From France And Beyond: Getting To Know The Tour De France

For most Americans, the initial images that come to mind when one mentions sports are group athletics on a field. Football, baseball, and basketball are the holy trinity of sporting events States-side, but to Europeans, older and more traditional activities reign supreme.

For people in the United States, the idea of a bunch of grown men on bicycles pedaling through the countryside might not seem like a big deal. Worse yet, there might even be gross misjudgment in place that makes it seem like a delicate or easy endeavor to participate in.

The biggest mistake that people make when thinking about The Tour de France is thinking the race just lasts for a couple of days, or is actually not that long, but is spread out time-wise. In reality, the race is thousands of miles long, usually lasts for 21 days of continuous riding, and has been known not just to span France, but the surrounding countries, too. Riders have to navigate some of the steepest and most dangerous roads in France, and must be in peak physical shape to even think about doing a good job.

In fact, a number of riders have actually not survived The Tour de France, whether it was succumbing to heart attacks after ingesting methamphetamine while climbing part of the hills, or simply not being able to keep a bicycle on the road in times of great exhaustion. Riding the race has been compared to running in a marathon non-stop for a month, and it’s no wonder why this seems an appropriate description once viewers take a single look at those treacherous mountain passes.

Though most of the accidents seem to occur during stretches through crowded mountain areas, as well as on the more hilly terrain, the race isn’t all climbing and sprinting down mountains. There is a substantial amount of distance endurance riding through moderately hilly countryside, as well as some of the most famous stretches in cities, including that final lap through Paris, where thousands of locals and visitors congregate to see their favorite rider pass through and complete his epic race through France.

Aside from that, the race is known for being daunting emotionally, since much time is spent alone, unsure of one’s standing in the race, and dealing with the very real thought that, after the next hundred miles, 900 more are waiting. It takes a lot out of anyone, even a famous bicyclist, to compete in this race.

And while Americans might not have historically cared very much about bicycle racing, that all changed in recent years.. Not only were all of the Americans hanging on the daily results, but there was a huge rise in the popularity of long distance bicycling. Ever since this historic reign of terror, interest in the race has been the standard.

That one rider, who beat not only The Tour but also managed to triumph over cancer, is none other than Lance Armstrong. At the top of his game, truly, the man managed to win The Tour De France seven times in a row, often far ahead of the other riders. Armstrong is not just a legend to those in his home country, but also to many Europeans, who begrudgingly accepted him as one of the greatest cyclist of our time, and are just as excitedly rooting for him as he takes on the course as they are when their home country favorites whiz by.

And finally the Americans understand what it is that the French, the Swiss, the Italians, and so many others have been enjoying for years and years, since the races’ humble beginnings almost a hundred years ago. It’s not about the sport of bicycling, so much, it’s about the idea of a single person, on their own on the side of a mountain, trying to last until tomorrow. The physical and mental endurance of taking on a race that lasts almost a month is legendary, and no matter what the vehicle, worthy of a great deal of applause.

Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic cyclist knows how crucial hydration is in the sport, at all levels. For this reason, he published the Cycling Water Bottle website, giving free advice on bicycle water bottles

Tags: bikes, biking, cycling, exercise, fitness, health, health and fitness, lifestyle, people, sport, sport and recreation, travel

December 30 2009 | cycling | No Comments »

What Are Motor Pocket Bikes And Which Types Are On The Market?

Mini-motor bike or also know as Motor pocket bikes are a miniature motorcycle. This mini monsters were build for an individual that are young but eager to ride a big and for people that are small enough that could not handle a big bike.

These bikes had been modified or invented out of garage parts that use four-stroke engine and chain for the rear wheel.

Motor pocket bikes only weigh around sixty-five pounds and four feet in height, has a ten inch wheel in diameter. Each pocket bikes has their own horsepower ranges from 2hp to 8hp but often it speeds from twenty-six up to sixty miles per hour. Mini motor bikes today have evolved into different specialized types and designs with the concept of mini motorcycle.

Here are some types of mini bikes today:

1. Mini moto – this is a racing bike that measures fifty cm in height and one meter in length. Powered by a two-stroke engine which is 39cc to 50cc. This bike can reach the speed of seventy kilometer per hour.

2. Pit Bikes – these are scooters like bikes that moves around the pits or areas of motor bike racing. This is the bike being used for some events.

3. Mini bike – a combination of mini moto and a pit bike but it has a wheel size of 10 inches in front and rear with super moto slick tires fitted. This type of mini bikes were perfectly made for competitions and racing, equipped with high-tech catch tanks to avoid possible fluid spillages.

4. Mini chopper – the mini or small version of chopper bikes.

5. Midi motos – this looks like mini moto however, they made this bike bigger than mini moto. The height is different from each other and the engine of this bike is two strokes that usually start at forty seven cc that can speed up from forty eight to sixty four mph.

6. Quad bikes – miniature replica of a four wheeled off-road motorcycles or all terrain bike.

As we all know these bikes are ideal for young children because this is built ideal to their height however in some cities have found that some children uses this even without the supervision of adults or other experts. This caused some cities to ban these types of bikes because of improper safety precautions because these bikes may be small but they can still cause some serious damages too. That is why this is recommended the use of correct personal safety gears to avoid serious injuries.

For more information on mini bikes for kids as well as customer reviews and great deals, visit us now. http://minibikesforkids.net.

Tags: bikes, bikes for kids, family, Kids, mini bike, mini bikes for kids, mini pocket bikes, mini pocket bikes for kids, mini quad bikes, motor pocket bikes, scooters

December 29 2009 | bikes | No Comments »