The Info Treasure Trove

Lowriding began as a cultural element of Chicano Americans, part of the street culture of the American barrio where Mexican immigrants maintained a lively urban culture.Lowrider bikes, one of the most splendid and unique products of this culture, are a cross between the Harley and the cruiser bike, decorated with paint and chrome and streamers, found in any all-American hometown parade.

As you might surmise, lowriding bikes hug the ground.The highest points on a lowrider bike are almost always its two hand grips, just like you might find on its motorized cousin, the Harley motorcycle.The seat of a lowrider bike is down at wheel level and its pedals are sometimes higher than the seat!These bikes are typically a highly individualized creation.Most of them are ridden with enormous pride by their creators, although you can buy some standard models and a few elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in cities of the American West.

Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes are anything but cheap.Makers of these one-of-a-kind creations regard their bicycles as much as an artwork and a mechanical marvel as a means of transportation, though part of the joy of creation has always been parading them down the street when completedthese are not pieces of art meant for life in dusty museums, for the most part.Each part is usually carefully selected for its utility as well as its beauty, with the resulting bike a breathtaking example of technical and artistic ingenuity.

Lowrider bikes are becoming a presence in more and more cities, perhaps made more “respectable” among the affluent bicyclists who drive the market by the increasing popularity of their cousin, the recumbent bicycle.As the baby boomer generation ages and feels increasing twinges of back pain riding on the dropped handlebars of road bikes, expect to see more and more lowrider and recumbent bikes alike.

And once you get your first basic lowrider bike, don’t be too surprised if you find yourself flipping through the real or online pages of a lowrider parts catalog musing, “Hmm.I wonder how that golden sprocket would look on my bike?”Lowrider bikes have a tradition of creative embellishment and technical improvisation that calls out the artist and the inventor in many of us.

What, really, could be better to evoke, especially if you’re already a bike rider?

Find further information on lowrider bikes at www.bike-cycling-reviews.com , your online resource on road and mountain biking reviews, the hub of cycling information.

Are you lacking exercise? It’s a normal thought - we all know this, yet so much gets in our way of working out. We watch individuals crowded into gymnasiums doing workouts, and consider : I must drive to the gym, pay my membership fee, then get to do some exercise. It seems like a lot of hassle, can’t I do something that’s not going to waste a lot of my precious time - maybe something that’s actually pragmatic?

You may then consider bicycling, as cycling is a very effective means to get fit. You can ride to the local shops or to work, so it’s rather pragmatic. It’s also very cheap - there’s no fuel required and the running costs are negligable. It’s also very “green”. And not forgetting the minor point of actually getting fit too.

But lots of people are reluctant to get a bicycle since it’s TOO much exercise. As bizarre as that sounds, consider that they might be elderly, suffer from particular ailments, be aged, or live in a hilly area that make cycling too “hardcore” for their abilities. And for a few people, it’s not realistic biking to work simply because they sweat too much because of the efforts of bicycling.

So this is where electric bikes come in. E-bikes give you a breather on the challenging hills simply by turning your hand on the handlebar and allowing the electric motor take over - you don’t need to do any peddling then. Then when you feel up to it, just start pedalling. You get modest exercise and clean air without doing yourself in. E-bikes are also cheap to operate necessitating only a daily re-charge if you cycle about 20 to 30 kilometres per day, although most people require only two re-charges per week since they are not doing this kind of mileage. You can find a local supplier of electric bikes by looking online.

These days the real cost of getting an e-bike have come right down in price, so you can find yourself saving a lot of dosh on fuel, bus fares, gym memberships etc. by buying and regularly using an electric bike.

We’re often nagged by the need to do more exercise but so much can get in the way. We see people crowded into gyms working out, and consider : well, I must travel to the gym, pay for my member’s fee, then get to do some exercise. It just seems like loads of effort, isn’t there something I can do that’s not going to throw away my time - something that’s even useful?

Then you may consider purchasing a bike, as biking around is a fantastic way to improve your health. You can bike to work or do some shopping, so it’s rather pragmatic. It’s also money-saving - there’s no gasoline required and the running costs are next to nothing. It’s also very “green”. And not forgetting the small detail of actually getting you in shape.

Still, lots of people are put off getting a bike because it’s just TOO much exercise. As bizarre as it sounds, it could be because they may be aged, live in a hilly location or suffer from particular ailments that make biking too much effort for their abilities. Also for a few people, it’s not practical bicycling to their work since they will sweat too much because of the efforts of biking.

So this is where electric bikes come in. They let your legs have a breather on the challenging slopes merely by twisting your hand on the handlebar and allowing the electric motor kick in - pedalling is no longer required then. Then when you feel up to it, just let your legs take over. You get gentle exercise and clean air without breaking a sweat. E-bikes are also cost-effective to run needing only a daily battery re-charge if you do about 20 to 30 kilometres per day, although most individuals require only two recharges per week since they are not doing this kind of mileage. If you’re looking for a low cost e-bike, there are plenty of cheap electric bikes online.

These days the real cost of purchasing an electric bike have dropped in price, so you can find yourself saving a lot of dosh on fuel, bus fares, gym memberships etc. by buying and regularly using an e-bike.

What a phenomenal summertime it has been. We went on an glorious mountain bike ride through the Sequoias. Everything about the trip was awesome except for the drive up there. I had my mtn bike on the back of the car and gear all packed up the night before. I started the ride up alone as I left early from the office. My meet up time was set for eight pm where I was to meet with my friends on the mountain since I didnt know where exactly the campsite would be. I had to make the timing just right otherwise I would not meet them. If I didnt make it in time, they would come back the next day to find me. This means if I was too late, I would end up sleeping in my car alone that night.

Turns out I made it through traffic and up the hill in time to unhook my bike, crack open a beer and mountain bike ride up and down a couple of little hills before dark and before my buddies would arrive. The air was crisp and I was excited to be away from the city. My Santa Cruz Heckler was in tip top shape and ready to tear up some rails and free riding, fresh out of the shop. Friends arrived beers in hand and ready to show me where the campsite was.

Our bike ride started early and we were ready with big packs stuffed with plenty of food and water. The first crank up the big hill was ridiculously long. We pedaled over 10 miles uphill, that took over 2hrs. Making it to the summit was impressive. We took a break and sipped some water from our stainless steel water bottles.

The rest of the day was spent busting tricks, hitting logs and enticing each other to go big. We half a few good breaks in between stopping to eat lunch and have a smoke at the three sisters, what an grand spot. The dirt was just right. Not too dry as to cause any dust and not too wet that our wheels would get stuck. There was a bit of ice still left on the ground from the spring melt. The temperature was perfect, not too hot, not too cold.