October 08, 2014
When the air turns crisp and the leaves change from green to gold, it’s time to think about taking a nice, long bike ride. This is the best type of exercise one could want. In fact, cycling and swimming are two enjoyable sports that provide an invigorating full-body workout.
A TALE OF TWO CITIES
Manhattan and Amsterdam are two places where cycling is very popular. I remember very clearly our first trip to Amsterdam in The Netherlands. Reading about the popularity of bikes in this city is not the same as actually seeing them in action.
When the traffic lights change from red to green, hundreds of cyclists barrel ahead. There are roughly 750,000 people in Amsterdam and, on average, half of the city’s population rides a bike at some point every day. There are bike racks everywhere and 250 miles of bike lanes.
CYCLING IN MANHATTAN
Compared to Amsterdam, our city is rather late in embracing biking for the average citizen. However, in May 2013 the biggest bicycle-sharing program in the U.S. was launched in Manhattan (population 1.6 million). It was kicked off with 6,000 bikes in more than 300 stations.
Launching this endeavor took three years of planning and 400 community meetings to decide where to put the racks. Even so, the roll out hit some bumps: most notably Superstorm Sandy.
WHAT DO THE TWO CITIES HAVE IN COMMON?
There is no bike-sharing program in Amsterdam because bike ownership is preferred. However, in both cities, bike thievery is high. In Amsterdam there are about 1,000,000 bicycles in the city and 100,000 are stolen yearly. And, believe it or not, 25,000 end up in the city’s 150 canals.
On the other hand, Manhattan is widely regarded as the nation’s bicycle-theft capital. That’s why Kryptonite’s bike lock is called the “New York Lock” that “resists bolt cutters”.
NEWS FLASH: It has just been announced that three Chilean engineering students have invented “The World’s First Unstealable Bike.” Stay tuned.
MAY WE SUGGEST…
Since October is a mix of end-of-summer and fall it’s wise to think about both for your biking adventures. Our camisole in oxblood is perfect for warmer days, while our ¾ sleeve scoop neck layering top in chocolate will come in handy when the temperature drops a bit.
- Shaun
Comments will be approved before showing up.
October 22, 2020
I just read an article that sounded – to me at least – like “a canary in a coal mine” or an early warning of danger. This piece, written by Joe Pompeo, appeared in the May 2020 issue of Vanity Fair magazine with the title “The British Tabloid Invasion” and a subtitle that read, “How the Daily Mail is conquering American gossip.”
The paparazzi horde, La Dolce Vita, 1960 – photo courtesy of Vanity Fair
October 14, 2020
Apparently the good old U.S. is a nation of “not great” sleepers. Really? And I thought I was the only one! According to a recent study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention it was revealed that one out of three Americans are chronically sleep-deprived. Yikes!
October 06, 2020
I think we’re all taken by the incredible mystique of the famous French fashion house, Hermès that has been with us for two centuries and is still owned and operated by the same family. From its beginnings in fine equestrian leather goods, they are – in the tumultuous year 2020 – best known for their handbags and many other items.
My image of Hermès has always been rarified products at equally rarified prices so imagine my surprise when I recently received a very stylish publication of theirs in the mail.