Balance Bikes for Toddlers
Our youngest child, who was just about to turn three during our summer holiday last year decided he also wanted to learn to ride a bike and stake his claim to independance as well. It’s not an easy thing to do by any means and trying to teach your 3 year old whilst trying to unwind on vacation can quickly become a stressful event. It would have been better to have practised on a balance bike for toddlers first instead of teaching him to go straight onto a 2 wheeled bike without any practice of finding and keeping balance.
That day I recall we had decided to go on a day’s cycle ride with the whole family. No matter how hard we tried to persuade him we could not convince our son to get on a training bike.
So what should have been an stress-free bike ride for our family quickly turned descended into a frustrated family affair as we tried to teach our son the fundamentals of gaining balance and coordination whilst also getting to grips with steering.
That’s the thing with learning to cycle, its just a repetitive process of getting on the bike, trying to keep your self steady, trying to steer forwards and then falling off and getting up again and this can go on and on for a long time, depending on your levels of persistence.
And then comes that point where you manage to stay on your bike without falling off again immediately and you are gliding along the floor and it feels wonderful.
Although we managed to teach our youngest how to cycle properly within a few days, I feel it would have been much easier and quicker if we had practiced with a balance bike first. Something like the Strider PREBike, which many of my friends now talk about in awe seems to be just the thing we needed back then. Apparently it has no pedals (your child pushes along by using their feet on the ground) but it gives them the idea about keeping their balance, learning to steer and getting their coordination all into gear at the same time.
BMX Ramp Plans For Safe, Solid Ramps
BMX bike riding is a very popular game due to the thrill and excitement it involves. However, some experts simply relate the popularity of this game to the high cost of gasoline. This exciting sport requires a lot of practice on the part of the rider and excellent infrastructure to ensure safety and performance.
The most important infrastructure is a well-built BMX ramp required for riders to practice and perform their skills. Full-proof BMX ramp plans are essential pre-requisites for a good BMX ramp. Ask anybody who has built a ramp and many will tell about the hell they went through because they lacked a plan.
There was a time when bikes were considered merely an assembly of frame, fork, two wheels and a seat. These bikes have come a long way since then. The BMX bikes are one of the latest additions to the ever-growing list of bikes. Now with increasing popularity of BMX bikes, towns and cities are constructing BMX ramps on both indoor and outdoor sites where BMX riders would be able to practice and display their skills.
All You Wanted To Know About Ramp plans
Before starting construction, you must decide on the kind of ramp you want, because ramps come in many shapes and sizes and are very expensive to make. These ramps allow the rider to perform not only old tricks but also to create and practice new tricks. If you have an earlier experience with building skateboard ramps then that would be of much help as skateboard ramp plans and ramp plans for BMX bikes are very similar.
If you are building a small ramp then a garage or your home backyard will suffice. In case you are making a big one then it is better to build the ramp at the site. In case of ramps being built on outdoor sites many of the obstacles and ramps are made from the dirt available at the site. Often, besides the ramps and mounds for stunt biking, courses are also laid for racing bikes.
There are instances of people who made ramps without any plans. So they went and bought any kind of timber. The result was that the so-called ramp had the worst transitions and the structure fell apart within weeks. A lot of money spent for nothing.
You will need money but at the same time try and cut costs wherever possible. Remember timber costs a lot and so does tools. One way to reduce costs would be by hiring tools. Some ramp plans, that are available free of cost, are not the best. So you might have to buy some plans. Such plans are available on the Internet and come at a price.
Having decided on the type of ramp to build, sketch out the dimensions on paper. Then acquire the materials required but remember to get as much wood as you can.
Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/bmx-ramp-plans-for-safe-solid-ramps-96922.html
Choosing the Right Bmx – Ripping Up Trails, Getting Air or Serious Stunts!
So, you wanna buy a BMX bike hey? Good for you! What are you gonna do with your bike? Are you gonna rip along dirt trails or race your friends on the BMX track? Are you gonna show off, doin’ some serious stunts on the streets of your neighborhood or down at the local skate park? Or are you searching for some big air, jumping ramps in the backyard? “Why does it matter?”, you ask. Well, you want to buy the right bike, don’t you?
Yes, that’s right. BMX bikes come in different styles for different uses. Generally you can put them into three classes:
The racing style BMX is probably the most common BMX bike. These bikes are great for racing along dirt trails or up and down the jumps and berms of the race track. They feature knobby tires for getting a grip on the slippery terrain, a strong, lightweight frame and a strong rear brake to pull you up when you need to stop.
The freestyle BMX is the most popular bike down at the skate park. They have really strong frames designed to take the punishment that their fearless riders dish out on a daily basis. To match the strong frame, they also need some strong wheels, and as the tires are usually in the air or on the pavement, they aren’t as knobby as their racing cousins. And as these bikes are built for tricks and stunts, they’ll have axle pegs sticking out from the hubs on the back and front wheels.
The dirt jumping bike is virtually a cross between the racing and freestyle bike. They have the very sturdy frames of the freestyle bikes while having the knobby tires of the racing bikes. As the name suggests, they are built for jumping but they are also handy on the trails as well.
So, once you have chosen the style of riding you want to do, you’ll be able to narrow down your choice of bike to one of these three types. If you’re a beginner, then you may want to go for a racing BMX as these allow you to get out on the track and will have you learning the basics in no time.
When you know what sort of riding you want to do, then you’ll have to consult your bank balance to see how much you can spend. As BMXing has become such a highly specialized sport, then you can pay a lot of money for a great BMX with really hot components. Not everyone will be able to afford a top notch bike straight up, but with today’s huge range, you’re sure to find a great bike within your budget.
Whether you’re tearing up the tracks and trails, hitting the pavement with some radical new tricks or jumping that wobbly, home made ramp in the backyard, you’re sure to find a BMX to suit your style…and your budget.
James Sanford
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/choosing-the-right-bmx-ripping-up-trails-getting-air-or-serious-stunts-111044.html
BMX Bike Parts Are Bringing Power And Delicacy Together
Earlier, bikes were being manufactured with a simple frame and a fork assembly, including a couple of wheels and a seat. Now, with the introduction of the BMX Bike Parts, the fashion has undergone a huge change.
Many additional features have been introduced to turn the BMX bikes all the more unique and contemporary. The BMX bikes are the latest additions to biking, representing power and passion.
The BMX bikes have many additional features for executing different stunts. The addition of the foot pegs to the front and rear axles have made it easy for bikers to perform various tricks and maneuvers.
The bikers can simply stand on the front pegs and spin the rest of the bike around. It also helps to perform summersaults in mid air. Riding the BMX bikes in the neighborhood or in your backyard is great fun.
The frames of BMX bikes are lightweight yet powerful. The frames are usually made of lightweight aluminum and are rustproof. They come in different sizes and patterns, ranging from the mini to the full size ones.
The diameters of the wheels range from the normal 20-inch to the 24 inch Cruiser. The lighter wheels are the unique features of the BMX bikes. The top tubes are generally 20 to 21 inches long.
A linear pull brake offers the ultimate grip, and helps the rider to restrict his speed. The bolt-on components like standing pegs, platform for the frame, the chain stays and the brakes have helped these bikes with supreme maneuverability and safety.
The BMX tires are thus, the best known for speed and traction. There are other unique features, like the handlebars, the small saddles, long cranks, and rear handbrakes. Besides, the linear pull brake offers the ultimate grip for maximum stopping power.
How To Ride the Bikes Safely
A few safety measures should be maintained during the ride.
There should be padding on the frames top tube.
There should be atleast a single working brake.
The kickstand, the chainguards, fenders and reflector brackets should be well maintained.
The BMX bikes are specially designed for racing. Nowadays, the kids too ride the bikes in order to reach the school earlier. These bikes have gained a huge popularity over the past decade. By the mid 90’s the biking styles have changed. The differentiations in frame and riding style have brought the uniqueness to the BMX bikes. Thus, the beauty and pulse of biking have undergone a sea of change.
There are places where the individual parts are kept for practicing the riding skills. With the help of these well-manufactured parts, the bikers regularly experiment with their skills too. Moreover, the popular X-games, extensively sponsored, are played with the BMX bikes.
Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/bmx-bike-parts-are-bringing-power-and-delicacy-together-113644.html
An In Depth Look At The Ever Popular BMX Bikes
Sales of BMX bikes are increasing faster than almost any other type of bicycle. BMX bikes can be seen on every street, sidewalk and even in their natural habitat, off-road. Even if you never leave your house you’ve certainly seen such bikes on TV. Sure, you probably know what a BMX bike is, but what you probably don’t know is what exactly differentiates a BMX bike from other bikes. We’ll tell you how they’re different.
We’ll start with their origin. It’s quite simple, really. Bikes remained pretty much the same for many decades after they were invented, but the popularity of off-road motorcycle racing, or motocross, during the 60’s changed that. Kids saw the pros racing around on their dirt bikes and taking them off dirt ramps. They wanted to be like their heroes so kids imitated them on their bikes, which, at the time, weren’t made for such rough-housing. It didn’t take long for bike manufacturers to catch on and start manufacturing bikes made specifically for the rigors of racing and jumping off-road. Soon there were sanctioned bicycle motocross (BMX) all over the country. The BMX segment of the market grew and grew and continues to expand today. And of course most the kids (and adults) you see on these bikes don’t ever race and probably don’t jump them off anything more daring than a curb. Still though, BMX bikes are made to take a beating.
Now, to discuss the physical attributes of the BMX bike which makes it different from other bikes. The particular features can be narrowed down to the frame, the wheels/tires, the brakes, and the gears.
The frame on BMX bikes is designed to be very light so it can be easily maneuvered and very strong so it can withstand the stresses of jumping and racing. The light weight of a BMX frame is also important because a lighter bike can save you valuable seconds in a close-fought BMX race. Aluminum and chrome-moly steel are the two materials most favored by BMX’ers. Regular bikes are usually made from cheap grades of steel prone to rusting or even breaking when put under a lot of stress.
Another distinguishing feature of BMX bikes are their wheels and tires. Most BMX bikes have 20″ rims, of course they can also be purchased in other sizes. There is the 12″ size for young children just learning to ride. These days kids are learning to ride bikes before they learn to read! The next size up is the 16″ wheel. These bikes are mostly used by kids from the ages of 8 to 12. Once they enter the teen years, most kids ride the 20″ bikes. This is the size favored by many adults and pros, as well. There are BMX bikes with even larger wheels or in-between sizes but they aren’t as popular.
The tires on BMX bikes are different from conventional road bikes. They’re knobby to give them excellent traction on dirt trails and tracks. In fact, they’re very similar to mountain bike tires, just smaller.
Speaking of mountain bikes, such rides often have as many as 21 gears! Road bikes and beach cruisers typically don’t have that many but they do range from 3 to 18 speeds. BMX bikes, on the other hand, have just one gear. They have one sprocket up front and one on the back wheel. That’s it, they use just one gear because they’re made for all-out sprints and to have precise control for freestyle tricks.
Another feature which differentiates BMX bikes from conventional bikes are their brakes. BMX bikes often have just a rear brake. Having a front brake increases the likelihood of accidentally using just the front one and causing an accident. Plus, racers don’t need the extra braking power because they don’t want to slow down! A BMX bike made for doing tricks will have a front brake, though.
BMX bikes also usually come with pads to protect the rider during accidents and wrecks, which can happen a lot during races. Most racers don’t bother with pads, though, they’re too cool for that. If the bike does have pads, they’re usually on the top bar, handlebar clamp, and the handlebar crossbar.
BMX bikes are a booming business, and their popularity has increased across almost all segments of the market. You can often see BMX riders on televised competitions and commercials. BMX bikes are being ridden by all sorts of people, from professional riders to five year olds just having fun, adults who never grew out of them, and everyone in between.
BMX bikes are available in a range of sizes to accommodate all types of riders and all ages. They also have many specialized features to suit a variety of uses. There are, of course, a wide range in prices, too. If you are considering buying a bike for yourself or someone else, your best source of information are the people at your local bike shop. There’s also tons of reliable information online. The two main issues you need to consider are how the bike is going to be used and how much you are willing to spend. From there it’s up to you.
Gregg Hall
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/an-in-depth-look-at-the-ever-popular-bmx-bikes-66426.html
BMX Bikes Are For Those Who Like To Live On The Edge
BMX Bikes are specially designed bicycles for racing on sandy and hilly tracks. Apart from racing on hilly terrains, bikers also perform tricks on flat grounds, wooden ramps and trails.
Earlier, bikes were manufactured with an assembled frame and fork, with two wheels and a seat. BMX bicycles originated in the state of California in the late 60s, but it was not until the beginning of 1961 that the bikes achieved great popularity. The manufacturers then began to produce these bicycles frequently.
BMX tricks and stunts are now very popular among the teenagers. There are numerous clubs and organizations where people can come to try their hands out on the BMX bicycles and practice the skills and tricks. With these early practices, the young bikers get acquainted with the common problems that may occur during the ramp performances.
Bike tricks are not easy for bikers. The stunts are quite tough to perform and you should undergo tough rehearsals in order to get fully ready. Some of the difficult tricks are like standing on the front pegs, and spinning the rest of the bike around. The skillful bikers can even summersault in the air. It may take lots of practice to master these tricks.
While riding the bicycles you should have ample protection. You must protect your elbows, knees and most importantly your head with the helmet. If you are interested in a look at the toughest BMX competitions, the X games on various sports channels can help you out.
The Designs Of BMX Bicycles
The main features of the bike:
1. Straight tubes
2. Gusseted frames
3. Reinforced handlebars
4. Powerful mag wheels
5. Long crankarms
6. Steel rims
7. Coaster brakes
The bike producers manufacture bikes with light body. The body of this bike is made of aluminum or chromium and molybdenum for frames and steel for the rims. Aluminum is also used for rims, freewheels and caliper brakes. The 24-inch versions of BMX bicycles are called Cruisers.
The frames of these bicycles are made to be very light and maneuvered accordingly, so that it can weather the blows while racing and jumping. Moreover, a light bike can save you precious minutes in a close race.
The tires of BMX bicycles are quite different from the road bikes. They are knobby with excellent traction and power. Another aspect that distinguishes the BMX tires from the others is in the construction of their wheels. Generally the rims are of 20 inches, but there can be different sizes too.
Sometimes the BMX bicycles fall hard and that is why the manufacturers have introduced Cro Moly tube sets to the BMX bicycles. A BMX bike with smaller gear set-ups reduce the weight of the bikes by using chain rings, smaller rear drivers, and shorter chain length.
Sales of these bicycles are much higher than the other ones. Bikes can be seen with every fashionable bike rider, on sidewalks and in their natural habitat. Instead of competing with anyone, a simple ride would be much more comfortable. While riding you have to be very conscious, and should not make too much experiments with your tricks. Do not forget to wear a helmet whenever you are riding.
Thus, the BMX bicycles are both, fashionable and powerful, providing you the ultimate passion for fashionable biking.
Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/bmx-bikes-are-for-those-who-like-to-live-on-the-edge-101423.html
Paragliding Safety And Stats
The good news is, it’s safer than it’s Extreme Sports image would have you think. Of all the so-called Extreme Sports, paragliding has perhaps the widest range of participants. In Japan, you will find old people serenely gliding across dormant volcano slopes. Through the Alps in France, you might spot daring young men pushing the limits of their skills and their paragliders while flying cross-country in challenging conditions.
Have you never flown in a paraglider, either alone or in a tandem wing? Are you hankering to just ‘give it a try’, but not yet sure whether you actually want to take it up as a sport? If the answer to both questions is ‘yes’, then this article is for you.
The advertisers of paragliding adventure holidays take advantage of the sport’s currently good safety record. You might see lines such as this:
“Bali Adventure Paragliding is safe, secure and is a totally new experience not to be missed.”
Well, the second bit is totally true, the first bit might be glossing over the occasional twisted ankle or bruise from beginners attempting their very first landings. But under ideal tourist-flying conditions, yes, it’s pretty safe and secure! And of course, you can’t go wrong if you are under a tandem wing with an instructor doing all the flying.
Now of course, every sport has its risks. Also, aviation in general has it’s risks. So Paragliding, being both an adventure sport and a form of aviation, also has a degree of risk. When it comes to safety though, the aviation side of paragliding is all-important. All pilots are trained to operate their aircraft safely, by minimizing potential risks. In some cases it’s a matter of pure judgement such as during an approach and landing. Or it might mean sticking rigidly to a check list while preparing to leave the ground. The joy of flying, year after year after year, is the reward for doing it right.
It has been said that paragliding is as safe or as dangerous as the pilot makes it. There’s a lot of truth in this, from at least a couple of angles. Firstly, pilot’s choose what conditions to fly in. Secondly, they choose how far to stretch their piloting skills. Let’s make an analogy with driving a motor vehicle now.
A learner driver can choose to drive around the back blocks for a while, or head straight out onto the freeway at rush hour. That’s choosing driving conditions.
Secondly, he or she can choose to observe the speed limits and traffic signs, or push the pedal to the metal while running red lights and overtaking everyone in the way. That’s choosing how far driving skills are pushed!
Just for a moment, let’s consider what the most dangerous thing about paragliding might be. Many years of experience have led some instructors to believe that this is in fact the ease with which people can learn paragliding! After picking up the basics quite quickly, some novices can start to think that they know a lot more about flying than they really do. This can lead to over-confidence and increased risk-taking. The only way to get really good and fly safely in more challenging conditions is to fly frequently, over a long period of time.
For some reason, people who have a passing interest in paragliding also have an interest in the statistics of the sport. Particularly the fatalities count. Fair enough, I guess we all instinctively try to assess our risk of dying when trying something new and exciting! So let’s get the death-and-gloom out of the way first. The figures are actually quite reassuring, given the many, many thousands of people flying and the flight hours they are accumulating.
The stats for horse-riding and paragliding make for an interesting comparison. And… you guessed it, more people die from being thrown off a horse than crashing a paraglider!
In a similar vein, I came across an insurance report that listed paragliding fatalities per participant to be less than motorcycle riding. Now that doesn’t surprise me, I’ve never trusted those things! ;) Motorbikes that is.
Another outdoor activity which compares with paragliding in terms of injury rate per participant is snowmobiling. Of which I know nothing, coming from The Great Dry Flat Land, Australia. :)
Despite there being quite a few thousand active paraglider pilots in the U.S. during 2005, only 3 people died in paraglider accidents. This continued a trend towards fewer paragliding fatalities each year in the U.S.
Now, to be accurate and truthful, the situation in Europe has been much worse in recent years, in terms of total fatalities. But in Europe, there are many times as many active pilots as there are in the U.S. And a big percentage of them are ‘pushing the envelope’ by flying in challenging weather over very challenging terrain. The Alps, no less! As a beginner, you will not fit that category, hence those particular stats need not worry you.
Enough of death and dying, I’ll just touch on a couple of U.S. stats now. In 2005, only 50 accident reports relating to paragliding were received, which was a 5 year low. Also in 2005 in the U.S., 32 pilots or passengers suffered paragliding injuries. 15 of these people required an overnight stay in hospital.
Browsing through some material the other day I came across a tandem pilot who has flown many passengers over the years. In all his 350+ hours of tandem flying, he has never had a passenger injured. This should give you a good feeling, since a great way to ‘just try’ paragliding is to go for a flight in a tandem paraglider! The pilot is behind, the passenger hangs in front. Air in your hair, and views to die for…
Josip Sudic
http://www.articlesbase.com/business-articles/paragliding-safety-and-stats-55380.html
Enjoy Great Savings on Sports and Outdoors Equipment
Are you an Outdoor Sports fanatic? Do you love to hike, ski, or play sports, but you are tired of paying high equipment prices? Depending on your favorite sport, the cost for equipment can be thousands. However, there are many different way to save on your next equipment purchase. Consider the following for ways to save a bundle of cash.
1. First of all shop around – Check online and in the papers for equipment for sale. You can also check in your local phone book for sports equipment stores. You will likely find there are many sporting goods and outfitters available in your area. You might even check sites like Craigslist or Deals.com to see if you can find a good deal. Sporting and outdoor equipment can vary largely in price. Make sure you find the best deal.
2. Consider a trade – Many stores will allow you to trade in equipment you no longer use and receive credit you can use to buy the items you need. You might also put an ad in the paper or online classified to see if anyone has what you are looking for. In this case, you might find you have something that you can trade to someone who has your item. If you trade locally, you can probably trade things besides equipment.
3. Check with sports companies – Many local companies that rent equipment or host sporting events will sell older equipment they no longer need. If sports equipment is what you are in search of you might also check with local schools to see if they have equipment for sale. Many of the places offer sales each year.
4. Check online auctions – Many online auction sites will have outdoor or sporting equipment listed. You might just get lucky and win your item for a low bid. Look for items that are ending soon and place the highest bid in the end before someone can enter into a bidding war and make the price go up. You might also check for instant buy offers. However, with this type of site make sure you figure in shipping and handling costs as well.
5. Buy last year’s models – Many stores will offer clearance or close out models when the new models are coming into the store. The new models will generally have few differences for what is currently available. In this case, you get a brand new product at a discounted price just because a new one has come out.
These are all great ways to save money on your next purchase. However, make sure you check the safety of any product you are purchasing. When you are buying harnesses to save you from falling off a cliff or a helmet to protect you during a tackle, you want to make sure you will be protected. Check online review sites to make sure the great deal you found is recommended by people who have tried the product and found it safe and effective. When buying sports and outdoors equipment it is important never to sacrifice price for quality and safety.
Joe Deacon
http://www.articlesbase.com/equipment-articles/enjoy-great-savings-on-sports-and-outdoors-equipment-716733.html
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