Columbia By Bike

As part of the GetAbout Columbia Neighbors On the Go program we host a bike ride called "Columbia by Bike." These on the road rides include residential neighborhoods, streets with bike lanes and designated bike routes. This past weeks ride had a fantastic turnout that included two very inspirational individuals.

The first individuals is Leah McCoy. Leah is a 20 year-old college student who is determined to ride in this years MS-150. Leah wanted to participate in last years event but wasn't sure she could complete the distance. This year, with the help of her family, she is spending as much time as possible on her bike. This past weekend she rode the MKT trail all the way to Hartsburg, Mo with her family setting up mini aid stations along the way. During the "Columbia by Bike" rides Leah is always eager to learn the rules of the road and it's easy to see her determination and love for riding.

The Second individual is Alvin Sweezer. Alvin is a celebrity here at the PedNet office. Alvin works at Fairview Elementary as a custodian and rides his bike everywhere he goes. Alvin's commute from home to work is 15 miles one way. Alvin enjoys coming out to the "Columbia by Bike" rides to show his enthusiasm for bikes and to help others enjoy the pleasures of traveling through Columbia, Mo by bike.

(Here is Larry Simonson (PedNet) and Alvin enjoying some Randy's Frozen Custard after the ride)

If you are interested in attending the "Columbia by Bike," this next Monday, August 23 will be the last ride of the year. We meet in the parking lot adjacent to Rio Grande Mexican Restaurant, 3306 W. Broadway Business Park Ct at 6:00. Please bring a repair kit, water, nutrition, and helmets are required. To view next weeks route click HERE.

Active Living Weekend

A few of us PedNet people traveled to St. Louis for the 2010 New Belgium Urban Assault Ride.  This adventure race involved visiting various checkpoints around the city, navigating obstacles at each location, and solving a few mysteries along the way.   The whole thing takes about 2 to 3 hours with a great after-party with food, games, New Belgium beer, and prizes.

Larry Simonson (PedNet) and his friend Derek Fox came in 4th overall.  Gina Overshiner (Pednet) and her son Max took 2nd place in the family division.  Tim Overshiner (PedNet) and his daughter Annarose came in 3rd.

Steve and Michelle (me) Windmoeller (PedNet) vowed that they were not competing, they were funning and it was a good thing.  A spectacular tire blowout with crash just before the 4th checkpoint took Steve down.  I had to go buy a tire and bring it back to him just to get us on the road again.  At that point it was getting late and we were more interested in a cold beer than a several mile haul to REI in Brentwood.  We took the DNF but had a great buzz via New Belgium Skinny Dip going by noon.

There's the specs.  What impressed me, however, were the number of people out there--all shapes, ages, and sizes--willing to live an active life on bicycles.

**There were people there that got into cycling to lose weight.  YES!  I love it when people make changes for the better.

**There were kids there learning to be active from their parents.  YES!  I love that lesson.

**There were older people there that were slower than most, but they were moving.  YES! I love that attitude.

Anyone, any size, any age can live an active life.  Adding some crazy fun and a few beers to the mix doesn't hurt either.

No Car, Low Car & Whoa! Car Challenge - How low can you go?

September 2010 marks the Fifth Anniversary of Pednet's

No Car, Low Car & Whoa! Car Challenge.

The purpose of the No Car, Low Car & Whoa! Car Challenge is to encourage people to rethink their use of cars. With a little planning and a healthy sense of adventure, it IS possible to live low car in America. Challenge participants will improve their health, save money and help the environment.

How low can YOU go?

No Car - No car means, no cars. These folks can not ride in or drive a car for the entire month. Active and public transportation are the only acceptable means.

Low Car - Low Car participants get one car weekend during the month.

Whoa! Car - Whoa! Car participants can ride in or drive a car one day per week.

Business Traveler - Car travel necessitated by work is allowed, but all personal travel must be done using active or public transportation.

How can I start preparing?

- Choose your participation level and main means of transportation.

-If you are going to be cycling, take a bike class or workshop.

Confident City Cycling, 08/21, 9am-6pm

Bike Skills 101, 08/23, 6-9pm

Tips to Keep You Going by Bike, 08/24, 6:30pm.

-Get your bike tuned up.

-Get out your favorite walking shoes.

-Start cycling or walking to run errands, visit friends, and go to work or school.

-Explore alternate routes to your most common destinations.

-Think about obstacles you may encounter and ways to over come them.

-Check out Columbia's new expanded City Bus services.

-Participate in Columbia's first ever Cycle Chic Sundays ride, 08/29, 4-6pm.

See websites below for information on classes, rides and workshops.

Sounds fun! What's in it for me?

-A sense of satisfaction for taking on and overcoming a challenge.

-Cool perks and prizes from awesome local sponsors including, but not limited to: Cafe Berlin, Cyclextreme, Flatbranch Pub and Brewing, Klunk Cycles, Makes Scents, and Walt's Bike Shop.

-Share your car free experiences in the world famous No Car, Low Car & Whoa! Car Challenge Blog.

-The chance to win fabulous prizes.

-Freebies and perks all month long from our local sponsors

-PLUS free bus fare for the whole month!

-Group rides and events to celebrate low car living.

I'm in! How do I sign up?

You can sign up at www.pednet.org or by emailing your name and participation level to gina@pednet.org

Helpful websites

Confident City Cycling: www.pednet.org/confident-city-cycling.asp

Bike Skills 101: www.pednet.org/bike-skills-101

Tips to Keep You Going by Bike: www.getaboutcolumbia.com Click on "Calendar"

Cycle Chic Sunday Columbia: www.getaboutcolumbia.com Click on "Calendar"

Cycle Chic Sundays: www.cyclechicsundays.com

Where cycle chic began: www.copenhagencyclechic.com

Can I Go Low-Car in September?

How low can I go?
http://www.pednet.org/programs/no-car-diet-challenge.asp

Setting goals for myself has been a very successful way for me to life a healthier lifestyle. A few years ago a friend challenged me to give up sugar for the holiday season. That turned into a year of eating very little sugar, dropping 30 pounds, and the end of my struggles with mild depression.

Losing that weight left me with more energy so I was able to increase my daily exercise.  I started riding my bike more, which lead to even more weight loss and increased muscle tone, and thus even more energy!  What an awesome cycle I was on!

My new challenge is a half-marathon (13.1 miles) in October.  That challenge has kept me regularly running four mornings a week even though the temps have been mighty high this summer.  There are many mornings I would rather sleep in, but the thought of that event looming keeps me going.

So, yes...I will do the Low Car challenge.  Every time I have to leave the house, the challenge will make me think "Can I do this without a car?"  Most of the time my answer will be YES, which will keep my weight down, make me stronger, help me run faster and longer, and then...well, the cycle just keeps going and new challenges will present themselves.

Living the Active Life

One great thing about working for the PedNet Coalition is that it gives me lots of great reasons to get out and live the active life.  Last Saturday I taught a Confident City Cycling class all day and rode about 16 miles over the course of the day.  Last night my family did the Neighbors on the Go family scavenger hunt and walked all over the West Broadway business area.  Tonight I am leading a Women's Fitness Trail Ride that will have me traveling about 12 miles on the beautiful, and mostly shaded, MKT trail.

You don't have to work for PedNet to take part or even find out about these activities, though.  Anyone can take a cycling class, join a guided ride, or get involved in one of our many bicycling, walking or wheeling activities.  The website is a great way to find out what is going on or you can join PedNet (it's FREE for basic membership) and get our e-mail newsletter.

There really is something for everyone at every fitness level.  You'll never regret living the active life.