A great introduction to Centered Riding
352008
I've rented this video several times from the video store because it helps me improve my balance and riding.

It helps to first read the book "Centered Riding" by Sally Swift as this will clue you into the visual imagery that she uses to get riders to stretch and relax.

Sally instructs various riders, coaching and encouraging them to be centered.  It is for all kinds of riders - beginners especially.  It helps the frightened or nervous rider relax.

This is a video you can play over and over again and see something different each time.
3842057
What can be said that hasn't already?  This is just a super book.  Mr. Hough writes in a way that is easily read and understood.  Pictures and diagrams are awesome.  I have taken local MC riding courses and their material must come from this book.  If you ride, whether newb or 50 yr veteran, buy this book and read it.  You will learn something that one day may save you.  And you will ride more comfortable with an understanding of riding skills.  Of course reading is a good start, but taking a local riding safety course and practicing your riding skills is the key.  Ride safe...ride smart.
4846513
Great book!  It combines their extensive experience and techniques into an easy and fun to read book!  By applying their practical techniques, I have been able to improve my own riding.  Highly recommend!
1737642
As Jay Leno says of this book, "As both an idiot and a motorcyclist, I found this book very helpful."  A hard statement with which to argue.

Not, like so many others of this genre, dedicated to Harley-Davidson.  This book deals with just about any motorcycle you will find on the market.  It goes into detail on their history, mechanics, operation, their (relatively) safe use, and gives some good advice on what to buy and what not to buy as a first motorcycle.

On the latter subject, the author (Darwin Holstrom) advises the newcomer to stay away from the big twin cruisers and touring bikes--because of their weight, not because of their engine size and power.  And they are heavy!  My 2000 Kawasaki Vulcan Nomad (90 cu. in.) weighs in at about 750 lbs, wet.  Add 350 lbs. of rider and passenger and some underwear and shaving gear, and you're at over half a ton on two wheels.

There are advantages: with such a large machine--especially if it is well-lighted, you are more likely to be seen by drivers of automobiles, who are responsible for most of the mayhem that happens to motorcyclists.

This is an excellent book, written by a man who is quite obviously very knowledgeable about the subject matter. He claims over twenty years of motorcycling experience.  It covers just about every aspect of motorcycling that you can think of, including street strategies (apologies to David Hough), riding in the dirt, hill climbing, touring--you name it, it's in here. A very entertaining and enlightening book.

The Complete Idiot's Guide to Motorcycles is replete with inumerable photos, drawings, cartoons and witicisms, as well as a very complete glossary of terms and an index of subject matter covered.  It also has a very complete list of clubs and organizations for aficianados, and with its 2002 copyright date, it covers many of the very latest mootorcycles.

I recommend it for your library as one of the best and most current books on the subject.

Joe Pierre

author of Handguns and Freedom...their care and maintenance
and other books
2368189
As an amateur rider and working with an instructor part of the time its good to know the real details of executing a specific exercise. Most instructors don't mention small details of the hands, legs or seat.  This book is helpful in pin-pointing specifics. Thanks
3576190
Although I have been riding for several years, and I have done real mileage, this book opened up new experiences and loads of new learning for me.

I appreciate that some of the content is outdated because biking technology has moved forwards in leaps and bounds but the basics the book teaches will prevail.

I also appreciate that I would not have grasped these concepts if I had read the book many years ago as it is for advanced riding.

I look forward to follow-up editions of A twist of the Wrist...
3177667
Wonderful information. Would have liked more pix of the tack options. I found it a good read and hope the author considers doing a series to include fitting and the riding classes..:)
1109223
Whether you are just getting into the sport, or already an avid rider, you will find this book full of useful tips across virtually all dimensions of riding.  Ned has done a great job of distilling his years of experience into practical advice that anyone can quickly put to use.  Though more photos would be even better, the book is clearly illustrated to ensure that you see each recommendation in action.
I have been mountain biking for more than a year, and the only regret I have about reading this book is that I didn't do it sooner--it would have saved me from a few falls.
Forget your owner's manual, this book should be included with every new mountain bike sold!
3751386
I highly recommend 40 Fundamental of English Riding to students of all riding levels.  This book is comprehensive in its coverage and gets to the root of important topics from the rider position and aids to the training scale. The text is clearly written and contains content on both the how and why of classical riding.  Johnson & Wales University's Center for Equine Studies has chosen this book as a text for our equine majors.  The book is beautifully laid out and contains numerous quality images and a DVD that compliments the text for the visual learner.
Beth Beukema
Department Chairperson
2804939
I been riding for a long time but still found some outstanding advice in this book. The advanced riding techniques chapter is solid gold.
3057087
I found Lindgren's book to be a concisely written work that clarifies many difficult concepts in the earlier levels of dressage schooling.  The book is divided into levels (training through 5th) with up to eight different  patterns/exercises for each level.  The exercises are clearly presented  with a "Purpose" (what one is trying to achieve by utilizing the  specific execise), an "Explaination" of how to do the exercise,  what to "Observe" when doing the exercise and "Suggestions  and Advice" for proper execution of the exercise.
As a rider who  does not have access to regular instruction, I found this book particularly  helpful.  The exercises give me a goal for each ride and they follow a  logical progression so that I know I am on track in my schooling.  I like  the use of cones...they really help me focus on the patterns.
The  introduction presents the best explaination of the use of the aids, the  half-halt, and being "on the bit" that I have ever read...very  clear definitions of these sometimes elusive concepts.
I reccommend this  book for any lower level dressage rider.  It is a wonderful tool for  schooling alone or for structuring a lesson.
1976894
This book is perfect for the modern rider. Many of us, me included, rush through our daily lives so we can go out and ride our horses but never seem to have enough time to study and improve our riding. With this book you can open it up, find the particular issue that's bugging you, have a quick read and go out and put the exercise into practice. The illustrations are plentiful and clear, the explanations back up the photographs beautifully and the whole package is easy to understand.

On the other side, for the rider who really wants to delve into great detail, these exercises can be linked together to form a comprehensive and in-depth lesson program. The serious rider will find the exercises easy to apply and will truly advance their skills. Then as you are improving, you'll find yourself coming back to previous exercises to solve those nagging  issues that return to plague us all.

And for those who teach, this book is indispensable. You will see many of your students represented here and will have nice quick tools to help them progress. There is nothing more a student appreciates than to make a significant change in a single lesson. This book can do that for you. And there are wonderful exercises that can be done off the horse on a miserable rainy day, and the students will be noticeably better the next ride.

I cannot recommend this book highly enough for all riders at all levels.  It helps keep the fun in riding yet the exercises given make such a huge difference. I can't wait to get out and try them all, but I guess I need 50 days to do that (and quite a few more in between to really practice). :-) Enjoy
66655
This is an excellent book for people interested in riding a motorcycle across the United States.  Peck uses the framework of his own ride in December 2001, to give tips and information on how anyone else could manage a similar trip.  The book is divided into chapters with clever subheadings giving riders pointers on how to prepare for a trip, deal with equipment, riding techniques and how to get the most out of the experience.
Among topics covered (and noted in the index for easy finding)are lists of what to take,ways to eat on the road, managing traffic on the Interstates and reflections about the riding experience.
I enjoyed reading this book.  It's friendly, packed with information and I came away confident I, too, could ride a motorcycle across the United States!
1407132
Great read and resource for a newbie  or even a seasoned rider still building skills.  The book is hilarious and Informative in a great, concise manner!
840586
Wonderful book for academics of riding. Pairs beautifully with Centered Riding. I have been so blessed to see and experience horses trained and ridden this way. What a gift we can give our horses.
2868853
This is a great ride for those who are new to cycling, or for someone needing a recovery ride.  Our host Paul Gallas takes us on a tour of scenic Islands of British Columbia, starting in Nanaimo, on to Crofton Ferry Terminal, across the ferry to Salt Springs Island.

I do not belong to a riding club and usually ride alone, so Pauls comments are very helpful to me.  Its like riding with a personal coach.

In this video he covered some questions that I always wondered but have never had the opportunity to ask.  For example, he discusses various equipment like heart rate monitors, power meters, and clipless pedals.  He also talks about why cycling outfits are so stupid looking but necessary, and how to stretch on a bike.  There is also a helpful discussion of how the body burns fat at lower heart rates, and burns sugar with more intensity.

The first 75 minutes are a recovery ride, but the intensity picks up the last 10 minutes on Salt Springs Island.  During the first part he demonstrates drills to help our technique for real world cycling.  He also covers some of the basics of riding.  If you want just the background music or the sounds from the ride, there are alternate audio tracks to choose from.

Once we get across the ferry we see the full dashboard which tells us things like perceived resistance, % of max heart rate, cadence, etc.  It seems like Part 2 (not included in this video) will pick up from where this ride leaves off, and has a lot of anaerobic workouts.

I like Pauls videos, and recommend getting some from each category (endurance, intervals, anaerobic, heart health, etc).  This is a great one for a low intensity recovery ride, and has helpful tips.
1874609
This book is fabulous for every level of rider - though it starts with the history of eventing and the basics, it is not "dumbed down" and answers many of the questions riders new to eventing will have and is a great refresher even for those riders who have been at it for awhile. It is also an amazing analysis of the step-by-step process of participating in eventing that focuses on the horse, not just on the rider. I really cannot find a thing that is not addressed in the book that should have been.

I recommend it even to non-eventers as many of the skills needed to compete are applicable to any discipline.

In short - buy this book. You will not be disappointed