var quotes=new Array() //change the quotes if desired. Add/ delete additional quotes as desired. // Biking tips quotes[0]='Saddle Height: The seat should be low enough so that your knees can remain slightly bent at the bottom of each pedal stroke. Your spine should be kept relatively straight, and your diaphragm relaxed with belly-breathing. On inclines, sit slightly back on the saddle for more power. From time to time, rise from the saddle to shift your body weight. -Cycling tip' quotes[1]='Saddle Adjustment: To correctly adjust your saddle height sit on the bike with your heels on the pedal and look at your legs. When you are peddling backwards, your knee should straighten without your having to rock in the saddle to keep you heels in contact. When the balls of your feet are on the pedal, your knee should be bent to approximately 20° at the bottom of the stroke. Make small adjustments of about ½". The top of the saddle should be horizontal, or tilted up just slightly. Greg LeMond says the optimal saddle height is 0.883 of your inseam -Seat Adjustment Tip' quotes[2]='The most important prevention is drinking fluids. By the time you feel thirsty, you are already partially dehydrated. Rules to follow: Begin drinking plenty of fluids 24 hours before a long ride. Drink a bottle of water 20 minutes before you set out. Drink one bottle of fluid every hour to keep up with sweat output. Take a good swig of fluid at least every 15 minutes. On long rides drink sports drinks. -Stay Hydrated!' quotes[3]='When riding in the desert, bring a comb to remove cactus thorn pods. -Jumping Cholla can hurt!' quotes[4]='Repair tube, flip tube over so hole in tube is not under hole in tire. Place patch on tube directly under hole in tire, strengthen tire inside with cloth tape or sleeve. If necessary insert leaves or bark to stop the tube poking through the hole. -Tire Blowout' quotes[5]='Use miniature chain breaker to remove damaged link and then reinsert the pin. One or two intermediate gears may not work but you will be able to ride home successfully -Broken Chain link' quotes[6]='Break the chain with a chain breaker, bypass the derailer and remove sufficient links to convert the bike into a fixed gear bike. Select a gear which you can handle on the flat and slightly up hill. Limp home riding the flat, walking the steep hills and coasting the downhills.-Broken Derailer' quotes[7]='Light, compact basic first aid items,When riding always carry a pump, multi-tool, 2 tire levers, and a spare tube. chain tool to remove damaged links, compass, knife, cloth tape or rubber sleeve to repair damaged tire and silver foil emergency survival blanket.-Basic Bike Supplies' quotes[8]='Do not ride too close to parked cars. Always be aware of parked cars. The driver may suddenly open the door in your path. Leave at least 3 feet of distance when passing a parked car. -' quotes[9]='When going around blind curves, whistle or make some kind of noise to warn people you are coming. Two bikes colliding at high speeds is not fun. -Stay Safe' quotes[10]='In addition to messing up the wildlife habitats, you also can hurt yourself. And after a rain, do not go out on closed trails. This erodes the trail and ruins it for everyone else. -Stay on the Trails!' // mbaction.com quotes[11]='Train Smarter, Not Harder--Aug 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[12]='When Training Can Hurt You?--Jan 02... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[13]='When To Sit And When To Stand-Aug 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[14]='10 Training Mistakes You Should Avoid-Nov 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[15]='10 Ways To Stay Up In Sand-July 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[16]='How To Ride The Rocks--April 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[17]='Race Like Steve Larsen-Oct 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[18]='Jump Like A Pro: Toby Henderson-April 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[19]='5-Secrets Every Mtn Biker Should Know-Sep 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[20]='How To Fit Your Helmet-May 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[21]='Descend Like A Pro On A Hardtail-Jan 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[22]='How To Bridge Gaps--May 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[23]='How To Bust Berms-Aug 99... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[24]='Dictionary of Suspension Terms--Jan 00... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[25]='How To Jump: Toby Henderson:-Jan 00... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[26]='Corner Like A Pro--April 00... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[27]='Hard Braking: Toby Henderson--Feb 00... Tip by Mbaction.com' quotes[28]='Safety Tips & Etiquette... Tips by WebMountainBike.com' quotes[29]='mtb Tips & Tricks... Tips by WebMountainBike.com' //quotes[30]=' How to Choose Cycling Shorts By Fred Matheny and Ed Pavelka of www.RoadBikeRider.com
You should choose road-cycling shorts based on the quality of materials and construction. But also crucial is how well they conform to your unique anatomy. Sometimes a relatively inexpensive pair may work better for you than a high-zoot model. Shorts, like saddles, are tough to recommend because of differences in butts, crotches, seats and riding positions.Every rider has to try on shorts, buy the model-size that fits snugly but comfortably, then hope for the best on the bike. It\'s hit or miss, and some luck is involved. Just as with saddles, there is no universal answer. That said, here are guidelines that\'ll point you toward better choices. Price. Generally, the more expensive the shorts, the higher the quality. Avoid cheap shorts because the material and construction may be substandard. They may be sewn from only 4 or 6 pieces (panels), which won\'t give you the best anatomical fit. The padded liner (c//hamois) may not be large enough, soft enough or sewn without irritating seams. Cheap shorts aren\'t as durable, either, so in the long run they really aren\'t a bargain. When touring and washing shorts by hand, wringing can break threads and blow out seams if the manufacturer cut corners on quality. Panels. The more the better. Usually, 8-panel shorts conform to your body better than those made from fewer pieces. Better manufacturers use flat-seam stitching so additional panels won\'t result in abrasion or other discomforts. Crotch liners are synthetic nowadays (not real chamois leather). That\'s a good thing because the material can\'t dry, crack and cause more irritation than it prevents. A large, smooth, absorbent, one-piece, moderately padded liner has the best chance of feeling comfortable. Liners that have seams, grooves, distinct sections and-or a waffle-like texture may work fine for you -- or maybe not. There\'s no way of knowing for sure before riding. Beware of thick padding, which can bunch and //chafe. Also problematic are gel inserts. Because they\'re in plastic compartments, moisture transfer can be blocked, causing excessive dampness and skin irritation. Leg length. This goes up and down like hem lengths in the fashion world. Long, so-called Belgian shorts will be in style for a while, putting the legs just above the knee. Then the pendulum swings the other way. Short shorts, like those marketed for spinning classes, are favored by riders who want to avoid tan lines that show when wearing casual shorts. But they shouldn\'t be so short that the nose of the saddle rubs on bare skin. Waist length. Proper cycling shorts are cut high in back to keep skin covered in the bent-over riding position. Likewise, they are low in front so you can bend forward without restriction. The front shouldn\'t be so low, though, that it\'s below your hip bones with nothing to help hold it up. Waist band. The elastic should be wide enough that it doesn\'t feel like a cord around your middle. Some manufacturers add a dra//wstring. Just elastic is fine. Just a drawstring is not. If that\'s the only thing keeping shorts in place, you\'ll feel restricted in certain positions or when breathing deeply. Leg grippers. Nothing is more frustrating than shorts that ride up and let material bunch in the crotch. Check the leg grippers to be sure they\'re wide, made of sticky rubber-like material and securely sewn in. The legs should feel comfortably snug, not tight. Stretch. Most shorts are made of a stretchy fabric generically called spandex. They\'re easy to pull on and don\'t feel like you're wearing a 19th century corset. On the other hand, you may come across shorts with fabric that purposely resists stretching. The idea is to provide help to your pedal stroke. The fabric stores kinetic energy on the rear part of the stroke and releases it when you push down. This concept is also used in competition suits for weight lifters. I\'m not aware of any studies that prove a benefit for cyclists. ibs. Shorts with built-in shoulder straps c//an\'t sag. They keep the chamois snug against the crotch to limit movement and irritation. For men, this prevents the chance of things moving out of place when pedaling out of the saddle. However, the high front makes it difficult for guys to urinate. (Some prefer to roll up one leg instead of contorting to pull down the front.) Women usually prefer shorts without bibs so they don\'t have to remove their jersey to take what cycling commentator Phil Liggett calls a natural break. Bib shorts are more expensive than standard shorts. Size. It\'s best to try on shorts before buying them. Sizing varies among manufacturers. Fred is 5-foot-10 and just under 160 pounds, but wears size XL in some shorts while M is too big in others. Some U.S. manufacturers have noticed the plumpng of America and cut their clothing bigger. It\'s risky to buy shorts by mailorder unless you\'re replacing a model and size you\'ve worn before. Overall fit. In general, snugger is better. You don\'t want any uncomfortable restriction, but y//ou do want the shorts to stay exactly in place. Remember that properly designed cycling shorts will look a bit baggy in the butt when you\'re standing in front of the dressing room mirror. Then crouch forward into the riding position and watch them mold to your body. Receive a FREE copy of the eBook (29 Pro Cycling Secrets for Roadies) by subscribing to the RoadBikeRider Newsletter at www.RoadBikeRider.com. No cost or obligation! Tips by roadbikerider.com' // hunting tips var whichquote=Math.floor(Math.random()*(quotes.length)) document.write(quotes[whichquote])