The legendary Ho Chi Minh Trail was the supply line used by North Vietnam to link North and South Vietnam during the American War. Soldiers, ammunition, and supplies were carried by hand, bicycle and truck for hundreds of kilometers through the otherwise impenetrable jungle that covered Vietnam's mountainous border with Laos. A testimony to the ingenuity, fortitude and commitment of the northern Vietnamese, the trail slipped from use at the end...more
As a motorcyclist who enjoys vacant, isolated roads, I stared longingly at the Dakotas on my National Geographic wall map while planning my next excursion. A childhood friend of my wife had recently moved to Sioux Falls with her family. The brother of a buddy who was a groomsman at my wedding 25 years ago had transplanted himself to Sioux Falls from California long ago. I figured I should check out the allure, but I also needed an angle to...more
Motorcycle riders are a sore bunch, so soaking in hot springs during our travels is practically a medical necessity.We riders are a sore bunch, so soaking in hot springs during our travels is practically a medical necessity. To help motorcyclists visiting the geothermal state of Idaho, I planned a three-day tour to check out a few mineral pools and report back on their quality. I would pickle myself in the name of responsible journalism.Considering that Idaho has more than 100 hot springs, it was easy to find six developed and undeveloped ones to visit within a day's ride of Boise. Four of them are on public land so sitting in them is free. I find that, um, refreshing.As an added benefit to riders, the roads to these six are mountainous and exciting. So is the subsequent walk sometimes. To sample one, I clambered up and down a steep dirt path (skirting the poison ivy) in my motorcycle boots and then, sans boots, waded along a frigid river. Fortunately, there weren't any nudists in the pool, as stumbling upon them is another hazard of this assignment.My guide was Marjorie Gersh-Young's book Hot Springs and Hot Pools of the Northwest which provides directions (including GPS...more
A Flash of the Omnia IIThe Samsung I8000 Omnia II is a pocket pc/mobile phone for the discerning user. With a combination of the TouchWiz user interface, Microsoft Windows Mobile Professional, it provides users with an excellent operating system that is both powerful and easy to use and personalize. It has WiFi, GPRS, 3.5G, and even GPS...more
When trying to sell your used vehicle you want to use a means that attracts as many potential buyers as possible. In the present used car market that means online. More people view listings from web sites for pre-owned car classifieds than anywhere. No newspaper, no periodical, no trade publication will have the readership like the Internet. As a...more
Having appealing car interiors is everyone's desires. Though there are several ways to get such an appeal, getting quality seat covers is the most important among them. Markets are overflowed with wide range of seat covers. However, a small number of them are effective and reliable. Genuine Leather seat covers one of them.What makes Genuine Leather seat covers effective? Well, if you are looking for natural yet elegant look and feel inside your vehicle, you have reached at right place. This article will provide you with the necessary tips that you may like to consider before getting seat covers for your dream machine. Generally, seat covers are available in two different types. These are universal seat covers and custom fit seat covers. Universal seat covers are made to fit virtually all types of vehicle seats. These are cheap as well but cannot provide desired performance. On the other hand, custom seat covers are exclusively made for your vehicle and therefore, come with superb features. Genuine Leather seat covers are also custom tailored seat covers. Since these are prepared keeping the specifications of your vehicle in mind, the quality seat covers provide desired covering....more
On its launch in 1997 Kangoo's affable, expressive style revolutionised the leisure utility vehicle sector. Roomy and versatile Kangoo has been a success, selling over 2,200,000 units since it was launched. The New Renault Kangoo Be Bop matches...more
Owning or using an ATV (all terrain vehicle) is an ambition for loads of people of all ages across the country. Unlike road vehicles, ATVs often seem to be associated with greater freedom and exploration of the countryside. Many people who use these...more
Any biker can spend a protracted amount of time trying to explain to a non-rider (or even to a newcomer to the world of biking) the great feeling that traversing the country by motorcycle brings to them. The sense of freedom and being at one with the...more
Rotary, Kiwanis, Bridge, Golfing--There are many kinds of clubs a person could join in Indianapolis. Porsche club? That doesn't necessarily make my short list, but the Central Indiana Region Porsche Club of America (CIRPCA) is alive, well, and rich...more
Does your car corner like a boat? You know. That feeling you get where everybody leans away from the turn as one side of the car dips and the other rises? The problem is you either have no sway bar or a very weak one. Every car pitches when it goes...more
Your car would be mighty useless if you couldn't select the direction you wanted to go. Steering seems like a basic concept, but many car owners are completely baffled when asked how the steering process actually works. The answer is found in the...more