How to Maintain a Bike

August 31st, 2010
A European city bike, an example of a bicycle ...
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Having a bicycle is a fun an exciting way to get around and keep fit. However, over time bikes can become damaged and may need repair, especially if you are riding on rough terrain or over unsteady ground. Maintaining a bike is an important part of riding one and there are a few things you can do to keep your bike in top shape.

The first step is to remove all accessories from the handlebars, including lights and the bell. These things will only get in the way when you are trying to maintain your bike. Press the two calipers of the break into the wheel rim and lift the brake cable up out of its holding.

After this, you need to turn your bike upside down. You will need to protect your handle grips when doing this – either lay down a towel on the ground so that they don’t get scratched or buy a bike repair stand. Once this is done, you should start removing the wheels. Be careful with the back wheel especially as this is where the gear and cog mechanism is housed.

It is then time to clean the bike’s driving system. The chain and other parts can be cleaned with soapy water, although a fine brush may be required for more delicate areas. The chain is easiest to clean if you hold a wet rag in one place and then move the pedals around it. This will ensure that you clean every area of the chain, including the parts you could not reach otherwise.

It is also a good idea to wash, check and remount the wheels at this stage. After you have done this, you can begin to check that the drive system is working correctly. Now all that’s needed is to wash the body of the bike, check the brakes and make attach the accessories and your bike is ready to ride!

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Basic Rules for Cycling Safety

August 29th, 2010
Trailnet's Bike Safety Rodeos teach bike handl...
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It’s important to wear a helmet while riding a bike, but there are plenty of other safety rules that you should follow. . If you are ever hit by a car moving at a high speed, then chances are the helmet won’t save you. The best thing to do is avoid getting hit in the first place. Your helmet then becomes a back-up plan for safety. Knowing where to ride could is as important as reliable safety gear.

Always Ride on the Correct Side of the Street

Bikers who ride on the wrong side of the street are taking serious risks. Many cyclists feel uncomfortable riding with the flow of traffic because they can’t see the cars behind them. Putting a mirror on your helmet or handle bars will solve this problem.

The worst thing about riding on the wrong side of the street is that you increase your chances of getting seriously injured when you have an accident. Say, for instance, that you are hit by a car from behind moving at 35 mph while you’re moving at 10 mph. That’s like getting hit by a vehicle driving at 25. If you had the same collision with an oncoming car, though, it would be like being struck by a car moving at 45 mph.

Avoid the Far Right Side of the Outer Lane

Most cyclists stick to the outer lane whenever possible. Doing so reduces the amount of auto traffic that you have to deal with. Riding on the far right side of the outer lane, however, can be very dangerous. If you are right up against the curb, then chances are that vehicles approaching perpendicular intersections will not be able to spot you. They’ll pull out without ever seeing you, which means that the two of you could easily collide.

Riding on the far edge is also dangerous when there is a parking lane for cars. Hugging the curb makes it much more likely that you’ll be struck by a car door. Floating along the left edge of the lane will make you more visible to parked cars.

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San Antonio Gets Money for Campaign Directed at Cyclists and Motorists

August 27th, 2010

The Texas Department of Transportation has given the City of San Antonio $276,000 of federal money to fund a bicycle safety campaign as a part of the current “Get Cyched” advertisements. The money will be managed by San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy.

Texas law grants motorists and cyclists the same rights. Many people, however, misunderstand the current regulations that dictate how everyone on the road must follow.

Motorists often become angered by bikes on the road because they slow down the flow of traffic. The problems, however, are not one-sided. Many cyclists feel that they are immune to road rules. They frequently run stop signs, fail to make turn signals, and ride in the dark without lights. The new campaign will address these problems.

The advertising program, however, will have more hurdles to overcome than simply letting people on the road know what rules they have to follow. As biking has become a popular alternative to using gas-guzzling cars, trucks, and SUVs, many motorists find themselves outraged by the increasing number of bikes on the road. This can lead to a type of road rage directed solely at cyclists.

That rage is somewhat understandable. After all, who hasn’t felt frustrated while stuck behind a bike? Even residential roads have speed limits that are higher than most cyclists can reach. This creates an angering situation for motorists who suddenly find themselves stuck in an unexpected delay. This problem is further exacerbated on large roads. Spotting a biker who runs stop signs, rides on the wrong side of the road, and commits other flagrant violations of the law makes many drivers angry beyond belief.

Forcing cars to slow down could create traffic nightmares in congested cities, which could lead to more accidents and angry outbursts.

This may be the only situation where “separate but equal” works well. Creating a designated bike lane on popular roads could solve many problems. San Antonio’s advertising campaign, however, should help ease problems on the road at least a little bit by educating more people about the law of the road.

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Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Warns of U.N. Plot in Denver

August 26th, 2010

Dan Maes, the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Colorado, warns voters that a newly implemented bike sharing program is part of a United Nations plot to slowly take control of the United States.

Maes statements were directed at Denver’s mayor, John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who supports the B-Cycle sharing program. The program has about 400 bicycles available for rent throughout the city, making it possible for people to get around without relying on motor vehicles.

It is hard to imagine that many voters will actually take this conspiracy theory seriously. Maes, however, notes that even he had no objections to the program until recently, when he learned that it is part of a U.N. initiative. B-Cycle is supported by grants and private donors. There are no known connections to the United Nations.

According to Maes, Hickenlooper’s support of the bike sharing program comes from his collaboration with the U.N. Denver does have a contract with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), which Maes mistakenly believes is a U.N. group. In reality, the group was created during a meeting at the U.N. building in New York City, but the U.N. has no control over ICLEI.

Over half of the ICLEI members are American cities. The group gives city leaders the opportunity to share innovative ideas that will improve their communities.

Even more ridiculous is the assertion that Hickenlooper is responsible for entering a contract with ICLEI. Denver entered into an agreement with the group ten years before Hickenlooper’s election.

The fact of the matter is that bike sharing programs have significant benefits. They ease traffic congestion, give tourists an easy way to explore cities, and can even reduce air pollution by giving people an alternative to motor vehicles. Bike sharing programs also make it easy and affordable for people in Denver to use bikes when they want to without having to worry about the responsibility of upkeep.

Looking through the comments left about the story on the websites of Colorado’s newspapers, it is obvious that most people find Maes’s comments laughable.

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Armstrong Announces New Bike Race in Colorado

August 25th, 2010
Lance Armstrong and John Korioth in the team t...
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Lance Armstrong, undeniably the most famous bicyclist in the United States, has announced that he will hold a professional cycling competition in Colorado. The Quiznos Pro Challenge is planned for August 22-28, 2011. It will be the only professional bike race in the state. Until 1988, the state was home to the Coors International Bicycle Classic. Since then, though, there has not been a pro-event in Colorado.

When asked whether he would participate in the race, Armstrong laughed before saying that he had not made up his mind.

Like many professional athletes who excel in their sport, Armstrong has had a difficult time letting go of the glory. He official retired from professional racing in 2005. Four years later, though, he competed in the 2009 Tour de France, where he took third place.

Armstrong, now 38, says that he cannot recover from crashes as quickly as he could in his 20s. This has created serious reservations in his mind about whether he should continue racing competitively. That does not mean, however, that he has gotten off the bike for good. In fact, he stated during the press event that he had recently spent four hours on a bike just because he felt like it.

Armstrong has been toying with the idea of starting an event in Colorado for several years. The idea first came to him while riding along the state’s roads. He realized that, despite the region’s scenic beauty and challenging terrain, there was not a professional biking event in the state. His daydream will soon become a reality.

Even though Armstrong questions whether it is wise for him to compete in the race, he says that he is still committed to the sport. He might not continue to perform on the track against other professionals, but that does not mean that he has completely walked away from the sport that has defined much of his life to date.

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Baltimore County Plans to Improve Bike Trails

August 24th, 2010
LONDON - JUNE 14: (EDITORS NOTE: NUDITY)  Nake...
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Baltimore County has drafted plans to improve biking and walking paths that will make it easier for people to reach cities, colleges, and train stations without relying on motor vehicles. The county gathered much of the information needed to suit the needs of residents by holding four meetings in the county’s residential areas.

The current draft includes plans to create paths specifically for pedestrians and bicyclists. This would create a safe option for those who do not want to use roads that used by motor vehicles. The plans will also increase the number of designated pedestrian and bike paths, making it possible for individuals to travel throughout the county without using cars, trucks, or other motorized vehicles.

Baltimore County also plans to install more bike racks and improve sidewalks.

Making the area friendlier to pedestrians and bikers will require a consider amount of effort. Residents have already started pitching in to make plans a reality. Volunteers currently remove trash and other debris from existing trails.

There is some concern about pedestrian safety on trails that also allow bikes. Some residents have complained that the bicycles present a danger to those walking along the paths, especially during darker times of the day such as early morning and dusk. Complaints are most commonly directed at heavily trafficked trails, such as the Trolley Line No. 9 trail that stretches from Edmonson Ave. to Oella Ave.

Regardless of what planner decide to do about traffic problems on trails, one thing is certain: encouraging more people to use bikes will improve congesting on city roads. Many people in the area drive to train stations, park their vehicles, and then commute to work via rails. An improved system of bike trails would make it easier for commuters to leave their cars at home. This would not only relieve congestion on the streets, but also require fewer parking spaces at the stations.

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St. Charles County, MO May Ban Bikes on Some Roads

August 22nd, 2010
Atlantic coast bike path
Image by freddy via Flickr

A controversy over bicycles has exploded in St. Charles County, Missouri, just outside of St. Louis. Some residents argue that bikes should be banned on the county’s most dangerous roads. This, of course, has been met with strong opposition from riders who enjoy using the area’s hilly, windy roads.

Supporters of the ban argue that using bicycles on certain roads create a dangerous situation for everyone, including those driving cars. One woman at a recent meeting says that her daughter died in an accident that occurred when the young driver turned a curve only to find a bike rider right in front of her. The woman’s daughter swerved to avoid the rider. She then hit a tree and was thrown from the vehicle.

There are some obvious dangers to riding bikes on winding roads, but this does not necessarily mean that bikes should be banned. Alternatives include banning bikes from specific stretches of the most dangerous roads, requiring bicyclists to take certain protective measures, and lowering the speed limit for motorists.

News reports have not even mentioned the possibility of creating bike lanes that would make it easier for motorists and bicyclists to share the road without endangering each other.

The legal issue goes beyond whether the county should ban bikes. There is also a question of whether the county even has the authority to ban bikes on its roads.

According to the Missouri Department of Transportation, state law gives them control over roads built using state funds. That would include the major roads in St. Charles County. Melissa Anderson of MoDOT adds that the ban is unenforceable and that MoDOT will refuse to give the county permission to post signs preventing bike travel on state roads.

Supporters of the ban argue that the county’s home-rule charter gives it authority to ban bikes.

Bikers in the region have quite a lot to lose with this ban. The ban would prevent them from traveling freely without motor vehicles while eliminating some of the most challenging roads in the area from their training schedules.

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Benefits of Cycling

August 22nd, 2010
A cross country mountain bike race.
Image via Wikipedia

Cycling has become very popular for both sports and leisure, as well as a mode of transportation. The reasons for the increasing popularity of cycling are many. Cycling has become almost a lifestyle for some.

Cycling is a great form of exercise. It has been endorsed by several prominent organizations in the United States and abroad. Though there are certain groups of people who should not ride a bicycle, such as women in the later stages of pregnancy or people with severe respiratory problems. Always check with your physician before beginning any new form of exercise.

Cycling is also popular for many because of its positive impact on the environment. Bicycling requires no fuel, thus reducing toxic emissions into the air. It’s clean. It’s also quiet, so cycling reduces noise pollution as well.

There are a number of ways to begin a cycling regime. Start slowly, taking side streets or country roads to begin with. After some practice, you’ll feel more confident to begin riding with traffic. You’ll also want to take it slow when it comes to exerting yourself. Go on flat roads until you begin to develop stamina. Increased fitness with come with time, along with the confidence to bike almost anywhere.

Cycling doesn’t have to be expensive, either. Don’t worry about buying a top-of-the-line, high-end bike right away. You’ll want to be sure you enjoy the sport and that you will get regular use out of your bike before investing a great deal of money. In fact, some of the more professional cycles may even be tricky for the inexperienced rider. Start out with a basic mountain bike, and then work your way up to a pricier model when you’ve become more fit and skilled in riding.

So get out there and give it a go. It’s healthy, green, inexpensive and fun!

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Custom Poker Tables and Cycling

August 21st, 2010

It’s difficult to make a connection between custom poker tables and cycling, but if you are a sports fanatic and love gambling, maybe the two are not so distantly connected. After all, you like to play poker and watch television. Cyclists like to compete in televised races. Is it such a stretch of the imagination to be betting on a cycling race and playing poker at the same time?

With that in mind, custom poker tables become very important. Not only does a poker table need to be the right height to accommodate the dealer, it needs to be the right shape and style for your establishment. Maybe you are interested in owning one so that it will blend nicely with your living room or game room. If you are the owner of a pub or game club, you will want your business to look as good as it can. You will want the tables to be coordinated, and you will want them to match the chairs, bar, carpet, and walls.

If you are a sports bar owner, you will have large-screen televisions in areas that provide convenient viewing for your clientele. You will want your televisions tuned to a number of sport channels, one of which might be cycling, another football, and another boxing. The custom tables you ordered should all be padded on the edges for maximum comfort for the player’s forearms as they lean on the tables, placing bets, and watch television.

Comfortable custom stools would be necessary as well, and a footrest should be added around the base of the poker table. If there is no place for players to rest their feet, their legs will get tired, and you’re going to watch your players walk out the door. Better to have them sitting at comfortable tables than cycling away.

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