tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-48377765518375263552024-02-18T20:28:52.783-06:00Please BE KIND to cyclistsPlease Be Kind to Cyclists is an organization dedicated to increasing the harmony between automotive and bicycle traffic on Central Texas roadways.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.comBlogger53125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-70411526046933340732011-11-10T11:36:00.000-06:002011-11-10T11:36:25.799-06:00The Driver Privilege Checklist<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post comes from <i><a href="http://www.theurbancountry.com/p/about-us.html#James%20D.%20Schwartz" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">James D. Schwartz</a><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span></i><i>is a Transportation Pragmatist and the Editor of The Urban Country.</i></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><i><br />
</i></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipytKWx694t_kXSS9h312T5eBoSrE55F5Hw7cXRlDR-DwMETgvyeQKReeoGgcLm3K2PHP3apAILgqi3I_0UXouGi_q80D98mYx9-a4mcGPzOHqpzLCJaSsxRQ1QYKtXP0RXfeeaGgQA0/s1600/jennamorrison2%255B2%255D.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="219" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiipytKWx694t_kXSS9h312T5eBoSrE55F5Hw7cXRlDR-DwMETgvyeQKReeoGgcLm3K2PHP3apAILgqi3I_0UXouGi_q80D98mYx9-a4mcGPzOHqpzLCJaSsxRQ1QYKtXP0RXfeeaGgQA0/s320/jennamorrison2%255B2%255D.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: 'times new roman', 'new york', times, serif; font-size: 16px;"></span><br />
<blockquote type="cite"><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-style-span" style="border-collapse: separate; font-family: Helvetica; font-size: small; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; letter-spacing: normal; line-height: normal; orphans: 2; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px;"><div><div><i>RIP Jenna Morrison – Photo by</i><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://news.nationalpost.com/2011/11/08/toronto-cyclist-jenna-morrison-was-5-months-pregnant-killed-by-truck/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank"><i>Aaron Lynett / National Post</i></a></div><div id="yiv1696677362Summary"><div>On Monday morning, a wife, mother and yoga instructor who was 5-months pregnant was run over by a truck and killed in Toronto in a completely avoidable incident. This senseless death has been on the minds of thousands of people in Toronto because it was so tragic and yet so avoidable.</div><div>As a result of this incident, fellow Toronto citizen and cyclist Kristin MH wrote “<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><b><a href="http://scintillator.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/the-driver-privilege-checklist/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Driver Privilege Checklist</a><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span></b>”, a list of privileges that drivers often take for granted. The list is essentially disadvantages that cyclists have, but presented as privileges of drivers instead of disadvantages of cyclists.</div><div>To briefly explain the concept of privilege checklists, “<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.amptoons.com/blog/the-male-privilege-checklist/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">The Male Privilege Checklist</a>” is a good example: In that article the author quotes Peggy McIntosh who in 1990 observed that “<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>whites in the U.S. are taught to see racism only in individual acts of meanness, not in invisible systems conferring dominance on my group.</i>” McIntosh created a<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://www.amptoons.com/blog/files/mcintosh.html" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">list of privileges that white men enjoy</a>in order to illustrate the invisible institutional racism that many people don’t even realize exists.</div><div>Using the same technique, Kristin MH highlights privileges that drivers enjoy in order to help illustrate what might otherwise be invisible. Kristin explains that the intention is not to scold drivers:</div><blockquote><div>“Remember when you read this: If you have privilege in a situation,<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><i>that doesn’t make you<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://evil.It/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">evil.</a></i><a href="http://evil.It/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">It</a><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span>doesn’t mean that you have no problems and your life is perfect. Hell, it doesn’t mean that you aren’t un-privileged in another way! What it means is that you have a greater chance than a non-privileged person of being an asshole under this specific set of circumstances, and thus you have a greater responsibility to act in such a way as to not be an asshole. That’s really about it.”</div></blockquote></div><div>Here is Kristin’s list:</div><div><b>The Driver Privilege Checklist</b></div><ol><li>If I am hurt or killed while driving, unless I am intoxicated or grossly negligent, I will not be blamed for my decision to drive.</li>
<li>If I live in North America, my driving is subsidized by my local, regional, and federal government, who provide roads and infrastructure. This subsidy is far beyond that given to any other form of daily transportation.</li>
<li>Learning to drive is a rite of passage, seen as a normal and necessary step towards adulthood, whereas other forms of transport are seen as childish or impractical.</li>
<li>If I choose to transport my children in a car, I will not be called a bad parent or berated for doing so.</li>
<li>If my child is injured or killed while in my car, I will not be blamed for their death unless I was intoxicated or otherwise grossly negligent.</li>
<li>If while driving I injure or kill another person, whether they are another driver, a passenger, a pedestrian, or a cyclist, unless I am intoxicated or otherwise grossly negligent this will be seen nothing more than a regrettable accident.</li>
<li>Large areas of the city, suburb, or rural area I live in are built and laid out with driving in mind to the exclusion of other forms of transportation, and may be totally inaccessible to non-drivers.</li>
<li>While travelling I do not have to experience cold, heat, rain, or snow for more than a few moments unless I choose to.</li>
<li>I can complain to friends, family, and aquaintances about minor accidents and other annoyances without being told that I should stop driving.</li>
<li>It is easier for me than it is for non-drivers to buy many staple goods, such as groceries, as they are often sold in car-centric locations which are difficult to access by other means of transport. I also have the advantage of more easily buying in bulk.</li>
<li>Unless I am very extravagant, the money I spend on purchasing and running my car is not seen as wasted, as a car is seen as a necessity. And the most obvious:</li>
<li>While in transit, I am protected by a 2-tonne metal machine which is faster, stronger, and more durable than anything else I encounter on the road besides larger cars and trucks. If I am in a collision with a pedestrian or a cyclist, even if I am not at fault, I am much more likely to escape without serious injury or death.</li>
<li>If I make a mistake while driving, am in an accident, or cause injury to myself or others, this will not be held against all drivers or considered proof that driving is inherently dangerous or irresponsible.</li>
</ol><div>Read the<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://scintillator.wordpress.com/2011/11/08/the-driver-privilege-checklist/" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">full article here</a>.</div><div><i>A<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://bikelanediary.blogspot.com/2011/11/memorial-for-jenna-morrison-ride.html" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">memorial ride</a>will be held for Jenna Morrison on Monday November 14th at 7:30AM at Bloor and Spadina.</i></div><div><i><a href="http://www.theurbancountry.com/p/about-us.html#James%20D.%20Schwartz" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">James D. Schwartz</a><span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span></i><i>is a Transportation Pragmatist and the Editor of The Urban Country. You can contact James at<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="mailto:james.schwartz@theurbancountry.com" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank" ymailto="mailto:james.schwartz@theurbancountry.com">james.schwartz@theurbancountry.com</a> or follow him on<span class="yiv1696677362Apple-converted-space"> </span><a href="http://twitter.com/#!/jamesschwartz" rel="nofollow" style="text-decoration: none;" target="_blank">Twitter</a>.</i></div></div></span></blockquote>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-55931445805925756412011-11-08T10:46:00.000-06:002011-11-08T10:46:13.121-06:00A Message from our Executive Director<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Today I am writing you to tell you an incredible news for you to consider covering it. This is a two part story, Remember Haifa Abubaker, the UT student who lost her leg after being run over by cement truck, she is going to be the guest of honor on our gala this Saturday and Coca-Cola who has become our biggest contributor, will be there at the gala as well, presenting Please BE KIND to Cyclists with a check. Coca-Cola is behind our programs and campaign to bring awareness and education to the roads of America, as you know the gentleman the saved Haifa's life is an employee of Coca-Cola, he too will be at the gala.<br />
<br />
Coca-Cola is presenting Please BE KIND to Cyclists a grant check for $25,000 at our gala this Saturday, November 12th. Initially, we were approached by Coca-Cola after the tragic accident of a UT student, Haifa Abubaker, on July 3rd. The person who saved Haifa, happened to work for Coca-Cola and he let the them know about our organization's efforts to raise awareness. Haifa lost part of her right leg as a result of the accident.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;"><b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">*** Gala Tickets Available at <a href="http://www.bekindtocyclists.org/">www.bekindtocyclists.org</a> ***</span></b></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
This is a big deal for our community that Coca-Cola is supporting our cause. Coca-Cola's grant will help fund the Victim Relief Program which is a program intended to help injured cyclists with financial assistance, emotional, physical, and legal support.<br />
<br />
I am looking forward to seeing you all at our Gala on Saturday night. </span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Al Bastidas</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-59531767726962299992011-11-03T10:17:00.000-05:002011-11-03T10:17:40.445-05:002011 Fundraising Gala Approaches<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bEHa2vu-JmnXO2L2Y8T-8BksnszgO_effoksgMeT9HA0uexeApnCPOMcR9egt8HpBSffJS60ZQW0xcNWOa_kaf-PtkWuKQSYJeoReIa8lNGeowrodZ_01h1PzmAkg_PQmeHowejVpe0/s1600/New+please+be+kind+gala+poster+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5bEHa2vu-JmnXO2L2Y8T-8BksnszgO_effoksgMeT9HA0uexeApnCPOMcR9egt8HpBSffJS60ZQW0xcNWOa_kaf-PtkWuKQSYJeoReIa8lNGeowrodZ_01h1PzmAkg_PQmeHowejVpe0/s320/New+please+be+kind+gala+poster+2.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />
We are just over a week away from one of the most exciting things our organization has ever put together. Our first annual Fundraising Gala is taking place on November 12th and we cordially invite you to be a part of this spectacular event.<br />
<br />
There are just a few tickets left and we would be honored if you could join us. All proceeds go to support our organization and enable us to continue pursuing our mission:<br />
<blockquote class="tr_bq">To raise awareness and increase the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists; to provide educational materials and resources to both automobile drivers and cyclists for promoting safe cycling and to create stronger and healthier communities.</blockquote>Be there to witness presentation from our special guest, including the Coca-Cola corporation who will give us special recognition and announce their grant funding to Please Be Kind to Cyclists.<br />
<br />
Purchase your tickets at <a href="http://bekindtocyclists.org/">http://bekindtocyclists.org</a>.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-48826220147932785152011-10-21T12:57:00.000-05:002011-10-21T12:57:54.188-05:00Garrido's to cater our GalaWe were so excited to announce that our Fundraising Gala had sold out, but then found out we were able to open it up to a few more people so there are still a few tickets available for sale. We really hope you'll join us and take part in supporting our cause.<br />
<br />
As our way of enticing you, we thought we'd sneak you a peak at the food we'll be serving at our fantastic event. Catering our event is the deliciously fantastic restaurant, Garrido's.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyiVz4s75JOLFbdnTATmlkrXAcrOOD6oe0opLLhB9h00WBOweyIvVuGIxvvlcjnUv14qx5IGvH8ijMMEnZqL1LSnDDrVb5Dk5ZRT_7trCrDAVcCl3G6uNuijFDD_MCNHuZBlShfkx_zk/s1600/garridos-logo.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="160" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhKyiVz4s75JOLFbdnTATmlkrXAcrOOD6oe0opLLhB9h00WBOweyIvVuGIxvvlcjnUv14qx5IGvH8ijMMEnZqL1LSnDDrVb5Dk5ZRT_7trCrDAVcCl3G6uNuijFDD_MCNHuZBlShfkx_zk/s320/garridos-logo.png" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<br />
Below is a sampling of what they'll be serving on November 12 and to purchase your tickets, please visit <a href="http://www.bekindtocyclists.org/">www.bekindtocyclists.org</a>.<br />
<br />
2011 Gala Menu includes:<br />
<br />
<div style="font: 12.0px Arial; margin: 0.0px 0.0px 10.0px 0.0px;"></div><ul><li><b>Chips, Guacamole, Salsa & Queso</b></li>
<li><b>Smoked Salmon dip with Habanero and capers</b></li>
<li><b>Pork Bocaditos with watermelon and Goat Cheese</b></li>
<li><b>Shrimp Bocaditos with chipotle and horseradish</b></li>
<li><b>Pumpkin rice balls with Jalapeno crema</b></li>
<li><b>Guajillo Hummus with tortilla chips</b></li>
<li><b>Brisket tacos with truffle aioli and pico</b></li>
<li><b>Mushroom tacos with ancho crema and rajas</b></li>
<li><b>Pastel de Calabaza with Lemon Crema</b></li>
</ul>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-21603632967204454952011-10-13T17:31:00.000-05:002011-10-13T17:31:55.419-05:00Gala Update<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VkOv6eQcF2FQ9nux98sMoagkbYrTie5p2_7cCt34ArPdV8DZF2XR5i2GPYd9xigUOpyHQL6U9g2hl43K5TRhTf_s3tZhQADBUQV7fIyHIoa1jtmYqymzG3UyF_1-I8_Fg9rWCEjMqTs/s1600/5908+Please+be+Kind+Gala+Poster.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-VkOv6eQcF2FQ9nux98sMoagkbYrTie5p2_7cCt34ArPdV8DZF2XR5i2GPYd9xigUOpyHQL6U9g2hl43K5TRhTf_s3tZhQADBUQV7fIyHIoa1jtmYqymzG3UyF_1-I8_Fg9rWCEjMqTs/s320/5908+Please+be+Kind+Gala+Poster.jpg" width="207" /></a></div><br />
We're a month away from our first annual Fundraising Gala and the excitement continues to build.<br />
<br />
Not only do we have some of the most amazing musical talent this city has to offer, but many of Austin's top business people and city representatives will be there as well...including <a href="http://brucetoddpublicaffairs.com/about_brucetodd.html">Bruce Todd</a> and <a href="http://www.chrisforaustin.com/">Chris Riley</a>.<br />
<br />
In addition to all of this, our silent auction is sure to provide so many temptations that you'll just need to bid on. Items included in our auction are being added every day with some of the latest additions being from Perlas Restaurant, Austin Paddle Sports, The W Hotel, Paramount Theatre, and Kruger Jewelry.<br />
<br />
Tickets are still available, and we hope you'll join us on November 12th at Pure Austin Fitness. <a href="http://bekindtocyclists.org/">Purchase your tickets right here.</a>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-66211538157262051012011-10-13T10:13:00.001-05:002011-10-13T10:13:56.848-05:00Share the Road Animated VideoHave you seen the new Share the Road animated video that was put together to increase bicycle safety awareness here in Austin? Be sure to check it out and watch for the cameo by our very own Al Bastidas and the Please BE KIND to Cyclists logo.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/QMJ5LUTEo1k?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px;">This video is a creative collaboration amongst local Austin businesses for increased bicycle safety and awareness. Original music from Austin based composer Justin Sherburn from Okkervil River.</span></div>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-55461271139887217482011-10-07T12:38:00.001-05:002011-10-07T12:42:00.301-05:00Toronto Cyclists Union<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">We're all in this together....so when we see other organizations doing great things to promote healthy communities and safe cycling, we like to take notice.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://torontocat.ca/sites/all/files/bike%20union%20logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="263" src="http://torontocat.ca/sites/all/files/bike%20union%20logo.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The <a href="http://ckc.tcf.ca/org/toronto-cyclists-union">Toronto Cyclists Union</a> is just one of the great organizations out there doing fantastic things. Have a look at what they wish to achieve:</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>143</o:Words> <o:Characters>818</o:Characters> <o:Lines>6</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>1004</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.512</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">The Toronto Cyclists Union is a member-based organization working to create a city where anyone can ride a bike safely and enjoyably, regardless of age, ability or location. We envision a transportation system where an 80 year old man in Etobicoke can bike with his grandchild to the park, where a mother in Parkdale with 3 kids can run errands, get to work, and buy groceries all by bicycle, where a morning commute is no longer gridlock and frustration, but a swift and safe bike ride from St. Clair to Bay Street. Getting more people using bicycle transportation for trips under 3 km is the fastest, cheapest and healthiest solution to the real challenges of congestion, pollution and rising energy prices, particularly as we experience population increase. The city developed an excellent bike plan – unfortunately, the chain fell off. The Toronto Cyclists Union is the citizen’s tool for getting the city tuned up and shifted into high gear, through discussion, education and advoc<span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;">acy.</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="line-height: 18px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></span></div><div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;"></div><div id="content" style="background-color: white; display: inline; height: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="main_section_sub" style="background-color: white; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 729px;"><div class="maincol_subpage" style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 729px;"><div class="maincol_content_sub" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 728px;"><div class="clear-block" style="clear: both; display: block;"><div class="leftcol_subpage" style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 245px;"><div class="leftcol_content" style="background-color: #e9e9e9; border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 500px;"><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Congratulations to the Toronto Cyclists Union and we wish them all the best in achieving their goals.</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div></div><br />
<div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment--><br />
<div id="content" style="background-color: white; display: inline; height: 0px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px;"><div class="main_section_sub" style="background-color: white; border-right-color: white; border-right-style: solid; border-right-width: 1px; color: black; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; width: 729px;"><div class="maincol_subpage" style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 729px;"><div class="maincol_content_sub" style="background-color: white; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 728px;"><div class="clear-block" style="clear: both; display: block;"><div class="leftcol_subpage" style="display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 0px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: right; width: 245px;"><div class="leftcol_content" style="background-color: #e9e9e9; border-bottom-color: white; border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; display: inline; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; padding-bottom: 20px; padding-left: 0px; padding-right: 0px; padding-top: 0px; text-align: left; width: 500px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://himysyed.tyo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/toronto-cyclists-union-mayoral-candidates-ride.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="http://himysyed.tyo.ca/wp-content/uploads/2010/09/toronto-cyclists-union-mayoral-candidates-ride.jpg" width="320" /></a></span></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><br />
</span></div></div></div></div></div></div></div>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-16711517400303833742011-09-28T12:30:00.000-05:002011-09-28T12:30:09.808-05:00The Dutch Cycling EmbassySo much can be learned from the Netherlands and how they have successfully integrated cycling into the lifestyle of their country and created an incredible cycling culture.<br />
<br />
We look up to the Netherlands and our organization is here to make sure to move our culture in that direction.<br />
<br />
Please enjoy this magnificent video from the Dutch Cycling Embassy:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://3.gvt0.com/vi/rn2s6ax_7TM/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/rn2s6ax_7TM&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/rn2s6ax_7TM&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-25915399561557545442011-09-20T11:06:00.000-05:002011-09-20T11:06:12.504-05:00A Great Day for Riding a Bicycle<span id="goog_1029800306"></span><span id="goog_1029800307"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf46Ci2Uko0DOfv83o2EeNSilyz9Af2vPhgXBMx1Qj8KsLPxNYjyd2k0zDIbMel51Ev5vKy0eY25osWCDPgGsREZg6GPHWqO-hGVnzAFqKfPS1iaFnChnxe7KyAbtll1qwi6r74-i5glY/s1600/DSCN0762.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjf46Ci2Uko0DOfv83o2EeNSilyz9Af2vPhgXBMx1Qj8KsLPxNYjyd2k0zDIbMel51Ev5vKy0eY25osWCDPgGsREZg6GPHWqO-hGVnzAFqKfPS1iaFnChnxe7KyAbtll1qwi6r74-i5glY/s320/DSCN0762.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
This past Sunday, we held our annual Please BE KIND to Cyclists Ride. It was our fourth year of holding the event which is intended to promote bicycles on the road, safe riding, and to celebrate the bike.<br />
<br />
It was a fantastic morning in Austin and the riders who participated enjoyed some beautiful weather as they embarked on the 20 Mile and 40 Mile (well actually about 35 mile) routes.<br />
When everyone got back to the parking lot at Pure Austin Fitness, we had a huge array of food and drinks for everyone. Breads, pastry's, Beanitos, Coffee, and Sweet Leaf Tea....and enough of it to feed an army.<br />
<br />
We have a whole bunch of pictures posted on Flikr from the ride so please click this link to view them and see if we were able to capture you in a few.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://picasaweb.google.com/108554922973800131727/2011PBK2CRIDE?feat=email">https://picasaweb.google.com/108554922973800131727/2011PBK2CRIDE?feat=email</a><br />
<br />
Please also check out this link with the news story on the ride covered by KEYE TV:<br />
<br />
<a href="http://weareaustin.com/fulltext?nxd_id=179687">http://weareaustin.com/fulltext?nxd_id=179687</a><br />
<br />
Thanks again to everyone who participated in this year's ride and we hope to see you again next time. A big thank you also goes out to our sponsors for the event: <b><span class="Apple-style-span" style="background-color: white; color: blue;">Pure Austin Fitness, Beanitos, Sweet Leaf Tea, Bicycle Sport Shop, Jack and Adams, Taco Deli, Whole Foods, and Central Market.</span></b>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-20022261162723425682011-09-15T11:56:00.000-05:002011-09-15T11:56:24.346-05:00SafeLanesWe are very fortunate and extremely happy about the support that<a href="http://www.safelanes.com/"> www.safelanes.com</a> has provided to Please Be Kind to Cyclists. With a mission statement like this, how can we not be:<br />
<blockquote><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">Our mission is to promote bicycle awareness, safety and education for all people. Our goal is to raise</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><strong>$50,000</strong></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">to help</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.bekindtocyclists.com/" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">Please BE KIND to Cyclists</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">and</span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"><a href="http://www.biketexas.org/" style="color: #333333; font-size: 12px; text-decoration: underline;" target="_blank">BikeTexas</a></span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;"> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 12px;">in their campaigns.</span></blockquote>So far they have raised over $16,000 which will be split between our organization and <a href="http://www.biketexas.org/">Bike Texas</a>. We are so very thankful for all that has come in so far and look forward to them reaching their goal of $50,000. This funding will be extremely helpful as our organization moves forward and begins to implement all the programs and ideas that we have in order to help create harmony on the roads.<br />
<br />
We will not rest until our mission has been fulfilled.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-25857259806319465962011-09-08T11:23:00.001-05:002011-09-08T11:23:25.521-05:00Barton Hills Elementary Bike Rodeo<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://ci.sterling.il.us/main/departments/police/youth/bikerodeo1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="http://ci.sterling.il.us/main/departments/police/youth/bikerodeo1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">The City of Austin, Bicycle Sport Shop, and Please BE KIND to Cyclists are joining together to put on a Bike Rodeo at Barton HIlls Elementary School on Friday, September 9, from 3 to 5 pm. The Bike Rodeo will teach students about bike mechanics and will promote safe cycling, community, <span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: x-small;">an active lifestyle,</span> </span><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">and overall benefits of riding a bike to school. The leaders hope that this event will inspire other Austin schools to promote bicycling to their students and to host more Bike Rodeos.<br />
<br />
At this event, Please BE KIND to Cyclists will also launch a citywide campaign for schools called <b>Cyclist VIP</b>. This educational campaign will help prevent deadly crashes by teaching students to ride their bikes with awareness and common sense. In light of recent accidents between bikes and cars in Austin, students especially need to learn how to best protect themselves on their bikes. Cyclist VIP will play an important role in educating young people about riding safely.<br />
<br />
Event: Bike Rodeo<br />
Where: Barton Hills Elementary School, 2108 Barton Hills Drive, 78704<br />
Time: Friday, Sept 9, 3 to 5 pm<br />
Contact: Al Bastidas, <a href="mailto:al@bekindtocyclists.com">al@bekindtocyclists.com</a></span>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-71024696523690383642011-09-07T15:46:00.000-05:002011-09-07T15:46:15.330-05:00The Please BE KIND to Cyclists RIDE<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya2xPZFCqqlLYL17ZCxBg2B_p0ninVKgz3pMU6RyzGZiLZvHXcUSyU3t_GoN4XEk1gTOI0nEn8hMGLMwbbq_iU2FlxjdrTC4NcqlO9Yd7EzWb6AnPbf2aVCQMBiOAHPsooVN9SBZYbmw/s1600/2011ride-flyer.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiya2xPZFCqqlLYL17ZCxBg2B_p0ninVKgz3pMU6RyzGZiLZvHXcUSyU3t_GoN4XEk1gTOI0nEn8hMGLMwbbq_iU2FlxjdrTC4NcqlO9Yd7EzWb6AnPbf2aVCQMBiOAHPsooVN9SBZYbmw/s320/2011ride-flyer.png" width="208" /></a></div><br />
On Sunday September 18th, we'll be hosting our Fourth Annual Please BE KIND to Cyclists ride. This has become an Austin tradition and local cyclists have come out in numbers to help us raise awareness and celebrate bicycles.<br />
We look forward to all of you joining us on September 18th as we head out on three different ride options. Choose from a 20 mile, 40 mile, and family ride and then meet us back at Pure Austin Fitness for some good food and celebration.<br />
This is a FREE ride and no registration is necessary. Simple show up at the Pure Austin Fitness parking lot prior to our 8:30 departure time and take part in all the fun.<br />
See you on the 18th.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-81194937848529737372011-08-30T14:04:00.001-05:002011-08-30T14:04:00.618-05:00Volunteers <!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <o:DocumentProperties> <o:Template>Normal</o:Template> <o:Revision>0</o:Revision> <o:TotalTime>0</o:TotalTime> <o:Pages>1</o:Pages> <o:Words>130</o:Words> <o:Characters>743</o:Characters> <o:Lines>6</o:Lines> <o:Paragraphs>1</o:Paragraphs> <o:CharactersWithSpaces>912</o:CharactersWithSpaces> <o:Version>11.512</o:Version> </o:DocumentProperties> <o:OfficeDocumentSettings> <o:AllowPNG/> </o:OfficeDocumentSettings> </xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml> <w:WordDocument> <w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom> <w:DoNotShowRevisions/> <w:DoNotPrintRevisions/> <w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayHorizontalDrawingGridEvery> <w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery>0</w:DisplayVerticalDrawingGridEvery> <w:UseMarginsForDrawingGridOrigin/> </w:WordDocument> </xml><![endif]--> <!--StartFragment--> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGzhXID9NCoEG1UCBeRk7fs3qWNoZxrG6M9jo2FGHb-FY9rEy6RWwduKiaK6b2ifWMP3Uem2T3NhVj9YII62s2QfaxQhYz2e3z9YmLofMGV12PqKRz9lO83ut3ze7pMhIje2NFEvogAA/s1600/Arizona+volunteers.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzGzhXID9NCoEG1UCBeRk7fs3qWNoZxrG6M9jo2FGHb-FY9rEy6RWwduKiaK6b2ifWMP3Uem2T3NhVj9YII62s2QfaxQhYz2e3z9YmLofMGV12PqKRz9lO83ut3ze7pMhIje2NFEvogAA/s200/Arizona+volunteers.gif" width="200" /></a></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">If you’ve always wanted to get involved in bicycle advocacy, but just didn’t know where to start….we’re here to provide a wonderful opportunity for you.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Over the past six years, we’ve done a lot in our field of interest and we’ve now set forth some massive goals to take things ever further.<br />
<br />
We need your help to make it happen.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal">Please join us by volunteering your time and expertise to our bicycle advocacy organization.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Whether you have a lot of time, or just a little…it all counts and we’d love to have you on board.</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Volunteer Meeting:<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Thursday, September 1, 2011<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>6:00PM<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>Jack and Adams Bike Shop (1210 Barton Springs Road)<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b>FREE FOOD and Information on Volunteer Opportunities<o:p></o:p></b></span></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5YPr0a5ht5LvGnnhIMLJDf3l4P1V5RQqx7MRD2LbJRDbwcL-RJYUN_4XhHexjXTya0l_d0zq0Q7C8T1GdE8uclbukEtF84smqDkNPofWz-rpMonWjxbtafqSoWAOx9_5jUetug2mvA0/s1600/Please+Be+Kind+to+Cyclists.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEil5YPr0a5ht5LvGnnhIMLJDf3l4P1V5RQqx7MRD2LbJRDbwcL-RJYUN_4XhHexjXTya0l_d0zq0Q7C8T1GdE8uclbukEtF84smqDkNPofWz-rpMonWjxbtafqSoWAOx9_5jUetug2mvA0/s1600/Please+Be+Kind+to+Cyclists.gif" /></a></div><div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: "Times New Roman Bold"; font-size: 14.0pt;"><b><br />
</b></span></div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><div class="MsoNormal"><br />
</div><!--EndFragment-->Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-43221173235084530382011-08-17T22:10:00.000-05:002011-08-17T22:10:05.609-05:00Danny Macaskill<br />
<div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">As our mission over here at Please Be Kind to Cyclists states, we're all about raising awareness and increasing the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists. We are truly passionate about this, but we also like to have fun.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">To celebrate the fun (and exciting and dangerous) side of cycling we wanted to post a couple videos by an incredible cyclist known as Danny Macaskill. If you haven't seen what this guy can do on a bike, it's definitely worth checking out.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Of course we don't recommend you trying any of this on your own, but we hope you enjoy watching his amazing skills.</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>Danny's latest video, Industrial Revolutions:</b></span></div><div style="margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><br />
</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/ShbC5yVqOdI?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: center;"><br />
</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>An earlier video by Danny, Way Back Home:</b></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; margin-bottom: 0px; margin-left: 0px; margin-right: 0px; margin-top: 0px; text-align: left;"><br />
</div><div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/Cj6ho1-G6tw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div><br />
Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-75565618431478520632011-08-04T05:08:00.000-05:002011-08-04T05:08:00.867-05:00Cycling Kit WinnerWe were pleased to present Michael Glasgow with one of our new Please Be Kind to Cyclists kits over the weekend. Michael received the kit for participating in our Round Rock Ride. We entered everyone who registered for the ride in April and then picked a winner as the recipient of our kit.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEicZM6LyeRq23DW_44yH3XGdInL6GmuPjq9SIfUlOyMdxa9LCbZfgcKE7_rzlkbV5cG2Ky5iMb161dUflERz2W7JELVSvNN42-F9Hrnlwbjzk4AZrSJS3g2zVfIQLc_V6nx2GNECPpL8/s1600/DSC_6502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgEicZM6LyeRq23DW_44yH3XGdInL6GmuPjq9SIfUlOyMdxa9LCbZfgcKE7_rzlkbV5cG2Ky5iMb161dUflERz2W7JELVSvNN42-F9Hrnlwbjzk4AZrSJS3g2zVfIQLc_V6nx2GNECPpL8/s320/DSC_6502.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />
Congratulations again to Michael and thanks to all of you who participated in the ride. If you'd like to get a Please BE KIND to Cyclists kit of your own, please visit Jack and Adams bike shop in Austin or contact us to purchase online.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-54929226642205307532011-07-28T12:44:00.000-05:002011-07-28T12:44:53.986-05:00Andrew Runciman Memorial Ride<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfB5-Tnob758Rs8imxMRoqP_Yua0-HvgZ-aiddhl3aSBRLwlPWJ4gCFyOpZySpVDMt6IfVHZVmsTB87IzrxcBjoXpxCX7-bF5dZS-7ld7fFL2sCY_2lkhUGje013icvl8REYCpTwiPwg/s1600/AndrewRunciman.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; cssfloat: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCfB5-Tnob758Rs8imxMRoqP_Yua0-HvgZ-aiddhl3aSBRLwlPWJ4gCFyOpZySpVDMt6IfVHZVmsTB87IzrxcBjoXpxCX7-bF5dZS-7ld7fFL2sCY_2lkhUGje013icvl8REYCpTwiPwg/s200/AndrewRunciman.jpg" t$="true" width="155" /></a></div>On April 30, 2011, around three hundred Austin cyclists came together to honor the memory of Andrew Runciman. Andrew was tragically killed by a hit-and-run driver on South Lamar. Friends, family, and co-workers rode their bicycles together to show respect for Andrew.<br />
<br />
<br />
Please Be Kind to Cyclists, the Thursday Night Social Ride group, and Bike Texas organized this memorial ride. Around 7:00 in the evening everyone started pedaling south on Lamar escorted by three police cars. The ride took the right lane forming a procession that was more than five blocks long.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXP1vUszokRtNYJe1GEziwTAUjuvN0ra5ss14gIHQbf4duZx-Ee4zlkS8gpmD59qKKKKfPJsLaeUSX6WbkvMbJBoEORZARbkf2P17QnQu0t0eokYktkpaYfPzsOM_GPEvEc2V77QxLJ0/s1600/Andrew_Memorial.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEixXP1vUszokRtNYJe1GEziwTAUjuvN0ra5ss14gIHQbf4duZx-Ee4zlkS8gpmD59qKKKKfPJsLaeUSX6WbkvMbJBoEORZARbkf2P17QnQu0t0eokYktkpaYfPzsOM_GPEvEc2V77QxLJ0/s200/Andrew_Memorial.JPG" t$="true" width="200" /></a><br />
Now there is a ghost bike, a Please Be Kind to Cyclists sign, and a flower garden at the location where Andrew was hit. This small piece of land, right in front of Red’s Porch, was donated by the property manager. The garden was planted and is maintained by Al Bastidas and co-workers of Andrew. Al says, “I try to water the plants once or twice a week, but with this heat, more water is needed.” Contact Please Be Kind to Cyclists to learn how you can help maintain this garden.<br />
<br />
Bazaarvoice, the company where Andrew was working at the time of his death, has joined the efforts to raise funds and awareness. They have kicked-off a fundraiser to help Please BE KIND to Cyclists and Bike Texas as they continue with their mission of making our streets safer for all cyclists. Check out Bazaarvoice’s efforts and join the cause at www.safelanes.com <br />
<br />
More information about this tragedy can be found at:<br />
<br />
http://www.kxan.com/dpp/news/crime/cyclists-ride-in-remembrance-of-friend<br />
<br />
http://www.kvue.com/home/Cyclist-death-prompts-closer-at-bike-lanes-121198664.htmlPlease BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-45101157357310592452011-07-28T05:00:00.000-05:002011-07-28T05:00:11.600-05:00Victim Relief FundPlease Be Kind to Cyclists is pleased to announce the creation of their Victim Relief Fund. As our Executive Director, Al Bastidas explains in the video below it is a fund that will further allow our organization to help and support cyclists.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><object width="320" height="266" class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="http://1.gvt0.com/vi/LhXTH_qschE/0.jpg"><param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/LhXTH_qschE&fs=1&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="http://www.youtube.com/v/LhXTH_qschE&fs=1&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash"></embed></object></div><br />
For more information on the Victim Relief Fund <a href="http://www.bekindtocyclists.com/victimrelief.aspx">please visit our website</a>.<br />
<br />
Join us in our efforts to help and support cycling victims by donating to the Please Be Kind to Cyclists Victim Relief Fund. <a href="https://www.paypal.com/cgi-bin/webscr?cmd=_s-xclick&hosted_button_id=86BGJLA6JHRJG">Please Donate Here</a>.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-10270176542213837352011-07-21T04:47:00.001-05:002011-07-21T04:47:00.245-05:00The Jack and Adam's Bicycle Re-Cycle ProjectIt is always very exciting to post about good things that are happening the bicycle world, and today's article is even more exciting because it deals with cycling, the environment, and hometown Austin goodness.<br />
<br />
Jack and Adams are good friends of ours over here at Please BE KIND to Cyclists and they have now launched a Bicycle Re-Cycle Project. They are now an official collection station for TerraCycle (the leading trash to treasure recycling company).<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZx5myqJ6SwCPbjTQFu1ewxJJYYD1B0x0_sp8lf-kr0CIPlkMperoXzmGZiGF93asoEO5TlHPLWkeP0OTTadbTUiVCRS2QBZzTcXp2pTZOELO5VlE-ylVW9f7X5l0hbp5qiCXV60AM6k/s1600/jack+and+adams+logo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhiZx5myqJ6SwCPbjTQFu1ewxJJYYD1B0x0_sp8lf-kr0CIPlkMperoXzmGZiGF93asoEO5TlHPLWkeP0OTTadbTUiVCRS2QBZzTcXp2pTZOELO5VlE-ylVW9f7X5l0hbp5qiCXV60AM6k/s1600/jack+and+adams+logo.jpg" /></a></div><br />
Here's the way it works....Jack and Adams collect energy bar wrappers and then they send these along to TerraCycle so they can be turned into goods such as coin purses and bags. Pretty cool, huh? It gets even better. The articles that are made are then used to earn money for non-profit organizations that are chosen by Jack and Adams.<br />
<br />
Now here's the best part. Jack and Adams have chosen Please BE KIND to Cyclists as the beneficiary for this program and will donate all the money raised through their efforts with TerraCycle recycling.<br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHuKzlQ0TMk9SRUZxdFDzIe11hZl0HwxLLHGuOPyQwpflNkCRkeOYBwEwvlP95qpxALBj1IzZBpwBAJ6Y4bFiWHuM6StqAa_685FGKSh3WKAaPbABP5Z4tL-WS3-bBYR_2JgpRMpxcf8/s1600/Green-Team-Logo-website.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="123" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHHuKzlQ0TMk9SRUZxdFDzIe11hZl0HwxLLHGuOPyQwpflNkCRkeOYBwEwvlP95qpxALBj1IzZBpwBAJ6Y4bFiWHuM6StqAa_685FGKSh3WKAaPbABP5Z4tL-WS3-bBYR_2JgpRMpxcf8/s320/Green-Team-Logo-website.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Helvetica;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times;"><br />
</span></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b>About Jack and Adam's Bicycles:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
Located in Austin, TX, Jack and Adam’s Bicycles is a complete<br />
triathlon and road cycling store. Founded in 2004, it has been voted<br />
Best Triathlon Store in Texas every year since its inception. The<br />
store is renowned for its friendly service, incredible product<br />
support, and community involvement. </span><a href="http://www.jackandadams.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.jackandadams.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
<br />
<b>About Jack & Adam's Bicycle Re-Cycle Green Team:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b>The Green Team is a recycling campaign geared towards keeping bicycles<br />
and everything bicycle related out of the landfills. We're extending<br />
our green efforts at events into our daily activities at the shop.<br />
You can be part of it too by tossing your tubes and tires into one of<br />
the bins which will be available at the shop. We'll have bins for<br />
other items as well, including spare parts and clothing.</span><a href="http://www.bicycle-recycle.com/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.bicycle-recycle.com</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
<br />
<b>About TerraCycles:</b></span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><b><br />
</b>TerraCycle’s purpose is to eliminate the idea of waste. We do this by<br />
creating national recycling systems for the previously non-recyclable.<br />
The process starts by offering collection programs (many of them free)<br />
to collect your waste and then convert the collected waste into a wide<br />
range of products and materials. With over 14 million people<br />
collecting waste in 11 countries together we have diverted billions of<br />
pieces of waste that are either upcycled or recycled into over 1,500<br />
various products available at major retailers ranging from Walmart to<br />
Whole Foods Market. Our hope is to eliminate the idea of waste by<br />
creating collection and solution systems for anything that today ends<br />
up in our trash. </span><a href="http://www.terracycle.net/" target="_blank"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;">www.terracycle.net</span></a><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Times, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div><div></div></div><br />
<div><br />
</div>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-49190568404487838292011-07-14T15:16:00.000-05:002011-07-14T15:16:41.971-05:00Ranting Against CyclistsEarlier this week, the morning radio show of Bob and Bender with Jamie on 98.1 KVET did a little rant about cyclists in Austin. You can check it out and also listen to a segment of the rant by <a href="http://www.kvet.com/pages/BobColeam.html?article=8813154">clicking this link</a>. As you can probably imagine from the label of "rant", it wasn't a favorable discussion about us cyclists.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL2A5dtjdPzNNvi2Xbm2YKskb2Vi0mfyZLmdM98OpODkyktzRLK039QMO4s8KpjElYtFXNOQkSDTRIaAibYTL7bl_pJd-ftSsQ8MwMUSRTl6DPUihJR18D-TEqsOUuNcHZYeSvWUNOd0/s1600/1048_1304287502.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161px" m$="true" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoL2A5dtjdPzNNvi2Xbm2YKskb2Vi0mfyZLmdM98OpODkyktzRLK039QMO4s8KpjElYtFXNOQkSDTRIaAibYTL7bl_pJd-ftSsQ8MwMUSRTl6DPUihJR18D-TEqsOUuNcHZYeSvWUNOd0/s320/1048_1304287502.jpg" width="320px" /></a></div>We understand that not everyone is a cyclist and shares our same passion for the bike, but I think some of the comments that were made went just a little too far. Have a listen for yourself, but there was talk about being happy when Bender (the radio dj) layed on his horn and scared the cyclist off his bike. I know it was all in "fun", but comments like that are just not acceptable.<br />
<br />
Our friend Darryl from <a href="http://lovingthebike.com/">Loving the Bike</a> was also not impressed and asked if he could be on air to help defend us cyclists. <a href="http://www.kvet.com/pages/BobColeam.html?article=8818976">They had him on the day after the rant</a>, and Darryl was able to explain that we are good people and a mutual respect should be given between cyclists and drivers. Our Please Be Kind to Cyclists organization was also brought up when they interviewed him and we would love an opportunity to get on air more often to discuss all the things that we believe in.<br />
<br />
As always, we stay commited to raising awareness and increasing the harmony and tolerance between drivers and cyclists. Let's work together to make it happen.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-62278875705036215312011-07-07T07:45:00.000-05:002011-07-07T07:45:01.496-05:00Can Personality Make You a Champion?<div style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">This year’s Tour de France has just begun, but before it even got going there were predictions that Alberto Contador could very well take it once again. If so, this would be his fourth TdF victory in the past five years….but why don’t people like to label him a Champion? As they introduced him at the team introductions last Thursday….he was booed, and I’ve also seen a whole lot of smiles following the rough start he’s had in this year’s tour. Yep, people just don’t want to give him that “Champion” title now do they?</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">If you’re a Contador fan, let me apologize right now for the little bit of slamming I’m going to do on him today…it’s nothing personal, but he’s the perfect subject to go along with the topic of today’s post. But chances are, you’re one of those people who don’t really dig the guy. What is it about this incredible cyclist that makes us dislike him?</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Alberto-Contador.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="232" src="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/Alberto-Contador.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span></div><div style="color: #444444; line-height: 27px;"></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">You know how you see this super hot girl (or guy for our female readers), and once you get to know them a little better and see that they may be a 10, but their personality is more like a 3….they’re all of a sudden not so hot anymore. The flipside is also true. I don’t know about you, but I think that a good personality can increase the attractiveness factor of anyone.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Okay, so back to Contador….the dude is just not a likeable guy. Whether it’s his cheesy shooter fingers that he likes to flash to the television camera, his lack of having a gentleman’s presence (made famous <a href="http://velonews.competitor.com/2010/07/news/great-chain-debate-contador-inherits-yellow-jersey_129993" style="color: #009933; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;">last year when he refrained from waiting for Schleck and his dropped chain</a>), his doping allegations, or just the aura he gives off….his personality brings him down from a 10 to a 3 pretty easily in my books.</span><br />
<div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">There’s no denying that he knows how to win cycling races, but I’m never going to remember him as a cycling champion or legend.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/voigt1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/voigt1.jpg" width="237" /></span></a></div><span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Then there’s our friend, Jens Voigt. He’s never one any major race, but he is more of a champion than Contador will ever be. How can you not like this guy? Jens is just a likeable kind of guy, and it’s pretty hard to resist his unique charm and personality. He’s got heart, guts, and a way about him that makes people look at him like a champion….and that is how we’ll remember him when his cycling career is over.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Yes, personality can make you a champion….and it can also take it away as well. Sure Contador might win yet another Tour de France, but it will be people like Jens Voigt who we remember.</span><br />
<span class="Apple-style-span" style="font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', serif;">Let’s hear what you have to say. Is Contador a champion? Is it his personality that takes it away for a lot of us? Let us hear it.</span></div><div style="font-family: 'Hoefler Text', Georgia, serif; font-size: 17px;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/06/voigt1.jpg" style="color: #009933; cursor: pointer; outline-color: initial; outline-style: none; outline-width: initial; text-decoration: none;"></a></div>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-64274388904715813092011-06-30T04:29:00.002-05:002011-07-06T09:50:40.468-05:00Cycling and HydrationIt's Summer....and it's HOT. What does that mean to a cyclist? Well, it means that they should be properly hyrdated while out cycling. But what about using hydration tabs to help out with the process? Is it a good idea? How much should you take?<br />
<br />
We turned to Kelli Jennings (RD) from <a href="http://www.apexnutritionllc.com/">Apex Nutrition</a> for help on this one, and here is what she had to say:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIr43JUjuNIqh5bFnfn-y7FYsVuzSp0O3n4xY64qkNhwcD2KHbU24vCbFj1bYC9LcXBnQU2tX9eTQ9RI0W3F8u0pME6jBWshb__xTM-qg-QVcu-I1OVPDpakCLvq6ny-fh3QpqbrYuus/s1600/glass-of-water.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxIr43JUjuNIqh5bFnfn-y7FYsVuzSp0O3n4xY64qkNhwcD2KHbU24vCbFj1bYC9LcXBnQU2tX9eTQ9RI0W3F8u0pME6jBWshb__xTM-qg-QVcu-I1OVPDpakCLvq6ny-fh3QpqbrYuus/s1600/glass-of-water.jpg" t8="true" /></a></div>This one depends on 3 things: 1) How long are you training? At what intensity? At what heat/humidity (will you sweat a lot)? 2) What brand of electrolyte tablet are you using and what are the mg of sodium, potassium, calcium, and magnesium? 3) How much fluid do you typically drink per hour during your training (in ounces, the whole bottle, ½ the bottle, etc)?<br />
<br />
<br />
Okay, so that was more like 7 questions (it’s always a can of worms with me!). For any moderate or high intensity workout, more than 60 minutes, here’s what you need (optimally) the replenish fluid and lytes:<br />
<br />
20-32 oz. fluid, 400-700 mg sodium, 100-200 mg potassium, 80-120 mg calcium, 40-60 mg magnesium per hour. Of course, you also have to consider any other fluids or foods you’ll be consuming and the lytes in those. I usually find that athletes get in ~20 ounces per hour when they are really trying, but of course, it varies widely. So, now what you’ve got to determine is how many ounces you’ll drink, and how many mg of lytes your tablet provides. Then, you can mix the right amount of tablets in the right amount of water. This is a more individualized plan than just following the manufacturer directions (although that will get anyone who’s not real serious about the training/replenishing through).<br />
<br />
You may have noticed that the “target” amounts above are big ranges. Usually, I consider the weight of the athlete, history of sweating (do you SWEAT or just glisten?), the temperature and humidity, and past individual experiences when targeting within these ranges. <br />
<br />
As far as time: electrolytes are often most important, in terms of improving performance, for trainings greater than 120 minutes, depending on all the other factors…<br />
Simple, right? Right.<br />
Here’s the amounts of lytes in popular electrolyte tablets:<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div>•NUUN Caps: 1 tablet = 360 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, 13 mg calcium, 25 mg magnesium<br />
•Camelbak Elixir: 1 tablet = 340 mg sodium, 125 mg potassium, 0 mg calcium, 0 mg magnesium<br />
•Hammer Endurolytes Fizz: 1 tablet = 200 mg sodium, 100 mg potassium, 100 mg calcium, 50 mg magnesium<br />
<br />
I’m a fan of also using salt and Milton’s lyte to fluids when they don’t contain as much sodium/potassium as I’d like. These contain:<br />
<br />
•Salt: 1/8 tsp = 300 mg sodium<br />
•Morton’s late salt: 1/8 tsp = 146 mg sodium, 176 mg potassium<br />
•Calcium/Magnesium tablets (crushable or liquids) supplements in a 2:1 ratio (many tablets are 500 mg calcium/250 mg magnesium)<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/zym_tab.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="150px" src="http://reviews.mtbr.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/01/zym_tab.jpg" t8="true" width="200px" /></a></div>Some athletes also use capsules that are swallowed whole before, during, and after training. I prefer those that are dissolved into fluid for a couple reasons: 1) you have to drink the fluid anyway…taking a capsule + fluid (as opposed to “in” fluid) adds one more thing to remember and 2) the electrolytes consumed are subject to our guts’ rate of absorption – taking more at once doesn’t usually mean more absorbed – small amounts over time usually increase absorption.<br />
<br />
Lastly, don’t forget the carbs. You need 40-60 gm carbs per hour when training over 60 minutes. For my time and money, I choose a fluid with carbs and lytes. If you want an easy and inexpensive recipe to get all the fluid, carbs, and lytes you need, try my homebrew at <a href="http://www.apexnutritionllc.com/freetools.html">www.apexnutritionllc.com/freetools.html</a> – it’s a free recipe.<br />
<br />
For anyone else reading this that’s still on the fence about whether or not they even need to add electrolytes to fluid, review all the good reasons at <a href="http://lovingthebike.com/nutrition-tips/water-on-long-rides">http://lovingthebike.com/nutrition-tips/water-on-long-rides</a>.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-81539920146093281422011-06-23T04:30:00.002-05:002011-06-23T04:30:02.589-05:00More Great Cycling OrganizationsThere are countless cycling advocacy organizations out there with the sole purpose of making their area more bike friendly….please forgive me for not mentioning all of you in this article. I’ve been lucky enough to interact with two such organizations and for today I wanted to let you know about <a href="http://www.betterbybike.info/">http://www.betterbybike.info/</a> and <a href="http://www.sharetheroad.ca/">http://www.sharetheroad.ca/</a>. <br />
<div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Better-by-bike-GB-logo-full-colour.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="93px" src="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Better-by-bike-GB-logo-full-colour.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><strong>Better by Bike</strong> is crushing it in Bristol, Bath, North Somerset and South Gloucestershire (United Kingdom). It’s like they have packed in absolutely everything you need to get started in cycling, or to enjoy it just that little bit more, and placed it neatly into their website. When I first came across these guys something called out to me, and I knew I just had to get to know them better. I’m so impressed with what they stand for and the programs they deliver. Here’s just a hint at some of the great information they provide: <br />
<div></div>•choosing a bike<br />
•clothes and accessories<br />
•simple bicycle maintenance<br />
•bike security<br />
•how to be a better bike rider<br />
•getting to work by bike<br />
•cycle training<br />
•cycling for fun<br />
•cycling with children<br />
<br />
<div></div>But they offer so much more than just information. Receiving the UK’s first Cycling City status allowed them to create the Better By Bike website and brand. In turn they have used this tool to encourage commuting to work by offering grants to businesses and loaning bikes to employees. They also offer information and training to schools and children. They even share stories on their website about why people love the bike (you know we can totally relate to that one).<br />
<br />
<div></div>These guys rock, and I’ve been wanting to pay homage to them for quite some time now. I’m sure you guys get thanked all the time by your Bristol blokes, but even over here in North America there is someone proud of you for your passion and commitment. Good for you Better By Bike. Cheers on a job well done. <br />
<div></div><a href="http://www.betterbybike.info/contact-us">For more information on Better By Bike, please contact them right here.</a> <br />
<div></div> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Share-the-Road-Logo1.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="161px" src="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/04/Share-the-Road-Logo1.gif" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div>The Ontario, Canada organization of <strong>Share the Road</strong> has equally inspired me…and watch out Better By Bike because these guys have the vision of making Ontario the most bike friendly place on Earth. Eleanor McMahon is the founder of Share the Road and even through the limited e-mail communication I’ve had with her, I can just taste the incredible stuff she’s cooking. She started this organization and has been dedicating her life to cycling advocacy since 2006 when her husband, OPP Sergeant Greg Stobbart was tragically killed in a cycling collision. Her efforts have paid off and in November 2008, Greg’s Law (in honor of her husband) was tabled in the Ontario legislature as part of a larger Road Safety Bill, Bill 126 and it passed on April 22nd, 2009. <br />
<div></div>With the incredible motivation and passion of Eleanor behind the bars of this organization, there’s no doubt in my mind that Share the Road will absolutely achieve all that it is after and more. Not only are they doing great things for the bike in Ontario….they are doing great things for all of us as riders. Thanks for backing us, Eleanor and Share the Road. You are making the world a better place for cyclists. <br />
<div></div><a href="http://www.sharetheroad.ca/">Please find out more about Share the Road.</a>Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-13512107575145920202011-06-16T04:18:00.002-05:002011-06-16T04:18:01.088-05:007 Tips to Make You More Comfortable on Your Bike<strong><span style="font-size: large;">7 Tips to Make You More Comfortable (and Faster)</span></strong><br />
<em>By Victor Jimenez (</em><a href="http://bicyclelab.com/"><em>the Bicycle Lab</em></a><em>)</em><br />
Though there is no substitute for seeing an experienced bicycle fitter. There are a lot of simple things you can do on your own.<br />
<strong><u>Adjust Your Seat Height</u></strong><br />
<br />
A properly adjusted seat height is the most important aspect of bicycle fit. A rough starting point is with your foot at the bottom of the pedal stroke you should have around a 30 degree bend in your knee. This will give you a pretty close approximation of your saddle height from the bottom bracket to the top of the saddle.<br />
<strong><u>Adjust the Cleats on Your Shoes</u></strong><br />
<br />
While you can play with this on your own. I strongly encourage you to have the cleat position professionally evaluated. If set up incorrectly you will be waisting power and in some cases cause muscle strain and injury. But if you choose to adjust on your own. The basic idea is to set the rotation of the cleat so that the center lines up with your natural gait. The fore and aft adjustment is dependant on your style of riding, body asymmetries, among other variables.<br />
<strong><u>Raise Your Handlebars</u></strong><br />
<br />
Yep you read correct. A higher bar height will open up your torso to hip angle and help with saddle comfort. Lower-back, hamstring, and hip flexibility are key to this positioning in this area. Improve your flexibility and improve your position. Raising your bars is also a good thing to do when you are not riding as much. Your flexibility will change as your fitness changes.<br />
<br />
<u><strong>Level Your Saddle</strong></u><br />
<br />
Your saddle should generally be level or the nose pointed slightly up. If the saddle is uncomfortable in this position there may be something else in your position that needs to be adjusted.<br />
<strong><u>Level Your Bars</u></strong><br />
<br />
The drops of your handlebars should be roughly level or slightly up. This helps keep all the hand positions open.<br />
<strong><u>Tilt Your Aerobars Up Slightly</u></strong><br />
<br />
By tilting your aerobars (if you use aerobars) up slightly most people will find a more relaxed position for their upper body. Aerobar set up is a complex issue, because of differences in design and use. For more information on Aerobar set up, please contact me.<br />
<strong><u>Put Insoles in Your Shoes</u></strong><br />
<br />
Most cycling shoes have no arch support at all. There are many off the shelf brands to choose from or even better get a custom made pair that is molded to your feet.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-31123217998128954322011-06-09T04:13:00.001-05:002011-06-09T04:13:00.754-05:00There has been a lot of interest in “The Law of Attraction” over the past few years. Books like “The Secret”, “The Answer”, and many more have become bestsellers and created a huge following and a lot of interest. Even Fat Cyclist himself did a post on “How to use ‘The Secret’ in Cycling”….so you know it’s got to be a hot topic.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Thoughts.gif" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; cssfloat: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320px" src="http://lovingthebike.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/03/Thoughts.gif" t8="true" width="240px" /></a></div>The secret and the law of attraction are definitely not new concepts or ideas, and they don’t claim to be. The laws and principles have been around forever. If you haven’t found yourself caught up with the hype, let me tell you that “The Secret” is pretty much the old “Fake It Until You Make It” idea….or “Acting As If”.<br />
<br />
<br />
But you know, there is something to it and it can be applied to any aspect of your life…with cycling being one of them. We’re not just talking road biking here. Visualization and acting as if, can apply to any type of cycling that you do or cycling related goals that you have.<br />
<br />
<br />
Maybe you’re already acting as if you’ve dropped those 20 pounds you’re looking to achieve by cycling. Pretend it’s already happened. Talk that way. Act that way. Believe it. Or you’re talking it up like you are this person who cycles everywhere they go. In reality it’s not happening yet, but you are acting as if it’s good to go. Whatever it is, try acting as if it’s already happened. Yeah, it will feel strange. Yeah, you might not believe yourself….at first. But I know you’ll have fun with it, and I know you’ll get positive results.<br />
<br />
I have heard that when the band Aerosmith was just getting started, they used to play a lot of shows in small nightclubs. Even though many of the places were kind of seedy and the people there were not totally interested in hearing them…….they would act as if they were playing to a sold out arena where the fans were crazy about them. Well, I don’t need to tell you that “acting as if” eventually became a reality for these rockers.<br />
<br />
<br />
We all love make believe right? Of course we do. We all grow up playing and pretending we are one thing or another. Why not incorporate that idea into our Adult lives? Into our Adult Cycling Lives? It’s not only fun…..it’s also very effective.<br />
<br />
<br />
William James once wrote:<br />
<br />
<blockquote>“Believe that life is worth living, and your belief will help create that fact.”</blockquote><br />
Fake it ‘til you make it……Act as If…The Secret…Thoughts become things….Believe. Whatever you want to call it, try it out.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4837776551837526355.post-80938292879103223112011-06-02T04:30:00.002-05:002011-06-02T04:30:01.715-05:00Kids on BikesAnother school year has officially wrapped up here in Austin, and the rest of the Country will be letting out any week now. With the arrival of summer holidays, comes a whole lot of kids outside on bikes....at least we hope they opt for being outside as opposed to sitting on the couch playing video games.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbj6JI8pu-tDjubW5L9PYjA61IOglmERBx0I4Yx33wlj5p6W3vXxBjEIZ0O-uQ0twBggAblq4XpNpCGoMu880PsUfuAaaz8a-ljjt_2rZCBVsyEe1FbV_uQ2uIjEnphm2f-TLuhTHFoQ/s1600/Fourth_kids_on_bikes.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="228px" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpbj6JI8pu-tDjubW5L9PYjA61IOglmERBx0I4Yx33wlj5p6W3vXxBjEIZ0O-uQ0twBggAblq4XpNpCGoMu880PsUfuAaaz8a-ljjt_2rZCBVsyEe1FbV_uQ2uIjEnphm2f-TLuhTHFoQ/s320/Fourth_kids_on_bikes.jpg" t8="true" width="320px" /></a></div><br />
It's a good time to remind everyone to pay more attention out on the road and be aware of kids darting into traffic either on foot or on bike. Being proactive and aware, can go a long way.<br />
<br />
For all of the kids out there on bikes this summer, we wanted to provide some bicycle saftety tips to make sure you have the best (and safest) summer ever.<br />
<br />
<strong>Wear a Properly Fitted Bicycle Helmet. </strong>The first thing you should always do before pedaling off on your bike is to make sure you've got your helmet on. Also be sure to have a helmet that fits you right. For more information on how to ensure a proper fit, check out <a href="http://www.nhtsa.gov/people/injury/pedbimot/bike/EasyStepsWeb/index.htm">"Easy Steps to a Properly Fitting Helmet"</a>.<br />
<br />
<br />
<strong>Adjust Your Bicycle to Fit. </strong>When buying a new bike, be sure to have the bike shop properly adjust the bike to fit your child. If you've already got a bike for them, make sure that it still fits them properly this summer after a winter of continuous growing. <a href="http://www.ibike.org/education/buying.htm">Read this to ensure a proper fit</a>.<br />
<br />
<strong>Check Your Equipment.</strong> Before riding, inflate tires properly and check that your brakes work.<br />
<strong>See and Be Seen.</strong> The more visible your child is to the traffic around them, the better. This is even more important when kids are cycling in high traffic areas.<br />
<br />
<strong>Control Your Bicycle.</strong> It's fun to go no hands and do tricks, but it's really important to maintain control of your bike....and this means at least one hand on the handlebars at all times.<br />
<br />
<strong>Watch for and Avoid Road Hazards.</strong> Unfortunately there are things like pothots, broken glass, gravel, and water on the road. All of these things can cause problems when out on your bike, so be sure to educate your kids on how to avoid and deal with hazzards.<br />
<br />
<strong>Avoid Riding at Night.</strong> If possible, try to keep your kids off the road at night. It's difficult to see cyclists when it's dark outside and when you're on a bike at night it is difficult to see any hazzards that might be out there. If they must ride at night, be sure to install a good headlight and reflectors on their bike.<br />
<br />
Have a great summer. Get out on your bike...have fun....and be safe.Please BE KIND to Cyclistshttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08077351984666592318noreply@blogger.com2