Claude Thomas Passion

By Mike Selvon

When most people in the United States backpack, their base packs often weigh between 30 to 50 pounds, depending on how heavy the backpacking equipment is and how long the backpacking excursion is going to last. Many people opt for lighter base packs and choose lightweight backpacking. This backpacking term means packing the lightest gear possible to meet overnight backpacking, or even longer needs. On average, those who choose to lightweight backpack, pack between 12 and 20 pounds of gear, making their packs considerably lighter.

There are more and more people practicing lightweight backpacking on the trails today. These individuals are, on average, have more energy and experience far less exhaustion and injuries, and for the most part are more enjoyable to be around. The loss of a large amount of weight can free the traveler to experience more of the trip in an enjoyable manner instead of constantly worrying how they are going to climb the next hill.

When backpacking hiking with less gear, simply do not take more than what you know you will need. Many people tend to pack duplicate equipment just in case, but many people never need the duplicate gear. Believe it or not, packing your everyday 12 ounce tube of toothpaste or your ultra mega bottle of sunscreen can add to the weight content of your backpack very quickly, yet you will never need those amounts of products for a weekend or even a week long trip.

Instead, try packing trial size bottles of products so that you are more comfortable when traveling. Another item that can significantly add to your backpacking weight is packing unnecessary food. This is where deliberate food planning comes in. Many lightweight backpackers have found that packing food consistent with a 2,000 calorie a day diet relieves them of a lot of weight.

This averages out to about 1.5 pounds of daily food and can actually reduce the average backpacker’s weight by over 5 pounds, in food alone. While there are other items that can be deleted from your backpack to drop weight, starting with items like these can get you off and running.

Many individuals enjoy backpacking, but many find they are tired and exhausted by the end of the trip. Lightweight backpacking allows individuals to hike with more ease, while not having to carry heavy backpacking equipment. This type of backpacking puts less stress on the body and gives you much more ease of movement. Packing and traveling light is very possible and can lessen the load, allowing for a less stressful trip.

By Victor Epand

In many countries, bicycles are accepted and approved as a means of transport for people of both genders and all ages. Contrarily, very few adults in the United States ride a bike on any kind of regular basis, if ever. Although many children in this country love their bikes more than anything, the magic usually wears off when they reach their teen years. This change is probably a result of America’s obsession with motorized transportation, i.e. the automobile. However, over the past decade or so, Lance Armstrong has done an incredible amount to further the “coolness” factor of bicycles in America. This development is all to the good, since bicycles are beneficial to both individuals and to the planet as a whole.

Bicycles were invented in the early 19th century. Interestingly, the bicycle’s basic shape has never changed very drastically, although the one exception to this rule is the “penny-farthing” bicycle, the notorious model with a huge front wheel and a tiny rear one. For the most part, the first bicycles are easily recognized as bikes even by today’s standards. Early bicycles were used simply as a form of transportation, whether recreational or commercial.

While early bicycles were fairly “one size fits all,” modern cyclists have a whole laundry list of bicycle types to choose from. His or her selection is based on the type of cycling he or she intends to pursue. An individual who simply needs to get around the city will purchase a utility bicycle, but someone who enjoys bicycle touring (extended trips taken on a bike) will select a touring bicycle. Each kind of bicycle is designed to meet the challenges associated with the intended use.

Utility bicycles are probably the most common style of bike in the world. They are used by millions of people every day, especially in countries like China, Japan and the Netherlands, for commuting, shopping and basic point-to-point transportation. A utility bike often has a step-through frame, which features a low crossbar, making it easy to mount. This design evolved from the bicycles of the 19th and 20th centuries that were intended for female riders. Because the women of those eras always wore long dresses or skirts, bicycles needed to accommodate such clothing. While this is no longer (usually) a consideration, step-through frames remain popular due to the ease with which they can be mounted. Utility bikes are functional, durable, comfortable and versatile, but they do tend to be rather heavy. The handlebars on these bikes are usually higher than the seat, allowing the cyclist to sit upright.

Mountain bicycles are another extremely well-known type of bicycle. These bikes are designed to contend with unpaved environments such as mountain trails or country roads. They feature wide, knobby tires that provide a great deal of traction and shock absorption. Mountain bicycles usually have diamond frames, which are lighter than step-through frames. These bikes need to be relatively lightweight, as cyclists often need to lift them into trucks or carry them when the trail becomes too rough. The handlebars of mountain bikes are usually at about the same height as the seat, forcing the cyclist to bend at the waist while seated.

By Bruce Weir

Mountain biking is a great sport and enjoyed by a growing number of people each year. When starting out there is a lot of excitement in deciding what mountain bike you are going to get for all those outings you have planned. Just as important, once you have invested in the mountain bike itself there are some mountain biking essentials for yourself, and that means protective gear.

Speaking from personal experience there are three essential pieces of gear you just must have every time you venture out for that ride.

Mountain bike helmet - this is absolutely essential. Mountain biking will almost inevitably involve a fall or wipeout of some kind. A properly fitting mountain bike helmet can save you from a bump on the head or worse.

A couple of summers ago I was out for a leisurely ride on a familiar trail, not going overly fast or doing anything crazy but had a spectacular crash when I hit a wash out hidden in the patterns of light and dark among the shadows of the trees. Both the mountain bike and I were busted up rather badly. The bike was beyond repair and I took the impact on my right side, smashing up my leg, hand, arm and shoulder. The right side of my head also hit the ground hard but I didn’t realise this until much later in hospital as someone pointed out the shards of rock stuck in the shattered helmet shell. The helmet took the full force of the impact and prevented what could have been severe injuries.

When buying your mountain bike helmet check that the one you select is comfortable and meets the standards for your country; you may or may not need to make sure it complies with the laws where you live but you definitely do want to ensure it has passed the basic tests to protect your head. Mountain bike helmets come in lots of funky designs, some radical color schemes and a wide variety of fits for all shapes of heads even the kids don’t take much convincing that it’s good to wear a helmet.

Gloves - your second must have item.

Gloves protect your hands not only in the event of a crash but also riding in areas of close scrubby bush country and debris scattered by riders in front of you when going at speed on tracks with loose dirt, sticks or gravel. That crash I mentioned earlier; you might have guessed it, my hands lost some skin as I wasn’t wearing gloves because I’d put off buying a new pair. Ouch! Now I wear them all the time.

Glasses - the third essential item for protecting two of your most valuable assets, your eyes.

Glasses protect your eyes not only from the sun but also from insects, branches and leaves dangling across trails, dust, sand, mud and debris thrown up by other mountain bike riders or even off your own front wheel. You’ve probably got the picture.

Glasses with interchangeable lenses or transition lenses are the best for changing light conditions and there are many designed specifically for cyclists. Whatever glasses you choose, they must be impact resistant or shatter proof. I was wearing glasses at the time of my big crash and they were scratched up and a little worse for wear but my eyes were saved from any injury.

At the end of each ride simply place your gloves and glasses inside your helmet so they are together and ready every time you head out the door to hit the trail on the mountain bike.

Ride well, ride safe, have fun.