My Current Bike

My Current Bike

Monday, April 26, 2010

Putting Off Exercise

I do not think of myself as lazy. I am just like many other people, very busy. My plan was to get back on my bicycle around the second or third week of March. Well, here it is almost May, and my bike is still in the attic. College has kept me busy, and I have worked some weird hours at work, sometimes up to 12 hours a day for a few weeks. Each week I say to myself "this is the week that I am going into the attic, get my bike down, pump up the tires, and go riding", but I keep putting it off. This week is no different. It is the end of the semester, I need to finish up my last assignments, and study for the final exams. We had a prom dinner at our house on Saturday night with around 16 people, so all of last week my wife and I were cleaning the house and the yard. I know that exercise a very important part of a healthy lifestyle, and I know that I will eventually get back on my bike, maybe next week. I hope.

Sunday, April 11, 2010

Cycling's Popularity in the U.S.

Before World War II, the only sport in the U.S. more popular that cycling was baseball. Cyclists were once the highest paid athletes in the country, and thousands of fans went to cycling races. After the decline in the 50's and 60's, the 1884 Olympic Games in Los Angeles saw U.S. riders take nine medals including the first ever women's medal awarded for the road race. Interest in the sport took off and, it is one of the fastest growing amateur sports in America today. Greg Lemond's three Tour de France victories and Lance Armstrong's seven Tour de France wins (see recent blog posts below) continue to boost the sport, but there is still a continuous battle to regain the prominence cycling experienced before basketball and football.

According to USA Cycling, the governing body of bicycle racing in the U.S., the growth of competitive cycling continues to increase. Since 2002, membership of licensed racers has increased by 48%. Also, during the same time, the number of sanctioned events has risen 50%, while affiliated clubs have grown by 30%.

As we here in the U.S. continue to find different ways to stay fit, the sport of cycling offers a unique alternative to helping us acheive a more exercise oriented lifestyle.