Vol 7, #27 - Lazy Days of Summer
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
- The Growth of Bicycle Culture
- Upcoming
- Link of the Day
- Growth of the day
- More Opportunities in the Works
- The Toronto Charter of Physical Astivity
- The Two Wolves
- A Horse, A Chicken and a Harley
LAZY DAYS OF SUMMER
Several years ago, I was teaching a group of colleagues, all office workers, complaining about their constant tiredness and anxiously waiting for the weekend or their next holiday on the beach to no NOTHING. For those of you who know me just a little can easily imagine how I lit up on this... An animated discussion ensued, however, all my passionate arguments centered around exercise, active lifestyle, challenging stuff to improve overall fitness to better face the "heavy demand" of their work has on their bodies and minds... ???... were not finding a single one taker. At the end of that day I was drained and frustrated. I went home jumped on my bike and went around the hilly course of Lac Beauport north of Quebec City. After a couple of laps, I felt re-energized and rode back home, enjoyed a nice evening and life went on. That sensitive subject never got back on the table. I obviously did not convince many of them to adopt a more active lifestyle because since, several have sadly gone to rest forever at an early age.
What would I do today if the same conversation occurs? Nothing... well, I certainly will not spend too much time defending/promoting the goods of an active lifestyle to a crowd of non-believers. Thirty years have taught me that the decision to change has to come from within the individuals themselves. There are so many opportunities and help out there these days that ignorance is not an excuse.
Today, at 66, twice the age of my father when he passed away, time has come to think about a second retirement to spend more time preaching by example than with words or whatever. The lazy days of summer are here for me too... at least for now :-)
Here's to the nights where the sand is your seat,
the waves kiss your feet, your friends outnumber the stars,
and even the chilliest of nights, are still warmer
than the cold one in your hand. - Anonymous
THE GROWTH OF BICYCLE CULTURE
link submitted by: Chris "The Senator" Milburn, VCB #1
UPCOMING
Morinfo: http://velocapebreton.com/?q=rides_schedule
Saturday, July 3rd, Mountain bike ride to Salmon camp. by VCB Cheticamp Chapter.
Saturday, July 3rd - July 25. Tour de France.
Saturday, Sunday July 10/11, Cape Breton Classic Road Race.
http://frameworkfitness.com/capebretonclassic
Wednesday, July 14, Heartland Tour in Sydney.
Thursday, July 15, Heartland Tour in Antigonish.
Saturday, July 17, Across the Highlands Challenge, St. Peter's.
Sunday, July 18, BikeFest and Rodeo in L'Ardoise, organized by Richmond Cty, Recreation Dept.,
Sunday, July 18, Port Hood Triathlon,
Saturday, July 24, Summer Rides and Social.
Saturday, July 31. Mountain Bike ride In Cap LeMoine, by VCB Cheticamp Chapter.
LINK OF THE DAY
ALL about Cycling and more...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cycling
QUOTE OF THE DAY
"Those cars are just plain dangerous. I try to avoid using mine whenever I can..." - Leo Smit, Mt Uniacke
MORE OPPORTUNITY IN THE WORKS
I've spoken with several people about starting an "Open Streets Committee". I think your participation, as well as Ray Paruch (whom I've yet to speak with), are key.
To refresh your memory, the idea is as follows: Saturdays in summer, when cruise ships dock in Sydney, Charlotte St becomes a tourist-friendly centre of activity by divertingmotorized vehicles and opening it up for people to walk, roll and stroll; play, shop and eat.
Downtown businesses are encouraged to have a presence on the street: outdoor seating in front of restaurants and cafes, clothes racks, book displays (all of which already happens), or simply the storeowner opening the door and standing on the sidewalk handing out flyers. Anything to bring businesses outside and onto the street - and therefore bring people on the street into the store.
The streets themselves will be full of activity: from art displays, musical performances, and community theatre, to bicycle repair workshops, farmers market-style stalls, and information displays for public awareness campaigns (e.g., CBRM's active transportation plan).
It's also the perfect way to connect Charlotte St to the Northend's historic district, the boardwalk, and Wentworth Park, giving tourists the integrated small-town/urban-amenities experience they're expecting when they get off the cruise ship.
This plan has broad appeal:
- tourism;
- downtown revitalization;
- arts, culture and heritage promotion;
- active transportation andhealthy living;
- environmental awareness and improvement of local air quality
Not to mention the intangible benefits ofsocialization, intergenerational integration,community building, and town pride.
The "Open Streets Committee" will hopefully include the following individuals:
- Dr. Chris Milburn (Velo)
- Andre Gallant (YMCA)
- Stephanie Johnston (Ecology Action Centre)
- Dr. Catherine O'Brien (CBU Education Dep't)
- Lisa MacDougall (HEAL - Healthy Eating Active Living)
- Wayne McKay (HPP - Health Promotion & Protection)
- Ray Paruch (CBRM, Active Transportation Committee)
- Mike Targett (chair, Green Cape Breton, Centre for Int'l Studies, CBU)
- Derek Mombourquette (CBRM)
The remainder should be from tourism, business, planning, and police.
I can be reached by phone at the office: 270-SHOT (-7468)
PS: Dr Milburn is presenting"Creating communities for people, not cars" on July 7 at Membertou, from noon 'til 1, as part of JCI's speakers series.
-Mike
TARGETT Design | miketargett.com
"Community Electronic Development"
The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity: A Global Call for Action
by: Fiona Bull, Chair, Global Advocacy for Physical Activity
The Toronto Charter is a call to all countries to help make physical activity a priority for all. The Charter provides a framework for action and partnerships across multiple sectors and with communities to build healthier, active, environmentally sustainable communities. This is a major international declaration on the importance of physical activity and is the result of two years of international drafting and large scale global consultation.
Please visit the GAPA website to download a copy of the Charter and register your individual or organisation's support today! You can also send this notice to your colleagues via the GAPA website:http://www.globalpa.org.uk/
Thank you for your support and help in disseminating The Toronto Charter for Physical Activity: A Global Call for Action.
TWO WOLVES
One evening an old Cherokee told his grandson about a battle that goes on inside people.
He said, "My son, the battle is between two wolves inside us all.
"One is Evil - It is anger, envy, jealousy, sorrow, regret, greed, arrogance, self-pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
"The other is Good - It is joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion and faith."
The grandson thought about it for a minute and then asked his grandfather: "Which wolf wins?"
The old Cherokee simply replied, "The one you feed."
ed: Isn't there a similar battle inside ourselves between moving and resting?...
A HORSE, A CHICKEN AND A HARLEY
On the farm lived a chicken and a horse, both of whom loved to play together.
One day the two were playing, when the horse fell into a bog and began to sink.
Scared for his life, the horse whinnied for the chicken to go get the farmer for help!
Off the chicken ran, back to the farm. Arriving at the farm, he searched and searched for the farmer, but to no avail, for he had gone to town with the only tractor. Running around, the chicken spied the farmer's new Harley.
Finding the keys in the ignition, the chicken sped off with a length of rope hoping he still had time to save his friend's life.
Back at the bog, the horse was surprised, but happy, to see the chicken arrive on the shiny Harley, and he managed to get a hold of the loop of rope the chicken tossed to him.
After tying the other end to the rear bumper of the farmer's bike, the chicken then drove slowly forward and, with the aid of the powerful bike, rescued the horse!
Happy and proud, the chicken rode the Harley back to the farmhouse, and the farmer was none the wiser when he returned.
The friendship between the two animals was cemented: Best Buddies, Best Pals.
A few weeks later, the chicken fell into a mud pit, and soon, he too, began to sink and cried out to the horse to save his life!
The horse thought a moment, walked over, and straddled the large puddle.
Looking underneath, he told the chicken to grab his hangy-down thingy and he would then lift him out of the pit.
The chicken got a good grip, and the horse pulled him up and out, saving his life.
The moral of the story?? (yep, you betcha, there is a moral!)
'When You're Hung Like A Horse, You Don't Need A Harley to Pick Up Chicks!
_____________
Jacques Cote
Editor, Velo Cape Breton eNewsletter
July 2nd, 2010