Tag Archives: free bike maps

Consider Buying a Nicer Helmet That Adds Comfort to Bicycle Safety

by John Brown, HaveFunBiking.com

While talking with a neighbor over the weekend, he told me “I need to go get a helmet….to set a good example for my son.” Knowing my background in the cycling industry, he proceeded to ask a few questions about what he should get. In our conversation, I mentioned an earlier article “Riding safely with your kids” and reviewed all the reasons to buy a helmet and how to find the right one. Then I added some additional reasons why buying a more expensive helmet is a really good option.

A Nicer Helmet Adds Comfort to Safety

First, all bicycle helmets sold in the US need to pass CPSC tests. These tests are the baseline requirements for helmet safety in the US. So, if all helmets pass the same tests, why buy a nicer helmet? Well, there are more safety features that are available for helmets, like MIPS. This makes a helmet safer, but the way it makes MIPS safer is not yet specifically tested for. So the first reason to buy a better helmet is safety.

Ventilation and weight

Beyond Safety features, the most compelling reason to buy a nicer helmet is ventilation. Ventilation is the reason helmets become more expensive. As an example, the larger holes in the helmet required for better ventilation makes it more difficult for the helmet to pass safety testing. So, to pass testing more complex molds need to be used to make the helmet, more steps are required to make the helmet and more technology is added to make the helmet. All this added process, makes the helmet both better ventilated as well as more expensive. Also, more expensive helmets are much lighter than their basic counterparts. Overall, a lighter and more ventilated helmet will be more comfortable.

The helmet on the left has a very small amount of ventilation compared to the helmet on the right

A Nicer Helmet Offers More Comfort

Another great reason to buy a nicer helmet is comfort. Nicer helmets are made in many sizes that fit different sized riders more comfortably. Additionally, they use retention mechanisms that hold the sized helmet on your head properly, so the helmet is touching your head as little as possible.

Example

As an example, Lets look at Specialized’s line of helmets. Beginning with the Align ($40), you have a well ventilated one size fits all helmet. Moving on to the Echelon 2 ($70), that helmet has larger ventilation ports, as well as 4 sizes to fit riders better. Finally, we look at the Prevail ($200) which has the largest vents, lightest weight, as well as a Kevlar, internal, roll cage to hold the helmet together on impact. It has the most refined retention mechanism and comes in many sizes to fit riders comfortably.

From left to right: Specialized Align ($40), Echelon 2 ($70), Prevail ($200) and cutaway example of the Internal Kevlar Roll Cage

Testing Helmets

First thing to do is make sure the helmet you select from the many brands available Is comfortable and fits well before you purchase it. Once you find a few helmets that seem comfortable, take them for test rides on your bike (most shops will allow this if you leave an ID behind). Concentrate on what helmet is most comfortable and best ventilated. Then, buy what feels great!

Bike Pic March 24, The Weekend Is Officially Here Start Planning Your Next Bike Adventure

Happy Friday everyone! The end of the work week is here and the weekend officially begins! We hope that you can slip a ride in with the rain? While you wait for the rain to stop sit down with your favorite beverage and look though the Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide and start planning your #nextbikeadventure!

Remember to register for the Root River Bluff & Valley Bicycle Tour and all the other fun rides coming up.

Thanks for viewing Today’s The Weekend Is Here Start Planning Your Next Bike Adventure Pic

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While highlighting all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more place to have fun we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy.

Do you have a fun bicycle related photo of yourself or someone you may know that we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to: [email protected]. Include a brief caption (for each), of who is in the photo (if you know?) and where the picture was taken. Photo(s) should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide or larger to be considered. If we do use your photo, you will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure – Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing the guide.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. Please share all our picks with your friends and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the next corner with one of our camera’s ready to document your next move while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next Pic of the Day posts.

Have a great day!

Ice Cream Smiles Friday, Snow Cream Anyone?

As the snow starts falling across most of Minnesota, once again, take a break this Friday to enjoy some ice cream or maybe make your own Snow Cream?

This photo was supplied to us by the Hiawatha Bicycling Club, from a past December ride held up in the Twin Cities Gateway Area of Minnesota.

With the snow on the ground, we hope you get out on your fat bike, X-C skies, snowshoes, etc. and enjoy all the winter’s active outdoor possibilities. See many more bike friendly places to explore in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing the Ice Cream Smiles Pic of the Day.

Now rolling into our 10th year as a bike tourism media, our goal is to continue to encourage more people to bike and have fun. While showcasing all the unforgettable places for you to ride. As we continue to showcase more place to have fun we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. As you scroll through the information and stories we have posted, enjoy.

As we continues to encourage more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your next bike adventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile friendly, as we enter into our 8th year of producing the guide.

So bookmark HaveFunBiking.com and find your next adventure. And don’t forget to smile, while you are riding and having fun. We may capture you in one of our next photos that we post daily.

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Dec 13, Travel to New Places with Your Bicycle

As the holidays are approaching quickly people are traveling for the holidays. This Travel Tuesday picture may help you get started thinking about your #nextbikeadventure. Have you ever thought about taking a trip just for biking? There are tons of places to bike here in Minnesota and probably tons of trails you never even thought about. This photo was taken next to the Leech Lake B & B, north of Walker, off the Paul Bunyan Trail.

See all the places to explore and travel to in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Travel Tuesday Bike Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Dec 10, Family Fun on the Walking Trail or By Bike

This Saturday, make time for a family fun outing. Grab your fat bikes or hiking boots, hit the trail and watch the snow come in. We all get caught up in the Holiday rush and forget to make time for outdoor family Activities. Photo is from this past June at along a Dakota County Trail near Hastings, MN. In the photo, passing mom and the kids on her bike is Mayor Mary from Apple Valley, MN.

See all the places to explore with your family in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Family Fun Bike or Walking Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Dec 15, A Thursday Bicycle Repair Reminder Along the Trail

A Bicycle Repair Reminder – Proper maintenance and repair are crucial for safe biking throughout the year. On this tune-up Thursday, think about the last time you properly inspected your bike for any damage and proper setup.

See all the places to explore, throughout the year, in the new Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide.

Thanks for viewing Today’s Bicycle Repair Reminder Pic

Have a great day!

Bike Pic Dec 19, a magical Monday touring the holiday lights

It’s the most magical time of the year. With holiday lights on homes gleaming. The trees are decorated and twinkling. Many find riding their bikes through the neighborhood in late December a memorable experience. In this bike pic, taken last winter, kids are out enjoying a festive experience of biking in the snow.

So, get into the zone when continuing your time outdoors and your #NextBikeAdventure. View all the great ideas and bike destinations in the latest Iowa or Minnesota Bike/Hike Guide. Then plan your next outing with family and friends in one of Minnesota’s HaveFunBiking destinations. And now, check out more stories at Let’s Do MN.

Thanks for viewing our latest bike pic

Now rolling through our 18th year as a bike tourism media, enjoy! As we pedal forward, we aim to encourage more people to bike and have fun while highlighting all the unforgettable places you can ride. As we continue to showcase more places to have fun, we hope the photos we shoot are worth a grin. Enjoy the information and stories we have posted as you scroll through.

Do you have a fun bicycle-related photo of yourself or someone you may know we should post? If so, please send your picture(s) to [email protected]. Please Include a brief caption for the image, who shot it, and where. Photo(s) sent to us should be a minimum of 1,000 pixels wide to be considered. You will receive photo credit and acknowledgment on Facebook and Instagram if we use your photo.

As we continue encouraging more people to bike, please view our Destination section at HaveFunBiking.com for your #NextBikeAdventure. Also, check out the MN Bike Guide, now mobile-friendly, as we enter our 13th year of producing this handy information booklet full of maps.

Remember, bookmark HaveFunBiking.com on your cell phone and find your next adventure at your fingertips! Please share our pics with your friends, and don’t forget to smile. We may be around the corner with one of our cameras ready to document your next cameo appearance while you are riding and having fun. You could be in one of our next Pic of the Day.

Have a great day with a safe and memorable holiday season as we prepare for 2023!