Messages

1426

General Discussion / Re: biking across america with diabetes

« on: March 27, 2009, 09:57:40 pm »

It is a medical question. If the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to help metabolize blood sugar, there could be something wrong with the pancreas or the intake of sugars is too high so that after a period of time the pancreas becomes sort of burned out trying to produce enough insulin to keep blood sugar concentrations at acceptable levels. Something like that. Diabetes can be caused by excessive intake of highly refined sugars over a long period of time, and also by excessive intakes of iron and fats. Excessive urinary excretions have something to do with it too. Diabetes is caused by a long term diet that is incompatible with the human digestive system. There seems also to be a hereditary aspect to the  disease which has been investigated. Some Doctors seem to think the passing along of diabetes from generation to generation is more a matter of passing along dietary habits than a matter of genes and DNA and such. Eating foods that cause the pancreas to over produce insulin to the point it is exhausted, and then taking extra insulin is not the way to go. A special diet, or lets just say a normal diet, has as far as I know always been part of the treatment for diabetes.
In some parts of the country it might not always be possible for you to buy the foods you need. If anyone wants to prevent diabetes to begin with, just eat fresh fruitsm fresh vegetables, whole grains, whole cereals, nuts, seeds, etc. A diet high in fiber is adviseable. World populations where highly refined sugars were not part of the diet were totally free of diabetes. After highly refined sugars became part of the diets diabetes appeared,sometimes in epidemic proportions. The onset seemed to be about twenty years after the beginning of habitual ingestion. Diabetes comes at varying levels of severity. The questions you have and the answers you seek are matters between you and your doctor. Perhaps there is a cyclist on this forum who has the same kind of diabetes you have.

It is only my opinion, but any project regarding diabetes should be aimed at prevention, even moreso than at cure. Medical science does not say dietary habits are the only cause of diabetes, but in the western world dietary habits are by and large the main cause.

1427

General Discussion / Re: biking across america with diabetes

« on: March 27, 2009, 11:55:55 am »

There are quite a few people on this forum who have bicycled across the United states. Use roads that are best for cycling. Be careful. There are web sites devoted much to bicycle touring. I am not sure about cycling with diabetes. Diabetes can be controlled through diet, but I don't know about curing it or erasing it entirely.

1428

Routes / Re: Orlando FL to Houston TX

« on: March 26, 2009, 06:15:14 am »

Great ride. Great ride. Kudos.

1429

Routes / Re: Orlando FL to Houston TX

« on: March 25, 2009, 01:47:52 pm »

So with all their new roads they still will not build a cycling lane.  It's too bad. I guess they have other things to worry about. Come to think of it, I don't remember seeing cyclists in those areas.  I have cycled through there twice, maybe three times. I camped out near Tillman's Corner one night. I always went straight through New Orleans, except for one night when we were invited to stay at a residence. Did you have any problems at all going through Louisiana? I did have every time I went through that state by bicycle.

1430

Routes / Re: Theme based tours

« on: March 25, 2009, 08:19:30 am »

I definitely have been on theme based tours in Europe and the United States, but not by bicycle. All my real theme based tours were by car and train.
I cycle to get out and see the world and the countryside and to have a good time.

1431

Routes / Re: Orlando FL to Houston TX

« on: March 25, 2009, 08:08:26 am »

Just got back from my ride, had a great time, mostly good weather.

For anyone interested in this route, I've mapped out the data from my GPS:
http://www.bikemap.net/route/137115

That's just way too cool for words. I checked the map and the pointers. I know exactly where you went, and I have gone the same route by bicycle myself.

How did you sleep? Motels, stealth, pay camp, friends, a combination of all of the above? What about shelter? Tent, tarp, bivy sack. How long did it take. I am guessing 15 days to 20, but probably less than twenty. Any problems along the way?

1432

Routes / Re: Warning Alert: Southern Tier, Mexican-American Border Areas.

« on: March 25, 2009, 07:58:21 am »

If just over 4000 American troops have been killed in Irag in all these years, and some 7000 people have been killed in northern Mexico in a year, what does that tell you? It is a war zone.

Personally, I think it is safe to cycle the southern tier in the areas along the Mexican border, but the fact is it might not be either.

1433

Routes / Re: Warning Alert: Southern Tier, Mexican-American Border Areas.

« on: March 24, 2009, 10:53:01 pm »

Front page www.yahoo.com, 25 March 2009. If you are planning a ride on the southern tier bike route, and somebody tells you it is all safe, andthe problem is in Mexico, keep in mind they are not going to be on that route, You Are. There is much more to the article you see here.
===============================================================================================================


WASHINGTON — An epidemic of drug-related violence that has claimed thousands of lives in northern Mexico and begun to spill over into U.S. border cities has once again thrust Mexico into the first tier of President Barack Obama's security concerns.
The administration announced Tuesday that it's sending more federal agents and high-tech equipment to the U.S.-Mexican border in an attempt to blunt violence in both countries. One aim is to stanch the flow of U.S. weapons into Mexico , which Mexican officials say is fueling the drug wars

1434

General Discussion / Re: House Bill 3008 Oregon

« on: March 24, 2009, 07:56:39 am »

They can make laws all day and all night. I am not going to pay an annual tax on my bicycles.Period.

If they build safe roads for cycling, I'll pay.

1435

Routes / Re: How much to save to do the TA

« on: March 24, 2009, 07:39:20 am »

I can tell you. The way you describe your tour, you can do it for thirty dollars a day for absolute sure. There is no question about it. Some days you will spend quite a bit less, and other days more, and that is only as you described your intended trip. Thirty will do it.

When you say you will be camping a majority of the time it leaves a lot of room for error. For example, for a trip of ninety days a majority could be fifty days, leaving forty for motels, in which case you can throw the thirty estimate out the window. If you want an estimate you have to be more precise about what you are planning to do. If you camp a majority of the time and stay with pre-arranged free lodging other nights, that is something else again. If you camp a majority of your nights, what will you do on the minority of nights? When I cycle coss country I average about $30.00 per day, and that is with occasional days in motels, but not many. One a 66 day, 3700 mile tour, I cycled 54 days, and spent about six days in motels, three days at homes , and three days elsewhere free. In this case the majority of nights camped out is large compared to other forms of shelter for the night.

1436

Routes / Re: Warning Alert: Southern Tier, Mexican-American Border Areas.

« on: March 24, 2009, 07:30:24 am »

We are aware the southern tier of ACA's bicycling route is totally within the boundaries of the United States. It also runs very near the border. It is right at the border for quite some distance. Below this paragraph you see thge latest warning about the border lands. Posted on www.yahoo.com on 24 March 2009. There is quite a bit more to the story.
==========================================================================================================


WASHINGTON – Members of Congress may be alarmed by the surge in Mexican drug violence and its potential to spill across the border, but they grow silent when the talk turns to gun control as a solution.

With related kidnappings and killings occurring in the U.S., the Obama administration is likely to shift dozens of enforcement agents and millions of dollars to the fight against Mexican drug cartels.

1437

Gear Talk / Re: How many people tour with non-touring bikes?

« on: March 23, 2009, 12:40:58 pm »

Like I said, I would not use a mountain bike for a long distance tour. Sure, you can mount narrow wheels and tires, but why unless money is the issue?
I am satisfied with the touring bikes I have used.

Touring bikes are supposed to be less rigid for a springier, more forgiving ride; not that much less rigid. They are strong, rigid for pedaling efficiency, and longer and more cushiony. The racing bike is built for one purpose, maximum transmission of human power, to pedal, to chain, to wheel; the more rigid the better, thus the shorter frame. Let me say I have never been a bicycle racer. I have never even ridden a racing bicycle. I have read about bikes, frames etc. Racing, road, touring, hybrid, and mountain. The mountain bike too has a more compact, rigid, strong frame. It may take a lot of beating.  Anyway, the bit of loss of efficiency with the touring bike's longer frame is compensated for with a more comfortable ride, or so theory goes.
The extremely rigid frame of a racing type bike will transmit every bump full force where you don't want it to go. The touring bike is less harsh on the posterior with the right saddle and fit.

1438

Routes / Re: Namibia

« on: March 23, 2009, 08:08:38 am »

Namibia today according to Wikitravel.


Namibia is a peaceful country and is not involved in any wars. With the end of the Angolan civil war in May 2002, the violence that spilled over into north-eastern Namibia is no longer an issue.

Namibia has relatively high crime rate. See the warning for ATMs above, in the Buy section. For men it is not prudent to walk or ride taxis alone in Windhoek or Oshakati after midnight. For women, it is not prudent after 9pm. Pickpockets can be a problem. All these warnings should be taken in context, because the threat is not as serious as it might sound. If you are alert and take some common sense precautions then you will have no problems.

Travellers should have no problem visiting the townships, though it's advisable not to visit the townships alone unless you're familiar with the area. If you have been travelling in Southern Africa for a few months, you probably know what you're doing.

Namibia has a serious problem with driving under the influence of alcohol. The problem is aggravated because most people don't consider it a problem. When driving/walking on weekend evenings, be extra alert.

[edit]


The fact is wherever you find large human populations you find the same problems. Some places are worse than others. Some are absolutely terrible. Keep your eyes open and stay alert.

1439

Routes / Re: Namibia

« on: March 22, 2009, 10:59:18 pm »

  

World : Africa : Namibia
        
  
 

Google Namibia, Southwest Africa. I would not want to be anywhere near the Dhali Lama's Study area. Namibia had and may still have a high rate of crimes you would be most vulnerable to.

There is a lot more to this article.

INCIDENCE OF CRIME

The crime rate in Namibia is high for murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and burglary, but very low for larceny and auto theft compared to industrialized countries, resulting in a low rate of crime overall. An analysis was done using INTERPOL data for Namibia. For purpose of comparison, data were drawn for the seven offenses used to compute the United States FBI's index of crime. Index offenses include murder, forcible rape, robbery, aggravated assault, burglary, larceny, and motor vehicle theft. The combined total of these offenses constitutes the Index used for trend calculation purposes. Namibia will be compared with Japan (country with a low crime rate) and USA (country with a high crime rate). According to the INTERPOL data, for murder, the rate in 1999 was 26.32 per 100,000 population for Namibia, 1.00 for Japan, and 4.55 for USA. For rape, the rate in 1999 was 36.89 for Namibia, compared with 1.47 for Japan and 32.05 for USA. For robbery, the rate in 1999 was 90.83 for Namibia, 3.34 for Japan, and 147.36 for USA. For aggravated assault, the rate in 1999 was 533.60 for Namibia, 15.97 for Japan, and 329.63 for USA. For burglary, the rate in 1999 was 602 for Namibia, 206.01 for Japan, and 755.29 for USA. The rate of larceny for 1999 was 179.55 for Namibia, 1267.95 for Japan, and 2502.66 for USA. The rate for motor vehicle theft in 1999 was 65.81 for Namibia, compared with 34.01 for Japan and 412.70 for USA. The rate for all index offenses combined was 1535 for Namibia, compared with 1529.75 for Japan and 4184.24 for USA. (Note: data were not reported to INTERPOL by the USA for 1999, but were derived from data reported to the United Nations for 1999) It may be observed that, using the FBI Index, Namibia appears to have a low rate of crime despite the extremely high rate of violent crime, owed to the relative weight of larceny and motor vehicle theft in the index.

1440

Routes / Re: Namibia

« on: March 22, 2009, 07:36:24 am »

You might want to look up your country's  state department on the internet, and check to see if there are any travel adviseries about Namibia, Southwest Africa. Nice tourist venues can change to violent hell holes pretty quick. If any threats against Americans or others have been coming through lately, you would want to be aware of it. Know before you go.