Cycling to work part 2

7. I have to dress for work
Some business travelers just a bike in his clothes - which seems to command more respect from motorists. Most bike tour, or clothes, and when they arrive. You can change your clothes in the package or in panniers on the bike or even transportation to and from the days when they do not apply.

8. I can not shower at work
Depending on the weather may not need a shower, if you go to the leisurely pace. If you do this, washcloth, soap, deodorant, towels and cleaning the bathroom sink, or look in the public service or health club within walking distance of your workplace where you can shower. Then your employer to install a shower at work.

9. And if it is cold or rainy
When a good time bike - if the forecast is not so, but not motorcycles. Some people conquer the elements and commute every day, but that does not mean that you need. If only travel if the weather is conducive to the report, which until now has improved markedly. What do you enjoy cycling, the more you look forward to their daily walk. You can decide to invest in the rain and cold, so you can tackle in a year!

10. It is not safe to travel in transport
You have the possibility of the road successfully with cars lawfully and firmly. The fear of driving in traffic is often much more than a real threat. Most accidents involving bicycles and cycling, the involvement of children who do not obey the law. Minimize the risk of riding correctly - you can see, predictably and following all traffic laws. In stop-and-go traffic, cyclists may deem fit, in general, with the traffic flow so that it is acceptable to him on the road. Ask in the embrace, as cars are trying to curb the dangers to squeeze past. To prevent injury always wear a helmet. In addition, you can reduce the risk of riding in traffic less congested secondary roads. You can use a few miles, but you can enjoy the ride, but worth the trade-off.

11. I need to go in the dark
Wear bright retroreflective clothing, use good lighting, and choose a route that no major roads. There are a number of bike lights are installed, which can help you to see and be seen.

12. I need my car for work
Some jobs require a car, but many transportation tasks could just as well on a motorcycle. Check with your employer and see if your company could benefit from an environmentally sustainable if it is their business by bike. The view that many traditional tasks are well suited for cycling, whether it is police work, reading mail, etc. If you absolutely can not use a bicycle to work, and then a motorcycle for personal orders, and work at home.

view more......

Cycling to work part 1

If more people biked to work, to have clean air and quiet streets, require less maintenance. Why not come with the bike? Here are 12 common excuses and 12 answers to the excuses:

1. It's too far to travel
If you live far from work, feel part of it, while the other foot. This is especially useful if you live in a crowded pedestrian zone. Reduced use of motor vehicles, the environment and the bike will be more awareness of other cycle of the passenger during the voyage. Or you can take part in the bus. Bicycle racks were installed in many full-size buses. By days bicycle races to save fuel and money. $ 10 per month, plus one bus with a bike can be placed anywhere you want to go.

2. It takes too much time
You'll be amazed! Because of traffic in urban areas, cycling, usually require less time to manage the trips of three miles or less, and almost at the same time, three to five miles to travel. For longer trips, consider that you save time by combining exercise with a daily commute. Also, do not forget, save your time, money (and benefits to the environment) by eliminating trips to the gas station.

3. I have too much earlier, when I was riding my bike
If you drive less than 10 miles round trip, the time difference will be negligible. But even if your comment is longer by 30 minutes of extra sleep is not a tonic, like a walk in the early morning hours. You arrived at work alert and updated. In addition, during the night of his return home, you should relax and not to the aggravation of sitting in rush hour traffic. And you do not rush to a meeting in the afternoon to rest. You have already done!

4. I am from the mold
Leave enough time to go slowly, see the wheel is not more difficult than walking. As you travel, you ease your way to a better way of abilities that are an integral part of everyday. If you have a health problem, consult your doctor for advice on how to start.

5. I can not afford the special wheels --
You can not. Your old beater bike gathering dust in the garage is, and if he leads, and less attractive to thieves. If you have a bike with the rest can be easily fitted with rack and bag or Fanny Pack to the elements. When the fixed costs of operating the car at more than $ .30/mile, would save money on a bicycle, an average of 10 miles round trip, a bike up to $ 400 for six months. (Not to mention the health benefits and cost savings for the environment.

6. There is no safe place for my bike
This is probably a warehouse in which the private or with a bicycle can be behind closed doors. Maybe you can even free - a symbol of status! Or check and see if it is in close proximity to buildings and garages. Otherwise, a tie or immovable object with a bolt lock, preferably where you can see.

view more......

South Californina Bike Show

Bike total of 2001 for southern California customers bike show. Participation this year was higher than in previous years, and children to go and fun to walk increased. We have pictures and more information about the exhibition in the near future.

One of the main attractions at the fair was the test track vegetation. More than 800,000 out of the mud in the Convention Center and the moldings on the road.

The track has brurm, stutters and upheaval of the rocks. Drivers are allowed three circles on each bike.

14 and older runners were able to many of the production cycle. Both high-end BMX and mountain bikes were available for testing. Over 40 motorcycles in all. The most popular and bikes Kona Canondale Raven.

Top Experts and sport class pilots test, where the power stun the audience with his excellent skills on the bike. Runners, how many times a day for three days of the fair. The crowd rushed to get, when the runners started.

LOOK new fork today, if you look carefully the holder of a similar link in the theory or AMP Lawhill leader. A trip in a week, and we hope that this mild view of the track quickly.

The owner has a light weight (1100g) and 80mm travel. Designed so that the geometry of the bike remains unchanged
irrespective of the position of the wheels, improving handling and braking. Carbon double bond and the fork is an excellent torsional rigidity. And the pressure, and themselves, and can be easily adjusted. Rigidity simply due to the filling of pillows for support and to reduce fatigue and improve comfort There are blocks of rubber to absorb vibrations. Recommended retail price is $ 975.

In Ibis has SilkTi processing titanium billets to that chain trick stay. The shape and design allows for easy circuit bending. Along with the shock and are able to achieve 1.75 "of travel without the cone.

Crank Brothers has been quietly developing very well, these four pages pedals. The use of internal sources for the sake of clarity and separation, and very gentle. The open design is very popular for those who travel in muddy conditions. Your guarantor will be installed on a single policy document with any compatible shoe. Find your favorite store as soon as possible. Hope

Phat bicycles manufactured custom chopper and cruiser recovery. At Phat Chopper link based on a chrome frame and a sweet 7-speed Nexus Center fork link Phat, Phat suspended last frame. If you like attention, this bike to all parties.

SRAM has been with his new band 9.0, with a composite body, which reduces weight. Programs perforated with ramps to improve shifting. Changer activation will soon be in stores shortly. Almost all the years that are the size of the grip of a hand drawing.

Bicycles with petrol engines, as a contradiction, but in Los Angeles, on the basis of interest. Rotartica Taiwan is to sell complete bikes and kits modified for a two-stroke 30cc engine on your bike.

Merlin makes some of the most beautiful bike in the world. The newspaper boy Merlin is too cold. It looks like the classic fat tire bike, but also the safety of "Merlin" is ready to tour.

The fact that the 6 "tires, front and rear axle, and can be almost in the bag? This is indeed days bicycle races and suspension really works. The small wheels that make it necessary, in the pedal cycle high. Is this true? Yes, but only $ 100 United States, and you can bike to your collection.

view more......

Be Prepared

Be ready! This is the motto of the Boy Scouts and should be the motto for the cyclists. On my last bike adventure, I realized how important it is to be prepared. I have always been my bike in quite good condition, and make sure I get the pump and at least one set of patches. Well, enough for 99.5% of the bike, but sometimes you have to be a little more.

It was difficult to travel solo, and everything was peaceful Good. The weather was perfect, and my legs felt strong. About the hour of my trip, I crush the long climb up the hill. How do I go from a sitting to hear an unusual condition, but very characteristic sound that occurs when a snap of the strings. I quickly lined bag on my bike that if I accidentally break the chain inch unlucky. I searched for words that, if I can find a link separately and had no success. Attempts to select a different PIN with a stone, not worked well.

It is a long time since we are in this situation. A broken bicycle chain in the extent, to the detriment of all, it is not bad. Because the bike was still rolling. I managed to do it again, and fortunately, most of my trips to the mountain, and it is capable of much of the coast road home.

When I was on a few key elements to prevent them in distress and that the next trip interruption perfection. For less than $ 10, can together

1) Pump
2) a fresh tube
3) Changing Kit
4) in the chain (if you're using Shimano chains have a PIN number on the tape line break)
5) Allen wrench 5 mm (do not forget to hold the trunk, brakes, cranks)
6) The most important radio
7) AIDS-Banda
8) games

Other things you could include in the repair kit tire levers, some tape, a few dollars, iodine, and the power bar.

If you have a backpack with water, all the elements can be placed in a Ziploc bag and the bag. One option is preferable for obtaining and maintaining a small seatbag anything on the bike. Thus, you will always be ready.

view more......

Bike Sizing

There is no perfect formula for determining the size and orientation of bikes, there are many rules of thumb, but actually it is a very personal thing, a bike settings. You're the only one who can determine the ideal installation.

So, here are some golden rules: Your seat height should be set so that your leg almost fully extended at the bottom of the pedal stroke. The proof of this session on the bike against the wall. Place your heels on the pedals and pedal back, the legs should be fully extended to the bottom. Most people, places too little, I've seen "cycle safety" manuals recommend that you use your seat is low enough that you have both feet on the ground sitting on the ground (Note: If this is done). Low seat height is a major cause of knee injuries in cycling.

You can change the tilt of the seat to loosen the clamp for the screw. Most people feel comfortable when the seat is slightly tilted forward, but it is primarily a matter of personal taste. He was comfortable the seat tilted back.

Stem height preference is something else that most people feel more comfortable if the amount of stem cells of approximately the same as a seat, the height of the Chief of horses more upright lower angles. Mountain bikes tend to indicate that the growth of the handlebars a bit higher than the seat in an upright position for riding position.
Stem extension is a measure of how far in front of the head tube of the root has a steering wheel. It can not be installed without having to buy a new stem, but you can order a good bike shop to replace the barrel on the bike again. If he feels like the steering wheel too far away, a tribe with a short extension (GM) may be good for you. If you have a long torso, longer extension might help.

If you have dropped handlebars, the tendency to a bar can also be adjusted, as a rule, the lightning in the trunk of that wheel clamps. Typically, the end of the rod should be at a point somewhere between the upper and middle part of the rear wheels, but this advantage. Some people do crazy things with the grid, which gets into the air with them, or vice versa. I recommend, but contributes to impalement. Also, always filled at the end of the bars, when you connect the game with a driving belt, stylish cap extension or champagne cork.
Here are its parameters. Always remember that your ideas are more important than rules of thumb, if you feel more comfortable, especially for long-distance travel, with non-standard configuration, with all means. And all the money riding on a bicycle!

view more......

As evidence of Cycling

The most important things you are interested in traveling a test to see how a bicycle handles bumps to see how the brakes and shifters work, and to see if they are well built. Before I get into a bike shop should have a plan if you intend to use the test for a bike. Take a bike to Hearst, or similar, for example, bottles, if you're looking for? If Struckmann blows, you hear unexplained rattles? You should expect your move if you are familiar with the pothole, but if other things on the bike is shaking is a sign that something is cheap or poorly fitted.

To test SHIFTER, you begin to ride on a flat surface, and the road through the arts. Is it easy to reduce the March? However, if the lower gear, the derailleur is not something that she wants to destroy freedom in the spokes? (If you do this, change the order, but this anti-bike.) Sauber changes in the higher gears without stepping on the end? Can I switch between the front panel easily without the need to move on the chain? In the triple courts can be expected that the contribution to the chain of time, during the transition to a smaller chainring, but you should never exceed two times and not a big chainring. Try the all-wheel drive at the time, the chain smoothly and quietly at each wheel, or chat, or directly from one or more?

Try to go down when driving uphill is more difficult to change the tension of the chain and cheaper travel systems are not. If you're spending $ 500 or more, but you must insist that the bike is capable of making this change will be clean.

When going uphill, you hear the sounds of diagnosis on the wheels? If you do this, they were bad, but the sounds disappear, but the wheels must be re-trued.

Head down and press on the brake, as I do? Feel like you to take control of their slow? Cantilever brakes Spongia pulls a little rough hand, and feel like we hope.

On foot, bicycle, and the steering wheel, which in turn smoothly through the range of motion, or he feels like it has grooves in various places (particularly rectal)? Try some medium-speed corners on the pavement, the bike fixed angle (in the case of road bike, knobby-tire motorcycle terrible corner on the sidewalk)?

If you think about driving along the road on a dirt road or two (There are some on campus) and see how a bicycle, we can accelerate from low speeds on the planet? You can easily do? Can I use one section of potholes?
As I said, taste a variety of bikes in the price category, there is no way to determine how well you feel on a bike to you. And especially if you're shopping days bicycle races!

view more......

To choose a bike

First, of course, will have to decide how much money you're willing to spend. Tips, as I said earlier, after the money have a better bike. We spend at least $ 250 will not be many opportunities at this level in a realistic manner, you should expect to spend $ 300 when you can not afford a lot that can be good deals on good used bikes. If you have a lot of people will never ride their bikes, and finally, closing only for burial. A quality bike will be much better than the new target Junker.

If you have a price range, head to the bike shop. Do not let a hurry, traveling several test cycles and spare parts are not guided tours (see details below in the Riding Test). Consider theft resistance, the bike has a quick release, which via a cable to buy or take with you? Look at the expansion joints, seams (or hands) to clear or laziness? Wheels are true? In the brake lever must come to an end of travel of a maximum of about 2 inches (slightly less than mountain biking), and should not be able to fund. Or, cantilever brakes sidepull? (Cantilever brake pivots on the fork and on the seatstays, the main cable with a cross to make, based on the wheel. Sidepulls directly above the wheel with a cable to pull it together on one page.) Boom, when the brakes a good defense to move the wheels (which greatly improves the bike in the rain). Sidepull brakes, it's usually easier and stay in the best fit.

view more......

As you probably know, there are three types of bike

ROAD BIKES: dropped handlebars, narrow tires, after the tube shifters. Road bikes are light and fast and have significant advantages over other types of driving. You can also travel on dirt roads without much effort, they can not freely roam the land or sand. The disadvantage of racing in Berkeley, is that because of their narrow tires that are not compatible with the bumps and potholes, as well as other species. One advantage is that it seems the thieves are not interested.
Motorcycles, like Bridgestone RB-T, are the wheels with the tires on the road, and usually a relaxed geometry better handle bumps. I think they are good for my main commuter bike is a Schwinn Voyageur (unfortunately, not Schwinn). There are slower than other bikes, but faster than others.

One of the problems, the acquisition of a racing bike is that most shops are not cheap, so it is difficult to provide evidence of travel to $ 500 cheaper. Since I recommend a trip test, it is a big drawback.

Mountain bikes: a straight steering wheel, big knobby tires, handlebar shifters. Own mountain bike for the majority of new motorcycles on the market, which is fresh and fun to go watch (the people who want to ride on their bikes, they tend to not buy a mountain bike). There are significant gaps in the management and can also be used in loose soil or on a single track road. Significantly slower than road bikes on the road, yesterday was my mountain bike riding and felt like I had no energy at all. Also, objects thieves in Berkeley, and if you have a mountain bike, ready to provide extra precautions to protect it.
Mountain bikes are more comfortable because of his driving position in a vertical position, which is incorrect. This position is very convenient when you're only on the wheel, or perhaps sitting on a bike in the shop. There will be more pressure on your lower back, and the absence of additional parties also causes problems for long walks. Especially after the theft issue, I can not recommend in good faith on a bicycle in Berkeley. If you are looking for a bike everywhere you can, or if you want, specifically designed for off-road driving, mountain bikes are great, but I think that every day school is a bad idea, if only if you have a private office, where you can save.

Hybrids: After the mountain bike boom in the early'80s, people began to realize that her riding mountain bikes on the road. Since mountain bikes have a significant impact on the road, hybrids have characteristics of mountain bikes and road bikes. They tend to be in an upright position, but less than the mountain bikes. Your tires are wider than road bikes, but usually not too bossy. They often have a steering wheel from the position as compared to mountain bikes.

As you might expect, they are faster than mountain bikes, but slower than road bikes. The objectives of stealing more than racing, but less than the mountain bikes. They are better in the loose dirt bikes, but they are not suitable for serious off-road driving. I think that hybrids decent commuting bikes, horse riding, but in an upright position, it is desirable for long walks. For the city, but they are good. There is usually a combination of many of the choice up to $ 500 for casual users.

Are recumbents (bikes, when you sit in that looks like a couch) and tandems. Recumbents are convenient and attract much attention, but they are not climbing the mountain, but good flats and downhills. There is a growing market for lying. Tandem (bicycle, two men) were the most fun possible on two wheels, but the good are expensive.

view more......

How to buy a bicycle

This seems like a good time to discuss the purchase of any size and on a bike. If you already have a bike, and is not interested in another, you can get access to the section on calibration. With more than a bike very well, but especially if your motorcycle is your only form of transport.

Let me first say that the low-end bicycle shop bike is much better in the last 10 years, we can not go wrong. In general, it costs additional money to for $ 700 or $ 800, after which you pay for something that is really not necessary. If the bike shop will have some features of the bike is cool (as in bar button switch), you may have to pay for what you do not need. Features you need your bike is the pedals, brakes and shifters work, work, everything else vestigal. This does not mean that you should buy the cheapest functional bicycle, you should be aware that supplements are not really necessary.

Note that I said, the low-end bike shop * bikes. Do not buy a bike from Target, Toys R Us or other non-bike shop. These wheels cheap, such as hazardous brake particularly bad. They are strong, are idiots, and virtually impossible to correct. Ask yourself a reasonable bike. We spend $ 250 in this case, you will get more than you paid.

I would like to define some terms. Its structure consists of 4 pipes:

Subway: A, Uh, the top of the tube. The rear brake cable, usually along it.

SEAT TUBE: tube that seatpost.

TUBE follows: The other big pipes, diagonal bases. The transition has some racing, drinking, poor, and to change the cable, usually along it.

TUBE HEAD: * not * a cheesy Porn Flick. This is a short tube connected to the tube from the bottom up in the tube. It

Steerer and stem.

Steerer: tube holder (with the front wheel), as well as the stem through the head tube.

Stem: Check the steering tube and handlebar. It fits over the screw all the (usually) about.

SEAT POST: Where is the screw at the top of the

TUBE SEAT. This clip in place, the place is supported by the bolt.
I'm looking for the following bike:

Aluminum wheels: It is not only lighter than steel, they are easier to keep fit, and * much * better braking in wet conditions. They say that the improvement of the wheels is the easiest way to improve the efficiency of your bike with the good.

Hebel NO IDIOT: If a bicycle is a bicycle road curves "drop" handlebars, the brakes on the "hook". Cheap bikes in addition to the main brake lever, there is another lever, which is inward, parallel to the bars. Do not buy a bicycle with them, are extremely dangerous (not good enough, its use in emergency situations), and a sign that the bike is not good. If your bike has these tools, we recommend you delete it.

NO Shifters stem: Again, this is for racing, some bikes, then the keys to the landlord (the handle). The idea is that they are closer to their hands and, therefore, easier to use, the reality is that you are the center of gravity, and turning his body to use. In addition, they are very sensitive to this in his knees while climbing (a very bad image), and an accident in the throat, which is situated near Goring. Insist on a pipe or bar end shifters for road bikes.

view more......

Doping in cycling

What is doping?
Drug use is an attempt to improve athletic performance, and often referred to as doping. The word "drugs" of a primitive South African alcoholic beverage used as a stimulant in ceremonial dances. In the current environment of sports, doping refers to the use of chemicals to improve the efficiency of prohibited substances and methods to improve the efficiency of an athlete.

The drive to compete and win is as old as mankind. Athletes in the course of history, food and potions to improve their performance. Greek Ringer ate a large quantity of meat to build muscle. Northern fierce warriors ate hallucinogenic mushrooms to prepare for the fight. Greek gladiators took drugs, it is enough to make the hostilities and bloodshed. Chariot racers who have their horses a mixture of drugs, so they work faster. During the time that it is competitive sports athletes have tried to create a competitive advantage. They want more success at any cost.

"In 1904 Olympics marathon runner Thomas Hicks was with a mixture of brandy and strychnine and almost killed" The first death from the use of doping in sport was in 1886, when the cyclist died from overdoses trimethyl. In 1904 Olympics marathon runner Thomas Hicks was with a mixture of brandy and strychnine and nearly died. Heroin, cocaine, caffeine, and is widely used heroin and cocaine was only by prescription. In the 1930's, it was amphetamines strychnine. In 1950, the Soviet Olympic team used male hormones to increase strength and power. American steroid developed in response.

At the Winter Olympics of 1952 some speed skaters are sick and need medical care after the amphetamines. Danish cyclist Kurt Jensen at the Olympic Games in 1960 and died from overdose of amphetamines. In 1970, anabolic steroids in one form or another with doping. In 1980, when athletes do not find the body also improves the properties of steroids.

During the 1988 Olympic Games Ben Johnson had destroyed the world record for 100 meters. His medal was released the next day, when anabolic steroids testing in the race after the discovery of drugs. He was still struggling for their right to compete again.

Tour de France in 1998 was the worst drug scandal in its history. Vídeos flight Festina team was excluded from the tour after the team masseur Willy voet, if drugs to improve performance if your computer is connected to the car. In the end, one-third of all teams in a race, or vice versa, or by drug abuse.

Anabolic steroids
Steroids are drugs on hormones. Anabolic steroids are only one group of these hormones. It was shown that anabolic steroids did not improve agility, skill and ability of the cardiovascular. U. S. Food and Drug Administration the use of steroids for the treatment of many specific diseases. Anabolic steroids are synthetic derivatives of testosterone, a natural male hormone. In the anabolic effects of hormones and helps the body maintain a diet of protein, which promotes the growth of muscles, bones and skin. In the androgenic nature of testosterone associated with masculinity. Stimulation of maturation of male organs in puberty, body hair growth and deepening of the voice.

Those who are on steroids, even under the threat of more than 70 side effects of liver cancer at the acne. You can change the physical and psychological reactions to steroids. In the liver, cardiovascular and reproductive systems are most at risk of application of steroids. "Steroids can cause men away testicles, sterility and impotence."

Steroids can cause men away testicles, sterility and impotence. Women risk of irreversible male characteristics, breast reduction and sterility. Psychological effects in both sexes are aggressive, combative behavior and depression. Some side effects will not be for many years, such as heart attacks and strokes. Steroids in adolescence may lead to the arrest of the development of bones.

view more......