tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75659668752878426542024-02-22T01:22:44.930-09:00ALASKA VELOLess Traffic - More Transportationasoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.comBlogger72125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-26844060105538532862013-07-24T09:22:00.000-08:002013-07-24T09:22:48.817-08:00Paper Boy<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="300" mozallowfullscreen="" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/68106905?byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" webkitallowfullscreen="" width="400"></iframe><br /></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-2305926026101227762013-07-18T17:28:00.000-08:002013-07-18T17:28:54.430-08:00How to Get More Bicyclists on the Road?<div style="border: currentColor; text-align: justify;">
I happened to bump into this interesting article from <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/article.cfm?id=getting-more-bicyclists-on-the-road">Scientific American</a> by way of browsing one of my favorite websites: <a href="http://bv.com.au/">bv.com.au</a> and decided to share it with you guys and girls.</div>
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To boost urban bicycling, figure out what women want<br />
By <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/author.cfm?id=1322">Linda Baker</a> | October 16, 2009</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">New York - USA</td></tr>
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CYCLE TRACK, here along New York City's Ninth Avenue, keeps bicyclists physically separated from motor vehicle traffic. Such designs make riding safer and could boost the number of women cyclists. Image: Monica Bradley. <br />
Getting people out of cars and onto bicycles, a much more sustainable form of transportation, has long vexed environmentally conscious city planners. Although bike lanes painted on streets and automobile-free “greenways” have increased ridership over the past few years, the share of people relying on bikes for transportation is still less than 2 percent, based on various studies. An emerging body of research suggests that a superior strategy to increase pedal pushing could be had by asking the perennial question: What do women want?<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bogota - Colombia</td></tr>
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In the U.S., men’s cycling trips surpass women’s by at least 2:1. This ratio stands in marked contrast to cycling in European countries, where urban biking is a way of life and draws about as many women as men—sometimes more. In the Netherlands, where 27 percent of all trips are made by bike, 55 percent of all riders are women. In Germany 12 percent of all trips are on bikes, 49 percent of which are made by women. </div>
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“If you want to know if an urban environment supports cycling, you can forget about all the detailed ‘bikeability indexes’—just measure the proportion of cyclists who are female,” says Jan Garrard, a senior lecturer at Deakin University in Melbourne, Australia, and author of several studies on biking and gender differences. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-1cf_M-2fo1QkGUmnh-Isome-3SjjTRd1PS4Y6-wayao3Tfb_0jOVABgFGCd0UJOGDrtCC8mWqoqRQX6qWFqQQQo5pQfYfxFou0cJe8mLkJoIC59VwC0ufKTkGr1pvt6D0Cj9tq1l09W/s1600/thesartorialist.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO-1cf_M-2fo1QkGUmnh-Isome-3SjjTRd1PS4Y6-wayao3Tfb_0jOVABgFGCd0UJOGDrtCC8mWqoqRQX6qWFqQQQo5pQfYfxFou0cJe8mLkJoIC59VwC0ufKTkGr1pvt6D0Cj9tq1l09W/s320/thesartorialist.jpg" width="213" /></a>Women are considered an “indicator species” for bike-friendly cities for several reasons. First, studies across disciplines as disparate as criminology and child rearing have shown that women are more averse to risk than men. In the cycling arena, that risk aversion translates into increased demand for safe bike infrastructure as a prerequisite for riding. Women also do most of the child care and household shopping, which means these bike routes need to be organized around practical urban destinations to make a difference.</div>
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“Despite our hope that gender roles don’t exist, they still do,” says Jennifer Dill, a transportation and planning researcher at Portland State University. Addressing women’s concerns about safety and utility “will go a long way” toward increasing the number of people on two wheels, Dill explains.<br />
So far few cities have taken on the challenge. In the U.S., most cycling facilities consist of on-street bike lanes, which require riding in vehicle-clogged traffic, notes John Pucher, a professor of urban planning at Rutgers University and longtime bike scholar. And when cities do install traffic-protected off-street bike paths, they are almost always along rivers and parks rather than along routes leading “to the supermarket, the school, the day care center,” Pucher says.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bogota - Colombia</td></tr>
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Although researchers have long examined the bike infrastructure in Europe, they have only just started to do so for the U.S. In a study conducted last year, Dill examined the effect of different types of bike facilities on cycling. The project, which used GPS positioning to record individual cycling trips in Portland, compared the shortest route with the path cyclists actually took to their destination. Women were less likely than men to try on-street bike lanes and more likely to go out of their way to use “bike boulevards,” quiet residential streets with special traffic-calming features for bicycles. “Women diverted from the shortest routes more often,” Dill says. <br />
Other data support those findings. In New York City, men are three times as likely to be cyclists as women. Yet a bicycle count found that an off-street bike path in Central Park had 44 percent female riders. “Within the same city you find huge deviations in terms of gender,” Pucher remarks.<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMqlRNXLRLmqjk_RYfhZFKcrlN-NAwLhvtLn__r2Ou2s0J6WsB2d_VpWhrWuKzOERQBwoqvyU4jnvS4e9V9m9AIQnZYoP8VYAdDqaimQidQgbew_SGrMSbsoZvP1vzvcUMF6ustrSSica/s1600/Bicycling+for+Women.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhuMqlRNXLRLmqjk_RYfhZFKcrlN-NAwLhvtLn__r2Ou2s0J6WsB2d_VpWhrWuKzOERQBwoqvyU4jnvS4e9V9m9AIQnZYoP8VYAdDqaimQidQgbew_SGrMSbsoZvP1vzvcUMF6ustrSSica/s200/Bicycling+for+Women.jpg" width="175" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_u9pwlmkF7pszuP4Dx8NcqiQIAy6jDT6w-wKBIeWthr02ckQpsA79y2IgD76wvedzoyGyhCmT4sQk-2in2VpbAImGuwYcfhqQp5Lew7oObBESoMFypnj7150oGBGUhi-BWOEolWEjIyK/s1600/Bike8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_u9pwlmkF7pszuP4Dx8NcqiQIAy6jDT6w-wKBIeWthr02ckQpsA79y2IgD76wvedzoyGyhCmT4sQk-2in2VpbAImGuwYcfhqQp5Lew7oObBESoMFypnj7150oGBGUhi-BWOEolWEjIyK/s200/Bike8.jpg" width="165" /></a>Good infrastructure alone won’t improve women’s cycling rates, researchers caution. In an automobile-dominated culture, “attitudinal variables” also play a role, says Susan Handy, a professor of environmental science at the University of California, Davis. In a survey to be published in <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/topic.cfm?id=transportation">Transportation</a> Research Record, Handy found that “comfort” and “needing a car” were important factors influencing women’s cycling rates—but not men’s. Needing a car is likely tied to the household errands women often perform, Handy says, and could be addressed in part by outreach programs showing that women can “jump on a bike the way they jump in a car.” <br />
A few municipalities are beginning to implement a “second wave” of strategies aimed at broadening the cycling demographic. In Portland, a city already renowned for its urban cycling, a Women on Bikes program targets such concerns as fixing a flat tire. The city is also building its first cycle track—a European-style bike lane that is separated from cars and pedestrians. Across the country state and federally funded Safe Routes to Schools programs are creating practical bike routes for kids so they don’t have to be driven by their parents. <br />
Ahead of the curve may be New York City, where about five miles of traffic-protected bike lanes have recently been installed. Credit goes to the new Department of <a href="http://www.scientificamerican.com/topic.cfm?id=transportation">Transportation</a> commissioner Janette Sadik-Khan, who is upending the department’s long-standing focus on trucks and automobiles. Remarks Pucher: “A woman cyclist became head of the DOT, and wonderful things started happening.”</div>
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Note: This article was originally printed with the title, "Shifting Gears."</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks to copenhagenize.com, Biking Network Victoria, The Sartorialist, Colombia Travel, Skyscrapercity.com, Cosmopolitan (Google Books)</span></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-48885579385015533592013-05-12T15:33:00.000-08:002013-05-12T15:33:09.145-08:00Saudi women might not be allowed to ride bikes after all<br />
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When it comes to women's rights
in Saudi Arabia, things always seem to move one incremental step (or, in this
case, cycle) forward, two steps back. On Monday, AP <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/04/01/saudi-arabia-ban-female-cycling_n_2991748.html?utm_hp_ref=world" target="_blank">reported </a>that al-Yawm, a Saudi daily, had cited
an unnamed Saudi religious police official as saying that women will now be
allowed to ride bicycles in the country, but only for "entertainment"
purposes.</div>
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The underwhelming story inspired
its fair share of sarcasm in the blogosphere. <a href="http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201304022007-0022651" target="_blank">Cartoon
images </a>of fully veiled women pedaling on bikes circulated
online. <a href="http://stream.aljazeera.com/story/201304022007-0022651" target="_blank">Jezebel </a>ran with the headline, "Saudi Arabia Lets
Women Ride Bikes for Funzies." Meanwhile, <a href="http://www.policymic.com/articles/32315/5-gifs-explain-why-letting-saudi-arabian-women-ride-bikes-is-not-progressive" target="_blank">Policymic </a>listed five ways the change doesn't
represent progress at all (and accompanied the list with a few can't-miss
GIFs).<o:p></o:p></div>
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But, alas, even this modest sign
of progress may have been an illusion. The pan-Arab daily <a href="http://alhayat.com/Details/499344" target="_blank">al-Hayat</a> spoke
to the country's religious police chief who called the matter
"funny," adding that because riding bikes is uncommon in Saudi
society, officials never considered the practice as something to either be
banned or allowed for women. (Al-Hayat also name-checks the outlets that
were a little eager in reporting the AP story, including Fox, the Huffington
Post, and ThinkProgress). <o:p></o:p></div>
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In light of the ambiguous
wording, it remains unclear whether it would be acceptable for women to ride
bikes in public if the mood strikes. My guess, for what its worth? Probably
not. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Credit (Foreign Policy)<o:p></o:p></div>
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(h/t: <a href="http://riyadhbureau.com/blog/2013/4/women-bikes" target="_blank">Riyadh
Bureau</a>)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Image entitled
"Allowed", by <a href="https://twitter.com/MohammadRSharaf/status/319452954543390720" target="_blank">Mohammad Sharaf</a><o:p></o:p><br />
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MONDAY, APR 1, 2013 06:54 AM ADT<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.salon.com/2013/04/01/saudi_arabia_lifts_ban_on_women_riding_bicycles/">Saudi
Arabia lifts ban on women riding bicycles</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The new policy stipulates that
women must be accompanied by a male guardian and ride "only for
entertainment"<o:p></o:p></div>
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BY <a href="http://www.salon.com/writer/katie_mcdonough/">KATIE MCDONOUGH</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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(Credit: AP)<o:p></o:p></div>
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Women in Saudi Arabia are still
banned from driving cars (<a href="http://www.hrw.org/world-report-2012/world-report-2012-saudi-arabia" target="_blank">among other things</a>), but the kingdom’s religious police are
now allowing them to ride motorbikes and bicycles in certain parks and
recreational areas. The catch? A male relative or guardian must accompany women
riders, according to Saudi news outlet Al-Yawm.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As <a href="http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/saudi-religious-police-lift-ban-women-bikes-18852363#.UVmFy6sjpLw" target="_blank">reported</a> by the Associated Press:<o:p></o:p></div>
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The Al-Yawm daily on Monday cited
an unnamed official from the powerful religious police as saying women can ride
bikes in parks and recreational areas but they have to be accompanied by a male
relative and dressed in the full Islamic head-to-toe abaya.<o:p></o:p></div>
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Saudi Arabia follows an
ultraconservative interpretation of Islam and bans women from driving. Women
are also banned from riding motorcycles or bicycles in public places. The
newspaper didn’t say what triggered the lifting of the ban.<o:p></o:p></div>
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The lift on the bicycle riding
ban is one of several recent nods to women’s empowerment in Saudi Arabia. King
Abdullah issued a decree in 2011 allowing women to run for office and vote in
municipal elections beginning in 2015. In January, the king also appointed 30
women to the country’s Shura Council and pledged that women would constitute 20
percent of the consultative body. While the Shura has no authority to pass or
enforce laws, some activists view the change as a symbolic step toward a more
egalitarian culture.<o:p></o:p></div>
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“Abdullah has a strong desire to
see women advance in Saudi,” Fawzia al-Bakr, a women’s rights activist and
professor at King Saud University, <a href="http://world.time.com/2013/03/27/in-saudi-arabia-womens-voices-are-starting-to-be-heard/#ixzz2PDpS0Vvn" target="_blank">told</a> Time magazine. “He wants them to work, he has
given them scholarships [to Western universities], and now, with the Shura, he
is tackling the most difficult issue in our society today: segregation. If you
can get rid of segregation, then most of our problems will be solved.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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A Saudi official told Al-Yawm
that the new policy stipulates that women may not use the bikes for
transportation but “only for entertainment” and that they must not ride near
men “to avoid harassment.”<o:p></o:p><br />
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Katie McDonough is an
assistant editor for Salon, focusing on lifestyle.<o:p></o:p></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-45828596598039608982013-05-09T09:33:00.002-08:002013-05-09T09:37:41.508-08:00Biking to work, withouth the post-ride shine<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUcc1uyY-R_PCiJjxHyMCHjtCN-y05LHYpkrxA3_bHIqzKjV7-1bC2RfTg5ShW4ZXLkElmd0PQ0eDu2Fs8Y1RQtKZC7F1nHw1Bi8DO9nRZlpkHq5D1K55oMoN_4fOwS8jjP059faEL2LR/s1600/Rachel+Bents+MN.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="221" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnUcc1uyY-R_PCiJjxHyMCHjtCN-y05LHYpkrxA3_bHIqzKjV7-1bC2RfTg5ShW4ZXLkElmd0PQ0eDu2Fs8Y1RQtKZC7F1nHw1Bi8DO9nRZlpkHq5D1K55oMoN_4fOwS8jjP059faEL2LR/s320/Rachel+Bents+MN.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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St. Paul, Minn. — Surveys show that men account for more than two out of three of this country's bicycle riders. <br />
Organizers of Bike Walk Week want to chip away at the imbalance. There are several events today in the Twin Cities encouraging women to bike and walk to work. <br />
Part of the equation for some cyclists -- women or men -- is figuring out how to deal with the glow one acquires while pedaling. </div>
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Two weeks ago Rachel Bents went carless. Bents, a St. Paul consultant, works at home but has to attend meetings where on occasion business dress is appropriate. Bents says her recent decision to get rid of her car and rely more on her bike for commuting raises the perennial perspiration question. "How do I go to work, how am I presentable at a meeting? How do I go on a date even?" she said. "How do I do some of those things where traditionally it's not appropriate to be all sweaty?" The answer is go slow. Don't work too hard. This is confirmed by Mary Hansel Parlin who's been commuting by bike to work for 15 years. Parlin is a high school teacher in Winona. Besides allowing plenty of time for the trip her other perspiration reducing solution is to plan a route of least resistance. "I also took a couple of practice runs," Parlin said. "You don't want to have it be your first day at work and you come in too sweaty or exhausted or late." </div>
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After perspiration another big issue raised by biking to work is fashion, what to wear. Mary Hansel Parlin remembers learning an important bike commuting fashion tip early on. "When my long skirt got caught in my chain and I wiped out on my way to school that was the last time I was foolish enough to wear a skirt, so I just have to bring extra clothes along," she said. <br />
As a challenge to the bike commuting fashion gods, Rachel Bents shows up for our radio interview dressed for success just to show it can be done. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PXxpDHGEXp0GtBzfsq8rGrILLAU4onVDLY3KelRVB-iicopc-w43D75Jy477URuoh49qm2Qdl9XNBFLN_CSBTXj1Mq3P-tGgNBwT4t1gD1LTMjzN3_sDV7QP_0VEy1jXkYHtFdJtXLnl/s1600/Rachel+Bents+Helmet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6PXxpDHGEXp0GtBzfsq8rGrILLAU4onVDLY3KelRVB-iicopc-w43D75Jy477URuoh49qm2Qdl9XNBFLN_CSBTXj1Mq3P-tGgNBwT4t1gD1LTMjzN3_sDV7QP_0VEy1jXkYHtFdJtXLnl/s200/Rachel+Bents+Helmet.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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"I've got a dress on today, I actually wore heels today. I don't always wear heels when I'm biking," she said. "I feel like, 'OK, I can do this. Women in Europe do it all the time.'" And it's true. Rachel directs me to the <a href="http://www.copenhagencyclechic.com/">Copenhagen cycle chic website</a> filled with photos of women in Denmark dressed to the nines riding their bikes. <br />
A growing number of employers are warming to the idea of biking and walking to work. </div>
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Every year during Bike Walk Week in Duluth, Carol Andrews' employer, Barr Engineering, stages a friendly competition. Employees win points if they ditch their car and bike or walk instead. "We had a gal up in Hibbing who said, 'Well, I'd like to do that but I live 30 miles away,' and I said what if you drove 15 miles and then biked the last 15 on the Mesabi Trail and she started doing that a couple days a week.," Andrews said. And that brings us to a central point raised by Bike Walk Week. Besides tips for combating perspiration and selecting the right apparel the annual event brings up the question of deciding where we live. <a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1cAhX9uy4GrDTQvK2n2B56XTXwwbTFrpMM-8ns-dczdbbade1SnDZSZaoGT4Ppq289AgS-g2XiFP-EKbyRWzf0WprehymDu7DHlbxelkUgI9jvfkPtspCvEqcPQUdJnND5jStDyBf4DY/s1600/Rachel+Bents+Shoes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="138" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiy1cAhX9uy4GrDTQvK2n2B56XTXwwbTFrpMM-8ns-dczdbbade1SnDZSZaoGT4Ppq289AgS-g2XiFP-EKbyRWzf0WprehymDu7DHlbxelkUgI9jvfkPtspCvEqcPQUdJnND5jStDyBf4DY/s200/Rachel+Bents+Shoes.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>
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Carol Andrews says she and her husband selected a place to live that allows them to walk or bike to their jobs. <br />
Same for Mary Hansel Parlin in Winona. "I think one of things that our family decided when we bought a house is where is everything and could we possibly bike or walk there," she said. </div>
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One of the most far reaching questions posed by Bike Walk Week is: What would America look like, how would cities and suburbs change, if more people made similar choices?</div>
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NPR News:</div>
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by <a href="http://minnesota.publicradio.org/about/people/mpr_people_display.php?aut_id=50">Dan Olson</a>, Minnesota Public Radio <br />
June 9, 2010</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-74725561349266664012013-05-09T08:35:00.002-08:002013-05-09T08:44:42.889-08:00Romantic Graffiti<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaZuSxde5YboUMkiJaotepReo-p8ud-2Bw_WqvAH7Zc34YRzH5VBoXTZxtopb1aVHQ9rCo3o2CPwcpnSTXI45S576NUvsiLSCFQTkYiirtOBMZ9_LjJF_5gfJEA5ZzNnfuxNGwl8IklTu/s1600/Your+Bike.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgaZuSxde5YboUMkiJaotepReo-p8ud-2Bw_WqvAH7Zc34YRzH5VBoXTZxtopb1aVHQ9rCo3o2CPwcpnSTXI45S576NUvsiLSCFQTkYiirtOBMZ9_LjJF_5gfJEA5ZzNnfuxNGwl8IklTu/s1600/Your+Bike.jpg" /></a></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-3550126174777571282012-12-27T15:48:00.000-09:002012-12-27T15:48:05.436-09:00Road Rash<div class="widget-content" style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: left;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV0lgEPay37jSgRA90m8ebQCY0FDB3THM0gTBhbLVpC-SofIjVpr_AVL1CNkZeYpsRAu01kpSlzFsDkmsCpod0U6fj1VAXzT4ZbVoaMHGCxLpOgoMBQ8HX-_YpXB9-LVjx1FWijCfEVl7/s1600/girlsandbikes-blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img aea="true" border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSV0lgEPay37jSgRA90m8ebQCY0FDB3THM0gTBhbLVpC-SofIjVpr_AVL1CNkZeYpsRAu01kpSlzFsDkmsCpod0U6fj1VAXzT4ZbVoaMHGCxLpOgoMBQ8HX-_YpXB9-LVjx1FWijCfEVl7/s400/girlsandbikes-blog.jpg" width="266" /></a><em>"I believe people powered transportation can contribute to vibrant communities. Bicycles aren't just for kids and hippies. I'm a girl that likes good food, interesting people, and pretty dresses. I ride a bike.</em></div>
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<em>So here I am, up in Canada. Trying to change the way people (women in particular) think about transportation. One bike; train; bus ride; carpool at a time. </em></div>
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<em>These are the stories from the life of a girl who loves to bike."</em></div>
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I have included this introduction to Miss Sarah's blog because in there you will find a rather interesting paper titled: Road Rash. I find it interesting because it summarizes quite well what I am trying to accomplish with this blog myself.</div>
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I will even give you the address so you can go and look at it and come back and tell me pros and cons and what else you think. I personally agree with every part of it and wish this town was now to cold and snowy. If you lower 49ers think you have it bad in the winter, think about this: us here in Anchorage are still waiting for the temperature to get up above 30 degrees. Click on <em>girls and bicycles</em> to access the full paper. Enjoy the ride.</div>
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<a href="http://www.girlsandbicycles.ca/" target="_blank"><img aea="true" border="0" height="58" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwU3MPgnK1R0WzX81f6ToFo6JdF04jDFZjRdPpzTX-EB9OTS8yfKqyz0m1BzJgMTryH1RlDx0PvVsfRpawVdKGGWG2grh6aOwR-LtRS2e-Jr5LmHHJwNFKrJYZXrKFC5uyi5kx2Bb5usya/s320/girlsandbikes-blog+header.bmp" width="320" /></a></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-44523602680089084402012-11-30T12:29:00.002-09:002012-11-30T12:32:14.178-09:00The Power of Bicycles<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/sVdb5bl5z2s" width="560"></iframe>asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-7995114353828949012012-11-02T11:43:00.000-08:002012-11-02T08:40:14.102-08:00Biking Politics<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
It's nice to see our two presidential candidates here riding their bikes. We know though that this was done more for the picture than because they really bike either for commuting or for sports.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKxUQxFTfQoQTsnAFWnAHSmGfE6a_pAZtkpb-XP6Ec8IIKPmPBRZxzMY1XzImP5RUJLYVXjUYs0U1FBQeYvMuxEYvEyYwP55YZ41ADgZ3WBbLfblHeiHkQ9Tmw1uuj9PTdzOLQMtfu4fE/s1600/Mitt+Romney+Biking+-+Bikemag.com.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlKxUQxFTfQoQTsnAFWnAHSmGfE6a_pAZtkpb-XP6Ec8IIKPmPBRZxzMY1XzImP5RUJLYVXjUYs0U1FBQeYvMuxEYvEyYwP55YZ41ADgZ3WBbLfblHeiHkQ9Tmw1uuj9PTdzOLQMtfu4fE/s320/Mitt+Romney+Biking+-+Bikemag.com.bmp" width="320" /></a>Very few people nowadays don't know how to ride a bike. Even though very few of us really bike only for transportation. My boss makes a gigantic operation out of biking. I mean, she mounts the bikes on the car, all the gear, water bottle, map, and who know what else as if going on a space expedition. To begin with, a bicycle is a method of transportation. That means you shouldn't have to put in inside a car (another method of transportation) to then take it to a second place, dismount the bike from the car, mount the bike, go a few miles, come back, etc. You get the picture. Biking should rather be a quite simple activity. Just get on the darn thing and pedal. </div>
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Perhaps the first mistake I see people making when acquiring a bicycle; when they see the weather changing every year as the summer approaches, is that they get the one bike with the fattest tires and the most gears. Some how that gives them the impression that the wheels will do the pedaling and that the wider the tire, the faster they'll go. Granted, fat cross tires will allow you to get into many more places such as grass, dirt, on and off sidewalks, but the thicker the tire, the more drag it creates, the more vibration and the heavier the bike it will get.</div>
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Many people quit bicycling because they start out with the wrong bike. One that is uncomfortable or one that makes them look silly. The one bike that makes them also waste a bunch of money on Lycra, carbon, fleece, shoes, etc - just to look official.</div>
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My personal opinion is that as beginners, we should get a bike, new or used, that is comfortable. A bike that is not expensive. That way, if we don't bike again, if we fall and don't like it anymore, we can just store it in the garage or leave it outside all winter and never lose much money or sleep over how much money we spent on the bicycle that we are no longer using. It could be a comfortable city bike so that we can just jump on it without having to change clothes or shoes. Upright/cruiser/beach/city/comfort bikes allow us to do that. They are not designed for performance. Just to go easy around the park and enjoy ourselves. We shouldn't expect to go fast, nor should we expect them to be light. That is not the point. They should be comfortable and easy to use. If we then feel that biking is our thing and we see that we spend more and more time doing it, we can go and spend the money on an upgrade.</div>
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The pictures that we have here exemplify exactly that. These two presidential candidates are clearly not the type of commuter/biker that they pretend to be. Mitt Romney in a suit and on a road bike to which he was not used to. It does not even look like he ever rode it on the weekends. A city commuter would not choose that combination of bike and clothing. Good for the picture perhaps.</div>
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And Obama, riding a bike that's too small for him. His daughter wearing helmet down her neck. </div>
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When you bike periodically, you get to know your gear because almost every time you wear it, you make small adjustments to it until it fits good. None of these bikers seem to have a clue.</div>
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I'd say you don't have to be good at everything. Stick to the politics and may best one be the winner.</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-10292155921967750942012-10-30T10:59:00.004-08:002012-10-30T15:58:24.753-08:00Biking through Disaster<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
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Every time we experience disaster or at least during the last 200 years, there is a constant that keeps showing up as a prevailing survivor, and perhaps more as a survivor's companion. A tool to emerge from debris and despair. It's our two wheel hero, the bicycle.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTZ4YPNywJwjaKTlEL-VV7ZdWhGJtDyKfcI7ecipb_a5M24hgoGUmNMykw9HRrfxI3pLnIx670SE38FDFTQyVEjANtDxrsavHPw6bGvSJi61YBZ1TUUNJXeqC95maO5M1EVm4FbboI0-B/s1600/lincoln+memorial+-WA+-+Sandy+-+Star-telegram.com.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="111" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEguTZ4YPNywJwjaKTlEL-VV7ZdWhGJtDyKfcI7ecipb_a5M24hgoGUmNMykw9HRrfxI3pLnIx670SE38FDFTQyVEjANtDxrsavHPw6bGvSJi61YBZ1TUUNJXeqC95maO5M1EVm4FbboI0-B/s200/lincoln+memorial+-WA+-+Sandy+-+Star-telegram.com.bmp" width="200" /></a>As you can see in our May 17, <a href="http://alaskavelo.blogspot.com/2012/05/bike-way-out-of-disaster.html" target="_blank">Biking the Way</a> out of Disaster post, the bicycle is the one companion that prevails, that is not dependent on electricity, not restricted by satellite connectivity. The bicycle is blackout proof. Not constrained by fuel shortages and for that matter not affected by any of the other casualties and consequences of a disaster. </div>
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In the aftermath of the Japan Earthquake/tsunami/nuclear meltdown, all the shortages that followed could not stop this metal steed because the bicycle only requires you and your willingness to survive either by escaping or by staying to recover and rebound. </div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlwVbhXbJjgX24mTNSMYn5DMZe0N0eVErS7cu8LXauSfbIAO0l3pHnUsf0HLoREtlkuNYbbj0kmFTXGqOJrIjPRkE8J1g86R4OTRwDGTlhjkQVlZ8zETu3lDVtym2oo-LZy7jPzAg-iPl/s1600/East+River+NY+-+Aug+28+-2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirlwVbhXbJjgX24mTNSMYn5DMZe0N0eVErS7cu8LXauSfbIAO0l3pHnUsf0HLoREtlkuNYbbj0kmFTXGqOJrIjPRkE8J1g86R4OTRwDGTlhjkQVlZ8zETu3lDVtym2oo-LZy7jPzAg-iPl/s400/East+River+NY+-+Aug+28+-2011.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">East River, NY - Hurricane Irene</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Yet after you have used it and abused it and taken yourself to safety, you can leave your bike outside in the rain, in the wind, in the snow and whenever you decide to come back to it, it sure will be in the same place waiting for you. What an unconditional friend. Only a dog would do that for you. The problem though is that your dog might need to be rescued also. It's only fair. The bike however, is made for one thing and that is to take you places without requiring much from you. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe_EcP1bTjcxQv0qOcZ_-cWhHBw8aGWqXHJfhFndTFfuCm89Tb6NYxPoQL6mCw8jJJsOAHQ6Gwy-Sun3W7a35PtL6cXOsG2zMXhSMB34CkTBaBz0CR22KzYL_p3ZibLFSsHIu5bGcYAPN/s1600/Bay+Shore+NY+-+10-29-2012+-+NY+Times.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="139" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEe_EcP1bTjcxQv0qOcZ_-cWhHBw8aGWqXHJfhFndTFfuCm89Tb6NYxPoQL6mCw8jJJsOAHQ6Gwy-Sun3W7a35PtL6cXOsG2zMXhSMB34CkTBaBz0CR22KzYL_p3ZibLFSsHIu5bGcYAPN/s200/Bay+Shore+NY+-+10-29-2012+-+NY+Times.jpg" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bay Shore NY - Source - NY Times</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfV5ZwtMEyFydhc7sF2Bd3WZuo03zYptrvDQxSUnJGRMbxOZNu1-Z1TcT2z-9eJb5oUcmG2htGSF75gQZleueb8iGSFbzLAKy_nBG_gwKcdZKDRpc-31lhnFvDKtp8n76nlEHJmcpm8_f/s1600/Observer.com+-+NY+-+commonwheels+co-op.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="135" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZfV5ZwtMEyFydhc7sF2Bd3WZuo03zYptrvDQxSUnJGRMbxOZNu1-Z1TcT2z-9eJb5oUcmG2htGSF75gQZleueb8iGSFbzLAKy_nBG_gwKcdZKDRpc-31lhnFvDKtp8n76nlEHJmcpm8_f/s200/Observer.com+-+NY+-+commonwheels+co-op.jpg" width="200" /></a>We have seen time and again during Hurricane Katrina, Irene, Sandy, Pedro, Maria, etc. The one element that survives with the survivors along the damage is the bike. I have selected a few pictures that exemplify precisely that. Having said that, I will also say that not always is a good idea to face nature with simply a bike. Hurricane Sandy and most tropical storms will bring torrencial rains with high velocity winds. Remember that a bicycle, as heroic as I might make it seem, only has the lineal support of two wheels. As opossed to a car, which stands on a four-point support plus it has an iron cabin. Of course cars seem to be the first victims of hurricanes. If all else fails... RUUUUUNNNN!!!</div>
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<img border="0" height="179" qea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhY_2Faud8xfKPrJPmbjr35BLjiExWezAjDqYrOYVt_x5rLz1VsZlpuSowpj5XEJCO32YbyChpYo4Tt707XYFYIZejlsufgjr0dS-cNNDlYH8vPB7_YBB0jn5iTFi89C8_W1X8J53Kk3Oh/s320/lincoln+memorial+-WA+-+Sandy+-+Star-telegram.com.bmp" width="320" /> </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Crawford, NJ - Source - Sternassociates.com</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks to: The New York Times</span><br />
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Framework.Latimes.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Sternassociates.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Keith Bedford - Reuters</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Karl Merton</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> The dailybeast.com</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> observer.com</span></div>
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asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-38939829361061954872012-10-29T12:21:00.001-08:002012-10-29T12:21:28.738-08:00Cycling While Pregnant<div style="text-align: center;">
Since my wife is now pregnant I have stated to wonder if she could still bike with and what would be the potential risks, so here are the results of my modest research.</div>
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<em>According to <a href="http://www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/general/bikes-and-riding/43851/">Australia's Bicycle Network Victoria</a>:</em></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jLuEAkdA_y993syPKZTwR-9AYvxPtsjyVPe3QjB6GWRQ_SQgxxNyVaR_JsCaneyA9KYbyU-Fqwu6IQqZo5AFIlquVI8nC31beDQA9OtMaH45HjnU-Rco5NzQdNyvMSKuhwM7mZvrTxK/s1600/Biking+Pregrant+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj51jLuEAkdA_y993syPKZTwR-9AYvxPtsjyVPe3QjB6GWRQ_SQgxxNyVaR_JsCaneyA9KYbyU-Fqwu6IQqZo5AFIlquVI8nC31beDQA9OtMaH45HjnU-Rco5NzQdNyvMSKuhwM7mZvrTxK/s1600/Biking+Pregrant+8.jpg" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Bike riding can help maintain your well-being during pregnancy. Is it safe to ride a bike with a baby in your belly? Cycling education guru and mother Nicola Dunnicliff-Wells investigates. It's widely accepted that regular physical activity is highly beneficial for mums-to-be.</div>
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According to Active & pregnant, a guide produced by VICFIT and the Royal Women's Hospital, a sensible pattern of exercise can help maintain wellbeing during the pregnancy, help prepare the body for labour and help in recovery from the birth. Glenys Janssen, midwife at the Royal Women's Hospital Childbirth Education and Training Department, encourages exercise, citing multiple benefits. "It also helps you feel good about yourself, and it might help control weight." The rate of diabetes in pregnancy is increasing dramatically, she says, largely because more women are overweight."You're much less likely to get diabetes, and you're more able to control it if you're exercising regularly."</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Glenys says that while some people worry that exercise could cause a miscarriage or damage to the baby, no studies have shown any negative effects of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in a normal, healthy pregnancy.</div>
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<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;"><span style="clear: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_594572156"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuUWvsnKbPDHjUOq_YEfZEl6RlNfs2gwEsHR3dJDwHE7OjAeBVPmi877a-gaWr3JECNz5nrEGwzMwqjD1OTpNochKtixXSo0VyHa9hYJtYSD_V6WkqGHCiKadd5h8EYQIZd8_T2HMPXo_a/s320/Biking+Pregrant+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://simplybikeblog.com/" target="_blank"><span style="color: blue;">photo - Simplybikeblog.com</span></a></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
"If you have complications, such as a multiple birth, or high blood pressure, you wouldn't do exercise," she says. "Or you would only to do it in consultation with a doctor and physiotherapist."</div>
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For women with normal pregnancies, moderate-intensity is key. Fiona Cooper, health educator and former midwife recommends cycling to help women build up their endurance for labour, but cautions against riding too strenuously. Staying cool and maintaining the body's water balance is important. "It's the same as the SunSmart message - take a water bottle and ride at times where you're not out in the heat," Fiona says.</div>
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Glenys Janssen says that nausea can be quite debilitating. "If you're feeling tired or you don't feel like exercising on a particular day, give it a rest. It's very physically demanding being pregnant."</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
The Active & pregnant guide stresses that every pregnancy is different: "The pattern of exercise which works well for someone you know may not be the right one for you. Choose exercise to suit your own level of fitness [and] your lifestyle. If you decide not to exercise, this is a perfectly reasonable decision. Give yourself permission to slow down or not to exercise at any time." </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://www.blogger.com/goog_594572151" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrYwC128BEgrcCVB9vFMVvgw_o03w3UG9Qtzx1XuZXjrL7qmWgBWjxl0-nQh4tFlCsKpdoQJQ7CLJeKgKtTibmHxgN5Twii8M3ZJml22BsvAXpkeXfN1YQK0V_E3VtITttXHQ1ee8F8Ps6/s320/Biking+Pregrant+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: Simplybikeblog.com</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</div>
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Precautions during pregnancy</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Avoid getting too hot </div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Drink more water than usual </div>
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Don't push yourself (pulse shouldn't exceed 140 bpm) </div>
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Don't get fatigued </div>
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Avoid falls </div>
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Don't exercise if you feel ill </div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
Stop if you get dizzy, pain, headaches or short of breath. </div>
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After the birth of her son Lucas, <strong>Kathy Brunning</strong> decided she wanted to be fitter. "I wasn't particularly fit the first time around, and I wanted to get myself really fit for baby number two." When Lucas was two, she took on the challenge of riding Around the Bay in a Day. Some time afterwards, she became pregnant with Callum. This time, she says, she felt much fitter and kept riding until the last few weeks of the pregnancy. Riding felt good, and helped to relieve the queasiness in her tummy and, later in the pregnancy, helped her aching legs. Kathy Brunning also believes her recovery was much quicker because she was fitter. "I was also smaller [the second time] because I didn't put on excess weight."</div>
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<strong>Deb Chambers</strong> rode competitively before she became pregnant, typically riding 400km a week. During pregnancy she eased back on the intensity. "I used a heart rate monitor to make sure I didn't go above 140 beats per minute. "I stopped going up hills, or I just took it slowly." At six months, Deb rode shorter distances, and raised the handlebars to ride in a more upright position. "At the end it was easier to ride than walk, because the bike supports your weight," she says. "But the best thing was I think it really helped my labour and recovery."</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEtj7TZyuG_eh7OZMVkx5H6afU2jVd1j1lyjB2VtUSwH_KK6omisDGYCcEn1JNdTpYI5IVoB8yPfy6DAc15nBWrLKaZNswt6mK9evC9vwp9v_wBtxV3Qq8h1zIuVW8xLNeTPIrVygBuMz/s1600/Pregnant.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" qda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaEtj7TZyuG_eh7OZMVkx5H6afU2jVd1j1lyjB2VtUSwH_KK6omisDGYCcEn1JNdTpYI5IVoB8yPfy6DAc15nBWrLKaZNswt6mK9evC9vwp9v_wBtxV3Qq8h1zIuVW8xLNeTPIrVygBuMz/s320/Pregnant.jpg" width="320" /></a>Not everyone has such an easy time. <strong>Megan McDonald</strong>, who was very active before pregnancy, had bad nausea. "I rode to work for the first few weeks, but when the nausea started, I'd be doubled over dry retching in the sink when I arrived. I don't know if riding actually made it worse, but it was one more thing to worry about, so I stopped." Megan believes it's important not to have big expectations. "You might plan to keep riding right through pregnancy," she says, "but things don't always go to plan. You have to listen to your body and do what's right for you."</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-58734063978918627432012-10-29T11:25:00.000-08:002012-11-08T08:50:33.036-09:00Bike the way out of disaster<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcQKEaJGR2bDw0yGc_Bs5qt9I-t0Dao9RvFnXIXPEUcBK6YehC34Y6YdtIJgl7MOQVa29Zh5JvquihGBcmOxuA-r09OqagEI8E50p_B0aASgnymFhU1h5xx20kUWY1k8jAZ-t5nQzpnBS/s1600/AP+-koji+Sasahara+-+Japan+-+Tagajo+-+Sendai.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="196" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpcQKEaJGR2bDw0yGc_Bs5qt9I-t0Dao9RvFnXIXPEUcBK6YehC34Y6YdtIJgl7MOQVa29Zh5JvquihGBcmOxuA-r09OqagEI8E50p_B0aASgnymFhU1h5xx20kUWY1k8jAZ-t5nQzpnBS/s320/AP+-koji+Sasahara+-+Japan+-+Tagajo+-+Sendai.jpg" width="320" /></a>I thought about writing my views about the novelty of the bicycle. Once I heard or read that the bicycle was noblest invention and even though I knew that it was quite an understatement, I had not stopped to think of the reasons for it. I suppose you can come up with them the more you use a bike and study the subject. This next post and the pictures that you will see will show you what I am talking about.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySpEDRYoKpfu72NrgkJZOuHC1yspnVmqYou4CJV-PPn5UUlgeJlxYnyK7GWiuI7eb9Zg_1F5XzutgC6nHddMsl5i9utekcwUN2UrIR8lu6l4UfzcABdmOpeEbyx6ZmwK4JG5CP3EJQ0k6/s1600/Chicago+Tribune+-+Japan+Tsunami.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhySpEDRYoKpfu72NrgkJZOuHC1yspnVmqYou4CJV-PPn5UUlgeJlxYnyK7GWiuI7eb9Zg_1F5XzutgC6nHddMsl5i9utekcwUN2UrIR8lu6l4UfzcABdmOpeEbyx6ZmwK4JG5CP3EJQ0k6/s320/Chicago+Tribune+-+Japan+Tsunami.jpg" width="237" /></a></div>
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The novelty of the bicycle comes from: </div>
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<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
The inexpensive way in which it can take you places</div>
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<li><div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
being the most personal vehicle</div>
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<li style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;"><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
the fact that, like a book, only takes you as far as you want to go</div>
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<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
its environmental impact or respect for it</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
its efficiency - energy per mile yield</div>
</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
last but not least: it is one of the only vehicles that when it cannot longer carry you, will allow you to return the favor.</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
it will always wait for you</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
its comparative extremely low need for maintenance</div>
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<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
the fact that you are its fuel</div>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbLfdFvfMGGJ3Q7YdLext9C83yLHy4MvSmdxDBJk9EDeQ_XgThbysg71olPgfFHHKdE83TO0BmlYx1F0APJV2McmgJsGD8MS4tZQmrKRlcmJEufbpYlCqY22unQQ1vm_ITNsYk87qKQvJ/s1600/AP-Kyodo+News2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwbLfdFvfMGGJ3Q7YdLext9C83yLHy4MvSmdxDBJk9EDeQ_XgThbysg71olPgfFHHKdE83TO0BmlYx1F0APJV2McmgJsGD8MS4tZQmrKRlcmJEufbpYlCqY22unQQ1vm_ITNsYk87qKQvJ/s320/AP-Kyodo+News2.jpg" width="273" /></a>All these images of the Tsunami in Japan are clear examples of what I just described. When all else fails, a bicycle will deliver. It will deliver you and your cargo, but if it takes you to a place where its access is denied, then you can carry it across and keep going. </div>
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Very few times has it been said that the success of a bicycle lays on the the fact that its only fabricated with the most minimum components needed to take you from point A to point B. No windows, no motor, no extras. Only you and a few tubes and cables. That's all it takes for a bike to carry a person.</div>
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No matter how many bicycles you ride or if the entire population of this planet decides to ride a bike each. You will not be able to count a single CO2 molecule in the air from its emissions.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKmQ2zboblvZPO6b4MRsaAhF099ZrOmSBp-e74n2LE-nluGj3nfbccHQwSel20F_jmbbi6dSR2Q7r6Tbxgdavv5frwfVmuT5lcVG7X5FwFwfzzLmYPt62xwXCyACVN6DRZXCCl4AaqCFc/s1600/AFP+Getty+Images.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="176" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJKmQ2zboblvZPO6b4MRsaAhF099ZrOmSBp-e74n2LE-nluGj3nfbccHQwSel20F_jmbbi6dSR2Q7r6Tbxgdavv5frwfVmuT5lcVG7X5FwFwfzzLmYPt62xwXCyACVN6DRZXCCl4AaqCFc/s320/AFP+Getty+Images.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Of course, it can be argued that to produce all those bikes it will take electricity and gas and coal and whatever else you use to power the machines that weld and shape the bike. I say though that it does not matter. With that minimal energy used you are producing a vehicle that does not suffer the cultural effects of age.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWrBokEVMC66kFKtAteRKCkvVPsXkvyP1dJMbM-6PD_Xb_fupFB1Uc_lCb2n20sHLODm-_tZenqeiDSR6kH8pZ9a9-Bi1H1_WuUf6RzRSHBBkgNyXlNBxCtgaK6FvC9chTWbdR4myPYVC/s1600/Corbis+-+Japan+Tsunami.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="165" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvWrBokEVMC66kFKtAteRKCkvVPsXkvyP1dJMbM-6PD_Xb_fupFB1Uc_lCb2n20sHLODm-_tZenqeiDSR6kH8pZ9a9-Bi1H1_WuUf6RzRSHBBkgNyXlNBxCtgaK6FvC9chTWbdR4myPYVC/s200/Corbis+-+Japan+Tsunami.bmp" width="200" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tQu1LUKEjuTKFAOM0OTAK04LtHoHnxSm277FV1yE_G3MqH-8PJSQUa2BImIre3HEPGTT4yoiU7rU3cpUlv7ka_vYlnjrnNfcBkaf-YUDMvgkAbQz7W4IGDSYDuY2dIbmyacs8Ucl-8ci/s1600/AP-Japan-+Kessennuma-Miyagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2tQu1LUKEjuTKFAOM0OTAK04LtHoHnxSm277FV1yE_G3MqH-8PJSQUa2BImIre3HEPGTT4yoiU7rU3cpUlv7ka_vYlnjrnNfcBkaf-YUDMvgkAbQz7W4IGDSYDuY2dIbmyacs8Ucl-8ci/s200/AP-Japan-+Kessennuma-Miyagi.jpg" width="200" /></a>A bike is always a bike. You could have given Michael J Fox a bike to go back to the future and he would have had less problems for the bike would have fit right in. That gives you an idea of the agelessness (if that's a word) of the bicycle. An instrument unaffected by radiation, immune to gas shortages, and invisible to ambiguity. No other country better than Japan can attest to the disaster and radiation combined effort to bring a country to a halt. Yet after every one of Japan's disaster aftermaths such as the atomic bomb and the Fukushima tragedies, the bicycle remains to provide unconditional support. </div>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1mJ-Aois_LRXYScf_lcWNopLirPHB3KkyYbW0-gR24avZrz9j1xCwfchpgTO_S6cRM70t4G8SiRNjG0OGibVXuPz8Yet84ejP-3oO2EsmJwkuHTqF9x1ZBgog_4RNXnsHMrraouxb-j4/s1600/Reuters+-+Shinichi+Saoshiro+and+Chikako+Mogi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="220" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB1mJ-Aois_LRXYScf_lcWNopLirPHB3KkyYbW0-gR24avZrz9j1xCwfchpgTO_S6cRM70t4G8SiRNjG0OGibVXuPz8Yet84ejP-3oO2EsmJwkuHTqF9x1ZBgog_4RNXnsHMrraouxb-j4/s320/Reuters+-+Shinichi+Saoshiro+and+Chikako+Mogi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Reuters</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z-RG8D3klhCudFx0qemW-BdXyso6U-AbEkWwp1RuKD0xYJ5JsbmMl8AP2uGvYoMvlU0IVsfl1xQJoPofof6ClVsz07bU3EmsIL6o1EVgwan2d9Yh5ckoMLUOaqw1yclqk5xX1Nre9ipZ/s1600/AP-Kyodo+News+Shiogama+Miyagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="208" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2z-RG8D3klhCudFx0qemW-BdXyso6U-AbEkWwp1RuKD0xYJ5JsbmMl8AP2uGvYoMvlU0IVsfl1xQJoPofof6ClVsz07bU3EmsIL6o1EVgwan2d9Yh5ckoMLUOaqw1yclqk5xX1Nre9ipZ/s320/AP-Kyodo+News+Shiogama+Miyagi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Associated Press</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zk6CBwk5SQvlMhTgjbOyYLaGvdEZG_uASb3sQCDlGSEpjijmyO3XP1-L426Lj2xi25nzOOw5l9ROKBj3FhDOFqJ9PEw0vOE0FNJlNO1SGuj_pjTiW71qxbVLv-1kUdpxJs9pYBoHQGf1/s1600/AP-Junji+Kurokawa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="196" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zk6CBwk5SQvlMhTgjbOyYLaGvdEZG_uASb3sQCDlGSEpjijmyO3XP1-L426Lj2xi25nzOOw5l9ROKBj3FhDOFqJ9PEw0vOE0FNJlNO1SGuj_pjTiW71qxbVLv-1kUdpxJs9pYBoHQGf1/s320/AP-Junji+Kurokawa.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Associated Pres</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrapDGCdZYQM7BTCLiby9t47MTVt6IiHT-hmfi9gXI2_ZCAKwLXpWTxkqrVEumDaW-ws5LSQexLKhSUU40Q54ba-_zwB6YHkbgiefWsHWbERNpQk7HgXajOJNAS3NIDGbBggygr6fORuD/s1600/reuters+-+japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="197" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtrapDGCdZYQM7BTCLiby9t47MTVt6IiHT-hmfi9gXI2_ZCAKwLXpWTxkqrVEumDaW-ws5LSQexLKhSUU40Q54ba-_zwB6YHkbgiefWsHWbERNpQk7HgXajOJNAS3NIDGbBggygr6fORuD/s320/reuters+-+japan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Reuters</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8BjYe7QWEnwENA99fMxDBEuTOBuXUW53a12_7kLKloOhcqrh46VZyLocemXRXtFxuQCjd14DGSynTmcgiQCHj31Wp1k5uj5N5F0rIem9gQN3iHnTPWgBqvyuXplPW1XRJ21W4nwsAOcO/s1600/AFP-Japan-Kessennuma-Miyagi.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="180" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgR8BjYe7QWEnwENA99fMxDBEuTOBuXUW53a12_7kLKloOhcqrh46VZyLocemXRXtFxuQCjd14DGSynTmcgiQCHj31Wp1k5uj5N5F0rIem9gQN3iHnTPWgBqvyuXplPW1XRJ21W4nwsAOcO/s320/AFP-Japan-Kessennuma-Miyagi.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by AFP</td></tr>
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h77L3KkaH25_-PyKCjqZO-ZnkrR9kV1yURTZ4yailJhzc0PLXf18YYQEhqmecFsfIlLxMslKVP1Vjji-E0aPwrW017w95Vxe8pFIKEUWp2WEQCD0fS6Kn5nOXLwV00tQU8HYsAZP9tf2/s1600/Christian+Science+Monitor+-+Japan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="212" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-h77L3KkaH25_-PyKCjqZO-ZnkrR9kV1yURTZ4yailJhzc0PLXf18YYQEhqmecFsfIlLxMslKVP1Vjji-E0aPwrW017w95Vxe8pFIKEUWp2WEQCD0fS6Kn5nOXLwV00tQU8HYsAZP9tf2/s320/Christian+Science+Monitor+-+Japan.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo by Christian Science Monitor</td></tr>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks to: Associated Press - Japan, The Chicago Tribune, AFP, Corbis, Reuters, The Christian Science Monitor</span></div>
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asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-43227457705702892012-10-16T15:35:00.001-08:002012-11-30T12:35:04.956-09:00A Day in the Life of a Folding Bike :)<br />
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And if bikes could talk, the number of stories they would tell us. <br />
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My bike , for example would tell of all the people that stop by to look at its internal gears, all the people that stop by to drop off other people, how little I use it, etc. What I like the most about this short film is the simplicity of its cast, including the bike. A simple old folding white bike :0 GENIOUS!!!</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-60378309444240178462012-10-15T09:50:00.001-08:002012-10-16T15:37:24.186-08:00A CARDBOARD BICYCLE?<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="281" mozallowfullscreen="mozallowfullscreen" src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/37584656?title=1&byline=1&portrait=1" webkitallowfullscreen="webkitallowfullscreen" width="500"></iframe></div>
<a href="http://vimeo.com/37584656">Izhar cardboard bike project</a> from <a href="http://vimeo.com/user4499227">Giora Kariv</a> on <a href="http://vimeo.com/">Vimeo</a>.<br />
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You all probably saw it on Yahoo and other content agregators. The big news for us entusiasts of the bicycle is that there is someone out there working on a light and inexpensive bicycle that breaks all the parameters.<br />
Lets see if it goes into mass production one of these days.<br />
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Enjoy...asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-65315142469799133022012-10-11T10:25:00.001-08:002012-10-31T13:53:28.923-08:00Why do Women Ride a Bike?Why do women ride a bike is a question along the lines of our first question: How to get more people to walk/bike?<br />
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This short video gives us some answers from a group of young girls in Britain. I decided to share it with you. Enjoy :)<br />
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<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/M88sF-rvul0" width="560"></iframe></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-75660961774195771692012-09-19T12:20:00.003-08:002012-10-31T13:52:09.191-08:00BICYCLE FRIENDLY STATES<h4>
According to the League of American Bicyclist:</h4>
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<a href="http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog/2012/05/2012-state-rankings-released/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent Link: 2012 State Rankings Released">2012 State Rankings Released</a></h2>
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Adding more excitement to <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/bikemonth" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">National Bike Month</a>, the League has released its latest <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/states" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">Bicycle Friendly States</a> ranking. For the fifth year in a row, <strong>Washington</strong> continues to lead the nation, with outstanding performance in all categories. Riding the wave of significant bicycle improvements, other states like <strong>Colorado</strong> and <strong>Delaware</strong> charged into the Top 10.<br />
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<a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/" target="_blank"><img alt="" class="size-full wp-image-8633" height="388" src="http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog//blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/Overall-corrected.jpg" title="USA_Vector_BySTATE" width="550" /></a><br />
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Click on the map above to explore the state ranking</div>
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“We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Minnesota, Colorado and Massachusetts,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “But, as the scores clearly highlight, there’s much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and funding. Overall, we see states — and especially state Departments of Transportation and state legislatures — lagging behind cities and the expectations of local cyclists, despite the many well-documented benefits of a more active lifestyle.”<br />
The 2012 rankings mark the launch of an updated and improved evaluation process. Throughout 2011, the League held <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/bfa" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">Bicycle Friendly America</a> listening sessions across the country to understand the successes and shortcomings of the program. Based on public input, the Bicycle Friendly State survey was revised to give a clearer picture of a state’s accomplishments and next steps towards becoming more bike-friendly.<br />
<strong><a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/rankings.php" target="_blank">Click here</a> (or the image below) to see the rankings and how each state scored in the <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/about.php">five evaluation categories</a>.</strong><br />
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<a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/programs/bicyclefriendlyamerica/bicyclefriendlystate/rankings.php"><img alt="" class="aligncenter wp-image-8597" height="308" src="http://blog.bikeleague.org/blog//blog/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/State-ranking-chart-cropped.jpg" title="State-ranking-chart-cropped" width="502" /></a></div>
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Even with the revised survey, <strong>Washington</strong> once again set a high bar in 2012. With support from the highest levels of government, the state leads the nation in creating new bicycle infrastructure and using federal funds for bicycle and pedestrian projects. In 2011, the state passed a safe passing / vulnerable user law, due in no small part to the efforts of the Cascade Bicycle Club and Bicycle Alliance of Washington, which have some of the highest advocacy capacity in the country.<br />
“People in the Pacific Northwest embrace bicycling as part of a lifestyle that honors the environment, healthier living and transportation choices,” said Washington Governor Christine Gregoire. “This title once again confirms that we’re on the right track, supporting bicycling as a transportation option in our communities.”<br />
Also on the right track, <strong>Colorado and Delaware</strong> rose to #4 and #10 respectively in the 2012 rankings. Colorado exemplifies many of the qualities the League looks for in a bicycle friendly state, including a bicycle commuter mode share that’s more than double the national average, a bike-friendly department of transportation, and a top-notch statewide advocacy group.<br />
Delaware also jumped to #10 thanks to visionary support from top government officials. With dedicated state funding for bicycling projects, Governor Jack Markell and the state departments of Transportation (DelDOT) and Natural Resources and Environmental Control (DNREC) are leading the way to create a multi-modal transportation system. And the partnership between state leaders and Bike Delaware, the statewide advocacy group, is a model for other states seeking to become more bike-friendly.<br />
“We welcome our rise in the ranking as recognition of what we are doing to make walkable, bikeable communities a priority in Delaware,” said Governor Jack Markell, who is himself an avid cyclist. ”Trails and bike routes are a part of a vision for a state with interconnected communities. We will continue working to make Delaware an attractive place not only to bike, but to live and work.”<br />
But the BFS program is more than an annual assessment. Throughout the year, League staff work actively with state officials and advocacy leaders to help states identify and implement the programs, policies and campaigns that will improve conditions for bicyclists. While <strong>Mississippi</strong> placed #38 in this year’s rankings, Melody Moody, executive director of Bike Walk Mississippi, is confident her state won’t be in the bottom tier for long.<br />
“Mississippi is a state typically ranked low in bicycle friendliness, but bicycle advocates across the state are working hard to make these changes, and fast,” Moody said. “Bike Walk Mississippi is working one-on-one with local communities to provide on the ground assistance to connect leaders to tools and resources that can be used to create better and safer infrastructure, policies, plans, and programs.”<br />
Learn more about the BFS program at <a href="http://www.bikeleague.org/states" rel="nofollow" shape="rect" target="_blank">www.bikeleague.org/states</a> and stay tuned to the blog for more analysis in coming days.<br />
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<img align="left" alt="My Signature" height="81" src="http://www.bikeleague.org/about/images/carolyn.JPG" style="margin-right: 10px;" width="108" /> <br />
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Carolyn Szczepanski<br />Communications Director</h3>
Szczepanski joined the League in March 2012, after two years at the Alliance for Biking & Walking. Before she crossed over to advocacy, she was a professional journalist for nearly 10 years.</div>
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asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-1452931513995051242012-09-17T13:24:00.000-08:002012-09-17T13:24:53.331-08:00Bike to Work: Anatomy of an Outfit<div style="text-align: justify;">
<em>To continue with our topic from other posts regarding how to bike to work without the post-ride shine and what to wear, I can post some material about me and how I dress or what kind of bike I take to work, but this blog is also for women, therefore I have obtained permission from one of my hero riders to post one of her interesting reads and here you have it:</em></div>
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<em>Featured from: <a href="http://simplybikeblog.com/">http://simplybikeblog.com/</a></em></div>
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<em>I’ve recently received several questions regarding cycling to work and what to wear. One reader also <a href="http://simplybikeblog.com/?p=4840#comments">asked</a> about the use of helmets: “I worry about having crazy lines on my head, hair out of shape… any tips or ideas on how to bike to work and not look like it once you walk in the building?”. </em></div>
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<em>Since it’s back to school time (which, for us academics, is the same as back to work time), I thought it would be most appropriate to address these questions now. So here are some tips and suggestions based on my experience of biking to work in my professional clothes and while wearing a helmet. This is mostly geared towards my female readers out there since I’m speaking from my experience, which is rather limited and gender biased. I’d love to hear from the male readers out there who bike to work in their professional clothes… what are your go-to pieces or well-perfected strategies?</em></div>
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(Note: Whether you wear a helmet or not is your decision and should be influenced by the context of the situation. I wear one on all my commutes in my current town because of the lack of bike infrastructure and the often careless interactions between drivers and cyclists on the road. I’m neither advocating for or against helmet use, it is and should be a matter of personal choice.)</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079322005/" title="Cycling to work - anatomy of an outfit by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="Cycling to work - anatomy of an outfit" class="aligncenter" height="341" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6199/6079322005_63e40d4509_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<strong>Warm Weather Bike To Work Outfits:</strong></div>
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1. <strong>Pattern</strong> – In hot weather, I opt for patterned garments that do a nice job of masking sweat stains.</div>
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2. <strong>Pencil skirts</strong> – I wear a lot of skirts and dresses for my professional get-ups and pencil skirts make for surprisingly good bike garments. However, they have to be made of a giving and slightly elasticized material so that there is a slight stretch to the fabric (otherwise they may be a no-go). I prefer these over fuller skirts because they stay in place better and do not blow ‘open’ while pedaling.</div>
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3. <strong>Heels</strong> – the beauty of cycling is that I can wear all of my shoes no matter how impractical for walking because it’s usually pretty easy to bike in them. The only ones I tend to avoid are ones with a very smooth and slippery sole which can sometimes slip off the pedal while cycling.</div>
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4. <strong>Low bun</strong> – a simple and chic ‘professional’ hairdo is the low bun at the nape of your neck. I love this look because it’s easy and quick and works well with a helmet. The helmet stays above the bun and even helps keep the top of your hair smooth and frizz-free (if you’re me, frizz is a constant enemy!) on your ride to work.</div>
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5. <strong>Bike basket</strong> – it really helps to have some kind of bike carrying system to allow you to cart your work bags not on your body. Nothing gives you major back sweat stain like a backpack on a hot day. A front basket, a rear rack, panniers…all of these will ensure that you arrive a little less sweaty and a little less wrinkly at your destination.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079344911/" title="bike to work - anatomy of an outfit by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="bike to work - anatomy of an outfit" class="aligncenter" height="370" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6197/6079344911_b0039edb19_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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6. <strong>Dark colors</strong> – if you’re not wearing pattern, look for darker colors to hide sweat stains on warm weather days. I also sometimes layer a <strong>wicking tank top</strong> underneath my blouse or button-down to help absorb sweat before it stains my top layer.</div>
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7.<strong> Knee length skirts or dresses -</strong> because none of my bikes have skirt guards on them, I save my longer skirts or dresses for non-cycling occasions. With fuller skirts, I love ones that are made of heavier material as they tend to blow ‘open’ less as well. This particular skirt’s hemline is trimmed with beading, which functions as a perfect weight for keeping the hem down while cycling. (With time, you come to realize what makes a great cycling item and start unintentionally filling your closet with them.)</div>
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8. <strong>Flats</strong> – as stated above, almost any shoe will do!</div>
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9. <strong>Braid</strong> – Another helmet friendly hairdo option.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079904720/" title="perfect helmet hairdos by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="perfect helmet hairdos" class="alignnone" height="384" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6080/6079904720_da5be279b9_z.jpg" width="288" /></a> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079892284/" title="helmet hairdo by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="helmet hairdo" class="alignnone" height="384" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6061/6079892284_46d4442ee3_z.jpg" width="313" /></a></div>
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<strong>On Helmets and Hair:</strong></div>
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1. <strong>Braids</strong> – by far my favorite ‘helmet’ hairdo. The low braid,<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/85332337/"> the ‘Dutch’ braid that wraps around</a>, ‘<a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/69266186/">Heidi’ braids</a> that are bobby pinned in place… all of these take my messy bedhead hair and tame it into a manageable and helmet friendly hairdo. I’ve perused the Internet for <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/87525540/">inspiration</a> and <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/131297977/">instructions</a> and taught myself a few quick braid styles that are easy to reconcile with wearing a helmet to work.</div>
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2. <strong>Helmet -</strong> I have a Nutcase helmet (pictured above) that worked well enough but was always a little loose. I recently purchased a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/5702038756/in/set-72157625770288026">Giro helmet </a>that I love because it adjusts to become tighter or looser as needed. I prefer it to the Nutcase because it allows me to adjust it for whatever hairstyle I’m sporting (‘Heidi’ braids need more room than a low ponytail) and it also allows for hat wearing in the colder months.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079927676/" title="Winter Cycling - Anantomy of an outfit by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="Winter Cycling - Anantomy of an outfit" class="aligncenter" height="342" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6194/6079927676_43b9a18253_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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<strong>Cold Weather Bike To Work Outfits:</strong></div>
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1. <strong>Layers</strong> – my cold weather ‘bike to work’ outfits only differ from my warm weather ones in that I add layers. Layers are great because they allow you to adjust your temperature as your cycling or as the weather changes.</div>
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2. <strong>Boots</strong> – again, any shoes will do. In the colder months, I live in boots. In the dead of winter, I wore these faux fur lined boots along with wool socks (<em>Smartwool</em> are my favorite!) to keep my toes warm even in below freezing temperatures.</div>
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3. <strong>Skirts</strong> – even in the winter, I prefer skirts over pants for work outfits and will opt for tights as a way to keep warm. Sweater tights, insulated tights, or two pairs worn layered have kept me much warmer than a pair of pants might.</div>
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4. <strong>Bike Basket</strong> – although sweating is less of an issue on colder days, I still prefer to carry my work tote in a basket rather than on my back because of all the bulk that comes with winter layers. This way, it’s one less thing that I’ve got on.</div>
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5. <strong>Braids</strong> – fit nicely under a hat and equally nicely under a helmet.</div>
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<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/6079939176/" title="Winter cycling- anatomy of an outfit by Simply Bike, on Flickr"><img alt="Winter cycling- anatomy of an outfit" class="aligncenter" height="378" modo="false" src="http://farm7.static.flickr.com/6209/6079939176_cb17e56e6b_z.jpg" width="512" /></a></div>
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6.<strong> Helme</strong>t – this is my ‘sporty’ Giro helmet that I wore before getting my ‘<a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/simplybike/5701465705/in/set-72157625770288026/">stylish</a>‘ Giro helmet. I wore this all winter rather than my Nutcase because the adjuster knob in the back allowed me to loosen it to fit over my hat.</div>
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7. <strong>Down coat</strong> – nothing beats a knee-length down coat as a top layer if you bike commute in a cold climate. I biked around town in below freezing temperatures this way.</div>
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8. <strong>Gloves</strong> – I layered two pairs on really cold days.</div>
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9. <strong>Boots</strong> – these leather boots weren’t the warmest option so I’d layer two pairs of wool socks or cashmere socks inside of them. That usually kept my toes nice and toasty enough.</div>
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10. <strong>Hat</strong> – A must under your helmet on colder days. Works well with low braids, low ponytails, or any hairdo you’re willing to redo or touch up at your destination.</div>
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There are many bike bloggers out there who commute to work in all seasons and temperatures. I’ve picked up many tricks from them and am grateful for the advice they impart on their sites. They can be found at <a href="http://www.girlsandbicycles.ca/">Girls and Bicycles</a>, <a href="http://portlandize.com/">Portlandize</a> (for a male perspective!), <a href="http://letsgorideabike.com/">Let’s Go Ride a Bike</a>, <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/">Lovely Bicycle</a>, and <a href="http://www.thejulieblog.com/">The Julie Blog</a>, just to name a few. These bloggers have inspired me in particular because none lives in a predominantly warm or favorable climate and they continue cycling despite snow or rain year round.</div>
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<em>Do you bike to work in your professional clothes? If so, what are some your tried and tested go-to items? How do you make your work wear cycling friendly?</em></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-21253481583080522082012-09-06T08:36:00.000-08:002012-09-14T10:05:43.944-08:00Head Over Heels<span style="color: blue;">Could any of you give an answer to this comment below?</span><br />
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<a class="date" href="http://floorthirtysix.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/head-over-heels/"><span class="day">21</span> <span class="month">May</span> </a></div>
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I am a female. A beautiful pair of heels makes me feel just as sexy as the next girl. But, unfortunately, I was born with the type of feet that end up in excruciating pain if I am standing or walking in them for anymore than 15 minutes. Alas, heels are reserved for work, any instances where I know that I’ll be able to sit for a bit, and special occasions that include my birthday, making an ex-boyfriend jealous, and a night at the club where I know I’ll be in VIP.</div>
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Hence the reason why I am mystified when I see New York women walking briskly down the sidewalk in their business suits and work outfits, strutting by me in their heels while I walk in my flats, heels tucked away in my purse until I get to work. I’ve always been bewildered at how they can look so comfortable after walking block after block, munching their morning bagel or typing away on their Blackberries. I mean, am I the only woman subject to aching feet and blisters?</div>
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Whatever the case may be, what is even more bewildering to me than New York women walking to work in their heels is…</div>
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<a href="http://floorthirtysix.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/bikeheels.jpg"><img alt="" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-20" src="http://floorthirtysix.files.wordpress.com/2010/05/bikeheels.jpg?w=490" title="bikeheels" /></a></div>
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<em>Photo courtesy of Bikehugger.com</em></div>
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New York women BIKING to work in heels.</div>
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This phenomenon raises two bewildering questions for me. If anyone out there is one of these New York (or any city, for that matter) heel-wearing, bike-riding women, feel free to give me some insight to the following:</div>
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<strong>1)</strong> Why the dire need to don your heels while you bike? Why not put on some sneakers or at least cute flats and stash the heels in your bag?</div>
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<strong>2)</strong> Why are you biking to work in the first place? I mean…I get the whole added exercise bit, but…can that bike ride not wait until after work or the weekend? Or is this to save money on that monthly metro card pass…</div>
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<strong>3)</strong> This question might be due to a lack of personal coordination, but how on Earth do you even pedal without getting your heels stuck, missing the pedal all together, or losing a shoe?</div>
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No, really, inquiring minds would like to know…</div>
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<span style="font-size: x-small;">Taken from </span><a href="http://floorthirtysix.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/head-over-heels/"><span style="font-size: x-small;">http://floorthirtysix.wordpress.com/2010/05/21/head-over-heels/</span></a></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-19885893187385431162012-08-27T08:51:00.002-08:002012-08-27T08:53:25.536-08:00A Fish without a Bicycle?<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
I had the suspicion that biking solved many of our problems as a society. What a vast reach. Even fish benefit from bicycling.</div>
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I came across this bumper sticker that proves my point - or does it?</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYnmPu34uwsRbzY_VaWBzXM_QaqTYmZtjh5WYMRpMlqnddQc9bc5GMOSJZH7JTSPazChWtB1aRO5mbUOc2VYAZQ-ovY0-YUHjR6c3IO9NVVIrq714rLfQKiSa0PUc9kIRaApsn-crnW0q/s1600/Woman-Without-Man-Bumper-Sticker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" oda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiYnmPu34uwsRbzY_VaWBzXM_QaqTYmZtjh5WYMRpMlqnddQc9bc5GMOSJZH7JTSPazChWtB1aRO5mbUOc2VYAZQ-ovY0-YUHjR6c3IO9NVVIrq714rLfQKiSa0PUc9kIRaApsn-crnW0q/s1600/Woman-Without-Man-Bumper-Sticker.jpg" /></a>I thought about asking the owner of the sticker what she meant by it, but then thought it could be quite confontational. Perhaps it is a better idea to ask a fish about the magnitude of its loss.</div>
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What is your opinion?</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-14340189294103374832012-08-22T09:56:00.000-08:002012-08-22T09:59:38.054-08:00Nelly's Women's Shelter Bike Sharing Project<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejAspDZ6g7oBrpKQkob_ryjguIU6TmetCVktYB_Sapxm3WVvkSsSh-Jn3oVRmONOpPh2TavLkzCSJQE5ZnOnvp_2w932JY4KnHI2YZKQL6AeZCngK8Em8AkyVtQDPIF8yC-6d_BzpdjiP/s1600/Nelly+Shelter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><strong><span style="font-size: large;"><img border="0" closure_uid_uhrt8w="4" height="240" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjejAspDZ6g7oBrpKQkob_ryjguIU6TmetCVktYB_Sapxm3WVvkSsSh-Jn3oVRmONOpPh2TavLkzCSJQE5ZnOnvp_2w932JY4KnHI2YZKQL6AeZCngK8Em8AkyVtQDPIF8yC-6d_BzpdjiP/s320/Nelly+Shelter.jpg" width="320" /></span></strong></a><br />
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I came across this amazing project in Toronto. The Nelly's Women's Shelter devised a program to provide its residents with donated bicycles. here is their story and below I have posted some of their client's comments</div>
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<em>“In all my life I have never had a bike. I’m 45 now and I finally have one. This program has <strong>changed my life!</strong>“</em></div>
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<em>“I feel so proud to have <strong>a bike that’s all mine!</strong>“</em></div>
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<em>“I can put my things in the basket and then I go. To work, to shopping…<strong>it’s good!</strong>“</em> </div>
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<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: left; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7FF3j9DmU8F6_qlTkaRnB2QefKAF8cDLM4jzYEDvW5K6vkJSG3b6vrUuKcxae9fT1v6e9uIbK6Dng8pjP0nBgyEJbzpXaKNILujwlVncLUcQ4D3TEdxB1oa3DsVf7tROg8k2mVp39qMC/s1600/Nelly+Shelter+II.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" closure_uid_uhrt8w="5" height="300" lda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhR7FF3j9DmU8F6_qlTkaRnB2QefKAF8cDLM4jzYEDvW5K6vkJSG3b6vrUuKcxae9fT1v6e9uIbK6Dng8pjP0nBgyEJbzpXaKNILujwlVncLUcQ4D3TEdxB1oa3DsVf7tROg8k2mVp39qMC/s400/Nelly+Shelter+II.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><a href="http://nelliesshelter.wordpress.com/"><span style="color: blue;">http://nelliesshelter.wordpress.com/</span></a></td></tr>
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Nellie's Women's Shelter is looking for a few generous people to help get the women and children it serves moving - on two wheels. This summer, the east-end shelter put out a call for the donation of gently used bicycles as well as helmets, locks, bells and lights to help its clients get around town easier. Meghan Hogg, a counsellor and advocate at the shelter, serves as the new program's coordinator. "Transportation is always a huge issue for the women (and children at Nellie's). The TTC is so expensive now," said the avid cyclist, adding the lack of affordable, reliable and efficient transportation is a major hindrance for those needing to attend job interviews and other appointments. It can also be very isolating, she added. Earlier this year, Hogg started talking to her friends and contacts about the initiative. Before long, donations began rolling in as people gifted extra bikes and gear they no longer wanted or needed to the Riverdale-area organization. Hogg also posted about the initiative on various social media websites, which brought in some donations. With that success, Nellie's officially launched its new bike program this summer. "I think it's a good way for women to be able to get out of the house and the physical activity is always good," she said, adding Nellie's is looking to get a bike rack donated to the shelter as it would take far too long to get the city to pay for it. </div>
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This summer, Nellie's hopes to collect five women's bikes, 15 children's bikes and 35 locks, helmets, bells and lights. Cash donations are also appreciated and tax receipts are available.</div>
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Also, Nellie's is currently working on forming partnerships with local bike repair businesses to help mitigate the cost to repair donated bikes and equipment in "rough shape." Hogg, who said bikes in good working order are especially appreciated, hinted it would be extra helpful if the city stepped up to the plate and donated some memberships to its new Bixi bike rental program. The donated bikes and gear will be used by women and children at the shelter as well as by the kids in the shelter's summer camp program. Those who move out or those who don't live at the shelter, but seek assistance from Nellie's will be given the bikes and equipment.</div>
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To make a donation, or for more information about the program, email <a href="mailto:meghan@nellies.org"><span style="color: blue;">meghan@nellies.org</span></a> or call 416-461-0769.</div>
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<span style="color: blue; font-size: xx-small;">Taken from the Insidetoronto.com</span></div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-84072738609769160682012-08-14T08:54:00.001-08:002012-08-14T08:56:02.882-08:00My Mobile Medicine - Medicine on Wheels<table cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="float: right; margin-left: 1em; text-align: right;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4HNG7wC_Wp9CosyOyqzTvtWQm4XaOa_kvtAgeMztlsPBQ4_PUPVPqYX5MK-utnTfi1gOlcBR0KR1aohNSh28pCa9dlKmyuG5uzJ26rAhEOjS7zLtL9oqSVFZm9Nh0WndqzCuiQ1Z3Ap2/s1600/Mymobilemedicine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="217" mea="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgz4HNG7wC_Wp9CosyOyqzTvtWQm4XaOa_kvtAgeMztlsPBQ4_PUPVPqYX5MK-utnTfi1gOlcBR0KR1aohNSh28pCa9dlKmyuG5uzJ26rAhEOjS7zLtL9oqSVFZm9Nh0WndqzCuiQ1Z3Ap2/s320/Mymobilemedicine.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Photo: treehugger.com</td></tr>
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I came across this post on the <a href="http://treehugger.com/">treehugger.com</a> blog and thought it was quite interesting for several reasons. First because it is about an female entrepreneur, second because it is a biker. Why did she choose a bicycle instead of a motorcycle or a hybrid car? hmmm..., third because she is a nurse. One of out earlier posts features an article about Emergency Response Bicycles. The fact that this is a small business that is part of a trend makes is also interesting, so I will leave you with the post from the <a href="http://treehugger.com/">treehugger.com</a> and her website address:</div>
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Registered nurse Jody Hoppis wanted more time with her patients, and a schedule that would accommodate her life as a working mom of three. So she ditched her job at a family practice clinic and set up her own nursing practice called <a href="http://mymobilemedicine.com/index.html">mymobilemedicine</a>, of medical house calls made exclusively by electric bicycle. <img src="http://media.treehugger.com/assets/images/2011/10/NurseJodyTakesAnEbike.jpg" /></div>
<em>Photo stills courtesy <a href="http://www.komonews.com/news/local/105966903.html?tab=video">Komo News</a>.</em></div>
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Hoppis bikes in a 15-mile radius around the town of Bellingham, Washington, making house calls to individual patients.</div>
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Hoppis carries all of her equipment - a laptop computer and a "diagnostic bag" with stethoscope and blood pressure reader - in a custom-made bright orange bike trailer. It is modeled on a waterproof (and lockable) trailer used by Scottish postal carriers. Her <a href="http://www.kalkhoffusa.com/electric-bike-blog/">Kalkhoff Pro Connect Sport</a> e-bike provides a bit of extra power for making her rounds.</div>
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Hoppis told the <a href="http://www.bellinghamherald.com/2010/10/15/1671247/bellingham-nurse-practitioner.html">Bellingham Herald </a>that her bike-based business cuts out a lot of the overhead of a regular office, and she can not only see patients quickly as they call or e-mail requesting a visit, but spend more time with them than a busy medical office.</div>
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She makes nearly all of her patient visits by e-bike, and her Mobile Medicine web site spells out her medical philosophy, which is to treat patient symptoms, rather than just work from diagnostic tests.</div>
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It's always great to see people expanding the role of bikes in making viable businesses.</div>
asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-61875702892634221542012-08-10T13:30:00.000-08:002012-08-10T16:30:30.160-08:00COLOMBIA WINS OLYMPIC GOLD<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-gFfgPBcUkcIbhyxWA-I-hlXyiLoOkMnNLKAnvZgIFO_pAYfzd30c9XbKDPy9FddpZBNqR6-AshUaSL0Ei0XiEGaThj-hM9bXNZJqYreojqCG9pqZq2PVbjBsniA1MSd091_LGLApVUU/s1600/Mariana+Pajon+Gold+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="271" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2-gFfgPBcUkcIbhyxWA-I-hlXyiLoOkMnNLKAnvZgIFO_pAYfzd30c9XbKDPy9FddpZBNqR6-AshUaSL0Ei0XiEGaThj-hM9bXNZJqYreojqCG9pqZq2PVbjBsniA1MSd091_LGLApVUU/s400/Mariana+Pajon+Gold+1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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LONDON, Aug 10 (Reuters) - Mariana Pajon, Colombia's flag bearer at the opening ceremony, earned her country their first gold medal of the London Games when she thundered to victory in the women's BMX event on Friday.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzdBSQMrctxHefLlctOOIgHQ3QkFKNHeFa8Ytq8xzx7WIfLwMMkEOXVj-tB8mHMjkV9VkciOO5IXWMo-LyGqbBX_s7yYEmFdGvICas3xKrJYkgh9UgHc7nbzfvpAccJqaJxR4T2KlmWVB/s1600/Colombian+Flag.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGzdBSQMrctxHefLlctOOIgHQ3QkFKNHeFa8Ytq8xzx7WIfLwMMkEOXVj-tB8mHMjkV9VkciOO5IXWMo-LyGqbBX_s7yYEmFdGvICas3xKrJYkgh9UgHc7nbzfvpAccJqaJxR4T2KlmWVB/s1600/Colombian+Flag.jpg" /></a></div>
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Pajon, also the second Colombian to win an Olympic gold after weightlifter Maria Isabel Urrutia prevailed in Sydney in 2000, had dominated her three semi-final runs in awe-inspiring fashion.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAmXUMChR89M3fxtiMr7B-kKz9QZfyEYRCLFEGEjlDLsKOGSm0vjgIDSLDeuQ8tHdCySGlj-joL29UiFC6zwHAbLBm3wbEaOyRSONND4LHz4iq6GcCH28YxmDni4Lmnduyl5GXvMrOuMk/s1600/Mariana+Pajon+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="226" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZAmXUMChR89M3fxtiMr7B-kKz9QZfyEYRCLFEGEjlDLsKOGSm0vjgIDSLDeuQ8tHdCySGlj-joL29UiFC6zwHAbLBm3wbEaOyRSONND4LHz4iq6GcCH28YxmDni4Lmnduyl5GXvMrOuMk/s320/Mariana+Pajon+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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She carried the momentum in the final where she led the eight-rider strong field after the first bend and never looked back, something she was happy to do at a news conference later.</h3>
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"I started gymnastics when I was five, but I started BMX when I was three," she recalled, beaming with joy.</h3>
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"I was doing gymnastics, BMX and cart racing. However BMX wasn't at the Olympics and I wanted to be here, then BMX was introduced in Beijing and I started training.</h3>
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"I started racing when I was three and I realised I could do this and do it well. I started winning at four with the boys and won my first world title at eight."</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1T5ZBzUt09TN7OYL-tmRIz7AAv7nWrCbGRQCO8MyrZiKPF7o3bBpcsvGJu8tsYUeBGh8Cs5l7-mTV9pwt0ltNA-iY3Xk1WKX56nGzpVUKYQUigcyprboz3KRCg77nlwkumyJq3yMqWWz/s1600/mariana+Pajon+Gold+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="199" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiT1T5ZBzUt09TN7OYL-tmRIz7AAv7nWrCbGRQCO8MyrZiKPF7o3bBpcsvGJu8tsYUeBGh8Cs5l7-mTV9pwt0ltNA-iY3Xk1WKX56nGzpVUKYQUigcyprboz3KRCg77nlwkumyJq3yMqWWz/s320/mariana+Pajon+Gold+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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New Zealand's Sarah Walker took silver and Dutchwoman Laura Smulders claimed bronze while local British hopeful Shanaze Reade had to settle for sixth.</h3>
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She finished just behind Caroline Buchanan of Australia, the BMX time trial world champion.</h3>
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"I can't believe it," said Pajon, who blew kisses to the capacity crowd. "It's like a dream come true. I've been trying to win this my whole life. I just wanted go out of the gate and win it. It's unbelievable."</h3>
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On a very tricky course, Pajon once again used her explosive start to take the early lead, which proved unassailable for her rivals.</h3>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWP9cNdqrqM4D1q6tqlFP86ebpaeP9x-dGNdV8TjTimc4zso2YGpH9zNjOwIIYjkAhHNyhJ000M6wfICzwAJp7pKF7hvekld8Z5v2D_TWaq7H5rphrL5v7GTVpWd1l9BHLx_Akj4cGQEy/s1600/mariana+Pajon+Gold+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="207" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIWP9cNdqrqM4D1q6tqlFP86ebpaeP9x-dGNdV8TjTimc4zso2YGpH9zNjOwIIYjkAhHNyhJ000M6wfICzwAJp7pKF7hvekld8Z5v2D_TWaq7H5rphrL5v7GTVpWd1l9BHLx_Akj4cGQEy/s320/mariana+Pajon+Gold+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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"I have tried so hard for it and I just did it," she said. "I felt really strong, I had really good gates and that's it. I really had fun on it. I have to wake up tomorrow and realise what I have just won." (Reporting by Julien Pretot; Editing by Mark Meadows and Michael Holden)</h3>
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<iframe allowfullscreen="allowfullscreen" frameborder="0" height="315" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/VUH1pCI6wPY" width="420"></iframe></div>asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-55376690915616713652012-08-08T08:53:00.002-08:002012-08-08T08:53:37.155-08:00Women's Suffrage and the Biking Suffragettes<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXMw86kpywQxkx7_pJ3aaPDzmfw13RaJioAdFtskUWvSDYECiItpZ6odY7GLulYfhqybFj-Pu7ab43Ypnz9evWpRUVYbsmas7AbeckdhnyE-XvLr5qH7J_m7g7nnyr7R7IR-QOSvDGYkk/s1600/Women+Suffragists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="235" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgKXMw86kpywQxkx7_pJ3aaPDzmfw13RaJioAdFtskUWvSDYECiItpZ6odY7GLulYfhqybFj-Pu7ab43Ypnz9evWpRUVYbsmas7AbeckdhnyE-XvLr5qH7J_m7g7nnyr7R7IR-QOSvDGYkk/s320/Women+Suffragists.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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First of all, what is a suffragette? Hmmm I wondered, then found out that it comes from the word Suffrage. Well according to Wikipedia: It is the <b>right to vote</b> gained through the democratic process... among other rights. Well having said that, the suffragettes and their movement came to be towards the end of the 19th and beginning of the 20th centuries.</div>
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The struggle to achieve equal rights for women is often thought to have begun, in the English-speaking world, with the publication of Mary Wollstonecraft's <em>A Vindication of the Rights of Woman</em> (1792). During the 19th century, as male suffrage was gradually extended in many countries, women became increasingly active in the quest for their own suffrage. Not until 1893, however, in New Zealand, did women achieve suffrage on the national level. Australia followed in 1902, but American, British, and Canadian women did not win the same rights until the end of World War I.</div>
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<strong>The United States</strong><br />
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The demand for the enfranchisement of American women was first seriously formulated at the Seneca Falls Convention (1848). After the Civil War, agitation by women for the ballot became increasingly vociferous. In 1869, however, a rift developed among feminists over the proposed 15th Amendment, which gave the vote to black men. Susan B. Anthony, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and others refused to endorse the amendment because it did not give women the ballot. Other suffragists, however, including Lucy Stone and Julia Ward Howe, argued that once the black man was enfranchised, women would achieve their goal. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijfmQkCHEqSS-PXQ5CzQ4Q6oqPKh2fc88005MmrCrdii-W6s_Nu6W3D0_45M_8wXlQKhHJeYl8XhkhaQsBNWmn57KUoGZ3ptFj-Ro6wNE0r6I_q6j9Pg5kne6Q1kzEuAU40QL4FXJpjj/s1600/Female+Suffragists.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4ijfmQkCHEqSS-PXQ5CzQ4Q6oqPKh2fc88005MmrCrdii-W6s_Nu6W3D0_45M_8wXlQKhHJeYl8XhkhaQsBNWmn57KUoGZ3ptFj-Ro6wNE0r6I_q6j9Pg5kne6Q1kzEuAU40QL4FXJpjj/s1600/Female+Suffragists.jpg" /></a></div>
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As a result of the conflict, two organizations emerged. Stanton and Anthony formed the National Woman Suffrage Association to work for suffrage on the federal level and to press for more extensive institutional changes, such as the granting of property rights to married women. Stone created the American Woman Suffrage Association, which aimed to secure the ballot through state legislation. In 1890 the two groups united under the name National American Woman Suffrage Association (NAWSA). In the same year Wyoming entered the Union, becoming the first state with general women's suffrage (which it had adopted as a territory in 1869).</div>
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<a href="http://www.blogger.com/" name="hd1" title="hd1"></a>As the pioneer suffragists began to withdraw from the movement because of age, younger women assumed leadership roles. One of the most politically astute was Carrie Chapman Catt, who was named president of NAWSA in 1915. Another prominent suffragist was Alice Paul. Forced to resign from NAWSA because of her insistence on the use of militant direct-action tactics, Paul organized the National Woman's Party, which used such strategies as mass marches and hunger strikes. Perseverance on the part of both organizations eventually led to victory. On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment granted the ballot to American women.</div>
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<strong>Great Britain</strong></div>
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In Great Britain the cause began to attract attention when the philosopher John Stuart Mill presented a petition in Parliament calling for inclusion of women's suffrage in the Reform Act of 1867. In the same year Lydia Becker (1827 –90) founded the first women's suffrage committee, in Manchester. Other committees were quickly formed, and in 1897 they united as the National Union of Women's Suffrage Societies, with Millicent Garret Fawcett (1847 –1929) as president. Like their American counterparts, the British suffragists struggled to overcome traditional values and prejudices. Frustrated by the prevailing social and political stalemate, some women became more militant. Emmeline Pankhurst, assisted by her daughters Christabel and Sylvia, founded the Women's Social and Political Union in 1903. Her followers, called "suffragettes," heckled politicians, practiced civil disobedience, and were frequently arrested for inciting riots. When World War I started, the proponents of women's suffrage ceased their activities and supported the war effort. In February 1918 women over the age of 30 received the right to vote. Suffrage rights for men and women were equalized in 1928.</div>
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<strong>Other Countries</strong></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOtf0S_-XrLmYb8tckbnYx08vucLWUwLLQTGUsi1TpzLD2SVks9fKd0_9icayzA9QV7CoFJLfcfb4n4DY15Zh5cCAfiLjVXZ1N7KL2-YFXlSRHic7N5eHtbWznORU9Oqml-JrHvVbRdtm/s1600/goskyride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="220" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYOtf0S_-XrLmYb8tckbnYx08vucLWUwLLQTGUsi1TpzLD2SVks9fKd0_9icayzA9QV7CoFJLfcfb4n4DY15Zh5cCAfiLjVXZ1N7KL2-YFXlSRHic7N5eHtbWznORU9Oqml-JrHvVbRdtm/s320/goskyride.jpg" width="320" /></a>European countries such as Finland (1906), Norway (1913), and Denmark and Iceland (1915) granted women the vote early in the 20th century. Other continental powers were quick to accord women the right to vote at the end of World War I. The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics and the Netherlands granted suffrage in 1917; Austria, Czechoslovakia, Poland, and Sweden in 1918; and Germany and Luxembourg in 1919. Spain extended the ballot to women in 1931, but France waited until 1944 and Belgium, Italy, Romania, and Yugoslavia until 1946. Switzerland finally gave women the vote in 1971, and women remained disenfranchised in Liechtenstein until 1984.</div>
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In Canada women won the vote in Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan in 1916; after federal suffrage was achieved in 1918, the other provinces followed suit, the last being Quebec in 1940. Among the Latin American countries, national women's suffrage was granted in 1929 in Ecuador, 1932 in Brazil, 1939 in El Salvador, 1942 in the Dominican Republic, 1945 in Guatemala, and 1946 in Argentina. In India during the period of British rule, women were enfranchised on the same terms as men under the Government of India Act of 1935; following independence, the Indian Constitution, adopted in 1949 and inaugurated in 1950, established adult suffrage. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZN5vDalbWAFde-y0LW5LjaFjdTaf09cVwkQZgl0WZwNSJhITyBchKTE-TrD8BcE8m2clTYJOCu0PBzGV37QHiYaP9QH1HWk8B5PYhzG-3OpgJ9fSwZMNjDTu9tp3sXSJTTBVvX1kPwvX/s1600/londonmet.ac.uk--.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" dba="true" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ZN5vDalbWAFde-y0LW5LjaFjdTaf09cVwkQZgl0WZwNSJhITyBchKTE-TrD8BcE8m2clTYJOCu0PBzGV37QHiYaP9QH1HWk8B5PYhzG-3OpgJ9fSwZMNjDTu9tp3sXSJTTBVvX1kPwvX/s400/londonmet.ac.uk--.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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In the Philippines women received the vote in 1937, in Japan in 1945, in China in 1947, and in Indonesia in 1955. In African countries men and women have generally received the vote at the same time, as in Liberia (1947), Uganda (1958), and Nigeria (1960). In many Middle Eastern countries universal suffrage was acquired after World War II. In some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, there is no suffrage at all, and in others, such as Kuwait, it is very limited and excludes women completely.</div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">Thanks to:</span></div>
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<span style="font-size: xx-small;">The bicycle escape, londonmet.ca.uk, redstate, goskyderide, annielondonderry.com.</span></div>
</div>asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-27095230936810821002012-08-07T10:09:00.000-08:002012-08-07T13:05:34.968-08:00Then and Now <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/AVvXsEhaa2DiDa5XBrto_-BKUn_Z4yLJwI7QoxNRk9S4DbMTFuQl0u-KW2CnOEW_fSJ6MIvm06p6a8kCYh5WVwP1ILcaU4IQ-cVCYVgyCNsn4lNxS1Rmn2Q-RsMuYQBv1Q8wAUOkTagGHGHNkoyU/s1600/Alirio+Alarcon+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaa2DiDa5XBrto_-BKUn_Z4yLJwI7QoxNRk9S4DbMTFuQl0u-KW2CnOEW_fSJ6MIvm06p6a8kCYh5WVwP1ILcaU4IQ-cVCYVgyCNsn4lNxS1Rmn2Q-RsMuYQBv1Q8wAUOkTagGHGHNkoyU/s320/Alirio+Alarcon+2.jpg" width="213" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Alirio and Santiago</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Oscar & Alirio</td></tr>
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I got a hold of a few interesting pictures of my father-in-law from when he was younger. When riding a bike in South America or at least in Colombia's capital was completely normal as it was to commute on a bicycle. Just like in Copenhagen and Amsterdam in the 20s, 30s, 40s and 50s. I would like to know at what point the automobile displaced the biker and the pedestrian in favor to the big and invasive highway. One of my earlier posts (video) show how Amsterdam citizens started losing ground against the motor vehicle, but is also shows how they decided to retake the public spaces and give them back to the pedestrian and the bikes. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJTbvnuNzIBj-_wTtAeD6hwj-CCVlSM5i1bIorPfzguP51PXftMKop58PRmA50fcQhYPzhpSHDauBQ1ThCK8t7bfd7HGrs9QiqEtMYeecT9gyqS4sRST_R4qdyEF61MkCUSKPjED4v80m/s1600/Alirio+Alarcon+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBJTbvnuNzIBj-_wTtAeD6hwj-CCVlSM5i1bIorPfzguP51PXftMKop58PRmA50fcQhYPzhpSHDauBQ1ThCK8t7bfd7HGrs9QiqEtMYeecT9gyqS4sRST_R4qdyEF61MkCUSKPjED4v80m/s200/Alirio+Alarcon+1.jpg" width="129" /></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Cv-L2TK1lPgaOI8_h8Psz9vRluORRAYvbIdXqg_7w0JQ6L5c1Ek0DOugwpbqTV5J_64Ix91L6RA8HSXvnzxuKow0Zw6G7ISpWMYKDSYPXr9BH8D9kagT_S5DsdVJ8vyIgTN1mvoU0lBH/s1600/Alirio+Alarcon+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8Cv-L2TK1lPgaOI8_h8Psz9vRluORRAYvbIdXqg_7w0JQ6L5c1Ek0DOugwpbqTV5J_64Ix91L6RA8HSXvnzxuKow0Zw6G7ISpWMYKDSYPXr9BH8D9kagT_S5DsdVJ8vyIgTN1mvoU0lBH/s320/Alirio+Alarcon+3.jpg" width="191" /></a>In any case, that is unfortunately not the situation in South America. Even though Bogota and the country in general are some of the most bicycle friendly places in the continent, there are for every pedestrian and for every biker, one redneck driver with a huge sense of entitlement. I wish I had more room here to show you some images of the great public infrastructure accomplished during the government of Enrique Peñalosa and Antanas Mockus; two of the greatest Mayors of Bogota. Things have changed so drastically since they passed the baton. Communist-minded governments of today preach for the masses, but don't seem to work for the people. What a sad state of affairs.</div>
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I have deviated from my original thought. My whole point is that as I discovered the pictures, I wanted to create a post to show a side by side comparison of Alirio then and now. Back then he commuted with his friend Santiago Cruz. Today as he is here in Anchorage visiting us, my wife took a picture of us riding our bikes to the super.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9A7pxRBgCF1U3XzokqKHK42x-util41gypWdlr3Rr-kdRUwcYT_L-0MySbW451kg9-WlAh9GCv0j3WZ2hNsMns5_qaQZDjvl6wI4HwKHE4PTjplRmc2L7ISU-aLJZtb5E3rRAxAw0i-r/s1600/Now+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" kda="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZ9A7pxRBgCF1U3XzokqKHK42x-util41gypWdlr3Rr-kdRUwcYT_L-0MySbW451kg9-WlAh9GCv0j3WZ2hNsMns5_qaQZDjvl6wI4HwKHE4PTjplRmc2L7ISU-aLJZtb5E3rRAxAw0i-r/s200/Now+6.jpg" width="200" /></a></div>asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-49425561761904017872012-08-07T08:19:00.000-08:002012-08-07T10:11:51.382-08:00Female Anatomy and Saddle Discomfort<div style="text-align: justify;">
From the<a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/2011/04/on-female-anatomy-and-bicycle-saddles.html" target="_blank"> Lovely Bicycle</a>:</div>
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<u>Male readers</u>: you may want to skip this one. Of course if you feel up to it, you are welcome to keep reading. But don't say I didn't warn you.<br />
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<u>Female readers</u>: I've had email exchanges with so many of you about "women's issues" with bicycle saddles, and it's amazing how much embarrassment there is among us (and I include myself) when it comes to discussing our bodies - especially given how common these problems are. While with men, we can read and hear all about perineal this and genital that, with women it's all hush-hush and seldom addressed in a manner explicit enough to be helpful. So I'll try to get over my own embarrassment, and write about it in detail here.<br />
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There are many different kinds of female-specific saddle problems and I will organise them into several categories: posterior discomfort, genital discomfort, infections, and menstruation.</div>
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<b>Posterior Discomfort</b><br />
For the sake of keeping things women-specific, let's assume that the problem is not an overpadded saddle (which can cause bunching up in a way that is painful to both genders), and begin with the premise that you have a leather or plastic saddle with minimal padding. With most new saddles there is a break-in period, and it is normal if your butt feels sore on the first ride, or even several rides. But if it still hurts just the same after a reasonable break-in period, and the pain feels to be the result of pressure on the sit bones, then the saddle may be wrong for your derriere. For women, the problem tends to be choosing a too-narrow saddle. Women typically have wider sit bones than men and also tend to be less aggressive cyclists, which puts more pressure on their behinds. If your butt hurts where the sitbones are, a wider saddle will usually solve the problem. Padding, on the other hand, is not usually effective. Light <i>chamois</i> padding as part of your cycling shorts can make an already comfortable ride more comfortable over long distances. But the more typical heavier padding usually makes things worse, not better.</div>
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<b>Genital Discomfort</b><br />
When riding an upright bicycle, a female cyclist should feel no genital discomfort, because that part of her body is not in contact with the saddle in a way that causes pressure. On the other hand, a roadbike - with its forward-leaning posture, will tilt the genital region directly onto the saddle. Female cyclists typically experience genital discomfort in one of two places: the labia (vaginal "lips") and the clitoral area.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pH3jadagbeGKWO34lOsC3z0GniGdXo5WRRI5TAOBi1rhKskK2_Dyw7oKm1apCG95fWhmpICwN2T1mgJ3Ilgq6_1-lSXB-WYdlBXX_DCylyPeuzxv-FK-mGfVjso5AEJwlZddeHePUy_6/s1600/left_seat_intro_b.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="231" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9pH3jadagbeGKWO34lOsC3z0GniGdXo5WRRI5TAOBi1rhKskK2_Dyw7oKm1apCG95fWhmpICwN2T1mgJ3Ilgq6_1-lSXB-WYdlBXX_DCylyPeuzxv-FK-mGfVjso5AEJwlZddeHePUy_6/s320/left_seat_intro_b.jpg" width="320" /></a><b><i>Labia<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">: </span></i></b><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;">When cycling on a roadbike, some women report that their vaginal lips bunch up and press painfully into the saddle - so much so, that after a long ride there can be abrasions and bleeding. While some recommend getting saddles with a cut-out in the center, this is not always effective: Every woman's anatomy is different and the cut-out may not be in the right place. Though it's pretty much impossible to keep loose folds of skin from shifting about while you're pedaling, you can avoid abrasions with generous applications of chamois cream or vaseline before you set off on your ride. Creams such as <i>DZNuts</i> that use tea tree oil as a main ingredient seem to be particularly effective. Vaseline works as well, but be aware that it can discolour leather saddles if it seeps through shorts. Others prefer to use baby powder or corn starch, but the few times I've tried this it was a mess. Another method to prevent severe chafing may be to wax or epilate (but not shave) the entire area. For some, coarse pubic hair contributes to abrasions and getting rid of it improves things.</span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X60RJpuc39T7KD6tj8clMeihsi5UXBF4gMEC_5_Ffsvmm1e6qdHODO8xUz6wzUQmSnlysOhiNXJvvHTTKLjiY0fLmdWBl7ASqdaugjejXocLPD5tZWAy_E2ZwhjfPL4KR6HCP0MC3wUu/s1600/Adamo+bike+seat.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1X60RJpuc39T7KD6tj8clMeihsi5UXBF4gMEC_5_Ffsvmm1e6qdHODO8xUz6wzUQmSnlysOhiNXJvvHTTKLjiY0fLmdWBl7ASqdaugjejXocLPD5tZWAy_E2ZwhjfPL4KR6HCP0MC3wUu/s1600/Adamo+bike+seat.jpg" /></a><b><i>Clitoral Region:</i><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-weight: normal;"> An even more difficult issue to deal with is clitoral pain. This is a problem that you either have or you don't, depending on your anatomy. For some women the location is safely out of harm's way, while for others it presses directly into the hard nose of the saddle. In the event of the latter, chamois cream is not sufficient to alleviate the discomfort that ensues. Some recommend tilting the nose down, but this is not always possible, as doing so can cause the cyclist to slide forward, putting more pressure on her hands and making the whole riding position uncomfortable. The only solution here is to find a saddle that works through personal trial and error, which can be frustrating and expensive. I've suffered through this particular problem on and off with my <i>Brooks</i> B17S saddle since last Spring. Then I tried the <i>Gilles Berthoud</i> "Marie Blanque" and the problem disappeared entirely. Some also say that the <i>Brooks</i> "S" road saddles actually make this problem worse, not better, since the hard nose of these saddles does not just end sooner, but starts sooner. There are other suggestions out there for specific saddles that could solve this problem, including <i>Terry</i> saddles and "noseless" saddles. But the suggestions are all based on personal experiences of individual women and it is simply impossible to find a single solution for everyone, given the inconsistent location of this particular body part.</span></b></div>
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<b>Recurring Infections</b><br />
Female cyclists can be prone to yeast infections and urinary tract infections (UTIs). The causal factors underlying both types of infections are numerous, and contrary to what some believe, they are not necessarily due to poor hygiene. Of course, showering both immediately before and after a strenuous ride will lower the risk of infections, but most women who get them are already doing this. Often, synthetic shorts or underwear could be to blame: bacteria thrives underneath synthetic fabrics, even when the garments are advertised otherwise. </div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-mW_hyphenhyphennML_mmP2hkkrPu8EHO-S0HhT_RSRskjM1tArNmCfFBBiRvIT-xjyT76NLgL-obJ1UycM0_UMfEe1FJtM8R0v7i8Zr-dFcC0HtPA3eHSKGGh0b-SNMA4zvqA1iTpw3DbKPKPL75/s1600/Brooks+B-18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" kba="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhl-mW_hyphenhyphennML_mmP2hkkrPu8EHO-S0HhT_RSRskjM1tArNmCfFBBiRvIT-xjyT76NLgL-obJ1UycM0_UMfEe1FJtM8R0v7i8Zr-dFcC0HtPA3eHSKGGh0b-SNMA4zvqA1iTpw3DbKPKPL75/s200/Brooks+B-18.jpg" width="200" /></a>If you get recurring yeast infections or UTIs when you cycle, consider wearing exclusively silk or wool underwear and wool cycling shorts. And definitely consider a suspended leather saddle - which unlike other saddles, is breathable. Natural fabrics, good ventilation and moisture wicking are key here. It also helps to use simple soaps (made of actual soap, not perfumed body washes or moisturising soaps) and to avoid artificially perfumed sprays or lotions in or around your vaginal area. Be especially cautious on hot and humid days, as well as on days during which there are drastic weather changes - infections are more likely to occur at these times.</div>
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<a href="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4488183974_e2c9626285_o.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" closure_uid_lyn9cn="6" height="267" src="http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4006/4488183974_e2c9626285_o.jpg" width="400" /></a><b>Menstruation</b><br />
As any exercise, cycling can relieve menstrual cramps and counter PMS symptoms - so if you're up to cycling for sport during your period there is no reason not to do it. But straddling a bicycle saddle for hours while menstruating can present its own set of challenges. Blood flow increases during exercise, so if you are planning on a long ride, it's a good idea to change your tampon or sanitary napkin more frequently than usual. If you don't use tampons, then there is also the issue of blood being an irritant, with the potential to cause abrasions and infection. </div>
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One way to avoid this is to shower right before your ride, then take wet naps with you and stop every hour in a restroom facility to clean up and change your sanitary napkin. If that sounds like too much trouble, consider using tampons or avoiding cycling for sport during menstruation - especially if you are prone to the abrasions and infections discussed earlier.<br />
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More at the: <a href="http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/">http://lovelybike.blogspot.com/</a></div>
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</div>asoachttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17390621900678189130noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7565966875287842654.post-74466510759216152452012-07-19T10:18:00.001-08:002012-07-19T10:18:30.229-08:00Bicycles belong on the Streets<br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZn7-OamV8RUZW3bUNVZMLK1_HlzCEzYd6kkyPe_6VtOgahoy7K8US11mhqiT-UpJkDxcXltImbmNI9P-2tK8oDWZTMU0k5Goqn3x7y72yB0HB2PScuxKGA2NVrxaM_CeNslDx-Dc6KzA/s1600/puregraffiti" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvZn7-OamV8RUZW3bUNVZMLK1_HlzCEzYd6kkyPe_6VtOgahoy7K8US11mhqiT-UpJkDxcXltImbmNI9P-2tK8oDWZTMU0k5Goqn3x7y72yB0HB2PScuxKGA2NVrxaM_CeNslDx-Dc6KzA/s320/puregraffiti" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">source: puregraffiti.com</td></tr>
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<div style="text-align: justify;">
This post is a tribute to:</div>
<ul><ul><ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
the graffiti</div>
</li>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
the bicycle and its rider</div>
</li>
<ul>
<li><div style="text-align: justify;">
the street artist</div>
</li>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
</ul>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="border-bottom: medium none; border-left: medium none; border-right: medium none; border-top: medium none; text-align: justify;">
Bicycles belong out there on the streets and so do graffiti (Italian plural of graffito). Only those that are willing to really be part of the culture and life of a city such as the bicyclist and the graffiti artist deserve to be recognized.</div>
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The city belongs to them. The rest are only borrowers...shy expectators. If you want to really be a part and contribute to the life and fabric of a place, then step on its streets, walk its paths, bike its trails, watch its art, smell its aromas, buy locally.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZH7PnNb_c6YOYq6mHmjKErD0NSBqQtuxmX2oxFUw7mW5LDqCVCS1lGCoIxpiNq-9xbQx46D8R9hbEc8yTyiXCcWYGwgmiEVKyRQtqUtTxxy2RUgi2ontWlGj3n0hk_k8BV5j-L_e00ow/s1600/Bicycle+Graffiti+-+Athens+Graffiti" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" hda="true" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPZH7PnNb_c6YOYq6mHmjKErD0NSBqQtuxmX2oxFUw7mW5LDqCVCS1lGCoIxpiNq-9xbQx46D8R9hbEc8yTyiXCcWYGwgmiEVKyRQtqUtTxxy2RUgi2ontWlGj3n0hk_k8BV5j-L_e00ow/s200/Bicycle+Graffiti+-+Athens+Graffiti" width="200" /></a></div>
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How can you call yourself a Bostonian if you don't know what Boston smells like? You should know what the manhole covers look like in your city; after all, you are paying for them. Taste your place, be part of it, leave a mark, feel its beat; every place has one. I'll leave you with this collection of street art: Hopefully your town has some interesting graffiti art like these:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uoI8-m2PWmlL227NHCIooDQ_9JQ8jRPKdpnWMaMvWBb_njykWNcifAIarYPNgv39jmF9JNkcwbgqrGCb8_QSIPos7PdfL-22eYe9XCz3JY1nOx8RmjJ3zSAu0xucJNgihfZXsq1UaFNu/s1600/adidas+-+capetowndailyphoto.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8uoI8-m2PWmlL227NHCIooDQ_9JQ8jRPKdpnWMaMvWBb_njykWNcifAIarYPNgv39jmF9JNkcwbgqrGCb8_QSIPos7PdfL-22eYe9XCz3JY1nOx8RmjJ3zSAu0xucJNgihfZXsq1UaFNu/s320/adidas+-+capetowndailyphoto.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Adidas ad - Capetowndailyphoto.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2mtteMFnTL3vb4M-kBKX7e99aiK91AEb1b7FZEvfZWPw2457LWIxm8Qzl-Y64asdIBSPeLWyfjb3Vsflnex1xMBxA962zlY4Lc7_c9A-huUnsQGqXfWRCezxR9Qwg1lxSaEPQNGk9TWm/s1600/alttransport.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-2mtteMFnTL3vb4M-kBKX7e99aiK91AEb1b7FZEvfZWPw2457LWIxm8Qzl-Y64asdIBSPeLWyfjb3Vsflnex1xMBxA962zlY4Lc7_c9A-huUnsQGqXfWRCezxR9Qwg1lxSaEPQNGk9TWm/s320/alttransport.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Alttransport</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTYpWtnjvIKUp6XJ_WWyLNDJHLj-E9nLc9WQ5ji5Rieeyj7aLOr_eQeefHsXR-dNxi6LdQZftiQPVUS8IfDGZBBwzIgbEmuHQVY9P28jK8g627UGWWb0jiDgddkOMkCJlTUPr_Gfm6oCn/s1600/AmyMartino+-+Bicycles.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxTYpWtnjvIKUp6XJ_WWyLNDJHLj-E9nLc9WQ5ji5Rieeyj7aLOr_eQeefHsXR-dNxi6LdQZftiQPVUS8IfDGZBBwzIgbEmuHQVY9P28jK8g627UGWWb0jiDgddkOMkCJlTUPr_Gfm6oCn/s320/AmyMartino+-+Bicycles.jpg" width="304" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Amy Martino (Bicycles)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTT90qTRbGOOf5cpCKj5pfXmbv4nQu2iPttxkM75pVaBgQBDrFjZ7IVLYpGp4iAZuviz7oVswcHYStJe2GB9jiPKGdz80N6E-qvCtZtWebe1X9Iw0xItGXoWqry6xf5h_5sqQacSLIEVJb/s1600/anonimo+-+ofneto+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTT90qTRbGOOf5cpCKj5pfXmbv4nQu2iPttxkM75pVaBgQBDrFjZ7IVLYpGp4iAZuviz7oVswcHYStJe2GB9jiPKGdz80N6E-qvCtZtWebe1X9Iw0xItGXoWqry6xf5h_5sqQacSLIEVJb/s1600/anonimo+-+ofneto+com.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source ofneto.com (anonimous)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf2m4Fn5Zj3ay0oALy3-fS2iO-egMHhFUgyYb2VymVZV1i7J2SHXfH7CAR_7vyXWiXGBZOjcJYrmb5OqTwh_afEY3-ItFiXlbjlGZ28iURvl_B9eDqiO0mygF5mXTkVWyNY1gIE51hkho/s1600/aryz+-es.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZf2m4Fn5Zj3ay0oALy3-fS2iO-egMHhFUgyYb2VymVZV1i7J2SHXfH7CAR_7vyXWiXGBZOjcJYrmb5OqTwh_afEY3-ItFiXlbjlGZ28iURvl_B9eDqiO0mygF5mXTkVWyNY1gIE51hkho/s320/aryz+-es.png" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Arys.es</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircut0fAzJPduQMmb5Chhd0jnSt41ZRG33LLp1bxkzR67xSLDuK5ar2hhvLbJbzT6zRApCHtMbZQp710vW84F_TKUUWVcnoG9ZD79fAyC5L2Ojb6lG5R6dckoajONUBbFPGSatgm5U6V2s/s1600/bagabondjourney+com.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEircut0fAzJPduQMmb5Chhd0jnSt41ZRG33LLp1bxkzR67xSLDuK5ar2hhvLbJbzT6zRApCHtMbZQp710vW84F_TKUUWVcnoG9ZD79fAyC5L2Ojb6lG5R6dckoajONUBbFPGSatgm5U6V2s/s320/bagabondjourney+com.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: bagabondjourney.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIj_avtVTlgXqrMi_v68W8jjKbkz0FArFaw4lXny74q9qDQzrDrJ1-L30qvQaO0pSdpqTSeqF7A4FDDpJv0KCu2MfCTHeBiykiYJIA1O4g0ewagFo1zDF_xManGz7nTKeAhyP4B_r8eyz/s1600/Bicycle+Man+-+Flickr+user+David+Drexler.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXIj_avtVTlgXqrMi_v68W8jjKbkz0FArFaw4lXny74q9qDQzrDrJ1-L30qvQaO0pSdpqTSeqF7A4FDDpJv0KCu2MfCTHeBiykiYJIA1O4g0ewagFo1zDF_xManGz7nTKeAhyP4B_r8eyz/s320/Bicycle+Man+-+Flickr+user+David+Drexler.bmp" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Flickr user David Drexler (Bicycle Man)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3-Izs-TryNfaVM5MxQqPEmp6cU_RQ-wPgXRnvNuNrOgv5fh2f-fimW8cFQr30CSaRCzto7e4FzI1mSlvXlQmEyWBfwwpE6hPwnrpcQ5khINjR77wFWJk5vhFk6_UEVHkU_W_4NbYSqJV/s1600/bicycle_stencil+nicomachus.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL3-Izs-TryNfaVM5MxQqPEmp6cU_RQ-wPgXRnvNuNrOgv5fh2f-fimW8cFQr30CSaRCzto7e4FzI1mSlvXlQmEyWBfwwpE6hPwnrpcQ5khINjR77wFWJk5vhFk6_UEVHkU_W_4NbYSqJV/s320/bicycle_stencil+nicomachus.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: nicomachus (bicycle stencil)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aGaCLDrKq1581CwvMwg82xzq8kvlX1YztlHDRZWmKXgJ7hQHOPkzf-F-wCJ7astfcTUrNJKEFy-cSfkB_9WBY_7TMqmrJOwe3RQB43-3iR-HQpe3RR1hOJcG6gumtdbOhqbIJbU_GYYe/s1600/Bikeshop+em+Denver+by+flickrhivemind+net.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7aGaCLDrKq1581CwvMwg82xzq8kvlX1YztlHDRZWmKXgJ7hQHOPkzf-F-wCJ7astfcTUrNJKEFy-cSfkB_9WBY_7TMqmrJOwe3RQB43-3iR-HQpe3RR1hOJcG6gumtdbOhqbIJbU_GYYe/s1600/Bikeshop+em+Denver+by+flickrhivemind+net.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: flickrhivemind.net (Bikeshop in Denver)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwNU-wKI9r27OsIB1tWlUyIo8qQ4vgwc5ZmjeIiJXWs8pNx3CniBmBS5S5HG7NPLt6JywRbQLvuHivuvvIjycCTNK76P12iSqXBuUsYF4paccjL4ijfsf0WpSYsMCPGybtctR44qtdjTz/s1600/blu+-+unurth.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSwNU-wKI9r27OsIB1tWlUyIo8qQ4vgwc5ZmjeIiJXWs8pNx3CniBmBS5S5HG7NPLt6JywRbQLvuHivuvvIjycCTNK76P12iSqXBuUsYF4paccjL4ijfsf0WpSYsMCPGybtctR44qtdjTz/s320/blu+-+unurth.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Unurth.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSeshwMbar01dYdyzKHN9TqtrV0YVs9bPZwEapWbupena3CQvhuIpiv5IukeMdPvLqSE_-s2_26eelDLj3aujZzrPu9_tPphhkYgFxWGk2sf_Cr_u99cdjOFVR0C3b2gq1PK6HO9pXWtI/s1600/Caleb_Loadbear_sketch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnSeshwMbar01dYdyzKHN9TqtrV0YVs9bPZwEapWbupena3CQvhuIpiv5IukeMdPvLqSE_-s2_26eelDLj3aujZzrPu9_tPphhkYgFxWGk2sf_Cr_u99cdjOFVR0C3b2gq1PK6HO9pXWtI/s320/Caleb_Loadbear_sketch.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Caleb Loadbear sketch</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPsUGiWAxNA7ozIfNhqKeUSyKxd3B9GJCqt3w55Gm-LE3JWb3CY85DZR7JABXnwBt_6ZNjNQIeI36R_LuX0skDAd7MSLRuITFMpsw7TPoaYqf7TsmLP4Kjnob0TZtrAerLlL4O7OPWMtv/s1600/che+pedaleando+-+sergi10del77.blogspot+brasil.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxPsUGiWAxNA7ozIfNhqKeUSyKxd3B9GJCqt3w55Gm-LE3JWb3CY85DZR7JABXnwBt_6ZNjNQIeI36R_LuX0skDAd7MSLRuITFMpsw7TPoaYqf7TsmLP4Kjnob0TZtrAerLlL4O7OPWMtv/s1600/che+pedaleando+-+sergi10del77.blogspot+brasil.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: sergi10del77.blogspot Brasil</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAObmo3suG6d9EQzRC5QM3QMzo2Gj0GktEHGtmMqqdCMKZyEpNAfhe24bCybFmKV8IfIWjPtC4yqrEbjCih9Vo2_BdZOEbl0c89LubFiXHpsgPznzJ182rVWAXSebjPk6YBlFnlS6Nu3E/s1600/Headless+Horseman+-+Noah+Hoose.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXAObmo3suG6d9EQzRC5QM3QMzo2Gj0GktEHGtmMqqdCMKZyEpNAfhe24bCybFmKV8IfIWjPtC4yqrEbjCih9Vo2_BdZOEbl0c89LubFiXHpsgPznzJ182rVWAXSebjPk6YBlFnlS6Nu3E/s320/Headless+Horseman+-+Noah+Hoose.bmp" width="282" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Noah Hoose (Headless Horseman)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19WzYFmgn4RjBXabU09du8BLgnDFGVe7YaSTS0ngZ8yKmn4NFh5Ph5NkeYFKs5nt4JOm-DXizPRGlvBZh2TqvqkMEvd-43MQNEd-Dndkpqmv6qgXpgxBLD6QDz4r0IoWR1-R5tAyCWRkW/s1600/Joan's+Raw+Food+-+Bananawonder.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg19WzYFmgn4RjBXabU09du8BLgnDFGVe7YaSTS0ngZ8yKmn4NFh5Ph5NkeYFKs5nt4JOm-DXizPRGlvBZh2TqvqkMEvd-43MQNEd-Dndkpqmv6qgXpgxBLD6QDz4r0IoWR1-R5tAyCWRkW/s320/Joan's+Raw+Food+-+Bananawonder.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">At: Joah's Raw Food (Bananawonder)</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf_9XA0r5R5HHtWJlXYhUvJMhhp59vhF1q5CjunVX-v9f8BmfFUbBBGhIu3KGFDku9GfPUGTQnTrUePrheoellTSMQ47Hj7q4e0-bPQr8-hlXdYcxSYgayLASYP_HMCYyjrf7AjF9_H_c/s1600/kosule+Masuda.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuf_9XA0r5R5HHtWJlXYhUvJMhhp59vhF1q5CjunVX-v9f8BmfFUbBBGhIu3KGFDku9GfPUGTQnTrUePrheoellTSMQ47Hj7q4e0-bPQr8-hlXdYcxSYgayLASYP_HMCYyjrf7AjF9_H_c/s320/kosule+Masuda.bmp" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">By Kosule Masuda</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNL3HWGuTWZ3rnLlDODKKa-UEnE6l_xIBPdGqLiI9FJCrX5m1gwq99ms9NDNBC1-0ejVcOEE9OoVj-wJAra-ZmcEuSkSCHo-1rVqv0j_mb64q_37Uchpa7VNgEp2y6tB5DRqOgc1UxYR1/s1600/shazly.tumblr+-+Caroline+Tucker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBNL3HWGuTWZ3rnLlDODKKa-UEnE6l_xIBPdGqLiI9FJCrX5m1gwq99ms9NDNBC1-0ejVcOEE9OoVj-wJAra-ZmcEuSkSCHo-1rVqv0j_mb64q_37Uchpa7VNgEp2y6tB5DRqOgc1UxYR1/s320/shazly.tumblr+-+Caroline+Tucker.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Caroline Tucker - shazly.tumblr.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20QolQu5ca0jMhM6EwTwGm3wl_kHUlcFtDgV-WMOsQj1pYI424dHyw7D2glZD3cWM-LoRTNJFm3N-seiVqzJ_09m4YxmerMsn4hQh6IghZfaRXkTdGVqw4d12_RWZ2vy5DmNym3c6Exg0/s1600/stinkfish+-+street+art+utopia.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh20QolQu5ca0jMhM6EwTwGm3wl_kHUlcFtDgV-WMOsQj1pYI424dHyw7D2glZD3cWM-LoRTNJFm3N-seiVqzJ_09m4YxmerMsn4hQh6IghZfaRXkTdGVqw4d12_RWZ2vy5DmNym3c6Exg0/s1600/stinkfish+-+street+art+utopia.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: Street Art Utopia - Stinkfish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpleqkx0YtyMSdvFMQSwQrZ44JRAQ9iwPf4qGCKtp3wgdY5eXoaRrhQcJB1QlMiVGgtJ3xws8g07yLkZq74d9896t4tCxIft5AcOa6Jxsv4lJLIkLMzJ-N0BVZGIhVuH07JjugyeDT002/s1600/the+giant+blog.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnpleqkx0YtyMSdvFMQSwQrZ44JRAQ9iwPf4qGCKtp3wgdY5eXoaRrhQcJB1QlMiVGgtJ3xws8g07yLkZq74d9896t4tCxIft5AcOa6Jxsv4lJLIkLMzJ-N0BVZGIhVuH07JjugyeDT002/s1600/the+giant+blog.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: The Giant Blog</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvgcf-N3iLMnpOvePvUz83LDrmrH_RJR_BiWO9V1tIF2n9GbgxOqb7v3IRMn6RLH956AiNSyRYSvxSF0A6n-qkSv3rgIZDvGfISthkEZlxbSBOlLHpPRWDVmUtHv5QXzTJgiVJYOKeM5-/s1600/throughthestreetsofanywhere+blog.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgvvgcf-N3iLMnpOvePvUz83LDrmrH_RJR_BiWO9V1tIF2n9GbgxOqb7v3IRMn6RLH956AiNSyRYSvxSF0A6n-qkSv3rgIZDvGfISthkEZlxbSBOlLHpPRWDVmUtHv5QXzTJgiVJYOKeM5-/s320/throughthestreetsofanywhere+blog.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: throughthestreetsofanywhere.wordpress.com</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLshBbSahhRg1ehIf7c9L9R7j9kbE9dnK8I2YWuXl9d2CVWarJNmpTDgDA75aGb2BvbO1337hjcuivqP5op3FUDO-FMNnKiblSwRjQJxJxnxiQaUkVkOOnbfSM4VFgMvNuHP1XgbkxiHD/s1600/throughthestreetsofanywhere+blog1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxLshBbSahhRg1ehIf7c9L9R7j9kbE9dnK8I2YWuXl9d2CVWarJNmpTDgDA75aGb2BvbO1337hjcuivqP5op3FUDO-FMNnKiblSwRjQJxJxnxiQaUkVkOOnbfSM4VFgMvNuHP1XgbkxiHD/s320/throughthestreetsofanywhere+blog1.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: <a href="http://throughthestreetsofanywhere.wordpress.com/">throughthestreetsofanywhere.wordpress.com</a></td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMddv5jiZYkVT1zUjf4g0VWP67zj4JtJdNHgUdLGD9gjXl_EHfCCFroNb7E09Ws6xOHhSZ_3Uy5TIlY72-iV47c92wbHrtP5iI22FBVPee9gZiZP4ayES3ih70-olWMLv6Hz-yyqNAHBmK/s1600/Treadly+and+Me.bmp" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img $ca="true" border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMddv5jiZYkVT1zUjf4g0VWP67zj4JtJdNHgUdLGD9gjXl_EHfCCFroNb7E09Ws6xOHhSZ_3Uy5TIlY72-iV47c92wbHrtP5iI22FBVPee9gZiZP4ayES3ih70-olWMLv6Hz-yyqNAHBmK/s1600/Treadly+and+Me.bmp" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Source: treadlyandme.tumblr</td></tr>
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Enjoy - -<br />
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