Getting Started with Freestyle Motocross

 

Motocross has a long and rich history spanning many decades and continents. Ever since the motorcycle was invented, riders have been evolving and developing new skills, pushing motocross forward and evolving it into the extreme sport it is today. When it comes to getting started with freestyle motocross, there are a few tips that experienced riders such as Razi Salih swear by.

Be Prepared

Every single time a rider heads out, it is crucial that they are prepared. Carry tools and equipment such as a tyre patching kit and a jerrycan, and consider what you will do if you have no phone signal. Being over-prepared is much better than being under-prepared.

Get the Right Equipment

Regardless of the type of motorcycle sport, having the right equipment is essential. For freestyle motocross, having a suitable bike will allow riders to successfully complete tricks that would not be possible on other bikes. For a freestyle motocross beginner, a 250cc 2-stroke bike is usually the best choice as they are light and manoeuvrable, whilst still having the power to get up in the air.

After choosing a good bike, riders need to ensure that their bodies are adequately protected too. Good quality body armour and a neck brace are a great investment that can really protect the body in the event of a serious accident.

Clutch Control

Throttle and clutch control are key skills when it comes to any form of off-road riding. To make clutch control easier, consider adjusting the clutch lever so that it can be operated using only the middle and index fingers. This will help clutch responses become quicker and smoother, all without needing to adjust your grip on the bars.

Be Patient and Develop Skills

Freestyle motocross needs more skill and athleticism than many people think. To be successful in this sport, riders need to focus on improving their overall riding skills before getting carried away hitting huge jumps at high speeds. Even advanced riders can benefit from practicing the basics and ensuring that they are comfortable.

Beginners need to be patient and gradually work their way up in motocross. Taking on a big jump or new trick too quickly can lead to an injury. Beginners will become better riders and protect themselves if they start small and master the basics before moving on to the bigger tricks.

UK Government Planning a Fintech Visa

 

The UK Government is working on a fintech Visa scheme targeted at professionals within the financial technology industry to combat a skills shortage following Brexit. Many within the fintech industry – including Razi Salih – have welcomed the move, as the industry had repeatedly expressed concerns about losing access to the EU’s skill base during the Brexit process.

Fintech in the UK

The UK’s fintech industry is booming, and globally it is only second to the US when it comes to growth and development. In 2020, the UK made 408 deals accounting for near enough half of the total $9.3bn invested across all of Europe. The financial sector in Britain also handled more invested capital than Germany, Switzerland, the Netherlands, France and Sweden combined. However, the fintech market is becoming increasingly more competitive, with industry hotspots appearing in Germany, Holland and Spain.

Brexit and Fintech

After Brexit, EU professionals lost the automatic right to move to and work in the UK. There is global demand for talent within fintech, and because of Brexit, professionals that would have traditionally come to the UK are heading for the technology hubs in Berlin, Amsterdam and Barcelona.

Some companies within the fintech industry have a good portion of employees that are from outside the UK, and sadly, some of these employees left following Brexit. The UK has a well-established technology sector and supports innovation in a way not always found in other countries. Combining this with a steady stream of skilled employees will help the British fintech industry retain its market-leading position for years to come.

Concerns

Whilst most organisations within fintech are pleased to hear steps are being taken to encourage specialists from abroad to move to the UK, there are fears that the scheme might not succeed. Concerned individuals have referenced previous systems that either generated long lists of low-skilled applicants, and others that had rules so tight they failed to generate any interest. There are beliefs that any new system will need to be clearly monitored and regularly evaluated to ensure the UK learns from the mistakes of the past and develops a steady VISA system.

Trends in Europe’s Property Market

 

House prices have increased across most of Europe and in many cases are now higher than pre-crisis levels, with some countries performing well above average. This is true in the case of Portugal and Hungary, where residential prices have risen by more than 9% on average each year since 2016.

Some trends in the market have been accelerated by the coronavirus pandemic. For more information about this, please see the embedded PDF.

How the Coronavirus Pandemic has Impacted EuropeanReal Estate

Synchronised Growth

The rise in house prices across all of Europe can be partially attributed to the economy recovering in a synchronised manner. This began in 2013, and in 2016 growth sped up in most European states. The economic upturn also led to a rise in employment levels, with the average unemployment rate falling from 11% in 2013 to 6.3% in the third quarter of 2019.

These changes have led to an increased demand for housing, which has further pushed up prices in some residential markets. At the same time, lower interest rates have increased the desire for property from those interested in investment, such as Razi Salih.

Europe’s Housing Market Recovery

Cities

Both the movement of house prices and the synchronisation of housing markets are much more pronounced in the large cities of countries with advanced economies. The increased growth in house prices in larger cities when compared to the nation’s average suggests a general trend towards urbanisation. Cities are also attractive from an investment perspective because of their generally excellent locations, and because they are popular destinations for tourists.

Affordability

Housing affordability indicators do not generally show increasing tension across Europe. However, there are exceptions. The percentage of European households allowing more than 40% of their disposable income for housing costs stood at 9.9% in the last quarter of 2018, down from 11% in 2007.

However, this indicator does suggest that households in the UK, Denmark and Germany are slightly financially overburdened when it comes to housing costs. In countries such as Austria, the Netherlands and Belgium, house prices are nearly at an all-time high, and affordability rates are falling very low.

Whilst on average there are no signs of tension within the European property market, there are exceptions in some large cities where house prices and local income are out of sync.

Real Estate Prospecting Through Technology

 

It is no secret that technology has changed the look and feel of business in many industries, real estate included. In the 1970s and ‘80s, agents would rely on physical picture listings to provide information on available properties and were the go-to industry professionals when potential home-buyers wanted to find out what was on the market. The agent was the sole source of listing information, and they knew that anyone contacting them was a serious candidate for making a purchase.

However, technology and the internet brought about a massive shift. Clients can access online information at the tap of a button and often engage in the process with a clear vision of what they want. Digital marketing techniques have taken a front seat, with real estate professionals and companies required to be familiar with various strategies for success.

As individuals such as Razi Salih – who owns a real estate company to manage his properties – know, the use of digital technology is a must for anyone looking to succeed in every aspect of the industry, starting with prospecting.

Maintaining Contact with Previous Buyers

Selling to previous customers is relatively easier than acquiring new ones, which is why the use of customer relationship management (CRM) software in real estate is recommended. Certainly, not all previous clients will be interested in purchasing again, but staying in contact can open up referrals. Living trends among millennials and younger buyers point to frequent home changes within relatively short periods, so there could be opportunities to show new listings to established contacts.

Targeted Advertising on Social Media

Social media is one of the avenues used by many real estate companies to establish and maintain an online presence. From purchasing ads to sharing photos of listings, there is hardly a property professional who hasn’t tried their hand at social media. However, for those opting to grow their audiences organically on platforms such as Facebook, the initial results can be disappointing. Spending money on paid ads is expected, as it allows the professional to come up with targeted marketing campaigns that reach an intended audience.

On platforms such as Instagram, which is ranks highly among millennials, real estate professionals should focus on sharing images of homes they have already sold or are yet to find buyers. While many potential viewers might not necessarily take it a step further, they use Instagram daily, so regular posting is an excellent way to stay visible and relevant.

A Guide to Off-Road Driving Skills

 

Driving an off-road vehicle off the beaten path is an exciting experience for many. Razi Salih, himself an avid off-road enthusiast who enjoys taking his Jeep into some of nature’s most challenging locations, appreciates the importance of being equipped with the right off-roading skills. Gaining mastery of off-road driving requires a thorough understanding of the vehicle and the environment, and the instincts to know what to do when situations don’t go as planned.  

Find Skilled Professionals 

One way to ensure off-road safety and fun is to build confidence by learning the various tips and techniques of off-road driving. Taking formal lessons is encouraged, as is learning through real-life experience. The more an individual engages with an off-road vehicle in natural terrain, the better they will get at handling it and feeling comfortable with the environment.  

Numerous courses cover different aspects of off-road driving, ranging from engaging four-wheel drive (4WD) to towing and defensive driving. When such courses are delivered by a qualified professional, an individual has a better chance of improving their skill level, making them a more-informed driver who has the necessary confidence to drive off-road.  

Paced Learning 

Many new and experienced off-road drivers often have the mental image of racing through the bush, seaside, or sandy dunes when they think about off-road driving. However, the reality is much different. As tyre pressure in off-road terrain is typically reduced, drivers must take a conservative approach.  

While it doesn’t always mean driving at a crawling pace, this approach considers the type of terrain and a vehicle’s handling capability at all times. This gentler pace results in increased safety for the driver and passenger(s), while the vehicle bears less wear and tear.  

Handling Slides 

It is almost inevitable that an off-road enthusiast keen on experiencing different terrains will find themselves driving through a slippery environment at some point. Controlling a slide is a useful skill to master, and the rules of thumb when a vehicle starts to slide is to remain calm and avoid hitting the brakes or clutch. 

If the sliding is experienced while driving up an incline, the chances are that the vehicle is slipping back even though the wheels turn forward. In most cases, the tyres will re-establish contact quickly so the car can keep moving forward. If the car continues to slide, using a combination of the brake and clutch to engage reverse gear can enable the driver to steer the vehicle back to the bottom of the slope, from where they can make a second attempt at climbing it.  

Amazing Skydiving Locations

The motivation behind why people skydive is often closely linked to how frequently people engage in this activity. For many first-time (or one-time) skydivers, the experience is about enjoying the thrill and crossing the activity off their proverbial bucket list. 

On the other hand, experienced skydivers make it a regular habit and have found a way to make skydiving a lifestyle. Like Razi Salih, they enjoy the extreme nature of the sport and have found the community around it to be just as engaging as the activity itself.  

Similar to many extreme sports, the choice of location determines the level of fun a skydiver will have. 

The following are some of the top spots to try out. 

Dubai, United Arab Emirates 

Dubai has steadily risen to become one of the world's most popular skydiving sites, mainly due to the drop zone on Palm Jumeirah Island. The city also has the world's largest skydiving school, Skydive Dubai’s Desert Campus, where both beginners and experienced skydivers can learn how to engage in the sport safely. From there, it's a 13,000-foot skydive over the artificial island, with the view of Dubai just as magnificent from above as it is below. 

Mount Everest, Nepal 

Climbing Mount Everest is a dream achievement for many people. However, the only way to add to that experience would be to skydive over the world's tallest mountain, where a drop will start at 23,000-feet and an oxygen tank is required. The landing spot (Amadablam Basecamp) sits at 15,000 feet, which is higher than many drops but adds to the opportunity to enjoy a scenic view of Everest and the surrounding region. 

Fox Glacier, New Zealand 

As one of the top skydiving countries globally, New Zealand has a host of exhilarating drop zones on offer. Fox Glacier is one of the most popular, as this eight-mile long glacier – located on the West Coast of New Zealand’s South Island – offers views of the Southern Alps' snowy peaks and the Tasman Sea coastline. Skydivers have several options to choose from for their adventure, including tandem skydives ranging from 9,000 feet to 16,500 feet.  

Grand Canyon, USA 

The Grand Canyon is an awe-inspiring location that people must see for themselves to appreciate. While a tour on the ground is impressive, a skydive from the highest drop zone in the world after Mount Everest is even more stunning, as skydivers can appreciate this natural wonder while cruising through the air.