HERE ARE A FEW BRIEF TIPS for surviving the summer heat while riding your bike. There are dozens of articles by experts that will give you the deep science about body heat and fluids and other stuff. And if all those numbers and matrices make you feel more confident, then by all means read the articles. As for me, I’m not an expert in physiology, but I’ve survived some pretty stupid stunts in my time, and I can certainly share some wisdom from practical experience. I’ve ridden my bike in the 115+ degree heat of the parched Sonoran Desert of... Continue reading

I’M ONE OF THOSE CYCLISTS WHO LIKE NUMBERS. When I ride, I monitor my heart rate, I know my speed and cadence, and I track my mileage and calorie burn. There’s nothing wrong with that, I just happen to enjoy keeping the numerical values of each ride. But I also know the importance of riding for the shear enjoyment of it. It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-analyzing each ride, a habit that has the potential of reducing the fun and making your ride seem more like a duty. I think about this often, and offer you a... Continue reading

I ENJOY SIMPLICITY. And the bicycle is the simplest of machines, yet it provides so many benefits. For me the bike is a freedom machine. When I get on it and ride, it might as well be a space ship going on some new adventure. The most fun rides are those where my destination is unknown and I have no time limits. Of course, I also have some practical uses for the bicycle as well. I run errands on it, and it’s my main piece of health and fitness equipment. It’s important to me to get out there and crank... Continue reading

I'VE MOVED AROUND A LOT during the past 25+ years. And back in the day, I bought a lot of books--business books, novels, biographies, classics, self-help, etc. My book buying slowed considerably about 10-years ago for two reasons. One, PDFs... Continue reading

Ahh, progress! Please consider circling me here on Google+. It offers so much opportunity for social networking, discussions, hangouts, communities and sharing of information. It's flexible, powerful and fun! On G+ I'll often post on these topics. writing scriptwriting content... Continue reading

IN MY PREVIOUS POST, I WROTE ABOUT A FEW WAYS to avoid crashes as a new roadie. This post continues that theme. If you’re new to riding a road bike, these tips will help you to keep the rubber side down. Don’t trust bike lanes. Lots of new bike riders think bike lanes are the solution to safe cycling. That’s seldom true. It’s obvious to me that the people who designed bike lanes probably don’t ride much. In my town we have bike lanes that conflict with adjacent traffic lanes, and bike lanes that end without warning, dumping the unsuspecting... Continue reading

A FRIEND OF MINE JUST BOUGHT A NEW ROAD BIKE. He’s been riding a hybrid for a few years, with its fatter tires, straight handlebars and upright riding posture, but he test rode one of my road bikes a few months ago and liked it. So on Black Friday, he was able to get a screaming deal on a beautiful carbon fiber Trek. It occurred to me that the difference between casually riding a hybrid around the neighborhood, compared to mounting a faster, sleeker road bike and cranking it up on the highway, could be problematic at first. I thought... Continue reading

Hello Everyone, Well, my Kickstarter Campaign has come to an end. I didn’t make my crowdfunding goal, so all pledges are null and void. I want to sincerely thank all who pledged for your trust and confidence in me, and for the generosity you’ve shown. The Crowdfunding Platform, of which Kickstarter is one, is a growing phenomenon, and a powerful way to finance interesting projects, inventions, micro-ventures, artists, musicians, writers and small businesses. It can certainly give struggling entrepreneurs an additional opportunity for funding when they are rejected by banks, angel investors and venture capitalists. Capital is no longer for... Continue reading

CYCLISTS ARE INVOLVED IN CRASHES with motor vehicles way too often. To minimize this problem cyclists need to obey the rules of the road, utilize safety equipment and become adept bicycle handlers. Motor vehicle drivers must understand that cyclists have a right to the road; they too need to obey the rules of the road, and be 100% focused on how they're handling their 4000+lb vehicle. A little respect and courtesy from both groups will go a long way toward reducing injury and death. If you do get into a crash with a car or truck, and are still able... Continue reading

A guest post by Angelina Foster at Cycle Stuff Direct. CYCLING IS LOVED BY MANY PEOPLE AROUND THE GLOBE and it’s not just for young people. Some of the most passionate cyclists are middle aged, so if you’ve been thinking about it, it’s not too late to start! It can be daunting knowing where to begin, so we have provided a rough guide for all who are about to explore this wonderful sport. The bike If you’re starting out in cycling, buying a bicycle can definitely be confusing as there are different types of bikes and many manufacturers to choose... Continue reading

A guest post by J. Baird at Grape-Nuts WITH ALL THE HEALTH AND SOCIAL BENEFITS of cycling, baby boomers are hopping on their bikes now more than ever. But aging can affect your stamina. So, how can you improve stamina and increase your energy level for your next bike ride? That’s where whole grains come to the rescue. Whole-grain foods are a healthy choice because they contain nutrients, fiber and other healthy plant compounds found naturally in the grain. Not only does eating whole grains promote health maintenance, it can also help you power up short-term for your next bike... Continue reading

June Curry, you will be missed by cyclists from all over the world. http://www.nelsoncountylife.com/2012/07/16/cyclists-mourn-loss-of-aftons-cookie-lady-june-curry-passes-at-age-91/ Continue reading

THE HOUSING BUBBLE HAS HURT MANY PEOPLE in the US, including me. My house is worth a fraction of what it once was. To add insult to injury, there are new housing developments that have been stalled for years. We have huge would-be communities around north Florida that began mid-decade and haven’t been built-out yet. Although the housing bubble has caused grief for many, I must admit to finding joy in one aspect of it. You see, all these new communities that were started five and six years ago, began with the road system. We have seemingly endless miles of... Continue reading