Trail/Road Riding Edequate

I’m coming to the base of a large hill, looking into the distance at the large hill that haunts my near future, as I am coming upon the 27^th mile of my 35 mile ride on a nice spring afternoon. As my tires are gliding on the white line and my mind wonders, my attention is suddenly directed at a streak of blue coming straight for me. I take a glance to my left and see a small Dodge truck, coming right at me. I cant do anything now but hope that this guy doesn’t hit me. Me going at a clip of 26mph, and the truck pushing 45, I know that this cant be good. As the truck gets closer I hear a loud rumble of his engine as he accelerates in direction of me. Foot by foot the truck nears me. Its done for me, I think. But then at the last second the truck pulls a hard right and accelerates off into the distance. I take a deep breath, and let my brain recapture what just had happened. As I organize my thoughts I become consumed with anger, at the ignorance and stupidity of this driver.

This like many situations are the unneeded actions, that drivers undergo on desolate country roads, in aggressions to innocent bikers. These types of actions are the actions, are those that cause catastrophic endings. One mistake of calculation by myself or the driver would have left me dead on the side of the road, due to the stupidity and aggression that the driver hazardley had expressed. Road rage is an unneeded action that causes an assortment of crashes and accidents every year, that could otherwise be avoided. The release of ones anger, is not worth someone’s life. So next time share the road and respect the bikers on your streets.

Road etiquette is very important just like that of a bike trail. The sharing of the road between the bikers, or recreational users should be given equal respect from the drivers, because actually bikers have the right of way to cars. Passing slowly with a reasonable distance is ideal for safety on the trails and roads that bikers inhabit. A “on your left”, can be a simple action that helps avoid any accidents on the trails. So next time your either biking or driving remember that these ideas and put them into practice.



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Triathlon Work Outs 101

Are you an experienced triathlete, looking to get an edge on your competitions by working smarter and not harder? Or are you a person who is just looking to get in shape to complete their first triathlon? Well if you said yes to either of these questions… then I have some answers. Without any guidance or coaching, it can be very difficult to know how much, when, and where to train. Some people believe that if they just train for one particular part of the triathlon that this will improve every part of there triathlon. And to some extent this belief is true, but not fully true. One must work all of the muscles through the various exercise, and gain the technique for each.

Swimming can be one of the hardest areas to know how to train for. You will not benefit from just going to your local pool and swimming for an hour straight at a moderate pace. This method does not get your heart rate up, and causes one to loose focus on technique easily. Instead of these long, meaningless swims, it is better to break up your workout into different sets, that vary in distance, speed, and muscle focus. One can access these particular sets from pre made work outs, focused on their particular swim distance.

Bike training like swimming and running needs to have a focus for each work out, even if one day is an easy over distance ride. Bike work outs obviously need to be altered around the particular distance that one is training for. But some general work outs, include, hill repeats with active rest, speed intervals with active rest, recovery days, over distance rides, and time trials. All of these work outs can, also be done indoors on a trainer. A trainer can be very useful, because many times it could be an inconvenience for you to ride while its still light, or the weather could plague you. The trainers then allows you to still get your work out in for the day.

The run portion can be related strongly to bike training with its proportional distances, of its varying work out types. One tip for running, that varies from the other portions of the triathlon is, not to overdue your mileage and hard days. Its good to have frequent recovery days for running that come after a interval day.

For the best results, these work outs should increase in length, frequency, and difficulty very gradually.

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Needs and Wants for Bikes

Everyone has needs, and wants, and for many bike enthusiasts, bike accessories can be the next thing that gets you excited to ride your bike more. Not only can bike accessories, aren’t what some people may say, are just flashy things that aren’t needed. Most bike accessories and rider accessories are items that are needed, for reasons including safety, performance, and functionality. Some of the most basic things on a bike are considered an accessory and are a highly needed item.

            Accessories, now can be broken up into both mechanical and cosmetic needs. Mechanical needs are those that will help one in performing the task of biking. Some mechanical accessories, increase speed, while others create endless hours of joy. One main mechanical accessory, that can even change your whole aspect of your biking experience, is the seat that you are riding on. It would seem obvious that your seat should be suited to your riding type, because I mean that’s where the majority of you weight is held while riding. Seats can vary from narrow, wide, squishy, firm, suspended, and non-suspended, depending on your preferences, and riding style. Throughout the bike other changes can be made including upgrades to your fork, grips, handle bar, wheels, tires, pedals and derailleurs. These can have drastic effect on the bikes performance, and ridibility. I believe that two of the largest upgrades that you can make to your bike include, your wheels, and shifting derailleurs. You may notice that these to accessories/upgrades, are two of the four things that move on your bike, but are the only two things that allow you to move forward. Decreased weight, fluidity, rolling resistance, and increased precision are the factors that you will experience after upgrading these two items.

            Along with mechanical add ons, you may also be intrigued to purchase, cosmetic items including, lights, clothes, hydration options, and packs/racks. Clothing can bring you the next fashion, along with increased comfort ability. Lights can be used for the purpose of lighting a dark path, or just simply increasing your visibility to drivers on the road that you may be riding on, both of which are very important. Hydration is essential during strenuous activity, and can be seen as bottle cages, or camel backs. Finally if you are traveling on long trips, you might need to carry lots of clothes and items, which packs and racks come in handy, which come in various options and sizes that can be placed all across your bike.

            So go out there and enjoy your ride to the fullest, with the consideration of all of these accessories.

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Sports Nutrition (Triathlons)

Nutrition, just to the general public is important, but is especially important for those consistently using their bodies to their full potentials. The science and technology of nutrition and just food in general has been drastically changed not just within the last century, but also the last ten years.

Nutrition and hydration are very important within the sporting world and could be what gets you the next level of performance. Different types of foods and drinks should be consumed before , during, and after committing long and strenuous exercise and physical exertion. For the purpose of my particular interests and my challenging decisions that I am presently making I am going to focus on nutrition during , before, and after a triathlon workout or race.

Before one can start and maintain any exerting activity one most be adequately hydrated. Hydration can and should be consumed through a variety of different drinks that all exemplify different characteristics that allow for one to maintain a balanced diet. One most maintain a good level of calcium, electrolytes, protein, and vitamins in their drinks. So just water will not qualify. Now for the leading hours into a work out one should be gradually consuming a good amount of fluids which should be mostly water with something similar to/or Gatorade. This gives your body the hydration, electrolytes, sugars, and sodium to prep one for an activity after eating a supplementary meal prior to a work out.

During a race one must maintain the sugars, salts, and electrolytes to replenish the body. These nutrients can come from energy packs (with or with out caffeine) (GU), energy chews, or drinks such as Gatorade or what ever preference you may have. All foods surrounding and during the time that you are working out should be tested before the race, in order to ensure that they sit well with you.

Finally following a work out it is vital that all levels of electrolytes, sugars, and salts must be reached through hydration and eating a good snack such as a protein bar. A protein bar not only feeds your cravings but it will also help you rebuild muscle.

So to recap: One must eat a good meal, and hydrate well before, maintain energy during the race by eating sugars, caffeine, and salts, while still hydrating, then after one must replenish any lost nutrients along with consuming high levels of protein in order to build muscle.

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Summmerize Your Car

Are you a person that lives in an area that has both hot summers and cold and snowy winters, like we do here in Iowa? Well if you do, and participate in transportation involving any type vehicle such as a car, than you have probably heard of the process of winterizing your car. But what you may not have heard, or may not have thought that it was as important is called summarizing your car. Yes, yes that’s not a misspelling on my part, I actually did mean summarizing.

So if you have winterized your car before you may have changed your oil, changed tires, changed tire pressure, and added accessories inside of your car to fend the ordeals of winter with, but have you had the same approach to your car, as the waning weeks of March and April are upon you? Well if you haven’t considered these ideas, it might be useful if you did, for not only your but also you and your wallet.

Some things that people do in the winter to prep their cars include getting beefier tires, heavier oil, and raised tire pressure. Well as one might expect, to summarize your car, many of these processing given for winterization can just be reversed. First of all if you are interested in saving more money in the long run, than it would be strongly advisable to replace your large winter tires and wheels, with lighter and smaller tires with less tread. These highway tires can be bought at your local car dealer. Another changed that could benefit you in the summer is a lighter and thinner oil. A thicker oil is used in the winter in order to decrease freezing and create a better greaser fluidity. Well this excess thickness could actually hinder your cars driving efficiency, as for in the summer a thinner oil is a much better lubricant. This thinner oil can be used faster and does not clog up in hot weather. One last change to increase your cars driving performance in the winter is to increase your tire pressure. In the winter sometimes people will run their tires at a lower pressure due to the snowy roads, but in the summer the least amount of rubber surface area touching the road the better. This less surface area and harder tire will greatly increase your gas mileage, which yet again will cushion your wallet.

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Bike Transportation

As the times of the last few generations have changed and the migration of peoples from city from rural areas has been in transformation, so has the accessibility for bikers across the United States. For millions across America the ability to just step out of your door and go on a nice and peaceful bike ride has greatly diminished. Most people now live in an area where a busy road way poses a hazardous blockade to their favorite set of trails, paths, or open country road. If this is you, and you feel like you are missing out on the cycling action, then a form of bike transportation may be needed.

Some adequate options for bike transportation include just throwing your bike into the bed of a truck to even strapping it on like a gigantic star on small Christmas tree to your tiny little compact car. Although some people have formulated ways to fit their bikes inside the cabin of their small cars, one option that could alleviate the headaches that come with this ordeal is called a bike rack.

Bike racks come in a large array of options that are sure to be compatible to your car and liking. Car racks have been constructed by various companies over the years that are aimed at all car types, including SUVs, trucks, and even, yes, your small compact car. A SUV and truck hitch rack usually sits uprights and is probably the easiest way to carry a number of bikes. Most of these racks have the capacity to carry up to 4 bikes with safety. Hitch racks are also, in my point of view, the easiest type of rack to maneuver and user friendly. Not only are these racks easy to use, but they are the sturdiest kind of bike rack that one could purchase.

Another type of car rack that has been built and used over the years is aimed for the smaller cars. These racks usually only carry up to 2 bikes, and are less sturdy and user friendly. These types of racks strap onto the trunk of ones car. These types of racks are cheaper though.

If you are a person that is a little more mechanically able, then a roof rack also is a great option for a bike rack, which is very sturdy, but less user friendly. With a roof rack, one most hoist the bike onto the roof after removing the front wheel from the frame, and setting it onto its strap holds.

One last rack type that has been recently made is used for trucks. These racks use a small front wheel holder in the bed of the truck in order to secure the bike while it is standing up, instead of laying it down.

So after hearing these various options it might be useful to consider paying a few hundred dollars to make your life a little easier, and giving you the capability to go ride anywhere that your heart desires.

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Cars That Dont Makle Sense (Pontiac Grand Prix GXP)

So as I have talked about in a couple of my previous blogs, some people love to really enjoy their cars, by pushing them to the limits. Not only do people like to push their cars to the limit, by going off the concrete, but others like to push the speed and agilities limits of their vehicles on the road. For many these types of cars that are meant to be pushed on the roads, are called sports cars. Most sports cars are either all wheel drive or rear wheel drive and exhibit a low profile along with a large amounts of power and speed. One very central concept to a sports car is being only two doors. Now knowing all of these qualifications you should have a better understanding of why I just don’t really understand the formation of the Pontiac Grand Prix GXP.

The Pontiac Grand Prix has been in development since the 1970s and has been known for its stylish looks and speed. Up until the 2000s the Grand Prix had been rear wheel drive accompanied with a powerful v8 engine. At this turning point of the century Pontiac came up with a newer idea of making a cheaper sports car. This new idea might have been the deciding factor in their down fall in 2010.

Although the exterior of the Grand Prix GXP is pretty presentable with its sleek look and 20 inch aluminum wheels, the mechanical side of the car really puts the whole car down. To start off, the GXP has been designed to compete in the sports car class but doesn’t have the technology to compete with cars, such as the Camero or Mustang. Although the GXP has the fire power to get it across the track with its large V8 that produces 304hp, it doesn’t have the body geometry and drive train to complement this power. TO begin the GXP is front wheel drive which provides a large obstacle in handling due to over steering. Along with that, the GXP is a four door beast that is very heavy and difficult to maneuver. So in a sense all of the power that this fairly good engine makes is being absolutely wasted. This car like many that I have talked about it my blog doesn’t really have an exact purpose in mind which therefore appeals to a very select crowd of people in the car world.

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Cars That Dont Make Sense Pt 2 (Hyundai Santa Fe)

Yes, cars have been a great invention, that was helped man kind get to where it is today, but sometimes I just wonder why some certain cars where even made. I mean some cars JUST DON’T MAKE SENSE. I am not just ranting about these types of cars, just to fulfill my inner anger, but more as to give you some “friendly” advice on what cars NOT to buy.

One car that I can not stand, is the Hyundai Santa Fe (2001-2006). This SUV like the Pontiac Aztec has really no purpose. The Santa Fe is designed as an SUV. Ill reiterate the fact that a SUV stands for Sports Utility Vehicle, which means it is made to be able to conquer any condition or terrain thrown at it. Like the Aztec, the Santa Fe faces both cosmetic and mechanical hardships that pull away from its value and off roading ability.

To begin, a car must have an appealing look or most people will be surely turned away before they even set foot in a vehicle. And this unappealing look is exactly what the Santa Fe exemplifies. I really don’t know if anyone could make a more ugly SUV. I mean this car has lines that just don’t make sense along with a very “bubbly” and irregular shape. An SUV is also supposed to be able to hold large amounts of cargo, which yet again the Santa Fe fails to do.

Now if the ugly exterior and inadequate interior hasn’t turned you away from this horrific SUV, than the mechanical design surely will. Between the years 2001 and 2006 the Santa Fe only offered all wheel drive for a select amount of cars, with the others given only front wheel drive. Along with its confusing drive train this car produces very little horsepower with its weak V6. And even if this vehicle were to have a larger engine it would have much difficulty going anywhere past the open road due to its, stock highway tires, and limited ground clearance for an SUV.

So after viewing these mechanical difficulties, it can be concluded that the Santa Fe is a very weak, dysfunctional, cheap, and ugly SUV in m point of view. Why not buy a SUV, that will actually do the job that it was intended to do? That is the real question, that the Santa Fe, does not have an answer to.

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Best of the Off Roading Vehicles

As cars have devolved over history they have made some very large bounds in technology, which has urged many to push cars to there limits and conquer some amazing feats. Cars have been pushed to their limits in a variety of categories including speed, agility, and off roading ability. For many the freedom of off roading has caused a increased amount of interest in off roading vehicles and the sport of off roading.

Off roading consists of driving through all types of conditions including, rain, mud, sand, snow, water, and rocks. Along with this variety of conditions presented an of roading vehicle has to be able to withstand a lot of beating and needs to be able to ascend the steepest inclines.

When people first think of off roading they think of only a jeep right? Well if this explains you, I can inform you that there are many other SUVs and trucks that have been strictly been produced with those off road enthusiasts in mind. The Jeep as although the first off roading vehicle that was mass produced. The Jeep made its first appearance on the market in World War 2. The Jeep was made to transport soldiers across large distances through any conditions. The Jeep was small and agile and had the ability to carry many soldiers and supplies across the must rugged terrain. After World War 2 ended many of the soldiers were in love with their experiences on a Jeep. With this large amount of interest in these vehicles, Jeep began to produce these cars for the everyday driver. Since the production of the Jeep other SUVs and trucks have walked in its path with increased technology and off roading abilities.

Some of these vehicles that have descended from the Jeep have been, the Ford Bronco, Ford Raptor, Land Rover models, and the Mercedes 6x6. Although this is only a few of the many SUVs and trucks that have been produced within the last few decades these give a very good representation of what has come after the first building of the Jeep.

The Ford Bronco was first produced in the late 1900s, and was a very rugged and simple looking SUV that sat very high off the ground. The Ford Raptor has been produced for around 10 years now and is probably the most well known off roading truck with its very large v8 engine. The Land Rover now not only represents its off roading characteristics but also its luxury. Because I mean who wouldn’t want both luxury and off roading abilities? Although these SUVs are very capable none of these can match the Mercedes 6x6. I mean it just makes sense this SUV with 6 wheels turning is obviously better than just 4. And not only is this SUV off road ready but its Mercedes interior engineering gives it the technology and luxury that could satisfy anyone.

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Car Park

Car park. What does that mean to you. For most of you, you are probably thinking something along the lines of a car being parked. To me and to many other car enthusiasts it means something totally different.

Car park to me means, a recreational area in which individuals can come to have fun with their cars, by driving through many different tracks, courses, trails, and other challenging obstacles, that push not only the cars abilities but also the persons driving skills.

This is one thing that I as a car advocate believe that Cedar Rapids should build. Although there are many areas in which cars have the ability to drive fast and test their cars on off road trials and drifting roads, most of the times is either bothersome to the area or population, or is unsafe. As a person who likes to drive fast and drift, I know that Seminal Valley in Cedar Rapids is about the only public area that is somewhat suitable for such driving. But even Seminal Valley poses many problems, because it is park where families go to have picnics along with many other activities. These types of activities can cause a problem with both the safety of a driver and the person but also the contentment between such actions. This is why I believe that Cedar Rapids should build a Car Park. Not only would this construction benefit people who enjoy driving cars, but it would benefit the entire community. See, if a car park was built it would decrease the amount of obnoxiously fast driving that goes on, on the road ways of Cedar Rapids which would increase the safety of Cedar Rapids. Another way in which this type of attraction would benefit the community would be because it would provide income to the city, due to the charge that could be given to use the park.

This type of car park, should exemplify things such as a 1 mile long drag strip, a circuit, a oval, a dirt/gravel circuit, and rugged off road trails with many obstacles including rocks, mud, water, logs, and sand.

So start the movement. Bring a car park to Cedar Rapids. It would benefit the entire community and make Cedar Rapids roads safer, and more peaceful. Its time for change this would be a very very very great addition to the Cedar Rapids Metro community in Iowa.

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Endurance Sports Injury Prevention and Treatment

Being a good athlete whether you a cyclist or not is very dependent on many factors. One of these factors is health. Now I am not only meaning health as in sickness, but also health as in injury. I think everyone can say that being injured sucks. It hurts, and it can take one away from what her or she loves to do. I for one can speak to this statement, due to many different instances. I am here to share with you some experiences which have helped me to learn how to avoid injury.

As a very active and busy person I have come into conflict with injury in many different situations including, running, baseball, and biking. I have had injuries that range from tendonitis, sprained ankle, bursitis, broken arms, legs, collar bone, along with many other pains that have slowed my progression of improving in sports down. Now one might expect that I have learned something about how to stay injury free, and I sure have.

To keep injury to come and haunt your life as a endurance athlete it is very important to first work into you intense work outs gradually with less mileage. If one were to jump into something that their body isn’t ready for to early, one could suffer things such as tendonitis, pulled muscles, bursitis, and stress fractures. As I am writing this blog post, I can give you a first hand example of how things such as stress fractures can happen. After coming off of 2 surgeries on my tibia and broken fibula I went through 2 seasons of running with limited to running due to leg pains including shin splints. After starting track this spring about a month and half ago I thought that this season was going to be different as my legs felt strong and pain free. But after the beginning of March my hypothesis was very wrong. I began to feel a strong pain just below my knee, and after a couple weeks of resting and nothing getting better I was diagnosed with a stress fracture to my right tibia. I believe my injury like many other peoples, came from compensation from another injury. One shouldn’t start their workouts until they can complete the task in a normal manner.

Okay so that’s what you should know before you begin your endurance sport. But once you have began doing your workouts its vital to stretch a couple times a day, along with rolling out and getting massages, as tightness of muscles can cause a wide variety of injuries. If an onset of pain occurs, one should ice and decrease the intensity of a work out to decrease inflammation. If the pain doesn’t get any better an appointment with a doctor is necessary. I hope this helped a little. Good luck with your next season.

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The Pontaic Aztec (POS)

Some cars just don’t make sense. Whether its mechanically or cosmetic some cars just don’t do it for me. Many car companies across the world have tried new things in cars that should just never be seen again on the road.

One car that I really don’t like is the Pontiac Aztec. I mean okay, I give Pontiac props for trying to produce an SUV, but they really went in the wrong direction with this car. To start off with this car is supposed to be an SUV, but exemplifies little characteristics of an actual SUV. As the word SUV means (sports utility vehicle), it is meant to be able to do about anything you ask it to with whatever the road…or not road has in store, whether it be rain, snow, ice, dirt, gravel, mud, or steep inclines. Alright now that you know what an SUV is actually supposed to do I will go on with the flaws that this car poses. First an SUV should have the option of 4 wheel drive, which the Aztec does not have. Not only does the Aztec not have 4 wheel drive, but it actually has front wheel drive, which is in my point of view the worst drive train that an SUV could have. Another mechanical problem the Aztec poses is its very little technology and very low end parts. Along with these many implications the Aztec also doesn’t have anything more than a V6 that makes its wheels turn. So not only does this car have the worst drive train but it is moved by a very weak and cheap engine.

Okay now that I have gotten over the mechanical issues with this car its time to start talking cosmetic characteristics. So if this car obviously has now SUV capabilities, one might expect for this car to have some head turning looks, but that person would be very wrong. I mean this car is one of the ugliest cars I think a car company could produce. Along with its boxy frame, it has a large window placed in the back which not only looks bad, but also poses many safety problems. I see this car as having no useful purpose or stunning looks, and is probably one of my least favorite cars I have ever seen. This is just one example for the reason that the company of Pontiac has been ran out of business.



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