Introduction to Biking

Bicycles : *Renewable source of energy *Clean (no fumes) *Relatively inexpensive *Easy to maintain *Lasting if maintained *Healthy (low impact, good cardiovascular)

The Center for Disease Control (CDC) statistics reveal that 29.1 million Americans have diabetes, which represents 9.3% of the U.S. population; fully 28% of those people have the disease and have not been diagnosed or treated. An additional 86 million Americans, or 33.3% of the U.S. population, have prediabetes. May 2016

50 Reasons: Minneapolis Is The Bike Capital Of America

Types of Bikes: What kind of biking will you do? Price is a good indicator

BMX: Off Road and Tricks

Road Bikes. Reduced Friction: Narrow tires. lightweight. Speed

Touring bike (Hybrid/Trekking): Long trips: Durable. Comfort.

Mountain Bikes: Big tires. Better traction for off road. Body position more upright. Comfort.

Fat Tire Bikes

Recumbent: Comfort: Easy on body

Aerodynamics: Reduce wind friction

AND these weird Bicycles

History of Bikes:

Hobby Horse: 1816 Better than a horse: Don’t need to feed, not clean up!!!

Velocipede: ( AKA Boneshaker ) 1825 Push pedals to turned shaft. Hard work!!!

Pedal Bike Pedal on front tire. Better energy transfer

Penny- Farthing: aka Big Wheel Larger tire for more speed!!! 1872

Safety bike: 1885 Chain Driven, pedals

1896 Bike Craze: *Threatened economy. Only the rich could afford them. *Watch and jewellery business fell to almost zero. *Piano sales cut in half. *Theatre attendance dropped *Farmers and general public resented cyclists. *Restaurants refused to serve cyclists especially females in outlandish costumes. *Cyclists clubs organized for protection *Song “Daisy” was written *Wired spoke tires

Bicycle Structure: Bike frame: Diamond shape: Standard type of bike frame, very strong. Women’s frame: Dropped top tube, weaker frame. Good for dresses!!! Old School, but still in our society. Know all parts of the bicycle!!

PHYSICS OF BICYCLE: * Sprocket combos for gear ratios: 10, 15, 21, 24, 27 speeds (multiply # of front sprockets times # of rear sprockets) Cogs also important!!

Need to shift gears often to maintain the proper cadence!! How to properly shift gears on a Mountain bike How to properly shift gears on a Mountain bike

Wheels: Spokes: More spokes, greater strength. Most bikes have 36. Tire width Narrow – Faster, less friction, high pressure - Bumpy Wide - Better cushion, better traction, less punctures Valves: Schrader - common / low air pressure Presta – higher air pressure

GENERAL SAFETY TIPS: * Night riding - lights required. Reflectors recommended. * Always ride with traffic to reduce the relative speed differential * Don’t assume drivers will see you. * Use caution at intersections. Don’t assume right of way. * Cycle in a straight line, even while looking back. * Head radios are illegal

WATCH FOR: *Cars doors opening in front of you. *People and animals darting in front of you. *“Sunday drivers” *Cars next to you that want to turn right *Storm sewer grates (tires could drop through) *Rail road tracks (if not perpendicular to road) Other things to look out for... Other things to look out for...

ODA Safety Rules: Walk bicycles in the halls!!! If tires are low, pump them up. Helmets must be BUCKLED while biking (or no more biking) No off road biking or jumping curbs NO Haugen Hill !!! Dropped from class!! Put bikes where they belong based on size. Record faulty bikes on repair sheet. STAY ON DESIGNATED ROUTE!!! (no short cuts)

ODA Safety Rules: Bike on Path or sidewalk if available. If biking on street, stay on right side, single file. Obey rules of the roads. (Stop signs, etc). Always ride with the flow of traffic Yield right-of-way if impeding traffic Yell “Car Back”. “Passing on the Left”. Don’t use others students personal helmets. Put helmets back on shelf. Yield to pedestrians on paths or in crosswalks Don’t be late for next hour.

How Riding a Bike Reduces Global Warming Ride for Climate EU Research Findings

*Most trips Americans make are short: 50% are less than 3 miles, 40% are less than 2 miles, and 28% are less than 1 mile. (US Department of Transportation, 2009) *The average American household spends $7,179 per year on owning and driving their cars. (Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2010) *On a round-trip commute of 10 miles, bicyclists save around $10 daily. (Commute Solutions, 2011) *Traffic congestion wastes nearly 3.9 billion gallons of gas per year in the U.S. (Texas Transportation Institute, 2010) *For every 1 mile pedaled rather than driven, nearly 1 pound of CO ² (0.88 lbs) is saved. (US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009)US Department of Transportation, 2009Bureau of Transportation Statistics, 2010Commute Solutions, 2011Texas Transportation Institute, 2010US Environmental Protection Agency, 2009 Other Statistics

Bicycling Equipment Shoes: Stiff soles for power transfer. Some models actually attach into the pedals. Pedals: Clips and straps hold your foot on the pedal to allow 360 degrees of energy. Cycling Gloves: Padded palms to cushion hands help prevent wrist problems. Shorts: Padded shorts for comfort. Prevents PNN (Perineum Nerve Numbness). Shirts: Bright colored shirts for safety.

Bicycle Racing TOUR DE FRANCE: Super bowl of bike racing. * Broken down into different stags. * Some steep mountain climbs can be gruelling. “Pyrenees”. *Average overall speed: 25.9 mph. 55+ down hill!!!! * Down hill descents can be fast and dangerous. * Some stage events are timed trials, short sprints. * Team work important. (Drafting) (Peloton ) Greg Lamond. Native Minnesotan three time winner. Gunshot wound. Lance Armstrong, (Texan), 2nd American ever to win the Tour de France. Seven time Winner (1999 – 2005), testicular cancer. Yellow jersey is worn by overall leader

Tour De France TOUR DE FRANCE: Super bowl of bike racing.

Tour De France 28 days 20 stages Over 3000 miles One winner 2015 Tour highlights

Techniques Drafting: When one racer rides immediately behind another to avoid blocking the wind with your body. It provides better aerodynamics and saves energy. Good for long distance rides.

Other Bike Events MS 150 Red Bull Rampage Red Bull Valparaiso Urban 2014 The Ridge Danny Macaskill - Industrial Revolutions