Near Collision

<span style="font-size: large;">    Today was my third Saturday of trail bicycling riding.  It is like mountain biking because it is dirt, there are some hills, an occasional rock or root, curves, and its in the woods. </span><span style="font-size: large;">It is NOT like mountain biking because the trail is wide - almost as wide as a one  lane road.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> This particular trail is about 7 miles and circles a lake.  It has always been my most favorite place to run.  This is where I have been going to walk with my friend for a year or two now.  I had been doing a quick run before our walk and I cannot do that currently.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">    This is my first venture into trail cycling and I just LOVE it.  I find it much more fun than road cycling.  Anyways - most of the cyclists using the trail- some of whom are pretty intense- wear helmets, myself included.  You can usually tell who is there for a workout and who is just "hanging out" by their helmet status.  Some of the non-helmet wearers think that because they are not riding in the road - no cars - no worries.  But one must be alert on the dirt trail for walkers, runners, rocks, hills, curves - it takes a good deal of attention.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">      I have noted before that it doesn't take a car to make a cyclist crash and that dirt, pavement, grass and gravel can all do substantial damage to a body and a skull.  Today I came pretty close to a crash and the subsequent aftermath.  I came around a curve on my third lap, going pretty fast (relatively speaking).  I was on the right side of the trail.  Midway in the curve, I came face to face with an entire family of cyclists.  Really. They were abreast across the trail.  It appeared to be a Mom and Dad and two or three children. This happened very quickly so I am recreating what I think I saw.  One of the parents had a cycle stroller (like a jog stroller, but it is low to the ground, covered and attached to the back of the bicycle) with a small child inside.  A child on a small bike and a smaller child on a tricycle were amongst this "crowd".  I came face to face with the little one.  All of them were wearing helmets to the best of my recollection.  I know the little boy was.  I had to grasp the brakes pretty hard and fast, I slid and teetered.  I yelled out in alarm.  I did not fall - but I would have if it had been the only option besides hitting the child.  As it turns out, we were both fine and no one hit dirt.  </span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   The user error in this case was being in the wrong lane - the child not me, but the safety measure was the helmet, had it been needed.</span><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   Click <a href="http://www.cityofws.org/Assets/CityOfWS/Documents/Recreation/Greenways/salem_lake_creek_greenway_map.pdf" target="_blank">here</a> to see a nice map of our trail and be sure to visit if you come to Winston Salem, NC.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> </span>

Near Collision

    Today was my third Saturday of trail bicycling riding.  It is like mountain biking because it is dirt, there are some hills, an occasion...

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Odds and Ends

<div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Whooping Cough </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">According to the CDC, the US is having its worst whooping cough outbreak in 50 years.  Whooping cough is the common name for the bacterial infection, pertussis. The"nickname" is related to the symptoms not the cause.  People who have the infection are contagious during certain periods and the illness can spread to others who are not immune.  Vaccines are effective at preventing both the spread and contraction.  In other words, vaccines protect against getting it yourself and giving it to others.  Most of us received the immunization as children in the DPT shot and its booster.  Many colleges require young adults to get a booster before allowing them to attend classes. The CDC is suggesting that adults may need to get a second booster as well – to protect children.  It appears that the outbreak is related to adults getting sick (often because they have lost their immunity) and infecting children who have not yet had their series of shots.  The number of cases for the year so far are 18, 000. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Helmets and Leaders </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">  I rode my bike on some Greenway trails today.  At one point I came upon a small group.  The group consisted of one man, late 20s, and ten or so children who appeared to be middle school aged.  We were riding in opposite directions so we came face to face.    ALL of the children were helmeted.  It is the law in NC to wear one if you are 16 or younger, but many children do not wear them and the law is not enforced. </span><span style="font-size: large;"> The adult in the group was the only one not wearing a helmet. </span><span style="font-size: large;">One of the children, a boy, rode off the paved trail into the street.</span><span style="font-size: large;"> As the boy went off the trail, the adult said, “Tommy, you are not being a very good leader right now.”  And – well – you know what happened next right?  As I rode by, I looked at the man and said – with a light tone, “Neither are you and tapped on my helmet.”  He said, “I know!”</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>Blood Cholesterol and Heart Disease  </i></span><span style="font-size: large;">This segment can be brief or long and complicated.  I am only just beginning to wrap my mind around what I am learning and the little research I did today is not enough.  Briefly then:  The link between blood cholesterol and atherosclerosis (heart disease due to plaque buildup) is being challenged by many scientists.  It has been debated for a while. One of the arguments is that not everyone who has heart disease has high cholesterol.  It may be that a person’s cholesterol becomes high when other risk factors are in play.  For example, not exercising, smoking and being obese are risk factors for heart disease.  These factors may change the way that the body handles excess calories from fats and sugars and thus the cholesterol that the body creates from them.  I am not sure what this means in the end or what you should do with the information.  I have read that cholesterol lowering drugs should be considered only after weight loss and increased activity have begun. Also that when used; only the least amount of drug that is effective should be given.  There is little evidence to support that lower numbers are better because the cholesterol may be a symptom of some other problem.  For example, if being 30 pounds overweight is causing the sterol to form in the arteries, then having an LDL of 100 while still being overweight is not going to help.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"> </span><span style="font-size: large;"> </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>News from AHG</i></span><span style="font-size: large;"> The information presented below is directly from an email I received from the Alliance for a Healthier Generation.  The goal of the organization is to improve the health and wellbeing of children.  Please go to the <a href="http://healthiergeneration.org/about.aspx" target="_blank">website</a>to learn more.  The tips that are offered below can apply to adults as well.  If you don’t want to use playground equipment or play tug of war, you can get your resistance training with free weights or exercises that use your body as the muscle load. What I liked best from the email is highlighted in yellow below.   I also like the definitions and examples.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Aerobic Activity:</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Endurance activities that get muscles moving in patterned movements for a sustained period of time. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Try: Bicycling and swimming</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Muscle-Strengthening Activity:</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;">Resistance training that increases skeletal muscle power by doing more work than in daily physical activities. </span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Try: Using playground equipment and playing tug-of-war</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><i>Bone-Strengthening Activity:</i></b></span><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Impact and tension activities that help grow and strengthen skeletal system.</span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; line-height: normal; margin-bottom: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;">Try: Running and jumping rope</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: #1f1f1f;">Different Bodies Are Better at Different Things</span></b></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">Did you know that running a mile at the same speed will have a different effect on different bodies? Lifestyle, metabolism and fitness level all play a part in how exercise affects our bodies. This is because we expend energy at different rates. But with some effort, we can influence that rate. </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: #ffd966;">A body trained to sit, will sit well.</span> A body trained to move, will move well. </span><br /><span style="color: black; font-size: large;">How active is your body?</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"></span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"><b>Inactive:</b>No activity beyond baseline activities of daily living   </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Low Activity:</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> Activity beyond baseline but fewer than 150 minutes of moderate activity a week  </span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">Medium Activity:</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> 150 to 300m of moderate activity or 75 to 150m of vigorous activity a week</span></div><div style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS",sans-serif; margin: 0in;"><span style="font-size: large;"><b><span style="color: black;">High Activity:</span></b></span><span style="color: black; font-size: large;"> More than 300m of moderate activity a week  </span></div>

Odds and Ends

Whooping Cough According to the CDC, the US is having its worst whooping cough outbreak in 50 years.  Whooping cough is the common name for ...

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Brains to Keep

<span style="font-size: large;">   One of my professors is an avid bicyclist.  He uses his bicycle for transportation and fitness and rides during all seasons of the year. His example encouraged me to purchase a used bike as soon as I came back to NC two years ago.  I wanted to be able to commute to campus on my bike.  This is something I did not do any of the other times I went to college.  (yes, I know - I am a frequent student).</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;"> When he was my professor in the past (master's program in public health), I came to appreciate cycling as a way to conserve energy, sustain the planet and burn energy.  I also learned to do all of this safely, by following road rules and wearing a helmet.  Readers are aware of my feelings about and observations of helmet use.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   I also worked with my professor in assessing the amount of helmet use in our town.  The overall percentage of use was low, but it was higher in the over age 26 group.  I am over age 26 and so is my professor.  Several reasons exist for why people <u>do not wear </u>helmets.  They can be silly, "it messes up my hair" or serious "I don't think I will crash."  You can fix your hair, but you cannot so  fix your skull and ANYONE can crash - anywhere - at any speed - into a vehicle or onto the ground.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   My professor had such an accident about two weeks ago.  He was going at a good clip and hit raised pavement.  I do not remember if it was a speed bump or a curb.  He hit hard enough to fly over his handle bars.  He landed in three places.  His hip, shoulder and head.  One part of his body was protected - his head.  It is the only one of those three places that is not broken.  He is in rehab now.  He will be okay, but the surgery on his bones required pins to keep him together.</span><br /><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   You <i>could</i> use this story to make a case not to cycle, but it makes better sense to use it to promote safer cycling.  Wear a helmet and watch where you are going.  </span><br /><br /><br /><table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; margin-right: 1em; text-align: left;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizb-aoMbRjC27GgZkACNEGBff1fwdOGg3KWRyUMtyyXQVqa03cz4BcdokuguA4duQDhfZvO7YFBe7n-Tq_YhjKcJgC1vQRTwbQlSvxqzz0c0sb5eOEvk9ZtessompvotwMmM3_4Q6Ms1SL/s1600/cycle+helemt.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEizb-aoMbRjC27GgZkACNEGBff1fwdOGg3KWRyUMtyyXQVqa03cz4BcdokuguA4duQDhfZvO7YFBe7n-Tq_YhjKcJgC1vQRTwbQlSvxqzz0c0sb5eOEvk9ZtessompvotwMmM3_4Q6Ms1SL/s400/cycle+helemt.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;">One of these riders appears to have a brain they'd like to keep.</span></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><span style="font-size: large;">   </span>

Brains to Keep

   One of my professors is an avid bicyclist.  He uses his bicycle for transportation and fitness and rides during all seasons of the year. ...

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Cross Training Pays Off

<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif; font-size: large;">With some trepidation, I took my bicycle out from its little space in the entryway of my apartment building today.  I had not ridden my bike for at least five months.  Prior to November, I had been riding  back and forth to campus several days a week. I cannot tolerate cold.  Even today in the 70* weather my eyes teared and my nose ran!</span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">Still it was a beautiful day and as I was not going to run, the thought of riding was appealing.  I first took the bike for a little test spin - recalling that bad fall last September and my difficulty stopping and starting on hills - intersections and the whole business of CARS on narrow streets.  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I  rode about a mile or so on near flat roads and stopped and started at several places just to prove to myself that I had not forgotten everything I learned (the hard way) last year.  It went okay so I decided that I would ride the bike to campus today (where I was going for my twice weekly weight lifting session).  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I did worry a great deal about my ability to manage the  steep hills that I would face on the way.  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">There were a couple of times last fall that I did not think I could make it up one in particular.  I was considering going to campus on the hilly road with less traffic and coming home on the busier, flatter road.  The busier road actually has bike lanes.  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">But - instead - I did the 2.5 mile hilly road both ways and though my quads did burn, I did not at any time feel like I would not make it.  So,  the months of yoga, pilates and gym work helped me retain - even build - my core and lower body strength.  </span><br /><br /><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS; font-size: large;">I wore my helmet of course :)</span>

Cross Training Pays Off

With some trepidation, I took my bicycle out from its little space in the entryway of my apartment building today.  I had not ridden my bike...

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