Hey hey. Welcome to the cycling page. On this page you will find pictures and info about one of my favourite hobbies. It is a great activity that everyone should get into. So, read on! Most of these images are gathered from all over the Internet. If I am violating any copyrights, please inform me and I will remove them.
Introduction
by GARY FISHER
The bicycle, until this last decade or so, has just been undercover. It's been hiding out, camouflaging its true colours,  disguising its role. I would like to propose that a bicycle (and especially a mountain bike) is one of the best-concieved but most disgracefully underrated gifts to human society in the twentieth century. In a world where so many consumer products are simply ill-concieved exercises in hi-jinks marketing prowess, the mountain bike is a breath of fresh mountain air. It's a truly remarkable invention, because it's brought the bicycle out of the closet. Mr Wells hit the nail on the head, but I'd prefer to be more specific. When I see a man, a woman or a child on a mountain bike, I too have hope for the human race.
 Mountain Bike Anatomy
The picture below shows you what a mountain bike looks like and what parts of it are called.
Before you set out....
Here are some things you should remember before you start riding. They will ensure you have a safe, trouble free ride.
1. Check the tyres.
Clean the tread so that you can see any splits, thorns and so on. Check the sidewalls for bulges and damage from rubbing brakes. Make sure your tyres are pumped up enough for efficient rolling. If they're too soft, they will feel squidgy and will be subject to inner tube pinch punctures over rough terrain.
2. Check the brakes.
As the block wear down, the levers will pull in further towards the bars. Change the blocks long before they wear down to the metal shoe. The brakes should be adjusted to come on fully before the levers touch the bars. Cables should not be frayed along the working length. If they're frayed at the ends, they could damage you - cap them.
3. Tightness and Smooth Running
It only takes about two minutes to check every allen bolt fixing on a bike. The headset on new bikes often comes loose on the first ride as the cups settle tighter into the head tube; if you ride it loose you will ruin the bearings. The same applies to the bottom bracket and wheel bearings; check them from time to time.
4. Spin the Wheels
If they're buckled, have them trued in a bike shop, unless you really know what you're doing. Spokes often loosen on new bikes. If you find loose spokes, take the bike back to the shop. Check the rims for damage. Hitting rocks can put large, flat sections in rims and it's not always possible to carry out a good repair. If your rims are old, they may be getting thin on the sides. If they start to go concave, replace them immediately.
5. Check the Chain
Broken chains are a common cause of breakdown on the trail. Replace the chain if it doesn't sit securely on the chainring teeth. If it's been worn out for a while, the freewheel sprockets will probably be worn too. A new chain will offen slip on a work freewheel, so it's far better to replace the chain at regular intervals (perhaps twice a year for average riders).
6. Check your Gear
Finally, think about your clothing, your trail pack and whether you have enough money with you; even on short rides, always take enough cash for a phone call or a small snack. A common mistake is to forget to repair a punctured inner tube that you put in your trail pack last time out. Even if you don't use your pack much, check it from time to time.
 
Things you should take with you
A lot of things can go wrong during a bike ride. I am no stranger to this. I do a lot of long distance bike riding and one time I went out with my cousin on a 100km ride. A third of the way there my cousin's chain snapped. We had tools, but not a chain breaker. So we had to find a bike shop and get it fixed. Which we did. But there isn't always a bike shop nearby. These are the things you should take with you on every bike ride.
1. In your toolkit
The tools you have with you can determine whether you can go further or turn back.
These are the things you need.
1. Shifting spanner.
2. Screw driver.
3. Various spanners.
4. Oil and other lubricants.
5. A pump.
6. A variety of spares (Inner tubes, tyre patches, brake blocks, etc.).
7. Allen keys.
8. Puncture repair kit.
These are the things you don't need but should have.
1. Freewheel removers/Cassette crackers.
2. Crank extractor.
3. Pro crankwrench.
4. Multi spoke wrench.
5. First aid kit.
2. Accessories
There is a numerous amount of accessories that you can purchase for your bike. Some things are quite useless, but most are very good. Here are some things that you need I recommend.
1. Front and rear lights.
2. Water bottle.
3. Your Toolkit.
This is the luxury list of accessories. They are not necessary, but as I said, they are good to have.
1. Handlebar computer (Or Speedometer).
2. Bar ends.
3. Suspension. You don't need it, but it makes your ride that little bit smoother.
Some pictures of me riding
1. A pic of my brakes chocked with mud
2. A pic of my gears and chain chocked with mud
3. A pic of me and my bike on top of a log
4. A pic of my bike alone
5. A pic of me going up a pile of sand really fast
6. A pic of me riding in mud
7. A pic of me riding up a steep slope really fast
8. A pic of me about to hit a "Keep Tracks Clear" sign under the West Gate Bridge
9. A pic of me in front of a really big boat
Thank you for visiting King Toyota's Official Home Page. If you have any questions or comments please sign my guestbook.
Sign Guestbook View Guestbook
This page is powered by
thegoodz@primus.com.au
- TheGoodz@dangerous-minds.com
This page hosted by    Get your own Free Home Page