Touring Bikes
If you like to take your equipment with you while traveling by bike, a touring bike is your best option. Touring bikes are built for stability while packed, are comfortable over long distances, have a triple crank for smaller gears, come with eyelets in the frame, and fork for attaching racks.
*While it¡¯s true that mountain bikes and some hybrids also come with triple cranks, they don¡¯t give you the level of comfort necessary to really enjoy your trip.
A Properly Fitted Bike
Make sure your bike fits! To get both the best performance and enjoyment from cycling, regardless of whether you¡¯re riding for fun or to win, a properly fitted bike is a must. So, how do you fit a bike?
A properly sized bike allows you to extend your leg as far as possible without completely straightening your knee¡ªif saddle is too low, you won¡¯t be able to achieve this optimum leg extension. And, you should be able to straddle the frame with both feet flat and still have a bit of clearance.
Bicycle Maintenance
A bicycle is a delicate machine. In order to run smoothly, it needs regular maintenance. With the proper tools, most simple maintenance can be done by even a novice rider. If you feel unsure of your capabilities, check with your local bicycle organizations or retailers. Some of them offer great courses in bicycle maintenance.
*If you do your own tune-ups and repairs, it¡¯s a good idea to have your bicycle serviced by a knowledgeable professional once a year to increase performance and extend your bicycle¡¯s lifespan.
Buying the Right Kind of Bicycle
If you¡¯ve made a trip to a serious bicycle shop lately, you¡¯ve probably noticed that bicycles have gotten a lot more complicated. It¡¯s hard to know what to buy without first thinking about how you will be riding. Ask yourself these questions before making a selection:
? Will you use the bike on paved roads or on trails?
? Will you be traveling long distances?
? Is comfort or performance most important?
Once you know the answer to these questions, the pros in the bike shop can lead you to the type of bicycle for you. Over time, and once the bug has caught you, you can buy another bike that fulfills what the first bike doesn¡¯t (that is, if you weren¡¯t completely satisfied).
Bicycle Storage
Here¡¯s one good maintenance habit that requires no advanced cycling knowledge ¨C always store your bicycle indoors. It¡¯s the easiest way to keep your bicycle working and looking like new.
Exposure to the elements is one of the worst thing you can do to a bike. So, if you can¡¯t park it in a garage or shed and it doesn¡¯t fir in any closet, try hanging it over a stairwell, or using a free-standing rack to set it to the side.
*If you really love your bicycle and appreciate its aesthetics, try purchasing some hooks and hanging it on a wall.
Recumbent Bicycles
Want to ride, ride, ride, without ending up with a sore back and booty? You might want to try the strangest bicycle on the road today¡ªthe recumbent bicycle (the word ¡®recumbent¡¯ refers to its chair-shaped seat position, with the pedals out in front of the rider).
These vehicles have been around since before the turn of the century and they¡¯re actually a very ergonomic way to ride ¨C no sore backs or butts. It makes them very good for extended rides.
Buying a Bike for your Child
Go on, get your kid a bike! When buying a bike for your child, however, don¡¯t be tempted to follow the same rule of thumb as when buying clothes. Buying a bike that¡¯s too big and hoping they¡¯ll grow into is just not a good idea. Riding a bike that is too large is dangerous, uncomfortable, and difficult. To make sure that you choose a bike that is the right size for your child:
? Have your child straddle the bike (standing over the crossbar) with his or her feet on the ground
? If the bike is of a light or medium weight, allow a minimum of 2cm between your child¡¯s crotch and the crossbar
? If the bike is heavy, there should be at least 5cm between your child¡¯s crotch and the crossbar
Winning Purse of the Tour de France
Held every July, the Tour de France has long been thought of as the toughest of races. Just to compete in it is a triumph in and above itself. For the winner though, the purse of 2 million French francs is quite a reward. In American money, it equals about $600,000. This purse is shared by all team members and personnel. But the winner will also inevitably earn millions in product sponsorships and other related commercial endeavors.