Recreation And Sports

2006-01-07T07:33:00.000-08:00

3 Little Known Tips of Basketball Hoop Shopping
by: Tim Jeffries

I've got a confession to make. I play basketball. I play it very poorly and can't make very many of the shots that I shoot at the basketball hoop. I have a feeling that I am not alone in the world at being a rather poor basketball player. However, one thing that I'm not bad at is comparison shopping. I've mastered the ancient art of comparing prices between merchants and can usually ferret out a fairly good deal with a little bit of leg work. Basketball hoops are no different than other items when it comes to shopping for them.

There are some tips you should know before embarking on your journey to shop for a basketball hoop.

1) New or Used. You really might consider buying a used basketball hoop if you are interested in value. However, make sure you are buying one that hasn't been banged up too bad. Years of basketball practice can only make your rim bent and dirty. Ebay can be a great place to buy used equipment and basketball hoops are regularly for sale on Ebay.

2) Do your homework by comparing different merchant offers on different search engines and different websites. Just because something is advertised for sale on Google doesn't mean its also advertised for sale on Yahoo. Some merchants advertise their good strictly through the Amazon partners program and don't do any other advertising anywhere else. Price vary drastically and the only way you will know that you are getting a good deal is to examine what the different people are selling the same goods for on different websites. Basketball hoops are no exception.

3) Learn about the different types and styles of basketball hoops. Without the knowledge of what you are buying, points #1 and #2 are nearly worthless. Buy your hoop the right way and get a great deal on one by being an informed consumer. Learn how to buy a basketball hoop and you can guarantee that you got a better deal than everyone else.

2005-12-15T10:30:00.000-08:00

Cycling In the Cold Weather

Well the cold weather is upon us again (for those of us in North) and it is time to get layered. For those of us who want to persist that is the best way to stay warm on the bike. Where I cycle in Calgary, Canada it gets quite cold in mornings and then can warm up considerably during the day during this time of year. You can have up to 40°F differential; this can present a challenge for staying warm and comfortable.

The key is to find clothing that is breathable yet breaks the cold wind in the morning. For my legs I have tried cheap lined nylon pants with my riding shorts underneath. This didn’t work out to well with my legs being soaked in sweat by the end of my ride. That is not a good thing when it is below freezing, you need to find something that will wick the moisture away. It is worth the money to get something better. I went to the Web to find what I was looking for and I found great deal on some fleece cycle tights. Well that solved the leg issue they were great they cut wind and kept the moisture away. The lower half was doing great now! Two points to remember, one, you should have enough room for your cycling pants underneath the fleece tights. This brings me to the second point it is better to have these over your cycling pants because during the evening when it is warmer you will want to remove these to ensure you don’t get overheated heading home. In temperatures below 20°F (-7°C) you may want to add some nylon shell pants to cut the wind more.

The upper body poses a problem since it catches most of the wind but is not moving much. What you need here is a full-featured wind and water resistant shell with ventilated pit zips and a breathable fabric so you can get the most protection and ventilation. A shell with pit zips is great because it easily give you more ventilation if you start to over heat. This type of jacket is also great for locations that get more rain this time of year opening up the pit zips allows that extra ventilation you needs without getting to wet! With a good shell I found I only needed two more layers what these two layers are depends on how cold your ride is. I find that down to about 25°F (-4°C) that a good turtle neck and the shell are enough as long as wind isn’t blowing too hard, if it is blowing you can add a t-shirt under this if you want. When it starts getting colder than this remove the t-shirt, keep the turtleneck and wear a fleece jacket under this, make sure your protective shell has room for this layering process.

The extremities are a real challenge, starting with the hands. At temperatures down to 25°F (-4°C) a pair of lined leather gloves is sufficient. At temperature below 25°F (-4°C) mitts are the best, there is nothing like the having your fingers together to keep them warm. The challenge is the thumb, I occasionally have to pull my thumb out and join it with the rest of the fingers for while to warm it up. Those mitt/glove combinations where the mitt flips over the open finger end might do the trick also but I do not use these. Be careful not to get a mitt with to much bulk you still need dexterity for shifting and braking. Another good choice would be those three finger mitts they would still keep some fingers together for warmth and offer you some good dexterity.

Next is the head, this is the toughest. The main reason for the difficulty is that you still need to wear you helmet and keep those ears from freezing. Anybody who commutes without a helmet should have his head examined (and may have to some day) particularly when things start freezing, ice can form anywhere, so be safe. What you need for this is a quickly adjustable helmet, one that has a ratchet type adjustment at back to allow for the layer you will need under it when it is cold and can be made smaller for your ride home when it may warmer. You can find a great selection of cycling helmets on the Web. The best system is to have two types of balaclavas. One should be a thinner polypropylene type with an open face style that will still cover you chin. This one is good for temperature down to 25°F (-4°C). When the temperature starts sinking below 25°F (-4°C) a fleece balaclava with coverage for your nose should be used. What is difficult for those of us who where glasses is fogging up when wearing the balaclava. I try keeping my glasses further down my nose to allow for more air circulation, this doesn’t completely eliminate it but it helps.

Kevin Redmond is a senior design supervisor with a major engineering company in Canada. He commutes to work as much as the weather will allow. He also runs a great consumers website at http://www.avoidconfusion.com check it out and find great deals on bicycles, accesories and everything else from A to Z.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Kevin_Redmond

2005-12-13T00:49:00.000-08:00

How To Develop A Strength Training Workout To Swim Faster!

Swimming is a very unique sport to develop a proper strength training workout for. Swimming is one of the few sports that requires more upper body strength for maximum performance. In fact, swimming requires at least 80% of strength from the torso and arms. Strength train correctly for swimming, and watch your speed in the water take off! Here are some tips to help you create the perfect workout.

1. Determine The Body Parts To Emphasize

No matter which swimming stroke you compete in, the body parts to emphasize are the same. The body parts in order of importance, that you will need for swimming are the back, chest, shoulders, arms, abdominals, hips, thighs. When creating a sport specific plan, you will work on these body parts in this order. You still want to train the entire body, because our body’s work as a unit. Although you want to keep all of your body parts strong, try to keep this order when setting up your workout.

2. Select The Best Exercises For The Emphasized Body Parts

When selecting exercises for your swimming strength workout, you should find ones that you are comfortable with. Don’t try to perform exercises that “mimic” the movements required when you swim. You never want your strength training exercises to be “too similar” to the skills for your sport. Just find the 12 best exercises for the body parts above.

3. Organize The Exercises Into A Routine

Take the 12 best exercises and organize them into a workout routine. You can substitute exercises occasionally. Try to select 2 exercises for each body part.

4. Full Body Workouts

Now that you’ve organized your exercises into a routine, you need to perform these full body workouts. If you’re in the off-season, you can do this full body workout on 3 nonconsecutive days per week. If you’re in-season, try to perform a workout every 4-5 days. This additional rest will help you recuperate from the combination of practices, workouts, and competitions. You might even get stronger by training this infrequently.

5. Keep It Progressive

No matter which exercises you’ve decided on, you must keep your workouts progressive. That means you should strive to add an additional repetition with the same weight in successive workouts or keep the number of repetitions the same, and add a little more weight. Try to do this as often as you can.

6. Minimize Momentum

When you’re swimming competitively you want to be fast in the water. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that your strength training workouts need to be fast in order to make you faster in the water. Your strength training workouts should be slow and controlled. Always lower a weight twice as slowly as you lift it. This ensures that your form is perfect. Perfect form on your strength training exercises will carry over to improved performances in the water.

Steve Preston is a Sports Performance Specialist in Virginia Beach, Virginia. He specializes in sports-specific strength training programs to improve athletic performances. He is available for phone consultations, and clinics and can be reached through his website at http://www.sports-strength.com He has recently created a DVD Strength Training Program For Swimmers. It can be viewed at http://www.sports-strength.com/swimming.html

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_Preston

2005-12-10T08:15:00.000-08:00

All you need to know for Germany 2006

The coaches and delegations may have left Leipzig during the course of the weekend, but even though the long wait for the Final Draw is over, now there is something far more important to look forward to.

For the tactical minds behind the teams, the preparations for next summer's FIFA World Cup™ will be starting in earnest, but for the fans the questions are somewhat simpler: Where are we playing? What are the teams like in our group? What does our coach think of the draw?

Fortunately, FIFAworldcup.com has all the answers in this comprehensive guide. Simply click on the links to find out the information you require and click here for the complete match schedule for Germany 2006.

Group A: Analysis / Reaction
Germany, Costa Rica, Poland, Ecuador

Group B: Analysis / Reaction
England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden

Group C: Analysis / Reaction
Argentina, Cote d’Ivoire, Serbia and Montenegro, Netherlands

Group D: Analysis / Reaction
Mexico, Iran, Angola, Portugal

Group E: Analysis / Reaction
Italy, Ghana, USA, Czech Republic

Group F: Analysis / Reaction
Brazil, Croatia, Australia, Japan

Group G: Analysis / Reaction
France, Switzerland, Korea Republic, Togo

Group H: Analysis / Reaction
Spain, Ukraine, Tunisia, Saudi Arabia

2005-12-09T01:23:00.000-08:00

Kayak Fishing: Get To Where the Fish Are
By Scott Hamilton

"I keep my eyes clear and I hit 'em where they ain't." This was baseball’s Willie Keeler's famous explanation for his .432 average in 1897. This applies well for baseball, but not fishing. To be successful, you need to be able to get where the fish are, not be “where they ain’t” and a great way to accomplish this to use a kayak.

As a child, I sat on the bank of many a river and many a small lake with my grandpa trying to catch fish. While I cherished the time we spent together, we did not catch as many fish as I would have liked. In fact, I know that I would have enjoyed these trips more if we would have had more action. Now that I have my kayak, I am mobile. If I spot feeding fish I can get to them with just a few short strokes, make a cast, and BINGO “Fish On!” This makes for a much more exciting day.

My favorite lake to fish is Lake Angelus in Michigan. This is a private lake; I am fortunate that my sister has a house on the lake and allows me access. Anyway, my point is that I have discovered where the fish are and now I can get to them. The lake has a “flats” area that cannot be reached by heaving bait as a landlubber. Also complicating things is that the fish are easily spooked from the sounds of boat engines. Consequently, the kayak is the ultimate tool for achieving success. I have literally “snuck up” on 5-pound small mouth bass, seen the lunker lying on the bed, worked my “Texas” rig, through the shallows, and then had the fight of a lifetime. At times, the fish have towed the kayak quite some distance before being landed.

Serenity Now!

For those of you familiar with the comedian Jerry Seinfeld, you may remember the famous episode when one of the characters thought they could obtain peaceful bliss by screaming “SERENITY NOW!” Of course, this did not work, and the character ended up being institutionalized. However, I know how you can obtain bliss, simply take the kayak to a secluded place and enjoy nature. I am a good angler, but I am sure there are many other fishermen who have developed more skills at this sport than I have. Consequently, I do not have a fish on constantly (nor do I want to have a fish on constantly). When things slow down on my quests for fish, I can obtain Serenity by paddling around the lake and observing nature.

I also am a birder and like to identify the different species that gather around the wetlands. My kayaking trips have allowed me to observe birds and other wildlife that could not be seen in suburbia, where I live. Some examples are a bald eagle in Upper Michigan, an elk on the Two-Hearted River in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, some loons also in the U.P., and moose and Grizzly bear in Alaska.

Okay, let’s say you don’t like fishing, and birding isn’t your bag either. How about surfing? Or riding the rapids? Or sailing? The kayak can be used in all of these sports. No kidding, I have surfed in the Atlantic Ocean with a kayak. I paddled out to the breakers, timed the wave, and rode it to shore. This was very exciting! I have also taken my kayak through white water on a river, an adrenaline rush. Before you try this, you must make sure you are properly equipped and have the skill to make it through safely.

Sailing is something I have yet to try, but I’ve seen it and want to give it a go. The kayaks really move out on a windy day!

Lastly, I am 5’7” tall and weight 200 pounds (sometimes more). The reason I bring this up is to let you know that I need exercise. Sadly, I do not have the svelte physique I used to have back in the day. The kayak provides me with an aerobic workout opportunity. It helps me keep my weight down and to keep my muscles toned.

The above reasons are why I have the passion for kayaking. Dollar for dollar, the kayak is the best investment you can make if you share the same interests that I do.

Scott Hamilton, Kayak fisherman http://www.kayakquest.com

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Scott_Hamilton

2005-12-09T01:21:00.000-08:00

Fast And Furious Go Karts! How To Buy One Cheap!
by: Larry Johnson

Go karts can make your heart pump like almost nothing else. If you’re hooked on the thrill of go karting and you are dying to purchase a sleek new go kart there are a few tricks you need to learn. With a little patience go karts can be bought for as much as 50% off of the regular retail price. They are incredibly fun, and they've become extremely popular these days. You can find go karts at just about every family fun center or amusement park.

Racing go karts or off road gokarts are just plain fun. But you already know how exciting go karts are so let’s get to the nuts and bolts of how to purchase a go kart at rock bottom discount prices.

Finding cheap go karts is a lot easier than you may think, you just have to wait a little longer before you buy. But don’t worry, not too long. It’s really a simple tactic that I call price shopping. Price comparisons are certainly something you have already heard about, but if you do it right you can find some great discounts.

In the olden days you had to call up different stores or actually go visit them to get some price comparisons for racing or off road gokarts. But today we have the internet which makes it a whole lot easier. It still takes a little work and some patience, but the savings can be well worth the wait.

First, go to Google.com and type ‘go karts,’ ‘go kart,’ ‘go kart sale’ or ‘discount go karts’ into the search box. You may also want to try 'go carts,' 'go cart,' 'gocarts,' 'gocart,' ‘gokarts’ or ‘gokart’ spelled differently or enter some different gokarting words that may be appropriate. This will yield an unbelievable amount of online dealers. Check out about 10 or 20 of them and make a note of the different models and prices that they offer. Also, you’ll notice on the right side of the Google search web pages there are many sponsored ads. Companies pay a lot of money to advertise there. Many of these sites have great prices and they should be checked out too.

Second, do the same thing Yahoo.com. Find a few go kart sites that offer the types of go karts that you are searching for and make a note of the models and their prices. Once again, look at the sponsored ads on the page and visit some of them too. Keep track of the cheapest prices you can find.

Third, visit Froogle.com. Froogle is an offshoot of Google. It is a giant shopping site where you can find lots of different models. Search for ‘gokart’ and ‘gokarts’ just as you did at Google and Yahoo, making sure to write down the cheap discount prices you find for the go kart models you are most interested in.

Fourth, go to ebay and do another similar search. Look at the different auctions and notice the prices that go karts are actually selling for. This is one of the best ways to determine a selling price. You may have to keep track of a few auctions for a few days, but it will give you a good idea of the value for different types of go karts.

Do you get the idea? All you’re doing is spending a little time locating all of the best prices you can find online. Then you’re keeping track of these prices so that you can compare them. Now here’s the hard part. Wait a week or two and then do it all over again. I know that waiting is hard, but if you try to avoid an impulse buy you can usually find lower prices. After a couple of weeks you will have determined which go kart dealers offer the best prices.

Saving up to 50% on the price of a great go kart is worth waiting a couple of weeks for. Once you’ve done your homework you just might be rewarded with a wonderfully cheap gokart. And once the work is over, it’s fun time.

2005-12-06T11:58:00.000-08:00

Power Golf Exercises That Are Proven To Add Distance
by: Mike Pedersen

Power golf exercises are a unique set of exercises that you do not do in a gym on machines, nor do you lift heavy weights. For that matter, you can do simple power golf exercises right in your home with minimal equipment.

You see…to improve the power in your golf swing, you need to look at the mechanics that create the power.

It’s not your arms swinging the club as hard as you can! It’s not your legs driving your body through the swing! And it’s not swinging some funky 50 inch shaft with a 600cc titanium head either.

It’s quite simple!

The power in your golf swing is your CORE!

Your core is the engine to your swing. If your core is weak or inflexible, you will never be able to hit a powerful tee shot. This is harsh…but very true!

The modern power golf swing is one of being “connected” with your upper body. Not letting your letting your arms get separated from your body. Rotating your upper body as a whole, over a somewhat stable lower body will produce maximum power at impact.

So the perfect power golf exercises involve rotational movements with resistance in your core area. The are many exercises you can do that will dramatically improve your driving distance and power…and no gym required!

A simple power golf exercise for your core is my Seated Twist w/Dumbbell:

• Sit upright in your chair.

• Hold single dumbbell straight out from chest with arms fully extended.

• While keeping your head focused straight ahead, rotate your arms to the right, then to the left as far as you can go both ways.

• Do this non-stop for 20 total rotations.

• Pause for 15 seconds and repeat 2 more times.

At first you will feel very restricted in your midsection. That’s a sign of how limited your rotational flexibility really is. But do this exercise daily and you will see improvement quickly.

The next time you step out onto the course, you’ll blast your drives up to 20 yards further!

As you can see above…the key is ROTATIONAL exercises with resistance, whether it be a single dumbbell, exercise tubing or even a weighted golf club.

Doesn’t matter what you use, as long as it is up to 5 pounds in weight and you can handle it easily in both hands. If you’re already in good shape go for 10-15 pounds and increase your rate of speed. This will both improve your “fast-twitch” core muscles and also your range of motion for a bigger backswing and a complete follow through.

So you see…I wasn’t fibbing! It doesn’t take a gym or fancy equipment to do effective and proven power golf exercises!

2005-12-05T02:38:00.000-08:00

Soccer Nutrition and Mental Focus;

Food-Brain-Brain-Food link,

We've all heard of the "breakfast on champions".
This is true because it focuses on the daily nurturing of the body to aid the mind in preparation of the events ahead.
It can be a part of a ritual as, proper breathing techniques and adequate liquid consumption.

Focusing on a dietary plan is also preparing the mind for future competitions is a long process.
This is the use of one of the most important issues in life (food), to introduce another important issue (competition), to heighten the all aspects of individual and team performances.

It teaches the players/athletes to cue themselves for their games ahead.
It also prompts acceptable behaviors and fosters conditions of ownership among the players and all those involved in the team.
Nutrition also allows the coaches to use food and other rewards to encourage other acceptable techniques to prepare for a variety of competitions. NO! I'm not encouraging "Pavlovian" psycologial techniques, this is a much longer and indepth process.

Nutrition is only a step in a process towards mental focus.
We have also heard, "strong in body, and strong in mind".
I would suggest that these major components in life are completely intertwined and in fact are, inseperable.
You can win by recognizing this or lose without even knowing that there is a link too or a cause and effect with this issue.

Many of us try and focus on what to eat. This is the first important step in the correct direction.
The flip side to that is what not to eat. This is realizing what is harmful to the player and even the coach.
"Maybe a little more oatmeal and less coffee?" is a good first step towards this solution.

The addition to that is what to eat, and in which combinations.
We have now entered the realm of the ZONE.
This is the area of expertise of the highly qualified nutritionist to deliver the ultimate nutritional plan.
This however can only be successful once the planner knows which competitons lay ahead. The nutritional planner also has to understand the team of athletes and their gender and age specificity.

Steve September of On The Ball Soccer Training has been involved in soccer for over forty years and on three continents. As a player, player coach and high performance coach Steve wants to share the knowledge and experiences with all levels of people involved in the soccer scene. Check out the philosophy and information at http://www.soccertrainingskills.com.

Article Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Steve_September

2005-12-04T10:01:00.000-08:00

Joshua Tree – Hiking Ryan Mountain
by: Rick Chapo

With the onset of winter, hikers in California turn to Joshua Tree in the Mojave Desert. Hiking Ryan Mountain is good way to see an excellent summit view of the park.

Joshua Tree – Ryan Mountain

If you’re looking for the best view in Joshua Tree National Park, Ryan Mountain is the undisputed winner. Make it to the top and you’ll find a 360 degree view of the park with mountains on one side and the sprawling desert on the other.

Ryan Mountain is reached by hiking the…drum roll please…Ryan Mountain Trail. The trail is roughly one and half miles and takes 45 minutes to an hour depending on your pace. Easy to follow, the trail winds to and up the mountain, giving you a unique panorama as you climb. The incline is pretty moderate, but hiking the trail can be a good workout if you happen to catch it on a really windy day.

The winds on Ryan Mountain can get very serious. We are talking gale force winds. Even if the winds are roaring on the day you visit, go ahead and make the hike. It is relatively short and the views definitely make the effort worth it.

Once you reach the summit, you are going to be literally and symbolically blown away. It is a rare day the wind doesn’t blow like all get out. Still, you’ll hardly notice since the view is incredible. From the summit, you’ll be able to see Queen Valley, Pinto Basin, Lost Horse Valley and even the snow covered peak of Mount San Jacinto in the distance.

To get to Ryan Mountain, take Park Boulevard out of Joshua Tree Town. After 16 miles or so, you’ll see a sign for Keys View. Turn left and go a bit over two miles till you see a parking lot on the side of the road with a sign for the trail. Crowds are usually at a minimum.

While much of the country is in a deep freeze in the winter, Joshua Tree is at its best. Hiking the Ryan Mountain Trail is a good way to check it out.

2005-12-01T02:15:00.000-08:00

Choose The Perfect Fishing Trip Destination
by: Sintilia Miecevole

One of the first things you must do to plan a great fishing trip is to identify your priorities. You need to be more specific than just saying you want great fishing. Great fishing may mean different things to each person in your fishing party.

One person might be happy with catching 20 fish per day, while another might be expecting 30 fish per hour. So, you need to decide this up front.

Let's take a look at some of the most important things to consider when deciding where to go on your fishing trip.

What type of fish do you want to catch?

While this may seem obvious, it is something that needs to be discussed. One person may want to fish for walleye and northern pike, while others may want to go bass fishing. Since many northern lakes have water too cold for bass, you may end up at a lake that would really disappoint the bass fisherman.

Do you want tons of action? Or trophy fish?

Some anglers simply enjoy catching lots of fish (most any size) with the hope of getting a few big ones. Other fishermen would rather give up catching a large quantity of fish for a better chance at catching the biggest fish they can find. You need to decide which is more important to your fishing group... lots of fish that maybe aren't the biggest or fewer fish but a greater chance of a really big one.

It should be noted that there are many places where you can do both... catch lots of fish and get some big ones. But, these tend to be at the more remote and pricey lodges and are not always feasible for many fishing groups.

How are you going to catch your fish?

Do you like to troll? Or drift? Fish in streams? Deep water fish?

We've seen people trolling in 60 feet of water thinking the fish were only a few feet from the surface. Not much chance of catching anything this way. Be sure you know the type of fishing your group prefers and that the lake will offer it.

What do you want to spend for this fishing trip?

The price you're willing to pay will have a great impact on the type of fishing trip you'll have.

Be realistic. How much do you really want to spend? Are you comfortable in a tent or tar-paper shack on a lake with great fishing?

Or would you prefer staying at a more upscale fishing lodge?

Do you want to cook for yourself... or do you want the fishing camp to do the cooking?

And what about shower facilities? Are you willing to use a community shower or do you want a private shower and bath in your own cabin. Gentlemen, if you're taking your spouse on this trip, make absolutely sure you consider this one! If you don't, it could spoil an otherwise great trip.

Other considerations are how long the trip will be and the type of fish you are looking to catch. A trip to a fishing lodge on a lake with pan fish and bass will likely be much cheaper that a trip to Alaska or Northern Canada for arctic char.

So, if you really want a great fishing trip, start by planning just exactly what you want out of the trip and how much you are willing to spend. Do it right and you can have the fishing trip of a lifetime.

[RC:ee0a74dd]

2005-11-30T02:06:00.000-08:00

The Tour De France, The Worlds Biggest Road Bike Race
by: Alastair Hamilton

The Tour de France is the BIG one; it’s the World cup and the Olympics all in one. It has it all, the high mountains, the wind swept northern planes and the heat of the south. It also has the world’s media, all the top teams and riders and millions of cycling mad fans watching. The other “Grand Tours” of Italy and Spain are as exciting, sometimes more so, but they don’t have the thing the Tour has, that unique Tour ness, that unique French ness.
How it started.
It all started in 1903, when the French daily paper, L’Auto wanted to sell more than its competitor, Le Vélo, who at that time was the only paper reporting on cycle racing. It was suggested to the papers director, Henri Desgrange that they should organise a bike race all round France. The first race was 2,428 kilometres split into six stages and was run off at 25.29 kilometres per hour and out of the 60 starters 21 finished and the race was lead from start to finish by Maurice Garin.
The Heroes.
Over the years there has been a lot of heroes in the Tour de France, you could say all the riders are heroes, to win the race once is hard, but to win it five times is phenomenal. Only five men have done this, and one of these has won it seven times. French rider Jacques Anquetil was the first to win the race five times, Eddy Merckx, Bernard Hinault and then Spaniard Miguel Indurain all equalled him. Then the American, Lance Armstrong started to win in 1999 and didn’t stop until he had won it a record seven times in a row. This is all the more amazing as he is a cancer survivor and was given a 50/50 chance of life; he beat the cancer and went on to beat all comers in the Tour de France.
The course.
The race starts in a different town every year and every other year it starts outside France, the choice of stage towns is a combination of money and sporting considerations, the towns will pay for a start or a finish, but they need to be near a mountain or a cobbled road or be near other town who want to host the Tour. The Towns pay to be the centre of interest for a day, the Tour also brings in a lot of money in tourism and the Towns collect much more than they pay and the world will remember the name of the Town, for at least a day.
The riders.
All the best riders want to win the Tour de France, but they cant, from the 200 or so starters there is a possible five or six riders who can win, the rest are either helping their team leaders or sprint or mountain specialists who want to win stages or points or mountain jerseys, this keeps the race active and interesting from beginning to end.
The BIG Tour.
The Tour is the biggest, but that has its problems, some Towns are not big enough, hotels etc., the television needs more space, the journalists need more phone lines and computers, more and more people are following the race and the riders can be forgotten about in all the razzmatazz, but its still the biggest sporting event in the world, long may in run!

2005-11-28T02:00:00.000-08:00

Golf Resistance Training - Helping To Make You A Better Player
by: Simon Ashton

Being a good golfer requires a good level of fitness. Remember, there are 18 long holes you have to play! Thats a lot of walking, and swinging and carrying of your bags. If you really want to improve your score, enjoy the game more and in general feel fitter and healthier, then you need to conside golf resistance training. Regardless of your age, if you start to use resistance traiing on a regular basis, this can help you get into better shape and even help stave off disease.

For the golfers who want to add more power to their swing, whilst also giving their stamina and endurance a boost to complete all the 18 holes should consider resistance training, also known as strength training. This is also a great way to loosen up muscles, preventing injury whilst out there on the golf course. Resistance training simply involves lifting weights or working out with the resistance machines at a gym. If you want to, you can also do the resistance training at home, just by using everyday items that you already own.

To begin with, it is important that you speak with a doctor before undergoing any form of extra excercise. Put simply, resistance training, as previously described should be considered as "strong medicine", if only because you could hurt yourself if you are unsure of what you're doing or you aren't sure of what level you should undertake when you are working out. Providing your doctor, once you have been checked out, gives you the go ahead, you have another important decision to make.

To join a gym or not to join a gym?

This problem can be solved very easily with a little leg work, so to speak. Find out where the gyms in your local area are situated, then try to visit each one of them. Most gyms will offer a free tour, possibly even a free workout to make sure that they offer the right facilities and equipment for your needs. By taking advantage of the different offers that each gym makes before you join, it will allow you to asses which, if any, is the right gym for you.

If you decide that you don't feel comfortable joining a gym and wouldn't like to be attending on a regular basis, or if you don't want to be paying the monthly fees for the membership then you could also consider working out at home by doing the golf resistance training their instead.

You may want to make the initial one off investment of buying dumbbells and gym equipment that you could set up in a spare room, therefore eliminating the need for an ongoing monthly payment to the gym. To begin with, though, you may not even need to purchase any of these to do your resistance training.

One example of a great excercise for your legs involves just squatting down. This particularly, will work the backs of your legs. Using just the wall for support to lean against, or do it in the middle of the room if you so wish, for a harder work out. Start by placing your hands on your hips, your feet slightly apart, lining up directly under your shoulders.Lower your body down, as far as is comfortable or until your thighs are at a 90 degree angle to the floor, bending you knees, whilst keeping your back straight. Then push up slowly. Repeat until you feel it is starting to work the muscles in your legs.

Another resistance training excercise for golfers is to use a chair. Sit on the chair, scoot the front seat whilst keeping your back straight. Then with one foot firmly placed on the floor, straighten your other leg until it is now horizontal, stretched out, parallel to the ground. Now repeat this excercise with the other leg, giving both legs a thorough resistance training work out.

A simple resistance training excercise for your arms involves using just 2 cans or beans or soup, or what ever you have at home in your cupboards. Sitting on a chair, with your arms resting relaxed at your sides, a can in each hand, slowly raise your arms, in an arc like direction. Moving your arms upwards and outwards, stretched away from you, until they are now parallel with the ground, pointing away from your shoulders. Now slowly lower them down and repeat.

If you wanted to work both legs and arms at the same time. Simply do both squats and arm raises at the same time. Standing in the middle of the room, with your arms by your sides and a can in each arm, begin to squat as described earlier, whilst lowering your body down, being to raise your arms. This should result in your arms being parellel with the ground at the same moment as you are squated down. Slowly raise your body and lower your arms at the same time. This should also result in increased focus, co-ordination, as well as increased muscle strength.

2005-11-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Golf Apparel - It's All About Good Golf Etiquette
by: Simon Ashton

When playing golf, there are many rules. It isn't juat a matter of turning up to a golf course, playing a round of golf and then going home. You have to show good golf etiquette to be able to fit in with your surroundings and also to be allowed to play at the golf club.

One of the many rules of etiquette on the links is for each golfer to wear the proper golf apparel. This is one of the most important rules on the golf course. Following a strict dress code on the golf course, is something that most golf clubs and courses, even the public ones, require the golfers to do. Probably the most popular rule is the one of requesting that the golfers wear a collared shirt, although many courses also require long pants to be worn - not jeans of course - and proper golf shoes.

The primary rule of etiquette when actually hitting the links, is to show up on schedule for your tee time. It is important to be considerate of others and for you to not arrive a few minutes before tee off, still wanting to have a few practice swings on the driving range. Give yourself plenty of time, along with practice time, you will also need to find somewhere to park your car, purchase your golf balls, get changed into the correct golf apparel and collect your cart.

Cell-phones are also a big no no. Cell-phones are not part of the correct golf apparel and this should be considered before setting off on the course. They should either be left behind in your car or locker or if absolutely neccessary and needed for emergencies, should be kept in your bag, turned off.

Be sure that, when you are out on the golf course, you have a good understanding of the rules by which the other golfers want to play. Know, in advance, whether they honor the preceding holes score, for insance, by letting the golfer with the best score tee off on the next hole, or do they let whoever is ready to tee off, go first? It is possible, if you aren't careful, ot offend strangers, if you have decided to join their group when you play, by not playing to their rules.

Along with the plaid pants, sweater vests, flat caps and other stereotypical golf apparel, golfers are also best known for their obsession with silence on the golf course. This does, however, make sense when you are concentrating into putting everything into your swing to hit a tiny ball with a long nearrow stick. Silence is a must!

So, even if you are just playing a round of golf with your friends, make sure to observe the basic rule of keeping quiet during shots and not to stand in the shooters direct line of vision.

Follow the rules, treat others on the course as you would like to be treated and have a great enjoyable game.

2005-11-26T07:44:00.000-08:00

Get the perfect exposure… every time!

Did you ever get back a fresh batch of film, only to be disappointed in finding out that you got back wash-out boring images.

The problem is that you didn’t expose your film properly.

Whether we use a digital or film camera, we need to be able to calculate exposure properly. But first, we need to understand how the aperture and the shutter work together. We also need to know how film handles light, and the relationship between film light sensitivity and f/stops.

Lets take a quick look at the main elements.

Aperture and f/stops: the aperture is an opening in the centre of the lens through which light passes. The amount of light which passes through an aperture is indicated by f/stops. The lower the f/stop the more light that passes through the aperture. Opening up one full f/stop doubles the amount of light entering the camera. F/4 admits twice the light of f5.6.

Shutter: the shutter is a mechanical device that controls the length of time that light is allowed to act on the film. Each time you open the shutter by one, we double the light, when we close down the light by one we half the light. Opening the shutter at 1 second allows twice the light as that of a ½ second.

ISO (ASA): stands for International Standards Organisation. The initials are used for film speed which rates light sensitivity. A film with an ISO number 100 is twice as light sensitive as a film with an ISO of 50. The faster the film, the more sensitive it is to light.

Most digital SLR have ISO settings built in to them. If you are taking a low light image with a digital camera use a slow ISO rating of 200 or upwards.

Getting the perfect exposure isn’t easy, but there are several different ways of making it easier.

Using a light meter: there are two types of light meters,

1. Reflected-light meter (the same that is built into your camera) works by pointing the meter at your subject.

2. Incident-light meter: instead of pointing the meter at your subject, you stand beside the subject and point the meter at the camera. The light that falls on your subject will also fall on your meter.

The most common way is to use the meter built into your camera. All modern day cameras have a reflected-light meter built in to them. But don’t point the camera directly at your subject from 10 meters. This will more than likely underexpose your image. Take the exposure reading up-close, then return to the starting position and take your image.

It doesn’t matter which metering system we use, if we don’t point them in the right direction our images will return too dark or too bright. The key is to know where to point the meter.

When I take a landscape image I normally take five or six different readings. I take an incident-light reading with my light meter to record the foreground and a reflected-light reading of the sky.

If you are unsure take three or four images at different exposure settings. Don’t let a perfect picture moment pass by without recording it flawlessly.

TJ Tierney Irish Landscape photographer. http://www.goldprints.com

2005-11-25T00:21:00.000-08:00

Spiegel Grove, the Largest Florida Keys Shipwreck for Scuba Divers
by: Clint Leung

The latest shipwreck dive site in the Florida Keys for scuba divers is the USS Spiegel Grove. This is a former US Navy Landing Ship Dock that was sunk in 2002 to create an artificial reef in Key Largo, much like the Duane and Bibb ships were in the same general area. The Spiegel Grove is 510 feet in length and 84 feet wide making it the largest of the shipwrecks accessible to scuba divers in the Florida Keys. This wreck sits at a depth of 134 feet near Dixie Shoals and the depth at the highest point of the ship is about 60 to 65 feet depending on the tide level.

The Spiegel Grove had been lying on her starboard side after initial sinking and was reported to be a great dive. Hurricane Denis which greatly affected the south Florida area, actually made this wreck dive even better. The waves and surges from the hurricane were strong enough to push the entire ship to an upright position much like how the Duane is sitting. This resulted in better orientation of the ship for scuba divers especially since there are some swim throughs located throughout the wreck.

Most of the scuba dive operators in Key Largo have dive trips to the Spiegel Grove since this site is the latest rage in the local scuba diving. Since it is a deep dive, advance certification is required. Scuba divers can also dive the Spiegel Grove as part of their advance certification course. The dive plan for this wreck is very similar to that of the Duane. The dive site is often in an area with heavy currents so as soon as divers jump in the water, they have to go grab a line and pull themselves towards the front of the dive boat where the line is attached to the descent line. Divers then pull themselves down towards the wreck. Unlike the Duane which has descent lines on both ends of the ship, the Spiegel Grove has three lines since it is a much larger ship. The ascent and safety stop is on these same lines since the currents can be strong at any depth. It is highly recommended that any cameras and other devices are secured by lanyards since losing them in these currents is possible.

As one descends on the Spiegel Grove, one will see just how large this ship is. This will keep many divers excited. Lots of divers in the area have dived the Spiegel Grove before and are only happy to dive it again to explore the different compartments accessible in the wreck. This ship is also unique as it has a large crane in the stern area since it was used as a landing ship dock. For enthusiasts interested in the beauty of shipwrecks themselves, this will be considered a great dive. The only downside to this dive is the amount of marine life on the wreck. Barracuda, large angelfish and other fish can be spotted on the Spiegel Grove but not nearly as many as on the Duane. This is why some divers may still prefer the Duane over the Spiegel Grove if marine life is their primary interest in scuba diving. But the Spiegel Grove is still a relatively new dive site compared to the Duane so in time, the amount of marine life will increase at this site making it even better in the future. Both the Spiegel Grove and the Duane are highly recommended dives for all scuba divers with a minimum of advance certification when diving in the Key Largo area.

2005-11-24T01:27:00.000-08:00

Experience The Adventure Of A Lifetime With River Rafting Trips
by: Paolo Basauri

River Rafting Trips

If you are the type of person that enjoys an outdoor adventure, river rafting trips are right up your alley. Until you’ve tried it, you can never understand the exhilaration of shooting the rapids one minute, while taking in some of the world’s most breathtaking scenery the next. Many rafting companies can provide all the equipment you need, plus the benefit of a skilled guide to navigate your family or group through an incredible river rafting experience. From white water to smooth sailing, river rafting trips have to be experienced to be believed.

Difficulty Classifications of River Rafting Trips

If you are worried about the skill required for participating in various river rafting trips, there are unique classifications that will alert you to the level of ability required for safe rafting. From Class I trips, which would be safe for any family, to intensive, professional grade Class VI excursions, river rafting trips have something to offer everyone. A basic breakdown of the classification of rafting difficulty is as follows:

* Class I – River rafting trips for beginners and pleasure cruiser. Enjoy the gorgeous scenery without the tumultuous rapids.

* Class II – If you’re ready for white water, consider indulging in Class II river rafting trips. It’s still considered a basic level, but at least you’ll experience some thrilling rapids. Class II rafting trips include wide channels of rapids that limit the skill required to safely maneuver through them.

* Class III – Class III river rafting trips consist of intermediate level difficulties in fighting strong currents and manipulating your raft through more perilous channels of rapids.

* Class IV – Once you’ve become comfortable with the basics and know how to handle your raft, a Class IV river rafting trip will provide some exciting rapids that require some skill to master.

* Class V – Class V rafting is considered an expert only level course. If you’re an avid rafter who enjoys a challenge, Class V river rafting trips offer long stretches of treacherous rapids and tons of excitement.

* Class VI – Strictly for hard-core, experienced rafters. Class VI river rafting includes navigating extremely dangerous rapids passages and requires great skill on the part of all participants.

Great Rivers to Explore with River Rafting Trips

While there are hundreds of fantastic rivers suitable for river rafting trips, some of the most popular destinations include:

Rogue River, Oregon – Located amidst the Cascade Mountain Range, the beautifully scenic Rogue River makes a great location for family river rafting trips. Consisting of Class II and Class III rapid passages, this enchanting river provides excitement in a safe environment.

Colorado River/Grand Canyon – The Colorado River flowing through the Grand Canyon offers a diverse set of opportunities for river rafting trips. From the intense class IV and V rapids of the Upper Grand Canyon, to the more mellow rafting as the river flows into Lake Mead, river rafting is a great way to explore the majesty of the Grand Canyon.

2005-11-23T02:19:00.000-08:00

How To Choose The Proper Bicycle
by: Jeff Slokum

There are many different types and styles of bicycles. You will need to decide on the type of biking you will be predominantly doing in order to help you narrow down your choices. Below are just some of the types of bicycles available on the market today.

The first bicycle we will mention here are what are considered by some to be comfort bicycles. These are the type used by most weekend recreational bike riders. They usually have a comfortable shock-absorbing seat and shock absorbing front forks and wide pedals.

Another type of bike which is a bit more rugged than the comfort bike is a trail bike or light duty mountain bike. These bikes can take a bit more rough stuff than the bikes mentioned above but are not meant for serious mountain biking.

Touring bicycles are for those who go long distances and faster than recreational bike riders. These bikes are built for riding on the pavement. They are light weight bikes with more shock absorbency than comfort bikes.

Cruiser bikes are heavier than the comfort bikes with fatter tires. They are good for the road, or riding in the sand.

A true mountain bike has a stronger frame and components than any other bike as they are intended for off road and rugged terrain. The tires on a mountain bike are knobby and wide for more shock support. The seat and handlebars are positioned to allow for the rider to lean over while maneuvering the bike.

Recumbent bicycles are becoming very popular with older riders and those who have some limits in physical ability. The rider reclines while pedaling in a feet forward position. The seat is much more comfortable than on any other bicycle. Recumbent bikes sit low to the ground and have multiple gears.

Talk with family and friends who own bikes to get their opinion on what may be the best investment for you. If you don't think that you'll stick with bike riding long term and if you don't plan to do more than weekend riding you don't need to spend a fortune. Visit several bicycles shops and talk with the pro's before making a decision. You can get many years of enjoyment if you choose the right bike for you.

2005-11-23T02:18:00.000-08:00

Golf Tips – Finding That Winning Grip And The Cures For Grip Related Problems
by: Ally Canaway

The correct grip is a key fundamental component of a golfer’s game and is required to have a consistently good straight game, giving you the ability to shoot low scores with ease.

When the grip is faulty, poor shots often result along with an inconsistent and unreliable game. Therefore it is essential for your game that your grip is correct if you want to take your golf to the next level.

Firstly place the club in your left (opposite for lefthanders) hand, close your left hand around the grip as if you were shaking somebody’s hand. Your thumb should be pointing down the grip, slightly to the right of centre.

Then bring in the right hand, firstly interlock the little finger of your right hand with the forefinger of your left hand. The underside of the grip should be placed on the joints of the second and third fingers of the right hand. Your right thumb should also be pointing down the grip, while your right palm should be facing towards the target with your left hand facing away from the target.

Two V’s should be formed by the thumb and forefinger of each hand, these should both point somewhere between your right shoulder and eyes.

When holding the club, the club must be held firmly but with the minimum of effort. Having the correct grip allows your hands to work freely with the utmost control while a poor grip leads to a lack of club head control.

Key Points:

• Your arms and hands are relaxed.

• Your left forefinger is linked with the little finger of right hand, 2 or 3 knuckles should be visible.

• The V’s created by the forefinger and thumb on each hand should point be to between your right shoulder and eyes. These V’s should be pretty much parallel to each other.

• The grip should be comfortable yet held firmly with little effort, it is vital that the club head does not open or close on impact.

To test that you have a good grip, it should feel as though both your hands work together as if one. When you lift the club and move it, your hands should feel comfortable and secure.

Problems and cures for slightly faulty grips: You may find that you are slicing the ball; this could be due to a problem with your grip, (although it may be due to other reasons mentioned in my other article that aims to solve the slice) try rotating your grip slightly clockwise around the grip; also try holding the club more in the palm of your left hand.

If you have problems with hooking the ball, make a conscious effort to feel the ends of the fingers on your right hand pushing upwards through impact with the ball. This should help prevent you from closing the clubface on impact and so helps prevent you from hooking the ball.

2005-11-22T01:32:00.000-08:00

Go Carts - A Thrilling Experience For All Ages
by: Sally Johnson

The thrill of sharply skidding around a blind corner in your go cart is an experience that is hard to surpass. Racing down the track in one of your speedy go carts, maneuvering around curves and slower gocart drivers, is fun at its best. Pressing down hard on the accelerator as you pass by slower drivers is about as thrilling as it gets. Now that's recreation! It’s just too bad not everyone can experience the fun and excitement of go carting.
The smell of the dirt track and the distinct aroma of the gas and oil burning in the gocart engine is enough to excite any enthusiast, even when watching from the stands. If you’ve ever watched an Indy Car or Formula One race in person or on TV you know how exciting it can be. But imagine climbing into one of those off road or racing gocarts yourself. Starting out slow, taking out to the track, the anticipation is almost unbearable. But then, once on the track, you press the accelerator on your gocart to the floor, feeling an immediate thrust forward, and your adrenaline pumping just as fast. What a thrill. Go carts can’t be beat.
Go carts are how you can experience the thrill of Formula One racing without the danger. At least with the beginner go carts. And if you’re really serious, it’s a good way to get started toward a career in professional racing. Once you master driving go carts it’s time to take the next step into the arena of professional racing. But if you’re not quite so brave remaining in a go cart can still be exciting.
Go carts are geared toward beginners in either off road or paved track racing. Beginner go carts are easy to drive and control. And if you do lose control there are usually not serious consequences to deal with afterward. No, it’s just plain fun racing go carts. Go carting is a simplified version of Indy Car or Formula One racing. But like anything else there are different levels that you can become involved in.
From total beginners at amusement parks and fun centers to professional go cart racing. From the least experienced drivers to ones that are training to become professional drivers. You can choose your own competition. No need to get involved over your head. The main objective is to have fun. And once you get into your own go cart, no matter what level you are competing in, the fun just never ends.
Once you get addicted to go carting there is no limit as to what you can do. You can purchase a brand new gocart ready for racing, or you can buy inexpensive kits and build your own gocarts. Installing rack and pinion steering to changing tires will become easy over time. Or how about the installation of a brand new engine designed for improving the speed of go carts? Maybe you’ll be after a brand new frame that will be the envy of all around. Perhaps you’ll want to get into electric go carts instead of gas powered go carts. The way gas prices are climbing these days that might be a good idea.
But the bottom line is this: speed is where the excitement comes in. And these go carts can reach speeds up to 90 MPH or more. That’s fast. But once again, there is no need to start getting nervous just yet. There are opportunities for thrills at every level. You don’t need to go 80 MPH to experience a thrilling ride. So if you’ve ever thought about getting involved with go carts it’s never too late and you’re never too old. Go out and experience the thrill of go carting now.

2005-11-21T02:01:00.000-08:00

Snowboarding The Great White
by: Ashley Barnard

Snowboarding has great similarities to surfing and skiing: It’s like surfing in that it is a board sport, and like skiing because it is performed in the snow. Snowboarders – or riders, as they are called – strap boards to their feet and slide down snow-covered slopes. It is an increasingly popular winter sport across the world, wherever there is snow. In 1998, it became an eligible medal sport in the Winter Olympic Games. Other major events include the U.S. Open Snowboarding Championship and the Winter X-Games in Canada and the United States.

No one knows exactly when snowboarding was invented, but it is widely accepted that it was created around the 1950s by a mix of surfers, skateboarders, and skiers – who were able to transfer their skills to the cold mountains. Snowboarders during that time used hand-made boards. Because snowboarding was new and crude at that time, many skiers largely frowned upon the sport. In fact, many ski resorts would not allow snowboarding.

However, the sport began to gain more popularity in the 1970s and ‘80s, and snowboarding equipment became more sophisticated and advanced. By 1997, almost all of the ski resorts in the United States allowed snowboarding. Today, the sport is attracting an ever-growing fan base (more than 3.4 million people), so much so that the number of skiers has actually declined. Some people attribute this to the comparative ease of snowboarding.

Today, standard snowboarding equipment includes snowboards, boots, bindings, and warm clothing. The sport has three main sub-styles: freestyle, freeride, and freecarve, with each style distinguishable by the equipment used and the desired terrain.

Freestyle riding is currently the most popular style among snowboarders. It is characterized by a lot of jumps, tricks, rail slides, and switch riding. Freestyle equipment includes soft boots and relatively short mobile boards, which are ideal for the frequent jumps in this style of riding.

Freeride, the most general style of snowboarding, is performed on most mountain terrains including open terrain and backcountry chutes. As with freestyle snowboarding, freeriders wear soft boots; however, the actual snowboard is a little longer and directional than the one used in freestyle snowboarding.

Freecarve – also known as alpine snowboarding – focuses on carving and racing. Freecarving is performed on hard-pack or groomed runs. In this style, there is little or no jumping. Equipment includes hard boots and plate binding system; and the boards are stiff, narrow, and long.

Within each of these sub-styles are more variations, including sandboarding, heli boarding, kite snowboarding, and mountain boarding.

For more information on snowboarding and skiing you can visit the site at http://www.winter-skiing.com

2005-11-21T01:43:00.000-08:00

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