The Perfect Display for Your Achievements

Acrylic Awards,Trophies,Mementoes & Corporate Gifts are to be treasured forever. They could be awarded for certain accomplishments, or a memento of membership, or a souvenir from an event.

Trophies & Mementoes as awards are especially common for scholastic, sporting and office achievements. Academic awards are given in the form of trophies for different classes and subject proficiencies. Trophies for sporting achievements are the most popular. Games like tennis, football, basketball, cricket and golf all have coveted trophies. No one can forget the pictures of sportsmen weeping with joy and clutching their hard-earned trophies.

Trophies are sometimes given for achieving business targets or for attending training programs. They are also given to members of elite clubs and organizations.

Symbol of Appreciation and Encouragement
Even as a kid we loved to be encouraged. No matter what work we did, a pat on the back always pepped us up. Remember those small trophies in school sports events? Or working day in and out to win the science project?

Gitanjali awards can be different in making and designing. Some companies offer custom trophies, which are exclusively designed trophies or particular events, people and occasions. For example, the Oscar is custom-made for the Oscar awards. But,Customization enables one to make a trophy unique and valuable. Often it is not the cost that is important, but the ingenuity of the design.

Most companies have performance awards in each department like the best sales team for achieving the maximum number of sales, the best tech team and even the employee of the quarter.You can easily get the best custom made trophies made of wood and metal. Your company logo, artwork and any other branding that you are looking for completely laser engraved on the awards.

But nothing can beat the shine and the sparkle of a metal award. Designs that celebrate youth, which epitomize performance and exuberance, are quite common. The thank you, the star of the quarter and the global icon are some of the popular trophy designs.

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Pocket Bike Racing

Pocketbike racing, which is also known in some places as Minimoto or Mini GP racing, is a racing that is doine with the use of miniature racing motorcycles, which are known most commonly as pocket bikes.  These bikes are raced around kart tracks.  It is an extremely popular sport in Japan and Europe, and is gaining in popularity in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States.

A typical pocket bike is roughly one quarter the size of a normal motorcycle, and is powered by an internal combustion engine of between 40-50 cubic centimetres producing somewhere between 3 and 15 horsepower, depending on the particular model.  The machines have no suspension, relying on the tires to absorb bumps and handle cornering, and most weigh right about 40 pounds.  The entry-level models often produce about 3 to 4 horsepower, but the more expensive racing models run with much more power.  The best pocket bikes for racing are ones that provide a favorable power-to-weight ratio.  Performance enhancements are sometimes added to increase speed and acceleration.  Despite their tiny size, both adults and children race pocket bikes at speeds of up to 60 miles per hour in organized racing leagues.

The ease of transportation afforded by their size, and the low cost of the bikes (they are priced anywhere from a mere $200 for the most basic models built in China, to anywhere upwards of around $5,000 for a top notch, best of its kind Italian model) make them an affordable way for children (some as young as six) to learn the basics about motorcycle racing and for adults to live out their hunger for the adrenaline rush of bike racing without the high costs and heavy risks associated with full-sized motorcycle racing.

In most countries, a lisence is not required to ride miniature bikes.  Even so, pocket bikes are not usually street legal and should only be ridden on private land, such as car parks, gardens or on race tracks.  Some areas have very specific laws against riding pocket bikes on the street, and because of their small size, people driving cars and trucks may not see them.  For this reason they should never be driven on busy public streets.

Pocket Bike Safety Tips

Pocket bikes may look like toys, but they aren't.  They are designed for fun, but they can also be very dangerous if not handled properly.  Never allow unsafe practices to take away the fun from riding pocket bikes.  You can have fun, and still be safe, by following some simple common sense rules.

• Always wear the right equipment.  Dress as though you were riding a big street bike.  Leather is the best type of clothing, and helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads should be worn at all times.  Eyes can be protected with goggles are safety glasses.  Buckle the chin strap each and every time.  Leather gloves are a great idea to protect your hands.
• Always inspect your bike before riding.  This should become an automatic habit to check before each ride.  Make sure your air pressure in the tires is right.  Check the tension of the chain.  Check the fuel.  Check the frame of the bike.  Tighten any loose nuts or bolts.  If anything looks or sounds amiss, don't ride!  Most injuries from pocket bikes occur because something is wrong with the bike, and an individual rides it, anyway.
• Maintenance.  This can not be stressed enough.  Keep every part of your pocket bike well maintained and cared for.  Don't cut corners.
• Stay off public streets.  Most states don't allow pocket bikes on public streets, and many people have been hurt or even killed because they were hit by drivers who could not see them.
• Do not ride in undesirable conditions that impair your vision or your ability to control the bike.  Fog, rain, darkness, and snow can be dangerous.  Also, do not ride the pocket bike if you are impaired.  You wouldn't do it with a car, so don't do it with a pocket bike.
• Never drive a pocket bike at night.
• Keep your pocket bike on smooth hard surfaces.  These are not meant for off-road use.
• Don't "double up."  Pocket bikes were designed for a single rider and should be used as such.

Follow these tips and your pocket bike will provide hours of safe fun and entertainment, exactly as you had hoped, and without the worry of senseless injury.

Pocket Bikes are a Form Of Motorbikes

Pocket bikes, also known as mini motors are miniature-sized motorcycles, fueled with either gas or oil and powered with gas-burning engines. The concept of motorbikes had begun in Japan, a country known for miniaturizing full-scale products.

Previously pocket bikes were used only on closed racetracks, private roads and on roads that were not under public traffic laws, so that no big car or truck can run into your minute sized pocket bikes. But these you will often find pocket bikes zinging in and out of the parking lots, up and down the residential streets and occasionally onto the side of the cars.

The pocket bikes usually move at a top speed of 35 mph, but often the speed can be raised further. Another interesting feature of these pocket bikes are their duplicate imitation of normal-sized street motorcycles. The pocket bikes are equipped with handlebars, twist-grip throttles, and chain drives, electronic ignition and disk brakes.

The pocket bikes are not at all safe for the highways or high traffic zone areas. If you are driving a small sports car and someone is driving a mini pocket bike behind you, you will fail to see him or the pocket bike. So it becomes really dangerous to move in a traffic-crowded area, as the rider can be easily run-down by the driver of the bigger truck. The pocket bikes are specially designed to travel only on the racetracks.

There are some safety measures that should be followed while one is driving these pocket bikes. The person driving the bike should be an ace in driving and he should always carry his helmet and pads. If by chance if your kid is riding the pocket bike, then make sure that he/she does not go out of the backyard or the driveway.

The pocket bikes follow hi-tech technology so the snazziest models cost even more than thousands. The smaller models, however, cost around $200 to $800. They basically come from Japan and China and are specially famous amongst the teenagers and people in their early youths. These bikes weigh almost 50 pounds, stand about a foot and half high and can be carried stacked in a corner of the trunk of the car. They have really tiny engines with 47 cc to 49cc displacement, less than 1/20th the size of the bigger motorcycles.

Try out the pocket bikes. If you want something thrilling, something exciting, something enticing to bring a difference to your monotonous days, then pocket bikes are the best alternatives for you.

Total Bike Rack Buying Guide

Unfortunately we can’t ride our bikes everywhere. Sometimes we have to transport our bikes from one place to another. In the old days, people would use hodge-podge methods to tie their bikes to vehicles for transport, but those days are long over! With the advent of back racks, it is now possible to transport your bikes safely and securely.

Bike racks come in many different styles and uses. They also come in various prices. You need to do a little investigation to see what fits your needs. You very well sped as much as 300 dollars on a high quality bike rack or pick up one really cheap at bazaars or garage sales. The one you pick will depend on your needs. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions.

1. What vehicle will be used?
You need to know where the bike rack will be going. This is important because you need to know how the rack will attach to your vehicle. Racks use different attachment methods. You will have to choose one that fits your vehicle.

2. How many bikes will you need to transport?
Do you transport two or more bikes? If so, you will want to buy attachments that will allow more than one bike rack.

3. Where do you want them to be racked?
Consider whether you want a roof, rear, or sport rack:

- Roof Racks These racks are attached at the top of a vehicle
- Rear Racks These racks attach to the rear of vehicle
- Sport Trailers These are used to carry many bicycles

4. What shape are your bikes?
You must into consideration the size and shape of your bikes. If you are transporting children’s bikes, for example, you will need racks that will take that size of bicycles.

5. Who will load the bicycles on the rack?
It has to be convenient for the loader. The easier the rack is to load unto the more expensive the rack.

6. How strong should your rack be?
If you are loading heavy bikes, you will need racks that can withstand the weight of the bike. They have to be made of sturdy material. But the sturdier the material, the pricier the rack.

7. Should it be lockable?
If you want added security for your bikes you will want to purchase racks that support locks and other security devices.

8. How often are you likely to use the rack?
You need to know how often you will use the rack so that you can purchase one that can withstand the rigors of travel. If you will not use it often, you will not have to purchase a heavy-duty, high price rack.

9. How much do you want to spend?
Ultimately, everything boils down to your budget. If you can’t afford it, even if you need it, it will have to wait. But don’t be afraid to save up if the cheaper alternatives do not match up to your needs. Try to find a rack that has only the features you need. If it has bells and whistles you don’t need, don't buy it right away. It's fine to take into consideration features and functionality that you might need in the future, for example.

Value Through and Through

Many motorcycle enthusiasts agree that pocket bikes "Motorcycle Works of Art."  Pocket bikes are at their best in sports competition, as the increasing number of races has shown.  Pocket bikes provide all the thrill of MotoGP racing.  Pocket bike racing is also the most affordable motor sport.  Some even claim that the very fine riding skills like balance, self-control, agility, and fast reaction time required for pocket bike racing is proving helpfull in learning to use full sized motorcycles on open roads as well.

Transportation is eay since at only 38-47" long and less than 50 lbs, they can be transported without any additional support equipment, even in a car trunk or backseat!  Pocket bikes can be raced in parking lot competition or on Go-Kart Tracks, and you won’t be alone since this is one of the fastest growing motor sports in the world.

These bikes are suitable for any age 16 and up, to the 300 lbs adults, though obviously what type of bike you would give each varies greatly.  There are smaller pocket bikes designed for younger children, but caution should still be used.  Pocket bikes are the thoroughbreds of minimotos and are therefore intended for competition. They are designed for racing and private land only, not for highway use.  A helmet, protective gear, gloves and good shoes should be worn at all times during their operation to minimize the chance of injury. Children under 18 should operate these or any other motorized devices only under the strict supervision of an adults.

Several international MotoGP Champions started their careers with Pocket bike racing. The best example is Valentino Rossi.  He was Italian Pocketbike Champ twice before becoming 125, 250, 500 and several time 1000cc MotoGP World Champ.  Thomas Luethi is the first Swiss Pocketbike Junior Champion that made it into the Moto World Championship.  He was followed by others, such as Vincent Braillard. There is no doubt that there will be more Swiss top riders to come, the Swiss Pocketbike Championship being one of the best providers.

Bike is so Slow.......................why??

One of the attractive things about owning a pocket bike is the adrenaline rush that speed can bring on, feeling the wind whip around you whether it is alone on a private track or in the middle of a race.  Pocket bikes were built to race, they were built for speed.  A pocket bike is a miniature version of a Grand Prix moter bike, so this makes sense.  These bikes can be customized to go 50, 60, or even 70 miles per hour!!  The current world record, in fact, is at 72 mph.  So what happens if you start your bike, and it just won’t hit those speeds you know it should be?  What if your pocket bike is going too slow?

There are a few basic steps you can take to try and locate the problem yourself, and a brief explanation of how to go through each one.

1. ((It is important to note that you do this ONLY AFTER the bike has been turned on and warmed up already for a minimum of a few minutes))  Turn the air-intake on to open.  You can find this behind the front wheel, close to the engine.  This will give the bike more power.
2. Follow all the fuel tubes, and make sure none of them are pinched off anywhere.  One single tube that is even slightly pinched can affect your entire performance.
3. Check the throttle cables.  If they are too loose, the engine doesn’t get enough gas when you turn the throttle.
4. If this is your first bike, don’t push it.  Pocket bikes need to be broken in.  Don’t turn the throttle all the way for at least the first two gas tanks, if not three.  In the long run, this will lead to better performance and more top notch speed.
5. Note: be very careful if you attempt the following.  There is a gold screw, with a spring behind it, near the carburetor.  This is the idle control.  If you unscrew it by only half of a turn, it can also give you more power.  If this screw is tightened too much, the bike will start then immediately switch off.  If you make it too loose, the bike will jump and go as soon as you start it.  Finding the balance is critical, and this is not recommended for beginners.

If none of these things help, make sure to take your bike to a professional to get it running again at its optimal performance.

Road Bikes Reviews

The Giro d’Italia has a fine history behind it, like the Tour de France it was started to publicise a newspaper, just like the Tour de France the organisers made the leaders jersey the same colour as the paper, yellow in France from the L’Auto newspaper and pink in Italy from the La Gazzetta dello Sport. The first Giro was in 1909 and was 2448 kilometres long (the shortest), split into 8 stages and was won by the Italian rider Luigi Ganna, 127 riders started in Milan, but by the finish, also in Milan, there was only 49 left, this was not the worst edition, in 1914 only 8 out of the 81 starters managed the full distance.

The winners.

Just like the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, the Giro d’Italia always has a deserving winner, three riders have won it five times, Alfredo Binda and Fausto Coppi of Italy and the great Belgian, Eddy Merckx, Merckx of course also won the Tour de France five times and the Vuelta once. There have been many other “stars” who have won the Giro over the years, French heroes Jacques Anquetil and Bernard Hinault and from Spain Miguel Indurain have all one 5 Tours de France and the Giro more than once. The home riders have obviously been the big winners, Felice Gimondi, Gino Bartoli, Ivan Gotti, Gilberto Simoni and Paolo Savoldelli have all shown there winning ways, but the battles between Giuseppe Saronni and Francesco Moser in the 80’s are epic. The strangest rider to have taken part in the Giro d’Italia would be Alfonsina Morini Strada who is the only woman to have ridden the race, and finish!

The race itself.

The Giro has started outside of Italy on eight occasions, the furthest away being either Belgium, Greece or possibly the Dutch town of Groningen, which hosted the opening individual time trial in 2002. When the race is on Italian soil the main difficulties are usually the Alps, Dolomites and the Apennines, the Giro is in May so the big climbs can get dreadful weather, snow, rain and cold temperatures can shape the race and determine the winner.

The future of the Giro d’Italia.

The future of the Giro d’Italia looks good, since the UCI (cycling’s governing body) brought in the Pro-Tour all the top 20 teams have to ride the race, before they would only get all the Italian teams and a few foreign teams with sponsor interests in Italy, now the race is also shown free on television, where as before it could only be seen on a private station. The 2005 edition was one of the best for years, top teams, top riders and a hard course brought the race to life, for years the Giro had become a procession until the last hour, then the sprinters took over. The climbers had some good hard stages and the team leaders would do there work for the overall on the hills or the time trial, and that was it, now its one of the most exciting stage races there is from begging to end.

Training For Cycling

The research done to date on the effects of weight training on cyclists has brought mixed results. The study done by Ben Hurley at the University of Maryland had 10 healthy men take up strength training (bench presses, hip flexions, knee extensions, knee flexions, press-ups, leg presses, lat pulldowns, arm curls, parallel squats, and bent-knee sit-ups) for 12 weeks, while eight other healthy men served as controls. After 12 weeks, the strength-trained men improved their endurance while cycling at an intensity of 75 per cent V02max by 33 per cent and also lifted lactate threshold (the single best predictor of endurance performance) by 12 per cent.

However, these men were untrained prior to the study and did not carry out regular cycling workouts during the research, so the applicability of these findings to serious athletes is questionable

The study carried out by R. C. Hickson and his colleagues at the University of Illinois at Chicago was considerably more practical. In that investigation, eight experienced cyclists added three days per week of strength training to their regular endurance routines over a 10-week period. The strength training was incredibly simple, focusing on parallel squats (five sets of five reps per workout), knee extensions (three sets of five reps), knee flexions (3 x 5), and toe raises (3 x 25), all with fairly heavy resistance. The only progression utilized in the program involved the amount of resistance, which increased steadily as strength improved.

Nonetheless, the strength training had a profoundly positive impact on cycling performance. After 10 weeks, the cyclists improved their 'short-term endurance' (their ability to continue working at a very high intensity) by about 11 per cent, and they also expanded the amount of time they could pedal at an intensity of 80% V02max from 71 to 85 minutes, about a 20-per cent upgrade.

On the negative side, we have research, carried out by James Home and his colleagues at the University of Cape Town in South Africa, seven endurance cyclists who averaged about 200 kilometers of cycling per week incorporated three strength training sessions into their normal routine. The strength program was relatively unsophisticated, consisting of three sets of up to eight repetitions of hamstring curls, leg presses, and quadriceps extensions using fairly heavy resistance.

After six weeks, the strength training had produced rather impressive gains in strength (the gains averaged a bit more than 20 per cent). However, actual cycling performances were not improved; in fact, they were worse than before the strength training was undertaken! 40-K race times slowed from 59 to 62 minutes, and the strength-trained cyclists complained of feeling 'heavy' and tired during their workouts.

Why did Hickson's study uncover clear advantages associated with strength training for cyclists, while Home's work revealed the reverse?

No one knows for certain, which means it's time for a personal observation. It seems quite likely that the strength training carried out by Hickson's charges improved fatigue resistance in their muscles, permitting them to persist longer both during high-intensity tests of endurance and prolonged efforts at a submaximal (80% V02max) intensity. Meanwhile, it's likely that Home's added strength training sent his athletes into the overtrained - or at least 'stale' - state. The feelings of fatigue which originated shortly after the beginning of strength training suggests that the athletes were simply doing too much work.

Home's cyclists were averaging 124 miles of weekly riding when they started their strength training, while Hickson's athletes were logging considerably fewer miles, so one might be tempted to suggest that strength training can produce major benefits for low-mileage cyclists but does much less for experienced, higher mileage competitors who have already built up considerable strength merely by riding. That certainly wouldn't be an unreasonable thought, but it doesn't explain why strength training per se would actually slow down endurance performances, as it seemed to do for Home's performers (no other study has shown this). It seems very likely that Home's added strength training was simply the straw that broke the camel's back; it wasn't the strength training which slowed the cyclists but the total amount of work they had to complete.

Another issue that was not kept controlled in the studies was nutrition and supplementation which also would have a major impact. It is my personal feeling after three decades in the physical training world that weight training is advantageous in almost all sports when done properly and paired with the correct nutrition.

Pocket Bike Racers: True Athletes

One of the least understood aspects of motocross racing by non-participants is the incredible level of physical fitness required of competitors.  Many people unfamiliar with the sport often assume that the rider is doing nothing more strenuous than steering a motorized vehicle around a field, something that would be just as easy as driving the family car around the block.  This is not the case.  Racing pocket bikes, or motocross racing, has actually been found to be one of the most physically demanding sports in existence.  If someone really studies a rider's actions while racing, it becomes easy to see why.

The rider must maintain incredibly ultra-precise control of a machine that is not only traveling, but racing, over the type of terrain that most people would have difficulty walking across.  They have to do this while maintaining as fast a speed as possible.  The rider is astride a machine weighing a large amount of weight and, at the most elite professional level, has an engine that pushes them at almost seventy-five miles per hour at top speed.  A rider's arms and legs are constantly moving during a race, fighting for control of the motorcycle while absorbing the energy produced by high-speed landings from heights that can often exceed twenty feet, not to mention the two-foot high stutter bumps (called whoops) that beat the crap out of both the motorcycle and the rider.  The G forces produced from the race test the absolute limits of a rider's strength and endurance.  Finally, a typical professional race lasts a minimum of thirty minutes, if not longer.  That means for a full half an hour, the faster the rider goes, the more violently and frequently he or she is punished.  Unlike Nascar, there are no pauses, breaks, time outs, or pit stops.

The National Sport Health Institute in Englewood, California, tested several professional motocross racers in the early 80's as part of a comparative study of athletes in different sports.  Most of what was tested was the cardio-vascular (heart) fitness of athletes from various sports across the board.  Athletes from track and field, American football, basketball, and soccer were tested, among several others.  The cardiac stress and strength showed, to many people's great surprise, that the motocross athletes had just as high of a fitness level as any other discipline tested.  In other words, this isn't a sport to get into unless you are willing to do the type of high level conditioning that athletes in other sports must endure to get to the peak of their game.  Argue however you want, but tests show that pocket bike racers and motocross racers are athletes, and need to be viewed as such.

Pocket Bike Parts

One of the most appealing aspects of pocket bikes is that you can modify and upgrade them yourself. You can strip them down and rebuild them from scratch with high performance parts, modifying and customizing them until they almost flip you off the seat when you roll the throttle on! If the flipping off a bike with speed isn’t for you, there are plenty of parts made specifically for improving the design to give it that hot, unique look that sets you apart from everyone else. But before you can upgrade or switch out, or even do basic maintenance, you have to understand the basic parts of a pocket bike.

Fairings:
This is one of those parts that really is not essential to the pocket bike, but it does make your bike look really good! Fairings are the plastic covers that surround the frame of your pocket bike, and give it a "super bike" type of look. There is not much you can do with them, other than paint them, but you can put on any design you want and that is always pretty fun to do.

The Wheels and Tires
This is straight forward. Everyone knows what a wheel is. The important part is the tires. The tires on a pocket bike can make a big difference if you are racing. It's definitely one of the main pocket bike parts you should think about upgrading. Most, if not all, pocket bikes come with pretty generic crappy tires. The rubber used in them tends to be hard and doesn't grip the track well. Sava is a well known brand of tires that are affordable and will cut seconds of your lap times on the track!

Sprockets (Gears)
The sprocket connects your engine's power to your back wheel. Changing the size of your sprockets can make you bike accelerate much faster (which is what most people want) or it can give you a higher total speed, depending on which one you want. Unfortunately you can not both, so think about which upgrade is the most important to you for your needs before committing to the work. Tracks with long straight-aways translates to you wanting the top end speed. Tracks with a lot of sharp corners and curves means you want the acceleration.

These are just some of the parts that can be changed, modified, or re-built to make your pocket bike the best running, and best looking, racing bike in your neighborhood. Decide what you want, buy the parts, and when you go to town, remember to have fun!

Super Pocket Bikes

Any racer is likely to tell you that there is performance, and then there is Performance.  Optimal performance is the end goal, especially from super pocket bikes.  You want the best possible performance out of super pocket bikes, and doing so is not all that difficult.  There are a few basic tips that can help to ensure your bike stays in top notch shape.

One of the most basic rules to keep your super pocket bike running smoothly is the same rule that you need to keep any vehicle running smoothly, from mini bike to a car or van: choose your gas carefully.  For super pocket bikes, most pros will tell you not to use racing fuel.  Not only does it not help, it might cause problems that other fuels would not.  High octane unleaded gasoline works best.  As with any gas station, look at the condition of the pumps and ground.  If they look bad and there is standing water around where the gas in put into the tank, try the next one down the road.  Make sure to mix the oil right, too.  The mixtures are fairly easy to figure out, and do not use the same oil as cars.  It is not designed for pocket bikes.  Buy motorcycle oil.

Break the super pocket bike in right.  This mainly involves using common sense.  Don't run your bike at the maximum RPM's during the break in period.  That puts undue stress on the motor.  On average it will take about four tanks of gasoline, five to be safe, to break your super pocket bike in.  During this period, don't push the bike too hard - baby it a bit.  Slow and steady quite literally will lead to winning the race.  Going along with treating your bike right, don't run it cold.  Allow your super pocket bike to warm up for about five minutes after starting it.  This allows the motor and the fluids to heat up to their optimal running temperatures.  You would never just start your car when its winter outside and take off, so don't so the same with your bike.  It's not meant to run cold!

Finally, get to know your super pocket bike.  Learn what is normal, and what isn't.  When it isn't running normally, or if anything at all sounds different than usual, turn it off and find out what the problem is.  Make all repairs as soon as possible, and park the bike until the repairs are made.  Caution will save you a lot of money in the long run.  Follow these tips, and you will be able to enjoy a super pocket bike that lives up to every ounce of its potential.

Necessary Mountain Biking Equipment

Being prepared while out on the mountain bike trail is an absolute must and a great rule of thumb is to always pack more mountain biking equipment the farther away from help you plan to be. There are a few important considerations you should also make regardless of the skill level of mountain biking that you plan to partake in.

The first consideration, for anyone planning on being active outdoors regardless of mountain biking or not, should be to have a well stocked first aid kit. You can purchase biker specific first aid kits, that are purposefully designed to fit nicely in a small pack, under the seat or even in saddlebags. A well stocked first aid kit will contain antiseptic, pain reliever, tensor bandages, band-aids, moleskin, and tweezers.

The second necessity is to have a mountain bike specific tool kit and there many options available as to the type of bike you have and the tools you want it to contain. The very basic tool kit should have the required tools needed to repair a flat tire and will fit nicely under your seat or in a saddlebag. Other tools to look for are an Allan key or small wrench, a chain breaker, a tire gauge, a Swiss army knife, and some strong tape.

Another highly recommended piece of mountain biking equipment to include is a spare mountain bike chain. Any experienced bikers know all to well how easy it is to bust a chain on the trail and the headache it can cause. Often a broken chain can be repaired but do not take the risk of being left without one.

Last but definitely not least is a portable air pump. These pumps come in numerous shapes and sizes and can be purchased specifically to fit your bike. Most can fit under the seat or in saddlebags, and often the repair kit includes one.

All these pieces of equipment are designed to be light weight and easily stored on your bike. Never risk traveling far from help without then because being prepared with the right mountain biking equipment can save you many hours of frustration.

Mountain Biking in Winter Park, Colorado

With 600 miles of trails, it’s no wonder why Winter Park has gained the title of “Mountain Bike Capital USA”.  At the resort alone you will find 50 miles of single-track trails accessible via chair lifts and marked with signs identifying skill level.  Once at the top of the lifts you may want to stop into the Sunspot for a quick bite to eat while enjoying the 360-degree views of the surrounding mountains.  From there you can choose runs like the Upper Arapahoe, the resort’s downhill race course, or wind down The Long Trail for a 7-mile novice ride.

In the Fraser Valley you can enjoy the trails of the Rocky Mountain wilderness while cradled by spectacular mountain views all around.  The trails follow babbling brooks, glide through wildflower meadows and trek up rugged mountains.

All throughout the summer, there are races that are open to public and are available to many different skill levels.  A majority of the races either start or end at Winter Park Resort, including the finale… The King of the Rockies.

Repairs, rentals and shops are easy to find, whether you are at the resort, or downtown Winter Park.  You can also find a wide variety of restaurants and bars, with food that is just as good as it is diverse.

Music sounds better with a backdrop like the Continental Divide, and you just may find out for yourself, as there are music festivals and concerts happening almost every weekend during the Summer.  Events like the Jazz Festival and the Food, Wine & Beer Festival may require advance planning for stays in Winter Park.

It would be impossible to cover all of the mountain bike trails of Winter Park and the Fraser Valley in one short article.  However, once you get to here, there are a number of free mountain bike trail guides that can be found at most establishments.

Stay just a five minute walk from the base of Winter Park Resort.  Slope View Bed and Breakfast offers views of the Continental Divide, unique amenities and a knowledgeable staff.  970-531-2386

Mountain Biking – Great Exercise and Fun

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the great outdoors, exercising and having fun.  Racing down a mountainside is exhilarating; however, it can also be dangerous.
Although it is consider a dangerous sport, if done with utmost caution, mountain biking can be enjoyed by the whole family.

As with any outdoor sport, selecting the right equipment and an understanding of the sport will be the key to a great adventure.  

Styles of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be categorized into three different styles.  There is downhill, free riding, and cross-country.  Although the styles are similar in some respect, they all require different skills.  The style you select will determine the type of bike.

Mountain Biking Locations

Typically, this sport is known as biking on an unpaved surface.  Most regions have areas specifically designed for this grand sport.  State and federal parks are a good place to mountain bike. However, you should check with your local parks to get the routes and other regulations or rules they may have.  In addition, if you venture off to some state or federal land or any wilderness type area, it is best to know about the surroundings should there be any unexpected accidents.

There are also groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions.  You could search the internet or local newspaper to see what is available in your area.  There may be groups for the advanced rider as well as the novice.

Criteria to be a Great Mountain Biker

A prerequisite for a great mountain biker is endurance and stamina.  In addition, it takes discipline to practice and the ambition to succeed and conquer the course.  A novice mountain biker will have to overcome the bumps and bruises from falling of the bike.  Like all sports, it takes practice and the constitution to keep trying.

Selecting Your Bike

Selecting your bike is a personal choice and contingent on the type of riding you will do.  Bikes come in all different styles, shapes, and prices, therefore selecting the perfect one for you can be difficult.  Again, do some internet research or venture out to do some comparison-shopping before you get ready to make a purchase.  Ask to try out a bike before you buy.  A good mountain biker becomes one with his or her bike.  Check for comfort, fit, and how it is geared, all these factors need to be considered.

Staying Safe

As mentioned earlier, mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be hazardous.  The typical safety gear is a helmet, knee and elbow pads.  You should also consider goggles if riding in a very dense wooded area or if following a group of bikers.  Safety should be your top priority and not taken lightly when riding no matter what the terrain.

Mountain Bikes Buying Guide

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How to choose a mountain bike depends on what you are going to do with it, if all you want your new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated rear end with damping and rebound control.

+ Where to Start From.

If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park you don’t need to spend too much, if you think you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components will depend on how much you can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big sports store and see what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll find the same thing at a better price.

+ The Next Step Up.

So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder river beds, then you’ll need something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you more money, but will be worth it for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before you come flying down the other side. The components will again be Shimano and the quality will depend on how much money you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear shifters, along with Shimano chain set, bottom bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set to take to the hills.

+ More Money, More Bike.

The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would be good enough to race on. There are many to choose from, get on the net and surf the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: - Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these companies make the nicest frames with the best mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and as usual get the best you can afford. There are many combinations of hubs and rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to choose which suspension forks to put on you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy any of these and you wont go far wrong.

+ Top Bikes…. Top Money.

If you want what the professionals ride you will have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with road bike at the top of the range, you can specify what you want to build up your dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some of the most sought after bike frames in the world and would be the envy of your friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame would be RockShox SID’s these are light and do all the things you need with control of all functions, there are many other to also to consider, look at how much travel they have and the rebound and damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for reliability over light weight expense. Carbon handle bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and ground conditions you are going to ride on.

+ And Downhilling?

Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross country motor bike, but without the engine, low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing then there isn’t much point in buying one as you have to get up the hill first before you can come down and as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift.

A Mainstream Riding Style

Mountain bike riders must have shock system type of bikes that include full suspension and hard tail and even no suspension. The shock system is important as because it helps to absorb the impact over rugged terrain that provide a smoother ride. Full suspension bikes got suspension in both the front and the rear of the bike. Hard tail bikes have solid rear fork and shock system in place of the front fork. Mountain bikes with lower end models do not have a shock system in the front or in the back of the bike.

Types of Mountain Bikes to Enjoy

Mountain bikes for cross-country riders are ideal for small to moderate train and they got both climbing and descending capabilities as well. The travel in the rear suspension system is less than four inches that does not hinder the ability to climb hills. The standard numbers of gears on cross-country bikes are 28 providing a wide range of gears suitable for the traveling over varied terrain.

In mountain bikes, trail bikes are more substantial than cross country bikes as they are intended for use for more technical mountain bike rides. The travel in suspension systems used on these bikes ranges is from 4-7 inches. This increased travel allows for a very smoother ride but makes pedaling uphill more difficult too. Mountain bikers have to weigh the decreased pedal efficiency versus a smoother ride.

The down hill mountain bikes detailed with the front and rear shock that have up to eight inches of travel. These bikes are specifically designed to do downhill racing. The amount of travel in the suspension systems makes it difficult to pedal uphill, for this reason these bikes are used almost exclusively for the downhill races where the shock systems allows smooth possible ride over harsh terrain at high speeds also.

Dirt jump bikes are one more verity in mountain bikes, which have only a front suspension system and used for flying over jumps. They have 16 gears in these bikes which allows the rider to build up the speed they need while making jumps.

Mountain Bike Frames

Your very first ride down the steep slopes of a bona fide mountain on a rock strewn trail on an old bike will undoubtedly leave you convinced to the necessity of purchasing a strong and resilient mountain bike frame! It, as your body will attest, is going to absorb a lot of shock. If you invest in a good mountain bike frame, it will do even more: it will actually absorb, into its metal and components, much of the shock that would otherwise move readily into your own components!

Design and construction of mountain bike frames has advanced centuries in the last couple of decades, really. What is available today only remotely resembles the first so-called mountain bikes some of us rode in the early nineteen-eighties. Today, mountain bike frames are available in geometries and materials unimagined two decades ago. What you need is going to be a combination of your own body and your individual intentions. If you like the thrill of high speed downhill rides, you will need a vastly different bike than if you ride on level trails. If your preference is to avoid going over rocks, you will need a different bike than someone whose eyes light up at the sight of a boulder strewn pathway. Think about what you enjoy before you go shopping for a mountain bike.

Mountain bike frames spend a lot of time on roads these days, too. Most of the bikes seen around town seem to be mountain bikes or some hybrid of the mountain bike. Fact is, mountain bikes are made for comfort. What they add to genuine off-road riding (shock absorption, easy gearing, and responsive handling) may be essential but what they add to street riding (shock absorption, easy gearing, and responsive handling) is no less appreciated by the casual rider. You will even find mountain bike riders on most any of the long, multi-day road tours so increasingly popular. You will not, probably, find these riders among the front pack though: a mountain bike frame is not made for efficient road usage, even if it does add comfort.

Getting a mountain bike frame that's right for you is possible either in person at a good bike store or online if you know your size and usage requirements, but the vastly different frame geometries make riding a bike before buying it more important than ever. The traditional triangular structure of a road bike frame is frequently drastically skewed on today's mountain bike frames, rendering the triangle almost unrecognizable. Shopping at a good bike store will put you in touch with bike professionals who will be able to recommend the right geometry for your unique physique and your own unique preferences and strengths as a rider.

Lowrider Bikes History

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

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

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

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

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

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

LED Bike Light

LED flashlights are an economical and safety conscious choice for any bicycle rider. Many riders overlook this piece of safety equipment because it has been traditionally considered too bulky or heavy to carry on a bike. However, there are a number of bike light options now available that are easy to carry and versatile, making them perfect for bicycle safety.

Why Carry a Light on Your Bicycle
Anyone who bicycles should consider keeping a light on their bicycle. There are a variety of types of lights that can be used on bicycles. Bicycle specific lights, such as an LED bike chip, are wonderful investments. The LED bike chip connects to the bicycle, providing a bright, hands-free source of light. If you need a flashlight, you can easily remove the LED bike chip and use it as a hand held flashlight.

There are a variety of reasons for carrying a flashlight on your bicycle. The most obvious is for safety.  In the summer, when many people bicycle in the evening to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, it is easy to end up far from home with darkness rapidly approaching. While there are hours of additional daylight, once darkness settles in, it gets dark quick. What starts as a leisurely ride can quickly turn frightening if you take a wrong turn or encounter a flat tire. A bright LED torch is the perfect companion for your ride. The LED torch has a compact size, a bright light and long battery life.

If you need help, a strobing light can bring it. While you may think the chances of injury or danger on you bicycle are rare, it only takes a pothole to damage your bicycle beyond repair, or even a minor wreck to leave you too sore to ride home. A strobing light will be noticed by passers-by, and is just the thing to bring someone to the rescue. Many strobing lights can be used as a regular flashlight, and switched to strobing if necessary.

What Makes the Best Sort of Light
LED flashlights are a good choice for the bicyclist. The battery life of the LED light is extraordinary, and the clear, bright light that the LED flashlight emits is a wonderful safety feature, particularly in foggy conditions. If you are frequently out in the early morning or late evening hours, or at times when the weather is unpredictable, a strong light, such as an LED torch is a safety conscious choice.

The batteries in an LED flashlight, as well as the bulb, last an extremely long time, often thousands of hours. Compare this to traditional filament flashlights and you can see the benefits of an LED flashlight. Also, an LED flashlight will gradually lose strength over a period of time, while a traditional flashlight will work one time, and the next time, it will be dead. Because you are unlikely to use your flashlight each time you ride your bicycle, it is important that you have a flashlight with a long shelf light. If you have a traditional light bulb, you would find it necessary to carry extra batteries and even a spare bulb, but with an LED flashlight, all you need is your flashlight. You can easily find a small LED flashlight that will fit into the palm of your hand.

~Ben Anton, 2008