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In most countries, you can observe some kind of soaring at any time of the year. From a spectator point of view, the winter months are somewhat better. Why? During summer, soaring pilots have a habit of disappearing over the horizon on long cross-country flights! Too far away even for your binoculars.

Soaring is enjoyed in every continent. Here’s an ever-so-brief re-cap of soaring in various parts of the world. The U.S. and Europe have clubs throughout their length and breadth, and most people there are within reasonable driving distance of some flying. Australia, a big and relatively empty country, has many soaring opportunities within reasonable driving distance from most capital cities. In Africa, it’s the South Africans who have taken to the soaring sports in greatest numbers. Plenty of opportunities to observe soaring there, if you look for them. Asia has a paragliding hot-spot in South Korea, but there is growing interest and flying activity in other countries as well. For example, China, India, Taiwan and Japan.

Clearing Up Confusion

I mentioned paragliding in that last paragraph, which is just one of the three main groups of soaring sports. Here’s a quick overview of the different types of soaring aircraft now, in case you’re confused. For a start, all these aircraft are under complete control of their pilots, who are able to plan ahead and land at any particular spot within gliding range.

Paragliders look like sports parachutes, and are the lightest and slowest of all gliders. No, the pilot doesn’t jump, he or she just walks down a slope into the breeze! Next come hang-gliders, with their rigid, fabric covered wings. They are somewhat heavier and faster than paragliders. Finally, sailplanes are beautiful, streamlined craft with long gleaming wings. Commonly called ‘gliders’, they are very much heavier and faster than paragliders and hang-gliders.

Now here’s a little note about soaring sports in general. Since they are so dependant on the weather, it is not unusual to have to wait a while for an opportunity to see some flying. Particularly if you can only go on weekends. Even once at the site, a little waiting around is inevitable. In fact, paragliding pilots have coined a name for this - para-waiting!

Since gliding of the various kinds is often done on land with restricted access, it is important to contact a local club or group of pilots to organize a day of glider-watching.

Para-Man Sails Past

Para-Man over there sniffs the sea breeze. Direction is good, strength good. Turning, he starts to inflate his paraglider. Up and up, billowing full and tight, like an enormous kite. It’s overhead, hovering like a shiny spaceship. Slowly he turns underneath, checks the wing once again and takes a few purposeful steps into the breeze. A moment later, gaining height slowly, he flies away from the grassy ground. With a gentle pull on a brake toggle he turns, following the slope.

Getting ever smaller in the distance, he joins a few stray gulls enjoying the salty air with him. A while later, here he comes again, sailing right on past with the soft hiss of his lines straining the air, the dead-smooth ocean breeze. An hour later, he decides to return. Briefly, he guides the chute-like craft downwind and then turns back, smoothly dropping out of the sky. About to land, Para-Man instinctively pressures down the brake toggle in each hand. Like a swan on the local pond, he lands not far from us, takes a couple of steps and waits for the colorful canopy to deflate to the ground behind him. Para-Man is back.

Hangy-Man Spirals Away

Hangy-Man has finished rigging his machine. The hang glider looks awkward on the ground, one wing down. Every taut panel deflects some of the gentle summer breeze wafting up the mountainside from the valley below. Hangy-Man double-checks the rigging, clips himself under the attachment-point and picks up the craft easily. Harnessed up with wings outstretched he strides to the launch spot. Minutes pass.

Now the moment is right. Hanglider and man depart at a good swift running pace. Bar in a little, he picks up speed and moves straight out across the valley, brown earth dropping away below. Legs and torso tuck away into the pod harness, man becomes bird. Losing height ever so slowly. And still going down.. but wait… A bump. Another bump, and the audio-vario exclaims deeeee deeee dee dee dee! as Hangy-Man cranks his weight to the right. That sinking feeling now, followed by a surge and more happy variometer song. Stop the turn, waaaaaiiiit for more lift, then the obedient wing cranks over again. Spiraling upwards now, another hang-glider is closing fast, wanting some of the action.

We have driven ahead to the local landing field, waiting until Hangy-Man has had his fill of local soaring. Shading our eyes from the late-afternoon sun, we see him on approach. Getting low, he gently pushes out the bar, skimming the ground and slowing to jogging pace as the nose rises high. As if pointing longingly to the sky from whence it came. He’s down, and Hangy-Man’s Bird is machine once more.

Glider-Girl Hurled Into The Sky

Glider-Girl runs through her checks, in charge of the launch from the perspex covered cockpit. The glistening white aeronautical marvel is poised on the hard dirt strip. Thumbs-up she signals to the wing-runner, the towline takes in slack. As it tightens, girl and glider seem to move tentatively, but soon gather pace rapidly as the wing-man lets go of the wing tip and the glider surges off the ground.

Smoothly, Glider-Girl allows airspeed to build before nosing high, high into the cool winter air. The sailplane climbs like a fighter jet, high-tensile cable reeling in quickly to the V8-powered winch exerting itself far below. Finally, she lowers the nose, pulls the release and the cable is gone with a jolt. Girl and glider fly in silence, covering ground so effortlessly compared to those other more flimsy craft.

But it is winter, even a sailplane must soon land, if it has no rising air to frolic in. 900 feet above ground, Glider-Girl runs through another checklist and joins circuit. Flaps set, undercarriage down.. the familiar pre-landing routine. We see her flying the cross-wind leg of her circuit, now turning gracefully onto final approach, a slight curve in those magnificent long slender wings. Glider-Girl pops the airbrakes halfway out.

Getting closer but still a little high, she rotates the brakes out some more, they claw at the breeze over the wing. It’s a delicate job, a coordinated dance of stick, rudder pedals and airbrake lever, but she does it well. She floats over the runway threshold, gently lowering the heavy machine’s main wheel to the dirt strip. A few small rattles as the tail wheel contacts at almost the same time, now slowing, now dragging a wing tip in the dirt as the craft slows below flying speed. We walk out to meet her, and help to push the machine back. Like a pelican, it seems so clumsy on the ground after such a display of grace in the air.

In Conclusion

Why not make a phone call or two so your family can see your local Para-Man, Hangy-Man or Glider-Girl for yourself! And perhaps dream about flying as they do.

Tim Parish is a motorless flight enthusiast, the webmaster of http://www.paragliding-tales-and-reviews.com, a site which will introduce you to many aspects of paragliding, with a sprinkling of humor. Tim has had the pleasure of soaring in sailplanes, hang-gliders and paragliders in the past, both real and simulated. His enthusiasm for these activities is evident in his writing, which he hopes will inspire others.

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Bike Gear: How Much To Spend

To lots of people, money is know object and they can afford to pay for the top-of-the-line gear they want. Other people need to be more cost conscience and look for bargains.

There are as many brand-new bikes sitting unused in people’s garages as there are in bike stores.

Well, that is perhaps an exaggeration, but it’s certainly true that a great many people who take up a new hobby have a tendency to lose interest after a week or a month. Either they find they don’t have time for it or they find they just don’t enjoy it. But, when they first started out they were full of enthusiasm so they bought all sorts of expensive gear that they now no longer use.

So they sell it - at garage sales, on Ebay, or in those special newspapers designed for the purpose of selling unwanted material.

The careful buyer can pick up quite a few bargains this way.

Used Bikes and Bike Gear

If you’re buying from a garage sale, you’ll be able to test out the bike or the gear and make sure that it works properly. You don’t have that luxury with Ebay, but the seller has various ratings boxes you can check to make sure they’re legitimate.

How else can you save money while putting together your own biking ensemble?

Shopping Online

Well, although I hate to say it, the best thing to do is shop online. Online stores have more inventory than do most brick-and-mortar stores, and they are able to sell the equipment at such a discount that even after paying for shipping, you still save money.

The drawback here is that you want to ensure that you’re dealing with a reputable store - if you send money to a fly-by-night outfit you might live to regret it.

Seats (or saddles - whatever terminology you use!), handlebar stems, brakes, and tires can all make a big difference in the quality of your bike ride. If you’re looking to upgrade your ride, by all means do some comparison shopping. Check out the prices in your local bike store, and then check online.

If at all possible, of course, you should support your local bike store, just because they employ knowledgeable people who will be there when you need them. But if you find an item at a bargain price online, it would be foolish not to take advantage of it.

Local Bike Shop

It’s always a good idea to have a good relationship with your local bike shop. Always assuming that the people who work there know their business. But if that’s the case - you can get a lot of good information from t hem, and you’ll be able to learn of any upcoming sales where you’ll be able to pick up any bargains.

Alastair Hamilton is the editor of many articles on bike reviews published at http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com . A website with tips on bicycle parts, and many related topics: http://www.bikecyclingreviews.com/parts.html

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How To Conquer The Writers Limiting Challenge To The Speed Reader!

In a bid to present their opinion in a way that people will appreciate, some writers fail to clearly state and properly define the meaning of their write-ups. For a speed reader, it is a different ball game altogether as this can slow down the reading rate of any speed reader, hence challenging his efficacy at reading. This is consequent to the fact that the speed reader’s ability to move on to the next paragraph or sentence depends on his comprehension of the previous ones.

Let’s take a look at the following scenario:

For Instance:

Man is an end product of the baboons.

It is clear that the meaning of the above sentence is that man is the product of evolution according to science.

It is a common knowledge that science always seeks facts to back up their propositions or theories. That notwithstanding, anyone telling me that i’m baboon should be ready to clearly clarify that statement with pure facts.

Now lets compare the following statement.

Evolutionary Theory: This is the gradual process to development leading to a better future.

The Theory Of Creation: This is the production of conception, which ultimately results to nature and life.

Did you notice how a speed reader can be challenged in the above two statement? A speed reader who is a fact finder can pay attention to the meaning of those statement thus limiting or inhibiting his speed rate.

Whereas if the above two facts are stated in a different way, it can still come out clean without too much attention paid to decipher the meaning of each of them. Let’s take a look at another way the same two statements above can be expressed without limiting the speed readers rate:

“Over time and again, science has tried to use all forms of theories to explain that all humankind are products of evolution, yet there is an overwhelming evidence that these theories are unfounded and can not be proven and that all evidence points to creation as the only reliable proof that the human race must be from the creation theory. Hence all created things have similar natural qualities and features.

There are other types of writers who are liberal in their writing. They make sure that whatever they write has a backing of the truth. Something that can be proven. However, these types of writers can equally challenge the speed readers ability to read faster. Let’s review some sentences of a liberal writer see how it can help your speed reading rate.

“A lot of lies has been told and these lies has consequently proven to cause problems, yet people continue to tell lies. Obviously, people have ignored the Bible’s admonition that “Truth can set you free” and lies keep on progressing like never before.

Let’s test the comprehension level.

Inspite of the Bible’s claim for freedom for those who tell the truth, people continue to tell lies.

A look at the above statement shows that it is a liberal write up. A statement backed up by facts, evidence makes reading an ease when it is considered by the speed reader.

In your spare time, you can briefly go over these write ups and check grammar rules and consistency. Practice reading the two types of write ups i have been talking about and you will improve your speed reading rate over time.

Joe Okoro writes about Speed Reading in his free reports. You can sign up for his courses and get additional information by visiting: http://speedreadingguideonline.com

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How Does Exercise Biking Help You To Maintain Good Health?

So you’re thinking of purchasing an exercise bike? Good for you! Have you found the perfect spot for it in your home? First, you must know your options. Exercise bikes have changed with the times and now you can choose from more than just an upright. There are semi recumbent and recumbent bikes as well.

It’s always a good idea to read about others experiences with the type of bike you’ve chosen, in exercise magazines or on the internet. Family and friends are always good reliable sources of information too. Why not talk with a personal trainer and ask their advice? When reading through exercise bike reviews, take into consideration they are typically rated according to their various functions, their overall construction and performance.

Exercise can be fun, and should be something you look forward to doing. Remember that as you choose what type of bike your purchasing, and always aim for something with a bit of comfort. Important points to consider; the height of the bike seat should be at an appropriate level to alleviate undo stress on the lower back, more accurately the groin area. This is yet another good reason to read as many reviews about the bike of your choice.

Many online stores will offer discounts and specials to their online shoppers. Reading through a review will give you a better idea of price and the upper hand when haggling with a sales person.

Reading a bike review is a good idea for so many reasons. Allow other peoples experiences guide you in making a wise purchase. Their opinions are invaluable when planning on spending a significant amount of money on something that will undoubtedly be a fixture in your home for many years to come.

Fitness centers and gyms have a variety of exercise equipment and bikes. If you decide that your not ready to make that purchase, consider a membership to your local gym, and use that extra space in your home for a new, smaller wardrobe. A benefit to using the bikes at the gym is versatility and changeability. Places that specialize in exercise equipment will likely have newer, higher end models from standard to electronic.

An exercise bike or membership to a gym is a really good investment, anyway you look at it. Riding an exercise bike for just a short time everyday, will make you look and feel better. It’s a great way to loose excess weight or just to help you maintain your health. Biking is good cardiovascular exercise as well. So do your heart a favor and take a ride!

Stephen Madsen is a staff writer at http://www.fitness-digest.com and is an occasional contributor to several other websites, including http://www.backcareguide.com..

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