Sports & Outdoors (23)
A sport is usually defined as physical activity involving skill, that is competitive and organised. Whatever your sport we have a section devoted to it at Word Wolf. From extreme sports such as skydiving and ice climbing, pursued as an individual, to team sports such as soccer or football, you'll find your own interests expressed by our authors in our Sports and Outdoor Pursuits category.
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General (1)
This category includes articles about sports in general or about multiple sport disciplines, general information, news and tips for either sportsmen or just simple sports fans. Anything that doesn't belong to a specific sport discipline falls into this section. Various articles about outdoor gear find their place in here, too.
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Biking (3)
Biking, or cycling, is not only a sport but also a very popular means of transportation and a recreational activity. In this section you can read articles about the various types of biking, from recreational cycling to road cycling, mountain biking, trials, freeride, track, cyclo cross, freestyle BMX or BMX racing.
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Boating (0)
Sailing is a popular sport for those who love the open air and the ocean. Racing is one of the most expensive sports with multi-million dollar yachts competing in prestigious races all over the world. However for the rest of us there are less expensive ways to enjoy racing on the ocean with one man dinghy racing or participating via a college, community or local sailing club.
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Auto Racing (0)
This category is dedicated to all articles about auto racing, be it open wheel car, stock car racing, one-make racing or rallying. If you're looking for information about F1 circuits and schedules, about car racing rules and regulation or about your favorite car pilots, this WordWolf section is for you.
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Baseball (0)
Baseball is a well-established sport not only in the USA but in other countries as well. In America, baseball is a sport with tradition, dating back from the mid 1850s. This category covers articles related to the baseball game in general, to famous baseball players, baseball news or to choosing the best baseball gear.
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Basketball (0)
Perhaps one of the most spectacular team sports, basketball has known a huge popularity among masses since the 1950s, when it became a major college sport in the USA. Here you can find articles about the sport itself, about the equipment or about the most famous NBA players.
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Boxing (0)
Boxing is a combat sport with a very long tradition and history, dating back since the Ancient Greek and Ancient Roman times. If you want to know more about what an upright stance, a semi-crouch or a full crouch is, you are invited to browse the articles in this section. You'll also have the chance to discover details about your favorite champions in both professional and amateur boxing.
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Camping (4)
Camping is an outdoor recreational activity that gained such a large scale over the past few decades, that many campgrounds already provide on site facilities such as barbecue grills, fire rings or other utilities, in order to enable campers to feel at ease in the middle of nature. This category on WordWolf is dedicated to campers, camping sites and camping gear.
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Climbing (0)
Climbing is both a sport and a recreational outdoor activity. When performed as a sport, climbing competitions can be hold indoor, thanks to special climbing walls that replicate rocky mountain walls conditions. Climbing is mainly an expensive sport, the equipment being many times a life saver, thus extremely important.
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Equestrian (0)
This chapter is dedicated to the art of riding horses, also known as equestrianism. There are multiple types of equestrian sports, some of the most popular being dressage, polo, horse racing, endurance driving, show jumping and rodeo. It is a common practice to organize horse shows, bringing several of these disciplines together under the umbrella of the same program.
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Extreme Sports (0)
What is an extreme sport? This is a popular term for those sporting activities that involve high risk coupled with extreme levels of physical exertion and often usually speed, height or extreme stunts. Examples of extreme sports include sky surfing, extreme motorcross, ice climbing, speed skiing, barefoot water skiing and cliff diving.
Fantasy Sports (0)
Fantasy sports are games in which participants make virtual teams and compete against each other, the game being based on the evolution of the corresponding sport in real life. Among the most popular such sports there are: fantasy baseball, fantasy soccer, fantasy golf, fantasy hockey, fantasy football and fantasy auto racing.
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Fishing and Hunting (4)
Fishing is a popular sport all over the world and covers recreational fishing, sport fishing and big game fishing. Recreational fishing is governed by a strict set of laws that cover how and when fish may be caught. Hunting for big game such as moose elk, caribou and deer can be done with specialised bows and arrow, crossbows or guns. Game birds such as turkey, grouse, pheasant and quail are also popular targets.
Football (0)
Football is a popular team sport in America, being played in three slightly different versions: high-school football, college football and professional football. Each of these three has its own governing associations. The National Football League is dedicated to professional football. You can read more about this competitive team sport by browsing the articles in this section.
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Golf (1)
Golf is a precision sport that one can either love or hate. It is played on special golf courses, each of these courses having its own shape and characteristics. This is rather unusual for the sports world, where fields for various sports are precisely defined in the respective guides. The major golf tournaments are in the same time a good entertainment occasion for fans. Being a sport where it's all about precision, golf gear has to be of best quality, therefore it can be relatively expensive compared to other sports.
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Gymnastics (0)
Gymnastics is a general term for several sport disciplines such as artistic gymnastics, rhythmic gymnastics, aerobic gymnastics, acrobatic gymnastics and display gymnastics. The most known of all these is artistic gymnastics, which includes two branches, Women's and Men's, each of them featuring a series of specific events like vault, uneven bars, balanced beam and floor for women, respectively floor, pommel horse, still rings, vault, parallel bars and high bar for men.
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Hockey (0)
Hockey, or ice hockey, is a full contact team sport played on ice, the players wearing ice skates and complete protection equipment including helmet, mouth guard, shoulder pads, hockey pants, thick protective gloves and elbow pads. All these are needed because hockey allows bodychecks, thus being a violent sport with high risk of severe injuries for the players.
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Martial Arts (0)
The term martial arts encompasses a wide variety of disciplines originating in many parts of the world. Well known martial arts can be divided into grappling disciplines such as Judo, Wrestling and Aikido, striking such as Boxing, Taekwondo and Karate and those using weapons such as Fencing and Kendo. Read about martial arts in this Word Wolf category.
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Olympics (0)
The Olympic Games have their roots back in the ancient history and have been in the public attention ever since. In our days, the Olympics are held every two years, alternating the Winter Olympics with the Summer Olympics and welcoming participants from all over the world.
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Running (0)
Running is not only a sport competition but also a training program for other sports such as soccer, football or rugby. Competitive running events may include speed running, endurance running, trail running or track running. Marathon is one of the oldest running competitions known in the history.
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Soccer (2)
Soccer is maybe the most popular team sport in the world. It makes full stadiums, not only in international competitions but also in local ones, soccer fans being usually extremely loyal to their local teams.
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Skating (0)
This category hosts articles related to ice and roller skating in all their various types such as figure skating, speed skating, tour skating, artistic roller skating, aggressive inline skating, freestyle slalom skating or rollerblading.
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Skiing (0)
Skiing is the generic name of a group of sports that include alpine or downhill skiing, cross-country, freestyle and a few more types of skiing. Skiing is one of the sports that are suitable for people with disabilities, therefore it is included in the Paralympic Games.
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Water Sports (1)
If we were to make a complete list of water sports, it would come out quite long. Swimming, water polo, synchronized swimming and diving off springboards and platforms are only a few of the most popular water sports. In the recreational area, scuba diving and snorkeling have become very popular over the past decade.
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Tennis (0)
What's amazing in tennis is that the rules of the game remained almost unchanged since the 1890s. This sport has a professional side and a recreational one, the latter being huge, with millions of people playing tennis for fun all over the world.
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Other Sports (5)
This category accommodates all articles about sports that don't have a distinct section on WordWolf. If you want to read about a sport that's not in any other category, you can browse the ones in here, perhaps you'll find the information you need. If not, you can let us know about your interest and maybe one of our writers will be writing an article on that specific topic.
View items...Compound Bows: An Overview
Written by David WilsonA compound bow, also known as a composite bow, is a type of bow that utilizes a system of pulleys and cables to leverage applied force and manipulate the limbs of the weapon. This system allows the compound bow to augment the draw-force curve, letting it rise to a high rate and turn it into a lighter ‘holding’ weight.
The arms of a bow of this type are more rigid as compared to longbows or recurve bows. The leverage system permits drawing the string easily, even with the rigidity of the limbs. The composite, or compound bow, holds the string with cams or pulleys. One or two of the pulleys has a single cable or two affixed to the other limb. The string turns the cams as it is pulled back. The cams then exert force on the cables, the result of which curves the limbs and holds potential energy.
The compound bow’s levering structure increases the force applied to the projectile when the string is drawn. One of the cams decreases the tension to the archer’s arm when the string is pulled to the fullest extent. Once drawn the low holding tension permits the archer to set the bow and string in a ready position for a longer period, as well as aim more accurately as opposed to recurve bows or longbows.
The materials that make up the compound bow are why the instrument is also called a composite bow. Due to its composition, this type of bow is rarely affected by rising or falling humidity and temperature, thus permitting the archer better velocity, distance, and accuracy than other kinds of bows. The compound bow is the most popular bow used in the United States, and is becoming more and more widespread around the world.
A Brief History of the Compound Bow
Before the second half of the preceding century, archery enthusiasts only had the recurve bow and longbow as their options. Hunting, target practice, and other activities dictate the type of bow a person needs. Big game hunting with bows usually necessitated the use of recurve bows, as this kind of power was best for bringing down moose, elk, and large types of deer.
Missouri was the birthplace of the prototypical compound bow. Holless Wilbur Allen developed the archery tool in 1966, and his invention was granted a patent by the US in 1969. The compound bow has since changed the practice of archery as a means of hunting or way of sport.
Currently, the compound bow industry has come up with a large variety of bows in different sizes, shapes, and colors, using different levels of technology. Due to this, an archer of any age, height, weight, and skill level can find a compound bow to suit his or her preferences and requirements.
Choosing Your Compound Bow
The contemporary compound bow is arguably one of the best hunting implements ever developed. However, it is still a good rule of thumb to look past the advertising made for these products, and look at the compound bow itself. The compound bow, in spite of what the manufacturing companies say, is not a very complex hunting or sporting implement. It does not rely on any other energy aside from the user’s exerted force. It also does not host a micro-computer to amplify or mitigate the energy when the bow is used. It is also made up of relatively few moving parts, and is constructed from fairly common materials. So the everyday compound bows sold in the market can only use so much high technology and cutting-edge design. Why then, are they marketed as products incorporating the latest technological advances?
Many bow hunters feel that the technological ‘advances’ these bows have will give them the upper hand, in terms of accuracy, ease of use, and the like. Of course, these advantages will help sell their specific products because the buyers need the non-existent ‘edge’. Chances are, the compound bow that just reached the market recently is not that different from the ones sold the previous season, or maybe even the previous years. Stick to the basics and what you know – get a bow that fits you and your activities, whether you use your bow for sporting or hunting purposes.
Pros and Cons of Compound Bows
Written by David WilsonThe compound bow is the product of technological enhancements to the traditional bows to make it easier for a person to use for recreational hunting and competitive sport. They have been ergonomically designed and have the benefit of being lighter in weight than rifles. However, there may still be some downsides to compound bows. Let us, therefore, take a look at and compare their advantages and disadvantages.
Advantages of Compound Bows
The best advantage provided by compound bows is the let-off. This is the reduction in the force that the archer has to apply to the draw string as the maximum draw length is reached. This provides the archer with more time to aim because he will need less power to keep the bow fully drawn. Let-off is made possible by the design of the cams or pulleys. Once they have reached the maximum point, the least amount of force is now required to keep the limbs bent. Thus, the let-off permits the archer to have a better aim at the target with a much higher maximum draw weight when compared to the recurve or long bow.
Compound bows also have draw stops that are provided by blocks that are covered with rubber. These draw stops ensure that the amount of force that is transferred to the arrow is the same for every shot. They also make sure that the archer can have a consistent anchor point. All of these characteristics provide for better accuracy.
Another advantage offered by compound bows is the fact that the distance, velocity and accuracy are not adversely affected by humidity and temperature. Bows constructed from natural materials are easily affected by humidity and temperature.
Another benefit that could be derived from compound bows is that the cams or pulleys are designed to directly regulate the acceleration of the arrow. Thus, there is a soft cam and a hard cam, and there are graduations in between. Those who are novices may want to use bows with soft cams for a more gentle release of the arrow. As they gain in expertise, they can shift to the harder cams to increase arrow speed.
There is also an advantage provided for users of compound bows in archery tournaments. This is the only category where participants are allowed to have a magnifying sight.
Compound bows are also provided with a mechanical release device that is attached to the draw string close to the point where the arrow is placed. With this device, the archer will only need to increase the tension a bit or squeeze a trigger to make a shot. This system ensures better accuracy compared to the application of the fingers.
Another advantage of compound bows is that they are provided with dampers and stabilizers. These devices minimize the movement of the bow as the arrow is released, thereby providing more accuracy.
Disadvantage of Compound Bows
There appears to be only one disadvantage of compound bows although some hunters still prefer the traditional bows claiming that they could aim and shoot faster with them. The one downside of compound bows is that they are generally lighter than the traditional bows. This means that they are more prone to movement errors by the archer at full draw.
Taking A Camping Vacation
Written by Stephen
While you can always take a vacation anywhere around the world, for some people it is what can be found right in their own backyard which truly interests them. Many people every single year take camping vacations as a way to get away from the hustle and bustle of inner city living. There is something special about being in the great outdoors.
Of course you could always spend your vacation watching the Discover Channel to experience the great outdoors that way, but nothing beats up close and personal experiences which one can only get through choosing to take camping vacations. At the same time, choosing to vacation anywhere around the globe is something that is best left for an annual vacation; one can go camping quite literally every single weekend.
The whole point of a vacation is to give you the opportunity to refresh yourself; to relax and allow yourself to become rejuvenated so that you stay a productive member of society. How can you do all of that when you have to worry about the mundane details of life every day you are on a vacation and sitting in front of the television.
Beautiful Camping Destinations
Yellowstone national park is one of the most famous camping destinations in the world. From Old Faithful to majestic forests and rolling hills and streams, there’s an endless variety of sights to see here. The regions geothermal activity makes for some amazing rock formations and geyser action.
One of our favorite place to camp has always been at Lake Tahoe in California. The worlds deepest lake, in one of the worlds most serene settings. You can always take a refreshing (read: freezing) dip in the cool waters on the hot summer afternoons. Yosemite is another stunning destination in that area.
The truth is that you cannot see all there is to see in the world on tv. So packing your things and heading out somewhere is the perfect choice. Take a camping vacation to the shore of some nearby lake, river or any major and beautiful geological feature. You do not have to own a boat and you can even go camping in the middle of winter as long as you are properly prepared. In most cases, all that you need is a tent and even a tent is not a necessity. Some people take weekly vacations and sleep in their car or truck as it is a lot warmer and more comfortable then sleeping on the ground.
Camping Cookware
Written by StephenGoing camping can truly be a very rewarding experience for any person or family. There is so much to see and do out in the world that will keep anyone busy the entire trip. However, everyone has to eat and while some people may be content with cooking over the campfire, this may not always be a possibility. Some people also prefer a more natural cooking enviroment which is why camping cooking is an important part of any camping trip.
There are so many things that can make your camping trip a more enjoyable one such as specialized pots and pans, tableware as well as stoves and ovens. Camping cookware can get just about as luxurious as your home kitchen! Just because you are out in the great out doors does not mean you have to live without at least some creature comforts. So if you plan on going camping on a regular basis, take the time to think ahead about camping cooking so that you can make sure you have the proper gear to make your life a whole lot easier.
After all, camping is about relaxing and enjoying yourself and you cannot really enjoy your camping trip if you burn yourself over an open fire. Play it safe; especially if you are taking children with you and make sure that you have the proper camping cooking gear that you need to make any of your all-time favorite camping dishes easier.
Nothing beats eggs in the morning and baked beans around a campfire, but cooking the eggs over an open fire is no easy task and beans can be just as difficult without the proper gear. So before you head out into the great outdoors, make sure that you have the right cooking gear to ensure that you have a truly enjoyable and hopefully memorable experience. It is the planning for the little details ahead of time that makes the trip more enjoyable.
Essential Camping Cookware
Before you head out for a camping tip, make sure that you have all of the essentials needed to make the trip more enjoyable. You need a place to sleep as well as the gear to sleep in. You also need plenty of food to keep you filled and content until your return to civilization. However, with regards to the food, having plenty of it is not as important as having the proper camping cookware that you need to make the food edible.
You need to be able to open cans, drink beverages, eat from clean surfaces as well as cook with a constant temperature to make the best tasting meals while you are on a camping trip. This is why camping cookware is so important. There are many things which you may want to have while some you may never use. From pots and pans to stoves and ovens, there is just about anything available that will make your camping meals taste better.
Of course you could always rough it and cook out on an open fire, but then again to do so you will still need camping cookware. You cannot cook soup without a pot and some form of rack to hang it over the open fire. You cannot cook fish without a jig to cook it in unless you are fine with eating ash.
In the end though, the camping cookware you will need will depend on the foods you love and plan to eat as well as how you plan on preparing the food. This is important to point out because pots and pans which are designed for cooking over the campfire are not the same as those which would be used on a stove. Taking the time to plan ahead will make your experience a more enjoyable one.
Best Folding Camping Table
Written by StephenNot everyone goes camping and sits on the hard ground or on a log to eat their meals. A comfortable camping chair and folding camping table is simply a necessity. Besides, you cannot play a friendly game of cards with your friends this way. Many people, especially those who have kids along with them have made the decision to purchase a camping table as it serves a number of important purposes on any camping trip. So what is the best camping table available?
In reality, one cannot answer this question for the simple fact that everyone is different and so to are their needs. In its simplest form, many campers have determined that a regular old card table is the best camping table because it is light-weight and very portable. At the same time, others choose to get a table which folds out and also features benches. These are also fairly portable but are usually substantially heavier.
You need to figure out what your personal needs are. If everyone is bringing their own chairs then choosing a table with benches is just a waste. However, if you plan on keeping the eating are away from the campfire and sitting areas, then maybe the best camping table for you will be one with built-in benches. In the end though, you have to make the determination as to which is the best camping table for your particular needs. What will work for your best friend or neighbor, may not work for you and your way of camping. Folding camping tables are particularly nice since they pack away into small places and can be quickly pulled out for a night of cards or enjoying a dinner by the fire.
Just keep in mind that a table is usually a lot more expensive then most camping items so you will need to take the time to research before actually making any purchase. When it is all said and done though, by taking the necessary time to make a well informed decision you will be able to find the best camping table for your particular camping experiences.
Picking The Best Camping Chair
Written by Stephen
When you choose to go camping, you need to have certain luxuries that will allow you to enjoy your time better. No, we are not talking about taking a television, computer or cell phone along with you, but rather something that will allow you to stay comfortable.
If you have ever had the opportunity to use a log as a chair for an entire weekend, then you will know the importance of bringing a chair with you the next time you head out. So the only real question one could ask is what is the best camping chair available? The answer to this question is not a simple one though. Seeing as though everyone is different, something which may be perfect for one person may not be right at all for another.
Instead of trying to find the best camping chair, what you need to do is take the time to determine what your needs are in the chair. If you plan on only sitting for short periods of time, yet expect to be walking or hiking a lot from one camping spot to the next, then a simple little canvas tripod would be perfect. Often backpack chairs are very nice ways to take your seating with you to the beach or favorite lookout spot. They fit right on your back and fold into a very comfortable chair. Perhaps cup holders and a magazine/book holder is a necessity for you. However, if you are getting older and want something that is extremely comfortable and perfect for sitting in the same location for hours on end, these tripod chairs will quickly become one of the most uncomfortable chairs you have ever sat on. Adjustable backs, comfortable cushioning, easily transported and light... all of these issues come into play when looking into a camping chair.
By taking the time to figure out exactly what your needs are, you will be able to determine which is the best camping chair for your particular needs. In the end it really comes down to two things; portability and comfort. You need to figure out how portable the chair needs to be and how much you plan on using it. These two factors will allow you to make the determination between an expensive lawn chair and a very affordable tripod stool.
How to Maintain Your Road Bike
Written by janet
If you have a road bike it is essential that you maintain it properly both for safety reasons and to ensure it lasts a long time. You do not want to be far from home and your bike lets you down so before you take your bike on the road make sure you check it for any problems and perform regular road bike maintenance.
Checking Your Bike
Every time you use your bike on the road you should make a quick check to ensure there are no cracks in the frame and that screws and bolts are tight. Carefully inspect the frame around any welds and do not use if there is any sign of cracking. Make sure the pedals are tightly fastened and that cables are in fgood condition and do not have signs of fraying.
Regular Road Bike Maintenance
Every two hundred miles or so the chain should be lubed with an oil specifically made for bikes and build up of dirt removed. This will extend the life of the chain. Check the pressure in the tires and inflate if necessary. Make sure the wheels are undamaged as nicks in the frame can allow air to be released and the tire pressure to decrease. Check that the gears are adjusted properly and that they can be changed smoothly.
Cleaning Your Road Bike
Things you will need
- Degreaser
- Soapy water and clean water
- Brush
Starting from the wheels use the brush and degreaser to clean the sprockets but be careful not to put too much degreaser on the bearings. Wash off the degreaser with clean, hot water then scrub the wheel spokes and brakes. You can also scrub the tires with soapy water to remove any dirt. Put the bike on a stand if you have one and then use the degreaser and brush to clean the chain, cranks etc. making sure not to get degreaser on the handlebars, seat or bearings. After allowing some time for the degreaser to work you can wash it off with hot water.
Now clean the around the brakes and fork, the seat and handlebars with soapy water making sure to clean under the seat then rinse with clean water. Allow the water to dry off then use a soft cloth to wipe it down. While cleaning the bike you can check for any cracks or damage. Brake cables need to be checked regularly and any frayed cables should be replaced immediately and you can also check brake blocks to make sure they aren't worn.
Conclusion
If you look after your road bike and maintain it properly it will last a long time and not let you down at the worse time!
Find out more at Cheap Bikes for Sale
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Road Bike Safety Tips
Written by janet
Every year there are accidents involving bikes and cars and many of them could have been avoided by the cyclist taking proper care and having more regard for safety. We have put together some road bike safety tips to help you avoid being the victim of these types of accidents. When you are riding a bike you have no protection as you would in a car and are more susceptible to serious injury.
Wearing good, protective gear, including helmets, can go a long way to minimising injury but it is still, of course, much better to avoid accidents by paying particular care to safe riding habits. Teaching our children how to be safe while riding their bikes is vital and we should always make sure their bikes are properly maintained and they are equipped with the correct safety gear.
One of the top causes of accidents is lack of attention to the road, other vehicles and pedestrians, in other words, negligence, but even if we are paying full attention accidents can still happen. Learn the general rules for keeping yourself and your children safe and always keep them in mind when riding bikes on the roads.
Bike Riding Safety Tips
- You should always keep with the traffic flow and ride on the correct side of the road. make sure you know the traffic laws and follow them. Never jump the traffic lights, the rules apply to bikes as well as cars!
- In the summer its a good idea to wear a pair of good quality sun glasses or goggles to prevent temporary blindness from the glare of the sun
- Maintain a three foot gap between the curb and your bike and the same gap between you and other cars on the road. Swerving out of their way is not a good idea nor is being so close that an open car door can knock you off your bike!
- Always have good lighting on your bike when riding in the dark and wear reflective strips on your clothes. You should have both a front and a rear light and check them regularly as you don't want to be riding along an unlit road at night and your lights suddenly fail.
- Wear proper safety gear including an approved helmet made for bike riding. If you should be in an accident and your helmet receives a blow replace it. It may look fine but damage has been done and it could let you down disastrously just when its needed. Although riding in shorts may look tempting they won't be much protection if you fall off so its a good idea to wear long pants to protect your legs. Don't ride in flip flops or loose sandals, wear a pair of sneakers or closed shoes for adequate grip of the pedals.
Conclusion
Bike riding is fun for adults and kids but not without its dangers. Make sure you minimise the risk of accidents by being aware of these road bike safety tips and apply them always.
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Choosing your first mountain bike is not always as straight forward as you might think. You will need to carefully consider how you will be using the bike, in what kinds of terrain and, of course how much you are prepared to pay. This mountain bike guide is intended to help you choose your first mountain bike and hopefully, help you to make the right decision the first time.
For easy riding in the local park you won't want an expensive bike and many of the cheaper bikes will be suitable. If you will be going off road then you'll need bigger tires and for even rougher terrain a good suspension. Brakes should be V-brakes and Shimano gears are the most popular. Other components will depend on how much you are spending and how rough the terrain where you will be riding. You can inspect mountain bikes at a local bike shop but you would be best to then research on the net for a cheaper price once you decide which one you prefer.
Off Road Mountain Biking
For off road riding on rough tracks in the forest or on a dry river bed you'll need a light bike with a good suspension. Choose Shimano components if possible and V-brakes, rapid fire gear shifters and alloy handle bars, seat pins and stem. Check how comfortable the seat is as you could be riding for long periods over rough terrain. A light bike that handles well is essential for going up hill and coming down again. Buy the best you can afford for durability and good handling as the extra is well worth it in terms of the enjoyment you will gain.
Mountain Bike Racing
For racing you will need a more expensive mountain bike, preferably from the top manufacturers such as Cannondale, Trek, Giant or Specialized. They are good bikes at a reasonable price with great frames, Shimano or SPAM gears, cable disc brakes or V-brakes and are light and easy to handle. Wheels and hubs can come in a variety of combinations the most popular choice being rims from Mavic with Shimano hubs. Suspension forks may be made by Fox, RST, RockShox, Manitou, Marzocchi or Suntour. You can find great racing mountain bikes with any of these forks.
Professional Mountain Biking
Professional mountain bikes a much more expensive with manufacturers offering to put together a bike to your specifications. The most sought after frames are from Rocky Mountain, Santa Cruz, Klien, K2 and Scott and the very best forks from RockShox are light and give excellent control. Shimano Rapid Fire gears or Spam gears are the best and you could choose either light alloy or carbon cranks. Hydraulic disc brakes from Pace, Magura or Hayes are popular as well as V-brakes. Very light carbon wheels are also available but they do not stand up to abuse as well as regular wheels so you may want to sacrifice lightness for reliability and durability. For handle bars, seat pin and stem you could also opt for carbon.
Conclusion
We hope this mountain bike guide has helped you to make the right decision when you are buying a mountain bike for the first time. Remember that you get what you pay for so buy the best bike you can afford that fits your needs and you will enjoy riding it for a very long time.
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