The Tools You Need to Tune-Up Your Bicycle

[ad_1]

The cost of repairing a bicycle on the road can be incredibly expensive if you are not properly prepared. Regular maintenance and a home shop will go a long way in ensuring things are well done and work out properly. The first step in this is to have the proper home shop tools in place. Just a few of the basic tune up tools that every bike owner should have and a bottle of chain lubricant will make sure you are fully prepared every time you go out on the trail or road. As you continue, add tools and gear to your collection as needed to make sure that whenever a repair comes up, you have what you need to accomplish it.

The first thing you should remember is that most regular tools are not made for bicycles. Even the most expensive wrenches, screwdrivers, and pliers are built for much more durable and tougher machines than a bicycle, plus they can cost much more than standard cycling tools, so try not to spend extra money on these tools when you could easily save a few dollars and buy bike specific tools.

Tune Up Tools

The following tools will help you complete a standard tune-up on a bicycle every time before you go for a ride:

Allen Keys - Make sure you have all of the necessary sizes: 1.5mm, 2mm, 2.5mm, 3mm, 6mm, 8mm, 10mm and a long handle for those deeply seeded 9mm bolts.

Screwdrivers - Have three sizes of standard screw drivers and a small and medium Phillips.

Wrenches - Have at least one complete set of open ended metric wrenches - 8mm-19mm should be efficient.

Floor Pump - Make sure this has a built in pressure gauge.

Steel Ruler - For checking chain wear

Pliers - Have needle-nose, standard, and reversible pliers

Cutters - Diagonal cutters for cutting cables

Spoke Wrench - Make sure this is a three-way to fit all sizes of nipples.

Pedal Wrench - Make sure you pick up one that matches a headset wrench to save yourself some money.

Crank Bolt Wrench - A good option for those without allen bolts.

Third Hand Tool - This helps when you work on your brakes.

Chainring Nut Wrench - The easiest tool you will find - comes in one-size-fits-all.

Other Possible Tools You Might Use

While the above list is good for any standard tune-ups, it will be insufficient if something breaks and you need to start making major repairs to your bicycle. The following tools might need to be purchased at a later day to provide additional repair assistance when working on your bike.

Chain Rivet Tool

Cassette Lockring Tool

Crank Extractor

Deraileur Hanger Tool

Cone Wrenches

Chain Whip

Tire Levers

Sealed Bottom Bracket Tool

Flat Line

Mallet

Adjustable Wrenches

Bottom Bracket Lockring Tool

These tools will all go a long ways toward making sure your bicycle keeps operating on a regular basis without any issues every day you take it out for a ride.

[ad_2]

Source by Kevin Kenne

Bicycle Tools

Tire Pumps

Walkie Talkies

Indoor-Outdoor Grills

Fishing Rods and Reels

https://1home.streamstorecloud.com/the-tools-you-need-to-tune-up-your-bicycle/?feed_id=37764&_unique_id=64aad3c9bd969

Podcasting Software - 10 Essential Tips

[ad_1]

Podcasting has come a long way from its birth in 2003. In a little less than a year after that, Podcasting had become very popular around the world, with more and more information available to everyone. Now, you can hardly find a single person who hasn't at least heard of the word podcast.

More than just looking for podcasts and listening to them, the interesting thing to do for many is to create their own podcasts. There is definitely no lack for information on how to make your own podcast. Podcasting is really quite simple - all you need is you and your material and the right podcasting software. There is a plethora of podcasting software to be found on the internet. Here are some important tips to remember when choosing the one for you.

First you have to get an audio recorder. There are a lot of audio recorders out there. What you need to look for is software that records quality audio. Of course, you have to make sure it runs with your operating system.

Then find a good audio editor. Recordings always need to be edited in order to present the best quality podcast. Some software combine recording and editing features. These kinds of software will make it easier for you.

In choosing your recording and editing software, take note of its output format. Generally, the MP3 format gives you the best compatibility for audio while MPEG is best for video. If the software you choose does not create these types of files, you can make use of conversion software. It is important for your conversion software to be able to compress your file to a manageable size. Smaller file sizes are easier to upload and download.

Before you publish your podcast, make use of playback software. You will be able to listen to your podcast just as subscribers will. This will ensure the quality of your final product.

In choosing podcasting software, you should also check if it creates RSS feeds. Podcasts are found and downloaded by users through RSS feeds. Without this capability, you would have to find your own RSS feed creator.

Perhaps one of the best ways to promote your podcast would be through iTunes. Thus it would be a great plus if your podcasting software created valid iTunes feeds. This way, your podcast would have maximum exposure. More listeners will be able to access your podcast. More potential listeners will find out about your podcast.

In order to upload your podcast, you need a file transfer program. There are certain podcasting software that automatically include this feature. It is beneficial for you to use software offering such functionality.

Without promotion, you might as well publish your podcast. Software that allows listing in podcast directories gives you an edge. Most podcast listeners look for new podcasts in the numerous directories online. Do not allow your podcast to remain unnoticed by missing out on the directories.

The idea of podcasts is to create a series. Updates to your series are part of podcasting. Choose software that will alert multiple directories for updates. This way, you won't have to manually alert each directory you are listed in.

[ad_2]

Source by Philip Nicosia

Podcasting Equipment

https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/podcasting-software-10-essential-tips/?feed_id=37753&_unique_id=64a9f6cf67c57

10+ Gut-Healthy One-Pot Dinner Recipes - EatingWell

Make dinner tonight easy by trying one of these one-pot recipes. With ingredients like asparagus, onions, beans and legumes, these dishes are packed with prebiotic fiber that can help support gut health, healthy digestion and healthy immune function. Recipes like our Creamy Mushroom, Chicken & Asparagus Bake and Hearty Chickpea & Spinach Stew are healthy, tasty and call for a quick cleanup. Make a double batch of this quick vegetarian chili, full of black beans and sweet potatoes, and eat it for lunch the next day or freeze the extras for another night. We love the smoky heat from the ground chipotle, but omit it if you prefer a mild chili. Serve with tortilla chips or cornbread and coleslaw.   This comforting weeknight casserole recipe features plenty of mushrooms and asparagus combined with chicken and brown rice and a creamy Parmesan cheese sauce. Whip this up anytime you have leftover chicken or cooked brown rice to spare.   This satisfying stew comes together in a snap. Mashed chickpeas add body to the broth, and tomato paste adds a savory note without piling on the sodium in this healthy recipe for weight loss.   One sheet pan is all you'll need to whip up this zesty chicken fajita recipe. They're quick and easy to make and cleanup is even faster!   Frittatas are a versatile dish that can be served at breakfast, lunch or dinner. This easy frittata, featuring green spring vegetables accented by chopped tomatoes and parmesan cheese, can be on your plate in just 25 minutes.   Made with convenient canned beans, this quick and healthy Indian recipe is an authentic chickpea curry that you can make in minutes. If you want an additional vegetable, stir in some roasted cauliflower florets. Serve with brown basmati rice or warm naan.   Chock-full of quinoa, chickpeas and vegetables, this salad is a meal in itself. The roasted red peppers, lemon, olives and feta add texture and flavor to this Mediterranean diet recipe.   Simmer eggs in a rich tomatoey cream sauce studded with chickpeas and silky spinach for a super-fast vegetarian dinner. Serve with a piece of crusty bread to soak up the sauce. Be sure to use heavy cream; a lower-fat option might curdle when mixed with acidic tomatoes.   A pound of dried beans is the inexpensive foundation for this simple, hearty meal. Serve it with slices of whole-wheat bread or a side salad for a complete and satisfying lunch or dinner.   This Greek-inspired chicken and vegetable sheet-pan meal is bursting with flavor. The chicken is coated in a mayonnaise and bread crumb mixture, roasted alongside asparagus, cremini mushrooms and grape tomatoes and then served with a lemon-feta vinaigrette.   This healthy chicken pesto pasta recipe is easy to make thanks to convenience ingredients like rotisserie chicken and store-bought pesto. The addition of fresh asparagus brightens up the look and flavors of this easy one-pot dinner. Fresh basil, if you have it on hand, is a nice finishing touch.   Simple brown rice and black beans serve as the backdrop for sautéed veggies and taco toppings!   To make this 20-minute vegan curry even faster, buy precut veggies from the salad bar at the grocery store. To make it a full, satisfying dinner, serve over cooked brown rice. When shopping for simmer sauce, look for one with 400 mg of sodium or less and check the ingredient list for cream or fish sauce if you want to keep this vegan. If you like a spicy kick, add a few dashes of your favorite hot sauce at the end.   French green lentils and black lentils hold up well to long, slow cooking without becoming mushy. Save the rinds from used-up blocks of Parmesan in a resealable plastic bag or tightly sealed container in the refrigerator. They give soup broths a rich, savory flavor.   source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/10-gut-healthy-one-pot-dinner-recipes-eatingwell/?feed_id=37747&_unique_id=64a9adc7a6c05

Raleigh police investigate shooting on Appliance Court - WRAL News

Police found the victim inside a gray SUV on N. Raleigh Boulevard. There was no conformation if the victim was shot in the parking lot or in the SUV source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/raleigh-police-investigate-shooting-on-appliance-court-wral-news/?feed_id=37736&_unique_id=64a85464bc309

Healthy breakfast recipes for Winter morning - The Statesman

Winter is around the corner and it is all about comfort food and indulgence. From being cozy in bed to dreaming of having something fulfilling for the Winter morning breakfast are some of the things we all want to do.  SNS | New Delhi | November 19, 2022 1:01 pm Healthy breakfast (Photo: iStock) Winter is around the corner and it is all about comfort food and indulgence. From being cozy in bed to dreaming of having something fulfilling for the Winter morning breakfast are some of the things we all want to do. As we all know that breakfast is the most important meal of the day and one must not skip it. A platter of warm and comforting breakfast is the best way to energize yourself on lazy winter mornings. So, here we list winter morning meals that will keep you warm and healthy. These breakfast foods are not only low in calories but also loaded with nutrition which will get you going for the day.   Ingredients required Directions High amounts of fiber contain vitamins B6, C, E, and K. Honey- helps to lower Triglycerides, and also helps to improve cholesterol. Cardamom- cancer-fighting compounds, helps in digestion and has anti-inflammatory effects Raisins-Boost iron level, Bone strong, helps in digestion. (Recipe by Chef Chandra Prakash) Ingredients HONEY BUTTER: (Recipe by Chef Megha Mathur)   Ingredients Directions (Recipe by Chef Megha Mathur)

(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push(); source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/healthy-breakfast-recipes-for-winter-morning-the-statesman/?feed_id=37725&_unique_id=64a6e7223eda0

10 tasty heirloom seed varieties to include in your garden this year - The Washington Post

Sign in An earlier version of this story incorrectly implied that home gardeners can purchase seeds for genetically modified organism (GMO) vegetable varieties. The story has been updated. Is your garden planning limited to browsing the seed packets on the rotating display by the checkout at the hardware store? Or simply flipping through a few big-box gardening catalogues to order whatever looks good for your growing zone? If that’s the case, you’re probably purchasing mostly hybrid varieties. It might be worth rethinking your approach to your plot and planting heirloom fruits and vegetables instead. Usually at least 50 years old, these long-loved varieties offer multiple benefits, and they don’t require special equipment or growing conditions to flourish. “Mainstream varieties are bred for durability, long shelf life or appearance,” says Mike Bollinger, executive director of the Seed Savers Exchange, a nonprofit organization based in Decorah, Iowa, that collects, catalogues and distributes heirloom seeds. “On the other hand, a lot of heirloom varieties were bred with canning, fresh eating and flavor in mind.” In other words: They can taste better. Another advantage to heirloom seeds is they are open-pollinated (naturally pollinated by the wind, bees, birds or other animals), meaning they grow “true to type” year after year. So, unlike with some hybrid varieties, if you harvest seeds from heirloom produce, you can grow the same crop in future seasons. Yes, that’s right: seasons, plural. Yes, it's January. But if you want a robust spring garden, start your seed-shopping now. “Seed-catalogue villains have convinced us that we have to buy seeds every year,” says Ellen Ecker Ogden, kitchen garden designer and author of “The New Heirloom Garden: Designs, Recipes, and Heirloom Plants for Cooks Who Love to Garden.” “But if you store them properly, they keep for years.” To properly preserve seeds, Ogden places each variety in a separate Mason jar with a desiccant pack to eradicate moisture. She stores them in a cool, dry place that doesn’t receive any sun. (A closet, a kitchen cupboard away from the stove or a basement with low humidity are all great options.) A seed’s lifespan depends on the variety, but some can survive five years or longer if properly stockpiled. Perhaps an even deeper value to heirloom varieties is their genetic diversity. “These are unusual times in terms of climate and rainfall,” says Ira Wallace, a worker/owner of the cooperatively managed Southern Exposure Seed Exchange in Mineral, Va., which distributes heirloom and organic seeds. “The genomes of heirloom varieties are more elastic, since they haven’t been bred so finely. So, when a new challenge comes along, there might be a resistance to it in an heirloom variety.” On top of all that, heirlooms can be eye-catching head-turners, defying expectations when it comes to coloration and hue. Tomatoes don’t need to be red, carrots aren’t always orange, and cucumbers can be more than basic green. Your spring planting schedule Here are 10 heirloom varieties that will transform your garden beds — and meals — into deliciously gorgeous riots of color. “They have always been fascinating,” Ogden says, “because they don’t look like tomatoes.” When ripe, the sweet yet tangy medium-size fruit (perfect for BLTs) takes on a chartreuse tone with streaks of light lime, mossy green and yolky orange running down the sides. With beautiful purple veins running through their fan-like leaves, these collards make an impression. Wallace also appreciates their compact build, making them well-suited to raised beds, and that the leaves cook quickly compared with other hearty greens. Although these regal-looking root vegetables have a reddish-purple exterior, their insides are classic orange. “They’re very sweet but almost spicy, too,” Bollinger says, making them great for snacking, steaming and roasting. Popular in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the spherical, sunny-hued cuke is enjoying a resurgence in popularity. “It’s a fun one, because kids love them,” says Ogden, who notes that they don’t taste like lemon but that they have a boldly sweet flavor that works well in salads and pickled preparations. Streaked with vibrant purple, these smaller teardrop-shaped eggplants with thin skin can be slipped into ratatouille, lasagna or moussaka. “They’re compact plants, so they do well in tighter spaces and in pots,” Bollinger says. “And they produce heavily, so you don’t need a lot of them.” Growing to more than three feet tall, this ornamental brassica features a tuft of purple leaves at the center with a ring of green ones on the outside. A favorite of Bollinger’s, it can be prepared similarly to kale or collards. The golden-orange chiles are not for the faint of heart, packing as much punch as habaneros. That makes them great for hot sauces. “Once you get past the heat, there’s a nice citrusy flavor underneath,” Bollinger says. “It looks like a hot pepper, but don’t worry: It’s actually sweet,” Ogden says. The Christmas-red curly Italian chiles are perfect for frying or for adding nice notes to a mild salsa. Pear-shaped with a blazing-orange skin, this winter squash shines in curries and soups. Bollinger appreciates its diminutive size, because it can be grown in smaller gardens. Ogden loves these Northern Italian beans with attractive red-brown mottling, nicknamed the “shrimp bean” thanks to their shape. Simply sauté them in olive oil with thinly sliced garlic to savor their fresh flavor. Nevin Martell is a writer based in Silver Spring, Md. His website is nevinmartell.com. Find him on Instagram: @nevinmartell. source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/10-tasty-heirloom-seed-varieties-to-include-in-your-garden-this-year-the-washington-post/?feed_id=37714&_unique_id=64a5049ac6324

Native Plants: The best bloomers for hot, dry corners - Los Altos Town Crier

Subscribers keep our independent community news in business.
If you already have a subscription, log in or register for an account on our website to continue reading.
Click here if you’re having trouble accessing your subscriber account. Please log in, or sign up for a new account to continue reading. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Subscribers support the Los Altos Town Crier – please log in or subscribe to continue reading. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Thank you for reading! On your next view you will be asked to log in to your subscriber account or create an account and subscribepurchase a subscription to continue reading. Thank you for signing in! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Thank you for reading! We hope that you continue to enjoy our free content. Subscribers support the Los Altos Town Crier – please log in or subscribe to continue reading. Subscribers keep our independent community news in business.
If you already have a subscription, log in or register for an account on our website to continue reading.
Click here if you’re having trouble accessing your subscriber account. Your current subscription does not provide access to this content. Your weekly print newspaper delivered, and more Less than 20¢ a day √ Weekly Print Edition delivered to your mailbox √ Unlimited access on all devices √ E-Edition and Newsletters When you don't want the printed newspaper Less than 20¢ a day √ Unlimited access on all devices √ E-Edition and Newsletters √ No paper copy – less to recycle Activate your all-inclusive access for print subscribers:
Link your losaltosonline.com account to your print subscription here. Your account number is your one-line street address as printed on your newspaper – use normal capitalization.
Example: 138 Main St.   When your current subscription expires later this year, you will be able to renew at losaltosonline.com/users/admin/service/purchase. If you have any trouble accessing your account or linking your subscription, our Subscription FAQ may have the answer you need. Contact howardb@latc.com or call him at (650) 397-5213 with any questions or to learn more.  Sorry, no promotional deals were found matching that code. Promotional Rates were found for your code. Sorry, an error occurred. do not remove Sunny. High 64F. Winds N at 5 to 10 mph.. Clear skies. Low 44F. Winds light and variable. Updated: January 25, 2023 @ 8:46 am The intensely colored golden-orange flowers of Palmer’s Indian Mallow (Abutilon palmeri) are especially attractive to native solitary bees. Sierra Starr Fairy Duster, right, a hybrid of the native California species and the Baja species, is hardy to 18 F. It grows into a 4- to 5-foot mound, covered with red flowers that attract hummingbirds. In late fall, shrub abutilon, above, still has an abundance of flowers. Its soft silvery-gray to gray-green leaves provide a textural contrast in the dry garden. Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) comes in shades from the palest salmon to deep red-orange, with flowers from half an inch to 2 inches across. The intensely colored golden-orange flowers of Palmer’s Indian Mallow (Abutilon palmeri) are especially attractive to native solitary bees. The bladderpod shrub I can see from my window has had abundant yellow flowers nearly year-round. Other California native plants from chaparral and desert areas can also have a long bloom time. What sets these particular plants apart is that they grow in full sun, need excellent drainage and will thrive in the hottest part of your garden. Desert plants can benefit from the reflected heat of a south- or west-facing wall, an adjacent sidewalk or a big boulder that absorbs and radiates the heat of the day. Using a mineral mulch such as gravel or decomposed granite instead of an organic mulch such as arborist chips can also help these plants to thrive. Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua) comes in shades from the palest salmon to deep red-orange, with flowers from half an inch to 2 inches across. To ensure good drainage, you can plant on a slope or make a mound so that the crown of the plant, where the above-ground stems originate, never sits in a puddle of water. The mound can be 6-12 inches higher than the surrounding soil, at least a foot in diameter and constructed so that the soil surface gently slopes away from the crown of the plant. These plants are generally drought tolerant once they are established and need minimal care. If you’re looking for a challenge, try a couple of stunning frost-sensitive plants from Southern California and Baja. Plant them under the eaves if your garden gets frosty, or cover them if the temperature dips occasionally. The following plants can sustain damage if the mercury falls below 25 F. • Palmer’s Indian Mallow (Abutilon palmeri) has striking golden-orange flowers set off by soft silvery gray leaves. The flowers are larger, deeper and more intensely pigmented than those of California poppies. This is an important plant for native bees. At 3-5 feet tall and wide, the shrub can be covered in blooms from spring to fall. Native to desert scrublands where summer thunderstorms are not uncommon, this plant likes the occasional sprinkle in the summer to wash off the leaves. It may also benefit from some afternoon shade at an especially hot site. In late fall, shrub abutilon, above, still has an abundance of flowers. Its soft silvery-gray to gray-green leaves provide a textural contrast in the dry garden. • Baja Fairy Duster (Calliandra californica) is a hummingbird magnet. Its airy bright-red starbursts are actually inch-long stamens, covering the 3- to 5-foot mounded form for much of the year. The delicate tiny leaves are evergreen. It can be pruned to fit into smaller spaces. • Sierra Starr, a red-flowered hybrid of the Baja Fairy Duster and the native California Fairy Duster (C. eriophylla, which has pink flowers), is hardy to 18 F. Sierra Starr Fairy Duster, right, a hybrid of the native California species and the Baja species, is hardy to 18 F. It grows into a 4- to 5-foot mound, covered with red flowers that attract hummingbirds. • Apricot Mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua), also known as Desert Globemallow, tolerates a wider range of temperatures, though it is particularly sensitive to wet conditions in the colder months and must have excellent drainage. In the summer, it will thrive in the hottest spot in your garden. It’s approximately 1-2 feet high and a little wider, with flower stalks rising 1-4 feet above the grayish leaves. Native solitary bees and hummingbirds are drawn to the flowers, which vary from half an inch to 2 inches wide and can be pale to deep shades of orange and red-orange. A couple of deep summer waterings can prolong the bloom. To keep the plant lush and longer-lived, trim the flowering stalks back to 3-6 inches in the winter. Although it may not live longer than three to five years if untended, this plant can reseed and is relatively easy to find in nurseries. Tanya Kucak gardens organically. Email her at tanyagarden@gmail.com. Your comment has been submitted. Reported There was a problem reporting this. Log In Keep it Courteous. Be respectful, truthful, and use no threatening or hateful language. Be Proactive. Use the 'Report' link on each comment to let us know of abusive posts. Share with Us. We'd love to hear eyewitness accounts and the history behind a news event. Read our full comments policy: losaltosonline.com/comments source https://4awesome.streamstorecloud.com/native-plants-the-best-bloomers-for-hot-dry-corners-los-altos-town-crier/?feed_id=37703&_unique_id=64a392a28edf2