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Posts Tagged cycling

Camp In France And Enjoy Exploring

Nov 28

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Camping, travel | No Comments


The Palace of Gallienus.
Image via Wikipedia

Vacationing in the Europe has changed a great deal over the years and if you should decide to camp in France you will not be disappointed. You will find a great many very well equipped facilities. Mobile homes and family tents are luxurious to say the least and site offer everything the holiday maker needs to have relaxing and entertaining time.

Relaxing and being entertained is easy when you are in France, they cater for a huge tourist industry, and many very attractive camp sites in both country and coastal setting are available. Moving from site to site when you are camping is also easy, you just pack up and move to a newer more beautiful place.

Well maintained and organized campsites in France provide campers with tons of facilities to make their stay a pleasant one, and they are very good value for money too. If you are careful how you choose your site when you camp in France, you should be able to find a good one that will allow you access to the coastline and the countryside, so that you can enjoy the best of both worlds.

All areas of France cater for campers, from the Alps to the Vendee, and even the Cote d’Azure! Take Granny and Granpa with you as well as the kids, and make it a real family holiday.

Take for instance the coast of Gascony and Royan, these areas are famous for long sandy beaches, high dunes, and even pine forests, a strange eclectic mixture of landscapes. Congnac vineyards dot the slopes of the River Charente valley and Royan is a popular choice for many campers. The forest of La Coubre surround this area, making it extremely picturesque, and the Island of Oléron, with its ancient citadel may be reach by bridge, this isle also has excellent beaches.

Great seafood and wine are served in the many restaurants that cater to families and if you save money camping, then you can eat out with the best of them. No cooking for you! If you really want to taste some good wines, a visit to the Médoc peninsula is highly recommended when you visit the Royan.

Just south of Bordeaux, you also find one of the most important oyster farming regions in the whole of France. Yes oysters are farmed, but perhaps in not the conventional sense! If you visit this area, leave the kids to organized camp site activities and take time out to sample the wines, this is an outing you will never forget.

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Which Muscles Does Riding a Bike Develop?

Nov 24

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Cycling is one of the most popular sports in the world and it is estimated that there is over 4 billion bikes world wide now. Lots of people ride a bike just as a means of transport, whilst others include cycling heavily in their fitness regime. The fitness benefits for your muscles varies quite a lot depending on which type of cycling you do. If you cycle very long distances at relatively low intensity, your muscles will become very good at endurance and will build many slow-twitch fibres. Conversely, if you ride at a high intensity over shorter periods, you will develop more fast twitch (powerful) fibres and build muscle size. But which are the muscles that are demanded the most of when riding.

Quadriceps (thighs). Without doubt the muscles that produce most of the force when cycling are the quadriceps. These are the muscles that straighten out the leg and produce the down force on the pedals, which in turn rotate the crack. Racing bikes in fact are designed to locate the quads directly over the crack so that maximum efficiency is achieved. The quad muscles thankfully adapt quite quickly to exercise, which is lucky as bike riding forces them to work at quite a rapid rate.

Gastrocnemius (calf). The calf muscle is a great deal smaller than the quads, but no less important when it comes to propelling the bike forwards. Flexing the calf muscles when the leg is in a straight position, points the toes towards and adds a small boost to the overall power output. Pinarello make pedals that dynamically pivot to squeeze every last bit of power juice from the calf muscles.

Hamstrings. After the quads have forced the leg down and helped move the bike forwards, the hamstrings work to to pull it back up again and reset the leg ready for another push. This doesn’t require much force on a standard bike as the rotation of the pedals pushes the leg up but when you use cycling shoes that clip to the pedals, a large amount of additional force can be generated by these muscles in the upward movement

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Outdoor activities – Australia’s Mt Tamborine region

Oct 21

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Extreme Sports Articles | No Comments

Located approximately 60 kilometres south of Queensland’s capital city of Brisbane, Tamborine Mountain is a volcanic plateau set within Australia’s Gold Coast hinterland.

An outpouring of lava from nearby Mount Warning – many millenia ago – created Tamborine Mountain’s lush, forested plateau which is approximately 8 km long by 5 km wide and now sits 600 metres above sea level.

The many attractions of Mount Tamborine and its charming villages include craft and antique shops, cafes and restaurants and numerous galleries which attract thousands of tourists every season.

This area is also known for its award-winning wineries with several offering tours, free tastings and affordable meals in beautiful surroundings. If you enjoy walking, nine National Parks within the region await you. Shady walking tracks lead through magnificent subtropical rainforest and past breathtaking waterfalls, natural swimming holes and rock pools. Sun dappled picnic and BBQ areas pepper the way and spectacular lookouts offer stunning views towards the ocean as well as to the West over the hinterland.

Cycling, climbing and skydiving are also popular in the area and many local clubs meet regularly to engage in these activities. Visitors to the area can also enjoy walking, rambling and birdwatching and the local Tourist Information Centre can offer much information.

The Rainforest Discovery Skywalk is one of the latest Tamborine Mountain attractions and was completed in early 2009. Set on 30-acres of awe-inspiring rainforest and alongside a tumbling creek, the Skywalk consists of an eco walking trail that leads to a 40m-long platform set 30m above the rainforest canopy. A short drive away, another popular attraction are the Glow-worm Caves that offer guided underground sightseeing tours through two spectacular man made caves filled with thousands of glow worms.

The rich volcanic soil of the area supports a diversity of horticulture which can be enjoyed on nature walks as well as by visiting the local Botanic Gardens. The bounty of many Tamborine Mountain residents’ gardens is also on display at several roadside stalls that abound with kiwi fruit, rhubarb, avocados and macadamia nuts quaintly displayed around an ‘Honesty Box’.

This small plateau also thrives with animal and bird life. Platypus, green tree frogs, scrub turkeys, wallabies and koalas form part of the Mountain’s varied range of wildlife and in the morning, the calls of lorikeets, kookaburras and lyrebirds can be heard.

The state of Queensland is known as Australia’s ‘Sunshine State’. On Tamborine Mountain, you can enjoy abundant sunshine year-round but without the heat and humidity that the more northerly parts of Queensland often endure.

The beaches, shopping malls, theme parks and many other Gold Coast attractions are a comfortable 40-minute drive from Mount Tamborine while Brisbane is one hour away, making the Mountain the ideal ‘base-camp’ location from which to explore south-east Queensland.

The nearest international airport is Brisbane’s, however national travellers often opt for Coolangatta (Gold Coast) airport, a mere 45-minute drive from Tamborine Mountain.

Whether you are parents-to-be seeking a tranquil Babymoon destination, a newly engaged couple looking for that perfect Honeymoon location or if you are simply looking for the best Bed and Breakfast Tamborine you will delight in the serene privacy of Mount Tamborine’s Witches Falls Cottages.

Witches Falls Cottages offer an idyllic retreat to nature and consist of private cottages tucked away along rainforest pathways in one of Tamborine Mountain’s and perhaps even Australia’s most secluded and peaceful locations.

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Top Sports For Building CV Fitness

Sep 16

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Heli Skiing | No Comments

For those of you who don’t know CV (cardio vascular) fitness refers to the ability of the heart and lungs to provide the body with enough nutrients (mainly oxygen) for it to function during activity and remove waste products such as carbon dioxide and lactic acid also. A CV system that is in good shape will allow an athlete to work harder and for longer periods of time. Sports like sprinting and discus do not work the CV system very much at all, as muscles do not use oxygen in fast powerful events. Some sports however do ask a lot of the CV system. Here are 3 of the top sports for this type of fitness.

Skiing. The variety of this sport known as cross-country skiing is actually the most demanding off all sports on the CV system. This is down to the fact that not only do skiers have to ski for unbelievably long distances, but also the cold air makes it harder for the lungs to extract oxygen. Also, cross country skiing uses nearly every single muscle in the body which means energy demands on the heart and lungs is very high. So if you’re looking to build your CV system, switch your snowboards for skis next time you’re on the slopes.

Cycling. The sport of cycling (specifically road riding) is one tough exercise on the heart and lungs. The 7 time Tour De France winner Lance Armstrong is testament to that, having one of the highest VO2 max scores of any athlete. This means that his body was able to take in and process more oxygen per minute than almost any other athlete on the planet. Based on that evidence, if you’re thinking about getting rid of your old cycling machine or mountain bikes, you might want to think again.

Kayaking. This is a sport that demands an incredible amount from the heart and lungs, despite there being comparatively little movement of the lower body taking place. This is because during middle to long distance races, the upper body and torso work so hard that incredible amounts of oxygen are required to keep going and muscle waste products are also produced in bucket loads. For second hand kayaks and extreme sports equipment check out EST.

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Mountain Biking Repetitive Strain Injury Advice

Jul 30

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Mountain Biking and indeed cycling in general is one of the most popular sports in the world. The reason for this is because there are so many things a bike can be used for, including competitive racing, getting to and from work each day or just as a bit of leisurely enjoyment. However, those who are keen cyclists are probably aware that if precautions aren’t taken, there are a number of repetitive-strain injuries that can occur from cycling, especially mountain biking. Here we examine the causes and preventive measures for 3 of the most common cycling-related injuries.

Wrist Injury. The large and aggressive forces that are generated when riding over large bumps on uneven terrain often find their way to the cyclist’s writs by traveling directly up the bike forks. What’s more, as your upper body weight is usually pushing down on your wrists, they can often be put under a lot of strain and become inflamed or injured.Having quality suspension on the front forks of the bike will reduce a lot of the pressure, or if you cannot have suspension, make sure the forks have shock absorbing qualities like you find on the Trek Madone.

Pain In The Backside. This is one of the most common complaints and is basically a result of repetitive pressure on the gluteus maximus (backside) muscle and surrounding sensitive areas. The long term implications of not addressing such problems can be serious, including infertility and hernia. Purchasing a saddle that is not only good at absorbing shock, but also fits the shape of you backside is probably the most effective way of reducing any problems. You can also purchase special cycle clothing such as padded shorts which act to dampen the effect of harmful pressure.


Knee Problems. Another issue faced by lots of riders is pain in the knees, which they often experience after a long cycle. There are bike settings that can aggravate this problem, such as having the saddle too high but generally it is caused by overuse and too much strain on the knees. Try making sure all your bike components have shock-absorbing qualities, such as Zipp wheels which reduce the amount of force transferred through the knee joint.

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Discover Useful Information About Getting Started In Mountain Biking

Jul 30

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Mountain biking is an excellent activity to explore the outdoors, stay in shape, or just have fun. Racing down the side of a mountain is a lot of fun indeed, although it can also be fairly dangerous.  Even though danger is involved, if you are cautious, it can be enjoyed by the entire family.

Styles Of Mountain Biking
There are three different types of mountain biking to look at: free riding, cross country and downhill.  Not surprisingly they share some things in common but also call for unique skill sets.  The selection of mountain bike you purchase should be determined by the choice of riding you choose. For more mountain bike information goto Mongoose Mountain Bike

Locations For Mountain Biking
An Alternative way of looking at mountain biking is cycling on unpaved trails.  There are a lot of areas in North America set aside specially for mountain biking. Before you decide to bike a trail, you should always get information from your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.

You can also locate organizations that have mountain bike rides and competitions.  The local paper and the World Wide Web should have up to date information on the activities in your location.  These organizations should serve the starting mountain biker all the way up to the advanced mountain biker. Check here for more Mountain cycling Across Country information.

Getting Better At Biking
You will need to develop stamina and endurance to be a serious biker.  It will also take ambition and practice to succeed as well as beat the course.  This is no different then any other sport.  The beginners will have to get used to the injuries involved at the beginning.

Choosing Your Mountain Bike
Just keep in mind that your personal preference for a bike should come in second to choosing it based on the type of riding you think you will want to do. Once you have done this then you will have a large selection of shapes, prices and styles to choose from. 

You should use the Internet to help you shop for a bike, even do some price comparisons online as well before you make a purchase.  Before you buy a bike, always ask to try it out first.  A great mountain biker will become one with his or her own bike.  When buying, make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

Staying Safe When cycling
Mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be very dangerous, as mentioned earlier.  Anytime you are riding, you should wear a helmet, along with knee and elbow pads.  If you are following a group or riding in the woods you should strongly consider a pair of goggles as well.  Safety should be your top priority and never taken lightly anytime you are mountain biking. For more Mountain Bike Skills For Beginners ideas.

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Mountain Biking For Dummies

Jul 27

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Mountain biking is perfect for  getting into the open air, staying healthy and having fun. You get an adrenaline rush from speeding down the side of a mountain but it comes with its dangers. Riding with caution can reduce the risk of danger so the whole family can mountain bike together.

Downhill, free riding and cross country are the three traditional forms of mountain biking. Even though the different styles are similar in some ways, they still require different skills.   Your choice of mountain bike depends on the style of biking you prefer.

Mountain biking is really riding on an unpaved surface. There are locations designed specifically for mountain biking.   Before you decide to go down a trail, you should always check with your local park to get the routes, regulations, and any rules that they may have.

Join a mountain biking club so you can ride with them and enter competitions. Use the internet or look in your local paper to find bike clubs near you.   You may be able to find groups for the more advanced riders as well as beginners.

You need to be fit to be a mountain biker. Bumps and bruises are inevitable when you are new to mountain biking, practice makes perfect!

Picking Your Mountain Bike.

The mountain bike you select is more of a personal choice, and a big determining factor on the type of riding you will be doing.  The choice of bikes is massive with varying shapes, features and price.

Shop around before deciding on which mountain bike to buy, comparing prices and details in the specification. Ask the retailer to have a quick spin on the bike before you purchase it, to make sure its right for you. Make sure you check for comfort, how it fits, even how it is geared.

More important than any other piece of advice is to stay safe and wear the right equipment including a helmet!

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Useful Mountain Biking Accessories

Jul 1

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Initially when you first decide to do mountain biking it can be a bit daunting when you visit a mountain bike shop as there is a vast choice of mountain bikes and accessories to choose from

There are several mountain biking accessories and related products that you can purchase. It’s not a question of what looks cool it’s about the safety, enjoyment and your budget for your accessories, so don’t be drawn in by the sales staff. When hitting the trails you need to consider accessories carefully the following is a good guide.

Bike Helmet

It is essential to have a bike helmet when mountain biking it is probably one of the most important accessories. You should never go biking without a helmet. Serious head injurys can be prevented by wearing a helmet, there have been many people who have been unfortunate enough to have experienced this.

Everyone who rides on trails wears mountain bike helmets, they are comfotable and stylish.

Mountain Bike Gloves

Your hands can take a beating no matter what season you ride in. It can be brutal on your hands if you are just starting out as you keep a tight grip of the handle bars When you crash, your hands will be the first thing to hit the ground – and everyone crashes at some point. Having mountain bike gloves are an essential accessory as they will take most of the impact. 

Mountain Bike Shorts

After the first few mountain bike rides you take, you’ll notice that your rear end will be quite uncomfortable. Although your body will get used to the bike position, bike shorts do make your ride more comfortable.   You can get shorts that are very comfortable, making them a great addition to your mountain bike ride.

Mountain Bike Shoes

When choosing you mountain bike shoes you need to take into account the type of pedals and the type of riding you do.
Some bikes have clipless type pedals so you will need to get shoes which will accomodate the special cleat for your pedals. Good mountain bike shoes are durable, comfortable, and also a stiff sole for better efficiency when pedaling. Also, you should make sure to get the right shoe for the terrain you’ll be ridingin as well.

Eye Protection

You can run off the trail in a matter of seconds if you get something in your eye. Sunglasses or clear lense glasses can help protect your eyes from any debris which may kick up from the trail as well as protecting them from the wind. Make sure they are non-breakable when you buy your glasses.

Hydration System

Bringing a water bottle or hydration backpack with you is always a great idea. It’s very easy to get dehydrated so you should always bring water with you and drink it on the trail to ensure that your body stays properly hydrated at all times.

Trail Repair Kit

Remember to always take a proper repair kit for your bike, it’s easy to get stuck in the woods or on the trail.   To be on the safe side, bring a multi-tool designed for bike repair, tyre levers, and a patch kit for fixing flat tyres.

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Buying A New Mountain Bike

May 30

Posted by Talon W. Ing in Mountain Biking | No Comments

Mountain Bikes are unrecognisable from their early ancestors of the 1970s thanks to the advancement of new technologies. Originally based on road bikes, the technology has changed enormously to cater for the rigours and strains of cycling on difficult off road conditions.

Off road riding is made much easier thanks to the innovations in the bikes design and build. This means you can take on harder trails, higher risk and a hell of a lot more fun.

Gears
Mountain bikes have up to 27 gears so no matter the ascent you can tackle it with ease.

Suspension
One of the greatest leaps forwards has been the development of your bike’s suspension which makes the roughest of rides much more comfortable. Front suspension is a must and comes as standard on most decent mountain bikes. For the seriously rough stuff you will need a full suspension bike as this will be much easier to ride.

Frames
Improved suspension makes harder rides more fun, so your bike gets puts through its paces and this increases the strain on you bike’s frame. Your frame must be able to take the increased demands so stronger materials are used along with new styles and designs. Your bikes frame has of course got to be strong but at the same time must be light weight for maximum performance.

Brakes
All good mountain bikes are fitted with disc brakes to the front and rear wheels. Fitted to the centre of the wheel they stay well away from all that mud and dirt, making them more durable, efficient and reliable.

Tyres
Chunky tyres with thick treads make mountain bikes tyres very different to road bikes. Better absorption of shocks and greater grip on slippery tracks makes these tyres idea for off-road terrain. Different tyre profiles are available depending on the conditions you are likely to encounter.

Women-Specific
Specially designed ladies bikes are available. These bikes are much more suited to the smaller size and shape of women as they have reduced frame sizes and better saddles. We recommend testing a number of ladies bikes from different manufacturers before making the decision to buy as many will have subtle differences.

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