【推荐2】For many people, bicycling is not just a convenient way of getting around town but also an exciting sport. Serious cyclists often arrange to take part in races.

    1    . Each racer leaves the starting line at a different time and heads hard for the finish line. The cyclist who covers the distance in the shortest amount of time wins the race.     2    , because the bicycles are spread out and are not likely to run into each other.

Another kind of race is more difficult. A few city blocks are closed for competition. Then all the racers line up in a tight pack and begin racing at the same time. They cover many laps, going around and around the city blocks.    3    . It also requires skillful handling of the bicycle as it runs at full speed around other bicycles. The racer who completes all the laps first is the winner.

Road races are usually the longest cycling contests.    4    . The race course may be a straight stretch of road or a long series of roads across the country. The prize goes to the first person who crosses the finish line.

Between races cyclists stay in condition by doing exercise that builds their strength so that they can keep riding for long periods of time.     5    , they often join bicycling groups and become licensed racers. So they can enter professional races. Just keep practicing. Any cyclist could become a star.

【推荐3】Italy’s Milan and Cortina d’Ampezzo have been announced as the hosts of the 2026 Winter Olympics.

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) announced Italy’s bid ahead of Stockholm, Sweden.

Skating sports and ice hockey will be held in Milan, while most skiing events will take place in the resort of Cortina. Other snow sports will be held in the Italian Alps, including Bormio and Livigno.

The 2026 Winter Olympics will take place from February 6 to 22. Cortina hosted the Winter Olympics in 1956, while Turin staged the 2006 Winter Olympics.

There were only two bidders left that were considered suitable for the Winter Olympics after four other bidders — the Swiss city of Sion, Japan’s Sapporo, Graz in Austria and the Canadian city Calgary, which had earlier dropped out of the race with concerns over the event’s size and cost.

The results showed Milan-Cortina had received 47 out of the 82 votes cast. Sweden has never hosted a Winter Games before and received 34 votes.

IOC president Thomas Bach said: “Congratulations to Milan-Cortina. We can look forward to an outstanding Olympic Winter Games in a traditional winter sports country. The passion and knowledge of Italian fans, together with experienced sporting event operators, will create the perfect atmosphere for the best athletes in the world.”

Knowing the winning, Italian people shouted “Italia, Italia” as the decision was announced.

【推荐2】Where Is Spring Break

Where is Spring Break going to be? The options are endless. Do you want to get your blood pumping from thrilling travels? Look no further! These tours and destinations will keep you on your toes all week long.

Panama: This underrated destination is a little-known secret of the most travelers! Through this tour you’ll get to hike, snorkel (浮潜) and explore all the best sights this beautiful country has to offer! Eight days tours for $ 250 / day.

Canada: This diverse country is full of options. Explore the East of Canada and visit cities such as Montreal, Quebec or Toronto. If you’re feeling adventurous, explore the Western part of the country with a Canadian Rockies Tour. During this twelve days tour you will hike a glacier to beautiful scenery and wander through postcard-worthy villages. Tours to Canada for $200 / day.

Iceland: Check off one of the seven wonders of the world with a tour of the Northern Lights and Golden Circle. Spend seven days full of adventure like hiking glaciers, snowshoeing through Thingvellir National Park, relaxing in the Geysir Hot Springs and of course experiencing the glory of the Northern Lights! Seven days tours for $ 300 / day.

South Africa: Discover the diverse culture and wildlife that makes up South Africa. Your tour plan includes a journey along the coast known as “Rainbow Nation.” Here you will enjoy beautiful scenery, a hunting travel through Addo Elephant National Park and the wildlife in Tsitsikarnma National Park. Nine days tours for $230 / day.

【推荐3】Undiscovered Countries to Visit

A world traveller who has visited every country under the sun thinks these unknown nations are worthy of a visit.

Nauru

Nauru is the smallest island country and the least-visited country in the world, with only 130 visitors in 2018. There are just two hotels on the island and driving a car on your own is the best way to get around. Visit Anibare Bay for white sandy beaches. A tourist visa is necessary and must be got by mail before you go there.

Tuvalu

Tuvalu is made up of nine islands. Just 800 people visited Tuvalu in 2018, so there are no tour guides. It’s helpful that most locals speak English and all signs are in English. Go to the Funafuti Conservation Area for swimming and watching all kinds of fish. A tourist visa is necessary but can be got on arrival in Tuvalu.

Equatorial Guinea

On Africa’s west coast, Equatorial Guinea is home to the Congo rainforest, the second largest rainforest in the world with varieties of wildlife. It received 2,400 visitors in 2018. Tour guides are offered but not necessary. Explore the capital city, Malabo. Later, take a swim in clear waters on blacks and beaches. For stays of fewer than 90 days, a tourist visa is not needed.

Turkmenistan

Central Asia’s Turkmenistan is on the Silk Road. It’s also the least explored, receiving just 7,000 visitors in 2018. Explore the white buildings with gold-painted roofs in the capital city, Ashgabat A tourist via is necessary and it’s one of the more challenging to get, so you must enter Turkmenistan part of a guided tour. The tour operator will secure a visa for you.

【推荐3】If someone said they’d pay you 1,800 dollars to stay off social media for six years, would you do it? Could you?

Sivert Klefsaas did just that. “I thought it was awesome,” Sivert told CNN Tuesday. “I thought, what’s 6 more years?”

In 2016, Lorna Goldstrand Klefsaas challenged her 12-year-old son Sivert to stay off social media until he was 18. If he completed the challenge, she’d award him the cash on his eighteenth birthday. On February 19, 2022, Sivert claimed his prize.

Lorna was inspired by a challenge she heard on the radio called the “16 for 16”, where a mother gave her daughter 1,600 dollars when she turned 16 if she stayed off social media, she told CNN. She decided to add to two extra years and 200 dollars more.

Sivert said it wasn’t too difficult to live without social media, and he didn’t think about it much during the six years. “I wouldn’t say there was ever a time when I was about to break,” Sivert told CNN. “As it went on, it was more of a pride thing.” He also had his friends to keep him up to date on the latest information or trends. “I got to avoid all the unnecessary drama that was on there,” Sivert added. It also meant he had more time to focus on his grades and sports instead.

Now with 1,800 dollars, Sivert told CNN he hasn’t thought about what to buy (when he was 12, he joked he’d get a house), but it’ll likely be something for his dorm room at the University of Northwestern St. Paul, which he’ll attend in the fall. But he has already decided on his first attempt into social media: getting Instagram. “There’s definitely a learning process,” Sivert said. “I see my friends fly through their social media apps and I can’t do that quite yet.”

After Sivert’s success, Lorna shared the challenge on Facebook. She said it was some of the best money she ever spent. Other parents have seemed interested in trying it out too, she told CNN. “We are certainly not against social media, but it’s the healthy using of it. It’s about not letting yourself get weighed down by it, or addicted to it, or affected by things that people post.”