Hair grows in recurring cycles, with each cycle composed of three phases – anagen, catagen and telogen. The anagen phase is also referred to as the growth phase. About 85 to 90% of all the hairs in our heads are in this phase at one time. This part of the growth cycle lasts from 2 to 6 years and can continue for up to 8 years.

Once the hair reaches its maximum length in the anagen phase, the catagen phase of the growth cycle begins. This is a short phase, lasting only about 1 to 2 weeks. The catagen phase is also referred to as the transitional phase, when the cycle reaches the regressive stage and hair growth slows down. The follicle shrinks in size and the base begins to break down.

The telogen phase of the growth cycle is also known as the resting phase, when growth stops completely. This is the part where the follicle becomes degraded. This cycle lasts for about 6 weeks. Some hair may fall out but some stay in the follicle. Near the end of the telogen phase, new hair begins to form and grow. If the old hair is still attached, it is forced out and falls off the head. About 10% of our hair are in the telogen phase.

Hair growth cycle and hair loss

To understand hair loss, it is important that we know the nature of the cycle of hair growth. It is normal for people to lose 50 to 100 hairs a day. When this happens, you are probably in the telogen phase. You’ll probably find these lost strands in your brush, comb or on your shower floor. This is normal and there is no need to worry because they will be replaced by new growth.

It is only when you’re losing more and are noticing rapid thinning that you should be concerned. These are signs that your hair growth is not fast enough to replace lost strands and there is a possibility that your normal hair cycle has been disrupted.

Hair grows from the follicles which are found in the top layer (epidermis) of the skin. It is made of keratin, a form of protein, the same component of the epidermis, fingernails and toe nails. At the base of the follicles, a papilla is found, which is made of blood vessels and nerves. These ensure that the growth cycle runs uninterrupted.

Factors that can affect hair growth

Barring any obstacle, the hair growth cycle will continue unabated. It is only when some factors are applied that the cycle is disrupted or stopped. These factors can lead to temporary hair loss. Or if not, they can cause alopecia, which is more permanent. These can include hormones, nutritional deficiencies, diseases of the thyroid gland, chemotherapy and radiation. The cycle may also be affected by skin diseases of the scalp, trauma or stress.

Certain drugs can also disrupt normal growth, including anti-depressants, hypertension drugs, retinoids and birth control pills. The birth of a baby may also contribute to hair loss, along with diseases such as lupus, diabetes and HIV/AIDS. Men and women with eating disorders or undergoing severe dieting are also susceptible to this condition.

It is interesting to note that hair growth is not indicated in the human embryo in its initial stages. Hair growth only becomes apparent when hair follicles begin to appear in the early stages of the embryo’s development, before it assumes a human form in the mother’s womb. Evidence of hair growth begins to appear when the fetus is approximately 9 weeks old. By 9 months, the human fetus already has every hair follicle he/she will ever have.

I was introduced to cycling when I was about 14. A friend of mine got me involved. He took me to a race he and his Dad were riding in. From that point on I was hooked on cycling.

Once I was hooked on cycling and wanted to get a bike. My friend got me in touch with a man that wanted to sell his old bike. The two knew each other due to their participation in a cycling club.

At an early period in my cycling experience I learned the value of a cycling club.

Cycling clubs are a great support group! They also present an opportunity to be with like minded people and have fun together. A cycling club lets those involved network together and provide a source of getting rid of excess gear or bikes.

Some clubs foster a family type of atmosphere by having picnics and other family oriented activities.

Some of you might be asking: how could I find a club to join. Even in this internet age, to find a local club you might have to actually call up your local bike shop and ask them if they sponsor any. Another way to find them would be to ask any of your present cycling friends. I have found that the internet is not the best way to find local cycling clubs.

Clubs present another good opportunity and that is in finding people that have the same ambitions as you do in cycling. If your present friends aren’t as ambitious as you then clubs let you find others that could be.

I have yet to find a club where anyone could not fit into in some regard or another. No matter if you are a man, woman or child. I have met some really good cyclist in clubs and I have made some good friends.

If you are looking for some place to have some interaction with other cyclists go find a local club to belong to! They are there you just might have to look a little to find one you like.

When debating what the differences are between a tubular or clincher tire the more knowledgeable person may reply that there is a right time for everything. Knowing which one to choose is the question.

Fundamentally, the way a clincher tire is secured to the rim of a bike is by using air pressure. This is how the wheel gets the name of “clincher” by pneumatically sealing the tire between the outer rim bead and inner tube. The tube itself is completely separate from the tire. The largest example of a clincher tire is a drag radial as used by fuel cars.

Fueler teams have known for many years that for ease of maintenance and safety at high speed, it’s difficult to beat a tube that is independent of the tread. The main reason that passenger car tires do not have separate inset tubes is that in sustained high-speed, heavy-usage applications, a separate tube can rub on the inside of the outer tire, creating friction and heat-softening the rubber. Bicycles don’t have this problem as they typically run at much higher air pressure, and have a great deal less load to bear than a passenger car does.

A tubular tire is far more similar to a car tire, that is, the air containment chamber and the outer tread of the tire are integral to each other. The differing features between a bike tubular tire and a car tire is that whereas the the car tire is fastened using the same technique as a clincher wheel, the bicycle tire is stuck to the wheel rim using glue. Once the only performance choice for a cyclist was the tubular tire but with the progress in tire and wheel mechanics plus the acceptance of clincher wheels as a performance tire option within the racing community, the clincher wheel has now become the leading tire choice within the world of bike racing.

Reduced weight is the only real advantage of tubular wheels over clincher wheels because this type of tire does not require a thick rim to enable the seal. However, racing cyclists today are happy to use a clincher wheel made of a light alloy and composite material because of the ease of maintenance and greater reliabilty even though there is a small weight difference.

Learn more about bike clincher wheelsets. Stop by Steve James’s site where you can find out all about campagnolo wheelsets and what they can do for your bike.

The Polar watch models that are typically used by cyclists have a special design that straps onto handlebars rather than just strapping around the wrist. There are currently well over 30 different models of Polar heart rate monitors selling on the open market. They are far superior in quality and innovative features when compared with other heart rate monitor brands, which has made Polar the leader when it comes to watches that serve the needs of professional and amateur athletes.

Polar heart rate monitors are equipped with small computers which report a variety of feedback from a cycling session. The forms of feedback typically include speed, distance, heart rate, pacing. For those training for a big cycling race, this type of feedback is absolutely essential to proper training sessions. For those who are using cycling to get in shape and lose unwanted stored fat, this feedback allows them to get in the best workout for fat burning purposes. The compact Polar monitors make workouts more effective for everyone.

This Polar watch range also gives you functions like calorie expenditure calculator, fitness tests and automatic target zone monitoring function, which presents a perfect training gadget for cross-trainers, beginner triathletes and fitness cyclists as well as cyclists who simply wanted to stay in shape.

Taking advantage of these advanced features such as programming in your target heart rate zone can improve performance and help reach goals more efficiently. Some watches can now be programmed in with a computer, transferring a wide range of workout data so cyclists can determine what changes need to be made to their training plan. Some of the factors that can be analyzed now through a PC connection include: heart rate changes, stress levels, recovery levels. The fitness tests that deliver this type of output typically test for continuous heart rate, pedal rev, altitude, power output, ascents and descents, direction of route, and the overall distance of the cycling session.

Polar heart rate monitors can be used no matter what the weather is like outside and they are designed to be very easy to use. This ensures that literally anyone can take advantage of them, regardless of their level of expertise in the market. Interfacing the Polar watch with a computer makes it very simple to analyze the results of fitness tests and even get limited updates for the watch.

Unfortunately, there are also some flaws that come with a Polar brand monitor. Many users find that the speed of transfer into a computer is slower than models that use a USB cord for transfer. Also, professional cyclists who have to stop for traffic or have other pauses in their workouts complain that these monitors do not pause when they have to momentarily stop the workout. This means that the overall heart rate, cadence, and speed reported when they analyze their data later on will reflect those pauses and not just their workout.

There are many great Polar heart rate monitors currently selling specifically for cyclists. One of the more popular is the Polar CS600X, which takes all the great features of a sports heart rate monitor and adds in GPS monitoring and G3 technology. The Polar CS300, CS100 and CS200cad models include body feedback, cycling data, and a wireless cadence sensor. The Polar FT40, FT60 and FT80 all have specific models made for men and women. These models essentially behave like a training partner that knows it all with an advanced computer that stores tons of data. The Polar RS800CX is a limited edition Pro Team monitor which is topped by none in the professional cycling world. The best of the best cyclists train with this monitor.

Hence, Polar heart rate monitors simply designed to adapt to your training requirements to help you stay motivated in improving your fitness and cycling performance.

Author Lance Durden is a fitness expert that has been using Polar Heart Rate Monitors for use in his programs since 1995. Try polar heart rate monitors from the top online retailer, and start improving your workouts.

Whether professional or amateurish, cycling is a hobby and a way of life for some people, and it only goes natural that one feels the need to share personal preoccupations with others who are interested in the field as well. Like any other sports organizations, cycling clubs cover a wide variety of programs, a diversity of opportunities for their members, not to mention the great educational chances for children and teenagers.

Bikers who join cycling clubs are very often common people who took to cycling for health reasons, competition, recreation or simply led by the need for fellowship. Besides news on competitions, opinion exchanges and great tours, many cycling clubs have extended activities and preoccupations that cover a variety of domains; a good case here is the insurance coverage and the support cycling clubs offer to injured members. Though some clubs are organizations to be joined freely without any membership fee required, there are nevertheless some funds collected annually as part of special social events for instance.

This money is often used to assist members in need to cover their insurance for instance in case an accident occurs during a tour organized by the club. Furthermore, it often happens that cycling clubs use funds for the promotion of certain talented members, usually children or youngsters under the form of scholarships or sponsorships for important competitions.

Many people are keeping a close contact with their cycling clubs on the official web pages of the organizations, since this is presently the easiest way to learn the latest news and the planning of special cycling events of great interest. Moreover, mention must be made that one of the best looked-for elements on the web sites of cycling clubs are tips for increasing sports performance. What is the most likely information to find here?

First of all, certain cycling clubs promote a brand name in the business, meaning that at official events, club members will wear special bike apparel from a certain manufacturer. There are plenty of recommendations and words of advice about what kind of cycling clothes to use and on what weather conditions; yet, the informative columns of cycling clubs also refer to other specific cases than clothing.

For instance, some cycling clubs strongly militate for the creation of skills for both hands; since most people have the tendency of using their right hand to grab the water bottle, open a zip or take something from the pocket. The left hand on the handlebars would be the one to access the break in case of an emergency, and what if there is a slower reaction due to the absence of skill?

At one time, heart rate monitors were used mainly by doctors or nurses in a medical setting to keep track of a patient’s heart rate. That has changed now. Many people are concerned with their health and as part of their desire to track their own health, use a monitor. Today heart monitors are also used by athletes in many sports or activities to help improve performance.

So what exactly is a heart rate monitor? Basically it is a piece of electronic equipment also known as a cardiac monitor. Its purpose is to observe and keep track of heart functions on a continuous basis.

When used for medical reasons, heart monitors can help doctors to track a patient’s heart function over a period of time. They can then compare data and modify treatment plans as required.

Today, heart monitors are not limited to the medical community. They are widely available to the general public. There are numerous types of monitors to choose from including specialty heart monitors designed for various sports and activities.

One example is monitors that have been primarily designed for use in weight loss. Other heart rate monitors are more for use with athletics or fitness.

Often monitors consist of two parts. One part transmits information about the heart. The other part receives information about the heart. A large number of heart rate monitors come with a strap that must be worn around the chest. It’s important for the strap to fit snugly. Readings can be inaccurate if the strap does not fit securely. Inside of the strap there is a device which will detect your heart’s electrical activity.

The results are then transmitted to the watch which is worn on either wrist. Heart monitor watches display these results and may even store results for a period of time.

Heart rate monitors using chest straps give the most accurate results but some people just can’t wear them comfortably. There is an alternative to this type of monitor in this case.

If you choose a strapless heart rate monitor, you won’t have to wear a chest strap. A wrist heart rate monitor works completely through the watch. It has sensors located on the watch. You place your finger on the sensor. It then receives and displays the information on the watch.

Interest in heart rate monitors continues to grow. If you have health issues, heart monitors can be an important tool leading towards better health. Athletes and fitness buffs rely on heart monitor watches to achieve better results.

A great way to maintain your heart rate at a safe but effective level is by using heart monitor watches. Some companies specialize in manufacturing heart rate monitors for women . Others focus more on men.

Sports channels are the main source of cycling news most people turn to, but the Internet is definitely catching up terrain from behind. Modern technology presently enables fans to see their favorite cycling news broadcast online on various Internet sites where they are registered as members. But what if you are interested in a specific type of cycling news? Such items of information are usually related to regional competitions, routes, weather conditions that could prevent a biker from a successful ride, but the latest equipment items are also well promoted and presented by cycling news sites.

What if you don’t have enough time to browse all sorts of web pages to learn the cycling news that you take interest in? For such busy people, special softwares have been invented that scan the web for you, making a summary of the top important cycling news items you’d want to learn. Another great way of staying well informed is by having infos sent to your emails from cycling clubs where you have registered as a member; informative columns are part of the services such clubs offer periodically. Such cycling news are regularly updated with fresh content that you will definitely find interesting!

International sports events of great importance to any passionate biker are largely tackled with in the pages of broadsheets. This is how you learn about professional cyclists tops and rankings in competition hierarchies, about the sponsorships they get and the kind of equipment they use. People usually delight in sharing some stuff they have in common with national or world champions, and cycling news make a great opportunity for further debates with friends or partners. Like in any other domains, the most popular bikers that get on the cycling news pages are those who set real trends.

We’re talking here about the creation of a quality level that many people are inclined to follow and try to raise up to. You’d be surprised how an interview with a great biker who’s just ended a tough competition, broadcast as part of the cycling news can be inspirational for many other people all over the world who lack the courage to start their own cycling adventure. This is the way cycling routes are set to the point that they achieve popularity by the large number of sportsmen who ride their bikes along every year. Hence, if for a regular person with an average interest in sport, cycling news may not mean much, for a true fan, they become a more than pleasant moment of the daily routine.

Post cycle therapy (PCT) is a must for maximum benefits from any prohormone or steroid cycle! Anabolic steroids are the synthetic derivatives of the naturally occurring male anabolic hormone testosterone. Testosterone is a hormone that is responsible for the secondary sex characteristics you see in males such as deep voice, body hair etc. Anabolic-androgenic steroids , hormones that boost muscle anabolism , have been used by professional and recreational athletes for decades. Periods of AAS use , referred to as steroid cycles , are employed to generate greater increases in strength and muscle hypertrophy .

PCT’s are used to come off of a cycle of a (prohormone/prosteroid/anabolic-androgenic steroid) cycle. A PCT’s function is not only to help maintain gains, but to bring your body back to where it would naturally be, or as close to that as possible, help prevent rebound effects, and control some of the other ‘bad’ effects a cycle can create. Post-cycle therapy will start the day after you stop taking your testosterone enhancers.

Hormone levels want to be in a precise balance, which includes the testosterone/estrogen balance. Many pro-hormones claim that their products cannot aromatize, thus leading you to a conclusion that you do not need to worry about estrogen. Hormones are powerful chemical messengers and should always be treated as such to avoid unwanted results.

Estrogen as well inhibits the production of natural testosterone, and in the period between the return of natural testosterone and the end of a cycle, a lot of mass is lost. So its in everybody’s best interest to bring back natural test as soon as humanly possible.

Clomid and Nolvadex will reduce the post-cycle estrogen, so that the hypothalamus is stimulated to regenerate natural testosterone production in the body. That’s basically how the mechanism works, nothing more, nothing less. Clomid and Nolvadex are both anti-estrogens belonging to the same group of triphenylethylene compounds. They are structurally related and specifically classified as selective estrogen receptor modulators (SERMs) with mixed agonistic and antagonistic properties.

Estrogen and its side effects can also be controlled by using an aromatase inhibitor such as Aromasin, Femara and Arimidex during cycles including aromatizing AAS. Prolactin and its side effects can be controlled by using an anti Prolactin such as Cabergoline (Dostinex) or Bromocriptine (Parodel) during cycles containing nandrolones. Estrogen rebound is tough on a guy. Lost gains are sometimes even tougher to take. Proper post cycle therapy can control both of these issues.

Post cycle therapies are necessary and should not in any way be taken lightly. When starting a cycle, you should always know your PCT and have it lined up ahead of time.

Most people are unaware of the “two cycle” billing method used by many credit card issuers today. This billing method actually makes consumers pay interest twice for charges that they put on their credit cards. Two cycle billing can even apply to those consumers who pay their credit card balance off each month. That’s not all either; credit cards that have two cycle billing effectively rob card holders of their grace period if they carry a balance from month to month.

Almost all credit cards offer a grace period that allows consumers to pay off their charges without having to pay interest. For our example let’s assume its 30 days.  So, if you were to make a $1000 purchase in January 1st and pay it off in March 1st you would expect to pay interest for the month of February, right?  With single cycle billing you will, however with two cycle billing you will pay interest for January and February.

Without getting too deep into the math, credit card companies charge interest on your average daily balance (balance divided by 30 days). If you pay your bill in full at the beginning of February, your next statement should have a zero balance. Two cycle billing calculates your interest on a 60 day average instead of dividing by 30 days. So, when your bill arrives in February you will pay your minimum payment, or your balance, plus interest for the first 30 days.

 This interest charge on your first statement will actually be lower than the single billing cycle because it has been calculated with 60 days instead of 30 days. However, when your bill arrives in March you will receive another interest payment for the remainder of the 60 day cycle, regardless of your balance. The truth is, the difference in interest between the two methods is only a couple of bucks, assuming that you pay the $1000 off in a month’s time. However, for those who carry a balance from month to month this additional interest can begin to add up. Not to mention the two cycle method will essentially rob you of your provisional grace period that is allowed on new purchases.

For example, when you carry a balance from month to month, your first statement will show your initial interest charges, less the original grace period.  However, using the two cycle billing method, all new purchases will be added to the 60 day average and interest calculated on that new balance. This means, that even if you pay your new purchases off in full the next month, you will still be paying interest on them the following month.

The best way to avoid the double cycle billing is to read the fine print before you apply, and then simply avoid the cards that use this method. Where it gets tricky is; what if the card that you are considering has a significantly lower rate than a comparable card that uses the two cycle billing method? If you are someone who pays the balance off each month, it’s a no-brainer, take the lowest rate. Just be sure that you pay within the grace period. If you are considering a balance transfer, you need to realistically, calculate how long it will take you to pay off your credit card balance.

Balance transfers require some math, if you follow the link below to Direct Banc, you can use our balance transfer calculator to get a better idea of which card will be the best for you.  As always, we suggest that you read the “fine print” before applying for any credit card to avoid any surprises. Remember, if you get a card that you don’t like, you can simply cancel the card when it arrives at no cost to you.

Cycling in China can be a fantastic experience. But since China is so big, you have to make sure to explore it by your own way. Come on with our guide, and take our bicycle for a ride to be able to find the best and safe cycling route in the most beautiful places of China, which are also the most suitable places for all ages to travel by bicycle.

Cycling Hutong in Beijing

Beijing is a city of amazing contrasts – an ancient capital with incredible historical sites, and a bustling modern metropolis. Cycling in “Hutong” is a very good opportunity for you to have a real understanding of the local people life.

“Hutong” is an area of narrow lanes and traditional homes typical of early Beijing-shuttling between the beautiful Rear Lake and traditional quadrangle. They all look same but full of life: children playing around, old men gather around playing cards, and the local bicyclists traveling through. It is now become an informal symbol of the city.

 
Cycling atop the Ancient City Wall in Xian

Cycling atop the Ancient City Wall in Xian is another unique experience in China. Ancient City Walls were built during the 14th century on Tang dynasty foundations and they date from the Ming dynasty. The walls are the largest and best-preserved ancient fortress in the world. Cycling on the commodious wall, you can get amazing views of the city and the city is all under your eyes.

 
Cycling Around Yangshuo

Yangshuo is one of the best towns for moderate cycling in China. Here you can experience an interesting and enjoyable cycling tour by taking the picturesque country road. Along the way, you can visit the big banyan tree which covers an area of 1000 square meters with a long history of 1,000 years and the Moon Hill with a hole in its peak in the shape of a half moon where you can look through the sky as well as the old villages. Beside these, you also can see the Yulong River, rice paddies, lush bamboo groves and people working in the fields.

 
Cycling to the Suhe Old Town outside Lijiang

Cycling to the Suhe Old Town outside Lijiang, you can explore the Naxi ethnic life by your own way.
The Suhe Old Town is four kilometers (2 miles) away from the Lijiang Old Town. The Suhe old town is alive with the strong culture of primitive simplicity. It is a traditional Naxi village where you can enjoy your drinking and food at the bank of the river in the farmland. If you are tired by the hustle and bustle of city life, come here, the tranquility of country life will certainly relax and revive you. Along the way, you can visit the lion hill behind Lijiang Old Town. Standing on the top of the Lion Hill , you will have a wonderful panoramic view of Lijiang Old Town.

Cycling in Kashgar

As a China Muslim center, Kashgar is endowed by nature with desert, glacier and mountains. Id Kah Mosque, Kashgar Sunday Bazaar and Abakh Khoia Tomb are typical historic spots in Kashgar which are located well within 5km from the city centre. It is easy for you to take a bike tour to discover those historic sites.

Cycling to the renowned Sunday Bazaar and the less known but more amazing animal Bazaar, you will get to know this ancient Silk Road history better. In kashgar animal Bazaar, you can see sheep section, cow section, horse cart section, etc. Here, you can see dealers negotiate silently with hand gestures. Seeing how ease the local life style is, you feel like being back to the ancient time.