riding saddle

You’re cruising down your favorite country road on what started out to be a text-book-perfect day for riding. Without warning, the sky turns an ominous shade of grey. A huge menacing cloud , swollen and black, suddenly releases a torrent of rain. In a matter of moments you’re drenched and shivering from the cold….

Like most seasoned bikers, I’ve been searching in vain for the the ideal rain-gear to protect myself from the elements without having to compromise on freedom of movement. Luckily a few months back, a friend, who is an avid horseback rider, turned me on to the perfect solution. The oilskin coat:

From it’s humble beginning as the monsoon cape worn hundreds of years ago by sailors worldwide, Australian oilskin coats, jackets and pants have evolved into the emblem of those looking for the ultimate in harsh weather protection.

It all began in 1890 when a Scottish sailor by the name of Edward LeRoy discovered that torn sails from his ship could be recycled into long coats by treating the canvas material with a mixture of various oils. This transformed them into superb wet weather gear.

Word spread land-side about the effectiveness of LeRoy’s coats in rain and cold, and settlers of the outback acquired this legendary waterproof material to protect themselves from the severe weather of the Australian Bush.

The oilskin coat was further adapted to life inland by adding an extension in the back of the garment to protect the seat of the horse rider’s saddle, in addition to leg straps to keep the coat securely in place during strong wind, and sleeves that were extra long to protect the arms while extended.

Continuing on with this tradition, modern oilskin clothing is designed with the same wet weather-proofing techniques in mind.

Made of tightly woven 100% cotton that is infused with a unique natural oil based formula, oilskin apparel offers maximum defense against snow, wind, and rain. Oilskin coats, jackets and pants provide an impenetrable water barrier that keeps you bone dry and able to keep riding, even through the heaviest rain.

Unlike many synthetics this material also has a very natural feel, and offers excellent breath-ability, allowing body moisture to escape, ensuring the driest ride possible.

The drawstring waist and gusseted rear vent enables you to slip the jacket over the back so water runs off the bike, leaving your seat dry. Snap together straps also secures the coat around your legs when the wind kicks up.

And since the oil blend is not water soluble, any incidence of water touching the fabric simply runs off, ensuring total weather protection for motorcyclists who need to stay warm and dry, even under the most challenging conditions.

James Sherard
http://www.articlesbase.com/motorcycles-articles/motorcycles-and-the-oilskin-coat-60647.html

{ 0 comments }

Have you and your family been searching for the perfect mountain lake getaway, with fishing, kayaking, canoeing, mountain biking, hiking, horseback riding and more attractions available nearby? Look no further than Broken Bow Lake, Hochatown and the Beavers Bend State Park area, nestled between the Ouachita and Kiamichi mountains of Southeastern Oklahoma – just across the Red River from Texas. For your next vacation, consider renting one of the many cabins nestled in pine forests, which offer mountain and lake views. Located only three hours from Dallas, Texas, the area is serene and peaceful, with many outdoor activities available year-round.

Water Activities

For those who enjoy the water, the choices are almost limitless. Jet skis, paddleboats, canoes, and kayaks are available for rental. For those with large families or planning family reunions, you can even rent a houseboat. For a thrill, try parasailing over the sparkling lake or scuba diving. Broken Bow Lake also offers an incredible fishing experience. If you want to try your hand at rainbow or brown trout fishing, the Lower Mountain Fork River has some of the best trout fishing in this region of the United States. If you are a novice fly fisherman, don’t worry – several fishing guides in the area can assist you with learning all the appropriate techniques and skills to fly fish.

Free Activities

The Broken Bow Lake area also offers many free activities for all ages and interests. Those interested in nature and science can tour the Forest Heritage Center Museum, which explores the history of logging in McCurtain County. You can also go bird watching at the Red Slough or see a dinosaur at the Museum of the Red River.

For food and wine lovers, try a tasting of local wines at Girls Gone Wine, sample delicious freshly made fudge at the Whip-Poor-Will Sweet Shoppe, or visit the Waterfall Creek Pecan Farm at Idabel.

Kids and adults alike will enjoy watching a chainsaw sculpting demonstration at Hochatown Junction Station or listening to thrilling campfire stories at the Beavers Bend Amphitheater.

If you are into history, you might want to visit the remnants of the Choctaw and Chickasaw Trail of Tears, view some of McCurtain County’s 17 historical markers, or see Native American artifacts at the Gardner Mansion or Indian Memorial Museum.

Other Activities

Whether you are an adventurous type or simply wanting to relax, several other options await you at Broken Bow and the Beavers Bend State Park area. For animal lovers, the wildlife viewing is spectacular – deer, turkey, and even raccoons. For those wanting some relief from life’s everyday stresses, several day spas offering massages are also nearby. For those wanting to explore the beautiful scenery of the surrounding forests, climb into the saddle and go on a horseback trail ride at one of the nearby stables.

Cabins at Broken Bow Lake

At the end of the day, return to your secluded cabin. Your choices of lodging at Oklahoma’s premier vacation spot are endless, from small cottages, to rustic fishing cabins, to elegantly furnished log cabins that can sleep large families or groups. Many have hot tubs, big screen televisions, fireplaces, privately stocked ponds, and some even allow pets. For honeymooners or those just wanting privacy

If you and your family want a break from the hustle and bustle of everyday life, consider spending time at one of the cabins at Broken Bow Lake, Hochatown and the Beavers Bend State Park area. Take a deep breath and let the relaxing quiet of the surrounding forests and mountains soothe you.

Marcia Drewitz
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/looking-for-a-mountain-getaway-try-the-cabins-at-broken-bow-lake-hochatown-and-beavers-bend-1258445.html

{ 0 comments }

Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt offers many excellent organised trips and tours and one of the best in my opinion is visiting Ras Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole. This adventure can be arranged from hotels, but they will charge a commission for this privilege, making your trip more expensive.

The best solution to this is book your trip from one of the many tour agents found around Sharm, such as Naama Bay. At Naama bay there are so many selling this trip you can shop around to find the best deal. Do look at the Itenary of the trip that’s suits your needs as these trips do slightly vary from each tour operator.

The Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole trip only goes on certain days so if you only have a week in sharm its advisable to book early at the start of your holiday. The maximum party you will travel with is 6 to 8 persons as this is a comfortable number to get in a jeep.

This is an all day adventure so it will be best to prepare before you go, You will need to take a light bag or rucksack this is for your water and a towel, Remember do take plenty of water with you as temperatures do exceed to over 45c in summer. You will also need a snorkel kit, flippers, mask and snorkel. If you do not have your own you will be taken to a place were you can hire them at the start of your trip.

This is an adventure trip so ladies please were suitable footwear and not high heels.

The trip starts off early in the morning from your hotel or apartment by jeep, if your lucky you will be the last the pickup so you won‘t be travelling all around sharms hotels for picking up other adventurers.

You and your party of travellers head towards Nabq bay just before Nabq bay you will take a turn off the road and into the Sinai desert.

The Sinai desert is a region of incredible Beauty, The vast plains of the desert and the ever changing colours of the mountains make this a most memorable experiences. This is also home to the traditional Bedouin people. The Bedouins live and work in sharm some on the cruise boats and some as taxi drivers, in fact they will put there hands to anything in sharm. As you travel through the Sinai you will see the small villages and settlements of the Bedouins.

If you are ahead with time you may stop to take pictures of the Sinai landscape. An hour or so into to your trip you arrive at Ras Abu gallum Protectorate, this beautiful area stretches 400 km down the coastline between Dahab and Neweiba. Here you will park the jeep at the beach and prepare yourself for your camel ride, the camel will take you to the Blue Hole although the jeep will take you if your not sure about riding on a camel.

The camel ride is an excellent experience, the ride down the coastline of Ras Abu Gallum takes around 45 minutes, depending on how fast your camel goes that is. As you reach the Blue Hole be careful when the camel crouches down to let you off, the saddle has a hard handle and it can hurt your back if your not careful like I have experienced, put your bag behind you for protection. The camel driver the one who leads the camel will probably demand money off you for the trip, the ride is in with the price but you can give him baksheesh a tip if you want, 5 LE is enough.

Once off the camel you will be at Ras Abu Gallum’s most frequently visited spot the famous Blue Hole divers from all over the world have come to dive here. It has an 80 meter drop and is surrounded by beautiful coral reefs and many different species of fish. Many divers have lost there lives here due to hidden caverns and not managing there breathing apparatus properly. But it is quite safe for snorkelling.

You will have an hours snorkel at the Blue Hole before lunch. Lunch is served in the Bedouin beach restaurant usually on the menu is fish which is freshly caught on the day and served up with a special home made rice dish.

Here you may see Bedouin children selling little gifts, nice to have as a little reminder of your adventure to Ras Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole.

After you have rested for a while you can have another snorkel in the Blue Hole. Then its time to leave Ras Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole and head towards Dahab city.

Here you are dropped off at the beach resort village which was mostly visited by Hippies in years gone past mainly because of its chilled back atmosphere. Dahab is now becoming a bit more upmarket now with the arrival of 4 and 5 star hotels and good restaurants Hand made souvenirs made by the locals are worth a buy. Dahab city certainly has not lost its charm.

After your visit to Dahab its back to the jeep to head back home to Sharm El Sheikh. You do get taken back to your hotel or apartment. The Ras Abu Gallum and the Blue Hole adventure starts around 8:00 in the morning and ends around 5:00 in the afternoon and the trip is quite strenuous.

glenne baxter
http://www.articlesbase.com/travel-articles/an-adventure-to-abu-gallum-and-the-blue-hole-in-dahab-719026.html

{ 0 comments }

Mountain bikes are specially meant for rough and rugged terrains. These extra traction and shock absorbing mountain bicycles are provided with fat knobby tires. However, a full front and rear suspension is becoming quite a common factor nowadays with bikes meant for mountain rides. Some bikes of this particular variety are fitted with bar ends on the handlebars, but with recent trends the use of handlebars and extensions are becoming less and less popular.

Mountain bicycles have both 26 and 29 inches wheels. The larger wheels of this bike type have better rolling capacities over rocks and boulders. Moreover, wheels, which are larger in diameter, also bring about an enhancement in rotational weight giving way to stable acceleration.

Mountain Bicycles – Kings On Rugged Roads

Based on suspension, mountain bicycles are broadly graded into four different kinds:

Bikes with dual or full suspension – These bikes have front suspension fork and rear suspension with a rear shock and linkage that is ready to make the rear wheels move on pivots

Hardtail bikes – These bikes have frames with no rear suspension and they are often supplied with front suspension forks

Soft Tail Bikes – These bikes have frames with small amount of rear suspension. The bikes are activated by flex of the frame rather than the pivots

Fully rigid bikes – These bikes have a sub-type of hardtail along with rigid fork system

The Different Types Of Mountain Bicycles

The Cross-Country Mountain Bike

This bike variety has small amount of suspension on the front or on the rear. These bicycles are comparatively light because they are constructed with lightweight materials both in frame construction and in components. Some XC bike varieties of this particular type are without any suspension. They make use of rigid front fork that helps in saving weight. Here, the skill of the rider to pass through rough terrains is more important.

Freeride Mountain Bike

These are very similar to enduro bikes and emphasize more on weight and enhanced suspension. These bikes have ample suspension and they are mostly constructed with heavier materials. Freeride bikes are absolutely versatile and they are fantastic for uphill travel. The frame angles of such bikes are usually steeper in comparison to downhill bikes. Most freeride bikes are 30 to 45 pounds in weight.

Trials Mountain Bike

These are trial specific bikes. Most of these bikes are without any suspension. The contemporary trial bikes come without seats as most of the time the rider is out of the saddle. This bike is particularly lighter than other mountain bicycles and it weighs between 15 to 25 pounds. The lightweight makes it easier for the biker to maneuver the bike.

Single-Speed Mountain Bike

This is a kind of mountain bike with one set gear ratio. The ratio of the gear depends on the kind of terrain the bike crosses, the skill and strength of the bike rider and the size of the bike too. A single-speed bike is completely rigid having tough steel frames. If you want to ride a single-speed bicycle on mild to moderate cross-country terrains you have to be strong and active.

North Shore Mountain Bike

North shore mountain bike is genuinely constructed for rough and rugged land surfaces. A rider of this particular bike type has to exhibit lots of skill and balance while riding the bike. This bike is a wonderful combination of freeride and downhill bikes.

The other mountain bike varieties include Enduro Mountain Bike, Downhill Mountain Bike and Dirt Jumping Bike.

Most modern bikes meant for mountains have lighter and stronger frames with innovative design and form. The geometry of these bikes encourages vigorous riding over several obstacles like logs, rocks, wooden bridges and manually fabricated ramps. In the front, the bikes have three gears and it has 7, 8, 9, or 10 gears at the rear wheel position.

Some notable companies who have introduced the latest models of mountain bicycles include Fox, Manitou and Rock Shox along with other significant bike manufacturers. It is quite likely for you to make mistakes while riding a mountain bike. The mishaps generally take place due to equipment failure or misjudgment on the part of the rider. Thus, several companies have come forward with protective gears referred to as armors to provide full protection from injuries. Some essential upper body protectors for riders include spine protector, full-face helmets and backpack hydration system.

It is quite an established fact that mountain bicycles are aptly designed following the present trend and demand. They are in fact the dream of every spirited and efficient mountain biker.

Robert Sheehan
http://www.articlesbase.com/fitness-articles/mountain-bikes-perfect-hill-heroes-99740.html

{ 0 comments }