My Mountain Biking Neighbours

Three staunch and two casual mountain bikers recount with disarming honesty how they entered the sport and what it means to them today. When they started riding, some were only vaguely aware that they live in one of the world’s mountain biking hotspots—Vancouver, Canada—nor did they necessarily care. The youngest biker is in his mid-twenties. The oldest has reached retirement age. My Mountain Biking Neighbours: Conversations with Otherwise Normal People introduces the sport to the general reader, chronicling the expansion of a risky and countercultural activity into the recreational mainstream. This book’s emphasis is on people and their very human responses to slithering down rugged slopes on pedal-powered wheels. Its characters reflect on camaraderie, thrill, exercise, risk, and skill development. In addition, they touch on fashion, the legal and natural environments, and broken parts. Social connections, not adrenaline or hardware, emerge as the common thread in their disparate stories. Regardless of your cycling aspirations, My Mountain Biking Neighbours is a pleasant and informative read. The stories will broaden your horizons and stir your empathy.

I have struggled with my weight my entire adult life. Dwelling among cubicles for two decades, my sedentary existence saw my weight climb to nearly 300 lbs. The number is irrelevant, but the discomfort, desperation, and despair I lived with were all very real. Fast forward to the COVID-19 global pandemic, I came to a crossroads where I realized I could choose which “95” I wanted to be—eat, drink, and laze my way to 395 lbs., or battle the isolation and anxiety by getting on my bike and pedaling toward for 195 lbs. I chose the latter. Since May 2020, I have logged more than 65,000 kilometers on my bike. I am not a slick, spandexed cyclist practicing his art in pelotons. I am a lone, obsessed hobbyist.

A class of Grade 10 students boards a replica of a century-old schooner for a five-day cruise through the Gulf Islands on Canada’s Pacific Coast. Sail Away chronicles their first day in this friendly but unfamiliar environment. It’s a day filled with adventure, toil, and zaniness. The book portrays a rustic version of maritime life: How do I wash my hair? (You don’t.) Do I really have to stand watch for an hour in the middle of the night? (Yes.) May I climb the rigging to the top of the mast? (Only if your safety harness is clipped in at all times.) Threads about living in a humane and meaningful manner are woven into this nautical story. Although the characters are invented, the events are not. Sail Away remains true to the real experiences of real people, told from the point of view of the crew. Nobody dies. No romance blossoms. No smugglers are chased. But something compelling and enriching emerges when ordinary people are crammed into an anachronistic setting.

This book is a great resource of IDEAS for common composition topics. And to show how these ideas can link to become a continuous story, a MODEL COMPOSITION on the same topic is included for reference. The varied topics are written in different styles, intended to present different text types. Each topic begins with ideas in short phrases for the paragraphs in a composition. Interesting words used are printed in bold, and these words are explained in the “Vocabulary” box at the bottom of every IDEA page. A complete composition on the same topic is presented showing how the ideas are linked and how the paragraphs flow. Students can learn how to present their ideas in short descriptive phrases when working on their drafts. The model compositions also show the various techniques and ways of linking ideas and sentences. By reading more, a student will be able to express himself clearly and write better compositions. Students will find this book useful as a learning resource for composition writing.

In this Stevie Diamond Mystery, Stevie and her partner find a lost dog who turns out to have a very important owner.

"From the author of The Mountain Bike Skills Manual, this is a take-along trail guide that covers everything you need to know when you're out on your mountain bike. The emphasis is firmly on practical skills, including changing your chain, adjusting your gears, fixing breaks, and mending punctures - skills that a surprising number of riders lack. There is a section on getting the best out of your bike and your ride - from cornering effectively to wheelies and bunny hops - as well as information on preparation, planning, weather, nutrition, trail etiquette, and first aid. Packed with color photos and illustrations in a step-by-step format, compact, comprehensive, and clear, this is a must-have companion for all mountain bikers heading out on the trail"--

Written in an informative, yet simple-to-digest format, Bike Republic: The Essential Guide to Cycling in Singapore is a practical handbook for amateur cyclists who wish to take the sport to the next level but are not sure where to begin. This handy guide covers the key aspects of riding - from what type of cycling to pick up and how to choose an appropriate bike, to key safety must-knows and useful training tips on getting bike-fit and how to care for your bike. For those looking to develop their love for cycling even further, the "Taking It Further" section offers valuable advice from established riders on trail riding, road riding and "The Big Ride"--The one race or ride that they have been working towards. Ơ Contributors include the owners of the popular Cycleworkz bike shop, as well as established triathletes Mok Ying Ren and Dinah Chan, who have represented Singapore in numerous regional athletic meets.

From the author of The Mountain Bike Skills Manual, this is a take-it-with-you trail guide that covers everything you need to know when you're out on your bike. The emphasis is firmly on the practical, including changing your chain, adjusting your gears, fixing breaks and mending punctures - skills that a surprising number of riders lack. There is a section on getting the best out of your bike and your ride - from cornering effectively to wheelies and bunny hops - as well as information on preparation, planning, weather, nutrition and trail etiquette. Last but not least, the book contains a easy-to-follow first-aid section. Packed with colour photos and illustrations in a step-by-step format, compact, comprehensive and clear, this is a must-have companion for all mountain bikers heading out on the trail.