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This summer is showing all of the signs of being a hot one. Temps have already been hitting the 100’s here in the Midwest. With that kind of heat we have to remember that when we are out there riding, we are at it’s mercy.

When you’re riding the possibility of get dehydrated and hot is substantially increased. Between the heat and the wind it can really zap you. This is especially true if you are taking long trips. I know this first hand. A couple of years ago I went on a ride from St. Louis Mo to Eureka Springs Ar. This was not an exceptionally long ride ( a little over 300 miles), but it was hot. I started the day off just fine. Got a good early start with the rest of the group. By lunch time the temps had hit 100 solid and the humidity was pretty close to the same. We ate lunch and started out again. For about an hour I was keeping up ok, but then I lost the group. They just seemed to vanish on me. I didn’t realize it but it was me who’d got lost. Two more hours of driving around and one of the guys came up beside me. He later told me I was only going about 20 miles per hour and was wobbling all over the road. Luckily he forced me to pull over at the next gas station and stop for awhile. That night I was sick as a dog. Couldn’t hold any food down, suffering from chills, and severe cramps.

Bottom line I was suffering from heat stroke and dehydration. Both of which can be deadly on their own. You can only imagine what could happen on the back of a motorcycle traveling down the highway.

How can dehydration be prevented?
Take precautionary measures to avoid the harmful effects of dehydration, including the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids, especially when working or playing in the sun. When riding you can carry a CamelBak that would allow you to drink while riding.
• Make sure you are taking in more fluid than you are losing. A good rule of thumb is you should need to urinate everytime you stop.
Try to schedule your ride during the cooler parts of the day (early morning and late afternoon)
• Drink appropriate sports drinks to help maintain electrolyte balance.

How can heat stroke be prevented?

There are precautions that can help protect you against the adverse effects of heat stroke. These include the following:

• Drink plenty of fluids during when on a motorcycle trip, especially on hot days. Water and sports drinks are the drinks of choice. Avoid tea, coffee, soda, and alcohol, as these can lead to dehydration.
• Wear lightweight, tightly woven (most T-shirts aren’t), loose-fitting clothing in light colors (don’t think this includes black).
• Schedule vigorous activity and sports for cooler times of the day.
• Protect yourself from the sun by wearing a bandanna or skull cap (such as our Flydanna , Road Hawg or USA Made doo rags) to keep the sun from landing directly on your head. and sunglasses.
• Rest in the shaded or air conditioned area when stopped.
  Increase time spent outdoors gradually to get your body used to the heat.
• While riding, take frequent drink breaks and keep your body cool by misting with water or using a cooling neck/head wrap to avoid becoming overheated.
• Try to spend as much time indoors as possible on very hot and humid days.
• If you live in a hot climate and have a chronic condition, talk to your physician about extra precautions you can take to protect yourself against heat stroke.

This has been some information that will keep you safe and allow you to enjoy your riding days a lot more. Be Safe … Enjoy the Ride Tools.

Jeff “Tools” Sinason is a long time motorcycle enthusiats. Being a motorcycle nut, he has run into all kinds of conditions and ridden through them unscathed. He is the owner of http://www.bikerwares.com which is a site dedicated to Enjoying the Ride.

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“Well it’s a frosty one this morning folks -5ºC (23ºF) you’re going to need that scraper today!” said the radio announcer. I groaned as I turned over, I felt like had just got to sleep half an hour ago. I strained to lift my dead body from the bed. My 5 year old daughter had been up few times during the night saying she was having bad dreams. With the little sleep I had I guess I was going to have a bad day. I slide out of bed and crawl into the shower. My body revives ever so slightly so I can now stand erect with one eye open. As I stub my toe leaving the washroom I realize I need both eyes open.

Into the closet should I ride in today? Did the radio say -5ºC it’s only October 13th give me a break! Maybe the ride will be good for me. I slip on my cycling clothes and decide against the t-shirt under my turtleneck, I’m tough I can take it. I stumble downstairs for breakfast. It’s cold downstairs because I haven’t turned the furnace on yet. I flick the switch, the house will probably get warm by the time I leave.

I slip on my wind pants and shell; I hope I will be warm enough. I step into the garage, its cold! I roll my bike to the driveway, it’s colder! I’m sure it will be okay once I’m riding. I slip a head band on and put on my helmet, a few stretches, turn on my headlight, and I’m off. Whoa, Maybe I should have put that t-shirt on! Riding into the park and down the ridge the wind is cutting like a knife.

My eyes are watering from the cold wind and it’s hard to see, I think I see someone walking their dog along the path. In this city we have bylaw that bikes have to have a bell, I slide my numb thumb over to ring it and the frozen ringer tab snaps off. Fortunately this lady sees my wavering headlight and jumps out of the way, “sorry” I yell as I roll past. Heading down towards the river I think I see a little water across the path, my brain kicks in at last second and says that’s not water, its -5ºC. My front tire slips off the path into the grass I am able to recover enough to not crash. I am awake now, at least for the next minute.

I cross the bridge over the river and head into the woods as I come out of the woods I just about clip some guy riding without any light on. I curse the guy under my breath and realize if I was not riding half asleep I would have seen him sooner. Thoughts of riding out of the valley in my condition haunt me as I approach the hill. I gear down quickly and crawl up the hill, I’m in my lowest gear pumping, and if this hill is any longer I’m going to have a stroke! I make it to the top and my head is pounding but I’m not cold anymore now. My legs are soaked in sweat, which reminds me I need to find better gear for the cold. Through the streets to my office as the sweat starts freezing to my legs I question why I didn’t drive in today. I pull up to the office start locking my bike up, a guy walks by and says “Wow you rode in today it’s freezing out, you must be a real man” and smiles. A small inkling of pride rises in me “Thanks” I say to him. Maybe even a bad ride can still be a good ride.

Kevin Redmond is a senior design supervisor at a large engineering company in Canada. He cycles into work whenever he can. He also runs a consumers Website called http://www.avoidconfusion.com you can get your cycling accessories at this site plus lots of other stuff give it browse and check it out.

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With the weather getting nicer, a lot of motorcyclists are dusting off their motorcycles and performing their routine spring tune up. One very important area to check is your brakes. Otherwise it will be very difficult to stop by just dragging your feet going 50 mph.

I will mainly focus this article on replacing the rear brake pads. This job is very simple, and takes less then a half hour. Even a government employee could do it.

1] For this step you will use a flat tip screwdriver between the pad, and rotor. Gently pry the pad outward to push the piston back in the caliper.

2] Find and remove the retaining clip on the pin. Remove clip.

3] Using a small punch drive the pin half way out. You will want to leave it so that it holds the inboard pad in place.

4] Remove, and replace the outboard pad. Make sure that it is seated in the caliper. Slide your punch in the hole so that the pad stays in place.

5] Pull pin the rest of the way out, and replace the inboard pad.

6] Re install the pin through both pads. I use a long extension, and go through the wheel to knock the pin in completely.

7] Finally, reinstall the retaining clip.

Now for the helpful hints.

First only replace one pad at a time. If you remove both pads at the same time the anti rattle shim will fall out, and you will have to remove the wheel to get it back in place
Do not attempt to remove the caliper. All you will get for your trouble is heart ache
Once you are done follow this pad break in procedure to avoid noise, and premature wear
Get to 30 MPH, and slowly apply rear brake till a complete stop. Count to 30 and do it again. You are trying to stop without heating up the pads: so go easy. Repeat this procedure at least 10 times. 20 is better.

Contributing author to Cycle Solutions
http://www.cyclesolutions.net

and Kingpin Cruisers
http://www.kingpincruisers.net

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The last seven years, or so, at the Tour de France has shown a success story that is very uncommon. Winning seven Tour de France championships is a feat that will be extremely hard to duplicate. Lance Armstrong knew it could be done, even overcoming a life threatening bout with cancer.

While admiring the great courage of one man, we can learn from his experience. Many of us struggle to maintain our weight and keep our diets in top form. We cheat with snacks, fast food, and overindulgence. And it shows in the mirror.

Cycling is just one form of exercise that we have to choose from. The benefits are enormous:

• Anyone can cycle. Regardless of ability, we could all take a stroll around the neighborhood.
• Bikes for everyone. A bike can be purchased by even those without legs. There are no limits to what bike manufacturers have developed. You may have seen some of the new styles.
• Family activity. Kids love to bike, and they love to bike in packs. Join the pack.
• Cycling is transportation. It is possible to live without a car. Bike to the market, school, and work. It’s not as far as you think.
• A way to meet friends. There are probably cycling clubs in your area or certain rides to partake in. Check a local bike shop for the ongoings.
• Affordability. Bikes range in price from one hundred to thousands of dollars. Used bikes are great alternatives as well.
• Addiction. Not a bad habit to get addicted to. You’ll get exercise, fresh air, and a chance to explore.

Cycling is a great example of a way to get out of the house and get fit. There are many other options though. It just takes initiative to get going. Local health clubs, YMCAs, and communities sponsor recreational leagues throughout the year. They are a great way to help your diet and get some exercise. The camaraderie in itself is uplifting to the soul.

Finding ways to get out and about is the key to mental and physical health. Many of us spend much of our day sitting. We look at computer screens for hours at a time. It really cannot be that great for our health. Obesity, especially childhood obesity, is on the rise all over the western world and the cure lies in the hands of each one of us.

Take a lesson from those that are admired. What do they do that makes their achievements seem superhuman? If you met Lance Armstrong, there would be no superpowers to discover, but a soul that is connected to a higher meaning of life. That soul connects to the ultimate potential that each of us has the ability to tap into.

Robb Ksiazek writes and publishes information on healthy diets and body at Body-Mass-Index-4U.com. He believes that taking care of your body now will provide longevity and fulfillment.

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Any Tuscany mountain bike holiday will charm you with lush landscapes, rich history, and mouth-watering cuisine and wine. The beautiful, historic area of Tuscany is the perfect setting for mountain biking.

While on your Tuscany mountain bike holiday, you will have plenty of time to appreciate the region, cycling through vineyards, olive groves, and quaint villages. In the evenings, you can relax in one of the many small hotels.

Enjoy superb food and well-appointed comfort wherever you go. Many tours include visits to wine estates where you will taste Brunello, Super Tuscan, Vino Nobile, and Chianti Classico.

A number of tour operators offer a Tuscany mountain bike holiday. The bikes they will have for hire, are usually of a high standard. The cost to rent a mountain bike or hybrid cycle is approximately £115-165 per week.

Garfagnana Adventures offers a range of different experiences as part of a Tuscany mountain bike holiday. Choose between tough and steep terrain suitable for experienced off-road enthusiasts, or more gentle woodland trails for adventurous novices. Note that this area is hilly, and you will need to be relatively fit to enjoy your biking.

A Tuscany mountain bike holiday offers you the opportunity to enjoy a scenic trail from Braccicorti, a converted farmhouse perched high on the northern flanks of the Serchio valley, as offered by Tuscan Trails. Follow the trail through the Apuane and Orecchiella National Parks in northern Tuscany. There is one free day to rest or to visit nearby Lucca, or to try out the local 2km skills and test track in the woods.

Hooked On Cycling Holidays has a standard cycling holiday for seven nights, but the length of stay can be varied according to your needs. The region also has enough hills to test your stamina. This Tuscany mountain bike holiday has been graded as explorer or adventurer. They have individual cycling holidays from early March to late October.

During a mountain bike holiday Tuscany Cycle Resort deserves a visit. It is based in a 4-Star Hotel, situated at the top of a hill at Casino di Terra. It is in the southern part of the Province of Pisa, bordering with the Province of Livorno. This area is in central Tuscany, not far from Cecina.

For a carefree Tuscany mountain bike holiday, the Cycle Resort offers bikes for hire. They also have storage facilities, as well as a hotel workshop for small repairs.

The southern part of the Province of Pisa is an area used to train national and international bike professionals. The mild temperatures allow training with racing bikes throughout the year.

From Casino di Terra, the most important towns of historical and cultural interest like Lucca, Florence and Siena, can be reached within about one hour by car, or by the fit cyclist.

Whether you bring your bikes with you, or rent them once you get there, your Tuscany mountain bike holiday offers numerous trails along which you can explore the wonderful landscape, and the fascinating history of the region.

A bonus is that you will return from your holiday in peak condition! All the superb food and wine will be worked off as you bike along the breath-taking Tuscany mountain bike holiday trails.

For more information visit Best-Mountain-Biking.com

Rika Susan of Article-Alert.com researches, writes, and publishes full-time on the Web. Copyright of this article: 2006 Rika Susan. This article may be reprinted if the resource box and hyperlinks are left intact.

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