Cycling Tips & Stories

The Prelinger Archive has a page of wild and wacky 1950s bicycle instruction films. You can read a synopsis, few stills from the movies, and view or download the movies themselves in several formats.

The gem of the collection, "One Got Fat", has a group of young apes (!) who gradually get killed off (with Pow! Blam! visuals ala Batman) as they make common bicycling mistakes. It actually teaches some good vehicular cycling principles in its own strange way (but do watch out for the "magical signal arm"--stretching out the arm to the left immediately before crossing six lanes of traffic, no need to look over the shoulder, results in perfect safety every time, while neglecting to do so once leads to immediate Pow! Blam! death . . . ). permanent link to article: "Crazy 1950s instructional cycling movies online . . . "
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/29/2002 08:38:00 AM |comment on this article

In the last three decades, the number of overweight young Americans has tripled, with no sign the trend is abating. . . .

At the National Institutes of Health, no fewer than 16 studies are being financed to study how to change environments to encourage a healthier lifestyle for young people--from day care and after-school activities to educating children about food. "There is a panoply of forces that are all conspiring to get us to eat more and exercise less," says Dr. Susan Yanovski, director of an institute obesity and eating disorders program.

Young Americans eat, move and live quite differently than generations before them.

Read more on the New York Times online (free registration required) permanent link to article: "Epidemic of youth obesity . . ."
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/29/2002 08:21:00 AM |comment on this article

Cartoon strip "Roadkill Bill" found something besides bicycles that has a critical mass out on today's roads . . . permanent link to article: "Critical Mass bites back . . . "
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/18/2002 01:19:00 PM |comment on this article

By Todd Blackwell, Lake of the Ozarks. Touring by bicycle is not only about pedaling a bicycle around all day… it is about a different and exciting way to experience the many aspects of our world that we take for granted; the everyday places and faces that we speed by without notice. We tend to overlook these ordinary elements due in part to our hectic lifestyle. There is something new and exciting around every bend, over each hill, and in every small town we travel through. One can never fully appreciate the adventure that this method of travel affords unless they experience this for themselves . . . Click here for the complete story . . .

permanent link to article: "Touring the Arkansas Ozarks"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/15/2002 07:44:00 PM |comment on this article

Equal Rights for Cyclists campaign has written an interesting and useful letter to motorists and bicyclists, outlining the rights and responsibilities of both. The interesting thing about this letter is that ERCC went to a deal of trouble to test a lot of different versions of the letter, finally arriving at a statement that helps both motorists and cyclists understand how to drive on the road, not because "someone said so" but because they are good common sense. permanent link to article: "Dear Driver:Please Share The Road"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/14/2002 03:53:00 PM |comment on this article

By Ken Kifer. By the time I reached Ava in the afternoon, I was very hot and tired. As I was riding along, a man drove out to stop me. Earl was 75 years old, and he had crossed the United States by bicycle when he was 70. He told me about the local bridges, about his travels, and about his philosophy of life. He and his wife gave me a plate of food to eat . . .

Click here to read the rest of Ken's cycling adventures across Missouri. permanent link to article: "Touring across Alabama, Tennessee, Illinois, Missouri, and Kansas to Colorado."
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/13/2002 08:25:00 PM |comment on this article

Roadkill Bill has the answer . . . permanent link to article: "Why is little Johnny obese?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/13/2002 11:24:00 AM |comment on this article

Read reports & see photos on the 2001 Katy Trail Ride. Also find information about future rides. Click here for the complete story . . .

permanent link to article: "2001 Katy Trail Ride Report & Photos"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/13/2002 06:23:00 AM |comment on this article

By Todd Blackwell, Lake of the Ozarks. To begin planning for a week perched atop a bike saddle, I put in anywhere from 50 to 150 miles per a week riding varied terrain and weather conditions starting in March. This training schedule was not any different from my normal riding routine as I ride as often as I can, whenever I can . . . Click here for the complete story . . .

permanent link to article: "Cycle Montana"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/06/2002 06:48:00 PM |comment on this article

Chris McDaniel, a 49-year-old teacher and mother of two from the St. Louis area, recently rode her bike 2,000 miles along the Lewis and Clark Trail.

Read the rest of the story on STLtoday . . . permanent link to article: "2000 miles on the Lewis & Clark Trail"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/03/2002 10:39:00 AM |comment on this article

John Andersen writes: The vast majority of cyclists hang up their steeds as soon as it turns cold enough that shorts are uncomfortably cool. Most of the remaining put the bike on hooks in the garage after a month or so of riding in long tights. The first hint of frost marks the end of the cycling "season". . . .

Well, guess what folks; Winter Cycling is not only practical but growing in popularity, a great deal of fun as well.

Find out more about winter cycling gear, clothing, & techniques on the Bicycling Life web site. permanent link to article: "Winter Cycling Tips"
posted by Brent Hugh at 11/02/2002 09:49:00 PM |comment on this article