John was following his doctor’s orders. The 50-something executive was taking his daily bicycle ride to improve his health. This evening, though, he altered his routine and opted for a more scenic route along a narrow, winding, two-lane road near his home.

With no shoulders, the road left no margin for error, however, and John was hit by a motorist who was trying to pass him. In trying to prolong his life, John inadvertently cut it short.

Each year, about 500,000 people require emergency room treatment due to bicycle crashes, and about 800 people die. Approximately 75 percent of the deaths result from a head injury. Following are some simple, easy-to-follow guidelines that will keep the pleasure in biking.

Use The Proper Gear

* The proper helmet can reduce head injuries by about 85 percent. Always wear a helmet with a label stating that it meets the Consumer Product Safety Commission standard. Select a helmet that fits snugly and sits flat on your head.

* Discard a helmet after it sustains a blow. Even a slight blow can affect impact-absorbing foam.

* Take a safety course. One organization offering courses for all ages is the League of American Bicyclists at (202) 822-1333, or their website.

* Know and obey traffic regulations, signs, signals, and markings.

* Ride a bicycle that “fits” your body and riding needs. You should be able to stand over the top tube, with the tube one or two inches below your crotch. Find a qualified salesperson to help you determine which bicycle, safety features, and accessories are best for you.

* Before riding, make sure all the parts are secure and working.

* Check your brakes before stepping onto your bicycle, and keep them properly adjusted.

* Wear bright or fluorescent clothing during the day. Be more visible by flying an orange flag from the back of your bike.

* Never wear headphones.

* Use a rearview mirror.

Take A Balanced Approach

* Find a safe place to ride. Many cities or bicycle clubs have maps of recommended routes.

* Cycle defensively. More than 70 percent of car-bicycle accidents occur at driveways or intersections. Expect a car to pull out from a side street, or turn left in front of you.

* If traffic is heavy, walk your bike across an intersection.

* Make eye contact with drivers, and signal your intentions.

* Cycle with the flow of traffic, and never against it.

* In a group, it’s best to ride single file, unless you are off the road, or on quiet, secondary roads.

* Don’t carry passengers or items that interfere with your control.

* Stay alert at all times. Look out for hazardous surfaces or obstacles in your path, such as potholes, loose gravel, manhole covers, cracks, railroad tracks, or wet leaves.

* Leave at least three feet of distance when passing parked cars to avoid doors being opened.

* Be predictable. Maintain a straight line when you’re cruising.

* Stay at least three feet to the right of cars if you can. If there is a wide, clean shoulder, use it.

* Watch for pedestrians, especially kids or animals that might dart in front of you. If a dog chases you, stop, dismount, and use your bike as a shield.

* Before turning, look back, check all directions for traffic, and use hand signals.

* Avoid provocative actions that might irritate drivers.

* When in danger, shout!

* The bike will be less stable with a child in a seat. A cart towed by a bike is far safer. Plan to go slower, take turns gently, and avoid busy streets.

* Carry loads at the rear of the bike in cases designed for bicycles.

Riding After Dark

* Avoid biking at night. It is far more dangerous than riding during the day. Most bicycles need to be adapted for nighttime use.

* Add the brightest lights and largest reflectors you can find to the front and rear or your bicycle.

* Wear retro-reflective clothes or material, especially on your ankles, wrists, back, and helmet. White or fluorescent are not good enough.

* Ride only in familiar areas. Streets with bright lighting are best.

* Always assume that a driver does not see you.

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When bicycle riding becomes a competition, then it could already be considered a sport.  And road bicycle racing is one of the most popular sports that make use of a bicycle.  This type of bicycle sport is held on roads according to a particular area’s geography with the use of racing bicycles.  This sport involves competing riders which will start their ride all the same time where the winner will be the first one to reach the finish line.  This sport is quite demanding physically.  Other variations of a road race are the individual and the team time trials.

Although the popularity of road racing is global, it is more especially so in Europe.  Some of the most active European countries which hold yearly road bicycle racing are France, Belgium, Italy, UK, Luxembourg, Spain, Germany, Switzerland and the Netherlands.  The sport is also popular in USA, Australia and Russia. The types of riders that join the road bicycle racing are what are referred to as the climber, the All-rounder, the Time Trialist, the Sprinter and the Domestique.

There are also several types of road bicycle racing in terms of the number of days the race will be held.  The first type is the “single-day race”.  With this race, the first person who will cross the finish line upon completion of all courses prescribed will be the winner.  The race distance differs starting from only a few kilometers to as long as 200 kilometers. The courses may comprise 1 or more laps of a circuit, may run from place to place or both.  Another type is the “single-day nocturnal races” which are done to bring in a much larger crowd.  The next type of race is the “stage race” which consists of several stages (races) that will be ridden consecutively.  With this type of race, the rider with the lowest cumulative time in completing all stages of the race will be the winner.  There may also be other awards and classification as may be decided by the race coordinators such as individual stage winners, King of the Mountains winner, points classification winner, etc.  Lastly, there is the type referred to as the “ultra marathon”.  These are very long races but are only a single stage event.  It usually takes several days to finish.  The “Race Across America” or RAAM is the most famous ultra marathon there is.  It is a 3000 miles coast to coast, single stage non-stop race usually taking a week to finish.

Joining these races is no easy task.  Tactics should be employed to ensure high winning potential and the body should be well-prepared to be able to endure the race.  It would be best to equip yourself with the ins and out of the race you intend to join in as well as prepare all the gears you may need.  Most importantly, have the best performing bicycle to assist you in your race.

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Many new bicycle riders start off with a decent mountain bike. They wear ordinary sports clothing, and start cycling right away. Unfortunately, they didn’t know that they can save energy and ride quicker and faster just by making a small adjustment to their clothing – and that is by wearing mountain bike shoes such as those provided by Shimano.

Shimano is a well trusted brand in the bicycling community. They have been around for years and the engineers know all the ins and outs of bicycle engineering. They have also been able to stay on top of technology developments and managed to design some great products. The Shimano pedaling system (also known as SPD) is just one such example.

Why your pedaling is so important in your riding.

Your mountain bike, in the simplest sense, is a machine that helps to transfer power from your legs to speed on the trail. The component that is responsible for power transfer? The pedals. On normal flat pedals, most of the power that is used comes from the down stroke – i.e. you are pushing down as your pedal. Unfortunately, most of the power on the up stroke (pulling up) is lost.

So a new pedaling system is invented to overcome this problem – the clipless pedals. The clipless pedaling system is known as “clipless” because there is a need to differentiate between the new clipping system and the older toe clip system. So if you see “clipless”, it refers to the new pedaling technology.

How the clipless system works.

The pedaling system works by having special pedals and cycling shoes that are able to click together. When attached, the rider is able to transfer energy on the up stroke to the bike so little energy is lost during the process.

Clipless shoes and pedals are all about energy efficiency. Many riders swear that when they ride with clipless shoes, they can improve their overall speed by 5% or more. In other words, there is a 5% energy efficiency. If you rider short distances (e.g. 5km), a 5% reduction probably doesn’t amount to much. However, if you are joining races or running distances as long as 100km, 5% can mean a huge difference.

Note that both road and mountain bikes have bicycling shoes, but they are different in terms of design. Mountain bike shoes have recessed clips, wheres road shoes have protruding clips. Many riders who own both a mountain and road bike prefer to wear mountain bike shoes because they can also walk in them. Besides, mountain bike shoes look more normal if you are just out cycling casually with a group of friends.

For new cyclists, a good pedaling system is a must. With the feet attached to the pedals, new riders can get a better feel of how it is like to pedal efficiently.

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The challenge of building the perfect bicycle is an impractical goal, but it’s the only one that’s doing worthwhile. In Jamis Mountain Bikes, they have been at it most of their lives. CEO and President of the corporation Carine Joannou also takes care of the parent company having succeeded after her father in the year 1981.

What began as a humble local distributor of imported European bicycles and its parts in the year 1937 Jamis Mountain Bikes has grown into a national powerhouse with having global distributors all through the world. GJC is now one of the largest, oldest bicycle companies under the original possession in America.

Vice President Greg Webber is a pillar of support for Jamis Mountain Bikes being with them ever since 1979 when the Earth Cruiser rolled out for the first time. He also joined the team led by Carine when GJC acquired Jamis Mountain Bikes in 1990. Their passion, leadership and commitment inspire the rest of the avid bikers at Jamis Mountain Bikes not to be satisfied by the good enough stuff. The entire group aims for nothing short of precision all day, even every day.

By the year 1989 Jamis Mountain Bikes rolls out the Earth Cruiser. The Cantilever Cruiser was re engineered and redesigned. This provides for an equal amount of fashion and fun spurring the movement.

They first delivered Dakar in early 1990s which was a fillet brazed, custom built, ready to race and out of the box mountain bike that turned a lot of heads. In many aspects, the 1985 Dakar crystallizes much of the Jamis Mountain Bikes design thinking that guides their work today. No gadgets, no gimmicks, no compromise, no nonsense; but just pure, genuine craftsmanship and polished performance.

The world-shattering dual-suspended Diablo was introduced by Jamis Mountain Bikes at Inter bike and was a sensation to the crowd. Monocoque frame which was designated for a Bicycling magazine 1998 award is one of the first of its kind in this industry. This frame is made of molded carbon fiber which is resin transferred through vacuum.

It was the year of carbon-fiber for the entire industry and Jamis Mountain Bikes was at the top of the heap with fresh full carbon Xenith Series road bikes. But their carbon wave didn’t stop there. The XC Expert and Dakar XC Pro featured the lightweight carbon bell-cranks and seat stays. The steel lugs which accepted carbon fiber seat stays, down tubes and seat was incorporated with the 853 Eclipse which in turn was sculpted with laser.

They introduced the all new redesigned carbon fiber Xenith Series recently and are a major hit among the stunned audiences. Years of cleansing the ride of our original frame work cumulates into quite probably the perfect balance between stiffness, comfort and the light weight. Many professional racers have claimed it as the best road for a bike race. Also they have planned to introduce this year an all new MP3 suspension platform. The evolution of Jamis Mountain Bikes has gotten lighter, truer tracking, stiffer and more efficient making the bikes the heaven to ride on.

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What are pocket bikes?

Pocket bikes or mini motos are small, speedy, gas powered motorcycles about 47 inches long and 18 inches tall. The smaller models reach a speed up to 35 mph while the superior models can achieve up to 50 mph. Earlier, pocket bikes were specially made and were costly but with these becoming popular, they are now more affordable. With the 47cc pocket bikes available now, you can choose among several varieties to suit your specific needs.

You can ride pocket bikes on tracks for competition or simply for fun. The sanctioning body, NAPRA was established to promote pocket bike racing and you can race on the pocket bikes with friends or in competitions. Go-kart tracks provide racetracks suited for pocket bikes.

The Different kind of Pocket Bikes with 47cc engine

There are many types of 47cc bikes to choose from. The Cagllari Daytona 47cc bikes are great value for money for the amateurs. For experienced racers, The Grand Prix MX3 with CAD is wonderful. The Blade version was built for hard track conditions and rough handling.

The pocket bike that gives the highest output is the Raptor with an increased torque but speed capacity intact. The GP RS-R is the modernist version in the 47cc models. This type of the 47cc bike offers a host of characteristics only found in larger versions of 47cc bikes.

The specifications for the standard 47cc bike include:

1. 47cc engine

2. Pull start method

3. 2 stroke oil and gas fuelled

4. 1 liter fuel capacity

5. Chain drive system

6. Speed of 35mph or over

7. 250 lbs load

8. Street terrain tires

9. Front and rear disc brakes

10. 40 lbs weight

11. Steel and plastic body

The Uniqueness of the Boreem 47cc Full Fairing Pocket Bike

This bike is unique as it has all the basic features and components, which are of excellent quality. Thus, its performance and reliability is superb. Despite this, it is inexpensive. It is really small at only 22 inches tall and weighs 43 lbs. Being small and light coupled with an extremely powerful engine it can rocket up to 40 mph.

The special features of the Boreem 47cc include:

1. 40mph speed

2. 30 mile range

3. Sturdy aluminum frame

4. Chain drive with rear wheel tension

5. Two cycle oil

6. 1.2 liters fuel tank capacity.

7. 10inch x 4.5 inch solid tires

8. 60 day warranty period.

The quality and attention devoted to all types of pocket bikes of the 47cc category is remarkable. After ordering and seeing this superior bike on arrival at your doorstep, you are sure to be impressed. The bikes are ready to use once out of the box but you are advised to follow all the safety instructions and use proper safety equipment.

You can order a 47cc bike according to your choice of style and color. After ordering, you have to wait for only about 2 working days to get this dream bike. If you spend a little extra, you can avail of the performance package that upgrades your bike to the next level. You will also be provided with free technical service for life and advice on upgrade as a part of after sales service.

So with all this information in your hand, order yourself a thrilling 47cc bike.

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Owning a bike demands complete biking supplies. It is important that you gather information on how to select the best style for your needs and get a good fit.

The thing that would be on the forefront of your mind before completing your biking supplies is having the right bike for you. First, you will need to decide what you want to use the bike for. It is also a consideration to take where you will be riding your bike most, on road, off road, or both. Through this question, it will help you determine the type of bike to purchase. There are five basic styles of bicycles in three classifications that you need to be familiar with:

• Road bikes. They used to be known as the “ten-speed,” however road bikes now vary from 12 to 21 speeds. Contained by this classification of bikes are touring, racing, and sport bikes.

• Touring Bike. This bike is not built for speed; rather, it is intended to make simple rides for long haul. A touring bike is an exceptional bike for long distance riding. The drop handlebars gives ease good control and allow for multiple hand positions. Twenty-one speeds will take you over any type of incline you will meet and support brakes can stop you even when you’re forcefully loaded down.

• Sport Bike. This bike falls under the category of the touring and racing bike. This is not as light as a racing bike, however, more responsive than the touring bike. The sport bikes drop handlebars that offer comfort and control .Its aerodynamic design allows for faster speeds. If you are into taking rides of 10 or more miles while turning up the strength by adding some speed, this bike can take you there.

• Racing bike. This bike is made for race, sporting a smooth. It is also thin and ultra light frame. A short wheelbase lets the bike to respond to the slightest movements and 12 or 18 gears will get you. It will keep you at top speed. If you are into winning races, this is the bike for you.

• All Land Bike or Mountain bike. This type of bike is tough. It is built with a strong frame, straight handlebars and fat, knobby tires. It tackles the rigors of off road riding. The upright riding position on the bike makes it comfortable while providing you leverage for steep inclines.

• Once you know which type bike you desire, ensure that the bike you choose fits you appropriately. There’s effectively two ways to accomplish a good fit. If you want an ideal fit, for about $50, have a quality bicycle shop that will compute your bike size using a computerized program called the Fit Kit. They will take several measurements such as length of your legs; torso and arms then give you a printout of your measurements. It will also give you the frame height and length that will best suit your body.

The second best way to get a good bike fit is to follow these guidelines such as determining the frame height. You should have one to two inches of advance between the top bar of the bike and your crotch. You should also have three to four inches if you are going to be riding on off-road terrain.

If you want to be a little more precise, measure your inseam. Straddle the bike; lift it up until the top bar touches your crotch. Subsequently, you should measure the distance between the bottom of the tires and ground.

These are just some of those numerous advices you can think about in purchasing a right bike for you. In this sense, getting the right bike for you will lead you to achieve right biking supplies too.

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My friend Regina has been hounding me to participate in a Tuesday morning ride and up until this week, I always had an excuse to bail. This week, however, I decided to give it a try as I knew the group would be small, all Masters, and as such the potential for a super ride experience was very high. I think most people have hunkered down the last six months to see what economic curve balls would be thrown at us and I was no exception. Well, enough is enough! The weekend rides are getting faster and longer and there is no time like the present.

I had three observations during this ride. First, riding with proficient Masters cyclists is very smooth. Everyone was at least a decent bike handler, but all looked where they were going and made real attempts to ride in a straight line. Second, my Fountain of Youth theory got some major support as I was dropped by a 74 year young cyclist on a longish hill. At 52, it was a great vision for the future, because if George can do it, so can I. Finally, I got to see Regina do some outstanding riding with people that were faster than her and this is the basis of my story today.

Regina has been friends with Toni and me for almost a decade. I saw her get her first Colnago and learn how to ride as an adult. She has always been super fit, but had never learned to ride a bike as a youngster. As such, Regina had to overcome significant fears of the unknown and faced these fears as an adult and mother who “knows better.”

Knowing that you can take a horse to water but can’t make them drink, I continually spoke to Regina about learning the tricks of the proficient road cyclists. With the power to weight ratio that a petite yet strong woman would have, Regina learned that she quickly could out climb many men, yet had not learned how to channel this strength and power to make her rides more enjoyable. I think this is the way everyone approaches riding with a group as opposed to riding alongside a group of cyclists. I see this pattern many times with triathletes who are riding in a group. They have the potential and the raw skills yet have not actualized them in this context.

The breakthrough on this ride was quite simple, really. I was riding alongside Regina when we were in the middle of a 3/4 mile climb and the two people in front of us picked up the pace. (Yes, George was one of them!) As a small gap opened, I knew that I could not respond but asked Regina to close the gap. I got passed by two people at the same time and Regina passed one of them, grabbed the wheel on the next guy, then jumped up to George’s wheel, and finally leapfrogged him to crest the hill with Roberto, the leader!

Regina looked fantastic and was really not spending more energy than before, but used that energy wisely. She interacted with the group rather than just riding her pace, regardless of the speed of the peloton. This “letting go” of individuality to join the peloton is a huge step. The possibilities for rapid improvement are significant now.

This is the reason I encourage triathletes to get their road bike out once a week and ride with a group a little faster than they. This way the intensity of the group can create an incentive to push way beyond one’s perceived limits. This is almost impossible to recreate when riding alone.

The lesson here is, Regina wanted to be in control of her pace despite what the group did, and she finally “broke the code” to discover that she doesn’t lose anything by joining the pack but does gain another perspective and the ability to ride with many more people without trouble.

Triathletes typically don’t draft when racing and I think they miss out on a lot of learning and range building by avoiding this on the bike. If you run with the fast runners, swim with the fast swimmers and ride with the fast cyclists, good things happen. Regina proved that though she has never raced, the tricks the racers use can and do make a big difference in the enjoyment of riding a bicycle well.

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Road bikes, which are made for even road riding, are ever more becoming all the ragethese days. More people are now expressing interest in making cycling their own sport. But getting your own road bike can be quite challenging at times. What are the ways of knowing which road bike is best for you?
With the several selections of road bicycles out there, getting the best road bike may seem like an impossible task. But if you have the guide that will give you the specifics on these equipments, then everything will be easy in the long run.
A road bike review is made for the particular purpose of informing its readers about the plus and the minus of a certain product. Reading these road bike reviews will give you a excellent idea on which bicycles are usedby most cyclists out there.
You dont have to be a professional rider in order to benefit from a road bike review. Novices, in particular, should get hold of a bike review first before making an actual purchase. That will help you minimize the chances of going home with a mediocre bike.
A road bike review can also show you where to get discount road bikes and if they are any good. A road bike has many different qualities, and you can take a good look on each one without going from one store to another if you read a road bicycle review.
See the right road bike for you. Buytrekroadbikes.com has a complete road bike review that will surely help all cycling enthusiasts out there in choosing the right ride for them.

Recommended Site worth checking:
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