Dakar

If you want to give an original gift to a 4x4 fan, certainly the Dakar will leave him/her shocked. Arrange a trip where it takes place some of the stages of this rally, the toughest race in the world.

Competing bikes and quads, cars and trucks. Of course the vehicles are 4x4 vehicles.

On their website you will find all the information about this exciting race, the route, calendar, etc: www.dakar.com

Here there are some pictures that we have got from their website:

Live it, feel it and enjoy it!

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GPS for 4x4 routes

One of the key elements that we should have for a 4x4 route is a good GPS to guide us and show us the passable routes with our vehicle.

Depending on the use that we're going to give it we can mainly choose between a handheld GPS or another more professional GPS.

The handheld GPSs have the advantage of being able to be used for hiking or biking, since those work with battery and most of them are water resistant.

As opposed, their screens are quite small, so to use for driving may be uncomfortable, but are equally useful for occasional use in the vehicle.

In the opposite, the remaining no handheld GPSs offer larger screens, for a more professional use in 4x4 vehicles. In this case it is important that we choose a device which supports maps, and has large storage capacity of routes and way points.

Here you have a couple of recommendations for a handheld GPS and a professional GPS:

If you need a handheld GPS, we recommend you the Garmin Etrex 30, you can buy it on Amazon, and you can install free maps. These are the some of its features:

• worldwide base map;

• Display 2.2 "" 65,000 colours, which can be read with the light of the sun;

• three-axis compass and barometric altimeter;

• Wireless to share way points, routes and geocaches with other similar devices;

• GPS and GLONASS satellites to acquire the position more quickly.

Furthermore, our professional GPS recommendation is the Navigattor Camel 8. Here are some of its features:

Get the best suits your needs and enjoy it!

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4x4 Plans

Our plan of the week is a trip by 4x4 vehicle. There are many places which deserve to be enjoyed aboard a 4x4, and although we would like to bring you a summary with all the routes to have fun, we can not list all of them, and therefore here there are a small selection of fire, ice, desert and jungle destinations. Here's our list of recommended:

1. Route along volcanoes in Fuerteventura - Spain;

2. Kola Peninsula - Russia during the snow season;

3. Desert of Morocco; and

4. Jungle of Costa Rica.

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4x4 Routes

This week we recommend you a unique and very fun experience: 4x4 routes. If you like nature and adventure sports, we encourage you to explore breathtaking landscapes with your own 4x4 vehicle or with a group arranged by your travel agency.

The main tips of this plan are: respect the nature, plan very well the route- if you and your friends go alone, there are many forums about routes that you can read, be adventurous and eager to have fun.

If this is the first time you carry out a route of this type, the best that you can do is to  use internet to inform you, e.g. in a forum where you will get recommendations and easy routes near where you live, and some tips for each route, for example, what is the best season to do it?, or even when a route is not passable?. Will also provide driving directions and warnings.

Basic Lessons are:

1. Arrange the route well in advance, and read opinions from people who have already made that route;
2. Check the weather;
3. Make ready your vehicle before the route;
4. Take a GPS;
5. Keep the radio or mobile with enough battery;
6. Comfortable clothing and shoes;
7. Some food and water;
8. Carry a small first aid kit;
9. Travel solely for paths, respecting the private property and avoiding, whenever possible, cross rivers;
10. Drive slowly without making noise;
11. And of course, enjoy the most the nature, people and traditions that you will know.

And to encourage you even more here we leave you some photos of our last 4x4 routes

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Triathlon

This week we posted some recommendations related triathlon. Following the links to all those posts:

Triathlon

Electronic shift gear

The Pasta Party

The study of the tread

                                                                                                                                                                       
                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                     
                                                                                                                                                                      

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Electronic shift gear of bicycle

Although it is not new, it seems clear that the future of a bicycle's shift gear passes for a electronic shift gear replacing the traditional mechanical one. For years, in competition, it has been working on testing electronic shifts, however they have not success due to the problems raised, something that the high competition can not afford.

Shifts are performed by pressing a button. No more efforts to shift. This system allows to shift without difficulty in difficult conditions such as when we have cold hands or when we are really tired.

The most notable difference compare with the mechanical version is the smoothness in the shift. By simply pressing a button the chain will pass from the plate even when we apply a lot of force to the pedals. The deflector is automatically set to avoid friction with the string. The rear shift also offers a very smooth working. 

With this philosophy, the two options about electronic shifts of today were born: Shimano Di2 (Digital Integrated Intelligence) and Campagnolo EPS (Electronic Power Shift). 

Never again the string will turn out and we will hear the clink of a poorly fixed shift.

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The study of the tread

If you want to give a gift to someone who wants to get started in triathlon and want to avoid injuries in the future, we recommend a study of the tread.

The study of the tread serves to determine which is our type of step and if it is necessary to use a specific insole to correct any defect in the foot.

Although each of us tread differently, specialists have grouped the types of footprints in three groups:

• Pronator foot: most runners have a pronator foot although this is a physiological effect that causes the foot itself to fit different types of terrain and avoid injury. Pronation causes the foot to tilt to its inner area at the time walking. The problem starts when this inclination is greater than what is estimated as normal - what is known overpronation- and then your physician should consider the need for a corrective insole.

• Supinator foot: performs the opposite effect to the pronator foot, so that the foot rests mainly for its exterior.

• Neutral foot: also called universal or regular foot, is one who usually exercise movement neither in nor out when pressed.

There are many types of studies of the tread in the market, however we recommend you a biomechanics study. This type of study consists in analyzing both the static standing position (just standing up) and moving (walking and running) and analyze how this movement affects other body part (knee, hip and back).

Where can we do a study of the tread? There are centers specialized in these studies that you only have to arrange an appointment and they are responsible for making all necessary tests and provide some specifics insoles if necessary.  

And how much does it cost? Prices vary widely because they depend not only on the chosen center, but also on the number of test performed. The most basic studies can cost around 30 euros, an amount that can rise up to 250 euros in some cases. Also, keep in mind that usually the insoles, if needed, are not included in these prices and the most normal may cost around 100 euros.

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The Pasta Party

A plan that you can´t miss is attend to the Pasta Party the night before the triathlon where you can recharge energy and prepare for the big day.

This party is arranged by the organization of the triathlon so you should be informed about the time and place in which it will be held when you do the registration. It is a perfect opportunity to enjoy a pleasant and healthy environment that you can´t miss.

Something that surprises me about the pasta is the great variety that you can find: dry, fresh, long, short, stuffed, whole wheat, green, black, etc... and how many different dishes you can cook with it. What is your favorite?      

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