The Great Outdoors

Introduced in the 19th Century there would be few who are not familiar with the penny farthing. This had a very large front wheel and a very small back one with the seat over the front wheel. It looked awkward but many found they could successfully use them for transport. Pictured alongside the penny farthing is an ancient push bike with a larger rear wheel to a smaller front one.

Someone must have thought the difference in sizes made for better propulsion or something. Thankfully others woke up to the folly of this and contemporary bikes are streamlined and operated with gears and have all the necessary safety and other things on them.

Before we got so used to motor cars and driving everywhere the bicycle was the transport of choice aside from horses, which required maintenance and feeding, The bike can live on its own without much input from it owner. It can be parked anywhere, doe snot make a noise, does not buck and throw, unless you do something wrong, and, of course, its great for health. The English countryside would once see people of all persuasions cycling through villages and cities. The same could be said of the USA and other countries like Australia. But the capital bike riding nation of them all is definitely China.

There is no pollution from pedal power so it is great for the environment and as far as health is concerned what better way is there to get fit than to ride a bike? Many do mountain bike riding, others do races and rallies, others still just ride for pleasure.

Hardly a child gets to the teenage years without being introduced to the bike. They grow up with the experience of knowing that from their own body they can get where they want to go easily and usually with a lot of fun, to say nothing of the exercise gained through pedal power.

Baseball, believe it or not, was started in England and was brought to Northern America by English and Irish migrants. It commenced during the mid 18th Century and is a bat and ball sport played between 9 players on either team. The team batting hits the ball thrown by the opponent's pitcher who tries to get the hitter out any way he can.

Once the ball is struck the hitter runs to get to the nearest base during which time a ball arriving there ahead of him will see him out. if the ball is hit far enough he may have the chance to run all four bases, called a home run. The hitter may stay on any base until another hitter gives him time to run further or to make it home.

The fielding team has to get three outs in order to take over the batting while the other side takes over fielding. When all their hitters are out it completes an 'innings' of which there are nine per professional game

By late nineteenth century, after many modifications to the game, it became the national sport of the United States.

Softball was derived from baseball and was invented by George Hancock in Chicago, Illinois. The first game was played with a rolled up boxing glove and a broomstick. Key differences to baseball are the size of the ball, softballs being larger, and the pitcher is underarm instead of overarm.

It was intended as a winter version of baseball and was originally called Indoor Baseball.

This links to shops in my mall that sells all the relevant gear.

While you may not be heading off to Davos, Switzerland, (pictured) for your skiing expedition but at this time of year many in the Northern Hemisphere are probably dreaming of being on some nearby snow covered mountain slopes.

This also means checking over their ski equipment and probably replacing some of it. It might also be that you have never been skiing or to the mountains during winter. Then what's holding you back.

There is nothing quite like taking to the slippery slopes of a ski field and gliding effortlessly downhill at anything up to . . . ? Well snow skiing is supposedly the fastest non motorized sport on earth. This brief history of snow ski racing will help you understand why?

"Speed skiing began in the 1930s as an advertising stunt for a ski resort in St. Moritz, Switz. Racers experimented with cones that covered their backs from the helmet down, which presented a more streamlined and aerodynamic figure when a skier was crouched into a "tuck" position. Some racers skied with as much as 71 pounds (32 kg) of ballast on their skis to increase their acceleration. By 1933 speeds of 85 miles (136 km) per hour were being reached by skiers carrying such weights. (Britannica.com)

As Christmas is fast approaching and the holiday season will see many head off soon to the slopes there are some wonderful bargains to be picked up right now. This Company has heaps of ski gear and accessories

Mountaineering is the sport, hobby or profession of walking, hiking, backpacking and climbing mountains. In Europe it is also referred to as alpinism, while in the Americas the term refers to a particular style of mountain climbing, that involves a mixture of ice climbing, rock climbing, mixed climbing, and where the climbers carry all their loads with them at all times. (Wikipedia)

At this time many are dreaming of the snow covered slopes and many more are thinking hiking, mountaineering, rock climbing, and every other outer winter activity for the mountains. If that the case then you need good solid all weather clothes and accessories for the trip. Check out this article for more information.

If you are planning overnight adventures or longer then that makes the choice of gear even more particular. You don't want to lug heavy packs around and yet you will have to sustain yourself over the period. The best idea is to consult someone who can give you the best advice. This Company (click banner) can do that.

Right now there are heaps of good value products on the internet and this Company has clearance sales all year round. They also stock everything for the great outdoors and are professional outfitters for whatever sport or activity you undertake.

It seems that it almost doesn't matter the time of year, the place or the activity there has to be a board sport associated with it.

Board sports are sports that are played with some sort of board as the primary equipment. Surfing, first mastered in the Pacific islands, was the first board sport. Eventually, it was expanded to land applications, often with the addition of wheels. Many board sports are classified as action sports or extreme sports, and thus often appeal to youth. Board sports have had a history of being dangerous, "punk" or reckless, and thus were marginalized in the sports community. However, many board sports have gained mainstream recognition, and with this recognition have enjoyed wider broadcast, sponsorship and inclusion in institutional sporting events, including the Olympic Games.(Wikipedia)

But that's only the start of them. Aside from skateboards, body boards, boogie boards, ski-boards, snow-boards, sand-surfing boards, and so on, there are numerous others being brought into service almost daily. If the feet can stand on it and make it go forward it seems like its a recognized sport board. Even Skis are boards.

Some boards have winged keels, some have risen to great heights, or rather their riders have as skate board champions. They are all a great way to spend time either participating in or watching. So get boarding if you don't already.


If you are into boarding of any type then check out this Company. They have heaps of specials right now plus all the accessories.

Don't hold back because you might miss out.

Its not only sports and things that get you out in winter but the landscape has changed. Everything has a different look about it and the photography now is just tremendous. There might not be too many animals around because mostly they will sheltering or hibernating but in a few weeks they will all be back as Mother nature shed her winter blues and takes on the look of a newly created world.

The following lenses highlight the Great Outdoors in all its glory. Read them and enjoy.