Archive for November, 2011
Advantages of Electric Bicycles
Advantages of Electric Bicycles
An electric bike is a bicycle with a motor attached to the pedals and powered by a battery. There are many variations available from those which add a kit (containing the motor and battery) to a normal bicycle to a custom built one. For those looking to save money during the energy and economic crisis we are facing, the electric bike may be the ideal solution. The kits range in price from 0 to 0 and the custom built ones range from 0 to ,500. When compared to the cost of operating an automobile, these bicycles can be a real bargain. Riding an electric bike 500 miles can save around 25 gallons of gasoline. This can save the environment and the pocketbook.
The summer heat can take the starch out of any enthusiastic cyclist and hills and long distances can be rough on even the most seasoned of cyclists. An electric bicycle can take some of the pain out of exercising or running errands by helping the rider get to a destination fresh and stress-free.
A commute to work can be stressful in a car when dealing with traffic jams but breezing by the traffic on an electric bike or e-bike can aid the commuter into getting to work on time and without the sweat of pedaling the whole time. Time can also be saved looking for a parking space at the destination. Simply lock the bike and get to work.
Most electric bikes are equipped to function without any pedaling required but the cyclist can save battery power for longer distances by only engaging the motor when needed such as uphill or when energy levels wane. By law, the maximum speed is 20 miles per hour and the average maximum range is between 10 to 40 miles depending on the terrain, the weight of the cyclist and the climate.
Most motors run silently and all electric motors are environment-friendly and require very little power to recharge the battery. Small, lightweight trailers can be added for larger parcels and groceries or pouches and baskets can be installed on the frame for smaller packages. Electric bikes can provide exercise as well as help clean the air. Many people have turned to the e-bike all over the world and depend on them for transportation. They do not require a state license plate; and the operator does not need a license or insurance to ride them on public streets. The cyclist must obey the same traffic laws as motorists and motorists are required by law to respect the cyclist in the same manner. The road is a safe place for the law abiding cyclist. The electric bicycle is a perfect alternative to an automobile or motorcycle.
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Increasing Your Bicycling Speed
Increasing Your Bicycling Speed
Cardiovascular exercise is about constant improvement and increasing your pace. The more fit you become, the more able you are to handle long distances and workouts.
It is especially important to do this with bicycling. Cyclists, especially those that are competitive, have the ability to increase their agility and speed the more often that they workout.
This can be done through many different methods and by utilizing a number of tips. Many bicyclists believe that preparation for long races is best completed through long-distance rides.
Though this preps the slow-twitch muscle fibers, it is not the only way in which you can strengthen your muscles to go for extended distances. You can also make use of high intensity interval training.
If you tend to spend five days in a row each week biking at a steady speed for high distances, try taking a break midweek and go for a lesser amount of miles. While going for this brief session, pedal harder than you normally would.
This will help work two different types of muscle groups and will optimize your body for fat burning. Interval training is extremely beneficial in blasting fat from the body and toning it up quickly.
Before you leave to participate in your cardiovascular exercise, you should have an intake of carbohydrates. Many cyclists try to avoid this for fear of it slowing them down or feeling too full to be able to pedal their quickest.
However, there are many liquids and drinks that offer carbohydrate and electrolyte power. Many of these sports drinks are high in calories compared to water or other liquids, but they will give you a boost during your long distance biking.
Drink at least twelve ounces of carbohydrate liquid before you leave, and then supplement it with plain water during your exercise. It will give you more energy and help your muscles to store more glycogen, which will keep you from becoming drained too quickly.
When you are training, your mood can have a very large effect on how quickly you are able to propel yourself and how optimistic you stay. Emotions can make or break you.
A seemingly small, but very important component, of your routine is your outlook. The more positive you remain through your cardiovascular workout, the easier it will be for you to keep going.
You must train your mind not to give up when your body is feeling tired and wants to. Monitoring your mood will help you to keep going.
Stretching your muscles and creating elasticity in the legs will also help improve your workout. However, you should only stretch after a cycling routine.
Doing so before can relax them too much and make them lose power. Stretch your calves and hamstrings immediately after, when they are warm and flexible.
Technique is very vital when it comes to how quickly you are able to propel yourself. Ankle placement may seem like a very small and insignificant issue, but it can have a direct effect on the efficiency of each push.
Be sure to keep your ankles stable and in the pillar, or neutral, position. If you bend this area too much or flex your foot upward, you will most definitely loose speed and power during your pedaling.
The more you pay attention to keeping them stable and neutral, the easier it will be and the more it will become habit. Then, you will not even have to think about it during your cycling.
The secret weapon of many bicycle competitors is Vitamin B. This aids the body in producing oxygen and pumping blood, which has a direct effect on the muscles and how well they are able to perform.
When you are in a strict training routine or coming close to a competition, B vitamins are essential to your body’s strength and functionality. They are present in whole grains, as well as dark green vegetables and some low fat dairy products.
You can also make use of Vitamin B supplements; a steady intake of it will make your legs function better and more efficiently without getting tired. There are many other ways in which to pump up cardio and increase your speed; however, the main way to get better and have more energy is to keep up with your workouts and not get complacent.
Terry Daniels is a personal trainer and has authored hundreds of articles relating to physical training and fitness bike. He has been a health expert and physical trainer for over 15 years.
Contact Info:
Terry Daniels
TerryDaniels09@gmail.com
http://www.nordictrack.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/Category2_-1_10301_12401_19551_Y
Bicycle Accessores: Improving The Ride
Bicycle Accessores: Improving The Ride
Article by Victor Epand
As someone who lives in a city where traffic just seems to get worse and worse, I honor those who chose to get around on bicycles rather than in cars. I find their decision even more impressive considering the amount of inconvenience than can result. Cyclists have to deal with all kinds of challenges that don’t affect drivers, so it’s good to know that there exist a fair number of bicycles accessories that can alleviate some of those challenges. Such accessories can include lights, locks, pumps, racks, trailers and even computers, and they can be purchased at most cycling or outdoor equipment stores.
One of the most common bicycle accessories is the bicycle light. This device makes the cyclist safer by simultaneously making him easier to see and allowing him to see better. Bicycle lights are usually powered with batteries, although some use an electrical generator. The latter option has the advantage of unlimited duration, but the maximum power output is relatively low. The lamps used on bicycle lights fall into three categories. They are, in order of dimmest to brightest, tungsten filament, halogen and high intensity discharge (HID). The cost of these lights, as one would expect, rises along with the level of light produced. The NiteRider MiNewt X2 LED, the DiNotte 600-LI-HC and the Sigma Sport Triled/Cuberider Combo are all examples of bicycle lights.
Bicycle theft can be a big problem among cyclists, especially in urban settings. Bicycle locks are usually intended to be used in conjunction with bicycle racks, although realistically they used to secure the bicycle to any object. The problem with securing bicycles is that the various pieces come apart. So even if the front wheel of the bike is secured, the rest of the bike may be detached and stolen. The most effective locks secure the frame and wheel or wheels to an immovable object. U-locks are the most secure kind of bicycle lock. The bodies of these locks are often made from solid steel, which makes them very difficult for thieves to cut through. Chain and cable locks are also popular, and but the level of their effectiveness depends on the strength of their materials.
Anyone who owns a bicycle should probably own a bicycle tire pump. These usually take the form that most people are familiar with, a hand-operated piston that forces air into the tire. This kind of bicycle tire pump ranges in price from to 0. However, some bicycle pumps use pressured air cartridges to re-inflate tires. These pumps are much smaller and resemble an inhaler in appearance. Their small size makes them very convenient as a means of emergency tire repair on extended bicycle trips.
Bicycle computers are a fairly recent innovation, and they can range anywhere from to 0. The simples models usually only offer information like the cyclist’s current speed, trip distance and present time. However, the most expensive models have features like GPS, mapping software, barometers, and heart monitors. Some bicycle computers can even communicate with each other, allowing cyclists to monitor other individuals in a group.
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