There are a variety of ways in which you might enjoy the gorgeous scenery of Hayling Island. Take a bike or a hike.
Enjoy a variety of walks with the Hayling Island group taking in the scenic sea views.
This group offers a short walk with a gentle pace for beginner or slower walkers to enjoy.
The longer walk enables those who enjoy a slightly faster paced stroll to enjoy the Hayling coastline whilst socialising with acquaintances.
Share a morning amble with allies taking in the exhilarating sea air and ever changing environment, returning for refreshments.
This is mainly a flat route. There are two short hills at the Rowlands Castle end of the route. The majority of the route is on cycle path, but 3 short sections are on road:
1. from The Recreation Ground, The Fairway, Rowlands Castle to the bottom of the hill in Durrants Road
2. the section of road between Langstone Road and Langstone Bridge on to Hayling Island. The pavements on both sides of Langstone Bridge (only) are cycle paths.
3. the southern loop of Staunton Ave, Sea Front and Sinah Lane.
The Hayling Billy Coastal Way is formed from consolidated scalpings, with a top dressing, there’s some tarmac and some concrete and it can be a little lumpy in places. Nearly all road bikes will cope but mountain bikes are better suited ” I bicycled the route on a mountain bike with slick road tyres and I was All Right. There are places where a spot of would opt to walk but these sites are few and far between and very short ” bearing in mind I bicycled the route the day following torrential downpours which pulled leaves off trees etc. a few puddles about but on the whole it was pretty well drained.
If you want to know about a wonderful place to stay on Hayling Island then you should consider Cockle Warren. It’s a gorgeous little Hayling Island bed and breakfast place that you would do well to choose
Cockle Warren Cottage Hotel
36 Sea Front, Hayling Island, PO11 9HL
023 9246 4961
Ring the number and have a chat with Kate
Advanced Techniques for Roadies
By Fred Matheny of www.RoadBikeRider.com
Got your basic riding techniques well in hand? Now learn three advanced moves that come in handy and raise your skills to a new level.
1. Ride No-Hands
Pro cyclists can ride no-hands in the middle of the pack on a twisty descent. Don’t try it! Sometimes, however, you’ll need two hands free to peel an energy bar or peel off a vest. Here’s how:
- Pick a Place. Look for a straight stretch of road without obstacles like potholes or side streets. Sit up and take your hands off the bar, ready to grip again as you test your balance. When you’re ready, sit up fully and drop your hands to your sides. Most riders find it easier to maintain balance while pedaling smoothly than while coasting.
- Steer With Your Butt. In other words, control the bike with the pressure of your inner thighs against the saddle. Look down the road at least 30 feet rather than directly in front of your wheel. Relax.
- Be Careful. Riding no-hands where you live may be illegal, and it certainly can be dangerous. Practice in an empty parking lot or back street before taking your act on the open road. Unless you have pro-level skills, don’t ride no-hands in a paceline until you’re last in line.
2. Remove Arm Warmers While Riding
Now that you can ride no-hands, it’s easy to remove arm warmers without stopping. The only problem might be losing one while stuffing them into your jersey pocket. Here, courtesy of seven-time Tour de France rider Ron Kiefel, is how to keep them together.
1. Pull down warmers. Riding with one hand on the bar, pull down that arm’s warmer to your wrist. Switch hands on the bar, then do the same with the other warmer.
2. Remove first warmer. Ride no-hands. With your right hand, grasp the cuff of the left warmer and pull it off so it hangs from your right hand.
3. Remove second warmer. Use your left hand to pull off the right warmer while still grasping the left arm warmer in the right hand. Voila! One arm warmer is neatly tucked in the other. Fold the resulting sausage in thirds and tuck it in your jersey pocket.
Check out www.fishingrecreation.com for a great online fishing pictures and forums community.
If you are one of the many people who consider your bike as invaluable as your family, then we know you’re head over heels. We may be judged heavily for this perception but you might even be willing to dump your partner just so you could spend time riding and caring for your bike… though, we hope you are not that obsessed.
Of course, once you’ve discovered the thrill and speed of the open road, there’s really nothing quite alike the exuberance you felt. Eventually, it will not only be a way to travel for you, it becomes a way of life. Many other motorcycle enthusiasts discover these at certain stages after acquiring their motorcycles. You find these dedicated enthusiasts like yourself all over the country.
It’s no surprise to know that you would also demand nothing but the best motorcycle parts for your bike. Getting the right motorcycle parts is not only a matter of vanity or style. Necessity is the most important consideration. Once you do not have sturdy replacements for important parts and even accessories like worn brakes, cracked windshield, bent kickstand, you’re in trouble. All the more worse if your local parts store has no replacement parts available. Most motorcycle parts should be found not to make your bike look nice and sleek. You simply can’t afford to be without these motorcycle parts which are equal to that of our limbs and joints.
You may never know what sort of disaster may arise that would make you realize just how important it is to have extra or replacement motorcycle parts and accessories handy all time. Equally important, too, you have to know where you could easily get the specific parts you need that suits the model of your bike. It is frustrating to find out that the motorcycle parts store in your state doesn’t have any of the items you badly need.
Motorcycle parts suppliers can be hard to find in a lot of areas of the country. There may be some that you can find but they may not have stocks on the parts that you need.
With a reverent understanding of these situations, it is good news to report that motorcycle parts industries and retailers have gone online with their motorcycle parts catalogs. Huge selection, large inventory, and convenience are the factors that make shopping for your motorcycle needs online the best way to get exactly what you’re looking for.
The Internet has hundreds of catalogs full of any motorcycle parts you may need. As a true biker, you have to be complete with all the motorcycle parts and facilities that will enable you to ride out with the finest bike, sturdy, dependable and lovely piece of machine, too.
Lala C. Ballatan is a 26 year-old Communication Arts graduate, with a major in Journalism. Right after graduating last 1999, she worked for one year as a clerk then became a Research, Publication and Documentation Program Director at a non-government organization, which focuses on the rights, interests and welfare of workers for about four years.
Book reading has always been her greatest passion — mysteries, horrors, psycho-thrillers, historical documentaries and classics. She got hooked into it way back when she was but a shy kid.
Her writing prowess began as early as she was 10 years old in girlish diaries. With writing, she felt freedom - to express her viewpoints and assert it, to bring out all concerns — imagined and observed, to bear witness.
For comments and inquiries about the article visit http://www.motorcyclepartsbin.com
Mountain biking can be divided into nine different categories. Each category offers a new challenge for players. The different categories of mountain biking are:
1. Cyclo cross
Cyclo cross is hard, fast and much more than running with your bike through mud.
Cyclo-cross racing takes some of the technical skills of a mountain biker and is a cross between road and mountain biking. These riders have to go over obstacles, cross through rivers and rafts, and race on and off the course.
2. BMX
BMX cycles have 20 inch wheels and is the style of BMX biking. As these bikes have smaller wheels and shorter wheel bases, therefore these bikes are commonly used at skate parks or in dirt jumps. BMX bikes are good to perform tricks and stunts with.
3. Cross country
Cross Country Mountain biking involves riding bike up and down mountains and in hilly areas. It is one of the most difficult type of mountain biking but there are riders who are fit and go on long rides in these mountains.
4. Downhill
Downhill mountain biking means racing down the mountains with a bike. This type of riding is very intense and extreme, offering riders the chance for ultimate thrills and excitement.
5. Dirt jumping
Dirt jumping is a type of mountain biking that involves jumping the bike over large man made dirt jumps and then doing tricks while they are in the air. These jumps are placed close together so riders can go over six or more jumps in one run to gain a flow to give them more speed for bigger jumps.
6. Single speed
This is a form of cross country biking that’s done using a bike with only one gear and fewer components. Main reason for single speed is simplicity of bikes and the game. Fewer components mean less mechanical problems, a lighter bike and provide efficient pedaling.
7. Freeride
Free riding game is very extreme as it involves finding the perfect path down the mountain using all of the terrains. These types of competitions are very popular among bikers as riders can show their expertise and fitness.
8. Trails
In trails bikers use bikes with 20 or 26 inch wheels and sport small, low frames. Although the bikes used for trails does not look like mountain bikes but trials can be considered as a part of mountain biking. Trail bikers need extreme amount of balance and concentration as they have to hop and jump their bikes over obstacles.
9. Street and urban
Street and urban riding is done in urban areas, ledges, and with other types of man made obstacles. Riders of street and urban biking will do tricks such as stalls and grinds very well.
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Phillip Culver is the author of many recreation related articles. To read more articles please feel free to go to: http://www.recreationdirectoryonline.com |
Well, all Americans are feeling the pinch from the gasoline prices, which have gone up over 35 cents per gallon in only ten days. Many Americans have considered buying a moped or scooter and sales at local dealerships for Honda, Kawasaki, Suzuki, Vespa and other name brands are up 180 percent in the last week.
One would suppose this makes a lot of sense considering that if you’re only goal in a few miles and you have a large car there is no sense in page $100 to fill it up when you can drive a moped for only $2.30 per thankful. So who makes the best scooters? Well there are several hot selling brands and the Honda Elite is one of the hottest selling scooters all the market and it is most often out of stock. But it also gives over 50 mpg and goes up to 30 mph. So it is the perfect vehicle for delivering yourself around town.
But high gas prices are not the only thing fueling the moped madness. It seems as traffic congestion increases in the city mopeds are able to get around quicker in easier and find a parking spot is a lot simpler. Motorcycle sales are also up with more than usual demand. In fact one motorcycle salesperson told me that they have been quite busy this week and expect to be even more busy this summer once hurricanes season starts and gas prices go up again.
“Lance Winslow” - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; http://www.WorldThinkTank.net/wttbbs/
Many couples don’t exercise together because one partner is much more fit than the other. Riding a tandem bicycle is a great equalizer. The amount of work you do on a bicycle depends on how hard you push on the pedals. Pushing twice a hard on the pedals takes twice the work, so a world-class bicycle racer can ride with a novice and still get a good workout. Even a beginner will be able to keep up with the spinning pedals, no matter how fast they go. The less-fit partner just applies little or no pressure so he or she will not get tired. No matter how hard one partner tries to leave the other, you will always be together.
You can go faster together than the faster person can go alone. The more experienced rider sits in the front seat. If both are equally good riders, the taller one usually sits in front. The person who sits in the back copies the motions of the person in the front. At first it may seem strange not to have any control over steering, shifting or braking, but the you have the big advantage of being able to exercise only as hard as you like while enjoying the scenery.
Many cities have tandem bicycle clubs that organize rides and social events. They welcome newcomers and will give you lots of help when you’re getting started.
Dr. Gabe Mirkin has been a radio talk show host for 25 years and practicing physician for more than 40 years; he is board certified in four specialties, including sports medicine. Read or listen to hundreds of his fitness and health reports at http://www.DrMirkin.com
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Question: What’s the #1 guaranteed way to make certain you win a race this year?
Answer: Optimize Your Power Output On The Bike
Here is Why:
With at least half if not more of your base miles already done and the season right around the corner, now is the time to optimize your power output on the bike.
The definition of power is force multiplied by speed and is the ability to turn a large gear for a long period of time. It is sometimes referred to as muscular endurance.
Power is without doubt the most important factor that you need to work on if you are going to be competitive this season and have any chance of winning a bike race this year.
So why is power so important in bike racing? Well think of it this way- how about you line up in a motorcycle race alongside 4 other riders all riding similar motorbikes to you except for one thing- they have 500cc bikes, but you’re only riding a 250cc machine. How do you rate your chances?
Not great. Of course not because your power output is exactly half theirs- you’ve lost the race before you’ve even started- but ask yourself this-
How many times have you lined up for a road race having done little more than base miles with the occasional interval here and there?
Is your power output optimized for the season ahead? Have you done everything you possibly can do to make certain your sustainable power output is as high as it can be before entering your key races for the year?
If not then you could be in for a shock when you begin racing. Your penalty for not developing sufficient power will be precisely the same as lining up in that motorcycle race- except that those higher powered motorcycles will be other riders with their own more powerful engines…
So how do you know when you’ve got a power problem and what can you do about it? Well see if any of these scenarios sound familiar:
Scenario #1
You’re riding well in a race but suddenly you enter a crosswind section and the bunch lines out in the right hand gutter. Instantly you realize you’re getting little shelter from the pace line and begin to suffer. Slowly you let a gap open and you lose contact with the rider in front. Riders behind start yelling at you to hold the wheel but you can’t and the group begins to ride away. Suddenly you and everyone behind you is out of the running- Why? Because you couldn’t produce enough power to hold the wheel in the cross wind.
Scenario # 2
Your speed drills have worked well and you’ve managed to get yourself into what looks as if it could be the winning move. But now you’re up front and there’s only four of you to hold off the pack. Suddenly you are unable to go through to do your turn. Your legs are screaming and the other riders are yelling at you to work! In desperation you cling to the last rider’s wheel to try to recover but then you realize he is taking you out the back of the break. You watch defeated from no-mans land as the rider bridges back to the pair up front and works with them to contest the sprint for the line. What happened? You were unable to sustain enough power to contribute to the working break.
Scenario # 3
In your next race you swear this won’t happen again and you’ve psyched yourself for the pain. This time you’re not going to crack you tell yourself. But this time you don’t manage to draft anyone into the break. You’re boxed in when four riders sprint away and you see what looks like the winning move disappearing up the road. Finally you hit the front and jump with everything you’ve got to try to bridge across to them. Good, there’s no-one on your wheel but you can’t believe how strong the headwind is and you start to suffer badly. There’s no-one to help you out and you don’t seem to be gaining on the break. Finally you succumb to the headwind and the pack catches you again. Why? Because you couldn’t sustain sufficient power to bridge across to the break.
The good news is if you make it your business to increase your power before you begin racing you can avoid all of this happening and you’ll be the one who not only makes it into the winning move but who’s there to contest the win!
So what’s the fastest way to develop the kind of power you need to win bike races?
Answer: Ride the Indoor Trainer.
Huh? You thought that was only for riding in the winter when there’s snow on the roads right?
Wrong!
Riding the indoor trainer is the best way to do your intervals for one key reason:
You can go MUCH harder on the trainer than you can do out on the road.
Riding the indoor trainer allows you to undertake the kind of interval training that is simply not realistic on the open road. You can go so hard that you may taste blood or feel noxious but without the need to worry about controlling the bike when you’re riding flat out. The result?
Your next race will feel easy by comparison and if it doesn’t- you can go back and hurt yourself even more until it does!
Still don’t think it works? Read this:
Former world hour record holder Graeme Obree rode an incredible 32.75 miles during his hour record. He prepared for this record by riding flat out on his indoor trainer several times per week.
Ex professional Tour De France Yellow Jersey holder and stage winner Sean Yates was quoted last year as saying:
“I’ve been riding 2-3 hours per day in the mornings and spending the rest of my time on the trainer”
Both riders and countless other pros understand the importance of doing high intensity work on the indoor trainer.
Whatever else you do this year, ride your intervals on the indoor trainer. You’re guaranteed to increase your power output and it will likely give you your most successful bike racing season to date.
Good luck with your 2006 season!
Bart Summers is an active amateur racer and author of http://www.50topbikeracingtips.com
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.
Sharon Albright is the owner of Pocket Bikes Site. Read more articles on Pocket Bikes and visit her recommended resources.
