Cycling Tips & Stories

A story in the 17 Feb 2004 KCStar says:

Improving fitness can also boost the thinking ability of aging adults, according to researchers at the University of Illinois.

Adults ages 58 to 78 who began a fitness program, even as simple as brisk walking, saw improvements in how their brains functioned, according to a study published in this week's online edition of Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences.

[Free registration is required to view KCStar articles.] permanent link to article: "Increasing fitness increases thinking ability in older adults"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/18/2004 10:47:00 PM |comment on this article

Kansas City River Trails, Inc.is issuing an open invitation to a review of the Riverfront Heritage Trail progress to all interested individuals and stakeholders. Details:

February 26, 2004
Thursday 4:00 - 6:00
Kansas City, Union Station, Zephyr Room
(Enter Rear on Bottom Floor)

This is a meeting especially designed for all trail stakeholders. Participants will receive a comprehensive review of the progress of the Riverfront Heritage Trail. New developments in KCRT, Inc. will be discussed, such as new governance policies and structure, announcement of new Board Members and formal administrative staff, committee structure, and membership opportunities and benefits. This is the meeting you will want to attend to get an up to date look at all Riverfront Heritage Trail developments and the efforts by various groups to make this trail a reality. You will especially want to attend this meeting if you are trying to discover just how you can get involved in this exciting project. Come share the excitement and get involved!

Any questions, contact Darby Trotter at (816) 329-1275 or darbytrotter@kcrivertrails.org

permanent link to article: "KC Riverfront Heritage Trail informational meeting Feb 26"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/18/2004 08:40:00 PM |comment on this article

Today's Garden City Telegram has a story about Leo and Janelle Caspar, grocers from Scott City, who have ridden Bike Across Kansas 16 times:

"This year will be the 30th anniversary, and they are just going to have one route," Janelle Caspar said. They'll begin their ride with about 800 bikers at the Colorado border near Sharon Springs. The route allows them to spend the night in seven towns - Oakley, Hill City, Osborne, Lincoln, Chapman, St. Mary's and Lawrence. They will finish at the Missouri River at Leavenworth, where Lewis and Clark made one of their stops in their historic journey in 1804.

permanent link to article: "Scott City couple prepares for Bike Across Kansas"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/18/2004 08:37:00 AM |comment on this article

Jealous of all that fancy safety technology found in automobiles? Be jealous no longer:

The Airbag Helmet

permanent link to article: "The airbag helmet"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/15/2004 10:54:00 PM |comment on this article

Be a part of History!

That’s right. The League of Illinois Bicyclists is planning an unprecedented, one-time serial bicycle ride of all of the 585 miles of the Mississippi River Trail in Illinois. We’re calling it Trail Breaking the Illinois Mississippi River Trail.

You should be a part of it.

All you have to do is agree to bicycle about 35 miles on Saturday morning, May 1, 2004. Just select one of the starting locations listed below and cycle to the celebration site in your area (of course, you’ll have to ride back to your start – or get picked up). At the site, celebrations and media opportunities will bring together bicyclists riding in from both up and down the MRT. The focus will be on the potential for bicycle riding in western Illinois. Wear your jerseys.

All this is in celebration of the publication of the User’s Guide to the Illinois Mississippi River Trail. This handy booklet, produced by LIB with the cooperation of the Illinois Dept. of Natural Resources, and Mississippi River Trail, Inc., is the definitive guide to riding, touring, enjoying, or just boasting about the MRT in Illinois. It includes cue sheets, maps, attractions, accommodations, food and drink locations, bike repair, and emergency information.

And – best of all – it’s free!

Actually, it will begin as a web-site publication, easily downloadable at www.bikelib.org/mrt. Future plans are to print it in convenient size to fit into a jersey pocket. However, you can get a special, limited edition, printed copy – along with other perks and mementos - by agreeing to participate in the May 1st Trail Breaking.

More info: Chuck Oestreich, 816 – 22nd Street, Rock Island, IL 61201, phone:: 309-788-1845, email: oestreich @ qconline.com
permanent link to article: "Illinois Mississippi Trail Ride May 1st, Illinois Mississippi River Trail Guide "
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/08/2004 02:47:00 PM |comment on this article

The U.S. Surgeon General said this, in his Call To Action To Prevent and Decrease Overweight and Obesity:

In 1999, an estimated 61 percent of U.S. adults were overweight, along with 13 percent of children and adolescents. Only 3 percent of all Americans meet at least four of the five federal Food Guide Pyramid recommendations for the in- take of grains, fruits, vegetables, dairy products, and meats. And less than one-third of Americans meet the federal recommendations to engage in at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activity at least five days a week, while 40 percent of adults engage in no leisure-time physical activity at all.

permanent link to article: "Surgeon General bemoans lack of physical activity"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/08/2004 10:56:00 AM |comment on this article

Today's Park Hills Journal has an article about Jess Kauffman and Josi Wright, who are preparing to enter a triathlon. permanent link to article: "Pair train for triathlon"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/07/2004 10:32:00 AM |comment on this article

An article by MoDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator is in this month's issue of the Missouri Municipal Review, a magazine published by the Missouri Municipal League. An excerpt from the article:

Bicyclists and pedestrians represent a wide cross-section of people. Some must use these methods of transportation and some choose to use these methods of transportation. Some are occasional users while some rely completely on these methods. In fact, according to the 2000 Census, approximately 10 percent of Missouri households do not have an automobile. In some urban areas, this climbs to as high as 25 percent. . . .

Providing safe and accessible bicycle and pedestrian facilities improves Missourians’ quality of life and health and helps communities to thrive. The remaining issue that must be resolved is not should we provide these facilities, but can we afford not to provide them.

The complete article, which represents an official MoDOT statement on bicycle and pedestrian accommodations, can be read on MoBikeFed's Advocacy Resources page.
permanent link to article: "Article by MoDOT Bike/Ped Coordinator in Missouri Municipal Review"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/06/2004 08:56:00 AM |comment on this article

Big Shark Bicycle Company is offeriing some Spring classes:

If you have cabin fever you can come on over to our place and attend one of our very popular Spring Cycling 101 classes. Take advantage of the off-season to improve your skills and knowlege. Cost is only $20. Reservations are required, because classes fill up fast.

February 1st - Getting into Bicycle Racing
February 8th - Traveling With Your Triathlon Bike
February 22nd - Basic Bicycle Repair Clinic
February 29th - Advanced Bicycle Repair Clinic
March 7th - Performance Bicycle Fit Clinic
March 14th - Wheel Building Clinic
March 28th - Basic Bicycle Repair Clinic

Click here for more info/reservations. permanent link to article: "Cycling 101 classes in St. Louis"
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/05/2004 03:05:00 PM |comment on this article

First there was icebiking, and now this:

More details on Dave Peterson's bikeplow site. permanent link to article: "Icebikeing squared . . . "
posted by Brent Hugh at 2/05/2004 02:46:00 PM |comment on this article