Read and learn!

http://www.enquirer.com/editions/200...hulede111.html

Looking for a bike?


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They make great gifts, but buying one can be tougher than you remember

By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer


It's a two-wheeled wonder for wandering.

Powered by sheer muscle, balancing on two inches in a bold defiance of
gravity, a bicycle brings a child closer to adulthood and an adult back to
a childlike yearning for the carefree, open road.

Balancing the symbolism is the cold reality of deciding which bike gets
parked under (or near) the Christmas tree. What's with the knobby tires?
Do more gears mean more speed?

Here are some tips to make shopping for wheels something other than going
in circles.

How to fit a bike

There must be at least 1-2 inches of clearance between the rider's crotch
and the top tube (men's, women's or children's measurements).

Use a tape measure to measure the rider's pants inseam or try this
suggestion from Bicycling for Dummies (IDG Books; $19.99):

The rider should stand with back against a wall wearing the same type of
shoes and pants or shorts he or she would wear while riding.

Then the rider should straddle a book like a saddle (seat), making sure
the edges are against the wall. Mark a spot on the wall at the top of the
book. Measure the distance from the mark to the floor. That's the inseam
measurement.

It's best to bring the rider, but if you're shopping for a bike as a
surprise, use the inseam measurement to measure the distance from the
ground to the top of the bike's tube. For girls or women's bikes, take the
measurement up to the level of where a top tube would be.

Make sure the handlebar is within reach. You don't want to stretch or feel
too cramped.


Types of Bikes

BMX "bicycle motocross"

Also called dirt bikes. Spawned from motocross motorcycles, these have
wider, knobby tires. Low speed, usually with hand brakes.

Juvenile

Standard, traditional-style bikes for ages 2-10. One speed, most with foot
brake, although some come with hand brakes. For street cycling.

Mountain

Off-the-beaten-path, low-gear bikes with fat knobby tires, rugged wheels
and frame. Front and full suspension styles. The more expensive ones have
suspension wheels that absorb the bumps in the road mountain bikes live
for.

Comfort

Built for pavement riding. Smoother tires, narrow seats, turned-down
handlebars. Easy pedaling, upright seating for leisure rides.

Road

Also built for pavement riding. Has drop handlebars and narrow tires. Good
for longer commutes and fitness riding.

Hybrid

Popular cross between mountain and road bike. Flat handlebars, good for
commuting, touring and fitness.





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On Thu, 11 Dec 2003 18:34:40 -0000, (Garrison
Hilliard) wrote:
Mountain

Off-the-beaten-path, low-gear bikes with fat knobby tires, rugged wheels
and frame. Front and full suspension styles. The more expensive ones have
suspension wheels that absorb the bumps in the road mountain bikes live
for.

Mountain bikes live for _road_ bumps?

And haven't we had the discussion about wheel stiffness a few times?
Suspension wheels?
--
Rick Onanian

"Garrison Hilliard" wrote in message
...
http://www.enquirer.com/editions/200...hulede111.html

Looking for a bike?


--------------------------------------------------------------------------
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They make great gifts, but buying one can be tougher than you remember

By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer


Did this come off the back of a cereal box? Do people in Cincinnati read at
a 5th grade level, or does she just write at one?

Chris

Thursday, December 11, 2003
Equip bike, rider correctly


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By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer


After the bike, the helmet is the most important accessory. Make sure
your helmet has the correct fit and adjustment. Any bike store can
help you adjust your helmet just right. Although these tips come from
Kids Health, they apply to children and adult helmets.

A helmet should:

• Sit level on your head - not tilted forward or backward. (Do
not wear a hat under the helmet.)

• Have strong, wide straps that fasten snugly under the chin.

• Be tight enough (with straps fastened) so that no sudden
pulling or twisting can move the helmet around on your head.

• Always be fastened while riding.

• Be replaced every 5 years - and immediately if you have a hard
fall and hit your head while wearing the helmet.

Saddle up

Seating comfort is crucial to enjoying the ride. Saddle widths and
style vary according to the type of cycling and the preference of the
cyclist.

The Bikes Belong Coalition(bikesbelong.org) has these tips to prevent
a bad fit, or "blazing saddles."

Firm, narrow seats work fine for the more athletic rider who put most
of their weight on the pedals. For more casual riding, choose a seat
with more width and padding.

If you're a new rider, expect a little seat soreness on the first few
outings. If you're still sore, your saddle may need adjusting. Its top
should be level with the ground. If your knees aren't slightly bent
when your feet are at the bottom of the pedal stroke, you don't have
the correct seat height, which can also cause discomfort.

Pain and soreness in the lower back, neck, arm and shoulders may mean
your handlebars are set at the wrong angle. Take the bike to a bike
shop and ask for an adjustment.

Other accessories

If you travel away from home, you'll need a bike lock. While the cable
locks are more flexible, the U-shaped locks are good for securing to
solid items, like posts and railings.

Carrying pouches fit just under the seat. Must-haves are a puncture
repair kit, mini pump and wrench multi-tool to help remove wheels,
unkink a chain and loosen bolts.

Biking parents with small children may want to invest in bicycle child
carriers or trailers, which allow the little ones to experience the
road too.


http://www.enquirer.com/editions/200...de11side2.html

Thursday, December 11, 2003
Greater Cincinnati bike trails


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There are a number of Tristate streets marked for bicycle travel.
Those designations are identified on the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana
Regional Commission Web site (www.oki.org) .

Route guides for Southwest Ohio and Northern Kentucky are on sale at
720 E. Pete Rose Way, Suite 420, or you can order them online.
Separate guides for Cincinnati city and the Hoosier Bike Route for
Indiana routes are available from OKI for free. They also offer free
guides on bicycle safety and regulations. 621-6300.


Off-road cycling

Harbin Park, Fairfield

Deerfield Park, Landen

Keehner Park, West Chester Township

Caesar Creek State Park, Waynesville

East Fork State Park, Bethel

Paint Creek State Park, Bainbridge

Hueston Woods State Park, north of Oxford

Tower Park, Fort Thomas

England Idlewild Park, north of Burlington


Paved cycling

Little Miami Scenic Trail (along Little Miami River, Milford north to
Spring Valley)

Hamilton County Park trails in Sharon Woods and Francis RecreAcres in
Sharonville, Shaker Trace Trail in Miami Whitewater Park and Winton
Woods' Harbor Trail in Springfield Township

Hamilton Bikeway, Hamilton

Cincinnati's California Junction Trail, Dunham Sport Complex and
Lunken Airport Playfield Hike and Bike Trail

Northern Kentucky River Path (along Ky. 8)

Central Park, south of Burlington

Pendery Park, east of Melbourne



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"Garrison Hilliard" wrote in message
om...

(quoting a Cincinnati newspaper)
There are a number of Tristate streets marked for bicycle travel.
Those designations are identified on the Ohio-Kentucky-Indiana
Regional Commission Web site (www.oki.org) .

Maybe they are, and maybe they aren't.
I searched aon this site until I got to:
http://www.oki.org/maps/transportation/bikeways.html
which would seem to be the right page.

This page says says:
" MAPS & DATA HOME -- TRANSPORTATION -- BIKEWAYS DATA & MAPS |

Bikeways Data & Maps

No data currently available

ALL CONTENT IS PROVIDED 'AS IS,' WITHOUT WARRANTIES OR GUARANTEES OF ANY
KIND, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED. OKI.org HEREBY DISCLAIMS ANY AND ALL
WARRANTIES AND CONDITIONS WITH RESPECT TO ALL CONTENT"

Definitely a government site.
--
Mike Kruger
I didn't believe in reincarnation last time, either.

Garrison Hilliard wrote:
Thursday, December 11, 2003
Equip bike, rider correctly
By Shauna Scott Rhone
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After the bike, the helmet is the most important accessory.

'cos God forbid anyone buy lights...

.... actually, our Ms. Rhone doesn't mention lighting anywhere, does she?
--
David Damerell Distortion Field!