SLU Cycling

Is knee pain an issue for you?

If you are a person who loves to participate in sports and other activities that require a lot of physical exertion, you may have experience pain or discomfort in your knee from time to time. This is normal because knee injuries are a very common injury that occurs in sports. The knee has an important role to absorb and distribute the weight of the body during all kinds of movement. Over time, the knee is put under so much stress and strain that it can begin to wear down and cause problems.

Athletes may experience knee problems earlier than most people because of the prolonged amount of time they are performing activities that require jumping, turning and twisting. These movements put a lot of strain on the knee. – Can you relate?

One of the best ways that you can help add some stability for your knee is by finding an elastic knee brace that supports the knee. Elastic knee braces are great because they do not prohibit movement in the knee but still offer stability and protection to the knee, its surrounding knee ligaments and structural components.

You may be concerned that wearing a restrictive knee brace would have a negative influence on your ability to freely move or make special plays during your big game. This does not need to be a concern with most of the knee braces that are available. If you choose a well designed, low profile knee brace like a neoprene knee sleeve, you will still be able to enjoy the game. It is always important to consult your physician if think you may have more significant knee issues…

Elastic knee braces can be found in different materials such as neoprene and drytex. Elastic knee braces are commonly referred to as knee sleeves due to the ease of wearing of them and the way that they fit around the knee snugly but still allow movement. Knee sleeves are often times strapless and can be pulled on your leg without any difficulty at all.

We hope that you are not having any issues with knee pain, but if you are it is time to face the pain you are having. If you are in a position in which you just need some added stability to help remind you not to make painful movements then elastic knee braces can be very helpful. Many people have indicated that these knee sleeves have helped reduce their knee pain after activities of daily living as well.

By: Daniel P. Sims

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Kansieo.com

If you are interested in mountain biking then you may be wondering exactly how the sport has been developed. What is the history of mountain biking and how did it become so popular?

There are three main things to look at when you look into the history of mountain biking. The first is the people who invented it, the second is where the sport was developed and the third is the equipment and how the bikes were put together.

Why Mountain Biking has Evolved

Mountain bikes were developed in the 1960’s when the people of San Francisco became tired of the hectic lifestyles they were living. So a few people travelled to Marin County in order to escape the hectic life and that is when they really started to take notice of mountain biking. With the different mountain terrain, they soon spotted the potential for mountain bike racing.

Bike races of 3 miles long were held in Fairfax and word soon got around to other bikers. Everyone was looking to break new records and the track was one of the best as it had a 1600 foot downhill slope. As more and more people entered the competition, word spread around and soon it became extremely popular. However, the race ended up being cancelled because of the dangers which it presented.

Despite the race being cancelled, the popularity of mountain biking did not go away. New races were set up and it was in Mount Tamalpais, California where it really picked up again. The bikes were taken to the top of the mountain and then the bikers would race down it. However, as time went on they started riding the bike up the mountain as well as down it. This is when people started to become interested in other areas of mountain biking, not just downhill racing.

Of course mountain bikes did not always look how they do now. It was in California where they started to look like they do today. Changes were made to the bikes in order to make them safer and more comfortable to ride. The brakes in particular had to be updated. Cantilever brakes were used because they were lighter and stronger than the original brakes. The added strength helped to stop the bikes when they were going at fast speeds and also when they were going over difficult terrain.

Another change made to the bikes included extra gears. These helped riders to control the bike better and to help them when they were going over higher areas. Overall mountain bikes have evolved quite a lot since they were first designed. The popularity of mountain biking has increased over the years and it really isn’t difficult to see why.

By: Alison Addy

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Caffeinated Content

When you have had just enough of the rat race and would like to get on your bicycle and get away for a week or two on a long-distance ride, there is a bit you need to consider about choosing routes to take. Perhaps the most important aspect of a long-distance bike riding fundraiser is to choose a safe route, minimize the hill climbs and try to use the prevailing seasonal weather to your advantage. I.e. try to ride with the wind, not against it.

It also makes sense to use routes that are bicycle friendly and have bike lanes and/or shoulders for safety. Of course, this is not always possible, but it makes sense to try to minimize the risk, as much as possible, by stacking the deck in your favor. It should also be noted that each state has its rules about riding on freeways and you must obey these laws, or a State Trooper will pull you over and have you ride potentially hundreds of miles out of your way, easily costing you a day or more out of your schedule.

When choosing routes you must be cognizant of human automobile behavior, and if you are planning on riding through the night to get away from the heat of the day then Friday or Saturday Nights, are out of the question and three-day weekends are not a safe bet either due to increased traffic and drunk drivers. Believe it or not there are often bicycle touring maps available for such long distance rides and most bike shops can be a wealth of information in explaining the safest routes through the state.

One set of maps that I highly recommend are the “BikeCentennial Routes” as they have all sorts of information on them and they will keep you off the most dangerous roads in favor of roads that offer buffers of forgiveness (big shoulders or bike lanes). Have a great cycling get-away!

By: Lance Winslow

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