A popular adventure sport, mountain biking is not only recreational in nature it also helps riders reconnect with nature. While the riders on a look out for some adrenaline rush choose complex and challenging locales, some riders go on serene countryside. Mountain Biking satisfies every riders’ wander lust whatever their fancy be.
Mountain biking can be performed almost anywhere from a back yard to a gravel road. Most mountain bikers like to ride on off-road trails, country back roads, fire roads or through narrow trails that wind through forests, mountains, deserts or fields. Rather than regular bicycling, mountain biking is more like trail running. Mountain bikers mostly ride far from the civilization into the wild! Let us broadly find out the various terrains that mountain biking offers its enthusiasts.
Single track
This terrain is one of the most popular and common among bikers. Single track trails are lanes that are sometimes only a bit broader than your shoulders or just adequate for two bikes to pass. Owing to their limited width single trails mostly allow one-way travel. If riding through breath-taking landscapes is what attracts you, this trail is surely going to blow your mind. Single trail contrasts with double trail or fire road which is wide enough for even four wheeled off-road vehicles. Mostly these trails are smooth and flowing but there may be certain terrains that are bumpy and challenging with crisscross tree roots. This trail predominantly has features like roots, logs and rocks. Single trail riding is quite challenging from a technical standpoint.
Double track
Double track trails run along abandoned logging roads, fire paths or power lines and are wider and relatively easier than single track trails. The width of these trails is just enough for two riders to cycle side by side. Rides on double track trails are basically designed for the inexperienced rider or anyone whose aim is to seek an easy ride with a memorable view. Double trail rides often last for half-days or may stretch up to a full day. These rides take bikers to endless maze, dirt and double track roads that allow them to choose their distance and pace.
Mountain bike terrain parks
These could range from anything like jump-and-pump tracks under urban overpasses to lift-serviced trails. Mountain bike terrain parks are full of elevated bridges and half pipes. This terrain is rich in jumps of various sizes, berms, banked corners, hairy downhill switchbacks among other features.
Most terrains are marked by different skill levels like beginner, intermediate, expert or double expert. If you are new to mountain biking, you might start out on relatively smoother and flatter terrain. As you become more experienced terrains become more complex, full of obstacles and a lot of fun!
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Popular Bed Bug Sprays to Choose From
Read moreBed bugs have become an epidemic in the country today. Bed bugs are pests that feed on the human blood. Be it clothing stores, hotels, movie halls, schools, or daycares, bed bugs have wreaked havoc almost everywhere. According to a survey by the National Pest Management Association, the number of cities affected by bed bugs in the country in this decade has gone up by 10% as compared to the earlier decade. Some of the cities with a high number of cases of bed bug infestation include Baltimore, Washington, D.C., Chicago, Illinois, Cincinnati, New York, Los Angeles, Columbus, Raleigh-Durham, Detroit, Richmond-Petersburg, Philadelphia, San Francisco-Oakland-San Jose, Indianapolis, Buffalo, Cleveland-Akron-Canton, Atlanta, Charlotte, Dallas-Ft. Worth, Norfolk-Portsmouth-Newport, and Houston. Bed bugs spread at a very rapid rate and using one of the best bed bug sprays is one of the best ways to get rid of them. Here’s a list of some of the best bed bugs sprays that you can consider using.
- Bed Bug Killer By Eco Defense – All Natural Organic Formula
- Bed Bug Killer by EcoRaider, 100% Fast Kill and Extended Protection, Green and Non-toxic
- Bed Bug Killer Patrol
- Ortho Home Defense Dual-Action Bed Bug Killer Aerosol Spray
- Harris Bed Bug Killer
- Temprid Sc Insecticide
- Harris Toughest Bed Bug Killer
- Chapin Sprayer
- Zoecon Precor 2000 Plus Premise Spray
- Temprid Ready Spray
Benefits of using some of the best bed bug sprays
- Sprays are inexpensive and a bottle may generally cost $20–60
- The bottle is easy to use
- Sprays are generally effective in killing bugs on contact in a short period of time
- Many different product options
If you are wondering about the best bed bug sprays that can help in getting rid of an infestation in your home, then you can have a look at the list below and choose the best one for you.
Bed Bug Patrol
Active ingredients: Clove Oil (0.003%), Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (1.3%), and Peppermint Oil (1%)
This spray performed well during a research conducted. Yes, Bed Bug Patrol is believed to cause a 92% mortality rate. Owing to its natural composition, it is safe for children and pets. The spray is an inexpensive and effective way to get rid of bed bugs. However, the spray kills the bugs only when it comes in contact with it and has a strong, unpleasant odor.JT Eaton’s Solution
Active ingredients: Permethrin (.30%), Piperonyl butoxide (.75%), and Pyrethrins (.15%)
The spray was tested in a research and showed 100% mortality after 8 days. JT Eaton spray was found to perform better than most of the sprays that were evaluated. In short, the spray is very effective by providing residual protection. However, the spray has an unpleasant smell and is not natural.EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer
Active ingredients: Cedar Extract (1%), Geraniol (1%), and Sodium Lauryl Sulfate (2%)
A research study conducted on 13 natural and synthetic pesticides by Rutgers University revealed that EcoRaider Bed Bug Killer Spray performed the best and killed 100% of the bed bugs within 10 days. In addition to this, the spray has a pleasant smell, is affordable, highly effective, and is all natural. It is safe to be used near kids and pets. However, like most of the sprays, Eco Raider Bed Bug Killer Spray kills bugs only when it comes in contact with them.After doing a proper research and checking for ingredients that you could be allergic to, you should check the reviews of the sprays you have shortlisted. You can choose the one that suits your needs best.
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Understanding skin aging
Read moreChanges in the skin are one of the biggest signs that the body is aging. But how the aging of skin takes place depends on a lot of factors such as our diet, lifestyle habits, stress levels, and the like. For example, if you smoke regularly, it can lead to the production of free radicals, which damage healthy skin cells and cause wrinkles.
So, let’s dig a little deeper into skin aging so that you can diagnose it and prevent it for as long as possible.
Stages of skin aging
As you age, you will start noticing changes in your skin. These changes take place in phases or stages. Learning about these phases can allow you to take better care of your skin and stay away from everything that can prove to be harmful to it. So, these stages of skin aging are:- Stage I – Between 25 and 35 years
This is the time when your skin will look extremely voluminous to you. But, this is also the time when the early signs of aging will start to appear. Therefore, it is important that you follow a good skincare regime. Some wrinkles can start appearing on the forehead. Lines can also start to appear on the face when you make normal expressions such as laughing, smiling, or frowning. The skin will also start to lose its elasticity with time. - Stage II – Between 35 and 50 years
At this stage, fine lines start to appear on the forehead and on the area around the eyes. You can also start to notice nasolabial folds more prominently at this stage. Eye bags can also start to develop. Cheeks begin to lose volume and start sagging. - Stage III – Between 50 and 60 years
Wrinkles and fine lines start to appear all over the face at this age. Under-eye bags appear and the skin around the eyes becomes loose. The skin on the face starts to appear thinner and more transparent. The process of skin aging accelerates at this stage and it is very visible. - Stage IV – 70 years and above
Extremely visible wrinkles on the forehead and around the eyes are found at this stage. The skin on the upper and lower eyelids becomes loose and the signs of aging become more prominent. Sun damage on the skin is visible as well.
Diagnosis
As the signs of skin aging become visible, diagnosing the problem becomes easier. The most common signs that can help you identify aging skin include:- Spotting
- Sagginess in the skin
- Dullness in skin tone
- Fine lines and wrinkles
- Dryness of the skin
- Skin thinning
Identifying these signs can help you and your dermatologist diagnose aging skin.
Prevention
There are certain skin changes that are inevitable, and they will come as we age. As the skin ages, it gets rougher, loses its elasticity, starts to appear transparent, becomes fragile, and can even get easily bruised.There are various ways that can help you reduce the aging of the skin. These include the following:
- Use sun protection whenever you step out in the sun
- Keep your skin moisturized at all times
- Keep your skin and body hydrated by drinking at least eight glasses of water daily
- Eat food rich in vitamins
- Avoid smoking and alcohol consumption
- Stage I – Between 25 and 35 years