnt make it in time, they would come back the next day to find me. This means if I was too late, I would end up sleeping in my car alone that night.

Turns out I made it through traffic and up the hill in time to unhook my bike, crack open a beer and mtn bike ride up and down a couple of little hills before dark and before my buddies would arrive. The fresh air was brilliant and it was nice to be away the city. The bike was in perfect shape and ready to hit some trails.

We began our mountain bike ride the next morning, each if us carrying 40lb packs ensuring enough food and water to last at least 12hrs of long hard riding. The first crank up the big hill was ridiculously long. The crew cranked slowly up for about 2hrs. It was a remarkable feeling to finally make it to the top. We took a break and sipped some water from our stainless steel water bottles.

The rest of the day was spent busting tricks, hitting logs and enticing each other to go big. A couple of breaks were in order throughout the day where we drank a bit of booze and shared treats we had packed away. The dirt was just right. Not too dry as to cause any dust and not too wet that our wheels would get stuck. It was nice to see just a bit of snow left on the ground in certain spots.

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So you buy your first pocket bike, or maybe you buy your first major upgrade. It’s a great looking bike, you go to show it off and realize there are two other people who have the exact same bike. That takes the wind out of the sails a bit, but the good news is that it does not have to stay that way. One of the nice things about pocket bikes is that you don’t have to buy a customized bike to have one! You can change your pocket bike’s appearance, upgrade its performance, and transform your machine into a custom pocket rocket you can be proud of. You’ll find all the tools, parts, and accessories you’ll need at pocket bike chop shops.

Turn your normal stock pocket bike into your personal custom pocket rocket! If you’re not sure where to find the parts you need, a good place to start is at one of the numerous mini bike forums or that have recently rolled into action on the Internet. There you’ll find an enthusiasts’ community with unsolicited testimonials (because have you ever seen a company’s website with a bad testimonial?) from members other bikers, who’ll tell you where they’ve found the best deals, and even more importantly, they’ll tell you where and what to avoid at all costs!

You may also want to check with your mini-bike dealer. Because of the mushrooming popularity of minimoto and custom pocket bikes, many dealers who originally didn’t sell spare pocket bike parts have recently added both parts and accessories to their inventories to meet an increased interest and demand in both. Along with individual parts, you’ll see that many chop shop owners and pocket bike dealers also sell performance-enhancing kits that are even complete with instructions that will tell you how to touch up everything. These are very helpful if you’re new to the mechanics of custom pocket bikes.

You don’t have to look the same as everyone else. Make your custom pocket bike look as good as it rides. Between the Internet and chop shops you will have a wide choice of accessories to make you custom bike stand out from the rest of the group with accessory designs, saddles and saddlebags, trunks, tanks and tank pouches, headlights, horns, chromed wheels, decal kits, etc. If you’ve seen something done to a pocket bike, you can probably either get it or do it to your own!

Dave is the owner of big-pocket-bikes.info a website that provides information on pocket bikes and mini moto racing.

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Lowriding began as a cultural element of Chicano Americans, part of the street culture of the American barrio where Mexican immigrants maintained a lively urban culture.Lowrider bikes, one of the most splendid and unique products of this culture, are a cross between the Harley and the cruiser bike, decorated with paint and chrome and streamers, found in any all-American hometown parade.

As you might surmise, lowriding bikes hug the ground.The highest points on a lowrider bike are almost always its two hand grips, just like you might find on its motorized cousin, the Harley motorcycle.The seat of a lowrider bike is down at wheel level and its pedals are sometimes higher than the seat!These bikes are typically a highly individualized creation.Most of them are ridden with enormous pride by their creators, although you can buy some standard models and a few elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in cities of the American West.

Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes are anything but cheap.Makers of these one-of-a-kind creations regard their bicycles as much as an artwork and a mechanical marvel as a means of transportation, though part of the joy of creation has always been parading them down the street when completedthese are not pieces of art meant for life in dusty museums, for the most part.Each part is usually carefully selected for its utility as well as its beauty, with the resulting bike a breathtaking example of technical and artistic ingenuity.

Lowrider bikes are becoming a presence in more and more cities, perhaps made more “respectable” among the affluent bicyclists who drive the market by the increasing popularity of their cousin, the recumbent bicycle.As the baby boomer generation ages and feels increasing twinges of back pain riding on the dropped handlebars of road bikes, expect to see more and more lowrider and recumbent bikes alike.

And once you get your first basic lowrider bike, don’t be too surprised if you find yourself flipping through the real or online pages of a lowrider parts catalog musing, “Hmm.I wonder how that golden sprocket would look on my bike?”Lowrider bikes have a tradition of creative embellishment and technical improvisation that calls out the artist and the inventor in many of us.

What, really, could be better to evoke, especially if you’re already a bike rider?

Find further information on lowrider bikes at www.bike-cycling-reviews.com , your online resource on road and mountain biking reviews, the hub of cycling information.

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There are many different types and styles of bicycles. You will need to decide on the type of biking you will be predominantly doing in order to help you narrow down your choices. Below are just some of the types of bicycles available on the market today.

The first bicycle we will mention here are what are considered by some to be comfort bicycles. These are the type used by most weekend recreational bike riders. They usually have a comfortable shock-absorbing seat and shock absorbing front forks and wide pedals.

Another type of bike which is a bit more rugged than the comfort bike is a trail bike or light duty mountain bike. These bikes can take a bit more rough stuff than the bikes mentioned above but are not meant for serious mountain biking.

Touring bicycles are for those who go long distances and faster than recreational bike riders. These bikes are built for riding on the pavement. They are light weight bikes with more shock absorbency than comfort bikes.

Cruiser bikes are heavier than the comfort bikes with fatter tires. They are good for the road, or riding in the sand.

A true mountain bike has a stronger frame and components than any other bike as they are intended for off road and rugged terrain. The tires on a mountain bike are knobby and wide for more shock support. The seat and handlebars are positioned to allow for the rider to lean over while maneuvering the bike.

Recumbent bicycles are becoming very popular with older riders and those who have some limits in physical ability. The rider reclines while pedaling in a feet forward position. The seat is much more comfortable than on any other bicycle. Recumbent bikes sit low to the ground and have multiple gears.

Talk with family and friends who own bikes to get their opinion on what may be the best investment for you. If you don’t think that you’ll stick with bike riding long term and if you don’t plan to do more than weekend riding you don’t need to spend a fortune. Visit several bicycles shops and talk with the pro’s before making a decision. You can get many years of enjoyment if you choose the right bike for you.

This article courtesy of www.bicycle-questions.com

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My friend Ann takes her bike wherever she goes, even if
the trip isn’t about biking - like her Christmas trip to
Arizona to visit her parents. We discussed the advantages
and compared some expenses.

In the end, I went to do a little research to find out what
would be the best way to go when traveling by airplane -
ship your bike in the cargo hold of the plane, ship it
ahead of time by UPS, or rent a bike when you arrive at
your destination.

Renting was the clear loser among the three options. For
one thing, it’s not your bike, so it is likely to be
inferior along with not fitting you perfectly like your own
bike does. Also, it’s expensive. You can rent a clunker
for $45 USD a day if you’re in an area where bike rental is
even possible.

If you want a decent bike, though, you’re going to pay at
least $65. So, if you rent and ride once or twice while
you’re there, you’ll have almost broken even with the cost
of shipping your bike. If you ride more than a couple
times, you’re money ahead, once you’ve invested in some kind of
shipping carton.

Shipping your bike in the airplane’s cargo hold is a good
option, and might be the best choice depending on the
circumstances. The advantages of carrying it with you on
the plane include the fact that you will have it with you
at all times. You won’t be without your bike for the 2 to
6 days it takes when shipping by UPS. Also, you can use a
soft bag, which is not recommended for shipping by a
delivery service.

Depending on what kind of packaging you use for the
shipment, disassembly of your bike is minimal. You can get
by with as little as taking off the handlebar and pedals.
The cost is around $40 each way.

The option I like best is shipping via delivery service.
Depending on the from-to locations, the cost is usually
less than carrying the bike on the plane. For example, you
can ship a bike from Miami to Chicago for around $30. The
biggest benefit here is the minimized hassle factor. There
is no waiting in long lines in the airport baggage claim
area, no packing it into the rental car. The bike is
delivered to your door.

You have a tracking number, so you can keep informed about
the when and where of your bike’s current position while
it’s en route. A good shipping carton is necessary, of
course, but for people who travel often it’s worth the
investment.

Here is the run down of options for shipping cartons. You
can get a hard-sided bike suitcase for around $350 USD, and
it will last forever. For these, you have to take off both
of the wheels as well as handlebars, seat, and pedals to
fit the bike into the case.

For around $200, you can get a waterproof bike box that is
very durable and has the advantage of being collapsible
when not in use. I don’t recommend the plain cardboard
rectangular boxes because they are expensive, around $150,
and only last for a handful of trips. Both the waterproof
and cardboard rectangular box come with tie-downs, straps,
and foam chocks. You do have to do some disassembly of the
bike, removing the pedals and handlebar.

There’s one more shipping set-up that is a little less
expensive. For about $80, you can get a triangular
cardboard shipping carton. You don’t have to do any
disassembly, not even the bars because of the triangular
shape. Just use the quick release for the front wheel and
seat, and hold them in place with the tie downs that are
provided.

For details about carrying cases and shipping, go on-line
and enter the term ‘bike shipping’ in any search engine.
You’ll be pleased to find that traveling with your own bike
is affordable and fairly hassle-free. If you haven’t taken
your bike with you on trips already, I assure you that it’s
worth it.

Daniel Lebarge, journalist and cyclist, is a contributing
writer for First Bicycle
, offering valuable free information about cycling and
bicycles. Articles by Daniel are also found at All Boots and Snowboard Max.

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If you watch a major bicycle race on TV, you have to be impressed by how the riders can eat enough to sustain them through races that require more than five hours of near maximum effort. If they do not get enough food during their ride, they can fall off their bikes, lie on the ground unconscious and start to shake all over in a in a massive convulsion. This is called bonking: passing out from low blood sugar.

Your brain gets almost all of its fuel from sugar in your bloodstream. When your blood sugar level drops, your brain cannot get enough fuel to function properly, you feel tired and confused and can pass out. There is only enough sugar in your bloodstream to last three minutes. To keep your blood sugar level from dropping, your liver must constantly release sugar from its cells into your bloodstream, but there is only enough sugar in your liver to last 12 hours at rest. During intense exercise, your muscles draw sugar from your bloodstream at a rapid rate. Your liver can run out of its stored sugar and your blood sugar level can drop, and you bonk.

Bonking is common in bicycle races if a rider does not eat frequently, but is rare in long distance running races. When you run, your leg muscles are damaged from the constant pounding on the roads and you must slow down. However, you pedal in a smooth rotary motion which does not damage your muscles, so you can continue to pedal at a rapid cadence for many hours.

To prevent your blood sugar from dropping too low during intense exercise lasting more than two hours, eat at least every 15 minutes. It doesn’t matter what you eat: salted peanuts, a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, chicken, an apple, a banana or anything else. Almost all fit people can take small amounts of food frequently during exercise without developing stomach cramps.

Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com

Free weekly newsletter on fitness, health, and nutrition.

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All rubber tires wear down over time, whether they’re on a motorcycle or automobile. However, you want to watch out for uneven or excessive wear, both of which can cause serious problems for motorcycle riders. If you pay attention to the following causes of excessive and uneven wear, you will extend the life of your tires and keep yourself safe:

1. Improper Tire Pressure - We have all heard about the importance of maintaining proper tire pressure at all times. Improper air pressure in your tire is a big reason for many tire problems and failures. Be sure your tires have the recommended pressure in them at all times.

2. Humped Roads — Most roads are “humped” slightly in the middle or banked away from the center to allow rain and water to drain off. However, this hump can have a dramatic effect on one side of your motorcycle’s front tire because the side of the tire closer to the center of the road will wear faster. There’s not much you can do about this, and it can become very visible if you ride a lot. So be aware of this phenomenon and check the left side of your front tire often.

3. Disproportionate Cupping — Cupping is a normal phenomenon on rubber tires that occurs when the brakes are applied. However, excessive use of the front brake can produce disproportionate cupping, when one side of the tire is more cupped than the other. Using the front brake will naturally put more pressure and force on the front tire to make it stop, thereby using up more rubber.

4. Wheel Alignment - While this problem is not as common on motorcycles as it is on cars, it causes uneven tire wear. Any number of things can cause wheel misalignment on motorcycles, including getting into a fender bender, riding over potholes, jumping over sidewalks and curbs, etc. It is a good idea to have your wheel alignment checked out at least once a year to make sure that a misalignment isn’t unevenly wearing your front tire.

5. Shock Absorbers — A bad shock absorber can wreak havoc on the handling of your bike and promotes uneven front tire wear. So make sure your shocks are in good shape.

6. Improper Loading — The final major problem to keep in mind is improper loading of your bike, which causes your front tire to wear unevenly. Proper weight distribution is essential to being able to handle and steer your bike safely. Loading down one side of your saddlebag with tools or equipment can keep you from riding as vertically as possible, creating uneven tire wear.

So check your tires frequently, and keep these causes in mind if you begin noticing excessive or uneven front tire wear. Having the knowledge and taking the proper precautions will not only make you a safer rider but will prolong the life of your bike’s tires.

Jeff Sinason aka Tools - is the owner Bikerwares.com. Being an avid biker, he spends most of his time working on his web site and touring the country.

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Mountain biking for a woman does present some gender-specific issues. These range from the practical pain-in-the-butt riding, to the broader concerns of women in the sport.

One of the first questions that is asked, is whether a women-specific bike is necessary in mountain biking for a woman.

The answer will depend entirely on your build, your preferences, and your riding style. Finding the right bike for you, involves test-riding as many types as possible. This will give you the best indication of your body’s fit on a non-gender specific bike, compared to a women-specific bike.

Looking at mountain biking for a woman, a regular bike is fine, but your hip structure may necessitate choosing a more suitable saddle. If you are narrow-hipped, you probably won’t have a problem. If this is not the case, you will be more comfortable on the wider structure of a women-specific saddle.

As for the bike itself, unless you are quite small, with a short upper body and short arms, there is a good chance that you won’t need a women-specific bike. In most cases a normal frame type with the straight bar, holds up better for mountain bikes, and is commonly used in mountain biking for a woman.

This type of frame encourages a position where the weight of your body is more evenly distributed between the two wheels. On the typical ‘women’s’ bike with a sloping top tube, the weight is placed back on the saddle. This position is not very effective in mountain biking for a woman.

Also keep in mind that, in mountain biking for a woman, an elastomer fork may be your most comfortable choice. Lighter riders perform better with these.

Find a specialized bike shop with a reputation for good mechanics and service, as well as knowledgeable salespeople. If you are a novice, you will need some guidance at first. It is important to make sure that they have experience in mountain biking for a woman.

Mountain biking for a woman involves more of a distinction when it comes to clothing. The main difference is in the shorts, so to speak!

You will need a good pair of cycling shorts, with a chamois, specifically made for use in mountain biking for a woman. You don’t want the chafing center seam present in men’s shorts - riding isn’t supposed to be torture! The secure-fitting Triple S Short by Shebeest is an example. The aerodynamic cut, with eliminated inseams and flatlock center seam, is a dream to wear. DriStyle fabric ensures superb wicking.

Padded baggie shorts are gaining in popularity. Look for names such as Sugoi and Pearl Izumo.

In warmer weather, your top can be a cap sleeve base in Silkweight Micro Polyester with Spandex, by Shebeest. This offers the lightness you need in mountain biking for a woman. In cold weather, you can add the Full Zip Velocity Jersey in DriStyle. The zippered pockets come in handy, and the full zip front gives a variety of cooling options.

Fox Racing protective gear has a great range aimed at mountain biking for a woman. Their elbow/arm pads and knee/shin guards in size small seem to fit most small women well.

Mountain biking for a woman, is no longer limited to the sidelines. Many strong-voiced advocates are emerging to promote the sport among women. Finding ways of making entry-level racing more open to women, are often on the agenda at conferences.

Bike shops, clinics, and clubs also play an important role in opening up the sport. Bike shops are no longer seen as intimidating and over-technical. They are constantly trying to come up with ways to make the store inviting enough to support mountain biking for woman.

Many articles and books have been written about mountain biking for a woman. These offer how-to advice, bike buying tips, basic riding know-how, and trail advice. One of these is ‘Mountain Biking For Women’ by Robin Stuart and Cathy Jensen. It is clear from their writing that they are experienced riders.

Watching the ‘Wildflower Mountain Biking for Women’ video, is a great way to start mountain biking for a woman. It features topics such as bike selection, bike maintenance, finding riding companions, practice drills, and more.

It will be difficult to find a more entertaining, mind-and-body building sport than mountain biking for a woman.

For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

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It’s that time of year. The time when you decide it’s fine to ride in 12 degree weather. The time when your food and water freezes, your hands and feet go numb, and your bike gets covered in water and road salt…

It’s the time of year when you decide that you were a freakin idiot for going outside!

That “time of year” for me was yesterday. My first ride outside in sub 25 degree weather. It’s the same every year. Through spring, summer, and fall you tend to forget just how bad it is… and you think you’re tough enough to handle it. Well… you’re not!

Just one ride brings back the painful experiences of just one year ago. The warming of frostbitten hands and feet - what a way to end a ride! It’s enough to make me want to stay out in the cold!

I even bought a trainer this year. And I wore it out after a month. So, inevitably, I rode outside in frigid temperatures. Now I’m getting ready to buy some rollers. Then I’ll stay inside like a sane person!

Perhaps I’ll even pick up some workout videos. I have a CTS mountain biking video, the Spinervals might be ok, but I’m more interested in the Cyclo-core workouts. [See resource box below.] There’s a little bit of everything - riding, light lifting, etc. - and best of all: just 30-60 minutes each!

You get to stay inside, avoid trainer boredom, and you don’t even have to go to the gym! Definitely too good to pass up!

Even if you don’t want to buy anything, check out the site for a free special report: “Five Secrets to Double Your Off-Season Fitness”

Moral of the story: This is the off-season. Don’t ride outside if it’s below 25 degrees. And feel free to use this as an excuse to spend the winter in California!

Levi Bloom is the owner of Bloom Bike Shop and the webmaster of http://bloombikeshop.com

Check out his site for more useful articles on cycling and bike repair. And if you’re interested in CycloCore workouts, check out http://bloombikeshop.com/cyclocore

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What are Mini moto’s? A Minimoto is a miniature version of a real GP racing motorcycle; it just doesn’t go as fast as one. There pocket bikes are available in many different makes and styles, many of which look just like real racing bikes but in a miniture version such as those found on GhostRacingSeries website.

Who Makes Minimoto’s? There is many Mini Moto models and manufacturers. The more expensive pocketbikes and professional bikes are built in Czechoslovakia by Blata and GRC of Italy. Other well known brands are Polini and ZPF.

Recently manufacturers from China have made a big difference to minimoto racing sport. With mass production making minimoto’s more affordable and much more popular. Here in the UK minimoto racing is one of the fastest growing sports. We occasionally hear people say that the Chinese bikes are rubbish and quickly fall apart however companies like http://www.ghostracingseries.com supply exceptionally high quality replica minimoto’s. These minimoto’s start from just £150 each!

Styles of Minimoto’s? As the market grows, lots of trends are set. Amongst the most popular is the Ghost Racing Series Moto GP reps. They come in various styles including Rizla Moto Gp Mini moto, Camel Moto Gp Mini moto, Telefonica Moto Gp Mini moto, Repsol Moto Gp Mini moto, Shell Adavance Moto Gp Mini moto.

Whats different with the Ghost Racing Series minimoto’s?
Ghost Minimoto’s come with the following extras: Over £100 of Fitted extra’s come as standard including:
Performace Exhaust - Expansion Chamber + Polished Silencer K&N Style Performance Air Filter Upgraded Heavy Duty Chain & Sprockets Race Quality Reed Valves Uprated Brake Calipers + Thicker Brake Discs Upgraded Forks with Alloy Wheel Clamps High Quality Welding & Stronger Frame Alloy Brake Levers Alloy Yorks High Compression Engine with 19mm Transfer Ports for High Revs Soft Grip Performance Hand Grips High Quality Fairings Painted Hubs & Polished Rims

http://www.GhostRacingSeries.com

http://www.GhostRacingSeries.com

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