From France And Beyond: Getting To Know The Tour De France

Throughout Europe, there's no sporting event that quite manages to captivate audiences year after year, dividing friendships and families when people choose their allegiances. Is it The World Cup? That's small potatoes compared to The Tour de France.

Even more important, those European sports that might sometimes seem "wimpy" to Americans are actually more more grueling and require more endurance. Bicycle races across multiple countries and miles and miles run during soccer games are a whole lot more of an effort, after all, than just running around a baseball diamond, enjoying a whole lot of free time in the dugout.

One of the biggest sporting events not just in France, but all over Europe, is The Tour de France. A race that pits riders from countries all over the world against one another, themselves, and the elements, it is not a race for the faint of heart. Lasting over three weeks, the race is broken down into day-long segments, known as stages, which can involve anything from the final sprint into Paris to climbing some of the most heart-popping sections of the Alps...on nothing but one's own leg power.

One of the most exciting parts of The Tour de France is the fact that, every year, the route changes. In actuality, the distance for the race can vary a great deal, with the shortest clocking in around 1,500 miles, and the longest somewhere around 3,570 miles. Riders never know quite what they're going to get, and neither do the fans, who line small mountain passes as well as city streets, ecstatic to cheer their favorites on.

It's not just mountain passes, though. The race usually weaves in and out of cities, and traditionally wraps up with a triumphant sprint down busy city streets in Paris. The race is also known for varying in length, with the route changing every year. Sometimes, the difference can be as sizable as a few hundred miles, but usually it's more of a matter of routes. Anyone who wants to participate, though, should be in top form, as even very athletic riders talk of experiencing a great deal of trouble at the prospect of tackling the race.

The Tour de France is known for the toll it takes on both the body and the mind, to say nothing of the bicycle itself. Add to that the fact that it's possible to never win a single portion of the race, but still triumph at the end, and no wonder riders are exhausted and disoriented for much of the experience, unsure of exactly where they stand in the rank. That only makes it more fun for the fans, who crowd the streets to shout encouraging words to the riders at every turn.

And while Americans might not have historically cared very much about bicycle racing, that all changed in recent years.. Not only were all of the Americans hanging on the daily results, but there was a huge rise in the popularity of long distance bicycling. Ever since this historic reign of terror, interest in the race has been the standard.

That one rider, who beat not only The Tour but also managed to triumph over cancer, is none other than Lance Armstrong. At the top of his game, truly, the man managed to win The Tour De France seven times in a row, often far ahead of the other riders. Armstrong is not just a legend to those in his home country, but also to many Europeans, who begrudgingly accepted him as one of the greatest cyclist of our time, and are just as excitedly rooting for him as he takes on the course as they are when their home country favorites whiz by.

But whether it's cheering for an obscure 20-something who might just have his lucky day, poring over old film footage of racers making their way up the mountains in grainy black and white, or getting excited for Lance Armstrong and wondering if an American will ever do that well again, there's no denying the appeal of The Tour de France.

Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic cyclist understands how important hydration is in the sport, at all levels. As such, he published the Cycling Water Bottle website, offering free information on bicycle water bottles

Tags: bikes, biking, Cycling, exercise, fitness, health, health and fitness, lifestyle, people, sport, sport and recreation, travel

Taking On the Mountain With Only Two Tires

These days, sports are more about innovation and challenges than ever before. Not content to simply go surfing, people now drop in out of helicopters, get towed out to the middle of the ocean to ride weird swells, and take on waves taller than skyscrapers with little to no protection. And that's just the sport of surfing!

With so many ski resorts wondering how to attract guests in the off-season, it's no wonder that someone took a look at one of those ski runs once the snow melted and thought to themselves, "What a perfect place to go for a bike ride." Sure, the origins of mountain biking are a little bit more complicated than that, but that's basically the long and the short of it.

Instead of simply going for a hike, or going for a bike ride across town, mountain biking managed to combine the two elements of getting around on a bicycle with maneuvering one's way through the wilderness. Since its initial inception, different riders took the sport in different directions. Some were interested in keeping the bikes in urban environments but using them differently, while others were more focused on creating a challenging speed-based environment that looked more like downhill slalom ski racing.

Yes, during the course of mountain biking, there have been many developments in different styles and techniques. Whether it's learning to do a backflip while flying through the air or just going out and riding a designated trail for a couple of hours, there are many different approaches to the sport of mountain biking, all of them correct, fun, and healthy.

The best way to get to know mountain biking is by getting to know the different categories of riding. There's trails, where bicyclists can be either in a more urban area or off-road, but the main goal of hopping over different objects without placing feet on the ground. It looks a little bit like those courses with jumps and hills, but is a little more extreme.

The most popular type of mountain biking to watch, and a style that's known for packing crowds at The X-Games, is dirt jumping. In this type of mountain biking, riders propel themselves off of large dirt jumps with the intention of doing any number of arial tricks, including flips and handlebar stands, before safely landing on the ground.

A good transition from the type of mountain biking that most people picture into the more trick oriented riding is urban or street mountain biking, which many people would rather just categorize as an "extreme sport" but in an urban manner. The trick of this riding is to head to either deserted urban areas, or into more natural settings, and try to perform tricks and maneuver locations that are as they are when arriving. Often, the bicycles are a great deal lighter than those used for all-around mountain biking.

The best jumping off point for most riders is simple cross-country, which can encompass any number of different environments, terrains, and conditions. A cross-country mountain bike ride can be a simple affair, with lots of break time to enjoy the weather, or it can be more strenuous and involve a great deal of attempting to ride uphill, to navigate slippery or muddy areas, or having to jump around obstacles.

There are also newer, more intense takes on previously existing forms of mountain biking seen as more professional and challenging. One, known as short cross or speed cross, pits riders against a very short, very challenging trail. Usually, there are a great deal more obstacles, and the trail is a lot thinner. This is not a good starting point, and is recommended for experts only.

Whether it's a relaxing day out on a simple and easy to ride trail, or a gutsy afternoon of taking on different jumps and courses, mountain biking is a hugely valuable and helpful sport in getting people back outside, enjoying nature. Even in urban areas, the change between exercising indoors and finally enjoying fresh air again is apparent, and very helpful for teenagers, children, and adults alike.

Damian Papworth loves the excitement of mountain biking, but always makes sure he takes his bike water bottles before he goes. A cycling water bottle is crucial to maintaining hydration in this taxing sport.

Tags: bikes, biking, Cycling, exercise, fitness, health, health and fitness, lifestyle, people, sport, sport and recreation, travel

Making Hydration An Important Part Of Sport

We've all seen those commercials that tell us that our bodies are made up of a large percentage of water. And while it may be hard to believe, the reality is that water is the central force of life. We are told to drink several glasses of water during the day as a way to promote our overall health. Doctors and nutritionists recommend that we make a conscious effort to stay hydrated in order to stay in our best physical shape.

Water has several different functions in the body. It plays a big role in the transportation of nutrients and the removal of waste products. Water lubricates tissues and joints and facilitates digestion. Though sweating, it regulates body temperature and is generally an important player in the function of many organs and glands.

Water and hydration are especially important when it comes to physical activity.

In order to perform physically and athletically, hydration is key. Physical activity and exercise causes us to sweat, effectively losing water. When we lose water, our bodies have to work harder to work. Studies show that a loss of only one percent of one's body weight from sweating is related to a drop in blood volume. This drop in blood volume requires that our hearts work harder to move blood throughout our bodies, meaning that physical activity becomes more difficult. Dehydration during exercise can have several adverse effects, including cramps, dizziness, exhaustion and heat stroke.

This is why athletes have to pay special attention to hydration while engaging in a sport or working out.

That said, knowing exactly what type of hydration is needed can be tough. Each individual's body is different, meaning what is just enough water for one person is too much for another. What is best is for each individual to monitor and decide what works for him and her. Individual physique is not the only factor in hydration, however. Intensity, length, temperature and altitude also make a difference.

But hydration isn't just about knowing when and how much to drink - it is also about knowing what to drink. Many athletes stick with water, the old classic that has been tried and trusted for years. Nevertheless, there are tons of sports drinks available in the market today. How does one know if these drinks are worth it?

Opinions vary on sports drinks as a whole. While many recognize that they contain electrolytes that are important to replace after intense workouts, others argue that they are simply sugar-filled concoctions that do very little to promote hydration and health.

The best idea is to simply proceed with caution. Remember that sports drinks like Gatorade and PowerAde have calories - about 200 per bottle, in fact. Such calories are great to take in after a highly intense work-out, not necessarily after a 20-minute walk.

Hydration is key to performance in physical activity and to well-being as a whole. Get your water bottle ready the next time you head to the gym - you may be surprised at what a difference it makes.

Damian Papworth, an enthusiastic amateur cyclist, recently published the Cycling Water Bottle website. He knows how important a bike water bottle is to hydration on the big rides.

Tags: bikes, biking, Cycling, exercise, fitness, health, health and fitness, lifestyle, people, sport, sport and recreation, travel

Learning About Cycling

For most of us, cycling is a distant, even obscure sport. We know very little, if anything, about it. While a bicycle is a familiar object, one we learn to ride as children and continue to enjoy time on as adults, it is not often one we associate with athletic activity. Super athlete Lance Armstrong has brought some attention to the sport in recent years with his superior performance at the Tour de France and other cycling events. Nevertheless, it remains low on the radar of most sports fans around the world.

The lack of attention paid to cycling does not reflect a lack of importance or deserving. In fact, the sport is extremely interesting to follow and truly beneficial to practice.

The bike itself was invented as a means of transport. Beyond the function of getting riders from one place to another, it also serves as a primary piece of equipment in sport and athletics.

The earliest races took place in the 19th century, with large races becoming popular in the 1890s curing the "Golden Age of Cycling" in Europe. In fact, cycling was a quite popular sport until the mid-20th century. Today, cycling is largely known for the Tour de France, which started in 1903. It is featured in the Olympics, giving viewers another chance to experience it. Beyond these two events, however, it is a minority sport.

There are various racing formats for cycling. Road races, for example, involve both teams and individuals and are contested in a number of ways. They may last just one day or include several stages. Track racing is lesser known but also takes place throughout the year in Velodromes. In recent years, mountain bike racing has become increasingly popular and is now an Olympic sport.

Cycling is not just for the pros. In fact, it is a great option for those looking to begin a fitness program or to change the fitness program they currently use. Popularity of the sport is increasing among even the most amateur athletes.

Cycling is an extremely healthy activity and is linked to increased physical and mental well-being. In fact, Sustrans estimates that investment in cycling provision can give back a 20:1 return from health and other benefits.

Like running, cycling is a great way to improve cardiovascular fitness. It benefits the legs, buttocks and abdomen among other parts of the body while getting heart rates up to burn calories and to lose fat. Easier on the joints than impact sports, cycling is a great cardio alternative for those with arthritis or past sports injuries. Because it is generally practiced sitting down, it is an activity within reach of all.

Those looking to try out cycling have both indoor and outdoor options. Indoor spin classes are popping up in gyms all over and seem to be all the rage. For those who prefer to be outside, the cycling options are endless. All that's necessary is a bike.

Cycling is truly a fantastic sport to both watch and practice. If you haven't gotten in on the action yet, check out your television sports channels and head to your local sporting goods stores.

Damian Papworth loves cycling, both as a leisure activity and in amateur competition. He knows how important hydration in cycling is so he launched the Cycling Water Bottle website. You can visit it at http://cyclingwaterbottleshop.com

Tags: bikes, biking, Cycling, exercise, fitness, health, health and fitness, lifestyle, people, sport, sport and recreation, travel