It seems that the House Republicans have decided we don't need alternative transportation and would like to blow all the transportation money on more roads.
http://www.bikeworldnews.com/2011/07/08/bicycle-pedestrian-funding-danger/
Quote from: nathanm on July 09, 2011, 07:46:02 PM
It seems that the House Republicans have decided we don't need alternative transportation and would like to blow all the transportation money on more roads.
http://www.bikeworldnews.com/2011/07/08/bicycle-pedestrian-funding-danger/
Hope Conan doesn't hear about this.
The League of American Bicyclists has been breathlessly trumpeting that story for a couple of days. Set asides for bicycle transportation are "seriously threatened" etc. LAB beats that drum relentlessly, and at the same time, tries to use it to add members. It's the same politics of fear that the NRA uses so well.
But what happens if all the federal monies go away? Will that have an effect on those who use bikes for transportation, or is the possible loss of funds more likely to impact recreational cyclists? I think the transportation cyclists will still ride to work and back pretty much as they always have. They're the least traffic averse of any cyclists. The real impact will be felt by recreational riders who will see fewer trails, fewer bike lanes, and reduced influence with the bicycle planners.
I ride my bike to keep in shape. I am not impacted either with or without this funding since I ride in neighborhoods.
Quote from: Ed W on July 09, 2011, 11:00:46 PM
The League of American Bicyclists has been breathlessly trumpeting that story for a couple of days. Set asides for bicycle transportation are "seriously threatened" etc. LAB beats that drum relentlessly, and at the same time, tries to use it to add members. It's the same politics of fear that the NRA uses so well.
But what happens if all the federal monies go away? Will that have an effect on those who use bikes for transportation, or is the possible loss of funds more likely to impact recreational cyclists? I think the transportation cyclists will still ride to work and back pretty much as they always have. They're the least traffic averse of any cyclists. The real impact will be felt by recreational riders who will see fewer trails, fewer bike lanes, and reduced influence with the bicycle planners.
You're the most normal, reasonable person on this forum. And your conclusion here, as usual, is correct. The politics of fear has become a common tool in the box. I read the stories in magazines about blowing up dams on rivers with the same skepticism.
BTW, finally got my old 70's model Schwinn LeTour operating. This "free" bike cost me around $150 to resurrect and its purpose is to take me back and forth to work. But it rides well and I enjoy the puff of wind as the colorful cafe racers zip around me on the paths. From what I can tell, the energy to travel 12 miles of path riding is not quite equivalent to 5 miles of jogging the same paths.
Normal? You need to speak with She-Who-Must-Be-Obeyed about this. Her opinion would be considerably different!
I came across a calorie calculator once, and used it to do the math for my commute. It asked for my weight, distance, average speed, and terrain, if I remember right. My 17 mile round trip burned no more than 250 calories. So riding a bike by itself isn't a good strategy for weight loss unless it's coupled with a better diet. Still, regular exercise is good for us, and despite the minimal risks associated with riding a bike on the road, the exercise is a net gain.
I'm badly out of shape, though. Yesterday morning I banged some patio stones into the ground out front. "We" (which is SWMBO-speak) are adding a walkway next to the driveway along with a planter under the oak tree where grass refuses to grow. I worked for about two hours, spending a quarter of the time panting on the porch. I'm simply not acclimated to the heat this year.
The feeling I have after riding a bike for an hour is my legs are like sticks of wood and I'm thirsty but hardly tired or out of breath. When I run 5 miles, I'm spent all over and feel like a boxer after 12 rounds. It also seems to release more endorphins than biking so I'll alternate the two activities to stay in shape.
I tried scraping the garage yesterday to prepare it for a new coat of primer and paint. Lots of breaks and a revised estimate of time to finish. Brutal weather. Keep sprinklers or water dishes out for the varmints. ;)
If it were just bike trails losing funding, I wouldn't be bothered about the whole thing, but they also want further cutbacks in funding for transit and Amtrak and the Safe Routes to Schools program, which makes schools accessible by sidewalk in areas where they otherwise would not be.
And in some cases, the trails really are better than the roads, in that they go where you want more directly. The trail along the Creek is a good example of this. One can either ride a half mile out of the way to hit 101st or 91st or just take the trail. Personally, I don't mind riding on the arterials, but a lot of people do. And I don't blame them, it's not rare for f**kwits to yell obscenities in my direction when I'm riding on the road, especially out south.
Quote from: AquaMan on July 10, 2011, 10:02:18 AM
You're the most normal, reasonable person on this forum.
No one ever says that about me.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on July 10, 2011, 06:25:32 PM
No one ever says that about me.
I will, Michael! You're the most nearly normal person...uh...wait...OK, you're mostly normal...um....well, maybe not more than half...but that's almost a majority of the time...sorta.
Quote from: RecycleMichael on July 10, 2011, 06:25:32 PM
No one ever says that about me.
Maybe you're that Abbie Normal guy like in Mel Brooks' Frankenstein movie.
;D
Quote from: Ed W on July 10, 2011, 07:40:23 PM
I will, Michael! You're the most nearly normal person...uh...wait...OK, you're mostly normal...um....well, maybe not more than half...but that's almost a majority of the time...sorta.
That right there is the greatest definition of a person's character I have ever read. You must be rewarded. Personally, I'd go with Artist, then RA. No slap RM.
I'm just sucking up. The guy's going to be the next president of the United States, ya know.. I 'm hoping for interior secretary.
Quote from: AquaMan on July 10, 2011, 12:31:30 PM
The feeling I have after riding a bike for an hour is my legs are like sticks of wood and I'm thirsty but hardly tired or out of breath. When I run 5 miles, I'm spent all over and feel like a boxer after 12 rounds. It also seems to release more endorphins than biking so I'll alternate the two activities to stay in shape.
I tried scraping the garage yesterday to prepare it for a new coat of primer and paint. Lots of breaks and a revised estimate of time to finish. Brutal weather. Keep sprinklers or water dishes out for the varmints. ;)
I agree with your assesment on running vs biking. Running is mos def more rigorous and I think that being a good runner makes for a biker with increased stamina. It is easier to climb on foot then on a bike and the wind is less of a factor to a runner.
Quote from: AquaMan on July 11, 2011, 08:03:04 AM
I'm just sucking up. The guy's going to be the next president of the United States, ya know.. I 'm hoping for interior secretary.
I'm thinking about elevating bartending to a cabinet level position. Interested? It beats the Interior department.
Combine the two, like they do on the Illinois River, then I'm in. ;)
Someone better have Congress review this decision or we can expect more of this:
QuotePANAMA CITY, Florida - A Panama City man is recovering after colliding with a black bear while riding his bike to work.
John Hearn said he saw something out of the corner of his eye early Thursday morning. The nearly 300-pound bear smacked him off his bicycle and then fled into some nearby woods. Passing motorists stopped to help Hearn, who sustained minor injuries. The back tire of his bike was also ripped off.
http://www.wtsp.com/news/florida/article/200596/19/Black-bear-Florida-bicyclist-collide
Running - just wait till you hit 40! Then you'll be sorry...
Poor knees!!
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on July 11, 2011, 10:03:37 PM
Running - just wait till you hit 40! Then you'll be sorry...
Poor knees!!
I'm over 40, so is Conan, and we both ride and exercise hard. Ever think maybe it's YOU?
Quote from: heironymouspasparagus on July 11, 2011, 10:03:37 PM
Running - just wait till you hit 40! Then you'll be sorry...
Poor knees!!
That was near two decades ago. My knees are no problem. Either good genetics, luck or a moderate schedule. I see people running like they're preparing for the olympics. I'm just looking at the chicks. ;)
Moderate running at an eight minute mile pace is proven to actually be beneficial for your knees and can help to reverse some knee complaints.
http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12232-2-1-2,00.html (http://www.runnersworld.com/article/0,7120,s6-241-285--12232-2-1-2,00.html)
http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees (http://www.npr.org/2011/03/28/134861448/put-those-shoes-on-running-wont-kill-your-knees)
'Running Is Healthy For The Joint'
In one study, Swedish researchers found that exercise, including jogging, may even be beneficial. Felson describes how researchers took one group of people at risk of osteoarthritis and had them engage in exercise, including jogging. The other group didn't exercise. After imaging the joints of the participants in both study groups, they found that the biochemistry of cartilage actually appeared to improve in those participants who were running. Felson says that suggests that "running is actually healthy for the joint."
Jonathan Chang, an orthopedic surgeon in Alhambra, Calif., says that exercise appears to stimulate cartilage to repair to minor damage. It could be that the impact of body weight when the foot hits the ground increases production of certain proteins in the cartilage that make it stronger, he says. This is similar to the way exercise, in particular weight-bearing exercise like jogging, increases bone and muscle mass
And now back on topic
But of course cycling can lead to this:
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTf2dy7N3gIuVHT0g3r23_lgSBiOH4cDpl-aNF3B78iHu0wZiKl3A)
Quote from: guido911 on July 12, 2011, 12:47:57 PM
But of course cycling can lead to this:
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTf2dy7N3gIuVHT0g3r23_lgSBiOH4cDpl-aNF3B78iHu0wZiKl3A)
Is that Conan's googley leg?
Quote from: guido911 on July 12, 2011, 12:47:57 PM
But of course cycling can lead to this:
(http://t2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcTf2dy7N3gIuVHT0g3r23_lgSBiOH4cDpl-aNF3B78iHu0wZiKl3A)
it can cause you to wear yellow shoes? egad!@
Is that Biker Fox?
Running - not riding - is what I said. (Never reads anything....)
Am very glad to see good news about joints and exercise - even running! After a long hiatus, am starting to ride again. Interesting experience.