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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