Hurt so Good

Yesterday it was my ankles. Right now it's my lower abs. I'm pretty sure I'll feel it in my arms soon. And, I may not be able to walk stairs at some point in the next 24 hours. It's true: I have all the tell-tale symptoms of a horrifically out-of-shape, cyclist who gets fat in the off-season. I don't know what muscle groups are still in tact after my last, three-week hiatus, I don't think there are any.

For Christmas we got a Wii and Wii fit. These were mostly for my wife, but I figured I'd try them just for kicks, or possibly to throw scorn at the "exercise" that game offers. However, I realized after two days of using it that it really does make exercise more fun, and therefore makes me want to do something for the fun more than the eventual reward. I discovered on the third day that if I combined the Wii with my regular workout that I could get a nicely balanced effort in the morning. However, after that third day our television died; the day after that I went on a break. I (obviously) didn't use the Wii since then, and didn't do my regular exercise until Saturday. (More on the Wii and television repair after they're finally running again.)

So, Saturday I actually got up the discipline to get back onto my schedule and do something active. Thirty minutes of cardio and some toning / strength training to accompany it. I felt pretty good about myself. That afternoon, my daughter -- remember this blog is about her too? -- wanted to walk to a neighbor's house to bake cookies. The cookies were pre-arranged, but the mode of transport was not. So, we put on coats, went out into the semi-cold, and walked to the neighbor's house. Google maps puts it at just under a half-mile. We went at her fast pace over there, which meant I got a brisk walk. On my way home, alone, I decided to pick it up a bit an jog. I know, I don't jog. I think that I figured out why. The shoes I had on had no heel padding, so I had to run on the balls of my feet. It felt fine while I was doing it.

Then, a few hours after finishing that massive run, my ankles hurt. Wow. I finally figured out that it was a muscular pain, not something serious.

So, today, after another morning workout, it hurts so good.

Private Idaho

I've learned about a pro-cycling bill being discussed in the Utah Legislature this year, HB 91, that would allow cyclists to make rolling stops when safe. Idaho has had this same type of legislation for years and it has been safely implemented there. I just wrote to my legislators in favor of this bill. You can too, if you live in Utah, by entering your address on the Legislator finder. Here is what I said in my letter:

Dear Representative / Senator,

I am a voting citizen in your district. I am writing in support of House Bill 91, Traffic Control Signs for Bicycles. I have been an active cyclist for several years, commuting to work when weather permits, participating in organized group rides, and cycling for fun and fitness. I have ridden my bicycle in excess of 1,000 miles for the past three years.

During the time I’ve been riding there have been several times when the provisions of HB91 would have been very helpful to me, and increased safety. Let me cite a few examples of how this bill would actually increase safety for a cylsist like me.

A few years ago I was on a group ride and approached an intersection. Another rider recognized that the light at  this intersection would only change when an automobile activiated the magnetic sensor. That cyclist went through the red light. I, however, wanting to obey the law, left the lane of through traffic, crossed the right turn lane perpendicular to traffic, and activated a pedestrian crossing on the sidewalk. I than had to cross the turn lane again to return to the through lane. This actually put me at higher risk than crossing the intersection against the light would have because I had less control of my bike in those strange maneuvers, and there was no cross traffic approaching. I have had similar experiences in various areas of Salt Lake County.

There is an intersection at 1300 West and 5400 South that I regularly cross as part of my commute where the light triggers only with an automobile on the sensor. I have waited at this intersection for several minutes awaiting a vehicle to activate the light. At this intersection the only access to a pedestrian button is across on-coming / right turning traffic. I contravene the law by crossing to activate the button, or by going through the intersection.

I will admit that I have, at times, treated a stop sign at a “T” intersection as a yield when I am passing through the side with no cross street. Doing this allows me to remain in control of my bicycle without putting any other people or vehicles at risk. While I realize that this allows me to maintain control of the bicycle by maintaining momentum, I don’t know that others understand this as well. I do worry about the perception of other drivers when I have done this. However, by making this type of maneuver a legal activity, it will let me – and other cyclists – safely negotiate this type of intersection as well as sign controlled intersectiosn on quiet roadways more efficiently and safely.

I understand there may be concerns about safety. In this regard I submit that a cyclist does need to be aware of pedestrians, but also has great reason to be aware of automobiles in the area. In any automobile to bicycle collision, the cyclist will lose, whether legally in the right or wrong. For this reason, I believe that cyclists will continue to approach intersections with care, and avail themselves of the increased latitude only when doing so will not lead to personal harm.

I appreciate your taking the time to read my views on this bill, and strongly encourage you to vote in favor of HB91.

Happy New Year

Yes, there is a song with the name, "Happy New Year." It's by ABBA. Don't ask how I know these things. I even found this one without help from cddb.com. Anyway, it's a new year, and I realized it's now been two months without a post. That practically qualifies this as a dormant blog. Sorry to anyone out there who was actually looking for updates from me.

I have decided this year that new year resolutions are overwhelming. Not because you're striving for improvement, but because you're going for total makeover improvement - in the middle of winter. So, instead, I've decided to implement monthly life improvements. Each month I will implement one thing into my life that will improve me. Just one thing. It can be a physical improvement goal, something related to family, a personal issue, work related, anything. The point is that I want to make one thing a habit during that month, then hopefully find that it will continue as I move on to the next area of improvement.

So, what is my great start to monthly improvements? I have selected that to be the implementation of the monthly improvements! Wow! I've already accomplished the first one! Now, I know that's a weak start, but I didn't actually decide to do this until halfway through January. So, I'll really begin in February. Some of these improvements I'll mention here and provide updates. Others may not fit this forum. I'm sure some will relate to weight loss, some to cycling, others to waterskiing, maybe some to getting my family outside and active. Whatever they are, having these monthly improvement goals will give me something to aim for even after the health clubs have emptied in February.