Bike Week...and Soccer too!

Okay, I know it's already Wednesday so Bike Week (as in bicycles) is almost over. No matter. Who needs a special week to celebrate the beauty, efficiency and savings (plus health and environmental factors!) that riding a bike brings to your life. Yeah right! It almost shortened my life today...good golly, I dusted off my bike for the first time this year and rode downtown to meet a friend for breakfast, then I rode up Academy Hill (and yes, I made it....barely) to the library and back down to the bank. I was doing well. Enjoying the beautiful day. Soaking up the sun. Smelling all the sweet scents that are blooming now...oh, the lilacs!!! Then I had to bike home. A mere 4 miles. Totally uphill!!!!! I brought my phone in case I needed an EMT to jump start my heart! Luckily I didn't need to call, but I did have to stop and walk up some of those "mountains"! Have you seen Mayhill Road?? But, I made it! I felt better! I had a small sense of accomplishment....when I don't stop to walk or slow my heart down I'll have a bigger sense of achievement but until then....I'll keep pedaling. It can only get better (and less painful!).

But back to Bike Week, I'm sort of bummed I didn't hear about it until this week. It is something we've talked about doing as part of our health grant. You know, an alternative commute-to-work day sort of initiative. But again, we don't need a certain week to celebrate. We, as a community that is raising our health awareness, should all get our bikes out, pump up those tires and start riding for pleasure or just doing simple errands around town. There are so many reasons to be doing this! But do it safely...wear your helmet and bright, reflective clothing and make sure to obey the rules of the road! Here are a few links you might find interesting:
www.massbike.org (be sure to check out the Pioneer Valley Bike Week Schedule), League of American Bicyclists, and the Mass Central Rail Trail (104 miles of trail from Boston to Northampton). Also, don't forget to check out your local library for some great reads and guidebooks to local bike trails. How about (you know I hate lists so excuse this short one!):
Backroad Bicycling in Connecticut, or Backroad Bicycling on Cape Cod, Martha's Vineyard and Nantucket, or Backroad Bicycling in Western Massachusetts, or Short Bike Rides in Central and Western Massachusetts, or Discover the Berkshires of Massachusetss: the AMC Guide to hiking, biking and paddling, or if you want to read about someone else's adventures try Riding with the Blue Moth or Around the World on Two Wheels: Anne Londonderry's Extraordinary Ride. We also have books on bike maintenance and safety.

And on another note, the Parks and Rec department purchased about 40 dvds on coaching and playing soccer. There are dvds for all age and skill levels. These are available at your library and to help promote these, the library has set up a Parks and Rec area complete with these videos plus all sorts of P&R info on programs and trips. Stop by and check out some dvds and support the great programs P&R offers!