Gravel bikes have become a common staple in the cycling world. Allowing cyclists to experience a wider range of riding – from forest roads, two-tracks, single track, and other forms of unpaved terrain – gravel bikes give ways to more freedom and more possibilities.

With the growing popularity of gravel bikes has come more gravel-centric races throughout the U.S. A unique cross between road cycling and mountain biking, these events provide participants with a greater sense of adventure. You don’t need a high-performance bike to get involved, either. Many cyclists, especially those who are beginners, find a budget gravel bike gets the job done.

If you’re keen to participate in a gravel event sometime in the near future, check out these top gravel bike races found all throughout the U.S.

1. Unbound Gravel

Formerly known as Dirty Kanza, Unbound Gravel is one of the most widely-known gravel bike races in the US offering a range of short-course options along with the coveted 200-mile course and XL version extending 350 miles. Navigation is key for this race, so it’s highly recommended to use a GPS-enabled multisport watch or bike computer to help guide your way.

Bringing amateur and professional cyclists from around the world, Unbound Gravel transforms the small town of Emporia, Kansas in early June. The long courses meander the rugged and remote roads of east-central Kansas’ Flint Hills region, which hosts the only remaining expanse of natural tallgrass prairie in North America.

Unbound Gravel attracts several thousand gravel cyclists every year, yet not all participants finish. The race is extremely challenging with considerable climbing, self-supported race dynamics, and hot conditions. Learn more about this world premiere gravel bike race at UnboundGravel.com.

Owning a gun comes with an increased level of responsibility and caution. You cannot be lenient about gun safety if you only handle guns and don’t shoot them. Whether you sell, manufacture, collect, or shoot guns, you have to maintain safety for all types of firearms. Below are a few ways you can optimize safety when handling a firearm.

1. Handle Your Gun Responsibly

Whether the gun has bullets or not, treat it as if it’s loaded. Don’t let anyone handle the gun if they lack basic safety knowledge and training. Do not automatically assume that a gun is unloaded or test it to see if it’s loaded or not.

This tip requires that you know how to operate the gun properly. Understand the basic mechanical components of how to load the bullets, how to unload, how to handle malfunctions, what to do if a bullet gets jammed, etc.

Not every firearm’s make and model is the same, so take the time to learn about your particular gun before handling it. Most gun shop owners or gun suppliers have in-depth knowledge of the guns they sell. Before you purchase a gun, discuss the necessary safety precautions with the seller to ensure that you understand everything you need to know about that particular weapon. If you’re new to handling guns, ask for recommendations that are good for beginners.

As a gun owner, your number one responsibility is to practice proper gun safety. One safety precaution involved ensuring that your gun is clean and properly maintained. A lack of cleaning and lubrication can result in a firearm that doesn’t fire when needed. So then, how do you clean your gun to ensure it’s in tip-top shape? The following tips will help you learn how to properly maintain your firearms.

Dissemble Before Cleaning

While this goes without saying, you should always unload and disassemble your gun as per the manufacturers’ recommendation before cleaning. Dissembling your gun enables you to gain access to the inner parts. Therefore, you can easily clean dirt and powder residues that would otherwise cause inefficiency. If you don’t have a user manual to refer to for dissembling, make sure you get a digital copy of the same firearm online. Ensuring that your weapon isn’t loaded will also prevent it from firing off unexpectedly.

Use Recommended Cleaning Brushes

In order to properly clean your gun, be sure to use a specially-made gun cleaning kit. Normally, these kits have brushes made of quality bristles to take out dirt even in their hard-to-reach spots. At the same time, these brushes can clean out the barrels without causing deterioration. Inside the cleaning kit, you should also get brush types that are made of nylon, phosphor bronze, cotton swabs, and stainless steel. Note that each brush type has a different cleaning purpose. Again, be sure to consult your manual.

As a sports spectator, it can be difficult finding the time and money needed to attend the most important games of the season, but even if you don’t have season tickets to your favorite sports event, there are plenty of great ways you can enjoy as a fan and spectator. There are 4 tips or rules to being considered a dedicated and authentic spectator and supporter.

Support Local Teams

To be a great fan, you have to support your local team. Smaller teams rely on your support in order to grow. Consider attending local high school and college games to encourage the up-and-comers. You can even consider donating to your local teams to help them afford equipment and travel costs. If you’re more interested in watching professional-level games, there are likely some local teams that you have yet to discover.

Avoid Switching Sides

If you are interested in becoming a part of the sports betting community, you might notice that it can be difficult to decide which teams you should bet on. After all, tracking the performance of every player and team can be especially time-consuming. Consistency is important when choosing a team to root for. Just remember that every team is bound to have a few rough games every now and then. If you don’t know much about the teams playing this season, consider using resources like Official Picks to help you stay up to date with which team is the favorite to win. Of course, it’s important to trust your own judgment as you use these kinds of resources. In the end, it’s up to you to make the final call.

Remember That Teams Change Constantly

It’s common to find a favorite player when you spectate a team for long enough. However, it’s important to remember that a single player is rarely responsible for a team’s strength. Remember that consistency and a well-rounded team should be valued when determining who will win.

Hunting season is just around the corner, so now can be a good time to get your gear in order. Whether you are an avid hunter or are just getting started, it is important to be prepared. Before you go out on the season’s first expedition, be sure to bring some of these essential accessories with you.

Binoculars

Binoculars are a must-have for any hunter. They allow you to see your target clearly from a distance, making it easier to take accurate shots. Make sure to choose a pair that is comfortable to wear and has a good magnification power. Depending on how long you plan on being out in the wilderness, it can be a good idea to also grab a lighter pair, especially for longer trips where every ounce of weight counts.

Rangefinder

A rangefinder is another essential piece of hunting gear. It helps you determine the distance between you and your target, which is important for making accurate shots. Choose a model that is easy to use and has a good range. Keep your own skill level and what you plan on hunting in mind when you make your purchase as well.

Winter is here! And so is the fun white stuff. Snow. So what better time than the present to get the family together and try some new activities for this holiday season? You can have so much fun with snow, from snowball fights to building a snowman. 

Snow activities are wide and diverse – you can go skiing/snowboarding, play in the snow, ice skate, or even make a snow angel! Winter sports can be a ton of fun – while some might not be for everyone (like skiing), others will leave you wanting more. 

There are many sports that can be enjoyed during this time of year, though you’ll want to make sure your kids are ready for them before attempting any.

Before listing all of the awesome winter activities that you and your family can enjoy this season, what good would it be if those precious memories were not caught on film?

Therefore, 

Here Are The Best Camera Equipment To Use 

Drones:

The DJI Mavic 3 is a game-changing drone in every sense of the word. With its omnidirectional obstacle sensing and 4/3 CMOS Hasselblad camera, you can capture legendary photos or high-quality videos while flying smoothly without crashing! 

The best part? You get 46 minutes out of one charge thanks to a 5000mAh capacity Intelligent Flight Battery that gives it long flight times between charges.

GoPro:

Thanks to GoPro, action cameras have been a huge success. The GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition lightweight and compact design of the camera allows them to be mounted on different objects from helmets to boards of all kinds that can easily be used for a variety of sports, including surfing, kayaking, skydiving, and BMX biking.

Sony FDR-X3000R:

Great for those looking for a cheaper option than the GoPro Hero 4 Black Edition and with more features, including SteadyShot and wireless compatibility through an app. 

Here Are 12 Fun Sports You Can Try Out With Your Loved Ones 

(and yes, some of these sports do require good gear):

1. Ice Skating

A fun and low-cost activity for everyone, ice skating has been around for centuries and continues to thrill thousands of people each. You can choose to either rent or buy skates for this one – both of which are easily available at most sporting shops.

Everyone’s heard of ice skating at least once in their life. However, there is more than meets the eye when it comes to this popular activity. 

Ice Skate America suggests looking for skates with a low center of gravity (to ensure safety) and comfortable insoles made from memory foam or spongy material. 

In addition, you might want to invest in a helmet and knee pads for younger children if they’re not used to the activity already.

Ice skating is a fun activity for children and adults alike – it’s great exercise and, depending on where you go, ice skating can be quite an enjoyable occasion.

2. Snowshoeing

Walking through large piles of powdery snow can be quite an exhilarating experience that most people will enjoy – many families have been going on walks like this for years now. 

It is a healthy way to get some fresh air during winter without having to spend any money on expensive gear or sports equipment. However, parents should make sure their child is capable of walking long distances before attempting this activity, as well as look into what type of terrain they’ll be walking over beforehand.