Health

Great Cycling Story, And . . .

Posted by golfkat on June 23, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Health, Hobbies. Leave a comment

This is a great story, please read!

https://theundefeated.com/features/the-worlds-fastest-man-biography-cyclist-major-taylor/

Other bicycle facts:

If you’ve ever ridden a tandem bike, you know that it can be tricky to get one moving. So just imagine how hard it must have been to ride a bike that stretched for 135 feet and 10.7 inches, making it the longest bicycle in the world. Crafted by Santos and the University of South Australia in 2015, a group of cyclists did manage to ride the bike—which was much wider than normal in order to compensate for the length—over a distance of 100 meters.

Over 100 million bicycles are manufactured each year. But it appears everyone is dusting off an old bicycle stored in the garage, in an effort to get some exercise during this pandemic. China has over half a billion!

Seven out of eight people in the Netherlands, over the age of 15, have a bicycle!

There are over a billion bicycles being used around the world. There are twice as many bicycles in the world than cars.

Bicycles save over 238 million gallons of gasoline yearly.

Daily 16 kilometer ride (10 miles) burns 360 calories, saves up to 10 euros of budget and saves the environment from 5 kilos of carbon dioxide emissions that are produced by cars.

First cyclist that drove his bicycle around the world was Fred A. Birchmore. He pedaled for 25,000 miles and traveled other 15,000 miles by boat. He wore out 7 sets of tires. But I am not sure of his exact route over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans.

The U.S. is home to over 400 cycling clubs. Fresno has one too!

In 2018, American cyclist Denise Mueller-Korenek set a new “bicycle speed in slipstream” record of 183.9 mph (296 kph) at the Bonneville Salt Flats. Mueller-Korenek didn’t just break the record, she smashed it—the previous longstanding mark (set in 1995) was 167 mph. To put this in perspective, Tour de France cyclists can hit around 62 mph when descending.

Lasting 21 days and over 3,000 kilometers, the Tour de France is one of the most grueling athletic events in the world. But while the mileage alone is impressive, so too is the diet of these professional cyclists. Each rider consumes between 5,000 to 7,000 calories every day, depending on the length and demands of the stage. Now that’s a lot of pasta!

Half of all the parts on a bicycle are in the chain!

If the number of cyclists was tripled, the rate of motorist-bicyclist accidents would be cut in half.

Again, I see many of you have dusted off your bicycles, and are riding to get some exercise. One word of advice: Please wear a helmet!!! One third of non-fatal bicycle injuries are to the head. Three-fourths of fatal bicycle crashes involved a head injury. Nearly all who died (97%) were not wearing a helmet!

I see too many adults on the road with no helmet. Please buy a helmet!!!

Woman with bicycle sending air kiss. Portrait of cute girl riding on bike outdoors. People and healthy lifestyle.

We Will Drink Anything Seltzer

Posted by golfkat on June 10, 2020

Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Health, Wine. Leave a comment

Is it the pandemic that created all of these spiked seltzers? It kind of reminds me of Annie Green Springs, and California Coolers, and Bartles and James from the 80s.

I have tried a few of these, notably White Claw Hard Seltzer, Corona Seltzer, and Smirnoff. It is the new “chardonnay” of the Pandemic. Corona Seltzer comes in four flavors: lime, mango, cherry, and blackberry lime, all 4.5% alcohol with only 90 calories. White Claw is 5% alcohol, 100 calories, in watermelon, tangerine and lemon. Smirnoff is also 4.5% alcohol, 100 calories, in eight flavors, including blood orange, pina colada, raspberry rose’, and cranberry lime.

This new Rosé Water drink now going on sale ($2.99 per can) in numerous states across the U.S. At only 4.9% abv, the beverage is a combination of rosé wine from the Loire Valley and sparkling water from the Austrian Alps. Rosé Water is being marketed to a group of people everyone obsesses about (hint: their collective name starts with an “M”). And it is only 69 calories!!!!

CNN has the statistics:

Nearly three months after Covid-19 upended daily life, one thing is becoming increasingly clear: Americans are dealing with coronavirus by drinking. A lot.

Since March 7, alcohol sales have grown nearly 27%, according to Nielsen. Two big winners are domestic beers and spiked seltzer, with the former being practically on life support just a year ago. Affordability and larger pack sizes have helped sales of domestic brands, such as Busch Light, Miller Lite and Natural Light, surge higher. Seltzers have racked up nearly $1 billion in sales from March 7 to May 30, according to Nielsen. In comparison, spiked seltzer sales totaled $1.5 billion in all of 2019. That makes it an enviable category for large and small alcohol companies to dip their toes into, even if competition keeps tightening.

Something more sobering: We think of the wine industry as generous, open-to-all, and focused on the spirit of community. But a look around any industry tasting event reveals that the wine industry has a long way to go. The number of African Americans around the tasting table remains far too low. And it’s true for Asians and Latinos, too. (Especially black, Asian, and Latina women). These days, we are reminded that this inequality in the industry we love is more than sad. It’s a loss for us all.

The industry’s lack of diversity is an insidious problem with many entwined threads of causation. I don’t pretend to understand all those reasons or to have any of the answers. But somehow, each in our way, we must begin a process of change.

Let’s hope the move toward wineries owned and operated by people of color continues well after the current racial awareness and injustice protests.

Speaking of corks: “Don’t forget to sniff the wine-end of the cork,” advised another reader, DaveInNY. If the wine is contaminated with cork taint, a chemical called TCA, “the cork will smell like wet dog. Yuck.” Well, maybe. Sniffing the cork is suggestive, but not conclusive, about the quality of the wine. A cork may smell fine even after it has tainted the wine, and a wine may be fine even if the cork smells moldy.

However, DaveInNY makes a good point in urging us to inspect a wine’s ullage – the gap between the cork and the wine in an unopened bottle, which should be about a quarter to half an inch. A greater gap suggests wine has evaporated or seeped through a faulty cork. This is usually a problem for older wines. The wine may have been stored upright and the cork may have deteriorated over time. If you see excessive ullage in a younger wine (10 years or less) in a store, don’t buy it. If you already have the wine in your cellar, open it but have a backup bottle on hand, just in case the first isn’t good.

Yes, the spiked seltzers are most refreshing on these warmer summer days. Low in alcohol, with bubbles. Not a bad alternative to beer or sparkling wine? You decide!

More Jet Lag

Posted by golfkat on June 9, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Health, Travel. 2 Comments

The technical term for jet lag: Whether you call it desynchronosis, time zone change syndrome, or simply jet lag, one thing that everyone can agree on is that it’s a challenge when you travel. People can experience jet lag when sleep patterns are interrupted, as when they’re traveling through time zones, but also as a result of shift-based work and sleeping disorders. Human bodies are naturally attuned to a 24-hour cycle and depend on consistency in order to regulate hormone levels, body temperature, and REM sleep. When that doesn’t happen, people may experience physical fatigue, headaches, poor appetite, stomach pains, and even depression. To minimize the effects, try slowly adjusting to your new sleep schedule before your trip, staying hydrated, and avoiding stimulants and alcohol.

A few things I have experienced. I find less jet lag when I follow the sun. My jet lag recovery time has increased with older age. Alcohol does not bother me. Bad fellow passengers make jet lag worse!!!

Every person, travel expert, and medical “expert” have offered cures or treatments for jet lag. The only solution I have found is to get as much sleep on the flight, which usually means an upgrade to Biz or First. But it can get expensive! The way I look at it, better to spend the money on the flight, and not waste any days at my destination!

Mayo Clinic lists these as symptoms of jet lag:

Symptoms of jet lag can vary. You may experience only one symptom or you may have many. Jet lag symptoms may include:

Disturbed sleep — such as insomnia, early waking or excessive sleepiness (maybe you are disturbed?)
Daytime fatigue
Difficulty concentrating or functioning at your usual level
Stomach problems, constipation or diarrhea (some people advocate evacuation prior to flights)
A general feeling of not being well
Mood changes (I call it irritability)

Mayo goes on further by saying:A key influence on your internal clock is sunlight. That’s because light influences the regulation of melatonin, a hormone that helps synchronize cells throughout the body.

Certain cells in the tissue at the back of your eye (retina) transmit the light signals to an area of your brain called the hypothalamus.

At night, when the light signal is low, the hypothalamus tells the pineal gland, a small organ situated in the brain, to release melatonin. During daylight hours, the opposite occurs, and the pineal gland produces very little melatonin.

You may be able to ease your adjustment to your new time zone by exposing yourself to daylight in the new time zone so long as the timing of light is done properly.

I have tried melatonin supplements, and they do not help me!

Mayo on prevention:

A few basic steps may help prevent jet lag or reduce its effects:

Arrive early. If you have an important meeting or other event that requires you to be in top form, try to arrive a few days early to give your body a chance to adjust.
Get plenty of rest before your trip. Starting out sleep-deprived makes jet lag worse.
Gradually adjust your schedule before you leave. If you’re traveling east, try going to bed one hour earlier each night for a few days before your departure. Go to bed one hour later for several nights if you’re flying west. If possible, eat meals closer to the time you’ll be eating them at your destination.
Regulate bright light exposure. Because light exposure is one of the prime influences on your body’s circadian rhythm, regulating light exposure may help you adjust to your new location.
In general, exposure to light in the evening helps you adjust to a later than usual time zone (traveling westward), while exposure to morning light can help you adapt to an earlier time zone faster (traveling eastward).

The one exception is if you have traveled more than eight time zones from your original time zone, because your body might mistake early morning light for evening dusk. Your body might also mistake evening light for early morning light.

So, if you’ve traveled more than eight time zones to the east, wear sunglasses and avoid bright light in the morning, and then allow as much sunlight as possible in the late afternoon for the first few days in your new location.

If you have traveled west by more than eight time zones, avoid sunlight a few hours before dark for the first few days to adjust to the local time.
Stay on your new schedule. Set your watch to the new time before you leave. Once you reach your destination, try not to sleep until the local nighttime, no matter how tired you are. Try to time your meals with local mealtimes too.
Stay hydrated. Drink plenty of water before, during and after your flight to counteract the dehydrating effects of dry cabin air. Dehydration can make jet lag symptoms worse. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, as these can dehydrate you and affect your sleep.
Try to sleep on the plane if it’s nighttime at your destination. Earplugs, headphones and eye masks can help block out noise and light. If it’s daytime where you’re going, resist the urge to sleep.

I have tried everything. I just go with it now, and keep my first evening and next day’s itinerary easy and relaxing. If you have a secret, please share it.

World Bicycle Day, June 3

Posted by golfkat on June 3, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Health, Sports. Leave a comment

Today, June 3, is World Bicycle Day. What is it?

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), safe infrastructure for walking and cycling is also a pathway for achieving greater health equity. For the poorest urban sector, who often cannot afford private vehicles, walking and cycling can provide a form of transport while reducing the risk of heart disease, stroke, certain cancers, diabetes, and even death. Accordingly, improved active transport is not only healthy; it is also equitable and cost-effective.

The bicycle is a simple, affordable, reliable, clean and environmentally fit sustainable means of transportation;
The bicycle can serve as a tool for development and as a means not just of transportation but also of access to education, health care and sport;
The synergy between the bicycle and the user fosters creativity and social engagement and gives the user an immediate awareness of the local environment;
The bicycle is a symbol of sustainable transportation and conveys a positive message to foster sustainable consumption and production, and has a positive impact on climate.

World Bicycle Day also:

Encourages Member States to devote particular attention to the bicycle in cross-cutting development strategies and to include the bicycle in international, regional, national and subnational development policies and programmes;
Encourages Member States to improve road safety and integrate it into sustainable mobility and transport infrastructure planning and design, in particular through policies and measures to actively protect and promote pedestrian safety and cycling mobility, with a view to broader health outcomes, particularly the prevention of injuries and non-communicable diseases;
Encourages stakeholders to emphasize and advance the use of the bicycle as a means of fostering sustainable development, strengthening education, including physical education, for children and young people, promoting health, preventing disease, promoting tolerance, mutual understanding and respect and facilitating social inclusion and a culture of peace;
Encourages Member States to adopt best practices and means to promote the bicycle among all members of society, and in this regard welcomes initiatives to organize bicycle rides at the national and local levels as a means of strengthening physical and mental health and well-being and developing a culture of cycling in society.

Most of you know I have been a fairly dedicated cyclist for about the last ten years. It is great exercise, allows a flexible schedule, can become a commute option, and great fun. I have also met some really great people through cycling. And I have gone on several local, and foreign cycling trips.

But for perspective, consider this. Any bicycle will do, wear a helmet, and just start riding. The rest will happen, like it did for me. You will start with a simple bicycle, and may or may not graduate to something more serious (as I did). You will incorporate cycling into your daily routine, perhaps even to the point of commuting to work.

Make sure to learn some basic safety rules and repairs. Join a group or get the whole family on wheels. Just get moving, you will not regret it. But please, wear a helmet, keep your bicycle in good repair, and treat the roads and traffic rules with respect.

Asian American Month

Posted by golfkat on May 28, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Health. Leave a comment

Think has published a great article about anti-Asian rhetoric from the Orange Man, and others. Here are some excerpts. It makes me sad, since my parents and grandparents went through Relocation and incarceration (see tar paper barracks above) after Pearl Harbor. I often try to imagine how they felt, particularly when my Uncles (one pictured above) were drafted into the Army, to fight the very country from which they came. I sincerely hope we are not headed down this path again.

Here:

In the past several months, countless Asian Americans have been punched and kicked and threatened, told that they’ll be sorry if they don’t leave this country — their country. They’ve been blamed for COVID-19: yelled at by strangers in parking lots, refused service at stores and needlessly, cruelly scapegoated by the most powerful man on the planet, President Donald Trump, who has racialized the pandemic and stoked xenophobia every time he’s uttered the term “Chinese virus.”

Deflecting blame for his own failure to heed the warnings of experts to prepare for this crisis, Trump has stood in the White House briefing room day after day and pulled from the same cynical playbook he’s relied on so many times before, stoking grievances and using the same politics of division that helped him get elected in the first place, this time by casting Asian Americans as the “other.” As if they are a deviation from those who are “actually” American. As if they don’t truly belong.

The comments Trump has made have ranged from the dangerous to the absurd. But the sentiment behind them has been clear.

The American story as we know it would not exist without the strength of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community. In a literal sense, Asian Americans helped build and unite this country — laying the railroad tracks, tilling the fields, starting the businesses and picking up the rifles necessary to develop and defend the nation we love.

No insult, no insinuation — even when it comes from the president in the middle of the Rose Garden telling an Asian American reporter to “ask China” — can change the fact that Asian Americans are just as American as anyone else lucky enough to be a daughter or a son of the United States.

Ironically, May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. In the face of such intolerance, this month reminds us that it’s as important as ever to honor the AAPI community’s service to this country — as teachers, doctors, troops, you name it — as well as recognize the consequences of the fear-mongering and outright racism that have been on the rise throughout Trump’s presidency.

Because that’s the kind of prejudice that led to Japanese Americans’ being interned on U.S. soil even as their loved ones fought to defend this nation overseas during World War II. It’s a version of what we’ve seen in debates over everything from segregation to immigration, where those who aren’t white are portrayed as if they’re somehow dirty or dangerous or, now, contaminated — and then cast off as second-class citizens. In a nation founded on the principle that we’re all created equal, such bigotry is downright un-American.

Each of those people understands our country better than Trump ever will. They understand that at its best, America is a roughly 3.8 million-square-mile community whose members don’t just want to do well for themselves, but to do good for others. No matter the color of their skin.

As our neighbors are spit on and beat up because of the color of their skin, it is more obvious than ever how important it is that we make this the last Asian American and Pacific Islander month with Trump in office.

asian baracks gila camp5

Will Covid Kill the Churches?

Posted by golfkat on May 27, 2020

Posted in: Cultures, Health. Leave a comment

On Friday, President Trump declared churches essential, as a federal court backed California’s order to keep them shut. On Monday, Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that houses of worship could reopen under certain conditions. Among them, attendance should be limited to 100 people or 25 percent of building capacity, whichever is lower, and collection plates should not be passed around.

Well, passing the collection plate (full of germs) is the main reason for opening the church, right? What about the singers and chanters who spit? Not my opinion, but read the following:

The Virus is Accelerating De-churching in America
The Covid-19 pandemic has hammered churches of all sizes and denominations across America, The Economist writes. Incomes have plunged and cash reserves are dwindling. “In many the majority of worshippers are old; if a vaccine is not developed soon, or is less effective in the elderly, many may be reluctant to go to church in the future.” Why it matters: there will be a significant reduction in the number of churches in America and accelerate the long-term decline in American religiosity. Only 45% of people attend church once or twice a month and only 20% attend every Sunday.

Catholic institutions may see the sharpest decline. “Successive clerical sex-abuse scandals have stopped many from going to mass or from going as regularly as they used [to].” This means their financial support has evaporated and many have been bankrupted by payouts to victims of abuse.

So, I am sure for many of you astute readers and thinkers, this comes as no big surprise. Personally, I try to focus on the great charity work the churches perform. None of this is good, but much like the spectator sports scene, a realignment is needed to put the economy back into its proper perspective. Churches too! church

More Inexpensive Bubbles

Posted by golfkat on May 21, 2020

Posted in: Cultures, Health, Travel, Wine. Leave a comment

Buy It With a $20:

NV Campo Viejo Cava Brut Reserva ($13) A surprisingly good Cava given that it’s from a producer much better known for Riojas, this refined sparkling wine offers bright green apple flavors and a dry, lightly saline finish.

NV Cleto Charli Lambrusco Vecchia Modena ($16) Crisp, dry and even slightly tannic (in a good way), this red sparkling wine from Italy would be ideal with ribs or burgers.

Try a Fresh Vegetable and Sausage Risotto

Bring It to a Party:

NV François Pinon Vouvray Brut ($22) Loire sparkling wines tend to get overlooked, which is a shame. The best, like this one, offer crisp orchard fruit notes and a nice nuttiness on the finish; Pinon’s grapes are also organically farmed. Loire sparklings are some of my very favorites!

NV J Vineyards Cuvée 20 ($28) Even California’s cooler regions, like the Russian River Valley, bring out more richness and fruitiness in sparkling wines than Champagne’s marginal climate does. This bottling from J is no exception, with its lush citrus and toast notes. J Vineyards is very underrated!

Splurge for a Special Occasion:

NV Drappier Brut Nature Champagne ($50) One of the most well-known producers in the southern Aube region of Champagne, Drappier makes a range of very good Champagnes; this vivid, lemon blossom–scented cuvée is impressive for the price.

NV Andre Clouet Grand Reserve Brut Champagne ($45) Clouet’s vineyards are located in the Pinot Noir–focused villages of Ambonnay and Bouzy, so it’s no surprise that this biscuity, creamy Champagne, with its notes of red fruit, is made from 100 percent Pinot Noir. Excellent for the price!

When all else fails, I stick to my Veuve du Vernay from Loire, under $10, and everyone thinks it is expensive. It is my every day, “house” bubbly! My splurge is Domain Carneros brut rose’, around $35. dc 8-9 laetitia Vdv 6-22

High Hopes

Posted by golfkat on May 20, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Health, Stories, Travel. Leave a comment

From Trivia Genius: “Jack’s the nation’s favorite guy, everyone wants to back Jack.” Those were lyrics from Frank Sinatra’s rewrite of his hit song “High Hopes,” tweaked to support John F. Kennedy’s 1960 Democratic presidential campaign. It’s unclear how Sinatra and Kennedy met, but the two were friends for many years before Kennedy made a run at the White House. They had mutual connections in both Hollywood and politics, and Kennedy’s sister Pat was married to “Rat Pack” member Peter Lawford. In February 1960, then-Senator Kennedy attended a Rat Pack concert where Sinatra publicly proclaimed him the “next president of the United States.” Kennedy’s father, Joseph, reportedly encouraged the friendship, hoping that Sinatra’s organized crime ties would help his son lock down the union vote. Sinatra often sang his “High Hopes” redux at concerts, and he later attended Kennedy’s inaugural ball in 1961.

Certainly, it is much different than what is going on in Washington, DC right now.

Or how about a sauna at a Burger King? Travel Trivia: We’ll take a Whopper, fries, and … a sauna session on the side? In 2016, Burger King opened its first ever spa inside one of its locations in Helsinki to cater to local customers in Finland, where saunas are an essential part of national culture. According to the BBC, there are more than three million saunas in Finland — about one for every two people who live there — and 99% of Finns use a sauna at least once per week. So it only made sense to combine one of the country’s favorite pastimes with the burgeoning popularity of fast food — and take “meat sweats” to a whole new level. On the ground floor of the Mannerheimintie location, you’ll find the BK Spa, a 15-person sauna where you can enjoy your meal, plus Burger King-branded towels, a locker and shower rooms, a big-screen TV, and even a Playstation 4 video game system.

But on the plus side, the air is cleaner. Katie Couric: Per a groundbreaking new report, carbon emissions plunged 17 percent this April as countries issued Covid-19 restrictions — marking the largest drop in history. By the end of 2020, experts expect to see the largest yearly decline in emissions since World War II. On the flipside, “we’ve reduced emissions for the wrong reasons,” a study author wrote. This is unlikely to have a long term impact on emissions, unless governments make big, climate conscious systemic changes…

Obviously, we are not driving as much, many factories are shut down or in reduced production modes. Would you believe the wait to get my bicycle repaired is anywhere from TWO to THREE MONTHS!!!!! All of the bikers-come-lately are messing with those of us who ride regularly, year around! On one hand, it makes me happy people are re-discovering the bicycle. On the other, I need my annual tune-up, and perhaps some upgrades for an anticipated great riding season with clean air!!!

Bike sales are surging around the country as people shun public transportation and look for new ways to exercise. In April, bicycle sales soared by 30% and have jumped 60% so far in May.

And for those with school age kids, Tag the Flag: One of the most important aspects of allowing children to go back to school actually has to do with the parents. Those who work at home with youngsters crying in the background are less productive. Those who work outside the home can’t leave unless they have a babysitter. As The Economist points out, “In poor countries the costs are even greater. Schools there often provide free lunches, staving off malnutrition, and serve as hubs for vaccinating children against other diseases.” Stateside, with children out of the house, small business owners may finally get a chance to focus on items that will directly impact their ability to weather the pandemic. If parents can’t catch a break and they lose their jobs because they’ve become the 24-hour caretaker, that’s not good for them or their children.

It is obvious to me, this current Administration could care less about our health care workers, and acute care facilities. Again from Tag the Flag: “All the preparation has come at a cost, including in lost business from canceled elective procedures and sick people afraid to come in. Hospitals now face sharp falls in revenue; the AHA puts losses expected at health-care facilities from those canceled surgeries, and the costs associated with Covid-19 treatment, at about $202.6 billion so far.” On the bright side, maybe all this will make us better prepared for the fall and any oncoming second waves.” Any future relief bills from Congress needs to help these facilities!!!

This is really scary: Only 28 percent of active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) supplied to the country are manufactured within the U.S. while 72 percent of the APIs supplied to the U.S. are manufactured overseas, including 13 percent in China, according to 2019 testimony from Center for Drug Evaluation and Research Director Janet Woodcock.

And just for fun, on this day, many years ago:

On May 20, 1873, San Francisco businessman Levi Strauss and Reno, Nevada, tailor Jacob Davis are given a patent to create work pants reinforced with metal rivets, marking the birth of one of the world’s most famous garments: blue jeans.

Streaking the Bay to Breakers Race

Posted by golfkat on May 17, 2020

Posted in: Action, Cultures, Entertainment, Health, Sports, Travel. 2 Comments

From 2009: Today would normally be the 1xxth running of the famous Bay to Breakers Foot Race. I have find memories of the race, having run about 10 times. It has been rescheduled to 9-20-20.

Back in my running and jogging days, I ran in several editions of the Bay to Breakers Footrace in San Francisco. Back then, the race often experienced record numbers of entrants, and lived up to its name as the world’s largest footrace. It begins at the foot of San Francisco Bay, then winds through the streets of the City, through Golden Gate Park, and finally onto the Great Highway and the Pacific Ocean (ie the breakers).

The first race, known as the Cross City Race, began in 1912, as a precursor to the world class events planned for the 1915 Panama Pacific International Exposition. The race was won by Robert Jackson Vlught with a time of 44:10, and only 200 racers. It was in 1986, the Race set a Guinness Book record with 110,000 racers, me included.

The race has always been a celebration of life, and a show of the City’s spirit and soul. The racers include families, costumed runners, centipedes, weekend runners, strollers, walkers, and naked runners. The color and tradition is uniquely San Francisco. But the runners from Kenya tend to dominate the medals in both women’s and men’s races.

The race is now always run on the third Sunday in May, right after the Kentucky Derby (first Sunday in May), and Mother’s Day (second Sunday in May). However, to my great disappointment, nude runners have been banned, though I am sure some unsanctioned runners will expose themselves completely.

Alcohol on the course is also prohibited. The plethora of wheeled objects and floats cannot be motorized, nor taller than 9 feet. For you green runners, dumpsters are placed throughout the race course for water bottles and food wrappers. Most years now, more people watch the race than participate in the race itself.

The race is certified by the USA Track and Field at 12K (7.46 miles). The course starts at sea level near San Francisco Bay, and rises steeply on the famous Hayes Street Hill. At the 2.5 mile mark, the race reaches its highest point at Fillmore and Steiner, 215 feet above sea level. The race course then gradually flows back down to the ocean near sea level.

A couple of other events are sandwiched around the race itself. First, on Friday, the Greater Body Expo is held at the Civic Auditorium. Vendors display, sell, and give away running related goods and services. Then, after the race, Footstock is held in Golden Gate Park at the Polo Field. There is no charge, and beer flows freely. All types of running equipment and shoes are on display. And this is where the runners can collect their valued Bay to Breakers Official T shirt for completing the race.

Having run the race about ten times, it is definitely more fun to run in a group. It makes for a great photo when passing through the official photo zone in the Park. But it also makes it difficult to maneuver around other groups, or floats, And the Hayes Street Hill is overrated as “cardiac” hill. The flow of runners slows due to the hill, to the point where it is better to run in place or even walk.

But most of you are curious about the naked runners. Funny thing, I never really looked for them. But just when I least expected it, I would pass a naked runner, or see someone stripping along the way. But as soon as that happens, the nude runner is surrounded by other runners, especially if she is a good looking, nicely figured woman.

It would usually take me about an hour plus change to finish the race. The big problem is that most of us are just crossing the start line when the elite runners are already finished! But thankfully, my running days are behind me. It would be fun to watch the race, but the crowds are just unbearable. It is much more comfortable to watch it on television.

I miss these races, but my knees and hips surely do not!!! B2B

Best Activities During Quarantine

Posted by golfkat on May 16, 2020

Posted in: Cultures, Entertainment, Food, Health, Hobbies, Sports. Leave a comment

So, the experts have a list of activities, as do many of you, concerning how you can get exercise during the self quarantine or shelter in place.

The obvious:

Plan next trip (always)

Walking

Running

Cycling (my choice)

Hiking

Gardening (yes, plant that garden!)
Skateboard

Ride a scooter

Tennis, but don’t touch your opponent’s balls

Yoga

Walk the dog (Lexi and I do a bike run)

You tube exercise videos

I knew those old VHS exercise tapes would come in handy, but what do I play them on??

Sew a mask or two

Not so obvious:

Fill out your census online

Phantom of the Opera (You tube)

Take an online course

Meditate

Medicate (if you must)

Wash your car

Wax your car

Do housework, clean closets

Bake (I love pies, and cookies)

Sex

Stop watching CNN or TV reruns

Sex

Trash pickup on your street

Sex

Skydiving

Dream

Photography

Cooking

Canning

Painting

Face time, Zoom, or call your long lost friends (reconnect)

Make a music video

Finish home projects

Organize your photo collection

Pull out that old musical instrument

Groom your pet

Organize pantry (we did that)

Clean your Inbox, Junk Mail, etc

Be Nice

If all else fails:

Drink wine or your favorite spirit

Read

Drink wine

Learn a new skill

Drink wine

Learn a new language

Drink beer

Play a board game with the family

Harass Trump supporters on FB

Catch up on your sleep

Bake cookies for the front liners

Learn to sew masks for front liners

Work on your financial plan

Make an emergency preparedness kit

Volunteer

Avoid:

The gym

Bars

Nightclubs

Parties

Anything fun

Travel (damn!!!!)

Concerts

Mosh pits

Public transportation

Emergency room

Church-nothing but a money grab!

The bicycle has proven to be a beacon of positivity during these uncertain times. Bike ridership has boomed in cities where commuters have traditionally relied on public transportation. Some bike shops are reporting an increase in sales and repair numbers. Cities across the nation are even shutting down roads to cars to give riders and pedestrians more room to move. Bikes are uniting us while we’re encouraged to stay apart.