SAFETY FOR CYCLISTS

                                              

Cyclists have to share the road with cars. It is important for both parties to respect each other and follow traffic laws. Here are some important safety rules for bicyclists.

1. Maintain your ride

Proper bicycle maintenance is important for prolonging the life of your bicycle and making it safer. To ride safely, your bike needs to top condition. Inspect your brakes, chain, and gears. Before every ride, inspect your bicycle. Look for anything to may be loose or falling off. While cycling, you do not want to have to worry about your bike. If your bike is in top condition, you can focus better on the road and traffic.

2. Follow the laws

These laws are meant to protect everyone on the road. For your safety, it is important that you follow all the laws.There are specific cycling laws. You should familiarize yourself with these laws.

Motorists will assume you are going to follow traffic laws. On the road, you must ride just like any other motorist would. If you do not follow traffic laws, you are putting yourself at risk.

3. Don't assume people can see you

It is difficult for motorists to see cyclists. Never assume that a driver can see you. Ride defensively on the road. You should also consider investing in reflectors for your bike and reflective clothing. These investments can make you more visible. If possible, make eye contact with the driver. You may be riding in his or her blind spot. If a driver makes eye contact with you, you know you are not in a blind spot.

4. Be predictable

Make obvious signals of your intended direction. Many collisions occur when the motorists makes incorrect assumptions about the cyclist's direction.

5. Be careful and aware

In general, you should be very attentive and aware. Constantly scan the road for any motorists driving recklessly. If you pass by parked cars, be especially careful of anyone opening their door. Be careful on railway tracks. It is very easy for your wheels to get caught in the tracks.

6. Never assume you are in a bike friendly environment

Your neighborhood may have bike lanes, but do not assume you can safely ride. You should always have your guard up.

7. Don't engage in road rage

You may encounter angry drivers. If a driver yells or makes rude gestures at you, do not engage or respond the behavior. This may make the driver angrier. It is best to avoid the driver and to pull over in a safe place. If you are afraid for your safety, get the driver's license plate number and tell the police.. Let the authorities deal with the angry driver.

 Source:- Dara Kahjav.

Four Guidelines To Acquire The Best Golf Tournament Gifts

Four Guidelines To Acquire The Best Golf Tournament Gifts

Are you setting up a golf tournament? This is a pretty exciting time for you but it could be a little bit nerve-racking as well because there are a lot of things that you need to keep an eye on. One of the things that you have to pay attention to is golf tournament gifts.

Finding The Perfect Gifts

Events like golf tournaments could be time consuming and you would like to acquire some help when coordinating it. At such events, the gifts are expected to be little but appropriate gifts. Remember that these gifts should not be too extravagant.

Consider golf tournament gifts that you could give the spectators who'll support the game and you must also have gifts for each category such as hole-in-one, event winners, and so on. The good thing is that there's a variety of gifts that you'll find suitable to be given in this kind of event. Here are some of them:

• Plaques
• Umbrellas
• Golf Balls
• Bags
• Jackets

These golf tournament gifts are the most practical gifts that you can provide during the event. At the same time, the participants are going to appreciate the gifts so much because they are something that they can use.

Suggestions To Find The Best Gifts

In order for you to locate the best gifts, here are a few of the things that you have to keep in mind:

• Useful

It is very important that when you're getting golf tournament gifts, you should keep in mind their usefulness. As the giver of gifts, you want to make sure that what you're giving will be very useful and the same goes to the recipients of gifts, they want to be able to make use of the gifts that you will give them. So, stick to gifts that are very useful for golfers.

• Practical

You should make sure that the gifts are very practical, which means that you don't need to purchase extravagant gifts. Except of course; for huge milestones like a hole-in-one, which require a more extravagant gift. These are only little things to express your gratitude to the golfers. So, make sure that you only get gifts that will not exceed your budget.

• Check Online

One of the best ways to acquire amazing golf tournament gifts is to purchase them online. This simply means that when you are looking for gifts, it is best that you check what the World Wide Web has to offer because they have a wide selection and you can even get the gifts in great and affordable prices.

• Customize Them

Make sure that the gifts are customized with the event details. Also, make sure that the sponsors are also there on the gifts. Customization of gifts will be a lot cheaper as well if you check out the World Wide Web.

There you have it, a number of the things that you need to bear in mind when buying golf tournament gifts. These gifts are very vital, so make sure that you don't forget them! An event won't be the same without gifts to give to the participants and the winners.

Buying golf tournament gifts can be simple if you know the right place to go to. And today, there are actually a lot of online websites that can help you with this..

Article source.   Ezine articles. Jonathan N Davis       

The German DTM

Been checking the form of the German DTM season, I guess I should be more interested in the BTCC and the BTCC season does start whole month before the DTM on the 30^th March and the DTM on Friday 5^th May. The BTCC is like a bad selection from your local “pick & mix” sweet shop with the number of manufacturers and not one of them British. I much prefer the howl of the BMW’s, Mercedes and Audi’s as they fight it out for the title.

I’ve been to Holland a few times over the years and have tried my visit to coincide with the DTM CircuitparkZandvoort dates and they've fixed me this year by putting Zandvoort as the penultimate race of the 2013 season instead of mid season as usual.

BMW M3 DTM Champion Edition

After winning the 2012 championship BMW unveiled their M3 DTM Champion Edition, only 54 will be made and none of those will be sold here in the UK. I've no doubt their all sold by now as they started selling them this month,  but if you've got a lose £80,537 (€99,000) in your pocket you could still try. BMW press release can be read here: www.press.bmwgroup.com/pressclub 

Various articles have given it 420 to 480bhp and 290lbs of torque, couldn’t find any official specs which didn’t help, even the guy’s at TopGear didn’t give us any techie talk.

Andy Priaulx a Brit who drives for the BMW RBM team in the Crown Plaza Hotels car is one of 5 British drivers enjoying a prosperous career in the auto sport, the others are, for team HWA JamieGreen in a Mercedes AMG C-coupe,  also team HWA, GarryPaffet in the Thomas Sabo Mercedes, for team Mucke Motorsport David Coulthard in the DHL Packet Mercedes and for team Persson Motorsport Susie Wolff in the TV Speilfilm Mercedes which had an pink color scheme in the 2012 season.

This 2013 season starts off on the great although now shortened Hockenheimring (if you want to know the history of the Hockenheimring or another circuit you can find it here Wikipedia )

So here are the dates that I’m looking forward to for the 2013 season and I'll be at the 'Snatch' on the 19th, see you there.

The2013 DTM calendar at a glance

5th May	Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)
19th May	Brands Hatch (GB)
2nd June	Red Bull Ring Spielberg (A)
16th June	Lausitzring (D)
14th July	Norisring (D)
4th August	Moscow Raceway (RUS)
18th August	Nürburgring (D)
15th September	Motorsport Arena Oschersleben (D)
29th September	Circuit Park Zandvoort (NL)
20th October	Hockenheimring Baden-Württemberg (D)

Six Nations 2013: Wales will keep same team v Italy - Rob Howley

(With England being the only team to win both matches they are of course fave'd at the moment, now we've busted the loosing streak we're back in the game!!)

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Rob Howley has given a vote of confidence to the Wales team that beat France by announcing the same XV will start the next Six Nations clash against Italy on 23 February.

It means championship captain Sam Warburton, who missed the Paris match with an injury, will miss out.

Howley said: "I have told the players the same fifteen will start in Italy.

"I think it is pretty important from a coach's perspective that we reward the players who've gone out on the field."

He added: "I thought Ryan Jones was outstanding in terms of his leadership and it is a just reward that he captains the side against Italy."

Play media

Highlights: France 6-16 Wales

Jones took over the captaincy after Warburton had led Wales in the 30-22 defeat by Ireland in the first round of matches.

Warburton's open-side slot went to Justin Tipuric, who had an impressive game in an effective Welsh back row as France were beaten 16-6 - ending a run of eight successive defeats for Wales.

Howley said he had told all the players of his decision to stick with the same starting line up on Tuesday morning - one week ahead of the scheduled team announcement.

He added that he had discussed the move with Warburton directly.

"Obviously I've spoken to Sam," he said.

"He has taken it very positively. Obviously he stays with us, he's part of the squad, and he'll be a fantastic captain in years to come.

"But for this game, on the back of our performance in France I think it's important that we said same again."

Lock Alun Wyn Jones, who returned to action for the Ospreys on Friday night, was called back into the 36-man Wales squad on Tuesday.

But the Wales and Lions second row can now only expect to make the replacements' bench in Rome.

Howley said that players outside the starting XV could be released to play for their regions this weekend.

Players based outside Wales have already been released back to their clubs, including Bayonne scrum half Mike Phillips and Toulon prop Gethin Jenkins, who both started against France.

Wales: L Halfpenny, A Cuthbert, J Davies, J Roberts, G North, D Biggar, M Phillips; G Jenkins, R Hibbard, A Jones, A Coombs, I Evans, R Jones (captain), J Tipuric, T Faletau.

Read this here: www.bbc.co.uk

Welcome Blackberry but, is that an iphone Lewis?

Is that an iphone Lewis??.... Being as you are at the "top of your Game" I doubt it, but it did look like one at first sight and your finger is in a "nice" spot ;)

www.youtube.com lewishamilton

Top 5 Biggest Rugby Stadiums Worldwide

Well after we (Wales) didn't have a start to the 6 Nations I found this tit-bit of info I'd like to share.

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Number Five - Stade De France, Paris.

Officially opened in 1998, the national stadium for France can hold up to 81,338 sports fans. Mainly used for football, it does have claim to holding the 2007 Rugby World Cup Final. Costing €290 million to build, the Stade De France is home to 172 executive suites. Although a fairly recent build, it lacks underground heating - a problem that lead to the cancellation of the Ireland v France rugby match in 2012. Stade De France boasts the two largest LED screens in any stadium in Europe. Sporting events aren't the only feature on the stadium's programme, it also hosts many different live concerts. Bands who have previously played include; The Rolling Stones, Roger Waters, Madonna, Rihanna, Muse, Coldplay, Lady Gaga, Metallica, Johnny Hallyday, Prince, The Black Eyed Peas, U2, AC/DC, Andre Rieu and George Michael.

Number Four - Twickenham Stadium, London.

Otherwise known as 'The Home Of English Rugby', Twickenham evolved from a cabbage patch, all the way back in 1909. It's come a long way - it can now seat 82,000 spectators. It also offers guided tours, two rugby stores and a rugby museum. There are also fabulous Rugby Union Hospitality Packages available (see resource box). Although it only makes number four on our list, it is the largest stadium in the world devoted SOLELY to rugby. Although rugby is the only sport played here, Twickenham is annually rented out to the worldwide convention of Jehovah's Witnesses. It also boasts a huge collection of musicians who have graced its stage; Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Iron Maiden, Bon Jovi, Genesis, U2, The Rolling Stones, The Police, Eagles, Richard Benson and R.E.M.

Number Three - Croke Park, Dublin.

Croke Park is officially home to Gaelic Games, it's the headquarters of the Gaelic Athletic Association (GAA). Boasting a capacity of 82,300, it's largest crowd was actually recorded at 90,556. It has seen a few major musical tour through its doors including; Red Hot Chili Peppers, Westlife, Celine Dion, U2, Robbie Williams, Tina Turner, Bon Jovi and Neil Diamond. Up until 31st March 2012, Croke held the world record for the highest attendance (82,208) for a club rugby union game. Croke Park has its own merchandise shop as well as its own museum on site, however is no longer holding any rugby matches.

Number Two - Stadium Australia, Sydney.

Originally built for the 2000s Olympics, Stadium Australia could hold 110,000. This number has now been reduced to 83,500, making it number two on our list. Called home by many Sydney rugby teams, it also hosted the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup final. Since it's opening in 1999, over 17 million people have visited. Due to its modern build, its specifically engineered to host rugby league, rugby union, Australian rules, football and cricket. The ANZ cost a staggering A$690 million to complete. Most recently, international cricket has been added to its repertoire with a Twenty20 match between Australia and India on 1 February 2012.

Number One - Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne.

The oldest stadium on the list, MCG was built in 1853. It's regarded as the birthplace of test cricket and Australian football. It can hold up to 100,018 spectators, making it the largest stadium in Australia and the tenth largest in the world. Pre-health and safety legislation, 130,000 people crammed themselves into the arena in 1959 for a Billy Graham evangelistic crusade. The 2006 redevelopment of the North Stand alone cost $445,000,000. Outside the entrance of the MCG there is a Parade Of Champions - made up of statues of famous Australian athletes. There is also the National Museum of Sport on site. Many superstars have performed here, including Madonna, U2, Michael Jackson, Rolling Stones and The Police, and even Pope John Paul II held a mass when he visited Melbourne in 1986. Other sporting spectacles that have been held there include Australian World Cup soccer qualifiers, rugby league home and away matches and State of Origin as well as Bledisloe Cup rugby union clashes.

Article Source: Top 5 Biggest Rugby Stadiums Worldwide

RBS 6 Nations 2013

Living for most of my life here in Wales the love of Rugby becomes a kind of second nature.

Wales, with interim head coach Rob Howley at the helm, will be looking to defend their title, following last year’s Grand Slam – their third in eight years.

They open up on Feburary 2 against Ireland, who will have Jamie Heaslip as their skipper for the first time in a RBS 6 Nations campaign.

A year ago in Dublin it was Wales' incredible comeback, capped off by Leigh Halfpenny's last-gasp penalty, which set the ball rolling for the Grand Slam.

England, second last year, will be led by Chris Robshaw, who resumes his captaincy from the autumn internationals which culminated in a memorable victory over New Zealand.

They will begin their title bid against Scotland, who like the Red Rose last year, have an interim head coach in the shape of Scott Johnson.

Johnson finds himself in a similar position to England coach Stuart Lancaster 12 months ago, and will hope to emulate Lancaster's winning start away to the Auld Enemy to claim the Calcutta Cup.

Another new competition captain will be seen in third of the opening fixtures as Pascal Pape retains the armband following France’s autumn campaign, which saw victories over Australia, Argentina and Samoa.

Les Bleus will travel to Italy and will be looking to avenge their historic loss to the Italians in 2011, however France coach Philippe Saint-Andre opened his tenure with a win in Paris last year at home to the Azzurri.

Pascal Pape, Chris Robshaw, Sam Warburton, Jamie Heaslip, Sergio Parisse and Kelly Brown

reference:  www.rbs6nations.com