In the third and final week of the 2022 Tour de France (TDF) a new overall winner of the 109th event was crowned with a yellow jersey but not before a lot of drama and intrigue.  Jonas Vingegaard from Denmark won the Tour de France for the first time ending the dominance of two-time defending champion Tadej Pogacar and signaling the rise of a new super bicycle racing team.

​Some things stayed the same during week two of the 2022 Tour de France (TDF) such as the favorites for the general classification finishes and number of teams.  What changed was the size of the mountain climbs requiring long periods of sustained climbing often at high altitudes, additional opportunities for sprinters to win points, withdrawal of some key riders, and the dominance of Tadej Pogacar who was tested and came up short.    

One third of the 109th edition of the Tour de France (tDF)  is now in the books.  Even though this is an event steeped in history, the race organizers were not afraid to mix things up starting in the first week.  Deviations from the norm included starting the race on a Friday, instead of the usual Saturday, the first three stages held in the Scandinavian country of Denmark for the first time ever instead of France, an early stage on the cobbles of Paris-Roubaix, and the first ever mountain finish at La Planche des belle Filles.  

 The 109th edition of the Tour de France (TDF), the world's greatest sporting event, begins July 1 and following it to learn about all the thrills and disappointments will take up the next 24 days of your life.  Last year there were many surprises and records set and we are expecting this year to be just as exciting.   Whether you are a long time fan of the TDF or have just discovered it, following are some tips for enjoying this year's event.  

Riding any type of bike is a good way to get some movement in your day but an electric bike (ebike) with pedal assistance has advantages over a non-assisted bike for baby boomers.  An ebike allows you to get the exercise you need without unnecessary strain on muscles or joints, run errands without getting exhausted, go on recreational rides, and have fun.  If you’ve decided an ebike is for you, there are some features that older adult should look for in an ebike to assure the maximum safety and comfort. 

​Cycling is an excellent activity for all ages, especially  seniors.  Riding a bike involves smooth motions with low impact that puts little strain on a body for all ages.  It is an activity that enables seniors to move and be active even as they get older.  If you are new to cycling, returning after a break, or currently a bike rider debating whether to continue cycling as you age, there are some things you need to know to be comfortable and safe riding a bike as you age.

​If you are shopping for a new bike, you may have heard about  hybrid bikes, but what exactly is a hybrid?  The hybrid bike came on the scene in the mid-1980s as a cross between a road and a mountain bike collecting the best features of each into what is intended to be the perfect general purpose bike.  A hybrid is a good choice to accommodate the wide range of riding conditions you find in an urban environment both city streets and recreational trails. But within the category called hybrid bikes there has come to be a further differentiation:  comfort and fitness hybrid bikes.  If you are in the market for a new hybrid bike, it helps to understand the different features that are found with comfort and fitness styles so you can determine which is best for you.

If you are going on a trip a distance from home that includes cycling you will want to be prepared in case your bike lets you down with a mechanical problem.  ​Regular bike maintenance will reduce the likelihood of an issue occurring while you are out riding that will interrupt your ride.  Even if your bike has had the recommended routine service, however, an unexpected problem could pop up.  If your bike rides are close to home or there is public transportation nearby you can take advantage of there is less likelihood of getting stranded.  But If you are biking on a road far from home or deep into a trail a mechanical problem with your bike can ruin your day.  If you know a few basic hacks for a temporary fix this will allow you to keep riding until you get home and address the problem with your bike.  

​The bike tour sold out in 2 minutes.  I delegated the task of reserving us spots to the Pedal Across Wisconsin (PAW) inaugural Sunshine Tour, a fully supported 6-day group bike tour on paved bike paths on the gulf side of Florida in the winter to my husband, Ron and he called in at the exact day and time and got us in.  Anyone who hesitated had to wait until next year since the ride was capped at 86 riders.  We quickly learned that when meeting fellow tour participants at the hotel breakfasts, daily happy hours, or rest stops the appropriate ice breaker was “what other PAW tours have you done” since everyone there was a previous PAW participant.  The organizers announced the tour to their list of alumni and there was no need to publicize it any further.  

It may seem like ebikes are everywhere nowadays, and if you’ve started to learn about them, you’ve found lots of new jargon.  Some words used to describe ebikes are just common terms used in a new way, such as amp and volt and others are entirely new such as Pedelec.  While there are differences between how ebikes are designed and the components they use, they all have many things in common and it helps to understand the terminology common to most ebikes.  Below is a list of ebike terminology you might find useful as you go about your journey to understand this new transportation mode.