MOUNTAIN BIKING – TAKING OFF THE STABILISERS
Taking the first steps toward a successful mountain bike expedition can seem extremely daunting – especially for a complete novice who has a decidedly clumsy streak.
Where to start and how to go about it were beyond me, but determined not to be put off, I went in search of information. Having talked to a couple of friends who had previously biked (and survived!) helped a lot, but I still needed reassurance that only a seasoned mountain biker could provide.
So it seemed wise to research the subject a wee bit, and being a bit of a dab hand on the old internet, a search quickly led me to www.northernmunkies.co.uk. A paean to all things mountain biking, it's an extremely useful site. It has an informative home page that is not cluttered with too much technical jargon, and it's extremely user-friendly. It gives you a break down of the different types of mountain bikes that the munkies ride, and what (if any) modifications they have. The blog is a great read – extremely funny, it gives you a diary of recent rides and the highs and lows of each. This is great if you're planning a mountain bike trek into the unknown, and it's a route that they have done. The maps page was also really helpful, and it even gives you directions on how to get to that particular mountain bike trail!
I'm sure that there are other mountain bike sites out there on the internet, but if you are looking for a fun, friendly and informative site, you really can't go wrong here. The enthusiasm for mountain biking shines through here and the site is designed in that highly professional way that makes it look clean and simple but really means it has had plenty of thought and effort put into it. It certainly helped me plan my first foray on a mountain bike and live to tell the tale!
For more details visit www.northernmunkies.co.uk
Tips For Setting Up Your Above Ground Pool
Don't we wish these pools would have been on the market when we were kids! These pools put the plastic pools from my childhood to shame.
But there IS a little more to setting them up then tossing in the hose. Just follow your pools directions, but keep these tips in mind too.
1. Put down a layer of level sand under your tarp or ground cloth to make it more stable and resistant to tears.
2. Place the filter in a corner area of your square ground cloth so it is more likely to remain upright and away from the mower.
3. Your filter has to plug in, be sure and use a bright colored extension cord to eliminate trips and falls.
4. Always have a patch kit or two on hand, they do work well but you may lose a lot of water if you have to run to the store when and if you need one.
5. Get as many wrinkles out of the liner as possible starting with the middle.
6. Add the water slowly until all the wrinkles have been smoothed out. Too much water makes it hard, if not impossible, to work out the wrinkles.
7. Double check to make sure the drain plug is in.
8. Double check to make sure your pump hoses are secure and burp the air out of the pump before you plug it in.
9. Read the chemical labels and learn what to add when. It really isn't that hard if you consistently take care of it.
10. Have Fun!! Be sure and supervise your children carefully and to keep the chemicals out of reach. Also remember that pool covers are meant to keep debris out of the pool and are not meant as a safety device to keep children safe. That is your job, you will be the lifeguard always on duty with a pool in the yard.
Robin Reckard, co-founder of Jorbins.com Lifestyle Magazine - http://www.jorbins.com/ keeps busy producing, writing, and editing for the magazine as well as raising and enjoying her six year old daughter.
Visit Jorbins Home Improvement and Decorating Section to read great articles concerning the home and backyard. Stop by the Swimming Pools - Hot Tubs - and Spas area for more information about backyard swimming pools as well.
Copyright 2006, Jorbins Inc. - Reprints of this article can be made as long as the article is in it's entirety, unchanged, and the resource box with links and urls remain unchanged.
How To Buy Good Golf Lessons?
Taking golf lessons can be an expensive, time-consuming effort. And like any good or service that will cost money and require time, you should be careful before you buy. It's OK to shop around for a golf instructor - in fact, it's recommended in order to find the best fit. Here are some things to consider before you commit to golf lessons.
Know Your Price Limit
Yes, golf lessons are expensive. But some are more expensive than others. Generally, the more expensive instructors are the ones with more experience, more accolades and who are attached to a more upscale golf facility. But there are lots of teaching pros out there who are less expensive but still very good. Decide how much you are willing to spend before you start shopping, and stick to it.
Make Sure Your Goals and Commitment Match
A golf instructor can do wonders with your game, but he can't do it alone. To make golf lessons worthwhile, you must be able to follow up on them by continuing to work on the instructor's suggestions on your own time. The higher your goals, the more work will be required. Be realistic in your goals and make sure you can offer the commitment necessary to meet those goals.
Private Lessons vs. Golf Schools
Private lessons and golf schools are the two typical ways to receive golf instruction. Both have strengths. Private lessons allow for follow-up visits over a period of time - a building block approach to learning golf. Schools offer an intensive amount of learning in a short time, but can also offer too much information and without follow-up. But private lessons can take months to complete.
Ask Around
Every golf instructor's best advertising is past students. To get an idea of the best teachers in your area, ask as many golfers as you know. It's likely that a handful of names will come up frequently, and that list can be your starting point. You may find someone who has taken lessons and can give a glowing recommendation on a particular instructor - or a warning.
Interview the Candidates
Yes, you really can interview golf instructors before you commit to lessons. Remember - it's your business they want and need. Ask your candidates about their teaching background and experience. Do they use video? Do lessons include on-course teaching? What is their teaching philosophy? This process should give you a good idea of how your personality will match up with theirs, too.
Making the Choice
After these steps, you should be ready to make your choice. It's important that you choose an instructor whose personality meshes with yours. Going to a teacher you don't like will keep you from learning. It's important that an instructor's goals match yours, and that your commitment matches your goals. Once you've made your choice, throw yourself into it - and watch your scores improve.
Eddy's website, http://www.secretgolftrainingsystem.com, is about Golf Training. Click there for a FREE report.
