Air to Ground, Ballooning, iOutdoors Blog
Up Up and Away
Hot air balloons mainly rely on buoyancy to float into the air. Specifically, the balloon’s buoyancy is generated from its burners that release warm air inside the balloon. This happens when the heated air from the burners expands and becomes less dense than the air that surrounds it. When the hot air is trapped inside the balloon, it will exert additional weight up into the air and eventually, generate thrust to lift the aircraft.
One of the most common questions asked by people regarding hot air balloons is ‘Why is hot air less dense than cooler air?’ This is because when one heats matter to a certain degree, its individual components like molecules and atoms vibrate more. This forces the molecules apart and causes the substance to rapidly expand and therefore become less dense.
The expansion of gases is difficult to see with the naked eye, but it is this process that makes the air inside the balloon less dense. Heating also causes gas components to move rapidly and make collisions with other components much harder. The result would be a more massive expansion. This, in fact, will increase their volume and density by roughly one percent for every six-degree rise. So, warm air has fewer molecules in a given volume than cool air.
The balloons that are still on the ground, have an equal density of the air inside and out. Using propane burners, fans, and forcing hot air into the balloon will generate thrust that is needed to lift it into the air.
Air to Ground, Cycling, Hiking, iOutdoors Blog
Ride Smart
Biking is a unique form of transportation that has been in use for centuries. Today, it is enjoyed not only as a means to get from one place to another but also as a valued sport and aerobic activity. Although biking can be quite a fun activity, just like any physical activity, it can lead to accidents when safety is risked. Thus, for bikers whether novices or pros, it is always important to keep safety a priority when biking.
One of the very first things you should secure is a well-fitting helmet. A helmet protects your head from injuries that may be related to biking accidents. Always keep in mind that the worst biking injuries occur when the rider does not wear the right headgear. Before biking, secure your helmet properly to your head with the chin strap to make sure that it stays on your head despite movement.
When purchasing your helmet, make sure that you buy a new one. Previously used helmets, despite looking seemingly fine on the outside, maybe less than acceptable on the inside. Invest in a good helmet that has passed safety standards as it can save your life. Remember that although a helmet will not prevent an impending injury, it can nevertheless minimize its consequence.
Learn and Live to Continue to Ride
If you are a sports biker, you will also need to acquire some knee pads and elbow pads. These accessories will keep the skin on covered areas scuff-free in cases of accident. When you put them on, make sure that they are properly fitted over your joints.
Wearing the proper outfit is also important for safety. Avoid wearing clothes that will tangle with the handle grips, chain, or tires. It is also important that you wear the right shoes for your foot to perfectly grip the pedal.
Most importantly, obey traffic regulations. When biking, especially in urban areas, you would also need to have the right signal lights and reflector pads. This will help you be seen better by other motorists, thus, minimizing the chance of an accident. It would also not be too much for your bike to have a warning bell or a horn to warn other bikers and pedestrians should you wish to overtake them.
Regularly check your bike for any damage or defect, especially before a ride. Also protect your skin by applying some sunscreen and bug repellant and do not forget to drink lots of water before, during, and after a ride.
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Air to Ground, Cycling, Hiking, iOutdoors Blog
Long Ride: Try This
Biking or cycling or hiking can be quite a tiresome recreation or sport activity. In fact, first-time bikers, could even feel exhaustion after merely 15 minutes of biking. That is why, it is always recommended for bikers to pack nutritional supplements that can boost their energy and will allow them to keep on going.
Replenishing or refueling your body from outdoor activities like long biking trips is important. Today, there are different types of products available for you to choose from, from oral supplements to topical application gels, foods, and beverages that can easily replenish your body’s depleted electrolytes.
Listed below are some of the energy supplements that can refuel your body after long bike trips:
- Energy Bars and Gels. These energy food supplements can give you that quick boost of energy you need after a long biking activity. They are compact and light enough to bring with you on the road, fortified with multi-vitamins and minerals, low in calorie content, and also tasty. Most important of all, energy bars and gels are also so convenient that you can even eat them while still cycling!
- Salt Pills. Salt pills, better known as “salt tablets”, are usually sold in a buffered sodium form. They are used to replace lost sodium during long rigorous physical activity. However, because of the possibility of imbalance in the level of water, sodium and electrolytes in your body, ask for a physician’s advice before taking them.
- Energy Drinks. Last are energy drinks. Also called “sports drinks”, these are popular electrolyte replenishing supplements in liquid form. They can rehydrate and replenish your body of lost electrolytes better than water. Although they can be quite bulkier to carry around compared to energy bars and salt pills, they are nevertheless, thirst quenchers and tasty as well and come in different flavors. Included among the most popular commercial energy drinks are Gatorade, Powerade, 100 Plus, Red Bull and Monster.
Remember though that the consumption of these energy supplements will not make you a better athlete. They will only prevent you from weakening or collapsing during and after your physical activity like long biking trips. With the help of energy bars and gels, salt pills and energy drinks, you’ll be sure to cycle in a breeze, that extra 10 miles.
Air to Ground, Cycling, iOutdoors Blog
Get Out Your Padded Shorts
Biking, whether for recreational or fitness purposes, is one of the most famous recreational pastimes in the world. Not only is it good for the body, bikers also delight in the views they pass upon while cycling. A perfect place to go on biking any time of the year in Florida. Not only is the climate always perfect, but it also has thousands of miles of both on-road and off-road trails in its 67 counties. These trails are also most easily accessible from roads and are designed to accommodate bicycles of all skill levels.
Florida is also known for having bike-friendly infrastructures. In fact, Bicycling Magazine named two Florida cities as part of America’s Top 50 Bike-Friendly Cities in the US – the college town of Gainesville and Miami. So the next time you visit these cities, never pass the chance to cycle around.
Bike Away
Most bike trails in Florida are worthwhile to cycle in since they are near parks and beaches and through preserves. One of these trails can be found through the 360,000-acre sanctuary of Ocala National Forest. Another great track is the Pinellas Trail, which has an asphalt biking area of 35 miles stretching from Tarpon to Saint Petersburg.
You can also check out the Withlacoochee Trail. Located between Tribly and Citrus Springs, this 46-mile asphalt trail is popular among the locals as it goes through an unpopulated backcountry, swamps, and farm areas. Also noteworthy are the trails in Alexander Springs Campground and the Kissimmee River National Scenic Trail among countless others.
When biking in Florida trails, get out your padded shorts and make sure that you wear the right gears like a helmet and knee pads. Also, wear comfortable clothes and drink lots of water especially before and during the ride. It would also be not amiss to apply a bug repellant lotion and some sunscreen. Also carry along a first-aid kit, and a flat repair kit and pump as they may come in handy.
Air to Ground, Ballooning, iOutdoors Blog
Floating amongst the Trees!
One recreational outdoor activity that will not only allow you a bird’s eye view of an area. But also an exhilarating air adventure is hot air ballooning. One of the oldest successful human carrying flight systems in the world. Hot air balloons at present are more often used for recreation purposes than transportation. They are a common sight during special community events especially balloon festivals. During hot air balloon festivals, they would colorfully dot the skyline and make quite a picturesque scene. In most cases, they are flown while still tied with ropes to the ground to allow passengers short rides without drifting away.
A hot air balloon ride especially for first timers is quite an unforgettable experience. Although some people usually dread the takeoff part. Once fully elevated, the bird’s eye view of everything below usually makes passengers forget their alarm. Allowing them to feel as if they are on top of the world. Lack of feeling of movement, defiance of gravity and immaculate silence also make hot air ballooners feel a sense of wonderment. All these stir among passengers a sense of wonderment and mixed emotions that balloon rides make a usual romantic stop for couples.
A Great Understand of Floating amongst the Trees in Flight
Understanding how a hot air balloon flies requires no degree in physics. The main reason why the balloon rises from the ground is due to its propane burners which release hot air. Because warm air easily rises over cooler air, the warm air trapped inside the balloon allows the aircraft to lift from the ground. Easy as it may seem, however, hot air ballooning should not be tried without professional assistance. Just enjoy your ride and leave the piloting to people who have proper instruction from hot air balloon pilot schools.
Before setting out for hot air ballooning, make it sure to bring your camera as you will surely regret not taking shots. Also remember to pack some champagne with you as it is tradition upon landing to make a champagne toast!
