• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

For the travelling cyclist, there’s nothing better than getting out on the open road on the world’s most beautiful cycling routes. Here, we’ll take a look at the 8 best cycling routes in the world, along with recommended hotel accommodation:

1. Alpe D’Huez, France

The views are some of the most amazing you’ll ever see, but don’t get too comfortable — this Tour de France special is one of the most challenging climbs in the world with the gradient ranging from 7.7 per cent to 12 per cent for 14km. Complete it, however, and you’ll be in some of the finest cycling company in the history of the sport.

Recommended Accommodation: Hotel Ancolie

2. West Coast, Tasmania, Australia

Separated from mainland Australia, the island (and state) of Tasmania is wild and untamed, and this makes its amazing west coast cycling route all the more attractive. You can see Cradle Mountain (it’s most famous peak), the coastal town of Strahan, the beautiful Lake St Clair and much more along the way.

Recommended Accommodation: Tullah Lakeside Lodge

3. La Farola, Cuba

Not a traditional hotspot for cycling enthusiasts but, nonetheless, Cuba’s La Farola highway possesses one of the most spectacular descents in the world. Set against the backdrop of the magnificent Baracoa Mountais, it’s located at the far east of this Caribbean nation.

Recommended Accommodation: Hotel Gaviota El Castillo

4. National Highway 1, Vietnam

Vietnam is a fiercely independent nation that has emerged with optimism from the conflict that defined its recent history, and with so much natural beauty along its thousands of kilometres of coastline it’s not hard to see why. The route from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City is highlighted by the coastal route from Da Nang to Dong Hoi, and Vietnam hotels are plentiful along the way.

Recommended Accommodation: Swiss Belhotel

5. Otago Peninsula, New Zealand

For a ride that can be completed in a single day, the Otago Peninsula really has everything. Kick things off in the southern town of Dunedin and wind your way east along the shore with incredible ocean views — that is, of course, until a sharp right turn brings you into far more challenging terrain. The Otago Peninsula is the wildlife capital of New Zealand and you’re bound to see plenty.

Recommended Accommodation: Fletcher Lodge

6. Cape Breton Island, Canada

Separated from the Nova Scotia peninsula by the Strait of Canso, Cape Breton Island is still linked by the Canso Causeway. Once on the island there is so much to see, from rocky coastlines to the amazingly clear Bras d’Or inland sea.

Recommended Accommodation: St Anns Motel

7. Jotunheimen National Park, Norway

Norway’s fjord-ridden coastline is one of the world’s true natural wonders, but follow the Sognefjord inland towards Jotunheimen National Park and you’ll find wonders of an entirely different variety. Undisturbed nature and incredibly fresh air is the order of the day, and at sunset the views have to be seen to be believed.

Recommended Accommodation: Fossheim Turisthotel, Lom

8. Isle of Wight, England

This small island off the south coast of England has been attracting cyclists for decades. With deep gullies, high cliffs and hills that roll into the sea being just some of the amazing features that comprise the island, what you’ll get is some of the most varied terrain in the world all bundled up into one small, picturesque setting.

Recommended Accommodation: The Wight Mouse Inn

For cycle enthusiasts all over the world, there’s no excuse for not taking on some of these world famous tracks or at least adding them to your ‘to do’ list on your next trip abroad.

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

With its huge variety of climate and landscapes, Australia is a great place to get inspiration to finally get out on that big cycling trip that you have been dreaming about. With everything from desert to tropical rainforest and flat landscapes to rolling hills and mountains, there are plenty of options as to where to go on your trip. All you need is a plan, a bike and your own two legs and you can be out on the road feeling the freedom that comes with an epic cycling adventure. Here are a few ideas to get you started.

Grafton to Inverell

The Grafton to Inverell route in New South Wales is a popular short route to get you started on your touring. Along the 228 kilometre stretch, you will be cycling through beautiful rolling hills and farmland, and will make the notorious 17 kilometre climb up the Gibraltar Range. Once you get to the top you will be rewarded with fabulous views of Gibraltar National Park and other parks in the area and, of course, can enjoy knowing that it’s all downhill after that. Once you get to Inverell, accommodation is plentiful and you will have no problem finding somewhere to relax while you dream up your next adventure.

The Great Ocean Road

The Great Ocean Road offers some of Australia’s finest cycling opportunities with its spectacular coastal scenery which changes constantly as you ride and its winding roads that make every bend exciting. There is a lot of variety here, so you can choose day rides suitable for your fitness level or, if you are a more experienced rider, you can do the whole 277 kilometres. This generally is done in four stages, and can be dangerous at times so make sure you are prepared. When you get to the 12 Apostles, you can rest easy knowing that you are only a short ride away from Port Campbell. Accommodation here is quaint and you will be able to get some serious rest and relaxation in the quiet, friendly little town.

Tasmania

You can cycle at your own pace in Tasmania and rest assured that given the State’s compact nature, you are sure to see extremely varied landscapes after only going a short distance. The undulating roads and low traffic volume also make Tasmania a great place to cycle. If you plan on doing the loop around the State, it is recommended to go in an anti-clockwise direction in order to make the most of the westerly winds when you are crossing over the mountain ranges in the Western half of the state.

Gibb River Road and Bungle Bungle

A popular 13-day cycle tour in Australia’s North West is the Gibb River Road and Bungle Bungle trip. Starting in Litchfield National Park near Darwin and ending at Cable Beach in Broome, the variety of landscape you will see on this trip is awe-inspiring. This is a land of extraordinary contrasts where the red rocky scenery of the outback meets the beautiful turquoise waters of the Indian Ocean. Ancient gorges, freshwater pools, incredible waterfalls and funky rock formations are just a few of the things you will see along the way.

There is plenty of choice when it comes to cycle touring in Australia, all you need to decide is where you want to go and for how long, and the sky is the limit!

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

Family Biking for All Family Members (even the youngest one)

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

The city of Calgary is located in the province of Alberta, Canada. It is a city that takes a piece of the Rocky Mountains. That is why Calgary hosted the Winter Olympic Games in 1988.
Because the Rocky Mountains is part of their Geography, that gives Calgary a territory full of interesting bike trails, of course, in the summer since winter covers it with snow. But that doesn’t mean a snow barrier for bike enthusiasts. Year after year, the mountain bike sports take new levels of adrenalin and there are circumstances where mountain bike is able to be driven on a snow. Calgary is the right place for it.

Aside from winter mountain bike rides, Calgary has the territory and bike routes for bike riders to explore the city with a simple twist of the pedals. There are many parks and bike tracks for a perfect day of riding a bike. If you don’t have a bike on your own, there are many bike rental shops with reasonably prices and many types of bikes to choose from. Bike repair shops also offer their services from the smallest missing bolt to the large malfunctioning tire rim.
Almost every rental and repair shop in the city of Calgary is available on the internet, and almost all the possible bike routes that you can direct are marked on an internet map of Calgary. Here is a list of few of them.

1. Ironman 70.3 Calgary , distance of 94.35 km;
2. Road to Nepal – alternate loop, distance of 16.77 km;
3. Highwood Pass, distance of 103.34 km;
4. 22x may 13 2007, distance of 73.19 km;
5. Road to nepal, distance of 50.47 km;
6. Let’s climb!, distance of 129.92 km;
7. Calgary Brad Creek Loop 60 miles, distance of 94.31 km;
8. Elbow Pass, distance of 136.20 km;
9. MacKenzie Town to Carseland out and back, distance of 100.09 km;
10. CX Century, distance of 184.29 km;
11. Suspected Ride to Conquer Cancer Route, distance of 220.90 km;
12. Small Spring Bank Loop West Winds Church, distance of 46.62 km;
13. Cochrane Hill Climb, distance of 44.29 km;
14. Highwood from the South, distance of 70.26 km;
15. Road to Nepal/Millarville/Priddis number two, distance of 68.54 km;
16. Nose Hill Perimeter, distance of 30.71 km;
17. Calgary Zoo to Chestermere, distance of 27.05 km;
18. Short Springbank Loop, distance of 42.97 km;
19. Leith’sbigwhambamthankyouma’am, distance of 44.26 km;
20. Twelve Mile Coulee Coop to Cochrane, distance of 38.11 km;

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

It is every cyclist duty and obligation to take care of his bicycle. The usual bicycle wash will not be enough. Everything on the bicycle must be checked, maintained and when needed – replaced.
The Sunlite Bicycle Repair Stand offers a good sturdy base with adjustable height from 36″ to 72″. The head is able to rotate 360 degrees and base that is corrosion resistant. Clamp Jaws in the shape of V-box. In all of this, attachable tool tray is included. Easy to setup, the stand is also very neat when it comes to storing it in the garage where it won’t take a lot of space.



The need for a bicycle stand requires no explanation. Bicycle enthusiasts consider this piece of equipment to be an important part of the garage. In fact it concedes it to be it’s own personal assistant. Bicycle repairs and maintenance requires complete access to the bicycle form every angle available. Almost every one has experienced the situation when you have to lean the bike to a wall and then do a certain repair to the bicycle. This is far more common in the early days of riding. Not only that this type of repairing or maintenance causes you difficulty while working, it also contributes to your nerves and patience. Dirty hands is part of the job, but dirty arms when changing the chain for example, is not what you want either.
Complete access to the bicycle is provided with the Sunlite Repair Stand. Lifting the bicycle up, matching the suitable height of comfortable working, gives a good opportunity to maneuver in 360 degrees around the bicycle, or just turn it the way you prefer.

Despite having it in your garage, for those not having enough room in the garage or not having a garage at all; of course, there is the possibility to assemble the bicycle stand in your yard or drive in. It doesn’t matter where you put it, as long as you don’t make a mess around it. Dirty hands and arms will become the past as chain grease is inevitable on your fingers.
Another good thing about the bicycle stand is that is portable. Dismantle the stand from your garage and take it along with you to your bicycle riding trip in the mountains. It will give complete control and check up before you start an adrenalin ride through the woods.

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

Bicycles are designed to be used while sitting. You cannot imagine riding a bicycle while standing up. Well, today there are people how like the idea of riding bicycle that does not have the need of sitting. But where is the comfort in that?



Lets consider what will happen to a bicycle if it is pedaled standing up. The standing up position of the rider on a bicycle puts full weight on the pedals, excluding the weight that it is distributed to the handles, of course. So, pedals are the one that have to be strong enough to withstand the rider’s weight. This leads to bending and eventual break.



Bicycle manufactures, when designing the pedals, seriously take under consideration the fact that bicycle rider will pedal standing up from time to time. The reason for it is that standing up in spite of making more weight pressure to the pedals; it gives more power to the pedaling motion and thus driving faster. Even the up-hill pedaling is easier when pedaling is made standing up. Nowadays pedals are made stronger and durable. But cyclists need to bear in mind not to over react with pedaling standing up. Knees and joints tend to get really tired after an exhausting up-hill, and spend a lot of energy.



Riding in a stand up position has its positive characteristics to. When on a long distance ride, standing up can be a good way to rest a bit and recuperate some energy. Spending a lot of pedaling motion with the body bend forward, can be stressful for the back and shoulders. It is a lot easier and faster if a cyclist uses standing up position to overcome a hill. This technique requires the body to move side ways with the bicycle; combined with rhythmic breathing and smooth energy transfer the pedals won’t even feel the difference.
Standing up position is probably the only position that is used when it comes to a mountain bike riding. This is not about the adrenalin mountain bike riding on the hills, but a normal bicycle touring of the surrounding. The goal is not to look in front of the bicycle most of the time, but to stand a bit and enjoy the landscapes around you. Pedals won’t feel much weight as you are not stressing too much to reach faster speeds.



If you practice more standing up driving on the bicycle, always check the pedals if they are in great shape. You don’t want them to fall off in the middle of a race, do you?

More bicycle photos and sketches

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

Who doesn’t want to take a tour and see all of the diverse countries in Europe? With most people, the cost is totally prohibitive. If you have lots of time, there is a much less expensive way to see it all without breaking the bank completely. That’s right—touring by bicycle! One note: flying a bicycle to Europe will cost almost as much as buying yourself one at your destination, so it’s best to go shopping when you get off the plane. You can always sell it or donate it before you leave to come home.

Europe by bicycle:

When to Go

Because you’ll be traveling mostly by bicycle, you will want to plan your trip for either spring or fall, both good times to visit when crowds are lowest and temperatures are moderate. Because bicycles are used by many in Europe as their primary means of transportation, just about all of the public transportation, including the metro buses and subway and trains, make accommodations for them. This means it is possible to ride the train from the UK to France using the Chunnel, and then ride off into the French countryside. Your trip can be as planned and scheduled as you want it to be. You might have all the details decided ahead of time, or might be the type of person who just wants to go and see what happens. Either way, you can do that on a bike.

Where to Stay

Since you are opting to bike your way around the continent, money is likely at a premium, so look into low cost lodging options like small Mom and Pop Hotels and hostels. If you are comfortable with the concept, you might even try couch surfing…where you find people online who are willing to put travelers up in their homes for a night or two.

What to Bring

Fast drying clothing would be tops on the list, and they can be found at most local outfitters. Also be sure to bring along lightweight emergency raingear. Padded shorts can be helpful, or a gel pad that fits over the seat can make it more comfortable to ride for long periods of time. There are biking jerseys available with pockets, which can be helpful to carry sunscreen, glasses, and cameras without stopping and digging through the bags attached to your bike. A fanny pack is also good for this purpose.

Keep in Touch
Having a cell phone is imperative if you want to keep in touch with folks at home. You can bring your own phone from home if you have one which will operate out of the country; your company will need to set up international service for you. You should also check rates to make sure they won’t be exorbitant. Otherwise, it is possible to rent a phone in Europe, or buy one in Europe. Keep in mind, it will cost you a lot more to call home with these phones, so know all the costs upfront before you buy or rent one.  Prepaid phone cards are also available for making calls, though they are the most expensive option.

Now that you are confident that traveling by bicycle in Europe is doable, start mapping out your route. Cheap domestic flights can be substituted for short hops without your wheels.

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

Cycling offers a great way to remain fit and also to help lose weight, and it is one form of exercise that offers the additional charm of enjoying the outdoors and the fresh air at the same time. This is one of the main reasons why the automobile revolution has failed to make bicycles obsolete. In some countries and some regions, cycling is one of the main means of transportation, and people use them to ride to work, stop at the grocery store, and visit their friends. No doubt, those people are much healthier than those among us who hop in the car to drive to a store around the corner. Cycling is one of the very best forms of cardiovascular exercises, and you can burn as much as 400 to 500 calories in just an hour of bicycling.

Cycle workout:

To maximize weight loss by riding a bicycle, there are a couple of factors that play into the calorie burn and toning properties. The higher your present weight is, the harder your body has to work, which is great news for those who are overweight—it means those people will burn a much higher amount of calories during the same workout as someone who weighs less. Another important factor is the type of terrain you are riding on. A flat and level trail is great for beginners, but to up your exertion level hills are the way to go. Of course, the speed at which you ride and the length of time you spend riding both affect your weight loss as well.  I have found for myself that I can ride long periods if I’m on a level track, hopefully tackling hills will come as I build up my muscles and my lungs. Here are some cool numbers that make the work really worth it—a 200 pound person will burn almost 600 calories riding at a moderate pace for an hour, and nearly 800 at a vigorous pace.

It is heartening to know that all over the country, biking trails are being formed from old railroad tracks and bridges, and there are great places to ride almost anywhere you happen to be, or travel to. If you do not yet have biking tracks in your vicinity, you can still enjoy biking in the neighborhood and explore a new road every day if you live in a suburb or in the country. If you live in city and do not enjoy exercising in noisy and polluted areas, simply load the bike in your car and head for the countryside and enjoy the clean and cool air amidst the serenity of the countryside. No matter which option you pick, you will burn calories and enjoy the ride at the same time, without being bored and tied down to a single spot as in other forms of exercise.

As you increase the duration and intensity of bicycling, the positive results start showing up slowly but surely. In biking both the large and small muscles of the legs exert force and thereby they get developed and become stronger, not to mention more toned. By having more muscle mass, your metabolic rate rises and you will be burning additional fat even while you are resting. Biking even helps to strengthen other important parts of your body like your back and arm muscles and abdominal region.

What is a realistic goal you can set for your weight loss with biking? It is observed that a gradual weight loss of one to two pounds per week is a reasonable target and it can be easily attained and maintained. To achieve a weight loss of one pound it is necessary to either consume less or burn 3500 calories; to achieve this target, figure out how many calories you are burning in your workout, keeping in mind that a 200 pound person will burn almost 800 calories per hour in a robust workout; which means five times a week should take off a pound for the average person.  As in case of weight loss by other means like diet control, having reasonable goal and planning for gradual results will go a long way towards achieving success.

Having a reasonable goal and taking off weight gradually has been proven effective, especially for the long term. Biking is a great way to lose weight because it is so enjoyable you will not mind exercising!

When you achieve your new and svelte body, you will want to compare life insurance; you may find that your rates have gone down.

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

On the market in Europe and USA there are numerous bicycle stands with reasonable prices. Many of the stands are available to purchase on the internet with good percentage of discounts. The great advantage that a bicycle stands has is that its function allows you to work on the bicycles modifications without the need of leaning it to a wall or classically turn it up-side-down. The following list provides some of the available retail bicycle stand.

1. SuperStand Retail bike stand – A graphite ripple powdercoat with four foam rubber end cap feet. It is designed for great space-efficient storage. Welded steel construction is featured in the Standard model and Extreme model. The Retail model has flat-packed bolt-together construction. The Extreme model can accept tires that are up to 3 inches.
Price tag is $33.12

2. RAKK Bicycle Storage Stand and Bike Display System – A black powder coated steel with folding height of 3.2″ (81 mm) and base footprint of 13.5″ x 16″ (343 mm x 406 mm). This stand gives options when it comes to space: 12″, 13.5″ and 15″. Its Weight is 5.9 lbs. (2.7 kg) and comes with a 3-year warranty.
Price tag is $34.99
3. Willworx SuperStand Retail bike stand
A graphite ripple powdercoat with four foam rubber end cap feet. It is designed for great space-efficient storage. Welded steel construction is featured in the Standard model and Extreme model. The Retail model has flat-packed bolt-together construction. The Extreme model can accept tires that are up to 3 inches.
Price tag is $ 31.92
4. Feedback Sports Ultimate/Rakk Bicycle Storage Stand – It can hold 20 mm road tires up to 2.4″ and WIDE MTB tires in size 20″ to 29″ wheels. Base footprint is 13.5″ x 16″ (343 mm x 406 mm) with folded height of 3.2″ (81 mm) and weight of 5.9 lbs. (2.7 kg)

5. SuperStand Extreme bike stand, grey – A graphite ripple powdercoat with four foam rubber end cap feet. It is designed for great space-efficient storage. Welded steel construction is featured in the Standard model and Extreme model. The Retail model has flat-packed bolt-together construction. The Extreme model can accept tires that are up to 3 inches.

6. Portable Bicycle Repair Stand Holds 8-10 Bikes with Bag – Black Anodized Aluminum with length set-up dimensions of 110.5″; height 48″, width 60″ (2807 mm x 1143 mm x1524 mm). When folded in a bag its 60″ in length, 28″ (1524 mm x 711 mm) circumference,17.6 lbs. (8 kg) of weight and comes with a 3 year warranty.

_

• Share this on Facebook
• Tweet This!
• Stumble upon something good? Share it on StumbleUpon
• Digg this!
• Share this on Reddit

Imagine how would a bicycle feel if it hadn’t been for the rubber tires on them? If will be the most uncomfortable feeling to your groin you have ever imagine.
When bicycles started to have their role in the world, people seemed to be more amused by the fact that there is a new type of transportation; cheap and exciting. But exciting didn’t exactly went full sense. Because the fist bicycle wheels didn’t have today’s rubber tires, it was quite uncomfortable to drive them, even considering the fact that there wasn’t much asphalt.
The first solution to tires was iron bands attached to the wooden wheels. These iron bands made a small change for riding comfort. A simple solution, and quite logical one, came in 1887 when a Scot by the name of John Boyd Dunlop made a pneumatic tire for his son’s bicycle. The reason was simple; he’s son complained about headaches he got form riding the bicycle. Dunlop used rubber on the tires to soften the ride and contribute to comfort while driving. He patented in 1888.Unfortunately, later on Dunlop’s patent of rubber tires was declared as irrelevant because a fellow Scot by the name of Robert William Thomson has already patented it in 1846 in France and 1847 in USA.

However, we can give credit to Dunlop for realizing that rubber has great resilience when it is used for a bicycle tire. In 1889, Dunlop Pneumatic Tyre Co. Ltd was founded and soon after in 1890 it started using tough canvas layer for lesser punctures.
Throughout the years the bicycle tire has underwent significant changes.
In 1891 a removable pneumatic tire was patent by the Michelin brothers. This tire was used by Charles Terront who won the long distance cycle race – Paris – Brest- Paris. This was the first race of its kind. From a simple bicycle tire, the rubber usage has spread to automobile tires. It is interesting to say that today’s automobile tires are descendants of bicycle tires.
For every type of bicycle there is a specific type of tire that goes with it. A tire that smoothes the riding experience and doesn’t take away the comfort and excitement while driving. There are tires specialy for road bikes, mountain bikes, BMX, Hybrid, and single-speed bikes. Mountain bikes enthusiasts and adrenalin junkies go even further. It seems that mountains are overcome challenge so they what to pedal on ice or snow. To do that more efficiently, they attach spikes on the bike for firm grip, proving that there are can be no limits to bicycle adventure.

_