I’m a bit behind in posting, but SF.Streetsblog has a good review on their site of David Byrne’s book reading at the Herbst a few weeks ago — which he ended up turning into a panal of bicycling advocates that ranged from himself, to a university professor, a SF City Councilman, and the SF Bicycle Coalition. All in all, it was a thought-provoking discussion about how to make cities more bike-friendly.
Check it out!
David Byrne, formerly of the Talking Heads, is a long-time bicyclist
I’m very excited to see David Byrne tonight at the Herbst Theatre. No, he won’t be singing, but he will be talking about his new book “Bicycle Diaries,” in which he gives his random thoughts on bicycling through several of the world’s most interesting cities.
The event is titled “Bike Advocacy and the Urban Environment.” My plan, of course, had been to bike to the theatre, but I’m still not quite back to biking form yet, so unfortunately I won’t be able to do that. I’m sure almost everyone else attending will bike there, which is fantastic.
Byrne is a long-time cyclist, and even writes a blog where he frequently muses about music, bycycling, and other random and interesting thoughts.
He’s been biking as a primary mode of transportation for decades, even taking his folding bike with him all over the world as he travels for concerts, etc.
Should be an interesting evening. I’ll report back soon!
More info about tonight’s event can be found here.
Recent reviews of Byrne’s book:
Yes, given my recent injury, unfortunately I’m now going to write a rash of back pain while cycling, good posture while cycling, is biking good or bad for your back kinds of posts. Sorry.
I always have back pain while biking, and given the wealth of information about it out there, I’m guessing I’m not alone. Prior to my injury, I dealt with this by stretching prior to riding, and on long rides I took frequent breaks to stretch along the way. I also raised the handle bars on both my bikes so I’d be sitting up straighter, which seemed to help (although I did rupture my disk shortly after raising the handlebars on my city bike…but I don’t think it is related)
According to an article on Roadcycling.com:
Researchers have reported that low back pain among men and women cyclists occurs at rates of up to 50% and may be related to the cyclist’s position on the bicycle.
This article is quite technical and goes into great detail about correct position of many body parts and the importance of a properly fitted bicycle. I’ve never had any of my bikes “fitted,” but I’m planning to take this step as soon as I feel I’m able to ride again.
After lots of reading on this topic, here is a list I’ve compiled of the top 5 steps to reduce back pain while biking:
1. Stretch, stretch, stretch – I’m always amazed at how often people skip this important step. Not stretching before biking or working out is like not knocking on the door to someone’s home prior to just walking in–especially as you get older. Take 5-10 minutes and stretch out your back, hamstrings, neck, shoulders–all are working hard while you are biking, and they deserve a heads up.
2. Strength training – building core strength is one of the best ways to alleviate back pain. A weak core causes overuse of other muscles, which can lead to injury (this I can personally attest to!).
3. A properly fitted bike – As I mentioned above, I’ve never done this, but the experts seem to agree that this is a critical step, and it makes sense. Everything
from frame, seat, handlebars, grips, and stem need to be sized to your body. Below are a few links to resources I found for fitting bikes. Personally, I plan to take mine somewhere and have someone do this for me…
4. Correct posture – My posture isn’t optimal in most situations. I’m often hunched over my desk, and my pilates instructor recently informed me that I stand with my back arched too far back (most likely from years of abusive high heels). So, I’m virtually positive that my biking posture probably sucks, too. Correct cycling posture depends on the type of bike you are riding. For street bikes, a more upright posture is better, and for mountain bikes, where you, an arched back or flat back is best. Here are a few sources I found for posture tips:
5. Take the time to learn and adjust – I’m not really a details person. I’m more of a high level, just go out and do it, details/smetails type. As such, I feel a bit daunted (and frankly bored) by all the technicalities of having my bike properly fitted and relearning posture for my back, shoulders, etc. However, I am pretty committed to NEVER going through a ruptured disk again, so I’m going to suck it up and do the work because I’d like to continue biking. Take the time to figure out the right way of doing things, and do it!
OK, so about a day after my last post, I ruptured a disk in my lower back which has kinda put a damper on my biking for the near-term. Take care of your backs, people!
I’ve had back problems for some time, and I won’t bore people who came to read a biking blog with a back problems blog, but on the day I ruptured the disk, I had some back pain in the morning, which isn’t unusual for me, so my thought was to just “power through it.” I stretched out, and rode my bike to work as usual. This was pretty painful, but again I just kept thinking I’d power through.
By the time I was riding home, genius that I am, I’d figured out something more serious might be going on, and the next day after an MRI I was diagnosed with said ruptured disk.
Now, when did the disk rupture? Who knows, but I’m guessing the biking didn’t help things. There is a whole Google universe on “biking and back pain” – 7,000.000 hits of a universe.
Basically, consensus is the straighter up you can sit, the better.
I’ll be doing a few posts on this while I continue to heal over the next few weeks. Here are some good posture while riding articles that I found, although these are for experiencing back pain while biking, and I’ve unfortunately moved beyond that realm!
SF Wiggle captures a ride down Valencia Street in the Mission
OK, so it is probably not a sign of consistent, engaged blogging when you try to login to your blog only to realize you can’t remember the password!
Where does the time go??? In mid July, I moved into San Francisco’s Mission District (LOVING IT!), and now my house is only three blocks from BART. On the other end in the financial district, my office is only 4 blocks from BART. So, I’ve spent the last several weeks soaking up the best commute I’ve ever had in my entire professional life and still managed to be all proud of myself for taking public transit and not driving my car.
However, a pound or two and some lethargy later, I decided to get back to biking to work last week, and now that I’ve recovered my password, I can resume blogging as well…
Despite the Mission’s proximity to BART foiling my bike commute for the last few weeks, the Mission is hands-down THE best neighborhood for biking in the city (some may argue, but that is my opinion, anyway). First of all it is flat, which is this city gives it a significant advantage right out of the gate. Secondly, lots and lots of people get around by bike so there is a good sense of biking community that it is fun to take part in. If you doubt this, hang out on Valencia Street, which has a bike lane down both sides running the entire length of the street. This, to me is the heart of San Francisco biking culture. Thirdly, it has great proximity to downtown and SOMA where many bikers (including me) commute for work.
My new commute takes me up Valencia Street to Market Street, which then takes me all the way downtown. I have long resisted commuting on Market because I assumed it would be
Market Street Commute
heavily trafficked and dangerous. That really isn’t true. I suspect most cars avoid it due to all the stop lights, turning restrictions, and assumptions that it will be congested (I do when in my car). Instead, there are many empty pockets, clusters of bikers in the right lane/bike lane, and mostly public transit vehicles. So far (four trips) I’ve found it to be a great street for bike commuters, and I’m happy to be back at it!
Few links highlighting San Francisco’s Mission District, my new hood! These have little to do with biking (some of the blogs cover biking), but they are still fun:
Recent New York Times piece spotlighting the Mission
Mission Mission – a definitive SF Mission Blog
SF Mission – news, events, restaurants, etc.
|
