Yeah, I've done this

Share the Road.Org

I posted a few weeks back that Connecticut is not a good place to bike.  The fact is, riding the trails is great, but the issue is riding the roads.  For years, cyclists have tried to get the CT DOT to improve roads, create bike lanes, and put programs into place to increase awareness among drivers.  I have one friend who has faced irate/aggressive drivers here, who has been run off the road no less than a dozen times.  (One time, by a soccer-mom who saw it as her civic duty to "teach him a lesson" that bikes were not allowed on roads.)

Finally, Connecticut is starting to get serious about cyclists and encouraging bikes as alternative transport.  To that end, they have created a new website which collects the rules of the road, and reiterates the important principles for cars and bikes to share the road.  Combined with an bus-ad campaign, hopefully this will make it better to roam on two wheels in the Constitution State.

See and download the full gallery on posterous

Posted via email from The Bike Nomad

The "Ride of Silence" is today

If you should see a line of cyclists riding slowly down the streets of your town today, please be patient and considerate. Today is the Ride of Silence - an annual memorial for cyclists killed on public roadways by cars and trucks.

Biking Update - March 13, 2010

This was the big week when I got back out on two wheels! The first ride of 2010 was taken along the Shortline in Stratford, CT. I only managed a little over 8 miles before muscle soreness made it clear it was time to stop, but it was a beautiful ride and even the aches were like an old friend. I have also ridden a bit more on the stationary bike in the attic and am slowly starting to get back into shape. Looking forward to a good riding season for 2010. So far the weight is not responding, but I expect more soon.

But probably no biking this weekend due to heavy rains predicted. We'll have to see if I can sneak in a ride after work some day. Otherwise, I'll be seeing a lot more of the attic.

Biking Update - March 6, 2010

I finally got back on the stationary bike this week, and my weight has responded accordingly. I was reliably below 210 lbs all week, even though I did not exercise every night. And I am looking forward to getting out on the roads shortly! The weather is warming up, and it is about time to get back on 2 wheels.

Biking Update - February 27, 2010

Another work-filled week where I put in 12 hour days on most days. So... no biking still. But soon!

Biking Update - February 20, 2010

Sigh. Work, work, work, work. When is there time to get onto a bike?!

Biking Update - February 6, 2010

This was an eventful week for weight loss, even though I wound up only slightly down from last week. Why so eventful? On Sunday, I caught either food poisoning or an EXTREME stomach flu. It did a fairly effective job of emptying me out ENTIRELY, and left me unable to eat for a few days. Hence, the sudden and extreme drop on the graph. Since then, I have slowly returned to my normal diet, and my weight has jumped back up. But still to a point less than I started. I'll take that as progress. Still have not gotten back on the bike, as my body could not take the extra stress. Hopefully, this week will be the one.

Biking Update - January 30, 2010

Well, it has been a while since my last posting of the graph. I had very little time for biking before and around Christmas, then caught a bad cold in early January. I have not been on the exercise bike or the outside bike in about 2 months. And between the Christmas dinners and travelling, I was not eating as well as I should have been. And you can definitely see it in the graph. Sigh. But I am back on the wagon, and hope to resume biking shortly. Hopefully the graph will again be closer to 205 than 215 lbs.

Biking Update - December 19, 2009

Another week without bicycling. Mom is doing much better (but keep praying), but work and holiday life got in the way this week. December is never the time of year to start a diet. It is easier to maintain one (an object in motion tends to stay in motion) but not to make progress. So I am reasonably happy with the way things are. Hoping to resume in earnest in January, if not before.

Biking Update - December 12, 2009

Another week where biking was not really an option. Mom continues to fight her battle against nerve pain from arthritis in her back, and most of my discretionary time was spent taking care of her, catching up at work, preparing for Christmas, or doing the needed work for Quiz Team or handbell choir. However, diet alone continues to be effective at maintaining weight loss. However, I am hoping to get a bit ahead later on this week, so that I can survive a few bouts with Christmas goodies as the season progresses.

Biking Update - December 5, 2009

The Good News: After my "free weekend" of Thanksgiving, I am back under 210 lbs and quickly descending back towards "normal", although not near enough to the 205 lbs I'd like to reach and stay at. But with Mom's medical issues, there has been no time or energy for exercise. Maybe this weekend. We are approaching the 1.5 year anniversary of the start of the diet, and we have almost reached the 1 year anniversary of my reaching 210 lbs for the first time since college. These are all good things. But it is hard to believe another year is almost gone.

Biking Update - November 21, 2009

This week I was finally over the infection and flu that has been knocking me back for several weeks now. Have not yet gotten back onto the bike, but it will happen shortly. And my weight has been maintaining at a reasonable level. Looking forward next week to a few Free Days around Thanksgiving however, which will likely have a negative impact on my weight. We shall see.

Weight Log for November 7, 2009

It has been a strange couple of weeks for weight-loss. Last week, I got quite sick with a high fever, and was not able to do pretty much any cycling. Just sleeping over and over. Then, we hit my lowest points of the year, the period from Halloween to November 2 (the anniversary of my father's death). With the health issues and the emotional issues, I decided to make the weekend into "free days" where I ate what I wanted. I spiked up quite a bit, but also came back down quickly. I am feeling better now, but am still easily tired so have not gotten back on the bike.

Hopefully, I can get back on two wheels shortly. I have Veterans Day off on Wednesday, so I may try to do a ride then. Here's hoping!

Exercise mood-lift can last 12 hours

People always told me that exercise can be addictive, but having always been a books-and-computer sort of guy, I did not believe it.  But when I got into bicycling last year for weight loss, I found that the old wisdom was correct.  I now find myself longing for exercise after a day or so without it.  Now, new studies show the lifting of mood from just 20 minutes of exercise can last up to 12 hours!  Your bicycle may be the best way to combat depression.  Get riding now!

Posted via email from The Bike Nomad

Is parking key to expanding bicycling?

There is a hidden barrier to cyclists all over the country - where do you park the bike when you get to where you are going?  Some communities provide bike racks, but most places provide no official place to lock up a bike and in many cases have banned securing bicycles to trees, cart return structures, etc.  In general, a cyclist makes their best guess as to the most appropriate place, locks things in place, and prays that the bike is there when they emerge from the store.

Now, finally, some cities are doing something about this state of affairs.  For example, the NYC "Bicycle Access Bill" which requires buildings to allow cyclists to bring their vehicles inside for storage between rides.  Click thru to see many more efforts in cities around the country.

Posted via email from The Bike Nomad

File this under "Brilliant or Evil Genius"

I am not quite sure what to make of this one.  Inspired by Johnny Appleseed, two design students have created an add-on to bikes designed to seed cityscapes with flowers.  The idea is a mixture of bubble solution and tiny flower seeds are put in, then the natural motion of the bicycle generates a wind thru the device which blows bubble filled with the seeds.  The bubble drift naturally thru the city streets and land in cracks and crevices where they sprout and produce impromptu gardens to delight the eyes.

Is this a genius idea? Yes.  But one must wonder if it is evil genius, since I am sure city planners will be worried about these impromptu gardens increasing erosion of sidewalks and streets, requiring more frequent repaving projects.  Then again, maybe I am looking a gift horse in the mouth. What do our readers think?

Posted via email from The Bike Nomad

Biking Update - October 24, 2009

It is nice to be back under 210 lbs every day and inching toward 205 and below. (I hit my goal weight last week, but jumped back over after 1 carb-o-licous meal.) No real biking to report on, other than about 120 miles ridden on the stationary bike in the attic. Darkness, cold, and rain made doing anything outside nearly impossible. Hopefully, this next week will be better for riding.

Biking Update - October 17, 2009

If you needed proof that eating fatty food means weight gain, and exercise means weight loss, just look at this week's portion of the graph. Early in the week - after weeks of no progress despite eating perfectly - I declared a "free day" and had a "lasagna pizza" from Planet PIzza. I immediately spiked up 3 lbs to a recent high of 214. The next day, I got right back on plan and got back to my regular schedule of riding an hour on the exercise bike each night. By Friday, I was down to a new low of 205.4 lbs. That is a variation of almost 9 lbs in a single week!

No real biking this week due to horrible weather (rain and snow, believe it or not). Hoping to ride in the attic every night, and hopefully actually get back out on the roads, too.

Biking Update - October 9, 2009

My back is recovering, so I should be able to get back onto the bike this weekend. Hopefully, that will allow me to restore my weight to stability. I am still in a reasonable range, but there is definitely the potential for significant gain if I don't keep my discipline up.