Most of us have been there, three hours sleep, work projects, family waiting in line to use the shower and sprinkle it with a bit of bad weather to work in and it all made for a very nice week.

As a way of displaying my love and support of the Natural Living Country Store and knowing Lisa would have her very popular home made chocolate ready for the store's Friday market (which was on the same day as Valentine's), I wanted to get as much of the store addition ready as possible.

A steel frame carport with metal roofing material was delivered a day early on Monday rather than Tuesday which helped me to get started on the project sooner as we were expected to have cold temperatures, high winds and lots of rain during the week.  That is probably why the guys delivered the stuff a day early without calling because they wanted to duck the weather, so it worked out very well.

Inclement weather has a way of slowing things down, whether driving, riding a bike or in this instance a small construction project.  As most avid bicycle touring or bike commuting folks would agree, the best way to handle the situation is by taking one's time and work it out at a safe and steady pace.  

Once the steel frame and roof were in place it was my task to add wood lattice and screen material.  Our screen material is mildew and mold proof product from Easy Gardener.  We used it on a previous project and has stayed mildew and mold proof for three years in our very humid climate.  When combined with treated lattice and cedar it provides a very sturdy rot resistant way of shielding our produce from heat, bugs, rain and other nuisances for our customers.

Although this was only a 220 square foot addition it has added a very pleasant atmosphere in which to prep our store's market.  Better flow and simplified method of getting our organic products to our customers.

As soon as I started on the project the weather turned to wet, cold, windy and made it difficult to work as the wind was blowing the large pieces of lattice and screen as I tried to cut it.

There are many methods and techniques for creating a more comfortable riding position on any bike.  But the most affordable and simplest way to accomplish this is by finding a proper handlebar that fits an individual's needs.

Differences between road bikes and mountain bikes are obvious for many reasons so it makes sense that a bike for commuting would be a bit different from both.  Mountain bikes are most typically designed to put the rider's weight a bit more forward thus adding some pressure to the front tire for more grip or traction.  What has become termed a "more aggressive riding position" varies from bike to bike.  These days we see fat bikes designed with a much more upright posture lending comfort and ease of expression to a fun relaxed ride that for all purposes does not lack performance. 

This illustrates the point of finding a proper handle bar for bike commuting performance, pleasure and comfort.  There are many variations on handlebars these days, sometimes difficult to keep up with all the latest designs and added features.  However there are some tried and true handlebars that are simple in design that have been around for quite awhile with proven satisfaction, popular with many types of bike commuters and available in the most common stem mounting diameters of 25.4mm, 26.0mm and 31.8mm.  Remember to choose the right diameter for your particular stem or if necessary consider replacing the stem to get your preferred handlebar.

Handlebars with a significant degree of sweep have been around for decades and although most associated with a beach cruiser type of bicycle, mountain comfort handlebars like the one pictured at left have become quite popular.  Another example of the tried and true nature of a sweeping handlebar is what has been dubbed the "North Road Bar" and Nitto with their established reputation still provides such an option.  Velo Orange Porteur with 15 mm rise or drop by simply flipping the handlebar over and usually at a very reasonable price is another very good choice in an example of a sweeping handlebar.

Some of these types of handlebars are available in different widths to accommodate various shoulder widths in order provide a nice custom feel when added to a commuter bike.  Other mountain style handlebars like the one pictured above provide options for cutting to width as well as typically being available in 31.8 mm clamp diameter.  

The popular option provided by being able to simply flip the handlebar over, referred to as "flip flop" for higher or lower handlebar height like FSA - Metropolis Handlebar.  Although this type of handlebar is only available in a single width of 62cm the approximate 40 degrees of sweep and length can provide a couple nice hand position options with longer grips. Some bike commuters prefer the 31.8mm clamp diameter as the larger size seems to transfer for a more solid feel in overall handling.    

For more information visit our article at Bike Answers. Or shop the bicycle commuter handlebar links provided.

Africa is the kind of place most all folks associate with exploration and adventure with the word Safari being directly associated with wildlife tours and sightseeing.  

Good news!  Our friends at Afro Ngosha are providing bicycle touring services in Tanzania, Africa.  Folks interested in exploring one of the most beautiful and charming areas in the world can schedule their visits and have access to Afro Ngosha's knowledgeable and talented staff.  

As rich in cultural heritage as it is in natural wonders including wildlife, famed Kilimanjaro, white sand beaches and a wealth of entertainment are just some of the things which attract people from all over the world to explore that particular region of Africa.

Due to the fact that Afro Ngosha Adventure is best known for providing hiking tours, when I heard they were providing bicycle tours I thought I'd give it a "blog about" in helping promote their services as most folks may not realize they can schedule bike tours as well.

Eco Africa Organization at Afro Ngosha's site explains their unique approach to ecologically conscious tourism services the company offers.  By scheduling your bicycle tour with such a diverse and interesting group of knowledgeable folks you're also supporting an organization which "seeks to encourage the identification, protection and preservation of cultural and natural heritage around the world considered to be of outstanding value to humanity".  That quote from the company's site gives you an idea of the type of folks who would providing your services, knowing you're in good hands while adventuring and exploring an area which includes three of Africa's seven natural wonders. 

Whether you are an advanced mountain bike rider or entry level bike commuter wanting to splurge on your first bicycle adventure, Afro Ngosha's Eco Africa tours will provide you with the support, accommodations and knowledge customized to suit each and every individual's particular needs.  Men, women and children as well are encouraged to visit the company's site as the company provides something for the entire family.  With a multi-lingual staff knowledgeable in the flora and fauna as well as preservation concerns most folks visiting the Tanzania region by way of Eco Africa Tours leave with an expanded vision and knowledge that can help in educating and preserving a wonderful heritage for generations to come.

Eco Tourism as a sustainable means of providing adventurous as well as environmentally conscious exploration having become a vastly popular method of vacationing around the world.  Implementing such a beautiful approach to their bicycle touring services is a unique way for folks to connect with one another while bike touring and something I have wanted to emphasize in this post for Eco Africa's efforts toward sharing their vision and company's mission as stated in the following quote.

I hope you have found some of these ideas provided by Eco Africa as something which can enhance and enrich your bicycle touring interests while exploring Africa or elsewhere. By visiting their site the information and current projects might help one's own outlook toward their own community and find a new appreciation for one's own personal as well as regional heritage.  Visit Afro Ngosha's Eco Africa Tours for more information whether you're looking to schedule a bicycle tour or not, their site and blog is full of good information regarding Tanzania, eco tourism and more.