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Riding a bike


shrkntz said: "I love my bike and I love to ride it everywhere. 2 days ago I made it about 3 miles without stopping and it took me only 15 minutes. It was after I walked my kids and bike up a hill to school that only took me another 15 minutes. I did not haul tooshie either, I went at a slow steady pace. Nothing hurt either, it has been 2 days and my legs were fine. Maybe I should do it again, it feels great to let go and coast down a hill after a hard bike uphill. I love to ride my bike. I just got my middle son one for a great deal, 60 dollars canadian, very good deal at toys r us. Now all my family has a bike. I can't wait now that the kids are old enough to keep up, we can go on our first bike ride. I sure have gained some new mobility in my legs, muscles starting to show."

shrkntz said: "You have to look around. I saw a awsume nice bike at value village for 20$. I also looked around at garage sales and flea markets. You just have to shop around. My dad found mine for 25$ at a garage sale. It may not be new but it works for me. I bought new tubes for tires for only 5$. I also got new breaks for 20$. It is not as bad as you may think to own one. Plus, I love the scenery and the downhill rides, what a rush!"

Heather said: "You never forget how to ride a bike! Unique is right about finding something that you love doing. It makes working out seem a heck of a lot easier!"

Heather said: "You can find deals on bikes if you look around. Places like Target and Wal-Mart have a nice selection at pretty affordable prices . The last time I looked most were under 200 dollars, and it isn't something you have to replace every year, either."

Heather said: "What are those? Thorns off of a cactus? (Please excuse my ignorance, never been to Texas!)"

Heather said: "Gotcha! I know about mesquite to grill stuff, it gives a good flavor but did not know that they had thorns. Do you guys have stuff like poison ivy and oak down there, too?"

helplesscase said: "Sounds fun. Enjoy! :)"

UniqueMystique said: "It makes all the difference in the world when you find something to do that you love doing. Makes weight loss almost seem effortless."

UniqueMystique said: "Just tubes if you live in the sticks like I do. Mesquite thorns get our bikes all the time. We've had to switch to tubeless tires. :)"

UniqueMystique said: "*Laughing* That's alright, Snap. Mesquite isn't common all over. Mesquites are bushes that grow wild here. Some eventually grow large enough to make trees. They have thorns all over them...long sharp thorns...not like the rosebush variety. Some say that the tips are poisonous...I dunno...I've never had a reaction to them. Many of the BBQ places here cook with mesquite wood....gives meats a great flavor. I can't walk through the pastureland behind me without getting stuck or scratched by mesquite. They also produce a bean that cattle and horses love....but causes collic in them because they bloat up with gas. Some people BBQ by burning the dried beans as well."

UniqueMystique said: "Yup....we sure do. I'd never encountered it until two years ago. Found some poison oak growing up a mesquite tree. I've never touched any of it...and I don't wanna! We also have cactus. Not the tall, arms spread upward, type...but the smaller types. And grassburrs...we call the stickers. Pain in the butt for yards. Another thing you have to dig up by the roots to get rid of them."

UniqueMystique said: "Tips On Buying A Bike by Vicki Pierson, Personal Trainer You’ve made the decision to buy a bike. Now it’s time to start seriously gathering information on how to select the best style for your needs and get a good fit. Here’s some tips that will help you purchase the right bike for your needs. Know Your Type First, you’ll need to decide what you want to use the bike for. Where will you be riding your bike most, on road, off road, or both? The answer will help you determine the type of bike to purchase. There are five basic types of bicycles in three categories that you need to be aware of: Road Bikes. They used to be known as the "ten-speed," however road bikes now range from 12 to 21 speed. Within this category of bikes are touring, racing, and sport bikes. Touring Bike. This bike is not built for speed, rather, it’s designed to provide comfort for the long haul. A touring bike is an excellent bike for long distance riding. The drop handlebars provide comfort, good control and allow for multiple hand positions. Twenty one speeds will take you over any type of incline you’ll encounter and cantilever brakes can stop you even when you’re heavily loaded down. Racing Bike. This bike is built for speed, sporting an aerodynamic, thin and ultralight frame. A short wheelbase allows the bike to respond to the slightest movements and 12 or 18 gears will get you, and keep you, at top speed. If you’re into winning races, this is the bike for you. Sport Bike. This bike falls between the touring and racing bike. Not as light as a racing bike but more responsive than the touring bike. The sport bike’s drop handlebars provide comfort and control and the aerodynamic design allows for faster speeds. If you’re into taking rides of 10 or more miles while turning up the intensity by adding some speed, this bike can take you there. Mountain or All Terrain Bike. This bike is rugged. Built with a sturdy frame, straight handlebars and fat, knobby tires, it can tackle the rigors of off road riding. The upright riding position on the bike makes it comfortable while giving you leverage for steep inclines. Hybrid Bike. This bike is a cross between the road bike and mountain bike. It’s lighter than a mountain bike, but not as fast as a road bike. Straight handlebars, medium-width tires, 21 gears, and upright riding position makes the bike perfect for short distances, running errands or commuting. The Perfect Fit Once you know which type bike you want, make sure the bike you select fits you properly. There’s essentially two ways to accomplish a good fit. If you want a perfect fit, for about $50, have a quality bicycle shop calculate your bike size using a computerized program called the Fit Kit. They’ll take various measurements such as, length of your legs, torso and arms then give you a printout of your measurements and which frame height and length best suits your body. The second best way to get a good bike fit is to follow these guidelines: Frame Height. Straddle the bike. You should have one to two inches of clearance between the top bar of the bike and your crotch, three to four inches if you’re going to be riding on off-road terrain. If you want to be a little more exact, measure your inseam, straddle the bike, pick it up until the top bar touches your crotch, then measure the distance between the bottom of the tires and ground. Frame Lengths. Be sure when you sit on the bike you can comfortably reach the handlebars. If the handlebars are too far away you won’t have adequate control, if they’re too close you’ll be uncomfortable and tire easily. Seat and Handlebar Adjustment. A quality bike shop will make the necessary adjustments for you to fine tune the fit of the bike. A critical adjustment is seat height. Your knee should have a 25-30 degree bend when the ball of your foot is on the pedal at its lowest position. The handlebars should be one inch lower than, or the same height as, the seat. Check to be sure you can comfortably reach the brakes and that the width of the handlebars are approximately the width of your shoulders. Take a Test Ride. Just like purchasing a car, this is where the rubber meets the road. You should feel comfortable and in control. Your elbows should be relaxed with a slight bend and squeezing the brake levers should be easily accomplished. Slide your rear back off the saddle, stand up on the pedals, flex and round your back, and move your hands to various positions on the handlebars to assure you can move around on the bike easily while it’s in motion. Accessorize Once you select the bike to purchase, you’ll want to get some accessories to go with it. Most important is a helmet. You may also want to consider a tire pump, tube repair kit, pressure gauge, seat pack, water bottle and cage and a lock. The bicycle shop can help you select these and install them on your bike. Depending on how much you spend on your bike, you may be able to convince the salesperson to throw in some of the accessories at no charge. Enjoy the ride."

Holly said: "That sounds like a lot of fun! I would like to get a new bike. That is one of the things I'm going to get with any graduation ($) gifts that come my way."

lotusleaf said: "the only bike i have is an exercise bike upstairs! want to get a proper one and get the fresh air too-yiure right-you never forget how to ride a bike!"

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