Tour de France - 2012

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By Diane Forrest

Since I began writing on this blog, I have learned so many wonderful and interesting facts.  Today is no exception.  Today is the start of the Tour de France.  I am not that big into sports, I do know enough to fake my way through a cocktail party.  For example, I know that the Tour de France involves bike riding in France, and Lance Armstrong, a competitor from the United States, has won the most times in history for a record 7 times.  If the conversation goes beyond that, then I am at a loss.  Well I should say was at a loss, because I have done some more research on the subject and have found some more interesting facts.

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Did you know that the competition began in 1903 and it takes 23 days?  It will begin today in Liege, Belgian and will end in Paris on July 22.  In fact, it always ends in Paris. This marks the 99th time the tour has been held.  There was no race during World War I and II.

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There are 18 teams that have been invited to participate.

The race is 2173 miles, and has 20 different stages.

For more information about the Tour de France, or if you would like to find where to watch, or purchase merchandise, click on this site:  http://www.letour.fr/us/index.html

I think I will pull out my bike and start training for the next competition, or at least make it around the block!

THE STAGES
Stage	Type	Date	Start and Finish	Distance
P	Prologue	Saturday 30 June	Liège > Liège	6.4 km
1	Plain	Sunday 1 July	Liège > Seraing	198 km
2	Plain	Monday 2 July	Visé > Tournai	207.5 km
3	Medium mountains	Tuesday 3 July	Orchies > Boulogne-sur-Mer	197 km
4	Plain	Wednesday 4 July	Abbeville > Rouen	214.5 km
5	Plain	Thursday 5 July	Rouen > Saint-Quentin	196.5 km
6	Plain	Friday 6 July	Épernay > Metz	207.5 km
7	Medium mountains	Saturday 7 July	Tomblaine > La Planche des Belles Filles	199 km
8	Medium mountains	Sunday 8 July	Belfort > Porrentruy	157.5 km
9	Individual time-trial	Monday 9 July	Arc-et-Senans > Besançon	41.5 km
R	Rest Day	Tuesday 10 July	Repos
10	High Mountains	Wednesday 11 July	Mâcon > Bellegarde-sur-Valserine	194.5 km
11	High Mountains	Thursday 12 July	Albertville > La Toussuire - Les Sybelles	148 km
12	Medium mountains	Friday 13 July	Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne > Annonay Davézieux	226 km
13	Plain	Saturday 14 July	Saint-Paul-Trois-Châteaux > Le Cap d’Agde	217 km
14	High Mountains	Sunday 15 July	Limoux > Foix	191 km
15	Plain	Monday 16 July	Samatan > Pau	158.5 km
R	Rest Day	Tuesday 17 July	Repos
16	High Mountains	Wednesday 18 July	Pau > Bagnères-de-Luchon	197 km
17	High Mountains	Thursday 19 July	Bagnères-de-Luchon > Peyragudes	143.5 km
18	Plain	Friday 20 July	Blagnac > Brive-la-Gaillarde	222.5 km
19	Individual time-trial	Saturday 21 July	Bonneval > Chartres	53.5 km
20	Plain	Sunday 22 July	Rambouillet > Paris Champs-Élysées	120 km

Bike Riding Safety

Ten Tips for Safe Bike Riding

Pediatric Safety Basics

Bicycle riding is a fun and popular activity among kids. And with more and more kids becoming overweight, encouraging kids to be more active and ride their bikes regularly can lead to a healthier lifestyle.

Unfortunately, bicycle riding can also lead to kids getting injured or even dying, especially when they don't wear a helmet. According to the CDC, 'more than 500,000 children go to hospital emergency rooms or doctors' offices due to bicycle injuries' each year.

Although it is a simple way to avoid getting hurt, far too many kids don't wear a helmet when riding their bike. In fact, one survey by the National SAFE KIDS Campaign found that 'only 41 percent of all children observed on bicycles, inline skates, skateboards and scooters wear helmets' and that 35 percent of all children observed wearing helmets wear them improperly', either because the chin strap was unattached, loose, or the helmet was tilted. In our own Bicycle Helmet Poll, only about half of children 'always' wear a helmet.

In addition to setting a good example and always wearing a helmet yourself, here are ten tips to teach your children to encourage safe bike riding:

• Always wear a bike helmet
• Stop and check traffic before riding into a street
• Don't ride at night
• Obey traffic signs and signals
• Ride on the right-hand side of the street
• Check your brakes before riding.
• Give cars and pedestrians the right-of-way
• Wear light or bright-colored clothing so that motorists can see you
• Be extra careful turning left - motorists don't expect it
• Avoid broken pavement, loose gravel and leaves - which can cause you to lose control of your bike.

But remember that simply wearing a helmet is not enough. Your child has to wear it correctly for it to keep him safe. You should choose a bike helmet that meets current safety standards. Other tips to help you select and correctly use a bike helmet include that you should:

• Start children wearing helmets with their first tricycles or play vehicles.
• Use foam pads inside to fit the helmet snugly so it doesn't move on the head.
• Fit the helmet so the front is just above the top of the eyebrows.
• Teach your child to wear a helmet so that it covers the upper part of the forehead and sits level on the head.
• Adjust the two side straps so they meet in a "V" right under each ear.
• Adjust the chin strap snugly under the chin.
• Make it tight enough so the helmet pulls down when the child opens his mouth.
• Check often to make sure straps stay snug and the helmet stays level on the head.

Please remember – Safety First!

This week on Keeping it Simple - May 16, 2011

Sunday evening ..

I just posted the second of three articles by Vivian Takafuji titled ‘Arthritis – Time to Take Control.  It is another excellent read and we sincerely hope your enjoy it and part one.  Part three will be posted later this week along with additional information regarding the Arthritis Walk this coming Saturday, May 21, 2011 on the National Mall.  Vivian plans to be there as well.

Topics we are working on and intend to post this week are:

•  Hepatitis Awareness.   (Diane has prepared this article.) Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver.  There are 3 main types of Hepatitis, A, which is airborne, B, which is blood borne, and C (formally known as Non A-Non B) There are a few more or less common types, D E F and G.

• Lyme disease Awareness.  (Diane did the research and prepared this article.)  Now that the winter months are behind us, people are getting outside more, playing, hiking, camping, and spending time enjoying nature.  One of the hazards to being outside is being in contact with bugs and insects.  While most of these are completely harmless, some carry disease or cause infections.  Today I want you to be aware of the nasty little critter the tick.

• National Waiters and Waitresses Day.  One near and dear to my heart, as I frequently eat out and enjoy their company and friendships.  For the most part, they are hardworking, solid individuals; many are college students trying to get ahead in life.

• Bike Week.  While I no longer bike (and my healthcare supporters wish I did) beyond being a great exercise, it is a nice way to get to and from work (providing there are safe routes).

• Armed Forces Day. On the heels of CBS multi-part interview with Defense Secretary Robert Gates.   Simply a day to salute sharply to all of the men and women in all branches of the service who protect our country and you. They can be called upon at a moment's notice to perform a risky and perilous mission for freedom and country.

There is a strong possibility there more...

Thanks for all those folks who visited Keeping it Simple and we hope more will join in stopping by, reading our material and leaving your comments.

Our family cruise was wonderful!  We will repeat taking another cruise in the next couple of years.

Wishing all a wonderful week