In a study reported at the American College of Sports Medicine, researchers indicate that their results indicate regular exercise helps reduce anger.
“The major novel finding from this study is that exercise protected against angry mood induction, almost like taking aspirin to prevent a heart attack,” said lead investigator Nathaniel Thom, Ph.D., a stress physiologist. “In other words, exercise really is like medicine..." Excercise has long been known to be a factor in improving mood and overcoming depression due to the effects of increased brain chemicals that result from exercising regularly.
Laura and Russ of the Path Less Pedaled will be presenting at Malaprops in Asheville on Monday, August 16th at 7:00 p.m. Laura and Russ are on a cross country cycling adventure of a lifetime. They recently celebrated 1 year of being on the road after selling off many possessions and taking to bicycles. Both are accomplished artists and will share their stories and art on the 16th. Most recently, they were hosted by the Velo Hobo in Bryson City and by Wolfpen Andy and his best half in Waynesville. Check out this amazing story by visiting these listed links and then come out to Malaprops on the 16th to visit with and enjoy an evening with Laura and Russ!
(08/08/2010)
BICYCLEHAYWOODNC SPONSORED RIDES TO CONTINUE...
BICYCLEHAYWOODNC, the local bicycle advisory council, has announced the extension of their sponsored rides on Thursday evenings effective August 12th. The first set of 6 rides was successfully completed on August 5th. Council members voted to extend the Thursday evening rides based upon the feedback received from participants and the success of the first 6 weeks. Rides originated at Rolls Rite Bicycles on North Main St. and included parts of the Haywood County Greenway, Waynesville Recreation Department facilities, retail shopping district, and the Richland Creek basin. The route of each ride was approximately 10 miles and occurred over mostly flat terrain.
Council member Marcia Tate, of the Haywood County Health Department, remarked, “We’ve had very good participation and a nice mixture of less experienced and more experienced riders each week. Each week, we’ve had at least one rider from outside our area that was here vacationing and looking for a ride. We had not anticipated that type of participation but were very happy to include visiting folks in our efforts. It gave us a nice chance to showcase the local area and also learn from them about their experiences here.”
“To date, each ride has made its way to Wal-Mart on the southern end of town. We intentionally wanted to demonstrate that it is possible to use a bicycle to run many errands around town. If we could encourage citizens to either cycle or walk on even 50% of their normal 2 mile shopping trips, we would ease traffic congestion in town, significantly reduce air pollution, and greatly enhance our community members’ health reducing our overall health care costs” reported Cecil Yount, another BICYCLEHAYWOODNC council member. Yount went on to state, “In our next series of rides, we will be extending our routes somewhat and gradually increasing our climbing efforts. There is so much beautiful country to see in Haywood, we really want to get out and showcase it. Experiencing Haywood from 2 wheels is entirely different than driving through it with your windows rolled up and the air conditioning running while talking on your cell phone!”
Jennifer Jacobson, a ride leader and council member, spoke of the “courtesy received from the motoring public. Out of 6 weeks, we didn’t have a single individual motorist yell at us or try to hit us. The patience shown by drivers was outstanding and we felt really highlighted the hospitality of our local citizens. We look forward to having at least one of our rides start in Canton during this next 6 weeks. We want to get folks to experience the fine riding available around the Pigeon Valley.”
Rides will continue to start on Thursday nights at Rolls Rite Bicycles on North Main St. in Waynesville at 5:30 p.m. A short riders meeting covering safety issues will be followed by a 10 to 15 mile ride in areas around Haywood County. For more information, visit www.bicyclehaywoodnc.org or call Rolls Rite at 828-276-6080 after 2:00 p.m. Tuesday through Saturday. For additional cycling information, visit Gr8smokiesZeke at http://gr8smokieszeke.blogspot.com.
(07/28/2010)
AARP PROMOTES CYCLING!
The Association of American Retired Persons (AARP) featured an article on cycling in the July – August 2010 Bulletin. The article titled Biketopia covers the increase in American cyclists and how one town, Brunswick, Maine, has increased their cycling infrastructure resulting in an increase in ridership. There are also 5 helpful hints on how any community can become bike-friendly. Author Rob Gurwitt connects with numerous over 50 years old cyclists involved in the cycling culture around Brunswick. He reports that years ago Brunswick “made a commitment that every middle-school-aged child should be able to bike safely anywhere in their town.” Episcopal priest John Balicki, 60, former Maine Department of Transportation bike/ped coordinator says “we're not there yet. That’s our next frontier.” It is refreshing and affirming to see that the elders of our generation are taking cycling to heart. It also shows the breadth of the cycling movement in America, i.e., you don’t have to be spandex clad roadie or a MTB flash to enjoy cycling! (Not that there’s anything wrong with it….)
For the on-line version and to see a well done video on the Brunswick bike path, visit Biketopia.
Local New and Returning Riders Group Rides Continue...
Thursday, July 29th will be the 5th ride of 6 planned rides sponsored by BicycleHaywoodNC. These rides are for new cyclists looking to learn about riding in a group and for returning cyclists wanting to ride themselves back into shape. All cyclists, regardless of experience, are invited to ride. The rides are limited to 10 miles in length at an easy cruise space. All riders are expected to follow the direction of the Ride Leader and Co-leader. All traffic rules and regulations are followed in an attempt to assist new cyclists in learning the proper rules of the road. All participants must provide their own cycle, must wear a helmet, and bring at least one bottle of their favoritie non-alcoholic beverage. The riders gather at 5:30 p.m. at Rolls Rite Bicycle Shop on North Main St. in Waynesville. The route features the Greenway, Waynesville shopping districts, Waynesville Recreation Department, and Waynesville residential areas. For more information, contact Gr8SmokiesZeke or call Rolls Rite Bicycles after 2:00 p.m. at 828-276-6080.
(07/08/2010)
BEGINNING/INTERMEDIATE RIDER GROUPS RUNNING ON SCHEDULE!
The new cyclist/intermediate cyclist group rides on Thursday evenings continue on schedule with the next one occuring this evening at 5:30 p.m. at Rolls Rite Bicycle Shop on North Main St. in Waynesville. The second session was held on 07/01/2010 and included 11 cyclists, up from 5 the first week. A mix of folks joined the ride: new or newly back to cycling, more experienced riders riding themselves back into shape, visitors from out of state, and our own BicycleHaywoodNC Advisory Council members. A full write up of the ride is available at Zeke's Great Smoky Mountain 2-Wheeled Adventures.
Local and visiting cyclists are invited to join the Thursday evening cruise. Thus far, the group has enjoyed riding around within the city limits of Waynesville. The ride route has been 9.5 miles and is at low speed featuring surprisingly flat ground given we are in the mountains. All participants must provide their own cycle, wear a helmet, and bring a bottle of non-alcoholic beverage in order to remain hydrated. Participants my choose to join BicycleHaywoodNC as members of the advocacy council or simply sign a waiver of liability prior to riding with the group. For more information, send email to Gr8SmokiesZeke or call Rolls Rite Bicycle shop at 828-276-6080.
(06/25/2010)
NEW RIDERS GROUP FIRST SESSION HELD
Members of BicycleHaywoodNC held their first "new riders group" event on Thursday, June 24th. The event was to begin at Rolls Rite Bicycles in Waynesville and loop out and back through the town of Waynesville's residential and business sectors. Details of the ride can be found at Zeke's Great Smokie Mountain 2-Wheeled Adventures.
(06/21/2010)
BICYCLEHAYWOODNC TO SPONSOR GROUP RIDES!
BicycleHaywoodNC, the local cycling advisory council, will begin offering Thursday evening group rides to less experienced cyclists on Thursday, June 24th. The Council has committed to 6 weeks of rides and then a re-evaluation of the effort. The rides are intended to give the less experienced cyclist an introduction to and practice at riding in a group. The rides will begin and end at Rolls Rite Bicycles on North Main St. in Waynesville. Rolls Rite is located just past the Haywood County Board of Education.
Prior to each ride, a safety check of each bike will be done by the shop staff and a brief safety "chat" will be held with participants. Participants will complete a short membership application and are asked to contribute $1.00 to the Council. This is for insurance purposes. Participants should bring their own cycle, be appropriately dressed, and have at least one bottle of their favorite non-alcoholic beverage. Helmets are required in order to participate for individuals of all ages. Parents must sign for individuals under the age of 18.
Goals of the rides are to increase public awareness of cycling within our community, develop a new group of cyclists, who understand the "rules of the road" and can operate safely and within the laws while riding, develop an understanding of how to ride as a member of a group, and will appreiate the many opportunities to use bicycles as alternative transportation in our community.
For more information, call Rolls Rite Bicycles at 828-276-6080 or send email to gr8smokieszeke@gmail.com. Inclement weather will postpone the ride until the following week.
(03/16/2010)
FEDERAL SUPPORT FOR NON-MOTORIZED TRANSPORTATION ANNOUNCED!
Secretary of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood announces "a sea change" in transportation planning. In a follow-up to his comments at the 10th Annual Bike Summit, LaHood provided more detail on federal plans to bring non-motorized transportation needs to an equal level with motorized transportation in the federal planning processes. LaHood indicated that federal emphasis would be to give cyclists and pedestrians more equal footing when meeting community transportation needs. LaHood's remarks were roundly applauded in the cycling world and characterized as the most supportive stance taken by the federal government yet in providing alternative forms of non-motorized transportation support.
For more indepth information on this matter, CLICK HERE!
Please see Streetfilms video compilation of Voices from the National Bike Summit below:
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