Riding dirt bikes solo in remote areas is not conducive to safety. The two most basic rules of safety are: don't go out alone, and always tell someone your itinerary. But most of the time, Rex Taylor rode alone. That greatly increased the danger, but simplified his logistics. And it was just not possible to tell anyone his plans, because he rarely had more than a general idea himself, of his route or destination. The risks were worth the thrill of riding a high-powered machine, across landscapes of unsurpassed natural beauty, in total isolation. He could rely on nothing but pluck, and a lot of luck. And his luck held, to an unlikely degree. A flat tire, a broken bike part, a broken body part, or running out of gas, could have meant disaster, or death. But he tried not to think about that too much.

Like a modern-day Don Quixote, Joe Kurmaskie—bike adventurer, writer, and twelve-year-old boy trapped in a man’s body—wanders the world on two wheels, often with hilarious results, in Riding Outside the Lines. A jaunt through such far-flung locations as Ireland, Australia, Mexico, South America, and beyond, here is a collection of tales woven together with one central theme: the world is a much smaller place when you view it from the seat of a bicycle. Whether he’s weekending in the buff after accidentally stumbling into a nudist colony wedding, knocking back red wine in tin cans with a gun-toting ex–bounty hunter, combing the countryside in a quest to find the all-girl bagpipe squad he met in his dreams, or playing a rousing game of ice golf on the frozen tundra, Joe Kurmaskie writes of his gonzo global trek in a spirit infused with insight, good humor, and optimism. Riding Outside the Lines encourages travel buffs and armchair explorers alike to get on your bike and see the beauty of our planet and the colorful souls who populate it.

The Texas-Mexico border is trouble. Haphazardly splashing across the meandering Rio Grande into Mexico is--or at least can be--risky business, hazardous to one's health and well-being. Kirby W. Dendy, the Chief of Texas Rangers, corroborates the sobering reality: "As their predecessors for over one hundred forty years before them did, today's Texas Rangers continue to battle violence and transnational criminals along the Texas-Mexico border." In Riding Lucifer's Line, Bob Alexander, in his characteristic storytelling style, surveys the personal tragedies of twenty-five Texas Rangers who made the ultimate sacrifice as they scouted and enforced laws throughout borderland counties adjacent to the Rio Grande. The timeframe commences in 1874 with formation of the Frontier Battalion, which is when the Texas Rangers were actually institutionalized as a law enforcing entity, and concludes with the last known Texas Ranger death along the border in 1921. Alexander also discusses the transition of the Rangers in two introductory sections: "The Frontier Battalion Era, 1874-1901" and "The Ranger Force Era, 1901-1935," wherein he follows Texas Rangers moving from an epochal narrative of the Old West to more modern, technological times. Written absent a preprogrammed agenda, Riding Lucifer's Line is legitimate history. Adhering to facts, the author is not hesitant to challenge and shatter stale Texas Ranger mythology. Likewise, Alexander confronts head-on many of those critical Texas Ranger histories relying on innuendo and gossip and anecdotal accounts, at the expense of sustainable evidence--writings often plagued with a deficiency of rational thinking and common sense. Riding Lucifer's Line is illustrated with sixty remarkable old-time photographs. Relying heavily on archived Texas Ranger documents, the lively text is authenticated with more than one thousand comprehensive endnotes.

Riding motorcycles is fun, but author Ken Condon maintains that there is a state of consciousness to be achieved beyond the simple pleasure of riding down the road. Riding in the Zone helps riders find that state of being. It's the experience of being physically and mentally present in the moment, where every sense is sharply attuned to the ride. Your mind becomes silent to the chatter of daily life, and everyday problems seem to dissolve. You feel a deeper appreciation for life. Your body responds to this state of being with precise, fluid movements, you feel in balance, your muscles are relaxed, and it seems as though every input you make is an expression of mastery. This is "the Zone." Condon identifies all of the factors that affect entering the Zone and addresses each one individually, from the development of awareness and mental skills to mastering physical control of the motorcycle. At the end of each chapter are drills designed to transform the book's ideas into solid, practical riding skills. Riding in the Zone takes riders to the next level in their skill set.

Discover how to increase the effectiveness of the time you spend in the saddle, whether you are a beginning hunt seat rider or a seasoned competitor. Geoff Teall—noted judge, trainer, and clinician—helps you put together an unbeatable package, including: Setting riding goals Finding the right horse and instructor Developing confidence and facing your fears Dressing for success in and out of the show ring Walking any course Seeing distances Jumping from a turn Angled jumps and end jumps Combinations, in-and-outs, and more Whether the first step on the road to a medal, or a tool to revitalize an experienced rider’s passion for the sport, this book will help you put the pieces together for that perfect, polished round.

A new, fully updated edition of the complete guide to horse riding. Learn all there is to know about horse riding, from horse care and show jumping to mastering dressage, with this comprehensive and fully updated guide. Suitable for both novice and advanced riders, and for equestrian fans of all ages, this book will guide you through every stage of the riding process from the first time in the saddle to advanced riding skills. Featuring all of the latest techniques and equipment, this revised and updated edition covers everything you need to know about basic horse training, dressage training, and mental and physical preparation-for both horse and rider-as well as how to find and develop your ultimate horse. Presented in spectacular visual detail, it is the ultimate guide to perfecting your equestrian skills. Featuring tips from internationally renowned horse trainer William Micklem, The Complete Horse Riding Manual is a truly thoroughbred guide that is a must-have for any horse lover.

In this book, you will find exercises for all levels of horse and rider, from novice level to advanced, in both dressage and jumping, including the use of props in training. The author shows how exercises can be combined to create the optimum learning experience for rider and horse, both from a teaching perspective and for solo training – a 'teacher in a book'. Claire Lilley draws on her may years of experience as a riding coach, with insight from being a student in her formative years. She explains exercises from the teacher's perspective: what to look for, and key teaching points to consider. The last section of exercises is for development as a teacher, inviting the riding teacher to evaluate their own skills so as to to improve their coaching methods. Suggestions are given to improve coaching methods, such as observational skills of the physical and mental capacities of both horse and rider. Finally, training plans are given, using the exercises in practice, with consideration as to whether lessons are individual, shared or group, as well as lesson location. This book will be a valuable resource for riding instructors and pupils alike, a welcome addition to the teacher's library.

Like a modern-day Don Quixote, Joe Kurmaskie—bike adventurer, writer, and twelve-year-old boy trapped in a man’s body—wanders the world on two wheels, often with hilarious results, in Riding Outside the Lines. A jaunt through such far-flung locations as Ireland, Australia, Mexico, South America, and beyond, here is a collection of tales woven together with one central theme: the world is a much smaller place when you view it from the seat of a bicycle. Whether he’s weekending in the buff after accidentally stumbling into a nudist colony wedding, knocking back red wine in tin cans with a gun-toting ex–bounty hunter, combing the countryside in a quest to find the all-girl bagpipe squad he met in his dreams, or playing a rousing game of ice golf on the frozen tundra, Joe Kurmaskie writes of his gonzo global trek in a spirit infused with insight, good humor, and optimism. Riding Outside the Lines encourages travel buffs and armchair explorers alike to get on your bike and see the beauty of our planet and the colorful souls who populate it.

Clarence Mulford's 'Riding in the Wild West' is a collection of 10 classic Western adventures that immerses readers into the rugged and untamed landscapes of the Old West. Mulford's writing style is characterized by vivid descriptions, realistic dialogue, and fast-paced action scenes that captivate the reader from start to finish. Each story is a thrilling journey filled with cowboys, outlaws, and dusty trails, offering a glimpse into the challenges and triumphs of life on the frontier. Mulford's storytelling prowess shines through in these timeless tales of courage, loyalty, and justice, making this compilation a must-read for fans of the Western genre. The book's literary context reflects the enduring popularity of Western fiction and its ability to transport readers to a bygone era of adventure and excitement. Clarence Mulford, known for creating the iconic character Hopalong Cassidy, draws upon his own experiences in the West to craft authentic and engaging narratives that resonate with readers of all ages. With its blend of action, suspense, and old-fashioned values, 'Riding in the Wild West' is a testament to Mulford's skill as a master storyteller and a fitting tribute to the legacy of Western literature.