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One thing that not a lot of people talk about during the massive hurricanes seasons that we have been experiencing is that those who ride bicycles and a cycle competitively have a tough time in hurricanes devastated regions continue in their training. For instance in Florida often after a hurricane or a large tropical storm comes through there is so much debris on the road that it is very hard to ride the bicycle at any high rates of speed or for a long distance without having problems with your rims or popping a tire.

I recently talked to one competitive cycler and he told me all the problems and said that last year alone he had already been through six rims. It is true that the 2005 Atlantic tropical hurricane season was indeed one of the worst we’ve ever had if not the words into history of recording hurricanes.

Nevertheless the 2006 Atlantic tropical hurricane season will be on its way shortly and for those who are in cycling training they will have issues. Some may wish to go to areas where there are no hurricanes in order to complete their cycling training. It is an unfortunate event when you have to leave the city that you are in just to complete the training you need to continue to stay at a competitive level.

One thing a cycler can do is to move to Denver in the summertime and training at higher altitudes and then when you come back to lower levels you will be surprised at how well your body does. Consider this 2006.

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Motorcyclists are always evaluating the use of motorcycle helmets. Is this simply a matter of preference or are there significant issues to be considered?

A friend of mine (Bill) has chosen to ride with a helmet, or at times without a helmet. He says it depends upon riding conditions for him. One day he was on a two lane road, traveling about 50mph when a tractor trailer truck pulled out from the right side of the street to go the same direction. His thought was to maintain his speed and simply pass the truck. [Which, most likely could be done.] Unfortunately the truck driver did not have enough room for the turn, and stopped dead still, crossing both lanes. Bill was now approaching the truck too fast and too close to stop safely. He tried breaking hard but immediately knew he was facing the side of the trailer head-on. With quick thinking he laid his Harley on the side and slid under the trailer and on down the road a couple hundred feet. Relaying his story to me, he was flat on his back, feet first, with his arms spread out and his head bopping on the highway. When all was finished he gave credit to God for helping him and praised his destroyed helmet for saving his life. [Plus, the leather jacket and gloves that had taken the tears in place of him.] My friend only suffered from some sore muscles and hurt pride. But, it brings up the subject of helmet safety.

In the KSL-TV News of South Jordan, the Police Chief (Dan Pearson) is likewise teaching people that motorcycle helmets save lives, after losing three friends to motorcycle accidents in two years. All three suffered from head injuries and none were wearing motorcycle helmets. Then, the police chief himself was involved in an accident on highway 89 North of Afton, Wyoming. A truck towing a horse trailer had passed him and pulled in front of him, hitting the front of his motorcycle with the spare tire mounted on the back. Dan was thrown off his bike, landing headfirst. He says, “This injury would have been a fatal blow if I hadn’t had the helmet on.” Dan suffered from bruises and a few broken bones.

The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reports that motorcyclists survive a crash and receive less serious injuries when wearing a helmet. They report that at least 600 people are saved each year.

One question that is asked, “motorcycle helmets might protect your brain but can it increase your chances of a broken neck?” Dr. Michael Yorgason, a surgeon at Montana Orthopedics and Sport Medicine, states that the findings from medical literature shows: “autopsy studies done after fatal motorcycle accidents have shown that neck injuries and fractures are equally likely, whether you are wearing a helmet or not.” Yet, most medical reports support the use of motorcycle helmets. They believe that the helmet generally decreases the risk of head and brain injury significantly and surmise that wearing them does not increase your risk of neck injury.

An Italian study concluded that a helmet decreased injury by 66%. A Thailand study found that after making motorcycle helmets mandatory, head injuries decreased by 41% in 2 years. Now, in Kentucky, a study revealed that brain injury increased by 4.3 times when not wearing a helmet.

In an article written by Jonathan P. Goldstein, PhD., titled “The Effects of Motorcycle Helmet Use on the Probability of Fatality and the Severity of Head and Neck Injuries.” He concludes that there are a number of variables in a study that puts the study in question. Major differences are held concerning helmet use or non-helmet use. Normal results compare death and injury rates are two and three times greater for non-helmet riders and increases in occurrence rates in repeal years that vary from 19% to 63%. On one side: the helmet verses the non-helmet study fails to consider these two classes of riders. Stating that helmet riders are more cautious by nature. One, they drive slower, thus have slower speeds in crash situations. Two, they are less likely to have an accident. Three, helmet wearers are less likely to drink and drive (alcohol or use of drugs). These behavior changes dramatically reduce a riders risk.

On-the-other-hand, factors to consider are: 1-average age of the biker 2-average miles driven each year, per biker 3-average experience of the biker 4-the size of the motorcycle driven. So, between the size of the bike, potential speed, age, risk taking and alcohol ingestion; simply, cannot realistically prove the effectiveness of helmet use.

The Goldstein study did approach these variables in question. They reported a study that evaluates the effectiveness of motorcycle helmets in accident situations. The conclusions are: 1-Motorcycle helmets have no statistically significant effect on the probability of fatality. 2- Helmets reduce the severity of head injuries. 3-Past a critical impact speed of 13 mph, helmets increased the severity of neck injuries. The report then concluded that helmet users face a trade-off between reductions in the severity of head injuries and increases in the severity of neck injuries.

Under these circumstances a mandatory helmet use law cannot be reasoned to be an effective method to stop an individuals death or injury when involved in an accident.

Perhaps other choices need to be considered in providing safety in motorcycle use. Here are three suggestions. One, educate the general driving public (car and truck drivers) in road use with motorcycles. Two, educate inexperienced motorcyclists on accident avoidance (evasive action) and the proper use of these powerful machines. Three, create a strict enforcement of drunk driving laws.

[Some studies show that alcohol consumption is the major factor in deaths and injury.]

Harley-Davidson offers basic and advanced training to 200+ dealerships in 30 states. Honda has four training centers. BMW is considering advanced training but says they tend to attract seasoned riders.

It is believed that training cuts panic. You need to know how to negotiate a curve and resist the urge to brake, etc.

Here are some other factors that need to be considered. Tires should be inflated to the proper level. A riders visibility to be seen. Tests have shown that the plain white motorcycle helmets are the easiest to be seen. Clothing makes a difference between day/night.

For night riding there are reflective vests and lighted vests available. There is GLO GLOV; reflective tape for clothing and cycle; reflective vests and coats. Now back to helmets.

USA Today carried the statistic from the National Highway Traffic Saftey Administration, reporting that 24% of the fatal crashes in 2003 involved unlicensed motorcyclists, and that car drivers are responsible in about two-thirds of motorcycle fatalities.

US DOT findings discovered that following the Helmet Law Repeal in Texas and Arkansas from Aug/Sept of 1997 to May 1998, helmet use dropped to 52% in Arkansas and to 66% in Texas. In Arkansas motorcycle fatalities rose 21% following the repeal and head injuries increased 18.5%. Texas fatalities rose 31%.

One court case in California disputed what standards were set for qualifying a helmet as “safe”. For a list of the US Government “Compliance Testing of Motorcycle Helmets” you can check to see if your helmet passed or failed. Check with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

When I am on my motorcycle, I know what I am doing. I don’t know what the other driver is doing. So, with the many facets of helmet use and considering the pro/cons, I choose to wear a helmet. You will have to decide for yourself!

Lonny Wolford, website builder, visitwww.toplinemotorcycles.com

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There are different styles and designs of helmets available in motorcycle stores these days. Colors range from classic solid colors to domineering neon and luminous colors to promote conspicuity. There are also replicas that look like ’super bike champ wear’.

Street motorcycle accessories like helmet are matters of personal taste. In that case, aesthetic side is often chosen over anything else. Anyhow, this has contributed why safety is most of the time overlooked. Whatever the case may be rider’s safety must be the topmost priority.

In a study conducted by the NHTSA, DOT National Highway Traffic Safety US Department of Transportation, they have subjected 50 motorcyclists, of varying age and riding experience to a test. They were made to ride along a prescribed test route. Then, they were asked to periodically change lanes and their head to check traffic in the adjacent lane. Afterwards, they were made to change lane in their normal manner. The riders have driven the route three times, full and partial helmet on, and on the third time, without wearing a helmet. The ability to hear surrounding traffic was also altered systematically.

The study found out that helmets are not hindrance to motorcyclist’s ability to hear and observe surrounding traffic. In connection with the hearing tests, no significant difference was found in rider’s ability to hear traffic, either between helmet types or between helmet and no helmet.

Hearing ability, on the other hand, was significantly affected by vehicle speed due to increased wind noise. However, for any given speed, helmets did not diminish nor enhance hearing. In connection with the vision tests, it showed that the minimal amount of the lateral vision (field of view) that is sacrificed by wearing a helmet can be made up by turning the head a little further.

Further, the study showed that 19 of the 23 riders who were given the vision tests compensated for helmet use by turning their head a little further before changing lanes. Overall, any negative effect of helmets on rider vision appears to be very minor, especially in comparison to the protection offered by helmets should a crash occur.

Arai, Bell, Icon, AGV, Nolan, Thor, Erex, are some of the trusted motorcycle helmet manufacturers in the world. The helmets they are releasing are tested and approved by Snell and DOT.

Pick the best helmet for your secured journey. Be guided by your senses…

Please visit Motorcycle Accessories site at www.streetmotorcycleaccessories.com for comments and inquiries regarding this article.

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The ATV has gained huge popularity because of its versatility. It is included in many different outdoor activities like racing, hunting and camping. This has made way for many customizable features that you can add to your ATV.

Racing ATVs look very different from conventional ATVs that you may see in rural areas. They are usually customized with different wheels, shocks and exhaust systems. The wheels on a racing ATV are narrower to give it more speed and turning ability. The wheels are also upgraded to a lighter and stiffer aluminum alloy the reduce weight and handle impact from jumps. The shocks are one of the most important upgrades because there are many jumps on a typical course. The shocks need to give enough to absorb impact with minimal speed loss. They also must be stiff enough to maintain the vehicles integrity on tight corners. Loose shocks could result in a rollover if the turn is too tight. Many riders are constantly tweaking their shocks to find the perfect combination to maximize their speed and safety. The exhaust is simply made up of a more free flowing muffler and intake to move air through the engine much quicker. This altered exhaust results in more noise output, but it can significantly raise the torque of an ATV.

ATVs for hunting and camping are very similar overall. They have wide tires for good off-road traction. Hunters will sometime use a stricter muffler, so that the ATV is not so loud. Both types of ATVs will have extra storage compartments and rails on the front and back to tie down their gear. A large capacity fuel tank is always a good option for extended trips. Extra gas cans are also a common on such ATVs. One of the best options to ensure that you do not get stuck in the wilderness is a front mounted winch. This is primarily for dragging the ATV out of deep mud or sand in case it gets stuck. The winch cable can be fastened around a nearby tree, and it will pull the vehicle toward the tree.

To find out more great information about ATVs, visit http://atv-rider.info

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