How to Properly Fit a Helmet

10 Easy to Follow Steps for Beginning Cyclists

We are not all Lance Armstrong ready to take on the Tour De France, but riding is a fun way to get in that much needed exercise while enjoying the great outdoors.

What's With the Shoe?

What is up with shoes in the streets? And by shoes I mean one shoe. It seems like wherever I ride I see a shoe either in the middle of the road or on the side.  Not to mention the ones that are lying in the gutter. Never a pair, just the one shoe hanging out in the street all alone. What happened to the other shoe and how does the single one get there? Does it just decide to up and leave its mate after a disagreement? Did they need to go to shoe counseling to repair hard feelings that they were experiencing? Did one step on the others feelings? I really don’t get it. There they are lonely boots, sandals, sneakers, and slippers. I swear I have seen them all. Some seem like they were once very happy with sparkly jewels adorning their straps while others seem a bit distraught and somber. Sadly, a few have ended up with tire tracks across their tongue, what a tragedy. 

Helmets are Important

Do we really ever grow up? I hope the answer is no because life without youthful exuberance would be pretty boring. As kids, we rode our bikes every day without a care in the world. It was a carefree time in our lives that will never be forgotten. The good thing is that the same feeling can be recreated each time you go on a bike ride. The cares and worries seem to float away leaving a feeling of accomplishment. There is no doubt about it; riding helps the body and mind to be healthier and happier. Just remember next time someone says you are acting like a kid simply reply thanks’ so much for noticing.

Speaking of kids, and I am sure we were, they need to wear helmets when they ride bikes and I mean all the time. This includes the driveway, hallway, sidewalk, and anywhere in between. I was in Oregon recently and noticed that all the children I saw were wearing helmets. I thought wow what a safety minded place this is. I later found out that the state law requires children under the age of 16 to wear a helmet when riding a bike. The campground we stayed at even had helmets for kids to use for free and some to buy for an excellent price. Every state should have this law because it only takes one accident to change a life and it can happen so quickly. 

Actually, there are quite a few states that do have children helmet laws, some areas even include people of all ages and I say kudos to them for taking a stand while saving lives.

Does your city or state have helmet laws and if so how do you feel about that? Would you like to see your state adopt such a law?

Vacation Time

This year’s vacation was planned well in advance, 9 months to be exact. The Oregon coast was our destination and we were so excited. We had a great reservation at a wonderful campground with a camping spot right on the beach.  It could not get any better than that.  One month before the big day I got a phone call at work. I didn’t recognize the number so I just let voicemail take it. After a few minutes I listened to the message. “Hi, I am calling about your campground reservation here in Oregon. We will have to refund your money because your camping spot has fallen into the ocean.” WHAT? You have got to be kidding. First off, how does that happen and second where are we going to stay? Does this occur often, because if it does I think they should rethink beach camping. I could have just been glad that we weren’t on it at the time, but for some reason I still wanted to stay there even if it wasn’t actually there.  July is a very busy time on the Oregon coast so of course there were no other campgrounds that had openings for the week that we would be visiting. Luckily, there was one campground further up the coast that had a space for all the days but one, and the spot next to it was open for the final day. We hurriedly grabbed both camp spots before they dropped into the ocean.  The trip went off without a hitch and we had a wonderful time. Apparently, the state of Oregon is getting smaller and smaller as we speak so we better hurry back before it is no longer there. 

On a recent bike ride in the country we happened upon a sign that spoke volumes. Who knew there was an ad campaign out there targeting our cat Thistle. I never knew that people cared enough to make him their problem.  Apparently,Thistle is everyone’s problem. Maybe, everyone should chip in on his food bill.

Bring Your Dogs

As we all know life is so busy and it is hard to find time for everything. Our dogs wait for us to get home from work everyday. So when you get home and have errands to run bring your dogs with you. My dogs love car rides so it is fun for all! 

Henrie (black) Wallie (white) Carlie( fluffy )

I mean who can say NO to those faces!!!!