Read This Before You Buy A Cheap Bike

When you need to purchase a second hand bicycle, or even just a cheap bike, try to buy it from a reputable outlet. If you need to buy it privately, make sure you get a guarantee of some sort, so that you have the option to take the bicycle back should it be faulty. If you buy a second hand bicycle over the internet, make sure you inspect the photographs carefully before you purchase it. Sites like Amazon will however offer you some sort of protection if you buy through them. When a new bicycle leaves the floor, just like a motor car, it loses about 50% of it's value, so it is always a good option to look at buying a good second hand bicycle.

When looking for a cheap bike, ask somebody who knows something about bicycles to help you make your decision, so that you will at least have the benefit of a second opinion from a knowledgeable person.

First you need to check the frame of the bicycle you intend buying. The frame should be structurally sound, as it is expensive to replace if it isn't. Make sure it isn't bent or been thrashed about too much. Superficial marks are fine, but don't buy it if it has any dents or rust.

Check on the state of the brakes, gears, derailleur system, bottom bracket (which the pedals rotate around), headset, wheel spokes and hubs. The wheels shouldn't be buckled and the spokes should be rigid. The spokes should make a nice ping sound if you pluck them like you would a harp.

Check the size of the bicycle. The person who is going to be riding the bicycle should if possible physically take a ride on the bike to make sure it is the right size and fit. There is nothing worse than buying a bicycle, only to discover you don't enjoy riding it, as it isn't a comfortable fit.

Make sure to ask the seller how old the bike is, where it has been stored and whether or not they bought it new or second hand. Find out how many km's they have done on it, and how often they ride in wet weather.

Last but not least, take steps to ensure that the bike is not stolen. You can check on sites like BikeRevolution.org and BikeRegister.com. On these sites you will find listings of stolen bicycles by inserting the frame number or registration number.

If you are careful in your choice of second hand bicycle, there are many benefits to buying one. For one, all the teething problems associated with new bicycles should be smoothed out. The next best thing is you will normally get the bicycle for a good price. You will thus be able to afford to buy a better bike with good components, which will add to your cycling experience and pleasure. Normally with second hand bicycles, loads of extras will have been added over time, so you will get even more value for your money.

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5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before You Become A Coach

Helping others achieve excellence is a noble goal, and is really at the heart of any kind of performance sports instruction. However, excellent instruction is about more than just knowing how to spot excellence: especially if you intend to work with children or youth, you will serve as an inspirational figure and a role model. You will be equal parts instructor and figure for emulation. Are you prepared for that?

Is Sports Your Passion?

You should always be passionate about what you are doing. If you're not highly interested in sports, that will translate to the people that you are helping. They'll become less passionate as a result, and won't be as excited. This is especially problematic for youth; without your encouragement, they may abandon even the most excited passion as they grow.

Are You Experienced?

Jumping right into a position helping children is unwise. It is best to start off by studying and working underneath another leader whom you admire. Watch how he or she interacts with students and team members. Observe the techniques they use to help inspire confidence, excellence, and personal growth. After you've seen these firsthand, you're ready to start thinking about taking on the responsibility for creating them in yourself.

Are You Ready To Be A Role Model?

Children will look up to you. You need to be aware of that before you sign on to become a coach, and you need to be confident that you have the kind of positive attitude that is required to be the right kind of role model. A lot of people think they can become a coach and then neglect their own personal growth. In fact, it's absolutely vital that you continue developing so that you can put your best foot forward for the people you are helping become excellent. If you are struggling, a leadership workshop may help you develop the qualities necessary to become what the children need.

Can You Help Kids Improve?

In order to become a coach, you need to know how to teach others. You may be excellent at a sport yourself, but be weak when it comes to actually instructing others and helping them change their behaviors to improve their game. Try out some of your techniques on friends or family before you become a coach. If you're having trouble, consider attending a leadership workshop to get some ideas.

Do You Have The Patience?

Successfully helping others improve requires an almost limitless supply of patience. You need to be willing and able to tolerate many mistakes, and to calmly help others overcome blocks and confusion within themselves. Frustration and anger don't help anyone, but recognizing that fact can be very difficult. A leadership workshop can help you hone your interactions to assist your team with development without becoming frustrated with them.

If you've considered all of these questions and still feel that you are ready to become a coach, consider starting the process. Someone who adheres to all of these guidelines will be better prepared to positively influence the lives of the people on his or her team, helping them become the best players and the best people possible.

Author is a freelance copywriter. For more information about leadership workshop, please visit http://www.positivecoach.org/

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Tips Before Taking Up the Game of Tennis: The Bankhand Debate

Any proper tennis coach is going to attempt to make a student as comfortable as possible on the tennis court, especially a beginner. Of course there is a right way and a wrong way to hit each stroke which includes the proper grip, follow through, and footwork. Often it comes down to personal preference and natural feel however when choosing whether to use a one-handed or two-handed backhand. When making this decision you must ask yourself, is there a competitive advantage to using a one handed backhand as opposed to a two-handed?

It's no secret that the two handed backhand has not only become more popular among professionals, but coaches are more inclined to teach it as well. Especially in the women's game, the one-handed backhand is nearly extinct. Some arguments for teaching the two-handed backhand include a quicker preparation for each shot, as well as a more stable and controlled impact and backswing resulting in a much heavier hit ball. A properly executed two-handed backhand will be compact, allowing the player to conserve energy and quickly prepare for the next point. Most importantly a the player is still able to generate power with such a short stroke. Often if an inexperienced player tries a one-handed backhand the stroke is less stable at impact, it takes more time to prepare, and it takes longer to regroup for the next shot because of the elongated backswing. So why not teach the two-handed backhand to all youth players, and simply stop wasting time with one-handed backhands?

For almost every study there is usually one outlier. In this case, his name is Roger Federer, the former number 1 player in the world, and 23 time grand slam winner. It's impossible to argue with the grace and fluidity with which he hits his backhand. Have you seen the wristwatch commercials that play all throughout Wimbledon? His strokes are effortless even when he's wearing a suit. Federer is able to not only able to produce a compact swing but also generate an incredible amount of power. He can hit his backhand from anywhere on the court from a number of different angles. Yeah sure, Federer is a freak athlete who has been perfecting this stroke for years but his effectiveness comes down to technique which includes proper footwork and unparalleled upper body control. For Federer, or any player who is attempting to hit a one-handed backhand, it comes down to balance, a still head, and keeping your lead shoulder parallel to the net. It is natural to pull off the ball when there are so many moving parts involved, but it's the calmness of Federer's approach that makes the shot so effective.

People argue that it requires great strength to hit a one-handed backhand, but Federer's wiry frame silences those critics. Is Federer so unique an athlete that only he and a handful of others are capable of consistently pulling off this shot, or is it simply a matter of teaching the technique early and correctly? If taught and executed properly this can be one of the most effective shots in tennis.

It is important to remember that proper technique is key not only for executing the one-handed backhand, but also to ensure that you don't hurt yourself. It's fun to just go out on the courts and leisurely hit the ball around with friends, but it's still possible to hurt yourself if you aren't using the proper technique. If you have flawed technique, especially with your backhand, then you are asking for the dreaded tennis elbow. Tennis elbow can be a debilitating injury that not only affects your tennis game but also your everyday life. The injury can often be so painful it hurts to even lift a coffee cup.Really it's not enough to simply watch a Youtube video of someone explaining the proper backhand technique, though it is a good way to pick up some tips. Especially if you are a beginner, you really have to get out on the court and practice the right technique with an instructor or friend who knows the proper technique.

To master, and more importantly teach, such a flawless stroke takes hours and hours of practice. There are thousands of people every year who are taking up the sport of tennis. When taking a first lesson at a club or with an independent tennis coach, a player should trust their instructor to teach them not only the correct technique, but also the most effective stroke. Though you should trust your instructor's judgment it is also important to know that there are multiple options out there. Is the two-handed backhand absolutely more effective than the one-handed? Federer's stroke would suggest that if executed properly, the answer is no. The fact is, the two-handed backhand is easier to teach and easier to hit for a beginner. Federer's backhand maybe the last of its kind. You should does the convenience of teaching the two-handed outweigh the effectiveness and versatility of a one-handed backhand? Probably.

About the Author

John C. Hayes invites those looking for a quality tennis lesson to learn the proper technique discussed in this article to schedule a lesson at the online tennis marketplace http://mytennislessons.com/. People everyday are taking advantage of the services provided ensuring that instructors are able to teach these techniques and players are learning them. Schedule a lesson in your area or sign up for the opportunity to teach those lessons by visiting http://mytennislessons.com/

(c) Copyright- John C. Hayes. All Rights Reserved Worldwide.

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How to Test a Backpack Before You Buy

When you have selected the type and the right size backpack, you should definitely take it for a test drive before you purchase.

This article will provide you with some helpful tips on how to test out your chosen backpack before you buy.

Preparation

Before testing out a backpack, you will need to know how much weight you will be carrying. This of course is dependent on the duration of your hiking trip, whether it is day hiking, overnight or three to five-day hiking.

If this is your first backpack purchase, then before you go to the outdoor store lay out all what you would need for your hiking trip at home, then place them in a light plastic bag and weigh them.

If you have a large amount of items then divide your items into smaller groups and then weigh them.

Weight Distribution

Start by loading up the backpack with the test weight items at the outdoor store. All outdoor stores should have weights and fillers specifically for load testing.

These weights may not be ideal but do your best to distribute the weight evenly. Use a load weight near to the weight you would normally carry on a hike.

After you have loaded the backpack, put it to the test by walking around the store, bending over, jogging a short distance, moving from side to side, touching your toes and walking up and down the stairs if any.

Try anything that will assist you in your decision-making. Throughout these actions, the backpack should remain stable and tight-fitting.

It should not feel loose or cause you to go off-balance (that is if it is packed well). Pay attention to the weight of the load, making sure it is being evenly distributed and that no excess weight is felt in any one place.

Good backpacks provide the flexibility to distribute the weight to your hips, lower back and shoulders by adjusting the backpacks hip or shoulder straps.

Experiment by loosening and then tightening the hip and shoulder straps to test the backpacks ability to re-distribute the backpacks weight. Each position should feel comfortable.

These test runs will give you a feel for the backpacks suitability.

Home Test

Inquire if you can try out the backpack at your home, packed with your own gear and return it if it does not meet your requirements.

If you cannot return the backpack, then be certain that it is well suited to your bodies profile before handing over your money or locate an outdoor store that does have a return policy.

Extra Backpack Features

Hydration System

Many backpacks have either built-in water bladders or a designated pocket for a water bladder.

Splash Cover

Backpacks are not usually 100% waterproof so some have a built-in or separate splash cover which is a waterproof cover that you can use to cover your entire backpack. This feature will keep your backpack dry during rain showers, river crossings and provide protection from the early morning dew.

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