Cycling Tips & Stories

According to a Kansas City Star article:

Getting modest amounts of exercise, even just an easy half-hour walk a day, appears to substantially improve women's chances of surviving breast cancer.

Staying active has long been thought to lower the risk of getting cancer, but a new report says it may also be an important prescription for recovery. . . .

People who walk and get other kinds of exercise are less likely to develop many common health problems, including heart disease, high blood pressure, osteoporosis and diabetes. Several studies also suggest exercise can prevent breast and colon cancer, and it may also help stop endometrial, kidney and esophageal cancer. . . .

During as much as 16 years of follow-up, it turned out that those who got lots of exercise were most likely to survive their disease, although even a little bit clearly helped.

Most of the women walked for exercise. Those who put in one to three hours a week at a leisurely 3 mph lowered their risk of dying from breast cancer by one-quarter, compared with the most sedentary women. Those who walked between three and eight hours a week cut their risk in half. . . .

Charles Matthews said those who stayed active through exercise, housework and walking and cycling for errands had about a one-third lower risk of [endometrial] cancer.

“An active lifestyle, whether from exercise or other domains of life, conferred substantial benefit,” he said.

permanent link to article: "Exercise helps in reduce risk of and recovery from cancer"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/31/2004 08:41:00 AM |comment on this article

CarpoolCheats.com has a page of photos of people caught illegally driving in bicycle lanes.

I guess that's one way to stop them . . . permanent link to article: "Bike lane cheaters on camera"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/30/2004 07:49:00 PM |comment on this article

The St. Louis Mountain Biking Club's new web site is now online. From the front page of the site:

The St. Louis and outlying area is full of great mountainbiking opportunities to be experienced. This club is open to riders of all skill levels from beginner to advanced. Anyone who enjoys the outdoors or wants to improve his or her skills, and wants to have fun is welcome. Our mission will be to provide a network of riders that will practice safe and ethical use of the local trails. A friendly, non-competitive attitude is encouraged.

permanent link to article: "St. Louis Mountain Biking Club launches web site"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/30/2004 06:38:00 PM |comment on this article

Virginia's Department of Transportation has recently adopted sweeping policies designed to make accommodation of pedestrian and bicyclist needs routine. Now MoDOT needs to do the same! Details, from the Virginia Bicycling Federation:

On March 18, Virginia's Commonwealth Transportation Board adopted a new bicycle and pedestrian policy that commits the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) to routinely accommodate bicycling and walking "as fundamental travel modes and integral components...in the planning, funding, design, construction, operation, and maintenance of Virginia's transportation network".

The policy statement broadly defines "accommodation" as "any facility, design feature, operational change, or maintenance activity that improves the environment in which bicyclists and pedestrians travel" and explains that "bicycling and walking are successfully accommodated when travel by these modes is efficient, safe, and comfortable for the public."

The Virginia Bicycling Federation largely instigated this new policy by repeatedly promoting its March 2001 position paper recommending six changes to VDOT's previous 1990 bicycle facility policy. The new VDOT policy, which fully achieves three of VBF's six recommended reforms and promises to address a fourth, departs significantly from the old policy in four key respects:

* Support for "Complete Streets": "VDOT will initiate all highway construction projects with the presumption that the projects shall accommodate bicycling and walking". By routinely building "complete streets" that adequately support bicycling and walking and not just motoring, the policy conforms to USDOT guidance issued in 2000 that "bicycling and walking facilities will be incorporated into all transportation projects unless exceptional circumstances exist". Under its old policy, VDOT generally required that any bicycling accommodation be clearly identified in an adopted local plan, specifically requested by the local governing body, and substantially funded with local tax dollars.

* Standalone bicycle and pedestrian projects and retrofits, independent of concurrent highway construction, are now broadly allowed under the same procedures as other highway construction projects. (This change first became effective in December 2002 in response to state legislation enacted earlier that year).

* Bicycle and pedestrian facilities will now be funded in the same manner as other highway features, ending VDOT's previous requirement that counties agree to pay 50% of the cost of construction.

* Accommodations are specifically promoted in conjunction with access-controlled highway projects, operation and maintenance activities, long-distance bicycle routes, and tourism and economic development initiatives.

The Virginia Bicycling Federation (VBF) significantly influenced the new policy by actively participating in a VDOT-appointed task force that met ten times between July 2003 and February 2004 to develop the six-page statement.

Allen Muchnick, VBF president, expressed strong approval of the new policy. "By clearly committing to build 'Complete Streets' in urbanized areas, VDOT has substantially elevated its consideration of bicycling and walking as legitimate transportation modes." "However", Muchnick continued, "the Virginia Bicycling Federation is not resting on its laurels. When it comes to effectively accommodating bicycling, the devil is usually in the details. VBF will be vigilant to ensure that VDOT promptly and properly implements and evaluates the new policy through appropriate highway design guidance and other mechanisms. We're already working on our 'top ten list' of follow-up recommendations to present to senior VDOT officials."

Muchnick also expressed his appreciation for Virginia Secretary of Transportation Whitt Clement's strong and clear April 2003 directive to VDOT for developing the new policy (see http://vabike.org/aa_clement.htm). "The firm and lucid top-down direction from the Warner administration was no doubt instrumental in ensuring that such a remarkable and comprehensive policy statement was developed and adopted so promptly."

For more information on the Web:

VDOT Policy for Integrating Bicycle and Pedestrian Accommodations

VTrans2025, Virginia's statewide, comprehensive multimodal long-range transportation policy framework and plan now under development:

VDOT Bicycle Program

permanent link to article: "Virginia adopts "Complete Streets" policy--when will Missouri do the same?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/26/2004 07:30:00 AM |comment on this article

Jim and Mary Kay, a couple in their 60s, cycled the Mississippi River Trail last fall on their Rans Screamer tandem, from Minnesota through Louisiana. They spent 8 days in Missouri, traveling from Hannibal to Cape Girardeau. Their trip report features many details about their route, everyday events, and photos. permanent link to article: "Couple cycle the Mississippi River Trail"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/24/2004 07:23:00 PM |comment on this article

Today's Durango Herald has an article about Barbara Bartocci, of Overland Park, KS:

Bartocci decided to write her sixth book, Meditation in Motion: Exercise Your Body and Soul - at the Same Time! (Sorin Books), because she found herself, by accident, doing physical and spiritual exercises at the same time.

"I was out riding my bike real early one summer morning," Bartocci said, speaking by phone from her home in Overland Park, a suburb of Kansas City, Kan. "And I noticed that my wheels had fallen almost naturally into repetitive prayers. It's as if they were prayer wheels." . . .

Bartocci claims there are natural parallels between athletic and spiritual discipline:

• Both call for commitment and willingness to stay focused.

• Both tap into enthusiasm, courage, perseverance, and honor.

• Both enable participants to endure discomfort, even occasional pain, to awaken something within.

• Both can create illumination, whether it's called a mystical moment or "playing in the zone."

permanent link to article: "Overland Park woman writes book joining physical & spritual exercise"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/14/2004 07:26:00 AM |comment on this article

According to a KCStar story, America's children are dangerously inactive and overweight:

America's children are getting fat - so fat that they may grow up to be the unhealthiest generation in decades.

The alarm over childhood obesity rang in 2002. New data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey showed that 15.5 percent of children were seriously overweight and 15 percent more were at risk of becoming so.

That was triple the rate of 20 years earlier.

Experts say that this will be the first generation since the turn of the twentieth century whose life expectancy is lower than that of its parents generation. Inactivity and poor diet are the reasons. permanent link to article: "Obesity makes America's kids unhealthiest generation in decades"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/13/2004 11:54:00 AM |comment on this article

Missouri cyclists Barbara Curtis and Pamela Culbertson just completed a 3200-mile, 49-day cycling expedition from Florida to California. According to a story in the San Diego Union-Tribune:

En route they encountered a blizzard in New Mexico with temperatures as low as 18 degrees and suffered from the dehydrating heat of the Yuha Desert in Imperial County. Their goal? To raise $35,000 in pledges for Habitat for Humanity and to finance construction of a Habitat house in Missouri.

permanent link to article: "Two Missouri women complete coast-to-coast ride"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/13/2004 08:01:00 AM |comment on this article

June 27-July 5, 2004

Be Part of this Historic Ride!

The Grand Excursion Bike Ride departs Rock Island, Illinois, on June 27th, 2004, following the Grand Flotilla steamboats and arriving in the Twin Cities for the 4th of July weekend. A bus will return cyclists to the Quad Cities on July 5th.

Cyclists for this 400-mile trip will have excellent views of the steamboats while riding alongside the beautiful vistas of the bluffs of the upper Mississippi River. The ride will cover approximately 35 to 70 miles each day over somewhat hilly terrain. Overnight stops will coincide with the excursion boats' docking schedules to allow cyclists to enjoy the entertainment and events that will be staged at each port of call -- music festivals, reenactment programs, fireworks displays, hot air balloons and much more.

The $225 registration fee includes a tee-shirt, breakfast in La Crosse, overnight camp sites and transportation of rider's luggage and tents from each campsite to Saint Paul, Minnesota. (Additional fees will be charged for return motor coach transportation to Rock Island, jerseys and dorm rooms in La Crosse.) Riders are responsible for providing their own camping gear, fees for meals and any admission charges to local events in which they choose to participate.

Overnight campground sites will be arranged in Rock Island, Savanna and East Dubuque, Illinois; Prairie du Chien, La Crosse and Prescott, Wisconsin; and Wabasha, Red Wing and St. Paul, Minnesota.

For more detailed information, and to register, go to www.grandexcursion.com. Click on "Register for the Bike Ride" link or scroll down to "3 Ways to Join in the Journey" and click on "Bike Ride."

The Grand Excursion Bike Ride is only one component of the "Grand Excursion," a region-wide community festival celebrating the Upper Mississippi River. A schedule of regional and local events, ticket information, and a list of participating communities and organizations can be found at www.grandexcursion.com.

In addition to experiencing the Grand Excursion, bicyclists can savor being part of the first organized "excursion" on the northern section of the Mississippi River Trail. This proposed bicycle route will eventually stretch from the Mississippi River headwaters in Minnesota to the Gulf of Mexico. The southern half,
from St. Louis to New Orleans, is already mapped, marked and in use. The northern half, which includes much of the GE route, is being mapped and signed now, so GE cyclists will be among its first users.

"Perhaps in another 150 years, when the MRT is a long-standing, world-class destination, a new generation of cyclists will bike along this same route to commemorate THIS ride as we're commemorating Millard Fillmore's excursion now," said Pat Nunnally, Executive Director of Mississippi River Trail, Inc., the coordinating organization for the MRT.

Pat Nunnally
Executive Director
Mississippi River Trail, Inc.
2001 Sargent Ave.
St. Paul, MN 55105
651-698-4568
651-698-0680 (fax)
pdn @ umn.edu
www.mississippirivertrail.org
permanent link to article: "Grand Excursion 2004: Upper Mississippi Bike Ride"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/11/2004 06:27:00 PM |comment on this article

Bicyclists can get geared up for the Corps of Discovery bicentennial by taking part in the Katy Trail Ride 2004, June 21-25. The ride includes the nation's longest non-motorized section of the Lewis and Clark National Historic Trail.

More info in the Kansas City infoZine article about the ride.
permanent link to article: "Katy Trail Ride 2004, June 21-25"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/11/2004 06:18:00 PM |comment on this article

Join us for the First Annual Bikes & Trikes for Tykes Quarter-Century Bike Ride
Saturday, April 17, 2004, 9:00 a.m.

* April 17, Bikes & Trikes for Tykes "Pedaling in the Park" Quarter-Century Ride, starting lineup near Longview Lake Marina (Kansas City area), bicycle safety class at 8:30 a.m. at Longview Lake.

Hosted by: Bikes & Trikes for Tykes Board of Directors

Sponsored By: Raytown Parks & Recreation

Pre-registration fee (prior to April 1, 2004--printable form below): $20 ? Adults • $12 ? ages 15-18 (Includes T-Shirt)

Registration fee on Ride Day: $30 ? Adults • $18 ? ages 15-18 (Includes T-Shirt)

Please wear helmets and safety gear during the ride.

------Pre-registration Form (print, fill out, mail in)--------------

PRE-REGISTRATION FORM
Pre-entries must be post-marked no later than April 1,
2004. Pre-Entry Cost is $20.00 per rider
($12 ? ages 15 -18; children 14 & under are Free.)

Name __________________________________________________

Address ________________________________________________

City _______________________ State ______ Zip _____________

Phone ____________________ E-mail_______________________
Mail check or money order to:
Bikes & Trikes for Tykes
PO Box 5895
Kansas City, MO 64171
Please include all the information above, so that we can
confirm your pre-registration.

------End Pre-registration Form-------------------------------------


Note: You will be required to sign and date a standard
waiver form at registration check-in on April 17.

For information, please contact: J. Khalsa at 816-358-0491 or certifiedkhalsa@hotmail.com

All proceeds will benefit on-going Bikes & Trikes for Tykes projects.

The 1st 25 kids 14 & under receive free t-shirts! permanent link to article: "First Annual Bikes & Trikes for Tykes “Pedaling in the Park” Bike Ride, April 17th, Longview Lake"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/09/2004 08:05:00 PM |comment on this article

Make plans to celebrate the Mississippi River Trail on Saturday, May 1st this year.

Sign up now to bicycle about 35 miles to one of the eight Trail Breaking Celebration Sites along the Mississippi for the noon festivities. Those who sign up and participate will receive:

A limited edition copy of the Illinois Mississippi River Trail User Guide
and
A special, commemorative T-shirt (limited supply).

Also, be a part of the celebration's press conference and media event, be a participant in a first-of-a-kind, serial, 585 miles ride on the MRT, help promote the MRT as a wonderful facility for all bicyclists - both casual citizens and serious bike tourers - and, not incidentally, go for a nice ride on a fine spring day

Just check one of these rides and send, call, or email it in.

_____Cairo to Anna/Jonesboro _____Grand Tower to Anna/Jonesboro

_____Grand Tower to Chester _____Valmeyer to Chester

_____Valmeyer to Hartford (Lewis & Clark Hist. Site) _____Grafton (ferry) to Hartford

_____Grafton (ferry) to Hamburg (ferry) _____New Canton to Hamburg (ferry)

_____New Canton to Quincy _____Hamilton/Keokuk to Quincy

_____Hamilton/Keokuk to Gladstone/Burlington _____New Boston to Gladstone/Burlington

_____New Boston to the Quad Cities _____Fulton/Clinton to the Quad Cities

_____Fulton/Clinton to Savanna _____East Dubuque/Galena to Savanna

Name: _________________________________________

Address: _____________________________________________________________

email:________________________________Phone:_____________________________

Bike Club (if any): ________________________________________________________

Send to: Chuck Oestreich, 816 - 22nd Street, Rock Island, IL 61201

Call: 309-788-1845 email: oestreich@qconline.com

Sponsored by the League of Illinois Bicyclists, with the cooperation and support of the Illinois Department of Natural Resources and the Mississippi River Trail, Inc. Go to www.bikelib.org/mrt for more details and a downloadable copy of the guide. permanent link to article: "Be on the Mississippi River Trail (MRT) on May Day"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/09/2004 05:03:00 PM |comment on this article

According to ReutersHealth:

Overweight children face a far greater risk of high blood pressure than their leaner peers do, a study of Houston public schools shows.

The findings, say researchers, "confirm an evolving epidemic" among U.S. children of weight-related ills once seen almost exclusively in adults.

The study of 5,102 students ages 10 to 19 found that 4.5 percent had high blood pressure, and blood pressure rose in tandem with children's body mass index, or BMI. Among overweight children, 11 percent had high blood pressure, according to results published in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics.

High blood pressure is one of a number of cardiovascular conditions, including type 2 diabetes and high cholesterol, which are increasingly being seen in children as their rates of overweight and obesity climb. In the U.S., childhood obesity has doubled in the past 20 years, and more than 15 percent of kids between the ages of 6 and 19 are considered obese.

In the past, the rate of high blood pressure among children has been estimated at about one percent.

permanent link to article: "Rate of high blood pressure in US kids rises 4.5 times (!!!)"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/05/2004 09:05:00 PM |comment on this article

Today's SEMissouri has a story about Velo Girardeau, Cape Girardeau's bicycle club:

While many members of Velo Girardeau are more interested in the social aspect of cycling, Cleair prefers the exercise to stay healthy.

"I love to ride," he said. "It's a nice fitness thing and a great way to keep in shape. It's something you should, at one level or another, be able to do way up in your 80s."

Remember that MoBikeFed has an online list of all Missouri bicycle clubs, web sites, and contact info. permanent link to article: "SEMissourian features VeloGirardeau bicycle club"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/05/2004 07:52:00 PM |comment on this article

The Saint Louis County Parks is offering a Road Bicycle course March 20th at Jefferson Barracks Visitors Center in South Saint Louis County. The course will be taught by Bill Carlson, a League Cycling Instructor. It is one of several courses which are part of the League of American Bicyclists BikeEd program.

The course includes the Effective Cycling video, a demonstration of emergency maneuvers in the parking lot, and a 10-mile ride which includes many of the situations discussed in the video. We also stop off at the Hampton/Gravois bus terminal where we learn how to use the bicycle rack mounted on the front of a bus.

Tuition is $20 and includes a Road 1 Student Manual. The tuition of Saint Louis Regional Bicycle Federation members will be refunded. The class starts at 9 a.m. and ends at 3 p.m. Three of my Road I graduates have gone on to become LCIs also in Springfield, MO and Kansas CIty, MO.

Bill Carlson, League Cycling Instructor #978
9614 Labette Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63123-6623
(314) 544-8152
wfosterc@aol.com permanent link to article: "League of American Bicyclists Road I Course Offered March 20th in St. Louis"
posted by Brent Hugh at 3/05/2004 06:44:00 PM |comment on this article