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Missouri Bicycle Federation, Inc.
Post Office Box 104871
Jefferson City, MO 65110-4871
MoBikeFed is a 501(c)(4) non-profit corporation
Webmaster email: webmaster @ mobikefed
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A study of older men and women--ages 70-79--found a rather striking correlation between the lack of physical activity and mental decline:
. . . a sedentary lifestyle may hasten cognitive decline. . . .
Conversely, simple activity -- walking 20 to 30 minutes daily -- appears to be protective, according to Deborah E. Barnes, PhD, assistant professor of psychiatry at the University of California San Francisco . . .
"What we have learned from this trial is that physical activity is important for older individuals," said William Thies, PhD, chief medical officer for the Alzheimer's Association, who commented on Dr. Barnes' study. "It doesn't mean you have to go to the gym and work out -- unless you want to do that. It just means getting more activity --as simple as walking to your neighborhood restaurant instead of driving there."
- Related:
- Tips&Stories: St. Louis University study links poor community environment and obesity
- News: Poor urban design discourages walking & biking, encourages heavier citizens in KC
This post from the Elite Feet blog tells the story of the 61 year old farmer who showed up at Australia's Sydney-Melbourne endurance race (544 miles) and ended up taking first place over a field of elite runners:
In 1983, a man named Cliff Young showed up at the start of this race. Cliff was 61 years old and wore overalls and work boots. To everyone's shock, Cliff wasn't a spectator. He picked up his race number and joined the other runners. . . .
Eventually Cliff was asked about his tactics for the rest of the race. To everyone's disbelief, he claimed he would run straight through to the finish without sleeping.
Cliff kept running. Each night he came a little closer to the leading pack. By the final night, he had surpassed all of the young, world-class athletes. He was the first competitor to cross the finish line and he set a new course record. . . .
Today, the "Young-shuffle" has been adopted by ultra-marathon runners because it is considered more energy-efficient. At least three champions of the Sydney to Melbourne race have used the shuffle to win the race. Furthermore, during the Sydney to Melbourne race, modern competitors do not sleep. Winning the race requires runners to go all night as well as all day, just like Cliff Young.
Read more about Young's story on the Elite Feet blog.
Below are a couple of videos showing Young's running style and telling his story:
- Related:
- News: National news picks up on Missouri "no bicycle zone" story
- News: Many popular bicycle locks can be opened with a Bic pen
- Tips&Stories: Bicycle legend & Springfield native John Howard speaks
- Tips&Stories: Bicycle camping trip - with packing list
- News: MoBikeFed volunteers needed . . .
How about starting the new year out with a really bad bicycle joke:
It had been a quiet night at the local bar so far, but then the door was thrown open and an Interstate highway strode in.
"I'm an Inter- state highway," he declared. "I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm afraid of no highway and no road."
He then strode up to the bar, ordered a beer, and began drinking it, while looking around.
A short time later, a four-lane highway came in, went to the end of the bar, and ordered a beer.
The Interstate looked him over and walked over to him. "I'm an Interstate highway," he declared. "I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm not afraid of you."
The four-lane highway said "I agree that you're the best. I don't want any trouble with you. Let me buy you a beer", and he did. They drank their beers and discussed their engineering specifications.
After a half hour, the door opened again and a two-lane road came in, went to the other end of the bar, and ordered a beer.
The Interstate looked him over and told the four-lane highway that he had to take care of the new arrival. He walked over to the two-lane road and said "I'm an Interstate highway. I stretch from coast to coast and have at least four lanes, shoulders, and a median almost my entire length. I have the highest speed limit of any highway. I'm the best of the highways, and I'm not afraid of you."
The two-lane road quivered a bit and said "You're absolutely right. You are the best of the highways. I'm just a lowly two-lane road. I don't want any trouble. Can I buy beers for you and the four-lane highway?"
The Interstate motioned the four-lane highway to come over, the two-lane road bought beers for each of them, and the three of them drank their beers and discussed the merits of various paving materials.
After another half hour, the door opened again and a strip of asphalt about eight feet wide came in. The Interstate highway ducked behind the bar and hid there quivering quietly.
The bartender was shocked.
After serving the asphalt strip, he walked over to where the Interstate was hiding. "I watched you stand up to the four-lane highway and the two-lane road. You said you weren't afraid of any highway or road. Why are you hiding from that little asphalt strip?"
The Interstate replied quietly, "It's true that I'm not afraid of any highway or road, but he's a cycle path."
More bicycle jokes here.
- Related:
- Links: The Pedestrian-Bicycle Information Center
- Tips&Stories:
- Tips&Stories: UM-Rolla student working to become fastest college student on two wheels at Battle Mountain
- News: Missourian Larry Frevert named as President of American Public Works Association
- AdvocacyAlerts-16 APR 2008: Hwy 45--Stop MoDOT from building another road without good bike/ped accommodations
 This New York Times article from 1881 gives an interesting insight into what happened in the 1880s as bicycles came to be more commonly used on city streets:
TESTIMONY IN THE BICYCLE CASE
The taking of evidence in the bicycle case was resumed yesterday by Referee Parris. Mr. Townsend was present to represent the Corporation Counsel, and Messrs. Wetmore and Thompson appeared for the bicyclists. Charles A. Cushman, of No. 419 West Nineteenth-street, testified that on June 12 last he was driving with a young lady in a top buggy at Madison, N. J. A bicycle suddenly appeared, and, the horse taking fright, overturned the buggy, and the young lady was painfully cut on the head. Nathaniel Higgins, the proprietor of the Cosmopolitan Hotel, testified that about one.year ago he was driving a. usually quiet span of horses along St. Nicholas-avenue. The horses took fright at a bicycle, and ran two or three blocks before he could control them. Some time afterward he was driving one of the same horses, and as he was turning out of Central Park to go up St. Nicholas-avenue, three bicycles came suddenly into view from behind one of the big advertising signs in the neighborhood. The horse turned around quickly and drew the vehicle up on the sidewalk. The counsel for the bicyclists said, at the conclusions of this witness's testimony, that they might deem it necessary to go to Boston to take testimony in their behalf, but the question was not definitely settled. The hearing was then adjourned to the 9th inst. at 11 A. M.
The regular bicycle of the time would have been the penny-farthing or "high wheeler". Safety bicycles--with two equal-sized wheels and a chain drive--were first invented in the early 1880s but didn't become the dominant type of bicycle in everyday use until about 1890. The pneumatic tire was invented in 1888.
The photo below, from Missouri Valley Special Collections, Kansas City Public Library, Kansas City, Missouri, shows the Kansas City Bicycle Club from about this same time period. More historical photos of the Kansas City Bicycle Club are available in their online archives.
- Related:
- News: California dedicates 1/3 of safety money to Safe Routes to Schools
- News: Ride of Silence attracts bicyclists across Missouri
- News: Harkin "Complete Streets" Amendment fails; MO Sen. Bond speaks against
- News: Downtown Kansas City gets bicycle patrol
- News: Murderer of bicyclist Robert Osborn sentenced to 15 years
Bicyclist Peter Herschend of Branson will be one of 15 individuals inducted into the Missouri Sports Hall of Fame in a ceremony January 31st.
Herschend has been an extraordinarily successful fund raiser for the MS Bike Ride over the past 19 years, and has participated in many community events--including carrying the Olympic torch in 2002. He has also been inducted into the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions Hall of Fame.
Here is the Sports Hall of Fame's announcement:
Cyclist (Branson) The co-owner and co-founder of Herschend Family Entertainment Corporation (formerly Silver Dollar City, Inc), Peter F. Herschend is an avid fund raiser on behalf of those with multiple sclerosis. Since 1990 Peter has participated annually in the local MS 150 Bike Tour, generating $1,264,680 during that time. Peter is recognized as the nation’s highest cumulative fund raiser for the MS 150 Bike Tour, and for several years was the event’s top individual fund raiser in the nation.
- Related:
- News: California dedicates 1/3 of safety money to Safe Routes to Schools
- News: KCStar columnist: Motorists should give cyclists more respect on the road
- News: Cycling Summit in Wentzville a success
- News: KCMO mayor to announce Platinum Level Bicycle Friendly City goal
- News: Cape Girardeau to post 265 Share the Road signs
 Well, arctic weather has hit Missouri once again. I've spent the past couple of days on a trip to Columbia and Jefferson City to meet with some legislators and MoDOT folks--and I have to say I was quite amazed to see the number of bicyclists out in Columbia right in the middle of a snowstorm and sub-20 degree weather.
A few years ago I wouldn't have thought about venturing outside in such cold weather--certainly not on a bicycle!
But after reading about people who bicycle all year around in places that regularly get down to -40 fahrenheit-- and claim to enjoy it immensely--I started getting a little more adventurous.
Here are a few key tips:
- For walking or running, good boots or shoes and something help with traction--like Yak Traks or (even better) screw-shoes--really helps. They're like studded snow tires for your feet--and are especially helpful when freezing rain hits.
- For bicycling, the IceBike web site sums up most everything you need to know--from what kind of clothing to wear to what kind of bike and what kind of tires. You can even make your own studded snow tires for your bike if you like (or, of course, buy some of the commercially available studded snow tires)--though the IceBike web site points out that regular mountain bike or road tires can work just as well, depending on conditions.
- We often worry about being too cold, but vigorous bicycling, running, or even walking generates a lot of heat. IceBike.com has a whole section dedicated to clothing--and after reading and heeding its advice, I'm warmer in the winter and--as an added bonus--look a little less like the abominable snowman (with 12 of the wrong type of layers . . . ) when I go out.
A few more pointers from the IceBike web site:
How does one get started?
The easiest way is just don't stop.
You cycle all summer right? Just keep it up. See how late in the year you can be out cycling, whether for commuting or recreation. There is no inherent reason to hang up the bike at a certain date.
Don't think of it as attempting to ride all winter. Just think of it as riding today. Possibly tomorrow, conceivably next week, but definitely today.
Read more about getting started here.
Aren't you cold?
More than once I've arrived dripping with sweat only to be asked "aren't you freezing out there"? This question is usually asked by someone who drove to work in a toasty single occupant vehicle, which was parked in a garage all night, but never the less, they got bundled up in a down jacket for that 30 foot walk from the car to the office.
The answer is: Not very often. You are more likely to get too warm. Biking produces a lot of heat. If you do get cold, ride faster, it makes more heat.
Read more about regulating your temperature here.
How slippery is it, really?
Folks new to winter cycling often are amazed that anyone can remain upright on a bike on snow and ice.
After you have been on the bike for a few days, you come to realize that the situation is quite manageable. Snow, while certainly more slippery than bare pavement, is somewhat like a shallow covering of sand, which requires somewhat more gradual turns, but otherwise is not particularly slippery.
Read more about how slippery surfaces really are, and how best to handle them, here.
How safe is it?
Winter cyclist report few serious accidents.
There are the occasional crashes but because of extra clothing and a slippery surface to land on, these usually result in less injury than would be sustained by a bare limbed cyclist on dry pavement. Road rash is just about unheard of.
Read the results of their survey of winter cyclists here.
And why do you do this again?
- Fun!
- Warm!
- Don't have to drive!
- Don't have to take a bus!
- Faster than taking a bus!
- Fun!
- Fun!
- Fun!
- Did I mention fun?
Ok . . .
- Related:
- News: Ride of Silence May 19th in Kansas City, Springfield, St. Charles, St. Louis
- News: Sharing the Road in the SEMissourian
- News: "Sharing the road" in Press Journal
- News: Bike advocates in action one year after the death of Susie Stephens in St. Louis
- Tips&Stories: . . . and studded snow tires for your bicycle
Need another reason to get and stay fit--or to improve physical fitness among Missouri's students? Apparently, becoming more physically fit can have a very significant impact on your IQ:
The study shows a clear link between good physical fitness and better results for the IQ test. The strongest links are for logical thinking and verbal comprehension. But it is only fitness that plays a role in the results for the IQ test, and not strength. "Being fit means that you also have good heart and lung capacity and that your brain gets plenty of oxygen," says Michael Nilsson, professor at the Sahlgrenska Academy and chief physician at the Sahlgrenska University Hospital. "This may be one of the reasons why we can see a clear link with fitness, but not with muscular strength. We are also seeing that there are growth factors that are important."
By analysing data for twins the researchers have been able to determine that it is primarily environmental factors and not genes that explain the link between fitness and a higher IQ.
"We have also shown that those youngsters who improve their physical fitness between the ages of 15 and 18 increase their cognitive performance," says Maria Åberg, researcher at the Sahlgrenska Academy and physician at Åby health centre. "This being the case, physical education is a subject that has an important place in schools, and is an absolute must if we want to do well in maths and other theoretical subjects."
Read the ScienceDaily summary of the research here or see the original research paper here.
- Related:
- Tips&Stories: St. Louis University study links poor community environment and obesity
- News: Transportation planning too important to be left to those who prefer current system
- News: Safe Routes: The problem of creating safe access to a new school
- News: Columbia lawmaker wants more active students
- Tips&Stories: FREE Walking School Bus Training
BikingInLA has some great advice for how to deal with road rage when it happens--and how to prevent it from happening in the first place:
I was the victim of a road rage attack a few years back, and in retrospect, I did almost everything wrong. Over the next couple days, I’d like to share some of the painful lessons I learned so you’ll know what to do if, God forbid, it ever happens to you.
Maybe you’ll be smarter than I was and find a way out that doesn’t pass through the emergency room. Or lose your case before it starts.
His advice includes: Ride courteously, ride legally, keep your finger to yourself, and let dangerous drivers past.
Read BikingInLA's complete post here.
- Related:
- News: League of American Bicyclists encourages bicyclists to support a bicycle friendly America
- News: Sharing the Road in the SEMissourian
- Tips&Stories: WInter Biking Tips
- Tips&Stories: Bike Across Kansas 2006 - Courtney's Great Adventure
- News: Thoughts about the Gaunt verdict
The Rams and Variety Children's Charity of St. Louis helped 275 dreams come true: 275 kids getting their first bikes. For the first time, the fleet of 275 new bikes for needy kids included 22 therapeutic bikes for disabled riders, bikes that can cost $3000. . . .
More than 100 volunteers, building 275 bikes, at The Whitfield School in Creve Coeur, changed everything. . . .
Along with the Rams, Bikes for Kids sponsors include World Wide Technology, and THF Realty.
Read more here.
- Related:
- News: California dedicates 1/3 of safety money to Safe Routes to Schools
- News: "Sharing the road" in Press Journal
- Tips&Stories: Mayor's Tour of Raytown May 14th, 2005
- News: Mark Reynolds Fund gives bicycles to children
- Tips&Stories: Tornada Alley 110 plus Tour de Beer in Joplin July 7th
Yesterday's New York Times had an interesting article on the development of the human capacity to run long distances:
In “Born to Run” (Knopf), Christopher McDougall, an avid runner who had been vexed by injuries, explores the world of the Tarahumara Indians of Mexico, a tribe known for running extraordinary distances in nothing but thin-soled sandals.
Mr. McDougall makes the case that running isn’t inherently risky. Instead, he argues that the commercialization of urban marathons encourages overzealous training, while the promotion of high-tech shoes has led to poor running form and a rash of injuries.
“The sense of distance running being crazy is something new to late-20th-century America,” Mr. McDougall told me. “It’s only recently that running has become associated with pain and injury.”
The scientific evidence supports the notion that humans evolved to be runners. In a 2007 paper in the journal Sports Medicine, Daniel E. Lieberman, a Harvard evolutionary biologist, and Dennis M. Bramble, a biologist at the University of Utah, wrote that several characteristics unique to humans suggested endurance running played an important role in our evolution.
Most mammals can sprint faster than humans — having four legs gives them the advantage. But when it comes to long distances, humans can outrun almost any animal. Because we cool by sweating rather than panting, we can stay cool at speeds and distances that would overheat other animals. On a hot day, the two scientists wrote, a human could even outrun a horse in a 26.2-mile marathon.
- Related:
- News: Join MoBikeFed for Cycling Summit in Wentzville Dec. 18th or 22nd
- Tips&Stories: Cyclecross nationals underway in Kansas City
- News: Pleasant Hill to build first section of Katy-KC trail connection
- Tips&Stories: Running can slow aging process
- AdvocacyAlerts: Team Astana in this year's Tour of Missouri
The Missouri Bicycle & Pedestrian Federation was pleased to be one of dozens of organizations represented at a recent Columbia bicycling stakeholders meeting organized by the PedNet Coalition. According to the KBIA news report:Bicycle stakeholders met Wednesday night to discuss a variety of issues facing the cycling community. At a meeting Wednesday night Columbia residents and local organizations met to brainstorm ideas to improve the cycling community. The caf style discussion broke people to into smaller groups to focus in on key ideas before addressing the group as a whole. Major topics discussed included ways to create a better relationship between motorists and cyclists, ways to change negative stereotypes about cyclists, and the possible adoption of a cyclist code of conduct. The next step in the process will be to focus in on these key topics and devote time to finalizing plans on how to implement these ideas within the community.
- Related:
- News: California dedicates 1/3 of safety money to Safe Routes to Schools
- News: Bicycle-related letters in the Columbia Tribune
- News: Adriana Giraldo awarded "Distinguished Service to Missouri Bicycling" honors
- News: Harkin "Complete Streets" Amendment fails; MO Sen. Bond speaks against
- News: Columbia MO bike-ped pilot program in the news
The 2010 United States Census is coming soon. Census data has a surprising impact on planning and funding for bicycling and walking facilities, so MoBikeFed is partnering with Census 2010 to make sure you all know about the Census and how important it is to fill out and return your Census form when it arrives. Missouri could easily lose a congressional district in this Census--but if we get a full, accurate count we may avoid losing it. Some quick facts about the Census: - The census is a count of everyone living in the United States every 10 years.
- The census is mandated by the U.S. Constitution.
- The next census is in 2010.
- Your participation in the census is required by law.
- It takes less than 10 minutes to complete.
- Federal law protects the personal information you share during the census.
- Census data are used to distribute Congressional seats to states, to make decisions about what community services to provide, and to distribute $400 billion in federal funds to local, state and tribal governments each year.
- Related:
- News: Harkin "Complete Streets" Amendment fails; MO Sen. Bond speaks against
- News: Federal Complete Streets Amendment offered--your support needed
- News: Columbia MO bike-ped pilot program in the news
- News: Local planning organizations make bike/ped-friendly streets better than state DOTs
- News: Help with bicycle & pedestrian counts across Missouri in mid-September 2008
The Transportation Equity Network is looking to hire a full-time Missouri State Field Organizer in the Kansas City metro area: The Metro Organization for Racial and Economic Equity (MORE²), in partnership with the Transportation Equity Network (TEN), is seeking a Field Organizer to coordinate the transportation campaign in the state of Missouri. The Field Organizer will be based in metro Kansas City. The successful candidate will work in tandem with Metropolitan Congregations United (MCU), our sister organization in metro St. Louis, MO, to advocate for a federal and statewide equity-oriented transportation policy.
Duties Include:
- Working with the Faith Based Communities of metro Kansas City and St. Louis in developing a common vision for regional equity,
- Recruiting new member organizations,
- Training grassroots leaders,
- Consulting with local groups in order to build alliances,
- Coordinating national days of action in Missouri,
- Meeting advocacy outreach goals on postcards, local actions, calls to policy-makers, etc,
- Using media creatively,
- Raising money to support the campaign and salary through grant writing and other fundraising efforts. More info here.
- Related:
- News: Complete the Katy: Now in Jefferson City
- Tour of Missouri News: Tour of MO Media Coverage--daily wrap-ups plus live online coverage
- News: TrailNet endorses Prop. M (Metrolink) in St. Louis County
- News: 17 Recreation Trails grants announced for Missouri
- News: Olathe KS to consider bicycle plan
Cycling Tips & Stories is sponsored by the United State Census 2010:
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