Tour De France Blog

So you purchased a mountain bike and you have been riding for awhile. You are getting faster and more courageous on your mountain bike but you are getting bored riding on the same trails. You and your friends have realized that you need new trail excitement in your life.

So you have talked to your friends and people at the local bike shop for more information about trails in the area. Most of them pointed you back to the trails that you are familiar with but some have introduced you to a new trail or two.

To add to you trail information many of us in the mountain bike community suggest you try a very handy directory. This is a Google directory that lists sites which contain trail information. Once you browse the directory you will be surprised at all of the trails that riders have documented. I have found that no one site has all of the trail information so you have to browse through the directory.

The web address below will help you find the local mountain bike trails in your region. The link is a Google directory of mountain bike websites that list trail information. Most of the trails listed contain directions to the trail head so you know where you are going. So check it out it is pretty helpful.

Mountain Bike Trails

You can find new or near new parts on Bike Servant which lists mountain bikes for sale, bike parts and race events. See you on the trail.

Bike Servant
http://www.articlesbase.com/extreme-sports-articles/finding-mountain-bike-trails-753091.html

One of the hottest new extreme sports is called adventure racing. Far from being a sport with one set of rules, it features a variety of competitions like an Extreme version of the Olympics. The name tells you all you need to know about the makeup of the sport: it’s all about competing and winning. Whoever crosses the finish line first wins. Be forewarned! The combination of a highly competitive sport matched with the extreme sports makes for an adrenaline rushing experience.

As a touch of information to those of you who are new to the thought of extreme sports: competing in an extreme sport isn’t about having a some kind of death wish or enjoying getting hurt, or even a desire to take crazy and outlandish chances. Extreme sports competition is all about challenging yourself to beat the odds, no matter what. It’s about achieving a level of focus and determination, which results in accomplishments you had previously doubted yourself capable of. Several sports “officially” qualify as adventure racing. We’ll take a look at some of them.

Many of these races can be quite long and involve training as rigorous as marathon or triathlon training and in fact many of the athletes cross-train in other sports. Adventure races often have an element where navigation is a stand-alone event, but even where it’s not it’s still an important component in every event. Navigation is all about your ability to read a topographical map, use a compass, and find a target location before your competitors. Again, this is similar to paddling in that it’s many competitors’ weakest skill.

The next is Hiking or Scrambling which is held on any and every terrain and in any kind of weather. These competitions often start with a run from an easy starting point to and through tricky terrain which requires hiking and scrambling. FYI: scrambling is climbing difficult terrain without ropes and using only your hands for balance. You can’t grab things to pull yourself up. We’ve all paddled a canoe, rowboat, or kayak, but it’s usually across a pool, a gentle lake or a calm bay. Adventure racers paddle in all water and weather conditions. Being good at paddling in all conditions is a huge advantage in adventure racing because for many adventure racers it’s their weakest event.

Many races will include a climbing or rappelling element. This is an important event to practice so you can stay safe and be fast. You need to buy lightweight climbing gear and only bring what is absolutely necessary so you don’t weigh yourself down needlessly.

Most people think that for a mountain bike race you should get rid of the extra weight like the headlight. This is a bad idea in the world of adventure racing because there’s a good chance you’ll be racing at night. A good idea is to employ a powerful lightweight headlamp with high and low settings. Tip: everyone on your team should have the same bike so you can swap parts when necessary, which can be often.

Gregg Hall
http://www.articlesbase.com/sports-and-fitness-articles/have-you-heard-of-the-concept-of-extreme-racing-63389.html

I already do situps for about an half and hour a day, and for the past week I ‘ve been riding my bike for about an hour.

I dislike running but my mom says it’s more effective.

HELP!

A flat stomach is made both in the kitchen and in the gym. You should clean up your diet if its not already clean and biking can be very effective if your going intense enough. I’d use a heart rate moniter and get your heart rate up to 80% of your max and keep that pace for 1 minute, then taper back for a minute, then back to 80% for a minute, and repeat for about 30 minutes.

I already do situps for about an half and hour a day, and for the past week I ‘ve been riding my bike for about an hour.

I dislike running but my mom says it’s more effective.

HELP!

A flat stomach is made both in the kitchen and in the gym. You should clean up your diet if its not already clean and biking can be very effective if your going intense enough. I’d use a heart rate moniter and get your heart rate up to 80% of your max and keep that pace for 1 minute, then taper back for a minute, then back to 80% for a minute, and repeat for about 30 minutes.

How many Australian riders competing in the 2008 Tour de France? Is it 10 and if so, does anyone have a source to back thsi up? 10 points for best answer. Thanks.

1 EVANS Cadel no 1
2 COOKE Baden no 55
3 LOWE Trent no 196
4 GERRANS Simon no86
5 MC EWEN Robbie no 6
6 O’GRADY Stuart no 15
7 RENSHAW Mark no 89
8 LANCASTER Brett no 154
9 HANSEN Adam no 46

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html

And the German, debatable Australian. Riding on a German licence. TDF has him "Born in 25/02/1984 à Cottbus. (GER)"(click riders number).Other sources have him born in Australia. Definately raised in Australia and reported to be renewing Australian citizenship. Speaks with Australian accent

10 HAUSSLER Heinrich no 114

More on Haussler (wiki article so a grain of salt ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Haussler

Another showing born in Germany

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cy/profiles/4500000000009374.html

This link states duel citizenship and born in Australia residing in Cottbus. (most likely correct)

http://www.cyclingheroes.info/id1132.html

Michael Rogers would have lead out Team Columbia, if he hadn’t been crook most of the season.

How many Australian riders competing in the 2008 Tour de France? Is it 10 and if so, does anyone have a source to back thsi up? 10 points for best answer. Thanks.

1 EVANS Cadel no 1
2 COOKE Baden no 55
3 LOWE Trent no 196
4 GERRANS Simon no86
5 MC EWEN Robbie no 6
6 O’GRADY Stuart no 15
7 RENSHAW Mark no 89
8 LANCASTER Brett no 154
9 HANSEN Adam no 46

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/LIVE/us/100/classement/index.html

And the German, debatable Australian. Riding on a German licence. TDF has him "Born in 25/02/1984 à Cottbus. (GER)"(click riders number).Other sources have him born in Australia. Definately raised in Australia and reported to be renewing Australian citizenship. Speaks with Australian accent

10 HAUSSLER Heinrich no 114

More on Haussler (wiki article so a grain of salt ) http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Heinrich_Haussler

Another showing born in Germany

http://uk.eurosport.yahoo.com/cy/profiles/4500000000009374.html

This link states duel citizenship and born in Australia residing in Cottbus. (most likely correct)

http://www.cyclingheroes.info/id1132.html

Michael Rogers would have lead out Team Columbia, if he hadn’t been crook most of the season.