If you haven’t been updated already, the cycle centre entry ramp will be open this Monday the 22nd July – Hooray! However, due to wet weather in the past week there has been a delay in the anti skid surfacing application which will now be applied next week after the ramp dries out as it can not be applied to a damp surface. Therefore use of the ramp will be conditional and controlled, so we ask that all users reduce their speed and ride with caution. If there are any concerns about the ramp, please access the centre via the lifts. The final works on the ramp will be done as soon as possible, and the full ramp should be complete by the end of next week provided good weather conditions.
Recent studies have shown that not getting those 6-8 hours of sleep that our body needs each night can lead to serious health implications – even losing just one single night’s sleep can have an immediate effect on the body. Extensive research has demonstrated that a lack of shut-eye and disrupted sleeping patterns can suppress the immune function and increase the chances of heart attacks and potentially fatal cardiovascular disorders. Various other negative factors have been associated with sleep deprivation, including evidence that it could physically shrink the size of your brain. Other factors include:
Poor hand-eye coordination
Visual and auditory delusions
Paranoia
Weight loss
Tissue-damaging inflammation
Sugary and fatty food cravings
Risky decision-making
Changes in gene activity
Therefore the importance of a good night’s sleep is crystal clear – ensure those 6-8 hours of Zzz’s are acquired each night and your body will without a doubt thank you for it.
A massive human-powered helicopter designed by Canadian duo Cameron Robertson and Todd Reichert has recently won one of the longest-standing challenges in aviation history. “The Atlas” is controlled by having a single pilot pedal a bicycle-like wheel to turn the aircraft’s four enormous, independent rotors. On June 13th, this human-powered helicopter reached a height of nearly 11 feet and stayed in the air for 64.11 seconds. Impressive? I think so!
Now Australia’s third largest city, Brisbane is one of our country’s most unique. With such a convenient location, Brisbane is within close proximity to many beautiful beaches, mountain ranges, and much, much more – what better excuse to jump on the bike and explore what Brisbane has to offer. There are many bike paths around Brisbane which can be used for both fun and fitness, with some favourites including the Boondall Wetlands ride, Brisbane City, Kedron Brook, New Farm, Toowong and West End rides. All providing different surroundings and scenery, these rides are a great way to love and appreciate the great outdoors of the capital of the beautiful Sunshine State.
For more info on Brisbane’s bike adventures visit:
The line between insanity and genius is said to be a fine one, and in early 20th century France, anyone envisaging a near-2,500-km-long cycle race across the country would have been widely viewed as unhinged. But that didn’t stop Géo Lefèvre, a journalist with L’Auto magazine at the time, from proceeding with his inspired plan. His editor, Henri Desgrange, was bold enough to believe in the idea and to throw his backing behind the Tour de France. And so it was that, on 1 July 1903, sixty pioneers set out on their bicycles from Montgeron. After six mammoth stages (Nantes – Paris, 471 km!), only 21 “routiers”, led by Maurice Garin, arrived at the end of this first epic. Having provoked a mixture of astonishment and admiration, le Tour soon won over the sporting public and the roadside crowds swelled. The French people took to their hearts this unusual event which placed their towns, their countryside and, since 1910, even their mountains, in the spotlight. Le Tour has always moved with the times. Like France as a whole, it benefited from the introduction of paid holidays from 1936; it has lived through wars, and then savoured the “trente glorieuses” period of economic prosperity while enjoying the heydays of Coppi, Bobet, Anquetil and Poulidor; it has opened itself up to foreign countries with the onset of globalisation, and now finds itself at the forefront of the debate on the malaise afflicting world sport in general. Over a hundred years after its inception, le Tour continues to gain strength from its experience.
The benefits of commuting to and from work via bicycle are astronomical. When cycling, positive implications begin to surface across all aspects of both the personal and professional life. Implications within social, environmental and economic realms have been seen to extend to the wider community. As a sustainable mode of transportation, the bicycle alternative is not only responsible but also holistically profitable.
The words ‘traffic congestion’ are often enough to cause prickles of frustration to crawl across ones’ skin. In the frantic rush of commuter hour, cyclists are provided with an opportunity to bypass the morning mayhem with exclusive access to bike paths and designated lanes. Avoiding congestion saves on vehicle operation costs and unnecessary exhaust emissions. Cycling, as a form of zero emission transport contributes nil to air pollution thus creating benefits for both oneself and broader society.
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (2007) found that during the 2001-2006 period in Brisbane, the bicycle alternative rose as much as 18%. Figures demonstrate that with an increasing road presence, the safety of cyclists similarly increases. With this in mind, many commuters have been seen to ride to work in groups of two or more. Such a trend generates a great sense of mateship and enthusiasm. (It is much more difficult to hit snooze if you know that your commuting counterpart will be waiting by the servo at 6am sharp). It is relationships like this that forge friendships and make your experience at Cycle 2 City all that more enjoyable.
That being said, as a lone ranger, I cannot stress the extent to which cycling provides a clear state of mind. It provides the perfect timeframe in which to ponder the days’ proceedings and generally just have a good ol’ think. Apparently Einstein came up with the theory of relativity while riding his bicycle and although I do not think that my morning musings may be of such a groundbreaking calibre I do treasure the clarity and sense of accomplishment that it grants me.
All that aside, whether solo or socialite, the benefits of cycling are transcendent. It comes as no surprise that cycling is closely linked to better health, an elevated quality of life and increased overall fitness. Incorporating bicycle commuting into your everyday routine can assist in protection against sedentary diseases, poor physical and mental health. The World Health Organisation (WHO) found that cycling reduces the incidence of mental health disorders such depression and anxiety. Can you imagine how chirpy your workplace could be if everyone kick-started their day with a ride?
Speaking from experience, it is felt that there is no better way to start your day than with the first downward slope of the journey. This increasing momentum coupled with a cool dose of winter morning and that ‘Oh *%$&’ feeling that forces you to become suddenly very, very awake. It is mornings like this that make the hot shower at the end of the route all that more enjoyable.
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