Latest Articles by affpro1234

Disabled Explorers to Take on the Continental Divide

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:16:41 -0700

Three explorers are leaving Phoenix, Arizona, at the beginning of July to take on an expedition along the Continental Divide - 24 days, spanning three countries, nine states, and 2700 miles.

What makes this trip unique is that two of the team members are amputees, and they are out to prove to other disabled people that anything is possible.

Lance Blair, 35, team leader and founder of the organization Disabled Explorers, lost his lower leg in his early twenties and knows first-hand the challenges of getting on with one's life after such a traumatic injury.

Now a nurse working in Phoenix hospitals, Blair has become a well-known advocate for new amputees, providing them with counseling as well as inspiration he is an active Boy Scout leader and regularly camps and explores with his children in their specially equipped Toyota FJ Cruiser.

"What Lance is doing is an inspiration to all of us," said Scott Brady, publisher of Overland Journal, the main sponsor of the expedition. "He has a passion for the outdoors, for wild places, and he wants to share that passion with others. Through Disabled Explorers, Lance is also able to show the disabled community that anything is possible, with the right preparation, planning, and equipment. The team's specially equipped four-wheel-drives allow them to see places and experience things not usually available to people with limited mobility."

Departing from Phoenix along a highway route through Las Vegas and Salt Lake City, Disabled Explorers hopes to bring attention to vehicle-based exploration and the wonderful sights normally only accessible to the able bodied. Drawing from overlanding traditions of South Africa and Australia and using 4WD vehicles equipped with fridges, GPS tracking, and recovery equipment, Disabled Explorers wants anyone with a physical mobility issue to know they can access and enjoy the historic areas and backcountry beauty the world has to offer.

Disabled Explorers was born out of the need for a resource to help anyone with a physical mobility issue who has the desire to reach the remote regions of the world. As a Tread Lightly- Trained organization, there is also a strong focus on conversation and preservation so these areas will be around for future handicapped visitors.

Disabled Explorers does more than provide an example or the inspiring stories of those who are already traveling the backcountry. They also provide Ride-Along events, where a passenger seat is available to anyone who wants a taste of off-highway trekking, as well as driver training and guided trips.

The Continental Divide Expedition will involve 24 days of travel with stops in Glacier and Yellowstone National Parks to contrast the difference between standard handicap access and the freedom of exploring from your own vehicle. In addition, the trip will have a 5-day stop in Ouray, Colorado, for the FJ Summit, which is a national gathering of over 600 Toyota FJ Cruiser owners. Disabled Explorers endorses Toyota's popular 4WD because of its suicide-style doors that gives wheelchair users ease of access to stow or retrieve their chairs.

Throughout the Continental Divide Expedition, the team will make appearances at events designed to inspire people of all abilities, although one of the team's primary audiences will be the growing number of military service men and women who are returning home from the Middle East as new amputees.

Other team members are Tyler Winslow, who has spent years exploring the Southern California wilds will provide home base support; Michael Doyle, an amputee and active off-highway explorer who frequently travels through Mexico and helps with off road racing teams; and Mike McCambridge, webmaster and tech-guru for Disabled Explorers. While neither he nor Tyler is disabled they demonstrated the support the handicap community can have and the integration possible between the able and disabled in all areas of life.

What Are the Advantages of Electric Bikes

Sat, 20 Mar 2010 12:01:40 -0700

"In a systematic comparison of energy, a grid-charged battery driving an electric motor to provide mechanical energy is about ten times as efficient as a human eating a normal diet. For personal travel 5 to 30 miles per day, the electric bicycle has the lowest environmental personal and monetary costs, usually without an increase in urban travel "
Of energy, global warming and electric bicycles Energy flow analysis with an emphasis onPersonal Transportation

1. Hill Climbing
That may sound obvious, but it is the primary advantage. A good electric bike effectively flat hill, an increase of average speed and eliminating the 'groan' factor when a gradient comes into view. Provided that you, a reasonable effort, you can expect, to the hills from 1 to 10 (increase by 10%) on an electric bike with ease, and clear a maximum gradient of 1 in 7 (14%) or more. In the hills, the effect is nothingIt is a miracle.

2. Security
It sounds unlikely, does not it? But the math is compelling. Think of a steep and busy road, with the car climbing at 30mph. If you previously slogged up the hill at 6mph, but can the same gradient at 12mph with an electric-bike fight, you get 33% fewer cars to see, and they will now pass to 18mph rather than 24mph. Or at least we think that is correct.

Regardless of the numbers, there is no doubt that an electric bike helps you keepout of danger. The same principle applies to general junctions – the faster the acceleration, the sooner you can save yourself a lot of trouble. And no need to rush the hills, you will not be tempted to drive themselves downhill at breakneck speed … Another useful safety feature.

3. Personal Fitness
Surely a conventional bike, you will be fitter? That, of course, depends on how much – if at all use – only you. Research (b) has found that 46% of conventional bikes are used only once or twice per week, withanother 30% are used to two weeks or less. In contrast, a recent survey of electric bicycle owners reveals one third of their bike ride at least once per day and 81% use the bike at least once per week (c).

The figures confirm our experience that an electric bike is usually used at least twice as common as a conventional machine.

Because riding an electric bike is much more fun in a hilly area in strong winds, or in carryingheavy loads, users tend to make better use of them to make. The engine delivers up to half of the effort, but regular use is more movement for the rider.

4. No Sweat!
Welding is not a serious problem if you opt for a leisure ride, but it's important when you're cycling to work. Although some employers are more reluctant to showers and other facilities that do for cyclists, the vast majority do not intend to do so. An electric bike eliminates the problem ofSource. In hot weather it is possible to keep a normal schedule by transferring a bit more load to the electric motor. In colder weather – or if you believe that in the exercise – just slow down, or turn off the engine.

5. Clean & Green

Electric bikes obviously consume energy, where a conventional bikes does not (provided we ignore the environmental costs of growing and processing food – see below). However, the amount of energy used is very small compared toMoped, motorcycle or car. Besides fuel, the only consumables are the batteries, and these can be reused as a rule, if the life-expired. As to energy use, electric bike motor fuel consumption in general, with an average rate of 100 to 150 watts of electrical energy, against 15,000 or so for a car (admittedly travel) a lot faster. In terms of fuel consumption, an electric bike reaches about 800-2,000 mpg (290 to 700 liters per kilometer) (d). No other commercially available vehicle can matchfigures of this kind.

If it’s hard to place these numbers in your own lifestyle, think of a 100 watt electric light bulb burning for an evening – that’s enough energy to propel an electrically-assisted bike for 20 to 40 miles…

6. Genuinely Sustainable

There’s a lot of nonsense talked about sustainability in transport, but an electric bicycle can be made genuinely sustainable. Purchase electricity from a ‘green’ supplier, or generate your own with a roof-mounted Wind turbine or solar panel array (see Solar Power Facts) and fossil fuel consumption of vehicles will be zero. Surely a conventional bike does that mean? Only if you grow the food that you consume while driving. Unfortunately, most modern food production and distribution are so intense that fuel consumption of a typical cyclist is not particularly good.

7. Run faster
In theory a car can average a high speed, but in practice often speed drops below 10mph in cities. The problem is Congestion – motorcycles get around this to some degree, but they are still confined to the roads. An electric bike can maintain a higher average speed than a bicycle, but use the same network of cycle facilities, the access to routes that cars and motorcycles can not reach. The result is often a faster door-to-door journey time than any other. And taking advantage of the uncongested cycle network, but eliminating hills and headwinds> Electric bikes are often the most consistent mode of travel.

8. High resale value
Electric bikes are new technology, and it is early days yet, but the evidence points to a much better resale value than a conventional bike. While a typical electric bike costs more to buy, will be at £ 400 – £ 1,000, but it seems most of you back when you sell the unit on.

9. Motorized, non-bureaucratic!
You know how it is … MOT due, log book missing, insurance –Costs increase from year to year. Electric bikes are treated like ordinary bicycles for legislative purposes, so there is absolutely no registration or care legislation. You are of course free to the machine if you want to insure, but there is no compulsion to do anything but enjoy!

Mountain Bikes - What You Should Really Know About This Sport Equipment

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:56:38 -0700

Mountain bikes have been designed for cycling in tough terrains. This makes it vastly different from regular bikes that you may have owned. These bikes have been designed to be versatile in the sense that you can use these bike to negotiate rocky mountains, hilly areas and steep slopes which you cannot do using a regular bike.If you use regular bike for mountain biking, then you will end up in a tough spot. Hence the first task is to ensure that the bike you are purchasing is regular mountain bike.This is because mountain bikes have been built to withstand pressures when biking on a difficult terrain. There are different types of mountain bikes that you can choose from.These are the cross country with little suspension and a light frame, which makes it easy for you to bike for long hours, and the variety with more suspension, which adds weight to the bike, that can help you cycle on rough terrain. The other varieties are free ride and down hill mountain bikes that are used for racing in steep inclines.The angles of the frame decide whether the bike is used for climbing or steep declines. Steep angles in various parts like the head tube and the seat tube ensures that pedalling upwards will be easy, whereas, angles that tend towards zero ensure better handling and stability in steep declines.There are many different types of suspension that you will find on these bikes. One variety is the full suspension mountain bike in which there are suspensions on every part possible.The others are rigid, hard-tail, soft-tail and dual suspension. Most mountain biking enthusiasts prefer the hard-tail suspension. There are two types of brakes which are the V-shaped brakes and the disc brakes.The disc brakes are in popular demand because of the control it offers the rider and the reduced maintenance required as it lasts for a very long time.

Getting Afloat This Summer Despite the Credit Crunch!

Sat, 17 Jan 2009 09:51:05 -0700

If like me you are worried about how you are going to enjoy this summer season afloat then why not consider these options?

Keep the big boat on the hard, in the boatyard or beside the house this summer and downsize instead. What do I mean by downsize? Well why not use the dinghy or a dinghy instead? If your present tender is too small for messing about in, then consider buying something slightly larger that you and the family can use this coming summer. I am going to keep the thirsty jet cruiser firmly in the driveway and use instead the trusty old Mirror dinghy to enjoy the water over the coming months! I have a plan to get the Mirror dinghy ready for the sea and in tip top condition. If you want to get afloat as cheaply as possible - then buy a sailing dinghy or a reasonably sized dinghy for rowing or fishing. There are always loads to choose from in local or national adverts or auctions. Once you decide roughly what type you are looking for then next think about how you are going to transport the dinghy to the water. You can either tow or use roof bars on the car.

Some dinghies for sale will come with a trailer in the sale price. However, others will require roof bars. These can be bought for around £40 as universal fitting bars that suit most cars. Once you have the dinghy and a means to get to the water, then the usual safety equipment needs to be taken as well. Lifejackets, anchor and warp, mobile phone, handheld flares etc. Always check the weather forecast before setting off and tell someone where you are going and when to expect you back. These will no doubt be short informal trips out from the shore so no need to inform the Coastguard! As long as you think of all the stuff you need to make the trip as comfortable and safe as possible you will soon get into the hang of frequent journeys in your dinghy that will be enjoyable and memorable for years to come!

Early Season Trout Fishing

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:35:11 -0700

Before we know it the weather is going to start to warm up, the rivers are going to begin to rise, and trout fishing is going to begin. After six or so months of cold weather and trout fishing being difficult at best, early season trout fishing is right around the corner. In this article I'm going to provide some tips to help you catch more trout during the early season. Most of these tips are going to be focused on fishing in small rivers and streams, but can easily be modified for fishing in lakes as well.

Trout fishing can be a challenge in the early season for many reasons during the early season, but the most difficult to manage has to be high water. Depending on where you live, the trout fishing can be very good in the early season right before water levels begin to rise, but I digress. When your favorite trout river is high, stained, but still fishable you have to make sure you employ a longer fishing rod. This not only improves your casting distance, but also enables you to "feel" your bait or lure much better.

Here's exactly what I do. During most of the trout fishing season I use a five foot ultra light rod and matching reel. During the spring when the water is high I switch to a six and a half foot ultra light rod of the same model. This allows me to "feel" what's going on with my offering much better. During early season trout fishing make sure you use a longer fishing rod than you do during the rest of the season.

High water also means that you're going to need to use much more weight than you normally would. Whether you're fishing with bait or a lure, you are going to have to use much more weight on your line than you normally would. This is obviously due to current flow and water depth. Getting snagged is also much more common in high water conditions, which is something to keep in mind.

When using lures such as Rooster Tails, spoons, and even jigs in the high water of early spring don't be afraid to use colors that stand out a bit. This is a good time of year for chartreuse, florescent, and white colors. Spoons in silver, rather than gold, are also more effective during early season trout fishing.

When using bait for early season trout fishing, gang hooks are always a great idea. These hooks allow you to present your bait (especially if you use worms) in a completely natural manner. This means that you will receive many more bites. Gang hooks should definitely be a part of your early season trout fishing repertoire.

The last thing to keep in mind during early season trout fishing is to be very careful while wading. The high, and many times muddy, water conditions make wading much more challenging than normal. This means that extra care should be exercised during early season trout fishing. Remember to "work with the water" rather than trying to fight it. The last thing anyone needs is to take that wet and wild ride on their butt, while trying to hold on to their $150 dollar rod/reel combo.

Trevor Kugler is co-founder of JRWfishing.com and an avid angler. He has more than 20 years experience fishing for all types of fish, and 15 years of business and internet experience. He currently raises his three year old daughter in the heart of trout fishing country.....Montana!

Finding the Perfect Snowboard

Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:30:07 -0700

There's a lot of things to look out for when buying a new snowboard. You need to find a board that will suit your style, so whether you're a fan of heading down the side of a mountain as fast as you possibly can or whether you're interested in gadding about in the park, there's a board to suit your style. If your feet are larger than average, you might be interested in getting a board with a larger than average width, like the Burton Custom Wide (or any number of others). You should be looking at getting a board that's got the right shape for your style, a board with the right smoothness, rigidity and a board that's concave exactly to your liking.

You need to find the snowboard that will mesh perfectly with your bindings (or failing that, find bindings that will suit your board). The board that will work with your stance, build, foot size, height and weight.

A good way of making sure you get the right snowboard for you is to get a few ideas of what you're looking for first - try to find some snowboard reviews and see what other people are saying about the boards you're interested in. Before you buy, you could always try renting the snowboard of your choice and spending a few hours at the snow dome or indoor snowboard park. See how natural it feels to you, see if it matches what other people have said and get a feel for how you and board work together. When you've found the perfect snowboard for you, you'll know it as soon as you try it out.

If it's your first board and you're not sure what to get and you've got friends that snowboard, you should think about bringing them with you to the snowboard shop, or getting them to find a decent bargain for you online. It can be particularly difficult if it's your first board, because it's so hard to know what's good and what isn't until you've tried it out. You could just choose the one with the coolest design, but you'll probably regret it if the board itself doesn't suit how you ride. If you're going to drop some serious wedge on a board, then you definitely need to check out the reviews online first to make sure that it's a decent board.

Good luck hunting for that perfect snowboard!