How to Choose a Mountain Bike

Cole Hranicky is pursuing a degree in business and finance at Texas Tech University. He completed an internship with Gerber Construction in Colorado and was active during efforts to relieve people who were severely impacted by Hurricane Harvey. In his free time, Cole Hranicky pursues an interest in hiking, skiing, and mountain biking.

Many things come into consideration in choosing a mountain bike such as the size, wheel, and features. It is vital to select a bike that is right for your needs. The first thing is getting the right bike size. To get the right size, compare and contrast the distance between the saddle and the bars with the distance between the crack center and the mid head tube. Make sure that the seat post does not overextend while using a short seat tube.

You'll also want to go for a wheel size of 27.5in or 29in. The 29er wheels are light and stiff with suitable frames and tires. For longer miles, go for more giant hoops and smaller hoops for crashing trails. Although large wheel sizes are appropriate on hardtails, they are susceptible to pressure.

Go for a full-suspension bike or a hardtail bike. The hardtails are standard, while the full suspension bikes come with extra manufacturing complications, linkage, bearings, and rear shock that cost money. Complete suspension bikes are advancing with advantages that outweigh their disadvantages.

That said, the bike's strength is more important than its weight, so check out for steering accuracy and cornering. Select suspension quality against quantity. Look up reviews on the bike and where applicable, get your chosen bike model from the manufacturer's site.

 

Houston Food Bank’s Kids Cafe Fills in Nutrition Gaps

After graduating from Memorial High School in Houston, Cole Hranicky enrolled at Texas Tech University to study finance. Always active in service to his community, he received a public commendation for his work to aid first responders and residents in the wake of Hurricane Harvey in 2017. In addition, Cole Hranicky has volunteered with organizations like the Houston Food Bank.

Houston Food Bank is a nonprofit that provides people of all ages with food and other much-needed services that include social service application assistance and culinary arts job training. The food bank also supports a vibrant Kids Cafe program.

Almost 25 percent of youth under age 18 in the Houston area live in food-insecure households. Pediatricians know that, without proper nutrition, children and teens are at risk for a range of physical, mental, and behavioral conditions, sometimes with lifelong negative consequences.

Through the Kids Cafe, the Food Bank offers healthy meals and snacks to young people at southeast Texas daycare, summer care, and after-school programs year-round. These meals fill in the nutritional gaps for the many youths who regularly experience hunger. The program does not require ID or program enrollment.

All Kids Cafe meals provide a balanced diet. Each one includes servings of vegetables, fruit, whole grain and protein items, and milk. Any community organizations interested in becoming a Kids Cafe site can apply to the organization’s website.

How Young People Can Benefit from Church Youth Groups

Business major Cole Hranicky has worked with youth ministries for Chapelwood United Methodist Church and the Christian organization Young Life. In these roles, Cole Hranicky led community service activities and facilitated Bible study groups.

Youth ministry groups encourage adolescents to deepen their faith and get involved in their community. Participating in church youth programs offer young people the following benefits:

- New friendships. Teens can meet others who have the same values and beliefs, which can serve as a strong foundation for meaningful friendships. Friends who have met in church groups are less likely to pressure their peers into behaviors that contradict their faith.

- Mentors. Youth groups are often led by older teens or adults who are committed to acting as role models for young people. Youth ministry volunteers help teens navigate common issues in ways that reflect Christian principles.

- Community-mindedness. Youth groups often organize mission trips that help people in difficult situations. Young people who participate in community service are more likely to continue helping others throughout their lives.

Good Body Posture When Riding a Mountain Bike Downhill

An undergraduate student at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Cole Hranicky previously spent several months working as an intern for Gerber Construction in Houston, Texas. An avid outdoorsman, Cole Hranicky spends his free time mountain biking.

When mountain biking, it’s inevitable that you’ll go downhill at some point. Though this can be nerve-wracking, the basic body posture for going downhill is the same as when you are riding on a more level surface. Keep your body loose to absorb the impact of obstacles, and always look ahead of you. At the same time, make sure your heels are pointed toward the ground and your weight is balanced over your heels and legs, instead of your wrists and hands.

With this basic posture, you can ride downhill by pitching the front wheel away from you. When you do this, your chest will lower so that your elbows can remain bent. Having bent elbows lets you manipulate the bike more easily and absorb impacts.