Active Action Sports
4 Posts tagged with the bike tag
[http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/2007/04/11/mtnbikesnow.jpg]A couple weeks ago Chicago had record high temperatures and I was overjoyed to be outside on my bike after a long winter of indoor training rides. Winter is back now in the Midwest and it is a rude awakening. It’s almost the middle of April and Major League baseball games have been canceled in both Cleveland and Chicago on account of snow. I’ll admit, it makes me not want to take my bike out anytime soon.
Until I read about the North Pole Bike Extreme, the first bike race at the North Pole. The race description on the site is as follows:
You will cycle a 26.2-mile marathon distance in extreme sub-zero temperatures on the high Arctic Ocean while negotiating small hillocks of ice and pressure ridges. You will struggle in this formidable challenge, constantly aware you are on territory where the polar bear is king. Forced to carry your bike in some sections, and with 6 to 12 feet of pack ice separating you from 12,000 feet of Arctic Ocean below, a steely nerve will be required to take part in North Pole Bike Extreme - the coolest bike race on the planet.
The Midwest weather doesn’t seem so bad anymore. Fewer excuses, more pedaling!
(Photo provided by Getty Images/Image Source)
[http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/mtnbike.jpg]There are a group of guys riding their bikes the length of the Earth by following the backbone of the globe -- the world's longest continuous mountain range. The route takes them along the backroads and trails that traverse the Continental Divide. The off-road nature of this trip sounds like it would be an awesome ride and a unique opportunity to see the world and enjoy the great outdoors.
The Great Divide runs along the crest of the Rockies, from British Columbia, through the United States, and continues southward into Mexico and Central America. It divides the continent's principal drainage into that flowing eastward (to the Hudson Bay in Canada or to the Mississippi River) and that flowing westward (to the Pacific Ocean).
Unfortunately, they were busted by federal agents for biking through the Grand Canyon. They’re staying in Flagstaff for awhile to work construction and raise some cash to pay down their legal fees before moving on. The worst part is that they probably would have gotten away with it if they hadn’t posted pictures and stories about their illegal ride on their blog. After paying a $500 fine and being in jail for two days, they had to post something on their blog about why people shouldn’t bike through the Grand Canyon. Even worse, they are banned from National Parks for five years.
Another example of why one should be careful of what gets posted on the internet (and, of course, why to not ride your bike in the Grand Canyon). But these guys are on to something very cool in riding the longest off-pavement bike route in the world. They will be leaving Flagstaff and hitting the trail again in a couple weeks; if you want to keep an eye on them, their effort is called “Riding the Spine.”
(Photo provided by Getty Images/taken by<span style="margin-left: 5px;">Kashi Leuchs)</span>
[http://active.typepad.com/.shared/image.html?/photos/uncategorized/1084345.jpg]I was home in St. Louis for a little while and was fortunate enough to catch a week of 60 degree temperatures. It got me thinking -- spring is in the air and my bike is calling. Here are a few tips to help you find any problems and make sure no new ones arise so your bike works smoothly through the riding season.
Inspect your wheels closely to see if there are any cracks in the rim or any signs of bulging in the tire. If you don’t regularly tension your spokes you’ll have some serious flex problems from your wheels. If you don’t feel comfortable tensioning your spokes, just drop it by the bike shop. They’ll be more than happy to help.
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