Saturday, March 1, 2014

Where can I find a toddler bike perfect for an autistic child?

Q. I am looking for a toddler bike for my 4 y/o autistic child. I am hoping to find a bike that has two important things to make teaching him easier. One that there be straps on his pedals and two that the pedals will be "fixed" so that they move while the bike is in motion. We bought him a walmart bike and he sits on it but he doesn't grasp the concept that if you push the pedals the bike will move and not just mommy and daddy doing the pushing. ;) thanks in advance.


Answer
I know that toys r us has toys for special needs kids. I dont' know if they have this particular item, but you can check with them.
Also, check out

http://www.flaghouse.com/search.asp?skw=bike&x=19&y=2

how to teach a toddler to petal a bike?




Jenni


My daughter is almost 3 years old and has been asking for a bike. We bought her a small bike with training wheels but she doesn't have any idea how to petal. My husband is frustrated because we spent money on something she can't do but i am determined to teach her how to ride it. How do you teach a kid to petal. thats what she doesn't get
Cognitive development.. WOW, you have no clue about my daughter. She is in the 4 year old class at preschool because the 3 year olds class wasn't challenging enough for her. She is smart enough to get this, I wanted tips on how to teach her. I''ve never taught a kid how to petal and I don't know the right words to explain it. I've been teaching her all of 30 minutes and she has petaled a few times on her own. She is smart and has the cognitive development. WOW, is all i can say!



Answer
Just let her get on it and she should figure it out. Mine did, nobody taught him. Don't push her to learn it, she will in time.

Edit**
While she may do well in some areas, she won't excel everywhere, don't push her to do something she is not ready or interested in. I bet if you ask her doctor, they will tell you to just let her learn it when she is ready. The other person was not suggesting she is stupid or inept, just not ready for that skill yet.

And it is Pedal not petal- a petal is on a flower- a pedal is on a bike




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How do these little church mice kids get nice Trek brand bicycles?




Ismael


I don't know about you, but in my city, I get a lot of kids asking me about God and trying to convert me to whatever religion they belong to. Then I see them ride away on nice Trek brand bicycles. What I want to know is how in the hell do they get these bikes and can I join their group to get the bike and quit later?


Answer
They get them at the local bike shop that sells Treks. They were probably Mormon missionaries.

http://www.mormon.org/missionaries/

Bicycle for College?




Dave


I will be moving to a new area down at the beach for college and will need a way of getting around to classes.

I have always been interested in cycling and have in the past considered a racing bike.

But this is college and my bike might be possibly stolen. What type of bike will be best for this situation and could someone point me towards some brands?



Answer
As I did for myself, kids, and nieces over the years, go garage sailing or garbage picking. Find something in reasonable working order, all the better if if it doesn't look like much. Flashy is bad if you don't want to attract the eye of the local ne'er-do-wells. Put some time (clean running gear, repack bearings) and a few bucks into parts (new tires, tubes, maybe a chain) to make sure its going to be reliable.

Speed is irrelevant for getting around campus. An MTB, or something heavy duty is better. Knobby tires don't flat as easily as your lighter weight touring and racing tires.




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Tandem bike with kids?




R K


I have a 8year old and a 6 year old. We like to bike but are not seasoned bikers. So far I have only taken my kids to the playground to bike but would like to go out on trails and maybe even use the bike to get to nearby places but I am not confident enough to let my kids ride on their own. I was thinking of maybe getting a triplet tandem so we can enjoy biking together without worrying about if the kids are following properly. Eventually we will get comfortable with biking everywhere and be on our own bikes..
I am wondering about my options as far as the bike itself is concerned. Is there one you use and love? I want both kids to pedal and participate. I would appreciate tips on the bike itself, getting around on a tandem and especially parking it and keeping it safe. If we take it to the library for example, do we just lock it in the normal bike stand area?

Thank you



Answer
The 8 yr. old is plenty old enough to get on his/her own bike. For the 6 yr. old - get a tag-along if you must.
http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_noss_1/189-0587099-1815310?url=search-alias%3Dsporting&field-keywords=tag+along+bike

As a parent - it's YOUR job to teach them cycling safety without being dependent on you all the time. Sooner or later they'll want to be on their own. Start with these links...
http://www.bikexprt.com/streetsmarts/usa/index.htm
http://bicyclesafe.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rU4nKKq02BU

My 4 year old can't pedal a bike. Despite how hard he tries, he just can't do it, SUGGESTIONS?




Looking4He


My son is a normal active, healthy 4 year old. He watches kids his age, ride their bikes. He just can't seem to get started with the pedaling process. I really want to help him, I just don't have a clue how to get him started. And honestly, it frustrates me because I can't help him. Can someone please help me, help him?


Answer
I assume his bike has training wheels. Kids have a more difficult time pedaling in the upright position, and I also just discovered they have a really hard time learning to pedal if there is a back break on the bike (it breaks when they pedal backwards). You might try to find a tricycle with no breaks to let him learn on (or a hot wheels). My husband and I were also surprised to find they make 10inch starter bikes (at toys r us) with no back break. The reason we figured it out is because our 2.5 year old got on and started pedaling, but when we put her on her sister's bike she couldn't pedal. The reason was because she needed to push backwards on the pedals first to get her feet in the postion where she had enough leverage to push forward. If the bike breaks when she pushed backwards she could'nt get her feet in the position to pedal forward. He will get it, just give him time and don't be afraid to try a trike, hotwheels, or beginner bike with no breaks (only on safe areas of course!).




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KIDS motorcycle HELMETS?




carrie


Im currently pregnant with a boy im so excited he is going to be just like his mommy . I have a sports bike and thought it would be something to get the baby started at i have been looking at mini pocket rockets i found a bunch and i want to get one i kno its a little early to be thinking that but i want to start riding him at 3 but i wont put him on without a helmet maybe they will make some in the next three years but does anyone one kno of a website or anything with small full faced helmets and body suits so he wont get all roughed up
and NO im not riding my bike while im pregnant



Answer
Believe it or not, but I found small kids helmets that even had a DOT sticker at Wal Mart. They were full face and I picked 2 of them up for $15 each. I found them in the bicycle section; not sure if they were mismarked or what; but they were a great deal. I just gave them away recently to a neighbor kid who is just starting to ride. You can also check at a bicycle store. With the popularity of BMX these days, I would bet they have good helmets as well. Good Luck with your little knee dragger!!

kids dirt bike helmet?




snapinacti


Does anyone know where I can buy a kids dirt bike helmet at a good price. The cheapest I found is $50 including shipping & handling.


Answer
You don't want to always go cheap when it comes to safety equipment.




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Some jokes?




master_bet


Whats brown and sticky? A stick
Why did the kid fall off his bike? Cuz his mum threw a fridge at him
Why did the plane crash into the building? Because the pilot was a piece of bread
Whats better than winning gold in the paralympics? Having legs
What did the deaf, dumb and blind kid get for christmas? Leukaemia
(For all the Aussies out there cuz I dont think Americans will get it) What do you call 20 Aborigines in the back of a truck? Clean Up Australia Day.

Post your own jokes and best one gets 10 points



Answer
A Blonde's Year in Review:

January - Took new scarf back to store because it was too tight.

February - Fired from pharmacy job for failing to print labels.....Helllloooo!!!.....bottles won't fit in printer !!!

March - Got really excited.....finished jigsaw puzzle in 6 months.....box said "2-4 years!"

April - Trapped on escalator for hours ..... power went out!!!

May - Tried to make Kool-Aid.....wrong instructions.... 8 cups of water won't fit into those little packets!

June - Tried to go water skiing.....couldn't find a lake with a slope.

July - Lost breast stroke swimming competition..... learned later,the other swimmers cheated, they used their arms!

August - Got locked out of my car in rain storm..... car swamped because soft-top was open.

September - The capital of California is "C".....isn't it???

October - Hate M & M's.....they are so hard to peel.

November - Baked turkey for 4 1/2 days ... instructions said 1 hour per pound and I weigh 108!

December - Couldn't call 911 ..... "duh"..... there's no "eleven" button on the stupid phone!!!

What a year!!




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Friday, February 28, 2014

What age should kids Be aloud to ride their bike around?







So my mom is the protective type and my family is in a tough situation as far as money goes, and we only have one car which means half of my plans to hang out with my friends are ruined when I wake up and find my mother has went to work with the only vehicle and won't be home until 8. I was wondering how many people find a 14 year old boy riding a bike 3 miles appropriate. considering my neighborhood I fairly small, I can't ride it in it.


Answer
I was certainly riding my cycle more than 3 miles when I was 14.

From the age of 11 I was cycling to school every day, and going for longer rides with my friends at weekends.

OK, this was over 40 years ago, and there is more traffic on the roads now, but I do think that cycling is an important way for a young person to develop road sense before learning to drive a motor vehicle.

As long as you can handle the cycle well, and you know the rules of the road, I see no reason why you shouldn't be using your cycle to get around. The size of your neighbourhood is irrelevant, whatever size it is you can cycle around it.

what are the ages recommended for a 20'' bike to the seat?




Pompuff


its 20 in from the ground to the seat


Answer
http://www.sportsauthority.com/sm-determining-your-bike-size--bg-2857481.html this website has charts for bike to height charts, its not the age thats important, because some kids are a lot taller than others, so they cant use the same sized bike just because they are the same age... but a 20" wheel for kids would fit anyone from 48-60 inches(look at the charts on the link)... it can also depend on inseam... i need a large instead of a medium because i have a 32" inseam but im only 5' 11"... if the chart is too confusing go to a bike store, they will professionally fit a person to the right sized bike




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Thursday, February 27, 2014

4 year old Birthday?




Summer tim


What can i get my 4 year old twins boy and girl for there birthday.

My daughter don't like playing with dolls.

They like drawing and painting they have loads of pencil glitter glue paint so i dont want to get them anymore.

They both love trains they got loads of wooden trains toys and loads of thomas toys.
They got swings and Slides
They got swings and Slides



Answer
My daughter just turned 4 and we got her a new bike from Wal-mart, it was less than $40.00. Also, if they are into thomas, how about a new Thomas t-shirt. Or go with the idea of no new toys and take them to a children's museum or ChuchECheeses for the afternoon.
A few more ideas follow:
1) The new Elmer's Paint that only paints on special paper. (available @ Wal-Mart)
2) Go to a craft store and get a candy making kit, they are super easy to use and your kids would love spending time with you making candy.
3) Get them a sand box and some sand toys (if your yard doesn't allow for this, use a Rubbermaid tub w/ a lid that you can put away when they are done.
4) If they are into toys with wheels, and you can afford it, Power Wheels are so fun! We got our girls a two seater and gave it them as a shared gift. believe it or not, one of them prefers riding and the other prefers to drive, works out great.
5) those huge cheap balls at Wal-mart are a huge hit at our house. They are 2 for 5 dollars!
6) Get them some new books to read and read to them. The best a gift a parent can give a child is time!


4)

what size of bike would be reasonable for a 4 year old who is 3ft 3in tall?




kensethrac





Answer
Kid's bikes are measured by the wheel size. I would recommend a 12" bike for a child of that size. However, if he/she can handle a 16" bike it will last you longer. Go to the bike shop and try a 16". Lower the seat as much as possible. If your child can sit on the seat and still touch the ground with both feet, I would go that route. However, it's likely that the 12" will be your best bet.




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Can you edit my Book Review for me? It on Cheaper by the dozen.?




Robert


Mr./ Mrs. give birth to 12 children, 6 boys & 6 girls. Their reason for having so many kids is everything is cheaper by the dozen. Anne is the first born, who was born in N.Y.C.. Anne also, is the bad seed in the family, who dress like a --Eskimo?--! And date a biker guy. Their Father , teach the little offspring's about everything ants to working in a fakerey. But, in the Dad get crush by a car whale riding his bicycle.


Answer
very poor try again, and this time read the book not just watch the movie.

Should I upgrade my daughters bicycle?




pecosdave


I got my daughter a (Pacific Cycles) Schwinn Superstar several years ago, it's a really good quality 18" youth BMX bike.

http://www.buzzillions.com/reviews/pacific-cycle-18-girls-schwinn-superstar-bicycle-reviews

She learned to ride on this bike, and is a pro at it now. She's 7 years old now (8 in February) and even though she's still well within the size expectations of this particular bike, we like to ride on the Seawall in Galveston occasionally.

Would upgrading her to a 20" BMX help her out as far as speed/distance at this age, or would the extra torque needed to get the bigger wheels moving combined with the slight weight increase of a larger bike nullify the advantages of moving to a larger wheel size? Quality wise there's absolutely nothing wrong with her old bike - it's ready to handle the next 5 kids it will get passed to eventually, and there's a couple of other little girls I might teach to ride on it. Size wise she should be able to do 18" or 20" just fine.

FYI I ride a 24" Diamondback BMX (about 4 or 5 year models old Lucky 24) and my parents who will join us on occasion are going to be on 26" cruisers. I obviously can't move at my normal pace/distance no matter what when any of them are with me, I'm not looking to turn any of them into super speedsters, just help her along a bit.
I am actually better than most parents about maintaining bikes. At her age my dad had already taught me to patch tubes and I was able to do it - granted with variable success at that age. I've given her the rundown on tube patching, but she's not quite ready yet.

I'm thinking this cruiser:
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Kids/Ages-6-9/Details/1764-S11MNSPR-Mini-Sprite

Or possibly this BMX - which is basically a scale-up/repaint of her old one:
http://www.schwinnbike.com/usa/eng/Products/Kids/Ages-6-9/Details/1779-S11STAF-Stardust

I like buying Pacific Cycles/Schwinn for kids, they're good quality but not insanely priced. High dollar comes once they're old enough to expect a decade or two of use out of one, in other words when they're ready to buy their own.
FYI - a 20" can be forever if that's what you're into. I actually went 20" to 26" at about 10 back to 20" at 15 and I kept my 20" until it was stolen out of my house when I was 28. I only went 24" because I am of a large build and over the age of 30. Had my 20" not been stolen I would probably still be on it.

I figure when she's 12 or so she will be better able to pick her own. As it stands right now she would chose a low quality piece of trash with princesses on it so I'm making the choices until she's able to look beyond that sort of thing.
The pop-pom were one of her favorite things about the bike, and the shortest lived, they don't survive kids for long. It's certainly a good quality bike she has now, not stupid good quality that would be overkill for a kid, but it sure beats a a cheap Wal-Mart Disney princess bike - by far.

If anything I'm hesitant to get the cruiser because it's too much like an old fart bike. (notice what I said my parents are on) In fact it could be said my bike is a scaled up version of hers, sans streamers and zipper-backpack-basket, the one that was stolen when I was 28 was even chrome like hers, (without the purple parts).

I think I'm going to show her pics of both and ask her which she would prefer.



Answer
the big thing is rebuilding the front/rear axel bearings and making sure you run good quality tires that will handle 45-50 psi. runing tires at that pressure greatly reduces drag and is the best way to help her out




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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Do you know of the school that refuses to let student fly a flag of the United States of America on his bike?

Q. Denair Middle School

3460 Lester Rd

Denair, CA 95316


They have taken down their website so not taking e-mails, but you can write a review at:


http://maps.google.com/maps/place?hl=en&expIds=17259,18167,26711,27404,27547&sugexp=ldymls&xhr=t&cp=37&um=1&ie=UTF-8&q=Denair+Middle+School+Denair,+CA+95316&fb=1&gl=us&hq=Denair+Middle+School&hnear=Del+Rio,+CA+95316&cid=9061630809718610461

CALIF. SCHOOL ORDERS BOY
TO REMOVE AMERICAN FLAG FROM BIKE

Posted on November 12, 2010 at 11:04am
by Jonathon M. Seidl

Cody Alicea, 13, likes to fly a small American flag on his bike in honor of veterans such as his grandfather, Robert. Heâs been doing it for two months. But now, the school he attends has ordered him to remove the flag citing âracial tensions.â

âIn this country weâre supposed to be free,â said Cody, who attends Denair Middle School near Sacramento, CA. âAnd I should be able to wave my flag wherever I want to. And theyâre telling me I canât.â


Free or not, officials say flag flying has become too controversial at the school. Denair Unified School District Superintendent Edward Parraz said that while Cody does have a First Amendment right, âwith that comes a responsibility.â

That âresponsibilityâ apparently means being more considerate to other cultures.

âOur Hispanic, you know, kids will, you know, bring their Mexican flags and theyâll display it, and then of course the kids would do the American flag situation, and it does cause kind of a racial tension which we donât really want,â Parraz said. âWe want them to appreciate the cultures.â

He explained that some Hispanic students got out of hand with their own flag flying on Cinco de Mayo.

In response, Cody now hides his flag during the day: he takes it off his bike, folds it up, and keeps it in his backpack.
âHeâs got that flag on his bike because heâs proud of where he comes from,â Codyâs father Robert Kisner told KCRA-TV.

Adding to the irony: the school flies an American flag outside the building.

http://www.theblaze.com/stories/calif-school-orders-boy-to-remove-american-flag-from-bike/


Answer
This kind of stuff is really upsetting and STUPID. This is USA. Yes, we should respect other races, but we have the right to show our pride, AT LEAST within -our own country-. If, by some how, attaching a Flag of the United States to your bike becomes banned from schools, then they should ban all other forms of pride as well. Such as wearing those things (related to religion, that people wear over their heads, or those small hats for judaism) THey might as well wear P.E uniforms to school, because COLORS will 'promote gang activity', and might as well ban serving or eating food at all in school because eating certain foods in some countries or religions is unthinkable!

Really, this is RIDICULOUS.

RIDEURBAN!! What do you think about the Scott Voltage yz 0.2 vs Ns metropolis 2/3? ?




mike


Which is better at dirt/street? I want a bike that I can TRUST on the biggest jumps, although I will mainly be on the street. I just don't want it braking down on me at the jump park. It has some big jumps!! And do you think the trek ticket would be a better option? What about the STP. So between the ns metropolis, Scott voltage yz 0.2, trek ticket, and STP. I just want to know what these bikes are better at, jump/street. And how big of jumps? Like I said, my jump park have big jumps, and I want a bike I can trust. ALSO, my son (14) is using his diamondback sorrento ( double wall front and rear rims, and all heat treated aluminum frame) to do wheelies. I hate to tell him, by will this brake his bike? Thanks dude!!! I hope you can help me here!!!


Answer
Looking at this Voltage, I'd pick the Diamondback over it, honestly. Aluminum with a yet-slacker head angle and a still-cheaper fork...that could spell bad news. The Circus 20mm fork on the Diamondback is a nice touch, esp at that price level. I ride expensive forks now, so I haven't kept up with RST or X-Fusion, but both of those are low entry level forks (or that's usually spec'd, anyway) and both had horrendous failure rates when they first came into the market. Maybe they've improved them, but without reading people's reviews online, I'm not sure I could recommend RST at all. It's an expensive upgrade, so trying to get the fork you want on a new bike makes much more sense. I don't know anyone with this Scott, but I do know a guy with the Voltage FR full suspension and he's happy with it...totally different bike, of course.

I'm not sure what Trek was after with the Ticket. It's a good bike and it's not a bad deal. Trek is really good about their warranty (they're even good about their jump bikes...can't say that for all companies). It has the usual jump angles but they put long chainstays on it. So-so for jumps, good for trail, but it'll make manuals and rear wheel stuff on street much more difficult. I'm thinking they intended this more for dirt only...jumps and swoopy all-mountain trails. It does have the ISCG guard mount - nice if you want to mount a guide or a good bash setup. Actually, that's a good feature for street riding, but again those long chainstays will be a little frustrating if you're just learning those skills. Finding a good durable bash setup with bmx cranks and gears is hard, so if that's an important consideration then the ISCG mount is the way to go, or else using 4-bolt cranks with the bmx bottom bracket...then you could mount a good thick Raceface bash along with a chainring of your choice. Bashes don't really matter for dirt jumping.

You can tear up a bike on 3' jumps just as well as you can on 12' jumps, so....most of these will handle it ok anyway. Even the bombproof ones sometimes come out with bent handlebars, frame tweaks, or hub/wheel issues if they get abandoned in the air. Cheaper stuff is more likely to fail, of course...but are you likely to get into a situation where you've got 20' of air under you? If not, most are fine. Nose cases and such, that matters more...which is why people like steel frames. Aluminum can make a strong jump frame when they over-engineered, but when it goes, it goes, and you probably won't get a warning beforehand. There's a weight savings (which lessens as you spend more on high end steel frames), but most are willing to forego that for the security and longevity of steel. The NS frame I use most now weighs about 5lb. Most steel frames are around 6 and the cheapest jet up to 8 pounds. These types of aluminum frames will be around 4-1/2 to 5-1/2 pounds, depending.

That Sorrento frame will handle more than you'd think, but the wheels and fork....definitely not for rough play at all. When I first started into this, I beefed up a cheap Trek bare bones aluminum xc hardtail. I'm glad it didn't break, because I didn't know then what I know now. It saw way more impact and abuse than it ever should have...I lucked out with an ovalized head tube and a few dents before moving up to a proper frame. Even with better wheels on the Sorrento, I'd still make sure your son understands its limitations & the costs of failure (both in dollars and blood loss....). There are good videos on youtube that show kids nose casing cheaper xc bikes from smallish dirt jumps...with the resulting "crack!" sound and two pieces of bike frame and a lot of wailing. Might do him well to view one of those videos. lol. For that bike, just keep it small and keep it occasional, but wheelies and knocking around are just fine.

For street-specific, the geo steepens a bit (twitchy = more nimble, esp for front wheel maneuvers) and the bb height might rise (good for trials moves/rear wheel balance, and extra clearance)...and again, short chainstays. Those same short chainstays are not as good for the trails - they compromise several aspects of trail geometry, esp for those that don't have good handling skills in corners and loose soil. These details matter, but within the same category of bicycle it gets to be splitting hairs somewhat, and everyone has their preferences/abilities, too.

And you're welcome! I don't mind helping and typing, especially since I know that not many people really know this kind of riding and the bikes, and it's a whole different world in many ways. I was lucky that I had some great riders help me learn...and still I got hurt a few times anyway. lol




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Is it important for my kid to know how to ride a bicycle?




Craziee Pa


He tried it and couldn't balance himself on the bike ( which is natural in the beginning). Now he is so frustrated, he is giving up and says he doesn't want to do it ever again.

Should I make him try again later on in the year?



Answer
Yes, I think every kid should be able to ride a bike. He might be frustrated and give up, but he might show interest again later. One thing lots of kids don't learn these days is to handle failure and to keep trying. My son was 4 when we bought him a bike with training wheels and he refused to even try it. Then we visited my parents and they had my brother's razor scooter there and he learned to ride that and had no reason to try a bike. Then one day, my husband decided that since he had such good balance on the scooter, he probably could ride a bike, so he took the training wheels off and went out in the front with my son (who was 5 then) and practiced with him a few times and he got it! He was so proud of himself for doing it. Now his 4-year-old brother has the bike with training wheels and I have a bike and a bike trailer, so now we go for family bike rides in the mornings a lot.

It's good exercise and I think it teaches children patience, endurance, and the will to keep trying. Be positive when he's ready, let him use training wheels if he wants, and always encourage. When he is successful, celebrate and take lots of pictures. He'll really feel proud of his accomplishment.

How to build a wood balance bike?




Elizabeth


I've been trying to get my daughter to learn to ride a two wheeler. I've seen a lot of kids rolling around on balance bikes and wanted to check it out. They seem so simple in their construction. Does anyone know of a place to find free plans to build one on your own?


Answer
Balance bikes are also known as coaster bikes...
Here's one I like:
Photos: http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumleydotorg/sets/72157594247855415/
Instructions: http://crumleydotorg.chattablogs.com/archives/038834.html
Plans: http://crumleydotorg.chattablogs.com/archives/images/coaster_bike_patterns.pdf

Your daughter will love it.


(Steve: never seen a balance bike before have you?)




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What do i wear to a triathlon?




Frankie


I will be doing a kids triathlon. Btw I'm thirteen


Answer
They make bike shorts or briefs that you can where while biking and running with all the benefits needed for those activities, yet under a wetsuit will still be comfortable.

Get a good wetsuit that is for triathlons. Your lack of rashes will be worth it.

Biking in a triathlon?




liongir


I'm doing a triathlon with my friends in April and I'm looking for tips on how to get better at biking. I'm on a team so I don't have to do swimming or running. Keep in mind, it's a kid's triathlon so I only have to bike 4 miles. I know that's not very far but I still want to train a little to get better before I do it. If you have any tips on biking, or ways to improve please answer!

thank you! :)



Answer
Hello,

I did the SF treasure Island triathlon with my friends the other day and I have a few pointers. It was my first triathlon and I really enjoyed it.

Try to find out the route and spend some time going through the course.

Train hard during the weeks before, and save the last week to run through the course at a light cruising speed.

If there are hills involved, really make that focus of your training and make sure you know what gears will give you the best speed / endurance combination.

Practice reaching for the water and drinking - a couple guys lost their waterbottles during my race and one of them hit me as I was riding... The guy turned around to go pick up his bottle, wasting a bunch of time...

Eat a lot of carbs the day before. 4 miles isn't that far, but it is significant!

Good luck.




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Tuesday, February 25, 2014

I am 4'11 what size bike do i need?




williams


I am not a girl just a bit short lol anyways I do not want to ride a bmx bike just because they are 20' and I need a daily commuting bike but do not know if a 24' would be too uncomfortable and I would hate to fall in the streets.


Answer
My wife is 5'0" and has a 12" mtn bike with 26" wheels. It is a REI Bliss, full suspension bike. So there are plenty of options out there for you, frame size is tricky in the short girl sizes, a 24" may work for you but it is more of a kids bike so the components aren't very nice.
Check out the local bike shops and ride lots of bikes.
Set your budget and check out ebay as well, sometimes shops sell last year's x-small frames for peanuts.

How am I going to possibly take all 3 of my children on a bike ride in the summer if I can only find...???




twin-mami


a bike trailer for 2 children!! I have 3, I have a 4 yr. old daughter and 3 yr. old twins, does anyone know of anything I can do in order to take them all on a bike ride, do they make bike trailers for 3 children or what could I do??? Thanks!


Answer
Burley makes a 3 kid trailer. Got one from REI.




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New mountain Bike...Help?




John


I am looking at buying a new mountain bike and converting it to electric...I was thinking about getting the Mongoose Status 3.0 but I couldn't find a single review except on Amazon...any suggestions?
I'm 13, about 120 (I know I'm a lightweight) and 5' 6"...
The reason that I want to convert a mountain bike to electric is because I do a lot of rough street riding, and a hybrid just won't do the trick. Also, I didn't mean full electric, just a lightweight hub motor for use on longer rides. So eff off about the Lego crap...it's a serious question.
Also, I don't really need advice about the electric components, I know my stuff about that.



Answer
Converting it to electric. No. Don't do this. Spend you money getting a nicer bike with less friction and you can go much faster. Or just buy a cheap, old scooter. Why are you doing this? Project?

If you're going to be using it as a mountain bike, it need not be electric, as that's dangerous. If you're using it as a scooter, it need not be a mountain bike: hybrid's. If this is a project and you're 13 and not rich, I'd pick a different project. One of the Lego Robots would make a good project with electricity(i.e. Lego's Mindstorm). Provide more info and I will too.

Kids get so angry these days.

Looking to buy a new mt. bike-Hardtail, $1000-$1300 price range. Any ideas?




ehiggens


I have already test road the Trek 6700 and liked it. Looking at reviews, it seems like the components arent that great though. Any suggestions as to other bikes I should check out in that same price range?


Answer
All bikes in that range will have similar components (lx/some xt or equivalent), unless you find one on sale. I like to look at last years model because you can usually find one at 30% off the current retail.

The one thing you failed to mention is what kind of riding you are looking to do, and where. All Mountain, XC, Downhill, freeride, dirtjump, cyclocross. Each will use a different type of MTB and will yield different suggestions from the crowd.

Make it a point to visit 3-4 bike shops. Tell the sales person your budget, your intentions with respect to riding style, and have them help show you what they have. Test ride them all without prejudice and make an objective choice.

just don't buy Trek...... Just kidding. Trek makes a good bike, so does Specialized, or Cannondale, or Kona, or Gary Fisher, the list goes on and on.

Things to consider along with the brand and components, is the feel of the shop where you spend your money. Do they answer your questions? Do you feel comfortable with them? What kind of after sale support is included? What is the warranty for the frame/fork?




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Monday, February 24, 2014

How to keep kids under 4 years old busy?




hellsing_0


I will be babysitting for the Summer,
and so far I have a 3 1/2 year old girl, a 1 1/2 year old girl, and a 4 year old boy on my list to babysit.

I'm used to sitting older children (above the age of 6), so I'm just wondering what fun ways I can keep them entertained so they can have fun over the Summer. (:

Thanks.



Answer
i babysit a lot as well and here is what i've found that works....
play doh, chalk, blocks, big legos, kid tv shows/movies, read them books!!!(kids i babysit always love it!), easy crafts(i.e. stickers and crayons--No sissors!), go to the park and play, go for a walk on training bike, bubbles, ring around the rosy, just running around and chasing them then letting them "chase" you, etc. just use whatever toys they have and play with them. you can't really play scheduled games becasue they dont understand how to play correctly.

here's what NOT to do....
hide and seek(they dont really understand how to play and you'll probably just lose them), messy crafts like paint, puzzles, board games

good luck!

Babysitting 4 year olds?




Allie P


I am babysitting a very busy and playful 4 year old this week...any ideas on what I can do to keep him occupied?


Answer
I have a four year old son and he loves to be read to, play play dough, paint, use sidewalk chalk, bubbles, play in the water or pool, help me cook, bake, ride bikes, go for a walk, explore the outdoors looking at flowers and bugs, have an ice cream sundae, eat a happy meal, go for an ice cream cone, wash the car, decorate a white t-shirt, make a creation of recyclable material, make up stories, make puppets and create a puppet show, play with animals, go to the park and feed the ducks, play trucks, trains, play dress-up (he's the dad, I'm the mom or kid), go to the zoo....basically anything...let your mind wander. 4 year olds love anything.

If you want more ideas go to the library and they have tons of books for fun things to do that don't cost money.

Have fun and be a kid yourself!




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Teaching my son to mountain bike?




LovNmyBoyz


I have recently gotten into mountain biking. I am no expert, nor do I have the experience to do anything other then short (1 hour) long trails/bike paths. I have taken my son that last 3 times (He is 5, 6 in Dec) and he loves it! He is not big enough to fit a child size mountain bike yet and I want him to stay with it riding his current bike but it is a BMX Type bike and I am afraid he is going to get used to using it and not want a mountain bike for Mountain bike riding. Any suggestions?

I have a Mountain Bike and I will be upgrading to a MYKA HT (have cheap walmart bike) in the near future and don't want to make him feel bad because I can do things he can't with his bike (Climb a Path)
I also want to help in his skill development, need suggestions or websites on how to teach a child to mountain bike.



Answer
Trek and other companies make kid size bikes.

http://www.trekbikes.com/us/en/collections/kids/models

What is a good mountain bike for a kid?




LuckEDog


OK. so I am 13 (turning 14) and i want a new bike for my birthday. I have found one that I like, bt i would like to get some more suggestions. rules: has to be below $400, large enought for a 14 year old boy, and good looking. Tank you for your helo!!!


Answer
You want a hard-tail because full suspensions are junk at this price and unsuitable for most people (heavy and squishy makes riding harder).

The Trek 3700 is the type of thing worth looking at. Giant, specialized, kona, and most of the good brands have entry level models under your limit, but be prepared to spend most of it. All these brands are equal, so brand isn't worth getting hung up on. As long as you go to a real bike store and not a department store, you'll end up with a decent bike.

All bikes come in several sizes and one size will be good for you. The bike shop can help fit you, but ideally if you stand over the top bar with both feet flat on the ground, you should clear it by 2-4" to have a good fit. You might consider a bike a bit too big mind you, or you'll outgrow it by next year.




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Sunday, February 23, 2014

help buying a road bike?







Im a college kid in need of a road bike just to get to class and around to a few places.

and i found this

http://richmond.craigslist.org/bik/2145366663.html

i am 5'10" and i do not know anything about road bikes. Like zero. other than your legs have to be able to straighten out.

do you guys think this is a good deal? it is also OBO. so i could try and get it fro 150 but no more than 175. It is possible.

What do u guys think? should i buy it? will it last me? is their anything costly to replace/repair? Good deal? scam?
god damnit somebody bought it already



Answer
Same bike as on Bikes Direct for $389.95. Keep looking if it's gone. People sell slightly used road bike all the time. You just have to find a good one & jump on it --- FAST.

What are different kinds of awards to give kids on the motocross team I coach?




Just wonde


I am coaching a team for kids from 10-15 years old and want to give out awards at the end of the season...like MVP. What are some other awards I could give out?
I do plan to have an award for every racer



Answer
Get in touch with the local importers who deal with bike stuff. Where I one such is called monza imports and ask for some freebies. Also local bike shops and get stickers and odds and ends that don't cost much and do up some grab bags so all the kids can have one.

Don't just give out 'most improved' and such as while it is great to be achieving I find sometimes this only focusses on one or two riders and they get the pats on the back the whole way through. Did anyone have a big off in training as you could give out a 'bent handlebars award' One of the clubs I am involved with actually has this and it really is a set of bent handlebars. So make a few fun awards like this as well.

A lot of coaches I know get the kids to balance on their bikes and try to have a slow race. Those with good balance can stay upright with the bike basically not moving for ages. See who is best at this and give them an award. So you could make the end of year a fun things as well. Have a race where they have to start by putting their boots on before running to their bike and doing a lap. Again you can award a prize for it. You can do a tag team race where you put the riders in groups spreading the ability out and making sure each group has a 50cc bike to slow them down. See who gets over the finish line first with each member of the group doing a lap.


This way the day is fun and the kids go home, some with real achievement awards and others with just a fun award.




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When did your kids start riding their bikes without training wheels?

Q. it's official, my little Sarah is riding her bike with OUT training wheels! So exciting!! She is 4 years old, and her twin sister won't hardly budge to get on a bike! Her good big brother took her out and taught her and then her other older brother and daddy helped! They have been doing this since friday afternoon.She's a pro!

when did your start riding without training wheels? Who taught them?


Answer
4 to 5...

Both of my daughters learned from my father... He ran beside them holding the back of the bike slowly adjusting the training wheels until they weren't using them..

My son taught himself... My father let him help put together a swing set teaching him how to use tools... The next day I went out on the back porch to call him in for lunch, I found his training wheels and a crescent wrench... I started down the porch steps to look for him when I was nearly knocked down as my speedster zoomed by doing great... He yelled "Mom no training wheels!!!!" as he zoomed off for another lap around the backyard... LOL

Biking.....?




Kathleen P


Just wondering how many miles of biking would be standard for a good workout? What is the number of most miles you've ridden a bicycle for a workout?


Answer
Please see "Physical Activity Calorie Calculators" source link below.

The following healthy living recommendations will help you if youâre trying to lose weight, tone up your muscles, have aspirations of building lean muscle mass, are attempting to get a wash board stomach, or just want to feel better:

*1) Burn more calories then you're consuming everyday and measure your results using the following formula: Calories Consumed minus Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) minus Physical Activity minus the Thermic Effect of Food (TEF). A website that explains this formula in more detail and will help you determine how many calories you need to reach or maintain a certain weight is at http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/weight/calsburned.htm

Get an online, desktop, or cell phone diet and fitness calculator. This will allow you to easily calculate the above formula, set goals, log your daily calorie consumption, and register your physical activities.

Set realistic goals for your ideal body weight. Here are two websites that will calculate a suggested body weight:
Adults: http://www.halls.md/ideal-weight/body.htm
Teens/Children: http://www.kidshealth.org/kid/exercise/weight/bmi.html

It is difficult and unhealthy to lose more than one or two pounds per week. There are 3,500 calories in a pound. If you eat 500 fewer calories per day for a week you will lose one pound. If you burn through exercise 500 more calories per day for a week you will lose one pound.

Here are two articles on how to break through a weight loss plateau:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/86/99147.htm
http://www.webmd.com/content/pages/18/102117.htm

*2) Eat natural and organic foods found on earth versus something created by a corporation to make money. Eat meals in small portions throughout the day and take a good multi-vitamin supplement.

Do not try fad diets or diet pills. Avoid âHigh Glycemic Load Carbsâ (sugar, pastries, desserts, refined starches such as breads, pasta, refined grains like white rice; high starch vegetables such as potatoes) and drink lots of water. Read this article for more information on high GL Carbs:
http://www.hsph.harvard.edu/nutritionsource/carbohydrates.html

The following are food pyramids and several articles on what you should eat everyday:
Food Pyramids:
http://www.rayandterry.com/html/images/PyramidLRG.gif?osCsid=26a424be471d1337e7c2f105d5c64d9d
http://www.mypyramid.gov/
Antioxidant Superstars - Vegetables and Beans:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107638.html
Antioxidant Loaded Fruits:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107640.html
Good Carbs Mean Better Weight:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/100/105783.htm
The Benefits of Protein:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/85/98824.htm
Some Fats Are Good For You:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/49/40075.htm
Antioxidants in Green and Black Tea:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/104/107641.html
What You Should Eat Daily:
http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_201.jhtml
Best Foods to Fight off Disease and Keep You Healthy:
http://www.oprah.com/health/yourbody/slide/slide_yourbody_healthfood_101.jhtml

*3) Perform cardiovascular, core, and/or strength training on most days. Read a book or find a certified trainer to make sure you're doing all exercises correctly.

The following is a website and numerous articles on cardiovascular, core, and strength training:
Exercise Prescription on the Net
http://www.exrx.net/
Starting an Exercise Program:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/startexercise.htm
Strength Training Basics:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/trainbasics.htm
Cardiovascular Machine Workouts:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/cardiowork.htm
Balance Your Way to a Stronger Body:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/64/72314.htm
Understanding Your Training Heart Rate:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/thr.htm
Exercise Errors:
http://www.primusweb.com/fitnesspartner/library/activity/errors.htm
Getting a Flat Stomach:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/71/81365.htm
Weight Lifting - Does Order Matter:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/80/96440.htm
Encouraging Exercise in Your Kids:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/95/103524.htm
Strength Training Safe and Effective for Kids:
http://www.webmd.com/content/article/32/1728_81005.htm

*4) Get plenty of sleep. Sleep experts say most adults need between seven and nine hours of sleep each night for optimum performance, health, and safety.

*5) Educate yourself continually on health issues and make a life long commitment to good health. A great free publication is âDietary Guidelines for Americans 2005â. A reputable test you can take to measure your biological age is at http://realage.com
Look at all areas where you can enhance your health. For example, make improvements in the quality of the air you breathe. Review outdoor air quality forecasts where you live and get an indoor air purifier.

Send me an email or yahoo instant message to "gainbetterhealth" if you have any questions and good luck!

*Click on all the source links below to get the full benefit of the recommendations. The answers presented to your health questions are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health providers with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.




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