Follow ‘The Bike Rack Test’ And You’ll Always Pick The Best Bike Rack For Your Needs -by guest blogger Steve Richardson

*Thank you to guest blogger, Steve Richardson, for this post! He loves all things bikes, but when his bike rack fell off loaded up with 4 family bikes, as he headed down the highway looking forward to a vacation, he’s since got a bit geeky about bike rack essentials! Check out his site at www.bestbikerackreviewsite.com, on Facebook: Best Bike Rack Reviews, or Twitter: @bikerackreviews*

When you need to buy a bike rack it’s not easy. The most reliable way to go about making the right decision for you isn’t clear or it is at best confusing. Reading 5star and 1star reviews for the same bike rack doesn’t help and you know that relying on manufacturer’s sites will not deliver unbiased information. Of course it will accurately list features for specific products but that’s about it.

And yet the importance of ending up with a good bike rack that is capable of transporting your bikes without problem is extremely important because the problems that can arise aren’t pretty.

Bike racks that are unfit for purpose can cause problems

Serious problems:

• Damaged bikes
• Damaged car
• Stolen bikes
• Stolen bike rack
• Bikes fall off, potential accident
• Bike rack falls off, potential accident
  

Less serious problems - (hassles):

• Difficult and time consuming to attach
• Difficult and awkward to load bikes

Because a bike rack may be expected to transport thousands of dollars worth of bikes and an unfit for purpose bike rack is a disaster waiting to happen, we say it’s very important you know how to pick out the best bike rack for your needs.

We have introduced a method that removes the uncertainty surrounding choosing a bike rack by introducing a much more scientific approach to the process that gives you certainty and a confidence to know what you are looking for and how to fine it. The method gives you all the information you need to disregard those racks that don’t pass The Bike Rack Test. Plus you are presented with all the essential information in a format that lets you compare bike racks that are fit for purpose and to end up with the best rack.

The Bike Rack Test

Collecting the information you need. Does a bike rack pass the test and how does it compare with other bike racks that also pass.

What you discover about each bike rack: 

• Where to attach the rack and why - the pros and cons associated with each location
  
• Does the bike rack deliver the 7 most essential components
  
• Quick and easy to install and attach
• The attachment system and how snugly it clamps
• Fast and simple to load & unload bikes
• Bike loading technology will fit many bike sizes and frame shapes
• Strong and secure 2x locking
• Well designed to stop damage
• Anti-wobble/sway/vibration etc. technologies
  
• Does the bike rack pass the 7 essential components
  
• Grading system for each bike rack allows you to accurately compare bike racks against one other

• The final outcome – you end up with the BEST bike rack!

The Bike Rack Test does away with uncertainty and gives you a firm foundation to objectively compare bike racks.

Less reliance on subjective and inconsistent comments is a good thing. Less reliance on sales and marketing literature increases objectivity. What you have is real test that breaks down into manageable sections essential components that every bike rack must deliver well. The process can give you confidence in making the right decision for the right reasons.

As a consequence the whole process is more methodical in choosing the best bike rack, and that leads to the best bike rack being picked out for your needs which is what it’s all about.

When you use ‘The Bike Rack Test’ you’ll be able to pick out the best bike rack for your needs

Learn how to use The Bike Rack Test by following the link.

Happy cycling,

Steve Richardson

Transporting your bikes safely www.bestbikerackreviewsite.com 

Something Happened on Race Day (written by Cortney Jacobsen - my sis!)

*This is a post from Pixie Medley - a blog written by my sister -

about her experience in the competing in her first Half Iron Man! (7/18/11)* 

Something Happened on Race Day

I rocked a 70.3. That’s what happened on race day.


The short version…
I completed my first Half Iron triathlon this weekend in Lake Chelan, WA. And I accomplished my goal – I finished injury-free and strong, sprinting (well, at least in my mind it felt like a sprint) to the finish line. My race highlights:

1. Seizing “my moment” by passing several competitors in the lake. This was accompanied by a silent thanks to Mom and Dad who forced me into swim class when I was 5 years old.
2. Playing bike tag with Judy, a new friend I made on the course. I passed her on the climbs and she took over on the the downhill. It went this way from miles 4 through 33.
3. Screaming “Hellooooooo Sunshine” at the top of my lungs, riding through a tunnel at 39.2 mi/hr. after leaving the rain behind.
4. Seeing the bright smiles and hearing the cheers of my friends (Josh, Matthew, Stacey, Ramona, Joan, Aron) as I made my way onto the run course.
5. The 8-yr-old boys at the running support stations, who were frantic to find me electrolyte pills after I politely declined their water. I simply needed something more powerful.
6. The blanket of humility that covered me as each person who I passed on the swim caught up with me – and far exceeded in overtaking me – after, oh, about mile 5 on the run.
7. Singing to myself the two lines in “Sittin’ on the Dock of the Bay” that I actually know the words to over and over and over and over and over and over and over…………
8. Finishing. I know this is trite, but it is a tremendous feeling. And the cherry on top was my man hugging my sweat-drenched, rancid being, and reviving my numbness with a feast of Vitamin Water, Snickers, and Tom’s Jalepeno potato chips.

SWIM	BIKE	RUN	FINISH

The longer version…

One year ago … I completed my first Olympic distance triathlon (.9 mi. swim, 26 mi. bike, 6 mi. run) in Chelan, WA. I finished in a decent time and was pleased with the overall experience. I watched the Half Iron men and women cross the finish line and declared that anyone who did a 70.3 (1.2 mi. swim + 56 mi. bike + 13.2 mi. run = 70.3) was extreme. That is, more extreme than I imagined I could be. I was excited and inspired by triathlon, but content to focus on improving my Olympic time.

Five months ago … it was time to register for the 2011 ChelanMan and I was antsy to put my hat in the ring for a second year. But when I went to the website to register, the “Half Iron” button was so darn close to the “Olympic” button, that I thought, “Olympic? Half Iron? What’s the difference? So the race is a little longer. It’s not a big deal. I can do it. Lots of people do it.” So there you have it, that’s how I got myself into this predicament.

Four months ago … I started telling my friends and family that I was going to do a Half Iron race in July in Lake Chelan, WA. As soon as I say something out loud – especially to the people I love – there is no backing down. I was locked in. I started a fairly intense training program (a modified version of this one http://www.trinewbies.com/tno_trainingprograms/tno_HIM.asp). Most people thought I was over-training. I was. But looking back on it now, I am very glad that I did. I would not have changed a thing about those early training days. They set a strong base for, what I learned to be, an intense physical challenge. Come race day, I had few concerns about my physical abilities. All of my jitters were about my nutrition – my ability to remain hydrated and cramp-free for 6+ hours of swimming, biking, and running.

Yesterday … 7:05am, I began my first Half Iron triathlon. About five minutes into it, I was reveling in my mad swim skills. I was basically kicking ass. Feeling strong, healthy, skilled, and motivated to take on the race course. I maintained this feeling through nearly the entire 56 mile bike ride. I made friends on the course, I sang to myself, I followed my strict “sipping scheduling” of four gulps of water/Accelerade every 15 minutes, I stayed true to my diet of Sports Beans, Clif Roks, and Luna bars. I actually was thinking that I was getting stronger every mile. I made it calmly through my T2 (transition from bike to run), passed my cheering posse on the way out to the course, and then proceeded to fall apart at the seams. Thanks to my fellow competitors, the race volunteers, my friends, and my own will, I managed to pull it together and finish respectably.

I just have one more thing to say about finishing this race. No matter what kind of shape you are in, how strong your legs are, or how much you love to run, I don’t care what anyone says – running 13.2 miles after completing a 56 mile bike course (with 3,300 feet of total climbing) is not a menial feat. This can only be accomplished with tenacity, strength, planning, and support from others.

Today … I am tempted to say that anyone who wants to do the course that I just did two times (i.e. an official Ironman race, 2.4 mi. swim + 112 mi. bike + 26.2 mi. run) is a masochist of the darkest kind. But I have learned what happens when I hang out in my cushy glass house, devilishly fingering a a handful of stones.

About Pixie Medley:

• 
  The Pixie Medley is a tribute to the journey. I have always been drawn to a place just slightly off the path, and as a result, have savored and struggled both the wild and the weary. I know what inspires me - travel, triathlon, animals, a meat-free meal, third-world women, wilderness, clever conversation, an organized bookshelf, Chopin, Led Zeppelin, alliteration, and just about any artistic expression. But I have not found my outlet for these inspirations. Thus, the Pixie Medley is born to provide a new perspective. Eavesdrop, Observe, Ignore or Imitate, and Enjoy! -Cortney

....or better yet....climb a rock!

Ok...it's been too long...and I've been super busy! I realized I forgot to blog about my birthday...

On my birthday this year, I decided to try something I've always wanted to try - rock climbing!! I rounded up a group of friends and headed over to Climb Nashville - an indoor rock climbing facility.

 Wow - walls and walls of rock! A few of us signed up to learn how to belay - to be the one on the ground, holding the rope for the climber. Once our instructor showed us (very quickly! she talked so fast, I had trouble keeping up!), we made our first attempt! My friend, John, belayed for me (his first time belaying! yikes!) while I climbed - for the very first time!! It was scary at first, hoping that John wouldn't let go, and belay correctly, while I attempt to find "rocks" to grab on to and step on, all the while, on the ground is a bunch of pebbles and stones....NOT a soft landing pad lol.

I made it to the top!! I think I'm learning I have this competitive side of myself...with myself. I feel the need to show myself that I CAN do it...yet, I don't seem to fight as hard against other people. Hmmm...there's one for the therapists out there!

So, yes...I made it to the top. What a rush!! Ok...then, I had to come down. The girl told me to let go of the rock, and just push myself away from the wall. WHAT???? I was clinging on to that rope so hard! "John", I kept saying, "I love you! Please don't drop me!!!" Well, luckily he picked up on this belaying thing quickly, and let me down very gently. And yes, this lowering to the ground gave me an adrenalin rush too...weird! But let me tell you, when I touched the ground, I was the happiest girl in the room!

I'm Tebowing....Hello ground...I love you!

So, after the first climb, we all took turns climbing and belaying. We tried different walls and discussed different strategies to make it to the top. We asked other climbers...those who looked like they knew what they were doing. We got some great pointers. We came to the conclusion that we were gripping on to the wall for dear life, and using our arms so much, that our fingers, hands and forearms were getting tired! What we needed to do was use our legs more...to step UP...not PULL ourselves up with our arms. Also, after watching some other "pros", we also noticed that it was ok to lean back away from the rock, trusting the rope, and using that time to find our next move up the wall. I now know what NOT to do next time!


I'm excited to get back to the wall! I made it up to the top 3 of the 4 times I climbed...and hopefully next time I'll make it every time. We'll be going again in a few weeks. The cost for the day included the equipment rental. I'm considering getting my own shoes and harness at some point. Though I'm not quite ready to go outside on a REAL rock, I definitely want to make this a frequent activity INSIDE! It's also a wonderful workout. My arms and lats were pretty sore the next day....Oh, and by the way, belaying was a little tiring as well...I need to find out if I was doing it correctly. I was pulling so hard on the rope, that my right arm was getting tired. But then again, maybe I'm just out of shape! Well, kids, this rock climbing thing will get a person in shape....

I encourage everyone to try this at least once! I may even try bouldering. This is really just free climbing...without the harness. There was a shorter wall, with a big soft pad on the ground, where a few gutsy guys were climbing. I think I should get this climbing thing down WITH the harness first....then we'll see.....

                 
      trying to learn how to thread the rope correctly!                                  me belaying...

I had one of my best birthday EVER!!! Thank you so much to my wonderful friends Adair, Richard, Charlotte and John! Thank you guys for making the day so special! :)