Remember, a group ride is NOT a race and a smart rider is as valuable to the group as a strong rider. To ensure a safe and pleasant experience, group riding requires proper etiquette and technique.

To start, you need to find the proper group. Novices should begin in a ‘no-drop’ group. Here, no rider is ever ‘dropped’ or left behind as an experienced rider is always near the back. As you advance, a ‘drop-in’ group may be your next option. Here, a specific goal such as distance or quicker pace may be the group’s challenge. Finally, very experienced riders form an ‘elite’ group, where times and speeds are often pushed to the limit.

A group rider will learn to ride parallel with edge of the road and form a straight ‘pace line’ directly behind other riders. A novice should aim for a 3-foot distance, while experienced cyclists can maintain a 6 to 12 inch gap. Riding in this fashion allows riders to create a ‘slipstream’ or ‘drafting’ effect. In theory, the lead rider creates an area of less wind resistance for the trailing riders, who can benefit an energy savings of up to 30 percent. Each group member takes a turn as lead rider to maximize the effect.

Communication is vital for a group ride. A group rider should never wear headphones or ear buds. Always keep your eyes and ears open for either visual or verbal signals from the riders up ahead.

Euro-Sports is Ottawa’s foremost retailer of premium cycling and triathlon products. For cyclists of all levels, it’s the best place to start if you are looking for a road or mountain bike group ride. For more information, visit www.euro-sports.ca.

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Pool running or aqua jogging is an optimal cross training activity that can be accomplished in any community or backyard pool. It’s ideal for triathletes or anyone striving to improve cardiovascular fitness while building muscular strength at the same time. Pros and coaches endorse pool running because it’s a non-weight bearing training activity that mimics the muscle movements you would engage in an actual competition.

To fully maximize the benefits, pool running should be preformed in the deep end of a pool. By not touching the bottom, the activity literally becomes non-impact. This is critical for those either nursing an injury, in rehabilitation or just taking a break from the daily pounding on the pavement. A pool running belt may help beginners. It provides buoyancy and helps determine proper running posture. You should be leaning slightly forward, properly activating the hip extensors. Keep your toes pointed downward (ballet style) and simply move your arms and legs as you would when running on land. Basically, you are meant to propel through the water as opposed to running in one spot.

As a bonus, pool running adds an isokinetic element to your workout. In the pool, you are working against the force of water, which has more resistance than the air you would encounter on land. Basically, the harder you run the more the water resists your force, which provides a great strengthening benefit.

Euro-Sports is Ottawa’s foremost retailer and wholesaler of premium cycling and triathlon products. Visit them at www.euro-sports.ca or come by for a Monday night drop-in run, 6 p.m. every Monday, rain or shine.

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Savant is the developer of the world’s only Apple-based home control, automation and media system native to the iPad, iPod Touch and iPhone. Before Savant developed this application the only other option for this type of control was to use a dedicated touch panel. Now through the use of the Apple device of your choice you can take control of your home through an easy to use interface that existing Apple owners are familiar with and newcomers will pick up within minutes.

With Savant TruControl your favorite Apple device is converted into a two-way remote that affords complete control of your security system, lighting, audio system, climate control and several other systems. Imagine that you are out of the country and curious about the status of your home. Through Wi-Fi or 3G wireless connectivity you can receive a live video feed of your home. Perhaps you’ve just touched down at the airport and you would like to have your home warm and illuminated for your arrival. No problem, simply use your Apple device and activate your climate control.

With Savant you are always in control and in touch with what matters most. Features such as push-to-talk with the iPad through your intercom communication means that if you are on the deck it’s easy to communicate with someone in the basement. Savant also grants the user(s) immediate access to iTunes, Facebook, Sirius, Pandora and other music subscription services.

Locally-owned and operated, Signature Audio Video has been helping people in the greater Ottawa area turn their home theatre dreams into reality for over 15 years. Visit them online at www.sigav.com, drop by their showroom or call to arrange an appointment with one of their design consultants.

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There’s a huge range of products when you’re looking for a steel door and you need to start your search by looking at gauge of the product. The numbers work opposite to the way you might have thought as the higher the number the thinner the steel.  This is important since stronger gauges do not bend or flex as easily as lesser grades and paints well. Steel doors come in a variety of styles and colours.

Fiberglass is the new kid on the block that’s causing quite a sensation since it is very secure and safe and even resists dents and scratching. Stay away from cheap fiberglass models but remember that this material doesn’t need to be painted or otherwise finished to be low maintenance. Make sure to take note of the quality of the wood grain here as well.

Solid wood doors will resist most expanding and shifting although any time you select this material there’s always that possibility. Although you’ll need to keep up the finish annually, these are generally considered the most elegant for a residential home. Remember that quality costs and the wood door is the most expensive.

Ottawa Windows and Doors carries quality door and window products. They have a no subcontractor guarantee and you can visit them at ottawawindows.com, email them at info@ottawawindows.com or call at 613-225-8737.

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We’ve all seen vintage or antique sewing machines, those black metal Singers that once upon a time graced every home and were the means through which women kept their families clothed. They’re not especially rare. And because there are so many of them around, they tend not to have a lot of resale value.

But they’ve stood the test of time because they’re simple to operate, maintain and repair – and with no plastic parts or computerized components – they tend to be strong, reliable, precise in their stitching and highly resilient. Today’s quilters often use the old Singer Featherweight machines for their piecing work; they’re so small and lightweight, they can easily tote them along to the cottage or a class.

But the value of a good vintage sewing machine can extend well beyond the practical; if you’ve inherited a machine that once belonged to grandma there’s likely a certain emotional connection to it as well. Perhaps you remember sitting under the treadle machine, rocking it so granny could stitch away. Or maybe your mom has passed on her old machine, the one on which you first learned to sew. Such machines can be more than just a lovely accessory or handy-if-old-fashioned tool. They can provide a cherished connection to history.

For 23 years, Kanata Vacuum and Sewing Centre has been Kanata’s best choice for the purchase and service of vacuum cleaners and sewing machines. They sell a broad range of Brother sewing machines and sergers and offer private instruction, ensuring customers feel comfortable operating and caring for their new machines. Their store is located in the Castledean Mall, at 471 Hazeldean Road. You can reach them at 613-831-2326 or 613-831-7397 or on the web at www.kanatavacsew.ca.

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Once such outdoor cooking device that has been gaining in popularity with enthusiasts is the kamado-style ceramic cooker. They may be used effectively for grilling and smoking – even baking!

This is by virtue of the excellent heat retention properties of the interior heat conducting and retaining ceramic shell that allows temperatures from as low as 150°F up to 800°F to be achieved. Due to the precise control of airflow (and thus temperature) provided by the unique vent system, kamado-style cookers are much like wood-fired ovens and can be used to roast and bake anything that can be roasted or baked in a traditional oven! There will always be some individuals that claim to be able to cook anything on a grill. Be that as it may. A device such as the Kamado brand or even ‘The Big Green Egg’ will do it each and every time – consistently. You are very much in control.

The Big Green Egg, similar to the Kamado brand of kamado-style devices, started life being almost ridiculed because of its looks. Once outdoor cooking aficionados got their hands on them, grilling was elevated.

The reputations of both devices continue to grow. In fact, ‘purists’ will even use lump coal in lieu of charcoal since coal is more natural – with far less chemicals and is easier to start. Those same people now think nothing of adding different types of wood to their grill’s fires – all to enhance the flavour of what is being prepared.

Both grills generate a more even, better controlled heat, resulting in superior results; terrific fish, ribs, veggies, breads, pizzas – you name it.

Harding The Fireplace/Dream Fires Ltd. want to help you make informed decisions when it comes to the comfort, warmth and enjoyment of your home. With expert staff and huge selection of name brand products, they have something for every home and budget at either of two Ottawa locations. For more information, visit www.dreamfires.ca.

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Some people hit the local gym and ride the stationary bikes, but once you’ve rode a high quality bike for any length of time it’s almost sacrilegious. Wouldn’t it be nice if you could simply ride your own bike all year long?

Thankfully it’s possible and inexpensive to stay in top shape while being comfortable on your own bike and saddle. The inexpensive way to train on your bike at home is to use a mag trainer that bolts onto your bike at the rear wheel, allowing you to ride and experience different levels of resistance that affords a good workout experience.

There are many trainers on the market that are perfect for those that live in small spaces that will fold up small enough to be put in a closet or transported to another location.

For cyclists that demand the best a company called Tacx that has developed a trainer for the most discerning cyclist. The Genius T2020 is a state-of-the-art trainer that virtually releases you from the confines of your home, helping to ease winter cabin fever and allowing you to continue cycling year round.

The Genius T2020 features software that displays a first-person scenic view of your choice that can be played on a laptop. The beauty of this system is that as the gradient changes so does the resistance provided by the trainer. You are also able to steer the front wheel as the road changes direction or let the bike freewheel when coasting down a hill. The software also has a data logging feature that measures cadence and power output.

Euro-Sports is Ottawa’s foremost retailer and wholesaler of premium cycling and triathlon products. Visit them at www.Euro-Sports.ca or come by for a Monday night drop-in run, 6 pm every Monday rain or shine.

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While this was a reliable method of detecting glass breakage, it was labor intensive to install and prone to extensive service from scratches and breaks in the foil.

Today, most glass break sensors are acoustic devices that are visually attractive, less expensive to install and maintain and can be set to trip to only the sound of breaking glass. Newer models of quality glass sensors are less prone to false alarms.

Glass sensors do not actually sense glass breaking; they listen for a frequency of sound caused by the crash or crack associated with breaking glass. Therefore, it is important to have glass sensors installed by trained professionals.

The number one brand for this type of device is Sentrol that, when they are installed correctly, will give you the protection you need with no false alarms. However, glass sensors should not be installed in a room where there is normally a lot of noise, such as a kitchen.

The kitchen may be a good location for a glass sensor when you are not home. But if the system is on when you are home, any glass touching, breaking or clanging will set off the alarm. If you decide to install glass sensors in your kitchen, they should be activated only when you are away from the home or not in the room.

The experienced professionals at Colonnade Security in Ottawa provide top of the line equipment, expert installation, user demonstration and client-focused service as well as vigilant monitoring from a ULC monitoring station in Ottawa. For more information, you can call 613-839-1274 or visit www.colonnadesecurity.com.

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You can also be spared the frustration of trying to schedule your life around your child’s games and practices. Although most children enjoy participating in team sports, programs and activities that are designed for you child to challenge themselves in a less competitive atmosphere can prove very rewarding!

Here are a few tips of what to look for when seeking out an activity centre:

• Organized programs that offer both drop-ins as well as memberships work well as it gives you more flexibility to find something that meets your daily plans.
• Look for a facility that features activities that offer not only fun, but learning for your child. This is especially effective for the age 1-4 kids who still have much coordination and cognitive, physical and social skills to develop.
• Find activities that are age appropriate and that won’t find your toddler face to face with the knee caps of a 10 year old.
• Look for programs that have flexible usage so that you can be sure to take advantage of as much activity time as possible.
• Look for both free time and structured classes for you to enjoy with your child. This offers the fun of play with the benefits of learning.

Brinkeetos in Kanata, offers your child a whole world of discovery. Using psychomotricity to foster better spatial awareness in children, your child will learn to feel more at ease with their body. They combine rhythm, games and physical activity for a fun-filled experience your child will be sure to enjoy. Each program is based on your child’s age and skill set and is designed to improve cognitive, physical and social skills. Visit www.brinkeetos.com for information on participating in a free class.

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These new HDTVs are also becoming slimmer in profile which results in a smaller footprint in your entertainment unit despite the increase in screen size. This is fine and dandy if you want a wall mounted or free standing panel but if you truly desire a home theatre in its purest form, these units aren’t for you.

Already not many are ready to make the financial commitment, it is relatively simple to have a big screen experience in your home, whether in your basement or living room. If this is the route that you’re interested in taking you need to consider purchasing the best projector that you can afford, as it will be critical in the quality of the image reproduction.

The Epson Home Cinema 6100 LCD projector is one of the most highly recommended and critically acclaimed units on the market today. It features 1080p resolution featuring 3LCD projection which affords stunning image quality with the factory default settings. AV aficionados know that contrast ratio is critical and goes hand in hand with detail and thankfully the Epson Home Cinema 6100 features a fantastic 18,000:1 contrast ratio! It also features a pair of HDMI 1.3a inputs, 2.1:1 zoom lens for precise initial setup and a long life lamp that’s rated at 4000 hours of operation. Epson also backs their product with a 2-year warranty.

The Epson Home Cinema 6100 is a great for the consumer that demands top quality and performance, easy to setup, calibrate and operate. The 6100 coupled with a high quality screen will definitely not disappoint and in fact it will easily rival projectors in the higher price bracket.

Locally-owned and operated, Signature Audio Video has been helping people in the greater Ottawa area turn their home theatre dreams into reality for over 15 years. Visit them online at www.sigav.com, drop by their showroom or call to arrange an appointment with one of their design consultants.

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