Cycling Tips & Stories

17 year old Abby Smith cycled 4200 miles across the country this summer. According to Abby:

By far, the hardest part of the trip was riding through the Ozarks in Missouri. Before the trip started I was dreading the Rockies because of the elevations we would be reaching. In the Rockies, though, we climbed very gradually for days. The Ozarks were a bunch of short, steep, ups and downs. The ups were so steep that even in our lowest gears we felt like we couldn't push any harder. Those days were filled with frustration, but we all managed to get each other through it.

permanent link to article: "Ozarks hardest part of trip for one cross-country cyclist"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/30/2004 05:38:00 PM |comment on this article

Provocative British transportation thinker Mayer Hillman gave a presentation entitled "The Impact Of Transport Policy On Children's Development":

Some years ago, the government transport minister at the time referred to the extent of car ownership as a barometer of freedom. What does that barometer show for children? Over the last 30 years at least, owing to a concern for their safety, this has been steadily diminished by parental restrictions imposed on their being out and about on their own. More and more of them are escorted on their leisure and school journeys - and up to an ever-later age in their childhood. This may well be having a detrimental effect on their social and emotional development as well as, more obviously, on their physical development. It is as if a malign dictator intent on harming society by picking on its most vulnerable and important members was achieving his ends by promoting activities which make the environment unsafe for children to be out on their own; encouraging parents and their children not only to be aware of the dangers but to make them feel that they are more at risk than they are in practice; and depriving them of opportunities for improving their health and acquiring these coping skills.

permanent link to article: "The child's freedom of movement--what are the consequences of its loss?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/29/2004 03:46:00 PM |comment on this article

Need another reason to get on your bicycle? Here are five, from An Argument for Bicycle Commuting by Joseph Sandone:

A person who cycles as a commuter consistently can expect, according to a report released in the American Journal of Public Health, to

• live longer than those who don't
  
• be less likely to develop coronary heart disease
  
• have lower incidences of stroke and colon cancer
  
• have a reduced likelihood of back injuries
  
• will maintain a higher level of functional independence in old age.

permanent link to article: "Need another reason to get on your bicycle?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/29/2004 03:40:00 PM |comment on this article

According to a Jefferson City News-Tribune article:

The Governor's Council on Fitness and Health is endorsing a Missouri Veterans Commission event, Trekking for Troops, to be held on the Katy Trail Oct. 23.

Bike, ride or walk a 5K or 10K with your family or friends in honor or memory of your favorite veteran or deployed service member. The event begins at 9 a.m. Registration costs $25 and starts at 7:30 a.m. at the North Jefferson City Pavilion (old City Cedar).

For more information, contact Pat Rowe Kerr at the Missouri Veterans Commission, (573) 522-4220, or pat.kerr @ mvc.dps.mo.gov.

permanent link to article: "Trekking for the Troups on the Katy Trail Oct 23rd"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/29/2004 11:24:00 AM |comment on this article

A St. Louis Post-Dispatch article, which calls the problem of overweight kids a "crisis", leads with this fact:

Today's teens are the first generation of Americans projected to lead shorter lives than their parents.

Blame fat.

The obesity rate for adolescents has tripled in the past 20 years. And more and more of these kids are hitting extreme ends of the scale, stretching to levels of severe obesity, morbid obesity and super-obesity unimaginable in generations past.

Nearly one in three children and teens is overweight today. One in six is obese.

permanent link to article: "Obesity means today's teens will have shorter lives than parents"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/26/2004 09:02:00 AM |comment on this article

Have you ever wondered how much being physically inactive costs you, your company, your town, or your state? Get the figures with Active Living's Cost of Inactivity Calculator.

For instance, I figured that inactivity costs my own hometown over $50 million per year, or about $1250 per person, in medical care and lost productivity. If even 5% of the inactive townspeople became more active, it would save over $2.5 million per year. permanent link to article: "Cost of inactivity calculator"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/21/2004 08:41:00 PM |comment on this article

Some bicyclists signal right turns by raising their left hand to the square, others by extending their right hand.

Is one way or the other better for communicating to other cyclists and drivers? The Santa Clara Bicycle Coalition summarizes some interesting research into the matter:

What's the safest way to signal that you're turning right? According to a 1979 study by Drury & Pietraszewski, the bent-left-arm signal was correctly perceived by 65% of following drivers, but the straight-right-arm signal was perceived correctly by 78%. Not only is it safer, but the right arm signal is easier to teach children: "Point which way you're going."

The study also determined that correct perception of arm signals was reinforced by the position of the bicyclist on the road. Finally, if a bicyclist looks back, drivers interpret it to mean that the cyclist is about to do something, but they don't yet know what.

The conclusion is that we should look back at drivers to get their attention, point in the direction of our turn, and move when safe to the correct road position for that turn.

The original research is reported in Drury, C.G., and Pietraszewski (1979) "The Motorist's Perception of the Bicyclist's Hand Signals," Ergonomics, 22.9, 1045-1057.

Right now Missouri law does not allow bicyclists to signal right turns by extending the right arm. The Missouri Bicycle Federation's 2005 legislative agenda include a provision to fix that problem. permanent link to article: "What's the best way to signal right turns?"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/20/2004 10:10:00 AM |comment on this article

ABCNews.com has a story about taking bicycle vacations as a family:

If you are looking for a family vacation that includes variety, physical activity and breathtaking scenery, consider seeing your destination on two wheels. . . .

The sheer variety of the bicycling vacation is one reason that bicycling is the third most popular outdoor vacation activity for Americans, after camping and hiking, according to the Travel Industry Association of America's Adventure Travel report. And about 40 percent of these cyclists take the kids or grandkids along for the ride.

Biking is a great vacation for families. Parents and children venture into the great outdoors, enjoying new scenery and fresh air while getting plenty of exercise. Cycling any distance, whether on their own or on a 'trail-a-bike' — a sort of half-bike with a seat and rear wheel that attach to the rear wheel of an adult's bike — can give children a huge sense of accomplishment.

permanent link to article: "Bicycle makes a great family vacation"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/18/2004 11:20:00 PM |comment on this article

After a failed bid for the Iowa governship in 2002, lawyer Doug Gross took the leftover campaign money and created a group to research how to improve the economic viability of Iowa's rural counties. Some of the findings, according to a Quad Cities Times article:

The group learned that to remain vital, Iowa’s rural counties should increase the number of locally owned non-farm businesses, create outdoor recreational amenities, increase the percentage of countywide income from livestock sales and create jobs within 30 miles of residential areas. They counted the number of local and state parks, bike trails and lakes and learned that outdoor recreational features create a regional impact.

permanent link to article: "Iowa group finds that rail trails have regional economic impact"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/16/2004 08:23:00 PM |comment on this article

The Kansas City Star's Mike Hendricks participated in this year's MS150 and devoted a column this week to his experience:

There were 1,700 of us out on the back roads of western Missouri on Saturday and Sunday on the MS 150 Bike Tour. If you saw us and waved, thanks a lot. If you didn't, that's fine, too. And to the guy in Windsor who displayed the interesting hand gesture as I crested a hill, well, either he's a regular reader of this column or he was having a bad hair day.

I know I was. We did 105 miles that first day and, well, you can do the math for Day Two. Some of us have more pressing things on our minds than arithmetic.

Such as locating the skin lotion, Advil and the BenGay.

permanent link to article: "KCStar's Mike Hendricks on the MS150"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/16/2004 07:37:00 PM |comment on this article

Bill Carlson, League Cycling Instructor #978, announced:

I will be offering 4 Road I courses in 2005. They will all be at the Jefferson Barracks Visitors Center in South Saint Louis County. Dates are March 19th, May 21st, July 16th and August 13th. The fee will be $30 which will include the Road I Student Manual. Start time will be 9 a.m. Class size will be limited to 6. To register call Marty Koch at 636-391-3474.

Bill Carlson, League Cycling Instructor #978
9614 Labette Drive
Saint Louis, MO 63123-6623
(314) 544-8152
wfosterc [at] aol.com

permanent link to article: "4 League Cycling Classes announced for St. Louis in 2005"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/15/2004 08:47:00 PM |comment on this article

Those dark mornings and evenings of Autumn are upon us, and cyclists who don't usually ride in the dusk may find themselves riding in darker and darker conditions.

So it's time to break out the bike lights, both front and back. Why?

A very common myth is that the purpose of a light on a bicycle is to help the cyclist see better. Even manufacturers of the lights believe this myth, as they design lights with a narrow, bright beam, not visible from the side. When cyclists realize that they don't need these lights at night, due to street lights, scattered light, moonlight, or even starlight, they ride without them, and as a result, many get killed. The real purpose of a light on a bike at night is to be seen. Motorists aren't thinking about cyclists at night, and their eyes are blinded by glare and by looking into the headlights of other cars. While the cyclist can see everything, the motorists can't see the cyclist. To ride safely at night, be sure to have lights and reflectors on the front and rear of your bike that are visible from the sides as well, and pay careful attention to any motorists near you who may be drinking, drowsy, or inattentive.

permanent link to article: "Bicycle lighting myths"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/14/2004 06:33:00 PM |comment on this article

Simply knowing how to ride a bike is not the same as knowing how to operate a bike safely and legally.

For the first time in some years a League of American Bicyclists Road I Class will be offered in the Kansas City area. The class is based on research showing that experienced bicyclists who follow the rules of the road are something like 20 times safer in traffic than those who don't follow the rules, and that these basic rules can be taught and learned pretty easily.

This basic 9 hour course is perfect as a primer for those cyclists who wish to gain a full understanding of how to safely operate a bicycle in a variety of situations. The 9 hour class includes learning how to perform a bicycle safety check, fixing a flat, interactive discussion, on-bike skills practice and student manual. Students will gain confidence knowing that they are riding legally and safely. Crash avoidance techniques and crash types will be discussed. Recommended for adults and children above 14.

The 9-hour class will be Saturday, October 9th starting at 8AM. Cost is $35. Place is the Bike and Trikes Warehouse, Upper level-South side of the Blue Ridge Mall (I-70 & Sterling, 4200 Blue Ridge Blvd, KCMO). Teacher is certified League Cycling Instructor Michael Neven (LCI #1068). Mike is also a USA Cycling certified coach and races with the Bicycle Shack racing team. Many of you know Mike from the Saturday morning rides at Longview Lake.

Several of the MoBikeFed board members and I took the class in Springfield recently, and I can recommend it as being interesting and useful even for experienced bicyclists. The course is required of anyone who wishes to advance and become a League Cycling Instructor.

Class size is limited, so if you would like to attend, please contact nevenspin@earthlink.net and send a $10 deposit as soon as possible to: Michael Neven, LCI, 14321 Peterson Rd. Kansas City, MO 64149. Make check payable to: Michael Neven, LCI.

Printable PDF-format flyer about the Road I course. permanent link to article: "Road I Class in Kansas City October 9th"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/14/2004 12:00:00 AM |comment on this article

There are just under two weeks until the seventh annual Tour of the Ozarks to benefit the Diabetes Education Fund. Come see for yourself why participants continue to travel from Chicago, Little Rock, Indianapolis, Kansas City, and St. Louis to ride the scenic and challenging routes. Experience the event that Bicycling magazine recognized as the best September ride in Missouri.

• 12, 25, 50, and 100 mile options
  
• low minimum registration/donation: $50 individual, $45 team members, $45 tandem members
  
• piles of prizes
  
• t-shirt
  
• water bottle
  
• good times
  
• great scenery
  
• quiet roads

We hope to see you on September 18 in Rolla, Missouri--The Middle of Everywhere.

More info on the Tour of the Ozarks web site. permanent link to article: "RIDE: Tour of the Ozarks Sept. 18th in Rolla"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/08/2004 07:30:00 PM |comment on this article

The Relay for Life Fundraising ride, the 2004 HoBoCo Cycling Tour, is Oct. 10th, 2004, in Harrisburg, MO. It benefits the American Cancer Society.

The ride is fully supported with SAG, snacks, bathrooms and 25 or 50 mile options.

More info on the Conservation Relay for Life web site or email relay@coin.org. permanent link to article: "RIDE: Relay for Life Oct. 10th in Harrisburg"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/08/2004 07:25:00 PM |comment on this article

Russian cyclist Dimitry Korotkov is in Missouri this week as he follows Route 66. The Springfield News-Leader has details:

Participants in the 1928 "Bunion Derby" on then-new Route 66 have become part of a legend Dimitry Korotkov wants to take home to fellow Russians.

The 42-year-old bicyclist is tracing the grueling route of those hardy runners in reverse — Chicago to Santa Monica, Calif. — but unlike the derby participants who covered the route in 84 days, he's taking his time.

Route 66 is one of proposed Missouri cross-state bicycle routes--see the proposed route on MoBikeFed's map page. permanent link to article: "Russian cyclist rides Route 66"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/08/2004 09:56:00 AM |comment on this article

A St. Francois Daily Journal article tell about the DeLucia family's preparation to ride the MS150 together:

Joe and Dana DeLucia and their five children are always looking for projects they can tackle as a family. They do yard work together. They do housework together. They've been finishing their new house together. And now, they're about to cycle together - 150 miles in two day.

permanent link to article: "Family of 7 to do MS150 together"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/08/2004 09:19:00 AM |comment on this article

The Mid-America Regional Council is leading community discussions to formulate a regional Clean Air Action Plan for the Kansas City region. The plan will articulate the community’s strategy to protect air quality over the long term, and to comply with new federal regulations for ground level ozone.

MARC is working with local, state and federal government officials; business and industry representatives and environmental and public health interests to identify the most effective strategies to protect the Kansas City region’s air quality. MARC’s Air Quality Forum and its Air Quality Work Group have led work to analyze the problem and outline a range of possible measures. A number of discussions have been held with various interest groups, many convened by community partners.

To provide additional opportunities for participation in this planning process, MARC will convene two air quality community workshops. The first workshop will be held on September 10, 2004.

Complete information on the MARC web site. permanent link to article: "Air quality community workshops in Kansas City"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/04/2004 10:14:00 AM |comment on this article

A Kansas City Star article covers an issue of interest to bicyclists and the Missouri Bicycle Federation. MoBikeFed has, for the past two years, sponsored legislation that would increase penalties for drivers whose unsafe and illegal acts injure or kill others.

Missouri drivers can, essentially, kill with impunity through their bad and unsafe driving.

In the collision discussed in the Star article, Seamus Jerome Monahan, who had his driver's license suspended about a month and half before the accident, has been charged only with two misdemeanors, because Missouri law precludes more serious charges:

Gruber, 50, of Spring Hill, was fatally injured when his motorcycle and a Dodge Ram pickup truck driven by Monahan collided in the intersection of 199th Street and Moonlight Road, west of Spring Hill. Gruber was wearing a helmet but was unconscious when emergency workers arrived. He was pronounced dead several hours later at a hospital, according to authorities. . . .

Both charges that Monahan faces are misdemeanors. The conviction on the homicide charge could carry a sentence of up to one year in the county jail. A more serious felony charge of involuntary manslaughter typically only applies in cases in which a driver was intoxicated or was fleeing police and caused a fatal collision.

permanent link to article: "Missouri drivers can kill with impunity"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/04/2004 09:56:00 AM |comment on this article

An article in Runner's and Triathlete's Web News highlights the importance of riding "economically" in achieving peak performance.

Learning to ride more economically means, basically, that you learn to go faster with the same amount of effort:

An example of the power of economy can be seen as follows: Two cyclists enter a hill climb or time trial. Both have the same VO2 max, but Cyclist A is more economical. They both ride at the same high speed. However, to reach and maintain this speed, Cyclist B must ride at a pace equal to 95% of his max VO2. Cyclist A, on the other hand, can ride the same speed, yet only be at 90% of his max. Should he pick up effort to 95%, he would out ride Athlete B and win.

Factors in learning to ride more economically include developing a better spin and adopting a more aerodynamic position (more details in the article). It also includes learning to relax muscles some muscles:

It was found that this group of elite mountain bike cyclists were less economical than many of the elite road cyclist that have been tested at the training center. Discussion among the group of scientists, coaches and athletes pointed out that this may be due to their increased use of their upper body's in pulling on the bars while even cycling at submaximal workloads. "You can improve your economy on the bicycle by improving your pedaling mechanics and eliminating unnecessary muscle movements, you must learn to relax your upper body while cycling hard," noted Jay T. Kearney, to the group during the data return session. "This same information holds true for all of us, no matter if we ride the roads or trails," added Kearney.

permanent link to article: "Becoming a more economical cyclist . . ."
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/04/2004 08:30:00 AM |comment on this article

Larry Bleiberg of the Dallas Morning News tells about his 5-day trip along the Katy Trail (in a Springfield News-Leader article):

Then the moment I had been avoiding arrived. It was time to start pedaling. Nine miles later, I was just hitting my stride when I rolled through Clifton City. This frontier outpost once was called Devil's Half Acre, a historic marker tells me. The town grocer sold whiskey, which helped fuel local skirmishes. Today a corner gas station stocks bottled water. I tried to imagine the skirmishes as I cycled by, serenaded by a chorus of cows, locusts, birds and the gentle crackle of crushed limestone from beneath my bike wheels.

Then I was distracted by a cloud of Monarch butterflies. A few miles later, I noticed how fields of soybeans glow in the afternoon light.

So goes a day on the Katy.

permanent link to article: "A day on the Katy Trail"
posted by Brent Hugh at 9/03/2004 08:54:00 PM |comment on this article