World Wide Appeal

Pocket bike racing is a sport that continues to grow in appeal all across the world.  While Japan is credited with the first large scale cultural interest and organization of pocket bike racing, this is no longer just a Japanese or Asian phenomenon.  Pocket bike racing has increased dramatically in popularity through out the world.  While the United States and Australia are two of the most noted places where this sport is growing rapidly, don’t forget Europe!

Switzerland actually holds a championship that is gaining international recognition.  Geographically close to Italy, where almost all of the highest quality racing pocket bikes are manufactured now, the Swiss Pocket bike Championship first appeared in 1996.  This happened when a pocket bike club (the Gruyere Pocket Bike Club, to be precise) decided to compete against all Swiss pocket bike riders who showed.  It has been growing ever since and now the Swiss Championship has grown to become one of the biggest in the world, when compared to the nation's size. 

Commonly the competition will now have over 120 competitors, with a few of them coming even from nearby countries like France, Austria and Liechtenstein.  There are between 8 to 11 races on 8 to 11 different tracks that are counted for the championship, meaning there are anywhere from 64-121 races.  Several categories are awarded based on age and gender of the pilots and on the type of pocket bike (junior, stock or racing prepared).

The growth of this sport in Switzerland and Europe is a continued reflection of worldwide trends.  Pocket bike racing has never been more popular in the United States than it is now, and there are no signs of it diminishing.  New race circuits, pocket bike stores, and online forums pop up every year, and the devout group of pocket bike junkies grows with that number.  Australia has a respectable series of races and a continued growth in the sport, and it is not like pocket bike racing just disappeared in Japan.  The sport is still going strong.

The trend continues in pocket bike racing’s rising popularity, and seems to continue unabated.  What was once seemingly a strange Japanese sideshow has proven itself to be far more, and with each new race, only further re-enforces its current respect.

Why is my Bike so Slow? How to Rev it Back Up

One of the attractive things about owning a pocket bike is the adrenaline rush that speed can bring on, feeling the wind whip around you whether it is alone on a private track or in the middle of a race.  Pocket bikes were built to race, they were built for speed.  A pocket bike is a miniature version of a Grand Prix moter bike, so this makes sense.  These bikes can be customized to go 50, 60, or even 70 miles per hour!!  The current world record, in fact, is at 72 mph.  So what happens if you start your bike, and it just won’t hit those speeds you know it should be?  What if your pocket bike is going too slow?

There are a few basic steps you can take to try and locate the problem yourself, and a brief explanation of how to go through each one.

1.    ((It is important to note that you do this ONLY AFTER the bike has been turned on and warmed up already for a minimum of a few minutes))  Turn the air-intake on to open.  You can find this behind the front wheel, close to the engine.  This will give the bike more power.
2.    Follow all the fuel tubes, and make sure none of them are pinched off anywhere.  One single tube that is even slightly pinched can affect your entire performance.
3.    Check the throttle cables.  If they are too loose, the engine doesn’t get enough gas when you turn the throttle.
4.    If this is your first bike, don’t push it.  Pocket bikes need to be broken in.  Don’t turn the throttle all the way for at least the first two gas tanks, if not three.  In the long run, this will lead to better performance and more top notch speed.
5.    Note: be very careful if you attempt the following.  There is a gold screw, with a spring behind it, near the carburetor.  This is the idle control.  If you unscrew it by only half of a turn, it can also give you more power.  If this screw is tightened too much, the bike will start then immediately switch off.  If you make it too loose, the bike will jump and go as soon as you start it.  Finding the balance is critical, and this is not recommended for beginners.

If none of these things help, make sure to take your bike to a professional to get it running again at its optimal performance.

What Style of Biker Are You?

From touring to off-road riding to track riding to cyclo-riding to recreational biking—there are almost as many different styles of riding as there are bikes. The following is a discussion of three of the most popular styles of biking today.

Street/Urban Riding

Street/Urban riding is when you bike through urban areas, ride on ledges and other man-made obstacles. Some riders execute tricks as well as stalls and grinds. Hybrid bikes, sometimes called city bikes, are typically used for street/urban riding. Hybrid bikes are a cross between a mountain bike and a road bike. Most have front suspension with wide comfortable seats and upright handlebars.

Free Riding

The essence of free riding has it origins on the shores of British Columbia. As some free riders have explained it, free riding is more than just riding, it’s about riding with your friends and doing things on your bike that push the limits of both yourself and your bike. It’s not about being the fastest or coming up with a new trick. Rather, it’s about being totally free on your bike. Free riding is different for everyone. Essentially, when you ride for pure enjoyment, do your own thing, in your own way, that’s free riding--making it more of a mindset than a structured style of riding. For example, you could free ride downhill, cross-country or down the boardwalk in Ocean City, Maryland.

Many free ride bikes closely resemble downhill bikes and weigh as much, although they are usually designed to be easier to pedal. Free ride bikes should be in the 30 to upper 50 pound range, have a steeper angled frame in order to make maneuvering on narrow obstacles possible, and be built from stronger, heavier materials.

Downhill Mountain Biking

If you think downhill biking is all about kicking back, stretching your arms and cruising at a leisurely pace, think again. Even though it’s all downhill, biking down a mountain demands concentration, quick reflexes and bike-handling skills much different than free riding or city riding. It’s also a blast! Downhill mountain biking races involve race courses that are designed for riders to speed down while navigating huge jumps, obstacles and more. It’s very similar to motor cross racing.

While it’s true that all bikes go downhill, bikes that provide the optimum ride for Downhill Mountain Biking have what is called full suspension. This means that the front and rear of the frame are equipped with shock absorbers.

Total Bike Rack Buying Guide

Unfortunately we can’t ride our bikes everywhere. Sometimes we have to transport our bikes from one place to another. In the old days, people would use hodge-podge methods to tie their bikes to vehicles for transport, but those days are long over! With the advent of back racks, it is now possible to transport your bikes safely and securely.

Bike racks come in many different styles and uses. They also come in various prices. You need to do a little investigation to see what fits your needs. You very well sped as much as 300 dollars on a high quality bike rack or pick up one really cheap at bazaars or garage sales. The one you pick will depend on your needs. Be sure to ask yourself the following questions.

1. What vehicle will be used?
You need to know where the bike rack will be going. This is important because you need to know how the rack will attach to your vehicle. Racks use different attachment methods. You will have to choose one that fits your vehicle.

2. How many bikes will you need to transport?
Do you transport two or more bikes? If so, you will want to buy attachments that will allow more than one bike rack.

3. Where do you want them to be racked?
Consider whether you want a roof, rear, or sport rack:

- Roof Racks These racks are attached at the top of a vehicle
- Rear Racks These racks attach to the rear of vehicle
- Sport Trailers These are used to carry many bicycles

4. What shape are your bikes?
You must into consideration the size and shape of your bikes. If you are transporting children’s bikes, for example, you will need racks that will take that size of bicycles.

5. Who will load the bicycles on the rack?
It has to be convenient for the loader. The easier the rack is to load unto the more expensive the rack.

6. How strong should your rack be?
If you are loading heavy bikes, you will need racks that can withstand the weight of the bike. They have to be made of sturdy material. But the sturdier the material, the pricier the rack.

7. Should it be lockable?
If you want added security for your bikes you will want to purchase racks that support locks and other security devices.

8. How often are you likely to use the rack?
You need to know how often you will use the rack so that you can purchase one that can withstand the rigors of travel. If you will not use it often, you will not have to purchase a heavy-duty, high price rack.

9. How much do you want to spend?
Ultimately, everything boils down to your budget. If you can’t afford it, even if you need it, it will have to wait. But don’t be afraid to save up if the cheaper alternatives do not match up to your needs. Try to find a rack that has only the features you need. If it has bells and whistles you don’t need, don't buy it right away. It's fine to take into consideration features and functionality that you might need in the future, for example.

The Perfect Display for Your Achievements

Acrylic Awards,Trophies,Mementoes & Corporate Gifts are to be treasured forever. They could be awarded for certain accomplishments, or a memento of membership, or a souvenir from an event.

Trophies & Mementoes as awards are especially common for scholastic, sporting and office achievements. Academic awards are given in the form of trophies for different classes and subject proficiencies. Trophies for sporting achievements are the most popular. Games like tennis, football, basketball, cricket and golf all have coveted trophies. No one can forget the pictures of sportsmen weeping with joy and clutching their hard-earned trophies.

Trophies are sometimes given for achieving business targets or for attending training programs. They are also given to members of elite clubs and organizations.

Symbol of Appreciation and Encouragement
Even as a kid we loved to be encouraged. No matter what work we did, a pat on the back always pepped us up. Remember those small trophies in school sports events? Or working day in and out to win the science project?

Gitanjali awards can be different in making and designing. Some companies offer custom trophies, which are exclusively designed trophies or particular events, people and occasions. For example, the Oscar is custom-made for the Oscar awards. But,Customization enables one to make a trophy unique and valuable. Often it is not the cost that is important, but the ingenuity of the design.

Most companies have performance awards in each department like the best sales team for achieving the maximum number of sales, the best tech team and even the employee of the quarter.You can easily get the best custom made trophies made of wood and metal. Your company logo, artwork and any other branding that you are looking for completely laser engraved on the awards.

But nothing can beat the shine and the sparkle of a metal award. Designs that celebrate youth, which epitomize performance and exuberance, are quite common. The thank you, the star of the quarter and the global icon are some of the popular trophy designs.

Gitanjali awards Creates a Wide Range of Acrylic Awards,Trophies,Mementoes & Corporate Gifts.

    * For Recognition & Rewarding of Talent & Achievements.
    * For Delegates,Guests of Honour & others taking Part in Conferences, Corporate, Cultural & Sports Events.


Gitanjali awards Specialize in Executing jobs for various Customers as per their Specific Requirements using the latest cutting edge technologies.For Information logon to http://www.gitanjaliawards.com


Speciality    


    * CNC Cut & Laser Engraved Mementoes.
    * Custom Made Designs
    * Unique, Multicolor Digital Printing Technology on Acrylic Surface.
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    * Elegant Designs that Create Magic.

Pocket Bikes – Miniature Form Of Motorbikes

Pocket bikes, also known as mini motors are miniature-sized motorcycles, fueled with either gas or oil and powered with gas-burning engines. The concept of motorbikes had begun in Japan, a country known for miniaturizing full-scale products.

Previously pocket bikes were used only on closed racetracks, private roads and on roads that were not under public traffic laws, so that no big car or truck can run into your minute sized pocket bikes. But these you will often find pocket bikes zinging in and out of the parking lots, up and down the residential streets and occasionally onto the side of the cars.

The pocket bikes usually move at a top speed of 35 mph, but often the speed can be raised further. Another interesting feature of these pocket bikes are their duplicate imitation of normal-sized street motorcycles. The pocket bikes are equipped with handlebars, twist-grip throttles, and chain drives, electronic ignition and disk brakes.

The pocket bikes are not at all safe for the highways or high traffic zone areas. If you are driving a small sports car and someone is driving a mini pocket bike behind you, you will fail to see him or the pocket bike. So it becomes really dangerous to move in a traffic-crowded area, as the rider can be easily run-down by the driver of the bigger truck. The pocket bikes are specially designed to travel only on the racetracks.

There are some safety measures that should be followed while one is driving these pocket bikes. The person driving the bike should be an ace in driving and he should always carry his helmet and pads. If by chance if your kid is riding the pocket bike, then make sure that he/she does not go out of the backyard or the driveway.

The pocket bikes follow hi-tech technology so the snazziest models cost even more than thousands. The smaller models, however, cost around $200 to $800. They basically come from Japan and China and are specially famous amongst the teenagers and people in their early youths. These bikes weigh almost 50 pounds, stand about a foot and half high and can be carried stacked in a corner of the trunk of the car. They have really tiny engines with 47 cc to 49cc displacement, less than 1/20th the size of the bigger motorcycles.

Try out the pocket bikes. If you want something thrilling, something exciting, something enticing to bring a difference to your monotonous days, then pocket bikes are the best alternatives for you.

Pocket Bike Safety Tips

Pocket bikes may look like toys, but they aren't.  They are designed for fun, but they can also be very dangerous if not handled properly.  Never allow unsafe practices to take away the fun from riding pocket bikes.  You can have fun, and still be safe, by following some simple common sense rules.

•    Always wear the right equipment.  Dress as though you were riding a big street bike.  Leather is the best type of clothing, and helmets, knee pads, and elbow pads should be worn at all times.  Eyes can be protected with goggles are safety glasses.  Buckle the chin strap each and every time.  Leather gloves are a great idea to protect your hands.
•    Always inspect your bike before riding.  This should become an automatic habit to check before each ride.  Make sure your air pressure in the tires is right.  Check the tension of the chain.  Check the fuel.  Check the frame of the bike.  Tighten any loose nuts or bolts.  If anything looks or sounds amiss, don't ride!  Most injuries from pocket bikes occur because something is wrong with the bike, and an individual rides it, anyway.
•    Maintenance.  This can not be stressed enough.  Keep every part of your pocket bike well maintained and cared for.  Don't cut corners.
•    Stay off public streets.  Most states don't allow pocket bikes on public streets, and many people have been hurt or even killed because they were hit by drivers who could not see them.
•    Do not ride in undesirable conditions that impair your vision or your ability to control the bike.  Fog, rain, darkness, and snow can be dangerous.  Also, do not ride the pocket bike if you are impaired.  You wouldn't do it with a car, so don't do it with a pocket bike. 
•    Never drive a pocket bike at night.
•    Keep your pocket bike on smooth hard surfaces.  These are not meant for off-road use.
•    Don't "double up."  Pocket bikes were designed for a single rider and should be used as such. 

Follow these tips and your pocket bike will provide hours of safe fun and entertainment, exactly as you had hoped, and without the worry of senseless injury.

Pocket Bike Parts

One of the most appealing aspects of pocket bikes is that you can modify and upgrade them yourself.  You can strip them down and rebuild them from scratch with high performance parts, modifying and customizing them until they almost flip you off the seat when you roll the throttle on!  If the flipping off a bike with speed isn’t for you, there are plenty of parts made specifically for improving the design to give it that hot, unique look that sets you apart from everyone else.  But before you can upgrade or switch out, or even do basic maintenance, you have to understand the basic parts of a pocket bike.

Fairings:
This is one of those parts that really is not essential to the pocket bike, but it does make your bike look really good!  Fairings are the plastic covers that surround the frame of your pocket bike, and give it a "super bike" type of look.  There is not much you can do with them, other than paint them, but you can put on any design you want and that is always pretty fun to do.

The Wheels and Tires
This is straight forward.  Everyone knows what a wheel is.  The important part is the tires.  The tires on a pocket bike can make a big difference if you are racing. It's definitely one of the main pocket bike parts you should think about upgrading.  Most, if not all, pocket bikes come with pretty generic crappy tires.  The rubber used in them tends to be hard and doesn't grip the track well.  Sava is a well known brand of tires that are affordable and will cut seconds of your lap times on the track!

Sprockets (Gears)
The sprocket connects your engine's power to your back wheel.  Changing the size of your sprockets can make you bike accelerate much faster (which is what most people want) or it can give you a higher total speed, depending on which one you want.  Unfortunately you can not both, so think about which upgrade is the most important to you for your needs before committing to the work.  Tracks with long straight-aways translates to you wanting the top end speed.  Tracks with a lot of sharp corners and curves means you want the acceleration.

These are just some of the parts that can be changed, modified, or re-built to make your pocket bike the best running, and best looking, racing bike in your neighborhood.  Decide what you want, buy the parts, and when you go to town, remember to have fun!

Optimal Performance from Super Pocket Bikes

Any racer is likely to tell you that there is performance, and then there is Performance.  Optimal performance is the end goal, especially from super pocket bikes.  You want the best possible performance out of super pocket bikes, and doing so is not all that difficult.  There are a few basic tips that can help to ensure your bike stays in top notch shape.

One of the most basic rules to keep your super pocket bike running smoothly is the same rule that you need to keep any vehicle running smoothly, from mini bike to a car or van: choose your gas carefully.  For super pocket bikes, most pros will tell you not to use racing fuel.  Not only does it not help, it might cause problems that other fuels would not.  High octane unleaded gasoline works best.  As with any gas station, look at the condition of the pumps and ground.  If they look bad and there is standing water around where the gas in put into the tank, try the next one down the road.  Make sure to mix the oil right, too.  The mixtures are fairly easy to figure out, and do not use the same oil as cars.  It is not designed for pocket bikes.  Buy motorcycle oil.

Break the super pocket bike in right.  This mainly involves using common sense.  Don't run your bike at the maximum RPM's during the break in period.  That puts undue stress on the motor.  On average it will take about four tanks of gasoline, five to be safe, to break your super pocket bike in.  During this period, don't push the bike too hard - baby it a bit.  Slow and steady quite literally will lead to winning the race.  Going along with treating your bike right, don't run it cold.  Allow your super pocket bike to warm up for about five minutes after starting it.  This allows the motor and the fluids to heat up to their optimal running temperatures.  You would never just start your car when its winter outside and take off, so don't so the same with your bike.  It's not meant to run cold!

Finally, get to know your super pocket bike.  Learn what is normal, and what isn't.  When it isn't running normally, or if anything at all sounds different than usual, turn it off and find out what the problem is.  Make all repairs as soon as possible, and park the bike until the repairs are made.  Caution will save you a lot of money in the long run.  Follow these tips, and you will be able to enjoy a super pocket bike that lives up to every ounce of its potential.

Mountain Biking – Great Exercise and Fun

Mountain biking is a great way to explore the great outdoors, exercising and having fun.  Racing down a mountainside is exhilarating; however, it can also be dangerous.
Although it is consider a dangerous sport, if done with utmost caution, mountain biking can be enjoyed by the whole family.

As with any outdoor sport, selecting the right equipment and an understanding of the sport will be the key to a great adventure.  

Styles of Mountain Biking

Mountain biking can be categorized into three different styles.  There is downhill, free riding, and cross-country.  Although the styles are similar in some respect, they all require different skills.  The style you select will determine the type of bike.

Mountain Biking Locations

Typically, this sport is known as biking on an unpaved surface.  Most regions have areas specifically designed for this grand sport.  State and federal parks are a good place to mountain bike. However, you should check with your local parks to get the routes and other regulations or rules they may have.  In addition, if you venture off to some state or federal land or any wilderness type area, it is best to know about the surroundings should there be any unexpected accidents.

There are also groups that have mountain bike rides and competitions.  You could search the internet or local newspaper to see what is available in your area.  There may be groups for the advanced rider as well as the novice.

Criteria to be a Great Mountain Biker

A prerequisite for a great mountain biker is endurance and stamina.  In addition, it takes discipline to practice and the ambition to succeed and conquer the course.  A novice mountain biker will have to overcome the bumps and bruises from falling of the bike.  Like all sports, it takes practice and the constitution to keep trying.

Selecting Your Bike

Selecting your bike is a personal choice and contingent on the type of riding you will do.  Bikes come in all different styles, shapes, and prices, therefore selecting the perfect one for you can be difficult.  Again, do some internet research or venture out to do some comparison-shopping before you get ready to make a purchase.  Ask to try out a bike before you buy.  A good mountain biker becomes one with his or her bike.  Check for comfort, fit, and how it is geared, all these factors need to be considered. 

Staying Safe

As mentioned earlier, mountain bike riding on unpaved roads can be hazardous.  The typical safety gear is a helmet, knee and elbow pads.  You should also consider goggles if riding in a very dense wooded area or if following a group of bikers.  Safety should be your top priority and not taken lightly when riding no matter what the terrain.

Mountain Bikes Buying Guide

How to choose a mountain bike depends on what you are going to do with it, if all you want your new mountain bike for is going for a nice leisurely ride on the canal path or a ride in the woods with the dog, well you wont need a full suspension downhill machine with 4 inch travel on the forks and a fully articulated rear end with damping and rebound control.

+ Where to Start From.

If you do want to go for an easy ride in the park you don’t need to spend too much, if you think you will do any off-road riding then big tread tires maybe all you need, but if you think you might try some rough stuff then you will need suspension. Gears will probably be Shimano, brakes must be V-brakes, but could be made by a few different manufacturers, all the rest of the MTB components will depend on how much you can spend. If you go to your local bike shop or big sports store and see what they’ve got to offer, then buy it or have look on the Internet and maybe you’ll find the same thing at a better price.

+ The Next Step Up.

So maybe you want to be a bit more adventurous, more off-road, more forest tracks and dry boulder river beds, then you’ll need something a little lighter, with suspension forks. All this will cost you more money, but will be worth it for the extra enjoyment and adventure. With a better mountain bike it will have a sportier handling and because it is lighter, it will be easier to struggle up the hills before you come flying down the other side. The components will again be Shimano and the quality will depend on how much money you can spend. V-brakes and Rapid-fire gear shifters, along with Shimano chain set, bottom bracket and headset. Handle bars, stem and seat pin should be alloy and along with a comfortable saddle you’ll be set to take to the hills.

+ More Money, More Bike.

The next rung up on the mountain bike ladder would be good enough to race on. There are many to choose from, get on the net and surf the bike manufacturers sites and all the shop sites along with the magazines for juicy photos of the bikes. The top manufacturers in this price range, I would say are: - Trek, Giant, Specialized and Cannondale, these companies make the nicest frames with the best mountain bike parts available at the price, gears will be either Shimano or SRAM, brakes could be V-brakes or cable disc brakes, both are very good and light, most of the other MTB parts, of course will be Shimano and as usual get the best you can afford. There are many combinations of hubs and rims to make up your wheels; hubs from Shimano and rims form Mavic are the usual mix. Then you have to choose which suspension forks to put on you bike, you may not get a choice, depending on which bike you buy, the main ones are Suntour, Marzocchi, Manitou, Fox, RockShox and RST, buy any of these and you wont go far wrong.

+ Top Bikes…. Top Money.

If you want what the professionals ride you will have to pay a lot of money a professional MTB. As with road bike at the top of the range, you can specify what you want to build up your dream bike. Top bikes frames to spend your money on could be Klien, Scott, Rocky Mountain, Gary Fisher, Santa Cruz and K2; these are some of the most sought after bike frames in the world and would be the envy of your friends. Probably the best forks to put on your frame would be RockShox SID’s these are light and do all the things you need with control of all functions, there are many other to also to consider, look at how much travel they have and the rebound and damping systems. Gears again will be either SRAM or Shimano Rapid fire, XT or XTR, more money could be spent on carbon or very light alloy cranks, the brakes should be hydraulic discs from Hayes, Pace or Magura or stick to the trusted V-bakes. Wheels from Shimano or Mavic or some fancy carbon wheels, but remember they will have to take a lot of punishment, so maybe better to go for reliability over light weight expense. Carbon handle bars, stem and seat pin and a light weight race saddle and Time or Shimano SPD clipless pedals, then your choice of tires will depend on what terrain and ground conditions you are going to ride on.

+ And Downhilling?

Downhill bikes are very different, more like a cross country motor bike, but without the engine, low center of gravity and a lot of travel on the suspension on the forks and the rear end, disc brakes, wide rims and fat tires, gears are only at the back as usually a single chain set is used. Unless your going to do a lot of downhill racing then there isn’t much point in buying one as you have to get up the hill first before you can come down and as light weight is not an issue with downhill bikes, they are very heavy to get up hill with out the use of a tow rope or a ski lift.

Lowrider Bikes History

Lowriding began as a cultural element of Chicano Americans, part of the street culture of the American barrio where Mexican immigrants maintained a lively urban culture.Lowrider bikes, one of the most splendid and unique products of this culture, are a cross between the Harley and the cruiser bike, decorated with paint and chrome and streamers, found in any all-American hometown parade.

As you might surmise, lowriding bikes hug the ground.The highest points on a lowrider bike are almost always its two hand grips, just like you might find on its motorized cousin, the Harley motorcycle.The seat of a lowrider bike is down at wheel level and its pedals are sometimes higher than the seat!These bikes are typically a highly individualized creation.Most of them are ridden with enormous pride by their creators, although you can buy some standard models and a few elaborate models in a good bike store, especially in cities of the American West.

Despite the fact that these bikes originated within the poverty of the barrio, lowrider bikes are anything but cheap.Makers of these one-of-a-kind creations regard their bicycles as much as an artwork and a mechanical marvel as a means of transportation, though part of the joy of creation has always been parading them down the street when completed—these are not pieces of art meant for life in dusty museums, for the most part.Each part is usually carefully selected for its utility as well as its beauty, with the resulting bike a breathtaking example of technical and artistic ingenuity.

Lowrider bikes are becoming a presence in more and more cities, perhaps made more "respectable" among the affluent bicyclists who drive the market by the increasing popularity of their cousin, the recumbent bicycle.As the baby boomer generation ages and feels increasing twinges of back pain riding on the dropped handlebars of road bikes, expect to see more and more lowrider and recumbent bikes alike.

And once you get your first basic lowrider bike, don't be too surprised if you find yourself flipping through the real or online pages of a lowrider parts catalog musing, "Hmm.I wonder how that golden sprocket would look on my bike?"Lowrider bikes have a tradition of creative embellishment and technical improvisation that calls out the artist and the inventor in many of us.

What, really, could be better to evoke, especially if you're already a bike rider?

LED Bike Light: Adding Safety and Efficiency To Your Ride

LED flashlights are an economical and safety conscious choice for any bicycle rider. Many riders overlook this piece of safety equipment because it has been traditionally considered too bulky or heavy to carry on a bike. However, there are a number of bike light options now available that are easy to carry and versatile, making them perfect for bicycle safety.

Why Carry a Light on Your Bicycle
Anyone who bicycles should consider keeping a light on their bicycle. There are a variety of types of lights that can be used on bicycles. Bicycle specific lights, such as an LED bike chip, are wonderful investments. The LED bike chip connects to the bicycle, providing a bright, hands-free source of light. If you need a flashlight, you can easily remove the LED bike chip and use it as a hand held flashlight.

There are a variety of reasons for carrying a flashlight on your bicycle. The most obvious is for safety.  In the summer, when many people bicycle in the evening to take advantage of the cooler temperatures, it is easy to end up far from home with darkness rapidly approaching. While there are hours of additional daylight, once darkness settles in, it gets dark quick. What starts as a leisurely ride can quickly turn frightening if you take a wrong turn or encounter a flat tire. A bright LED torch is the perfect companion for your ride. The LED torch has a compact size, a bright light and long battery life.

If you need help, a strobing light can bring it. While you may think the chances of injury or danger on you bicycle are rare, it only takes a pothole to damage your bicycle beyond repair, or even a minor wreck to leave you too sore to ride home. A strobing light will be noticed by passers-by, and is just the thing to bring someone to the rescue. Many strobing lights can be used as a regular flashlight, and switched to strobing if necessary.

What Makes the Best Sort of Light
LED flashlights are a good choice for the bicyclist. The battery life of the LED light is extraordinary, and the clear, bright light that the LED flashlight emits is a wonderful safety feature, particularly in foggy conditions. If you are frequently out in the early morning or late evening hours, or at times when the weather is unpredictable, a strong light, such as an LED torch is a safety conscious choice.

The batteries in an LED flashlight, as well as the bulb, last an extremely long time, often thousands of hours. Compare this to traditional filament flashlights and you can see the benefits of an LED flashlight. Also, an LED flashlight will gradually lose strength over a period of time, while a traditional flashlight will work one time, and the next time, it will be dead. Because you are unlikely to use your flashlight each time you ride your bicycle, it is important that you have a flashlight with a long shelf light. If you have a traditional light bulb, you would find it necessary to carry extra batteries and even a spare bulb, but with an LED flashlight, all you need is your flashlight. You can easily find a small LED flashlight that will fit into the palm of your hand.

Improving Drive: Customizing with Performance Parts

Customizing your pocket bike can turn a common bike into a real pocket rocket when you use pocket bike performance parts.  Many pocket bikes performance parts not only make your pocket bike faster and more powerful, they add to the general look of “attitude” you want your competition to see on the track!  Those cool side stripes may look great, but they're not going to get you around the track any faster.  Put your money into high performance pocket bike parts and then you'll have a bike that can back up the appearance of attitude you've given it.

When you’re looking for pocket bike performance parts, remember your bike's speed and power is “all in the mix”.  The correct mixture of gas, oil, and air are the elements that combine to work like jet fuel for your pocket rocket.  However, if your customized bike is riding too hot, a good solution is to start with a temperature sticker.  These parts for pocket bikes are typically sold in packs of three, and can easily be applied to your bike’s engine, suspension and other heat sensitive parts.

Most pros get the largest boost in speed and overall performance from pocket bike performance parts like velocity stacks and air filters.  While those are king, take the time to still add some performance pocket bikes parts for pipe and custom carburetion and the only thing that will be able to stop you will be your own brakes!  In addition, there’s something about performance parts pocket bikes custom pipes and exhaust system that makes your bike look like a formidable adversary to your competition, and gives you an early psychological edge in any competition!

There are many other performance parts for pocket bike enthusiasts that not only help you stay in the race, but combined with your skill, will put you in front of the pack.  Some things that you might overlook are pocket bike performance parts like custom grips and foot pegs that improve your ability to control your bike.  Remember not to have immediate expectations.  The best racers are those who know their bikes, so it may take some time for you to re-adjust after adding these improvements.  Concentrate on getting used to how they ride, and soon the only thing you'll have to worry about is how far ahead of everyone else you are before hitting the finish line.

How useful a Bike Rack can be

What do you do if you want to take your bikes on holiday? You can’t exactly cycle there in most cases, but you’d like to cycle around once you get there. The answer is to simply attach your bikes to your car using a bike rack, and then drive them there. It’s a lot easier than taking them on public transport, and cheaper than renting bikes once you get there.

Bike racks sit on top of your car, and can hold a surprising number of bikes – sometimes as many as five on one rack. They are very useful, yet generally inexpensive, and you can buy them at any good garage or DIY store. Don’t worry too much about which model you get: as long as it can hold the number of bikes you need it to, it’ll generally be just fine.

If you’re going to fit a bike rack to your car, however, it is important to realise that it could potentially be a hazard not only to you and your car, but also to the other drivers on the road. For this reason, you need to make sure that the rack is secured to your car exactly as the instructions say and follow all the relevant safety regulations. If your rack seems unstable, you should take it to be fitted by a professional – don’t take any risks.

By the same token, you should also realise that bikes that are badly secured to bike racks are very often stolen in car parks, as they are easy to take without people noticing. You should lock the bikes to the rack using a secure bike lock, such as a solid metal D-lock, and never leave them unattended without the lock on. This applies especially if you are taking valuable mountain bikes, as losing five of those at a time could be a real disaster.

How To Choose The Proper Bicycle

There are many different types and styles of bicycles. You will need to decide on the type of biking you will be predominantly doing in order to help you narrow down your choices. Below are just some of the types of bicycles available on the market today.

The first bicycle we will mention here are what are considered by some to be comfort bicycles. These are the type used by most weekend recreational bike riders. They usually have a comfortable shock-absorbing seat and shock absorbing front forks and wide pedals.

Another type of bike which is a bit more rugged than the comfort bike is a trail bike or light duty mountain bike. These bikes can take a bit more rough stuff than the bikes mentioned above but are not meant for serious mountain biking.

Touring bicycles are for those who go long distances and faster than recreational bike riders. These bikes are built for riding on the pavement. They are light weight bikes with more shock absorbency than comfort bikes.

Cruiser bikes are heavier than the comfort bikes with fatter tires. They are good for the road, or riding in the sand.

A true mountain bike has a stronger frame and components than any other bike as they are intended for off road and rugged terrain. The tires on a mountain bike are knobby and wide for more shock support. The seat and handlebars are positioned to allow for the rider to lean over while maneuvering the bike.

Recumbent bicycles are becoming very popular with older riders and those who have some limits in physical ability. The rider reclines while pedaling in a feet forward position. The seat is much more comfortable than on any other bicycle. Recumbent bikes sit low to the ground and have multiple gears.

Talk with family and friends who own bikes to get their opinion on what may be the best investment for you. If you don't think that you'll stick with bike riding long term and if you don't plan to do more than weekend riding you don't need to spend a fortune. Visit several bicycles shops and talk with the pro's before making a decision. You can get many years of enjoyment if you choose the right bike for you.

How To Choose A Mountain Bike

The first thing to do before purchasing a bicycle for any reason is to know what your primary riding is going to be. Most people initially purchase a dual use bike, something that can be ridden on road and off road. Eventually, when the bug bites big it'll be time to invest in a bike that is all muscle for the mountains.

One of the ways that mountain bikes differ from other bikes is that they have very strong, lightweight frames, multiple gears, powerful breaks and wide tires. A comfort bike, or recreational weekend bike, touring bikes and cruiser bikes are built more for comfort than durability. WIthin the mountain bike category there are several types of bikes available; the cross country bike, the trials bike, the downhill bike and the jump/slalom bike.

Generally the largest percentage of mountain bikes sold are in the cross country, or XC classification. These are good dual purpose bikes. They are lightweight and good for riding over tough terrain, but they are also comfortable for road riding.

Jump/slalom bikes are also good dual purpose bikes. They are very strong and have an excellent front suspension.

Downhill and trial bikes are for serious mountain bikers. The downhill bikes have both front and rear suspension, disc breaks and are very strong. A trial bike is for a very skilled rider. Trail riding itself is a very competitive sport demanding a lot of precision. Most riders of downhill and trail bikes build their bikes from scratch, choosing each component individually.

You will want to do a lot of reading about different types of bikes, and you'll want to visit many bike shops. A cross country mountain bike can cost between $600 and $800 or more. Some bikers say that your first bike should be the best bike you can possibly afford, even if you think that it's too much bike for you. If you buy a low-end bike initially and then find you want to change components later it can get costly. Before choosing a bike you will want to ride it. Most dealers allow for a 15 to 20 minute test ride. If you do a test ride make sure you go "off road" if you can, even if it's over curbs and grass. You want to get a feel for the bike.

Getting Some Air in Cherokee County: Bike Park Gives Woodstock a New Place to Play

Sure you can ride your mountain bike just about anywhere but there's nothing like riding miles of winding hand-built single track (just wide enough for one) through the forests of North Georgia. But where? Unfortunately, mountain bikes have been unceremoniously kicked out of public parks all over the Southeast for their tendancy to erode paths built for hikers and even collide with the hikers themselves. The solution? Well if you live in Woodstock Georgia, you wrangle your own park and build your own trail.

The Southeast Off-Road Bicycle Organization (SORBA) is responsible for the wildly popular Blankets Creek trail system that skirts Blankets Creek at the edge of Lake Allatoona. Other nearby SORBA projects include Atlanta's Morningside Nature Preserve trail that links Midtown Atlanta with Buckhead through a 30 acre forested trail, and Big Creek Park in Roswell.

BLANKETS CREEK

Almost entirely built by hand by a team of volunteers, Blankets Creek Park is Cherokee County's only designated bike park and is proving itself to be one of the state's best rides. Right in Woodstock, just off Sixes Road, not too far from downtown and just 25 miles outside of Atlanta, the park draws over 100,000 bikes annually. Kids, men, women, families, couples, lone wolves, seasoned riders and even hikers all converge here for the great trails, a good workout and fun times.

The park has three short loops that let you choose your own adventure - from beginner trails to hair-raisers that demand technical skill. The group is currently building a fourth for a total of 16 miles of off-road goodness. The North Loop will be complete in spring 2008 and is going to bust the guts of all but the most experienced cyclists. With breakneck climbs and headlong descents, you really have to know how to handle your bike if you want to make it to the end of this four mile trail. Fortunately there's plenty of opportunity to train up.

The Mosquito Flats trail and the slightly more challenging Mosquito Bite Trail (1.3 miles total) are fun easy rides perfect for kids and beginners or to get your heart rate up before taking on the more challenging trails. Intermediate riders can try the Dwelling loop (3.5 miles) and advanced riders can try the South Loop (4 miles) for a steady stream of switchbacks, climbing, rock gardens, roots and log crossings.

Though all previous trails were built by hand with rakes, shovels and a lot of back-breaking labour, the new North Loop trail is being blazed by a mini-excavator. The main benefit is that the trail will be complete in less than half the time it would take to build it by hand.

GETTING HERE

Blankets Creek is located in Woodstock on the shores of Lake Allatoona. To get here, take I-75 north to I-575 north and take exit 11. Turn left on Sixes Road, go about 1.8 miles and turn left into the trail head parking lot. The park is open every day, but closed for rain. Check the trail direction before you begin as it changes daily. Admission is a $1 suggested donation.

WHAT TO BRING

- A helmet. You can't ride the trails without one.

- Tool kit and tire pump

- First aid kit

- Water and snacks

Fitting A Road Bike Frame To Your Needs

For most of us, well-intentioned but casual bike riders who secretly believe we might be Lance Armstrong's heir if we only had a few more hours a day to spend on our bicycles, buying a new road bike is tantamount to buying a road bike frame. The frame is what we're thinking of, something new and shiny and colorful, something we suspect even car drivers envy when they see us flash through the snarl of traffic. Truly, a road bike frame is a beautiful thing and part of the reason we love bicycling.

When you have the good fortune to be looking at new bicycles, though, you definitely want to look at a few elements besides the color of a road bike frame. Face it. When you're on your way back home from a long Sunday ride and you're riding your thirty-fifth mile smack into a stiff headwind, the fact that your frame is cobalt blue or even Bianchi green is not going to help you. The length of your seat tube is going to help you and the length of your top tube and even the angle of the three main tubes all put together is going to help (or hinder) you, but color is not.

If you shop at a discount store or even a general purpose sports store, if you get any help at all in choosing a bike that fits you, it will probably consist of a clerk instructing you to stand over the top bar of the frame and see if you can comfortably straddle it with your feet on the floor. This is not really particularly helpful, especially if you happen to have anything unique about your physique, like long legs combined with a short torso. If you have long legs, you can straddle almost any bike, but will your body be able to relax comfortable in the stretch between your saddle and the handlebars? The whole geometry of the road bike frame matters a lot to fit. And fit matters excessively to comfort.

If you're a racer, comfort will not be your only consideration. Indeed, it may be down among the last elements you consider. Speed is not usually built from comfort, and the road bike frame that promotes speed is built of different materials than one used primarily for recreational riding. Frames can be made of titanium, chrome-moly, aluminum or steel, and each metal has different advantages of weight and strength. Frame geometry varies, too, with touring bikes featuring a longer vertical base and top tube than the skittish racing models.

So when you're looking at road bike frames, think beyond the paint. Get a frame that fits both you and your purpose. Whether you do your research online or in a good bike store, you'll be glad you took the time.

Customizing Your Bicycle Rims

Barring a serious crash or the most frequent bike accident of all—entering the garage with a bicycle on your car roof rack—your bicycle rims will probably last as long as you can stand riding the same old bike. Usually made of aluminum, rims are lightweight and strong and are hardly ever the source of trouble on a bicycle, even in the most arduous riding conditions.

In fact, most bicycle riders probably never give a single thought to their bicycle rims. The circular band of metal that holds in the bike tire and connects it to the wheel hub via spokes is easily overlooked. Unlike spokes, a bicycle rim hardly ever breaks. Unlike the hub, it hardly ever causes problems. Unlike tires, it never goes flat or explodes. Serious bicycle racers have some pretty fancy rims, full of the same outrageously colorful advertising that covers their clothing usually, but most riders really don't need these. Even the fanciest rims, the flattened out, wide, presumably aerodynamic rims you'll see on the wheels of the pros, are not certainly all that much better. They are, however, flashier, and in the world of bicycling, this apparently does count for something, maybe for intimidation.

Do you need to know anything special about your bicycle rims? Not really. Most bicycles come with rims appropriate to their overall quality. You can spend as much money as you want on a rim—like everything else associated with the sport of bicycling—but what comes standard on a bike is probably sufficient. Customizing your rims will bring you fancier rims, maybe lighter rims, probably stronger rims, but the research on what constitutes the best rim weight, strength and shape is still largely inconclusive, and since this feature causes so few problems to the recreational rider, you can leave this issue to the professional mechanic who services the bicycles of world class racers. When they've resolved the issue, you will know about it!

Meanwhile, if your bicycle rims are aluminum, as most are today (steel rims being heavy, carbon rims being expensive), there is very little you need to do for them. As with all parts of your bicycle, rims should be kept clean of dirt and corrosive oils, wiped after long dusty rides and examined after any crash. Otherwise, do what most riders have always done: forget about your bicycle rims. You may not be able to ride a bike without them, but you really cannot ride a bike better for thinking about this vital but happily innocuous part.

Custom Pocket Bikes

So you buy your first pocket bike, or maybe you buy your first major upgrade.  It's a great looking bike, you go to show it off and realize there are two other people who have the exact same bike.  That takes the wind out of the sails a bit, but the good news is that it does not have to stay that way.  One of the nice things about pocket bikes is that you don’t have to buy a customized bike to have one!  You can change your pocket bike’s appearance, upgrade its performance, and transform your machine into a custom pocket rocket you can be proud of.  You’ll find all the tools, parts, and accessories you’ll need at pocket bike chop shops.

Turn your normal stock pocket bike into your personal custom pocket rocket!  If you’re not sure where to find the parts you need, a good place to start is at one of the numerous mini bike forums or that have recently rolled into action on the Internet.  There you’ll find an enthusiasts' community with unsolicited testimonials (because have you ever seen a company's website with a bad testimonial?) from members— other bikers, who’ll tell you where they’ve found the best deals, and even more importantly, they’ll tell you where and what to avoid at all costs!

You may also want to check with your mini-bike dealer.  Because of the mushrooming popularity of minimoto and custom pocket bikes, many dealers who originally didn’t sell spare pocket bike parts have recently added both parts and accessories to their inventories to meet an increased interest and demand in both.  Along with individual parts, you’ll see that many chop shop owners and pocket bike dealers also sell performance-enhancing kits that are even complete with instructions that will tell you how to touch up everything.  These are very helpful if you’re new to the mechanics of custom pocket bikes.

You don't have to look the same as everyone else.  Make your custom pocket bike look as good as it rides.  Between the Internet and chop shops you will have a wide choice of accessories to make you custom bike stand out from the rest of the group with accessory designs, saddles and saddlebags, trunks, tanks and tank pouches, headlights, horns, chromed wheels, decal kits, etc.  If you've seen something done to a pocket bike, you can probably either get it or do it to your own!

Bike Survival Kit

Ride Safe (The Tools Every Biker Should Have Along for the Ride)

It’s actually quite easy to do routine maintenance on your own bike. And having the right tools for the job can mean the difference between enjoying an all-day ride and having to pack your bike up and head back home when something goes awry. So, what tools do you need to take along for the ride? First and foremost, you should have the tools to repair a flat fire. Next, invest in the tools needed to maintain your chain and brakes.

Bike Survival Kit

A basic bike survival kit should include:
Tire patch kit
Pump
Chain tool
Screwdriver
Spare tube
Wrenches in various sizes

A more extensive bike survival kit would include:
Chain cleaners
Solvents specifically designed for bike chains
Lubrication

Things to Check for Before You Hit the Road

Brakes: Ensuring your brakes are working well is vitally important. Make sure you check your pads often to prevent rim damage and to ensure that your bike actually stops when it is supposed to. Adjusting the tension is also important.
Chain: Degrease the chain and re-lube it. Clean rear sprockets with a brush tool.
Gears: Check derailleur gear action and cables. Degrease chain and re-lube. Clean rear sprockets with brush tool.
Pedals: Make sure the axle spins freely. Check bottom bracket axles for looseness.
Steering: Make sure handlebar and stem is tight.
Frame: Check for damage. Make sure the seat is adjusted appropriately for your height.
Wheels: Make sure spokes and nipples are tightened and wheels are trued.
Check tire pressure and condition. If your suspension fork is quick release, make sure they are tightly fastened, and don’t forget to check tire pressure.

110cc Pocket Bikes

A 110cc pocket bike is a miniature motorcycle that is becoming increasingly popular.  There are even Pocket Bike races held world wide now, with some of the pros taking home thousands of dollars in cash and prizes.  110cc pocket bikes look like they were built for kids, they are typically 38 to 47 inches long and weigh about 50 pounds, but don't let the small size fool you.  The 110cc pocket bikes are specifically built for adult drivers.

The 110cc bikes are made in Italy, and can reach speeds of up to 75 miles per hour.  The 110cc pocket bikes have a 30 inch wheelbase, which in layman's terms means that you are barely inches from the ground.  This definitely adds an adrenaline rush when it comes to high speed turns!  Due to their miniature size, riding a pocket bike offers certain thrills that cannot be obtained on a regular motorcycle.

Pocket bike racing is also the most affordable motor sport in existence today, which is no small part why it is also one of the fastest growing.  This draws participants from all over the world, offering them the ability to get in on motor sports, when they might not be able to otherwise.  Make no mistakes about it, though, riding a pocket bike isn't like riding a regular motorcycle, even though the concept of balancing on two wheels at high speed is the same.  Due to its small size, riding a pocket bike requires more balance, self control, agility, and faster reaction times.  The adrenaline rush is a major reason many beginning participants become hooked and life-long fans.

Pocket bikes can be suitable for children over the age of nine, as long as they are very carefully supervised.  The bikes were designed for adults, and so are set to support up to 300 pounds of weight.  110cc pocket bikes are not designed or intended for street use, these are bikes made for racing on tracks.  Protective gear should be worn by both kids and adults at all times.  This includes, but is not limited to, helmet, gloves, knee and elbow pads, and leather clothes in case of an accident.  While they may look like toys, the 110cc pocket bikes were designed for extreme motor racing, and need to be treated with the same respect accordingly.

50cc Pocket Bikes

If you are planning to shop for a new 50cc pocket bike, you need to know what exactly it is you are searching for, and the right questions to ask before you visit a store, or even before you shop online, if that's your preferred method.  Not paying especially close attention to specific features, or not asking the right questions can result in you buying a 50cc pocket bike that you don't really want, or even worse, can't use.

First, know exactly what you want your 50cc pocket bike will be used for.  Will it be fun and recreation, or will you be racing?  This decision has to be firmly set in your mind before you go out to make the purchase.  If you will be using the pocket bike for recreational purposes, and you have no intention of racing, you can expect to pay about $400 or a little more.  A very reasonable price.  It's a completely different story if you want to race.  If you eventually plan to race, you may find that you need to pay up to a full $7000 to get what you want.  The price difference shows you pretty quickly why you have to know what you're investing in.
Generally you will find that any pocket bikes you are looking at were made in one of two places.  There are the pocket bikes that are built in Italy, and there are pocket bikes that are manufactured in China.  The bikes made in Italy are typically among the highest quality bikes.  Higher quality also brings a higher price, but once again what you should be willing to spend on a 50cc pocket bike depends on what you are going to use it for.  If the bike is going to be used solely for recreational purposes, then look at the ones made from China, because the difference is not that large if it is just for fun.  If you're looking to race, buy from Italy. 

Keep in mind pocket bikes are not very comfortable, due to their small size - unless you are very small or a kid.  So, comfort isn't what you need to look for, however, you still need to be comfortable enough to ensure that you have full control of the bike at all times.  Take the bike for a test run, and make sure that your body isn't touching anything that it shouldn't, like the exhaust pipe, and that you're comfortable controlling the bike.

Talk to the pocket bike dealer to find out what spare parts are available for the bike, and how hard those parts may be to get.  Find out what parts need to be replaced often.  Remember, they sell 50cc pocket bikes for a living, and they are probably the best experts you are going to find.  They will be able to tell you all you need to know about what the bikes need, and what they don't need.  Also, find out if there is a mechanic at the dealership, or in the town, that is capable of making repairs should they be needed, and inquire about warranties as well, the same types of information you would want for a new car.  Make an informed decision based on your needs, and you will find a pocket bike an enjoyable investment.

Bike Buying Tips

The Right Bike for You

Want to buy a bike but don’t know where to begin? Maybe a friend of yours recommends getting a certain bike, while another biking buddy insists that his bike is the best choice for you. Who do you listen to? How about neither? What you need to do is sit down, relax and figure out what your priorities and preferences are to determine what bike is going to work best for you. Here are some points you will definitely want to consider before you pick out your new set of wheels.

What’s Your Riding Style?

Start by asking yourself why you want to ride to begin with. Is it for exercise? Do you want to fly through the air for the thrill or the sport of it? Where are you going to ride? Through city streets or back road trails? Once you define your style of riding, it will be easier for you to choose the kind of bike you need.

There Are a Variety of Bike Options Available

Although there is a multitude of bike styles, the following are some of the most popular:

Mountain Bikes: These are durable bikes you can take off the road. Mountain bikes have fat tires, comfortably wide handlebars, and low gears for easier navigation of hills.
Road Bikes: If you plan on doing long rides, pavement riding, this is the bike for you. Road bikes are built for speed, have thinner tires and handlebars, and are overall, much lighter in weight.
Hybrid Bikes: This type of bike combines the features of mountain bikes and road bikes. Hybrid bikes are perfect for those who want to experiment with all styles of riding.
Cruisers: These bikes are generally one speed and are constructed for literally just that—cruising.
Comfort Bikes: These are specialty mountain bikes or hybrids that offer more upright riding and softer seats. These bikes are essentially designed for riders who desire more comfort in their ride.

Size Matters

Some bike models offer up to eight different sizes. To determine the right size for you, measure your inseam—this will determine the right size frame, in terms of stand-over-height. Like a pair of jeans, the right fit is important.

Ask Questions

Don’t be afraid to ask advice about what you don’t understand, such as quick release, bike maintenance, what kind of equipment you need, etc. Knowing what you need to know is the difference between easy riding and not so easy riding.

Buy a Bike You Like

Take even the smallest details into consideration when buying a bike: how it rides, size, how it looks, color--everything. After all, it’s your set of wheels--ride it proudly.