When Presidents' Day was celebrated over a century ago it had a different identify than it has today--it was known as Bicycle Day.  George Washington’s birthday, which is now celebrated as Presidents' Day, was made a federal holiday in 1885, and the United States was in the middle of a bicycle boom.   Since many people had the day off of work it became the day for bicycle races and for bicycle retailers to open their doors so the public could see the latest models of bicycles.  During this time in history, mid-February marked the start of the annual bicycle season.

If you are looking to do some body work now to improve your cycling performance later you should consider doing an exercise known as a squat.  Your legs are used heavily on a bike to spin the pedals and propel the bike and strengthening them will make a big difference in how fast and long you can ride.  A squat is a body weight exercise that requires no gym visit or special equipment and can be done anytime and anywhere with as many repetitions as you want.    

​Electric bikes (ebikes) bikes are becoming more popular and people are enjoying them for getting around and with good reason.  They are a clean, efficient means of mobility for commuting, recreation, and fitness and are safe when used as they were designed.   But, unfortunately, along with increased usage there has been a corresponding increase in incidents due to the battery.  There have been more and more reports of ebike battery fires.  If you own an ebike, or are considering purchasing one, it is a good idea to be aware of best battery safety practices to ensure maximum safety, utility and life of your new ebike and it’s battery.

Let’s say you’ve had it with high gasoline prices, are not happy with riding buses and trains, and you want to try something new for your health.  You are a candidate for commuting by bike!  This may be to your job, school, or running errands.  The health and environmental benefits of commuting by bike are well known and these new incentives may just push you to take action and try it out.  It may take some experimenting to develop a new routine, but the following six tips will help to get you started.    

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.  

​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.

​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.  

Let me make it clear I have no intention of riding across the country or the world on a bike if there isn’t a support vehicle or a warm bed and flush toilet involved.  But it is a guilty pleasure of mine that I like to read about others who have.  I can’t really explain my fascination with long distance cycling because it is a hard, uncomfortable way to see the world with a few moments of wonder from the landscape or encounters with kind people interspersed with lots of drudgery, hardship, danger, and bad weather. But learning about those moments of wonder and figuring out the motivation and perseverance of those who take on the challenge of a multiday long distance bike trip is an opportunity to live vicariously.   

​It happens to everyone who rides a bike—you’re rolling along and all of a sudden it becomes hard to pedal, maybe you hear the hissing of air leaving your tires, maybe it’s the loud boom of a blowout.  Or you go to get on your bike and discover that a tire is flat because somehow the air leaked out during the night.   The result ranges from an inconvenience or it could be dangerous but it is always trouble.   Not all flat tires can be prevented but there are simple steps you can take to reduce the likelihood.