I just received my T-Bones 2-bike hitch rack from Saris, and it is great! There was very little to assemble, and it fits both 1 1/4 and 2 inch receiver hitches. The really neat thing is that it comes with a floor stand, so you can put the rack on the stand and hang your bikes on it, when they are not on your vehicle. It’s lightweight, too, so it’s very easy to install, load and unload. For more information, just click on the link below.
Think Young, Act Young, BE Young!
Welcome to Hit the Road Racks, a blog dedicated to those who believe that age is just a number, and who use bike racks to carry their bikes anywhere their imaginations will take them. This blog is a forum to discuss all things about bike racks, especially hitch mounted and trunk mounted racks. Bill Young, the author of the blog, has developed a website, www.beyoungbikeracksplus.com, offering both hitch and trunk mounted bike racks, built by Yakima, Thule, Softride and Saris. Check it out for over 50 possibilities, all with great quality and ease of use, as well as many price ranges. When you purchase from Be Young Bike Racks Plus, if you have any questions or concerns, you speak directly to the owner when you contact Customer Service! Bill wants to personally see that you are satisfied with your purchase.
It’s smaller than a breadbox, but can keep your brain from turning into mashed potatoes in the event of an accident–the bicycle helmet. First, let’s start with the proper fit and features of a safe helmet when buying one.
The helmet should fit snugly, but not be tight. There shouldn’t be more than one inch of movement in any direction, and it shouldn’t pull off, no matter how hard you try. (I bet THAT would be entertaining for onlookers to watch.) It should cover the top of your forehead without tilting forward or backward. Fasten the chin strap below your chin–not along your jaw. A smooth shell helps the helmet skid easily on rough pavement to avoid jerking your neck. “Cool looking” helmets may be a gimmick, so stay away from sharp ribs or snap points. Excessive vents mean less protection. The “aero” helmet, (the ones with the ‘tail’) are NOT noticeably faster and could snag or knock the helmet aside and cause injury. Next, there are organizations that rate helmet safety, so look for stickers from: the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), or Snell Memorial Foundation.
When should you replace a helmet? Good question. Always, ALWAYS replace a helmet after a crash. Impact damage may not be visible. Most manufacturers recommend replacement after five years, but that depends on usage and reasonable care. So, if your helmet comes with an owner’s manual, read it. (I know, I know…it’s boring.) If your helmet was made before 1990, it’s recommended that you replace it, no matter what its condition.
How do you care for your helmet? Another good question. Avoid using chemical solvents for cleaning. Using a soft cloth or sponge with mild soap and water does a great job. Get this one…DO NOT store your helmet in an attic, garage, car trunk, or other areas where heat can accumulate. High temperatures can cause bubbles to form on helmet parts, so you shouldn’t use them if bubbles are visible. Don’t lend your helmet to others. Even though you might trust the borrower, you don’t know what kind of treatment it will get while in their care.
So, save the mashed potatoes for dinner and keep your noggin safe and secure with a helmet that’s specifically made for you and your family’s safety.
It has been
many years since my Mom and Dad bought me that first bike. 
It was big, heavy and shiny, and had those so-called “training wheels” on it. I was not very coordinated as a child, and just didn’t catch on to the art of pedaling, steering and balancing, all at the same time. After awhile, my Dad ran out of patience, and I ran out of places to land ! Well, as happens in so many situations in life, my friends came to the rescue. I lived on a street that was very long, and very hilly, as well. My friends decided first of all, that I didn’t need those training wheels. They only got in the way! So, we removed them, and then proceeded to the top of my street. My dear friends all agreed that if I just got on my bike there, a very steep hill, and they pushed me to give me a good start, by the time I got to the bottom of the hill, I would be riding. It sounded like a good idea to me, so why not!
I hopped on, they gave me a push, but there was something that happened on the way down that none of us had thought about or planned for……………..my neighbor’s dog! About half-way down that long hill that was my street, that dog came running and barking out of his yard and chasing after me. Thinking back, it probably was just a normal-sized dog, but at the time, it seemed huge! As I was trying to slow down to negotiate the curves, the dog caught up with me and bit me. How I didn’t fall off my bike, I don’t know, but at the bottom of the hill, I was crying, yelling, and to my surprise, riding my bike just as my friends said I would. The dog bite wasn’t really serious, the tears dried up, and I began what has been a long journey of bike riding.
During the years that followed, my Dad encouraged me, as he had my older brother and sister, to get outside and be active whenever we could. He said it would keep us young, no matter what our age. That philosophy is what stands behind my website, Be Young Bike Racks Plus (www.beyoungbikeracksplus.com). It’s a simple philosophy, but very true, nevertheless. Thinking, acting and being young is more a decision than it is a number. If you just take the first step of actually deciding to stay youthful in everything you do, before you know it, your mind, body and spirit will follow. Folks will begin to compliment you on how much younger you look than the age they know you to be. The end result will be that you will live longer, be happier with the years you have left, and will attract people around you that think, act and feel the same way.
On my website, the bike racks I sell play an integral part in that youthful lifestyle. They enable you to take your bikes with you wherever you travel, so that you can enjoy all that God created for us, at a slower, more leisurely pace than by car, bus or train. You can breathe in that fresh air, and carry on a conversation with the person riding with you, or just enjoy the solitude of a solo ride. Aaah! I can feel the breeze in my face right now! Enjoy!
By the way, if you would like to see a picture of that first bike of mine, and a much younger me, just click HERE!
Sep
28
On my website, Be Young Bike Racks Plus, there is a place for those interested to sign up for my Newsletter, “The Pedaler”. I am very proud to have the talent of a wonderful friend and former sixth grade student of mine (actually “Teacher’s Pet”), Lisa Wheeler, writing the articles that make up “The Pedaler”. I have reprinted the first issue below, so that you might get a feel for what to expect in future issues. Thank you, Lisa, for volunteering your time and talent to make “The Pedaler” possible.
Here’s a question for you: What is low impact, a great source of exercise, offers adventure and is a way of getting around when driving is no longer an option? Hint: You NEVER forget how to ride a bike.
U.S. senior citizen cyclists are growing in number. Unfortunately, so is the death rate. According to the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety, the death rate is similar to the death rate among the 20 to 29 age group. This statistic was mentioned so that you, as a senior cyclist, will take a few extra precautions and follow guidelines in order to stay safe. Here are some suggestions.
The most important thing is to wear a helmet. Prices vary, but just ask yourself, “How much is my head worth?” If unsure of a brand of helmet to buy, go online and look for a site that rates bicycle helmets. Don’t be afraid to ask friends or family to help you if you need it. Look for sales and coupons in your local newspaper. Some bike shops may even offer senior discounts.
The rules of the road are updated almost yearly, so all cyclists, not just seniors, should be familiar with them. Follow the same rules a car drivers and remember to use hand signals for turns and stopping. It’s really irritating when you’re following someone while driving a car and they don’t signal when turning, isn’t it? That how drivers feel if you don’t let them know your intentions. If you’re not comfortable riding in traffic, bike paths and trails are an excellent alternative. Try to be familiar with your biking surroundings and take your rides during the day. Your visibility helps with safety issues tremendously. Make it a family affair, but just remember not to ride alone.
Now for the bicycle itself. The more gears you have, the easier the pedaling. Straight handlebars keep strain off the back and wide tires help with balance. Have you ever seen the recumbent bike? They have large, recline-position seats, something like the Big Wheels of the 70′s. The recumbent bikes allow you to have physical activity without causing pain to your rear end or back. I tried one at a bike shop and had a blast, even though I scared the customers while I rode up and down the aisles.
Other suggestions are wearing light or white clothing, using mirrors on the bike so you can see potential hazards, and always, always relax and enjoy yourself.
Being a senior cyclist can make you feel younger, healthier and can reduce stress. Give it a try. Perhaps there are other seniors in your area that would like to join you in an outdoor adventure that’s fun, low impact, and will get all of you out of the house on a beautiful day.
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