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| Sunday, 27 March 2005 |
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Junior Observer |
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News Business Features
Editorial
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Look after your bicycle
Riding a bicycle keeps you fit, and burns calories and it is sometimes faster than travelling in any other vehicle. But as we always remind you, riding a bicycle can be dangerous as well. In order to ride safely, you should always remember to maintain your bicycle. Maintenance means keeping your bike in good condition. Check your bike regularly to be sure it is safe to ride. Brakes If the brake pads are worn, replace them. Check to see that they fit against the rim. Be sure the cables are oiled or greased and you can easily squeeze the brake levers. When you squeeze the brake lever, there should be at least one inch of clearance between the lever and the handlebars. Hand brakes work best when the wheel rims are clean and rust-free. Keep them clean. Chain Keep the chain clean and oiled, especially after riding in wet weather. Keep chain cleaner in a small container and use an old toothbrush to clean the chain. Wipe the chain dry with a cloth. Apply oil and wipe off the excess. Gears Be sure all the gears work properly. You must be able to shift your gears easily while riding. If they stick or slip, or if the chain falls off while you shift, have a bike mechanic adjust them. Handlebars See that the handlebars are not crooked or loose. You shouldn't be able to twist them back and forth when you hold the front wheel between your legs. At least two inches of handlebar stem should be inside the head tube. The maximum extension line should be hidden. Headset The bicycle headset must be properly adjusted. Squeeze both brake levers and push the bike forward with brakes on. You shouldn't feel any movement in the handlebar stem. Lights Check the front and rear lights to see if they work properly. If they don't, check the bulb and batteries or the dynamo. Pedals See that the pedals are tight and spin smoothly. Reflectors Keep all reflectors clean. Replace them if they break. Seat Be sure the seat is level, doesn't wobble and is fastened tightly. Be sure that it is the right height for you. At least two inches of the seat post should be inside the seat tube, hiding the maximum extension line. Spokes Check to see that none of the spokes are loose, missing or broken. Tyres Check the tyres often. Look for cuts, cracks or worn spots. Check to see if the tread is good. Be sure the valve stems are ticking straight up.The right amount of air pressure for the tyre is printed on the side of the tyre. Pump in this amount of air to both tyres by using a hand pump and a pressure gauge. Too much air can cause a blowout. Too little air can weaken the sides of the tyres and cause damage when you hit a bump. You have more control when you inflate your tyres with a hand pump. A gas station air pump could burst them. Wheels Spin the wheels. If they are bent, they will wobble back and forth. If the wheels wobble, you won't be able to ride in a straight line and the brakes won't work well. Be sure the nuts and quick release levers are tight and secure.Have a bicycle mechanic check and adjust your bicycle at least once a year. Sakura in bloomJapan is known as the 'Land of cherry blossoms'. Yukiko Kuwahara from Japan explains the significance of these beautiful flowers in her country.
The blooming of the cherry blossoms or the sakura is the signal of the end of winter, and the arrival of spring in Japan. The 'cherry blossom front' refers to a line connecting the first blooming of these flowers from region to region. The front stretches north from Okinawa to Hokkaido, acting as a barometer for the arrival of spring from mid-March to mid-May. So we can enjoy the blossoms for three months. But they are in full bloom only for one week, while no attention is paid to the trees during the other 51 weeks. When the Sakura is in bloom, people go 'flower viewing'. They drink, eat, chat, sing and even dance under the trees and enjoy themselves as if they are at an outdoor party. Why are the cherry blossoms loved so much by the Japanese people? It's because they match our spirit. The pale pink petals of a single cherry blossom is subdued and not very outstanding, but rows of trees with blossoms, lining river banks and causeways or spread all over the hills come to life and dominate the landscape. Like the saying "The nail that sticks out will get hit", we prefer to be similar to everyone else without being different or prominent. We also like to work in co-operation. No sooner do the sakura flowers reach their peak of blooming, the blossoms fall to the ground as a result of the wind or spring rain. This is the same as the spirit of "Samuraido" or chivalry of the manly attitude. In other words, the samurai (warrior) are brave and not afraid of death. The Japanese saying goes... "The cherry blossoms among flowers, the samurai among men". Besides, we believe that beauty doesn't last long and that life is but a
dream, which tells us there is no time to waste. The short-lived cherry
blossoms show us the height of glory, that is why we love them. |
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