General

Rail to Trail Projects Reuse History

Everyone has different reasons for taking up cycling as a hobby. Some enjoy the sport aspect of cycling, while others enjoy the recreation. Another way that cycling enthusiasts can enjoy their hobby is through taking a part in living history. The Katy Trail, a 225-mile path in Missouri is one of the largest rail to trail projects in the nation and a way for cyclists to enjoy a historical bike ride.

The route starts in the east at the historic town of St. Charles, which was the launching point of the Lewis and Clark expedition. From St. Charles the trail takes bikers along a route that includes Missouri wine country in and around the area of Hermann, Missouri. Other significant stops include the capital of Jefferson City in the center of the state. The trail concludes at Clinton, which means that the route connects the greater Kansas City area to the greater St. Louis area.

For recreationists this means that the two largest cities in the state have access to a rail to trail network. The historical significance might mean more to railway enthusiasts. The trail restored the Missouri-Kansas-Texas railway, which went by the nickname of M-K-T and then finally Katy. The Katy rail to trail project ensured that the bridges that once allowed trains to travel across the plains and then had been forgotten and nearly reclaimed by nature would once again be used by people.

When you are traveling the trail you may want to test out a vacation rental.

Rather than forgetting history or allowing it to be paved over, the Katy trail reuses history for a new generation. Rail to trail projects opened areas that were previously off limits to tourists and cyclists. And the Katy trail in Missouri offered the particular historical delight of allowing cyclists to walk in the footsteps of the Lewis and Clark expedition. Cycling has always been an adventure, and by offering adventurous new areas through rail to trail projects there are exciting and accessible areas for bike riders.

Filed Under: Cycling, General, Riding Trails Tagged With: Cycling, Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad, Rail trail, Rail transport

Slot Machine Styles in Online Casinos

: Image via Wikipedia

When you’re not ripping across the trails of New Hampshire on your bike, perhaps you enjoy unwinding with some online gaming. There are many players who are not poker fans. For these gamers, there are other options for online casino games. These games range from table games like Roulette to games of chance like Keno. The possibilities are endless and as far ranging as the players themselves. Slots are a very popular style of casino game. Bets begin at one penny per pull and go up to $10 per pull.

The virtual slot machines help bring in newcomers to online casinos. In fact, a good majority of the bonuses that are offered to new players center around the slot machines. There are several types of slot machines available online. The first style is the standard three line slot. Payouts range from a payout per line to jackpot payouts of thousands of dollars. The payout is determined with a bet of one to three lines and must meet the payout table for that particular slot game.

The second type of slot machine uses the three line method; however, the slot reads winnings differently. In this particular style, the winning line can be chosen from a diagonal reading in addition to the standard three line readings. This allows for a better winning ratio chance but may also cost the player more in betting coins.

There are also video poker options where the slot is the dealer and there are no other players. Several casinos offer slot machine options that have as many as 20 or more lines of betting per slot. This means that a bet can be as much as $10, but the winnings can be well within the hundreds of dollars. It should be noted that some sites have different withdrawal options for slot machine winnings versus their table or poker winnings.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Gambling, New Hampshire, Slot machine

Biking and Smoking: E Cigarette Starter Kits

: Image via Wikipedia

The majority of bikers don’t smoke cigarettes. Smoker’s lung doesn’t combine well with biking treks, especially among the more athletic. Even for those who ride recreationally or for transportation, smoking creates a number of issues. Decreased lung health, coughing up phlegm, and the possibility of having cravings while on the trail can interfere with the entire experience.

For all of these reasons, it often comes down to a choice: either you bike or you smoke. Each one interferes with the other so much that you have to make a decision. This can be good for smokers looking for an incentive to quit, but if the cravings are bad enough the smoking may just win out anyway.

If you can actually quit smoking entirely, then that will always be the best solution. However, for those looking to increase their general fitness or otherwise garner the benefits of biking, there are some new alternatives that don’t mandate that you quit smoking altogether.

One of these possibilities is electronic cigarettes. These electronic cigarettes come in a variety of shapes, sizes, and prices, but most of them function along approximately the same lines. Rather than dispensing the nicotine in smoke, the device gives a puff of “nicotine mist” from a cartridge. This retains many of the same sensations of smoking, not the least of which is getting nicotine into your system, without introducing your lungs to damaging smoke. E cigarette starter kits are often available for a lower cost to those looking to try out this system.

For those who are lighter smokers, quitting temporarily may work for longer biking expeditions. If you find that you’re struggling with nicotine cravings when on biking treks, consider looking at nicotine gum or patches rather than getting a pack of cigarettes. It may not be quite the same fix, but your lungs will certainly thank you for your choice.

Filed Under: Cycling, General Tagged With: Electronic cigarette, Smoking cessation

How to Maintain a Bike

: Image via Wikipedia

Having a bicycle is a fun an exciting way to get around and keep fit. However, over time bikes can become damaged and may need repair, especially if you are riding on rough terrain or over unsteady ground. Maintaining a bike is an important part of riding one and there are a few things you can do to keep your bike in top shape.

The first step is to remove all accessories from the handlebars, including lights and the bell. These things will only get in the way when you are trying to maintain your bike. Press the two calipers of the break into the wheel rim and lift the brake cable up out of its holding.

After this, you need to turn your bike upside down. You will need to protect your handle grips when doing this – either lay down a towel on the ground so that they don’t get scratched or buy a bike repair stand. Once this is done, you should start removing the wheels. Be careful with the back wheel especially as this is where the gear and cog mechanism is housed.

It is then time to clean the bike’s driving system. The chain and other parts can be cleaned with soapy water, although a fine brush may be required for more delicate areas. The chain is easiest to clean if you hold a wet rag in one place and then move the pedals around it. This will ensure that you clean every area of the chain, including the parts you could not reach otherwise.

It is also a good idea to wash, check and remount the wheels at this stage. After you have done this, you can begin to check that the drive system is working correctly. Now all that’s needed is to wash the body of the bike, check the brakes and make attach the accessories and your bike is ready to ride!

Filed Under: Bicycle, Bicycle Parts, General Tagged With: Accessories, Bicycle, Business, Cycling, Handlebar, Shopping, Sporting Goods, Sports

Basic Rules for Cycling Safety

: Image via Wikipedia

It’s important to wear a helmet while riding a bike, but there are plenty of other safety rules that you should follow. . If you are ever hit by a car moving at a high speed, then chances are the helmet won’t save you. The best thing to do is avoid getting hit in the first place. Your helmet then becomes a back-up plan for safety. Knowing where to ride could is as important as reliable safety gear.

Always Ride on the Correct Side of the Street

Bikers who ride on the wrong side of the street are taking serious risks. Many cyclists feel uncomfortable riding with the flow of traffic because they can’t see the cars behind them. Putting a mirror on your helmet or handle bars will solve this problem.

The worst thing about riding on the wrong side of the street is that you increase your chances of getting seriously injured when you have an accident. Say, for instance, that you are hit by a car from behind moving at 35 mph while you’re moving at 10 mph. That’s like getting hit by a vehicle driving at 25. If you had the same collision with an oncoming car, though, it would be like being struck by a car moving at 45 mph.

Avoid the Far Right Side of the Outer Lane

Most cyclists stick to the outer lane whenever possible. Doing so reduces the amount of auto traffic that you have to deal with. Riding on the far right side of the outer lane, however, can be very dangerous. If you are right up against the curb, then chances are that vehicles approaching perpendicular intersections will not be able to spot you. They’ll pull out without ever seeing you, which means that the two of you could easily collide.

Riding on the far edge is also dangerous when there is a parking lane for cars. Hugging the curb makes it much more likely that you’ll be struck by a car door. Floating along the left edge of the lane will make you more visible to parked cars.

Filed Under: Bicycle, Cycling, General Tagged With: Automobile, Autos, Cycling, Helmet, Recreation, Sports, Traffic, Transport

San Antonio Gets Money for Campaign Directed at Cyclists and Motorists

The Texas Department of Transportation has given the City of San Antonio $276,000 of federal money to fund a bicycle safety campaign as a part of the current “Get Cyched” advertisements. The money will be managed by San Antonio’s Office of Environmental Policy.

Texas law grants motorists and cyclists the same rights. Many people, however, misunderstand the current regulations that dictate how everyone on the road must follow.

Motorists often become angered by bikes on the road because they slow down the flow of traffic. The problems, however, are not one-sided. Many cyclists feel that they are immune to road rules. They frequently run stop signs, fail to make turn signals, and ride in the dark without lights. The new campaign will address these problems.

The advertising program, however, will have more hurdles to overcome than simply letting people on the road know what rules they have to follow. As biking has become a popular alternative to using gas-guzzling cars, trucks, and SUVs, many motorists find themselves outraged by the increasing number of bikes on the road. This can lead to a type of road rage directed solely at cyclists.

That rage is somewhat understandable. After all, who hasn’t felt frustrated while stuck behind a bike? Even residential roads have speed limits that are higher than most cyclists can reach. This creates an angering situation for motorists who suddenly find themselves stuck in an unexpected delay. This problem is further exacerbated on large roads. Spotting a biker who runs stop signs, rides on the wrong side of the road, and commits other flagrant violations of the law makes many drivers angry beyond belief.

Forcing cars to slow down could create traffic nightmares in congested cities, which could lead to more accidents and angry outbursts.

This may be the only situation where “separate but equal” works well. Creating a designated bike lane on popular roads could solve many problems. San Antonio’s advertising campaign, however, should help ease problems on the road at least a little bit by educating more people about the law of the road.

Filed Under: Bicycle, Bikes, Cycling, General Tagged With: Bicycle, Cycling, Road rage, Roads and Highways, San Antonio, Speed limit, Traffic, United States

Republican Gubernatorial Candidate Warns of U.N. Plot in Denver

Dan Maes, the Republican gubernatorial candidate for Colorado, warns voters that a newly implemented bike sharing program is part of a United Nations plot to slowly take control of the United States.

Maes statements were directed at Denver’s mayor, John Hickenlooper, a Democrat who supports the B-Cycle sharing program. The program has about 400 bicycles available for rent throughout the city, making it possible for people to get around without relying on motor vehicles.

It is hard to imagine that many voters will actually take this conspiracy theory seriously. Maes, however, notes that even he had no objections to the program until recently, when he learned that it is part of a U.N. initiative. B-Cycle is supported by grants and private donors. There are no known connections to the United Nations.

According to Maes, Hickenlooper’s support of the bike sharing program comes from his collaboration with the U.N. Denver does have a contract with the International Council for Local Environmental Initiatives (ICLEI), which Maes mistakenly believes is a U.N. group. In reality, the group was created during a meeting at the U.N. building in New York City, but the U.N. has no control over ICLEI.

Over half of the ICLEI members are American cities. The group gives city leaders the opportunity to share innovative ideas that will improve their communities.

Even more ridiculous is the assertion that Hickenlooper is responsible for entering a contract with ICLEI. Denver entered into an agreement with the group ten years before Hickenlooper’s election.

The fact of the matter is that bike sharing programs have significant benefits. They ease traffic congestion, give tourists an easy way to explore cities, and can even reduce air pollution by giving people an alternative to motor vehicles. Bike sharing programs also make it easy and affordable for people in Denver to use bikes when they want to without having to worry about the responsibility of upkeep.

Looking through the comments left about the story on the websites of Colorado’s newspapers, it is obvious that most people find Maes’s comments laughable.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Colorado, Denver, John Hickenlooper, New York City, Republican, United Nations, United States

Bicycle Collision Types and How To Avoid Them

: Image by davidlewis via Flickr

Over 33,000 people die in car crashes in the U.S. each year. Of those, one in 41 is a bicyclist. These top five collisions are the main reasons cyclists and cars collide.

A car drives out at a stop sign and hits the cyclist. The crash occurs at an intersection where the car was facing the stop sign and the cyclist was on a crossing path.

Second, is where a car is entering the roadway from a driveway or alley and the cyclist was in a crossing path.

Third is a crash at an intersection where the cyclist was facing a stop sign, red light or failed to yield at an uncontrolled intersection and the car was on a crossing path.

Fourth is where the car is making a left turn facing the cyclist.

Fifth is where the car and the cyclist are on parallel paths and then the car makes a right turn at a roadway intersection or driveway.

Nearly 54.3% of car/cyclist collisions happen at intersections, 21.3% are road entry collisions and 15.9% are straight away collisions.

To avoid these types of collisions, a cyclist should follow these five rules.

First, obey all traffic laws. A cyclist should ride like a car, not ride on the sidewalk or against traffic. Riding against traffic increases your risk of being hit by seven times. Don’t hug the gutter, ride out where the car can see you .

Second, keep alert. You have the added advantage of more maneuverability and sound. You can hear if a car is coming up upon you and you can get out of the way at a 90 degree angle. Watch for bad motorists.

Third, be visible. Place lights on your bike and be sure to wear reflective clothing. Make sure that cars can see you. At intersections, don’t stop in a car’s blind spot.

Fourth, take the least travelled way. Take advantage of bike trails, back streets and avoid heavy traffic areas.

Fifth, keep your bike in good repair. Some accidents happen because a bike’s part fails and the cyclist falls into traffic.

Filed Under: General Tagged With: Bicycle, Business, Cycling, Recreation, Traffic, Traffic collision, Traffic light, United States

How to Ride a Bike Safely at Night

Biking is one of the most enjoyable outdoor sports there is. Whether you prefer to cycle in a competitive field such as BMX or just prefer going for a leisurely cycle, getting a bicycle is a great way to stay fit and healthy. It can also be fun to ride a bicycle at night. However, this can also be dangerous as potential cars or other cyclists may not see you in the dark. There are a number of things you can do to make sure you stand out when cycling in the dark.

The most important thing to do is to get reflective clothing. Jackets made out of this material can be seen far away by oncoming drivers and their headlights hit them. The light is bounced back to the drivers and makes you and your bicycle stand out. Jackets are the most popular choice of this type of clothing, although you can also get wrist and leg bands that will make your whole body illuminated.

Fixing lights to your bike is also an important part of night-time riding. As stated above, reflective jackets only really work if there is a light shined on them. As well as helping you see better in the dark anyway, putting lights on your bike will highlight any cyclists heading your way.

It is worth bearing in mind that riding a bike at night with lights attached is required by the law, so you should buy some whenever you get a bike. Different lights have different power abilities and small lights may not actually be that useful on the road at night as they may not have the power to shine very far. Lights should always be attached to the bike itself as well, rather than onto your clothes. This will prevent them from getting knocked and end up pointing the wrong way.

Filed Under: Cycling, General Tagged With: Bicycle, Cycling, Law, Light, Road, sport, Travel, United States