Friday, July 24, 2009

The Phrase that Stays

This article brings an entirely new meaning to Phil Liggett's expression: "the Hard Men of the Tour".

Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Cell Phones + Cars = More Dangerous Than You Think

The next time you are riding and see someone in an SUV (or car, but around here, it's mostly SUVs) on their phone, watch out. Just because they are looking in your direction does not mean that they see you. In a summary of research on cell phone use while driving by the National Safety Council, these two particular points stuck out and brought home just how risky talking on a cell phone (hands free or not) while driving is:

  • Drivers who use cell phones are four times more likely to be in a crash while using a cell phone.

  • 80 percent of crashes are related to driver inattention. There are certain activities that may be more dangerous than talking on a cell phone. However, cell phone use occurs more frequently and for longer durations than other, riskier behaviors. Thus, the #1 source of driver inattention is cell phones.

  • Read the entire Fact Sheet. It'll only take you a minute or so.

    Just don't do it while driving.

    Monday, July 13, 2009

    What I Learned on the Internet Today

    For best results, don't visualize yourself winning, imagine yourself training. The Secret fails!

    Caffeine consumption may help prevent Altzheimer's. But don't overdo it, there's a possible link between significant caffeine consumption and hallucinations. So, that's why I thought I remembered where I put my car keys.

    Curse while sprinting or climbing to deaden pain. That would have made the HHH much more interesting.

    Which Species Of Cyclist Are You?

    Love this tongue-in-cheek description of the various species of cyclists one might encounter on the roads and trails. I found the exact same article here. No credit to the original writer of this "guide".

    Thursday, July 9, 2009

    More Reasons Caffeine is Good for You

    From Dr. Gabe Mirkin's Fitness and Health E-Zine (July 12, 2009):

    Two studies in the July 2009 issue of Journal of Alzheimer's Disease show that [the human equivalent of] five cups of coffee a day reverse memory loss in mice with Alzheimer's disease. The coffee also reduced blood and brain levels of beta-amyloid,the abnormal protein that may cause Alzheimer's disease in mice and people. Other studies by the same researchers at the University of Florida show that caffeine lowers blood levels of beta-amyloid in elderly non-demented humans, and when given in early adulthood, prevents memory loss in mice bred to develop Alzheimer's disease in old age. Previous studies on rabbits also showed that caffeine may help to prevent Alzheimer's

    Researchers at the Florida Alzheimer's Disease Research Committee plan to start studies in humans to evaluate whether caffeine can prevent memory loss of early Alzheimer's disease. Other experiments by the same group show that caffeine may prevent memory loss by blocking the enzymes that make beta amyloid

    The amount of caffeine in two to five cups of coffee (200 to 500 milligrams) is probably safe, but more than five cups a day may cause insomnia, nervousness, irritability, nausea, anxiety, a fast or irregular heartbeat, headaches, breast pain or muscle tremors. People who have high blood pressure or narrowed arteries leading to the heart may be advised to restrict caffeine. However, the Nurse's Study showed that heavy coffee drinking is not associated with increased risk for high blood pressure. Unfiltered coffee raises blood levels of the bad LDL cholesterol and blood sugar levels after eating. Pregnant women are advised to restrict caffeine since it may cause miscarriage or low birth weight

    Many studies show that caffeine can improve mood, alertness and energy, prevent diabetes, Parkinson's disease, and liver cancer, decrease the risk of stroke and may help prevent skin cancer. It also increases endurance in athletes.

    And I just thought it was the perfect way to end a ride.