Produced almost every Thursday by Velo Cape Breton. E-mailed without cost or obligation to more than 1000 bicycle advocates around the world.

 

 In this Edition

• VCB Annual Awards and Potluck Supper
• 52WBC
• Deby's Dare to Remember
• Let's GO Ian !
• CBRM's AT Priorities for 2010
• CBRM's Job Posting -Physical Activity Coordinator
• Making Tracks Need Expert Trainers
• Gasoline Fumes May Fuel Road Rage
• Kenwood Dr. / Alexandra St. Roundabout
• Cycling to Hospital
• Recycled Potholes
• Why I Fired My Secretary

 

NEW BEGINNINGS... 

 

YOUR PRESIDENT'S FIRST REPORT

 

This is the first of what I hope will be monthly notes that summarize the activity of the Executive of your club, Velo Cape Breton.

 

We held our first meeting Wednesday November 18th and spent a good deal of the time bringing the three new executive members up to speed with the events, activities and mechanics of our Club.  We have invited Chris Milburn to join us because he has a long history with the organization, he will act as an advisor but not as a voting member.   Glen Basso also attended the meeting to present his auditor’s report.

 

We have recruited a new membership registrar for the club – Eliott Frosst has volunteered to take this position.   We are also interested in finding a new newsletter editor or someone to assist Jacques.  Jacques is willing to continue as the editor but not on a weekly basis.  Any volunteers??

 

We want to invite the membership to contact the executive if they have suggestions, concerns, proposals or kudos etc.  You can reach us at the following:

Andree Crepeau, President -  acrepeau(at)ns.sympatico.ca

Vince Nicholson, Vice President - vincentn(at)ns.sympatico.ca

John McQuaid, Treasurer - caper_4_u(at)hotmail.com

Jacques Cote, Secretary - jacques.cote(at)ns.sympatico.ca

Peter Ross, Ride Captain - p.ross(at)ns.sympatico.ca

 

Glenn’s audit report indicated everything was in order and that Yolande  LeVert our past treasurer had not only done a topnotch job but that the large size of our budget and the number of transactions meant that it was also a time consuming job.   He also recommended that we formalize a number of items.  In summary they are: all cheques shall have two signatures, the signing officers will be the president, treasurer and secretary; in principle all expenditures for the club will require prior approval of the executive.

 

We discussed items that arose from the Annual General Meeting held November 10th.   Peter Ross assisted by Jacques and Vince will lead the discussion to develop a policy for tours/events  This policy will be presented to the membership at the banquet in April.   John McQuaid agreed to review the issue of one time memberships.   And finally, Chris Milburn agreed to investigate other possible insurance options. 

 

In terms of upcoming events we agreed to hold the Annual Potluck and  Andree Crépeau volunteered to organize the event.  It will be held January 16th at the Dobson Yacht Club.  The Annual Season’s Opening Banquet will return to Sydney and we are looking at dates in April.

 

Finally we discussed correspondence that we have received and agreed to continue this discussion by email.

 

The next meeting will be held January 4th.

 

Andrée Crépeau,  Pres.

 

 

 

 

 

VELO CAPE BRETON ANNUAL AWARDS & POTLUCK SUPPER

by:  Andrée Crépeau , VCB Pres.

 

Most of us have probably put our bikes away for the winter but I’m sure we all have fond memories of the wind, the exhilaration, the views etc.   and with that in mind take a few minutes from your busy Xmas schedule to nominate someone for a Velo Award in one of the following categories.

 

Most Motivating Member  (M3 Award):  Is there someone in the club that got you out cycling, maybe someone who phoned you to ride, someone who challenged you to a time trial,  or someone who beat you at a time trial and made you train harder, or someone who packed a nummy picnic lunch for a morning tour.  We’ve all been there so take a minute to nominate that person.  Send the name and reason to Andrée Crépeau at acrepeau(at)ns.sympatico.ca

 

Commuter of the Year:  Nominate the person that for you is the ultimate commuter.   It could be the diehard that cycles everyday rain or shine, or the co-worker that started commuting and got a few more to try it out, or maybe it’s the fashionnista that didn’t let cycling stand in the way of her fashion statement.  Forward your nomination to Andrée Crépeau at acrepeau(at)ns.sympatico.ca 

 

The awards will be handed out at the Velo Cape Breton Potluck Dinner  on Saturday January 16th 6pm to 9pm at the Dobson Yacht Club.   Check up coming newsletters for details.

 

 

 

 

52WBC

 

The Old Man Winter is really playing us dirty tricks this late in the season.  A nasty storm on Sunday and another one coming brewing right now in the eastern part of the country.  In between, roads were icy and this coupled with shorter days made riding conditions quite hazardous at the beginning of the week.  Let's hope y'all find room in the next few days to put tick off your week-50 of the Challenge.   

 

It looks like everyone is ready for another year on the hardy 52-WBC group.  Lets welcome Paul MacKenzie in the group for 2010.  Paul has just joined VCB and is really enthused to get his 52 weeks in 2010, no matter what....  

 

Anyone else interested in joining the group?  To register eMail Shelley at:  blomidonrose(at)yahoo.ca .  

 

It's free, it's addictive and it's fun!

 

 

 

 

 

DEBY'S DARE TO REMEMBER

 

Why I'm sending you info about this? 

 

Because Deby is a friend, because she is an ACTIVE member of the newly established VCB North Highland Chapter, because she is focused, unselfish and determined to succeed,  she is bringing hope to underprivileged of an unknown country, she's a model for everyone of her age...  and even younger people (d.o.b. 1955),  she has such a positive attitude... in other words, she's an inspiration.  For nine consecutive days now, Deby has run a half-marathon a day in her dare to run around the 300 kilometres or so of the Cabot Trail in 14 days.

 

She ran in the storm on Sunday (see pictures attached) but Old Man Winter has been brutal on Monday with strong headwinds, hail and snow enough to put away the most hardy olympians but, with her best friend Paulette, the nasty Old Guy did not win.  Undeterred, the nasty man tried again on Tuesday to put Deby down but she faced him squarely at the start of the 21k leg and with determination and focus, she got the winning hand.

 

Here are excerpts of her log...

Monday, Leg 7.

Cheticamp was okay, only because it hadn't started to storm...but there was no shoulder and the traffic was relentless so I basically had to run in the slush most of the time.  Paulette met me a km or so up the road and stayed with me the whole way!!!!  She has to be one of my most wonderful, best friends ever, everyone should know her or someone like her..she's my inspiration.  

 

Getting back to the story.....once we left Cheticamp things got progressively worse...the only one who came out to greet us as we arrived in Petit Etang was Old Man Winter and he tried to blow us right back into Cheticamp.  When that didn't work he started throwing ice pellets at us, very hard.  He was quite mean but we tried our best to ignore him (the bully).  He picked on us the whole way.  Conversation was very limited "are we there yet?"; "soon", "good"  then after a ten minute lull or so it was repeated.  Now do you understand about Paulette and why I love her so much.....who else would do that?  The most amazing part is that she doesn't run nearly as much as I do!!!   She even made me laugh at the finish..she said "the only positive thing about that run is that its over!".

 

Although it was a long , cold night  it didn't dampen our spirits...re-living it in the warmth of the car, we found it very funny and laughed the whole way home.  Oh yeah, we forgot the camera, no pictures....lucky for you guys, they wouldn't have been pretty.

 

 

Tuesday, Leg 8.

Started in St. Josepeh DuMoine and the Old Guy started grumbling and blowing right away but I faced him squarely and told him why I was running and how difficult he had made it the night before.....he felt terrible!!!!  Apologized sincerely and said he would make up for it for me and he was true to his word, the weather was the most absolute, wonderful, wintery evening weather anyone would want to run in.  Just when I thought that things couldn't get better, my IPod died......alone with my thoughts for the entire run!!!!!  Here's a sampling:

 

"%#$%!!!  I was sure I charged that yesterday, oh well its so pretty out, I really don't mind"

 

"maybe I'll buy something really nice for myself for Christmas this year, hmmmmm I wonder what I want? I have to get Janet something too, I better get moving on that"

 

"how am I every going to get my Christmas tree up?  hey, I'll have a decorating party, invite the girls" ...... that one put a bounce in my step!

 

"that's a pretty house...I wonder who lives there?"

 

"hope Jessalyn is doing her homework, God I love her!".......................

 

and other mundane thoughts that anyone running a bunch of half-marathons in the winter in the night would be thinking.  The run went by before I knew it.  Paulette and Elaine were my guiding lights following me in the car lighting up the way for me.  It was beautiful, just like wandering through a Christmas village, houses decorated, white snow on the ground and very quiet and peaceful.  I felt so lucky that I have the energy to continue this and sincerely thank everyone for their support. 

 

I noticed yesterday on the Dare to Remember page that I am one of the top five fundraisers for the Dares that were taken......unbelievable!!!!  I'm number five, but still there.  That definitely put a bounce in my steps last night.  

 

I'm going to try to get going a little early today since its calling for snow and ice tonight and I think I've had my share of that.......I'll let you know how it goes.

 

 

 

Thursday Morning Report on Leg 9 and the upcoming ones...

 

 

Me, again, I feel like the "Road Runner"...hey, I guess that's because I am the Road Runner, maybe that's why I always liked him although I did always feel sorry for Wile E. Coyote(Bugs Bunny..remember).  

 

Leg 10 today and I can't believe its going by so fast and that I'm actually enjoying this (well, mostly...the odd set-back or so but nothing I can't handle).  I even took advantage of the swine flu yesterday, shameful I know to "use" something so serious but if it works.......we were told to get our flu vaccinations in Baddeck so I was able to leave my car at the end of my run and hitch a ride with one of the guys to the beginning and got started in daylight.  It almost felt like cheating, daylight, mild temperatures, Ipod charged.  

 

Its funny how weird, strange and wonderful the mind is......well mine is, isn't everyone's????   Someone asked me before I started if each half-marathon is the same distance and I said "Yes" of course.  Since I've been running them back to back, I've decided that they are not!  For instance, leg 7 Cheticamp to St. Joseph DuMoine was a long, gruelling 21.1 km, whereas leg 8 & 9 were a mere 21.1 km (I'm sure anyone who runs knows what I mean).  

 

Here's the wonderful part of my mind (and I love it).....today will be the last "working" run... almost anything done on Friday after work is fun...right?   Saturday and Sunday I can run at my leisure, fun again, right?   And on Monday, my last leg, will be so exciting my feet will hardly touch the ground, fun again, right?  So I really only have one working run left, right?

 

Now here's the weird part of my mind (which I still love)......what if I'm asleep dreaming this, and I haven't even STARTED!!!!!!!!  If you are all awake, then I must be too, besides would I even dream about leg 7, I don't think so.

 

Together, ordinary people can achieve extraordinary things!

 

Thanks again for your support. I really appreciate it.

 

 

Spread the word about Deby's Dare!  Go to her personal page and donate.
Personal Page

A Dare to Remember invites Canadians to perform personal dares, set fundraising goals and encourage friends, family and colleagues to sponsor them.  All proceeds go to the Stephen Lewis Foundation to help support communities in the 15 African countries that have been hardest hit by HIV/AIDS. Find out more at www.adaretoremember.com.

 

 

 

LET'S GO IAN  ! ! ! 

 

As some of you may know, VCB North Highland Chapter's Director is Ian Murray.  Ian is on the Nova Scotia's Cross Country Ski Team.  He will be competing at the Haywood NorAm Teck Sprint competition in Canmore, AB on Dec 19-20.  This event is an Olympic Winter Game selection race; Ian will be competing for a spot on the Olympic team.

 

Ian has been tremendously focused and very committed to his training.  Any best wishes and support can only help him achieve his goal of making the Canadian Olympic XC-Ski team.  

 

If you would like to contact Ian, he can be reached at ian(at)xcskier.com 

 

For results you can log onto www.zone4.ca

 

Ian prides himself in his Cape Breton roots; we are proud to have him out there representing Nova Scotia.

 

 

 

 

CBRM's ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION PRIORITIES FOR 2010

Excerpt of CBC Information Morning broadcast, Wednesday Dec. 9, 2010.

 

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality's Active Transportation Committee has chosen its list of priorities heading into the new year.  They're designed to encourage residents to walk, bike or use other forms of non-motorized transportation.

 

Committee member Rick McCready says they've put together a draft work plan for 2010 that contains a number of significant projects.

 

Design work is underway for bike lanes on George Street and Kings Road in Sydney which are expected to be constructed next spring.

 

DEVCO and CBRM are expected to release the results of a community stakeholders survey on the rail bed early in the new year.

 

Committee Chairman, Councillor Ray Paruch, says they expect long term funding commitments from all three levels of government amounting to over a million dollars a year.

 

Paruch told the committee the success of these projects should put CBRM on the map as an active transportation community .

 

 

 

 

 

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

Job Posting

Physical Activity Coordinator

 

Responsible for providing support to enhance opportunities in physical activity, sport and recreation across the region of Cape Breton Island.  The primary focus will be related to increased physical activity levels in children and youth at the community level and will also include whole population if applicable.  The Coordinator will work in partnership with various non-profit community organizations, municipal government staff and elected officials, school boards, district health authorities, and others.  The position will be located in Sydney.

 

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE:

• A bachelor’s degree or diploma in health education, sport/recreation management or related field.
• Two years experience.
• Equivalent combination of training and experience.
• Experience in community development, project/program planning and administration.
• Must possess and maintain a valid NS Driver’s License as there will be considerable travel within the region and occasional trips to Halifax.

 

PLEASE NOTE:  This is a contract position sponsored by the Nova Scotia Department of Health Promotion & Protection (NSHPP)

 

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS:  4:00 p.m. Friday, December 18, 2009 

 

Applications quoting Reference No. 09.68       should be directed to:

 

Human Resources Department

Cape Breton Regional Municipality

320 Esplanade, Suite 404

Sydney, Nova Scotia 

B1P 7B9

 

Applications may also be dropped off at the above address during regular working hours. Copies of the job description are also available at the above address during regular business hours or by visiting our web site www.cbrm.ns.ca

 

The Cape Breton Regional Municipality is an Equal Opportunity Employer

 

 

 

 

"MAKING TRACKS" NEEDS EXPERT TRAINERS

by: Cheyenne Dickinson, Community Advisor,  Active & Safe Routes to School,  email:  walk(at)ecologyaction.ca

 

Are you a competent cyclist? A perfect pedestrian? Do you excel at in-line skating? Or maybe you’re a savvy skateboarder? If so, Active & Safe Routes to School wants you to help us grow Making Tracks, a province-wide active transportation safety education skills program.We’re looking for Expert Trainers from communities across Nova Scotia to teach these skills on an occasional basis to Youth Mentors and Adult Leaders, so that they can train other youth and children in their communities. For more information, and how to apply, see http://saferoutesns.ca/index.php/special/making-tracks/.

 

 

 

 

GASOLINE FUMES MAY FUEL ROAD RAGE

• By: Chuck Squatriglia,   http://www.wired.com/autopia/2009/11/gasoline-fumes-road-rage/

 

Paying through the nose to fill up the car is enough to send anyone into a rage, but it might be the fumes you’re inhaling while pumping gas that make you angry.

 

Amal Kinawy of Cairo University found that rats exposed to gasoline fumes were more aggressive than those breathing clean air and more likely to show signs of anxiety. What’s more, their brains experienced changes in neurotransmitters in the hypothalamus, hippocampus and cerebellum. Although Kinaway limited her research to rats, she says the findings could apply to humans and be a factor in road rage.

 

“Heightened aggression may be yet another risk for the human population chronically exposed to urban air polluted by automobile smoke,” she said. “Millions of people every day are exposed to gasoline fumes while refueling their cars.”

 

 

More at:  http://www.biomedcentral.com/1472-6793/9/21/abstract

 

 

 

 

 

KENWOOD DRIVE / ALEXANDRA STREET ROUNDABOUT

source: http://www.gov.ns.ca/tran/roundabout/alexandrastreet.pdf

See layout attached on that website...

 

The road to Marion Bridge is a newly paved road and pretty quiet for cycling.  If you plan to go that way in the near future, you'll have to go through the newly built roundabout at the top of Alexandra Street.  

 

Modern roundabouts are specially designed intersections with traffic circulating around a central island.

 

They have a proven track record around the world for reducing the number and severity of collisions and for keeping traffic moving smoothly.

 

The Alexandra Street Roundabout in Sydney is under construction but open to traffic. All drivers should use extra care until everyone has had a chance to adjust to the rules that govern roundabouts.

 

 

Travelling Through Roundabouts

 

Vehicles entering the roundabout must yield to traffic in the circle. Drivers in the circle have the right-of-way over entering traffic.

 

Motorists must always yield to pedestrians who are legally crossing the road and be courteous towards cyclists who are sharing the road.

 

Slow down as you approach the intersection; roundabouts are designed for speeds of 30–50 km/h. Follow directions on signs and pavement markings for which lane to use. Enter the roundabout when there is a safe gap in traffic. Watch for vehicles already in the roundabout.

 

All vehicles in the roundabout must travel to the right around the central island. Drive around the circle in a counterclockwise direction until you come to the road or street where you want to exit.

 

Activate your turn signal as you leave the roundabout and exit to the right.

 

These rules apply unless the roundabout is controlled by other signs or traffic signals.

 

 

Walking Through Roundabouts

 

Always use the crosswalks when walking through a roundabout.

 

Stop, look and listen before proceeding.

 

Make sure any approaching drivers see you before you enter the crosswalk.

 

 

ed:  I applaude the decision of DoT to build this roundabout at the top of Alexandra Street.  This is a definite improvement to our road system, specially for us cyclists.  Over the last 10 years, I biked in Europe several thousands of kilometres and dealt with hundreds of roundabout everywhere in the country or in the heart of busy capitals of Italy, Spain, France, Denmark, Sweden.  

 

Despite what people think, roundabouts are the most easy way to diminish conflicts at 4-way intersections.  In fact there are four times less vehicle to vehicles (bicycles are vehicles) conflicts, 32 to 8, and 3 times less vehicle to pedestrians conflicts, 24 to 8.   Less conflicts saves lives. 

 

Traveling in a roundabout at a slower speed is saving time over being stopped for a green light, this also allows a reduction of pollution and fuel use, saving money.   Roundabouts improve capacity at four way intersections; they also allow u-turns.  They can become aesthetic  trademarks of a municipality or a region.

 

I'm very confident that our local drivers will develop a positive attitude towards roundabout and quickly learn to deal with them and appreciate their numerous advantages.  

 

 

 

 

CYCLING TO HOSPITAL

source: CTC Weekly eNewsletter

 

A study in the BMJ journal Injury Prevention this week provoked some alarming headlines about cycling safety. It looked at hospital admissions data over 6 years and compared it to the number of cyclists and motorists in England. It concluded "per trip, cycling is more risky, as measured by hospital admission, at any time of the year than journeying by car".  However, before you get off your bike, CTC’s Campaigns team has looked at the data and suspects the high figure for cyclists includes off-road injuries. It's also important to remember that the health benefits of cycling outweigh the risks by a factor of 20:1. CTC's Safety in Numbers research has shown that in places where more people cycle the risks of cycling are lower, so the best thing you can do for cycling safety is cycle more!

 

 

 

RECYCLED POTHOLES

 

Send this to people who complain that the NS roads are bad...   Hilarious!

 

http://www.mypotholes.com/

 

 

 

 

 

 

WHY I FIRED MY SECRETARY...........

 

 

Yesterday was my birthday and I didn't feel very well waking up on that morning.

 

I went downstairs for breakfast hoping my wife would be pleasant and say, 'Happy Birthday!', and possibly have a small present for me.

 

As it turned out, she barely said good morning, Let alone ' Happy Birthday.'

 

I thought...

 

Well, that's marriage for you, but the kids... They will remember.

 

My kids came bounding down stairs to breakfast and didn't say a word. So when I left for the office, I felt pretty low and somewhat despondent.

 

As I walked into my office, my secretary Jane said, 'Good Morning Boss, and by the way Happy Birthday ! ' It felt a little better That at least someone had remembered.

 

I worked until one o'clock , When Jane knocked on my door and said, 'You know, It's such a beautiful day outside, and it is your Birthday, so what do you say we go out to lunch, just you and me.' I said, 'Thanks, Jane, that's the greatest thing I've heard all day. Let's go !'  We went to lunch.  But we didn't go where we normally would go. She chose instead at a quiet bistro with a private table. We had two martinis each and I enjoyed the meal tremendously.

 

On the way back to the office, Jane said, 'You know, It's such a beautiful day.... We don't need to go straight back to the office, Do We ?'

 

I responded, 'I guess not. What do you have in mind?' She said, 'Let's drop by my apartment; it's just around the corner.'

 

After arriving at her apartment, Jane turned to me and said, ' Boss, if you don't mind, I'm going to step into the bedroom For just a moment. I'll be right back.' 'Ok.' I nervously replied.

 

She went into the bedroom and, after a couple of minutes, she came out carrying a huge birthday cake .. Followed by my wife, my kids, and dozens of my friends and co-workers, All singing 'Happy Birthday'.

 

And I just sat there...

 

On the couch...

 

Naked.

________________

Jacques Cote

Editor, Velo Cape Breton eNewsletter