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The Pedaler December 2019/January 2020: A monthly publication of the Lancaster Bike Club

In This Issue

Have an idea for an event? Contact Sandra Mannon.

Plans for Spring Fling 2020 are in the making and activities director, Sandra Mannon, is seeking recommendations for any special locations. Currently, she is considering a stay near the Gettysburg Battle Fields. Please contact her with your thoughts and or ideas.

Lead From the Back:

Winter Weather Advice

by Dave Stauffer

“Do Not Fear the Arctic” These were the words from one of my ride participants after a beautiful ride that started at 22 degrees at 8 am. No wind and in the sun.

These conditions are signs that winter is on its way, but don’t let the deep chills keep you from the outside. Pennsylvania winters offer plenty of riding opportunities.

The key is to dress for the temperature but do not overdress. Know that the wind chill does not matter as much as sunshine when interpreting the depth of the cold. Prepare by layering- try extra and differing weight of clothes as the temperature drops. No one set of gear will suffice, since I must relearn and experiment as the temperature drops each year. Each person is different.

Based on my experiences, the chart below characterizes my expected choice of wardrobe for the bike in colder weather.

Other cold weather concerns:

See you on the road.

Dave

Riding the Roads in Winter

Our LBC president, Dave Stauffer, shares, in his monthly column, his tips for winter riding. Additional advice also comes from experts at online sites.

A quick read of articles from Bicycling.com, Cycling Weekly.com, and TrainingPeaks.com, reveals all agree that dressing up for going out in winter weather is a key component along with recommendations for bike maintenance, fuel intake, the weather, and staying safe. The following practices are a combined list of tips from these sites:

CBD- A Cure or a Curiosity for Athletes

by Leslie Arnold

When riding near or by fields in Lancaster County, you may catch a sniff of a crop that is increasing its presence and popularity– hemp. The plants do generate a “telltale” smell that can mimic the odor of marijuana; but don’t be fooled, hemp is the source and its growth is legal in Pennsylvania.

Growing, too, are the number and types of products, particularly CBD, that permeate ads for remedies of pains, aches, and muscle soreness. As a rider who has a fair share of muscle stiffness and perhaps early arthritic pain, I wanted to give some products a try – at least hoping to alleviate my body woes.

Before purchasing, I expended an effort to learn more about the manufacturing of these products; I talked to those who use CBD regularly, a local manufacturer, and rounded out my knowledge with research from the Web.

First to know is that CBD is found in both marijuana and hemp; both are different plants.

The hemp plant has long been raised for its use in industrial products but the realization of its significant amounts of the cannabinoid, cannabidiol (CBD) has sparked the manufacturing of a myriad of products that promote its healing properties. CBD is a non-psychoactive cannabinoid that interacts with receptors in the central nervous system and immune system to offer purported medicinal benefits.

Sales of CBD products originate throughout the United States and elsewhere. Reading reviews of the various vendors would be recommended since no claims by any CBD processor are evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. For this reason, I opted to check out local vendors.

In Lancaster, CBD merchandise is sold by various vendors, be it an open-air market, nearby convenience store, vaping store, or drug store. I took a chance on using CBD after I saw a product display for Hempfield Botanicals (HB) at my preferred pharmacy, Wiley’s, though I checked in with the pharmacist as to the company’s credibility. He assured me that many customers commented on its effectiveness, so I visited HB’s home location in downtown Lancaster where the company manufactures its products on-site.

The company representative answered all my questions regarding their processing of CBD, while describing their store’s products and effectiveness. As shared on the company’s website, https://hempfieldbotanicals.com/ , CBD’s therapeutic properties help people find relief from a number of issues, especially those that can plague athletes. These include arthritis pain, muscle soreness, joint pain, and nerve pain. In addition, the products may reduce or relieve depression, anxiety, insomnia, epilepsy, poor concentration, inflammatory diseases, autoimmune disorders, Ischemic diseases, mood disorders, and poor appetite.

Another CBD company is Floyd’s of Leadville, owned by Floyd Landis, a hometown boy and former winner of the Tour de France who now promotes his own line of CBD commodities. Though his products are manufactured in Leadville, Colorado, he sells in various US locations and had plans to sell his items at Floyd’s Café at 237 North Prince Street in Lancaster.

According to the site page for Floyd’s of Leadville, https://floydsofleadville.com/, Landis entered the CBD business after he began searching for medicines that could alleviate his pain problems that once led him to use opiates. He touts the healing properties of CBD exceed that of commonly used remedies such as curcumin, omega-3, antioxidants, vitamin C, and proteolytic enzymes. His company’s site also explains that CBD is believed to possess antioxidant properties which reduces oxidative stress that occurs when the body burns excessive oxygen thus resulting in excess stress on the body.

The products I purchased from Hempfield Botanicals passed the “three t” test, and I now use two of the topical products. The salve offers some relief but the lotion, because of its higher CBD concentration, proved more effective. I noticed greater relief the day after application.

Within each product, the concentration of CBD will vary in measure by milligrams, anywhere from 100 mg to 1000 mg, or even more. The higher the level the more the potency, and generally the higher the price. Products are available in a variety of options from topicals, such as creams and gels, to ingestible items, such as capsules of oil, suspensions, or tinctures.

Though I am not a daily user of the CBD products I own, I understand that repeated and regular usually ensures a more significant effect. Also, I agree that the higher the concentration of CBD, the more likely I will receive greater benefits.

I would be willing to try out CBD products from other vendors, such Floyd’s, or Angry Mikes, a newer vendor in Lancaster, but my experimentation is limited by the somewhat costly price for the products. A tincture oil of 100 milligrams can be priced at nearly $50 and a 45-gram jar of cream is nearly the same price.

Gifts for Cyclists

Report from LBC Ride Coordinator: Sub Committee Studies Ride Classifications

Safety Corner

by John Mullineaux

Membership Application

Ride Schedule for December 2019 /January 2020