Guest Post - Do your bit for the Environment and Cycle!

After Christmas and the New Year celebrations, it is normally this time of year when the January blues start to set in, and most people start setting resolutions as they promise themselves to detox and get fitter.

So, there is no better time than now to start thinking about how these resolutions can not only help your own well-being but also the environment.
Nowadays, we are all becoming more environmentally focused, trying to do our bit wherever we can and live a greener lifestyle, whether that’s re-using carrier bags in supermarkets, buying organic produce or recycling effectively at work and at home.

Primera Sports - a leading bike retailer - is going to outline for Reduce Footprints how taking up cycling this New Year can not only fulfil your resolution to get fitter, but will also help save the environment. Primera Sports readily tries to encourage people to cycle and educates them about the environmental benefits that go with taking up this sport. Here they explain why cycling can help make your life a lot greener and provide top tips for anyone looking to get into cycling this New Year.

The Facts

In this day and age, most people own a motor vehicle which they use regularly for trips; trips that could easily be undertaken in a more environmentally friendly manner. One option to reduce your carbon footprint would be cycling for these trips instead, therefore avoiding the harmful emissions from being released into the eco-system.

Cycling in rush hour traffic is a low carbon way to travel that will not only reduce your queuing time, but will also improve your fitness levels. By taking your car off the road you will cut the level of CO2 emitted, as a vehicle in traffic will produce three times the amount of emissions than one travelling at a constant speed!

The Kit

So if you want to hang up your car keys and cycling sounds like something you would like to take up then you will need the appropriate equipment to ensure you are safe and to also improve cycling performance.

Firstly, you will need to choose a bike that suits the type of cycling you will be undertaking (whether that will be road or off road), and that the bike fits your body; if you are not comfortable on your own bike this will hinder your ride as well as deter you from cycling in the future.

A great range of bikes to check out if you are looking to get a new bike is the Specialized range. Specialized bikes are expertly designed by people who understand what makes a great bike. Their innovative designs enhance performance because of their lightweight frames and augmented characteristics. With a bike for every terrain you may encounter, you can be assured you will find a Specialized bike to suit you.

At Primera Sports we also offer customers a bike fitting service to ensure every bike is properly fitted, making every mile more comfortable!

Next you will need to think about the cycling clothing and accessories, especially if you are thinking about using a bike to commute into work. There are many reputable cycling brands on the market such as Assos and Endura clothing that craft cycling clothes perfect for any budding cyclist. You need to ensure that the clothing you pick combines insulation and breathability; this makes it more versatile and allows you to wear it in various different conditions.

When cycling you must consider your safety; if you are going to be riding in the dark then make sure you can be seen by others by having lights installed onto your bike and wearing high visibility clothing. A helmet along with other protective clothing should also be worn at all times to prevent injury, or reduce the severity of the injury if you do have an accident.

We hope this post has been informative and will encourage you to take up cycling in 2013. At Primera Sports we are committed to encouraging people to get into this sport and enjoy the numerous benefits of bike riding, not only for the environment and to improve fitness but also for the fact that cycling is a fun hobby to have!

If you would like to find out further information or would like to have a look at a great range of cycling clothes, accessories and equipment (along with the ones mentioned in this post) then take a look at http:///www.primera-sports.com.

If you want to reduce your carbon footprint, why not give cycling a go?

This piece was written by Roger Knott who works at Primera Sports, where his true passion for cycling shines through. With years of experience and knowledge of the sport, Roger along with all of Primera’s staff are able to provide their customers with expert advice on all different aspects of cycling. As an avid cyclist Roger is committed to getting more people interested in the sport, and working at Primera helps him to achieve this.

Guest Post: Lowell Milken Center - Finding Hidden Heroes

The Lowell Milken Center grew out of vision that that through diligence and proper use of resources it is possible to foster teaching excellence and high quality student performance in American schools. The Lowell Milken Center strives to change the world by developing projects that include the concepts of respect and understanding in the curriculum of American schools. Their innovative projects address various under-recognized aspects of the education system and work to change those elements as they encourage both students and teachers to spread respect, understanding and recognize the accomplishments of hidden heroes.

The nucleus of the Center began in 1992 when philanthropist Lowell Milken and educator Norman Conrad were looking for ways to collaborate on their shared goal of promoting a strong and vibrant American school system. Milken and Conrad agreed that educational projects that stimulated students to think and produce quality research were vital to promoting excellence in education and for the spreading of tolerance and respect. In 2007 they established the Lowell Milken Center (website: www.lowellmilkencenter.org) from where additional programs could be launched into America's schools.

Individual students as well as groups of students are invited to develop their project with the Lowell Milken Center. The projects may include a documentary, performance, website, exhibit or essay which focus on unsung heroes. Students are required to keep records of their research which should include a thesis, data analysis, project outline and research involving both primary and secondary resources.

One of the Center's first projects, a student-based research assignment, morphed into the acclaimed Lowell Milken Center Discovery Awards. The Discovery Awards are a pioneering innovation in which students from around the United States are invited to develop quality projects that focus attention on "unsung heroes." Prizes are awarded for these endeavors. To date the project has reached over 625,000 American students and produced numerous additional projects which may then be studied by other students and teachers.

Tips For "Amping" Up Our Green Routine

On a recent POLL we asked everyone to rate their green living efforts. A few people said that they are are just beginning the journey ... the majority said that they are doing a lot but feel there's more to be done. That got me thinking about how people who are living a predominately Eco-friendly life could amp things up. Here are a few ideas:

• If you feel there's more you could be doing, begin by first determining what those activities are. Once you've determined what needs to be done, start planning. There might things on your list which are totally out of the question ... things like building a new home. On the other hand, perhaps something like building a home isn't an impossibility ... it might even be a dream. Whatever the activity, big or small, determine how you'll achieve it ... and then begin taking steps to make it happen.


• Start a green living blog, write a regular Eco-feature on your existing blog or search out companies looking for articles on the environment. Nothing kicks up our efforts more than talking about them. As you research and investigate issues, you'll be amazed at how much you'll learn ... and that translates into positive changes to your green routine.


• Do a home audit. This can be professionally done or you can do your own audit. To do it yourself, you'll want to start with a baseline ... something which tells you where you're at compared to similar structures in your area. The Energy Star site has an interesting TOOL to help. Follow that up with their HOME ADVISOR which includes a lot of great information for "fine tuning" your home. If you have an old or historic home, check out the EPA's ADVICE. Conduct a HOUSEHOLD WATER AUDIT. Once you've completed your audits, prioritize the improvements, taking into consideration the cost and time involved, the necessity (a water leak may be a higher priority than a programmable thermostat) and whether or not you'll do it yourself.


• Become an activist. Most of us agree that our government officials need to take the environment seriously ... CONTACT your representative and voice your concerns. Sign environmental petitions from sites like Care2 or take one of the actions listed at ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND. See a restaurant, business, market, etc. doing the wrong thing? Write to them and encourage them to make positive changes. Becoming an activist moves your green efforts out of the home and into the world.


• Join a local environmental group. Being part of a green community can open doors to new ways of living green. It's also a great way to become aware of efforts in your neighborhood ... things like cleaning up rivers or starting a recycling program.


• Take a class. Nothing generates enthusiasm quite like learning ... and there's so much to learn in the environmental field. I did a quick search using the term "environmental classes Asheville" and found a number of offerings. If you'd rather learn from home, check out free online courses like the ones listed HERE.

Living green isn't a one-time activity ... it's an ongoing process. By expanding our vision and dreaming big, we can infuse our green living activities with energy and excitement.

How will you amp up your green routine?

Image courtesy of ponsulak / FreeDigitalPhotos.net