Hey, Winter! Where did you go? Not only has there been no precipitation in Carson City the whole month of December, it’s actually warming up too. It almost feels October-ish out there by mid-day with the temperatures hitting the low 50s, and it looks like just more of the same in the long range forecast.
Winter Wonder(ing where it went) Land
It’s definitely strange weather for December. I got out for a ride on Monday, and the trails are sandy, the switchbacks are silty, and the edges are soft. Watching the dust clouds rise off the back wheels this time of year just doesn’t seem right. My prowess on the singletrack is definitely diminished with fewer hours on the bike, and this is at a time when I’m counting on extra traction to make up for my lack of skills! A few more rest breaks were also required to make it to the top. But in spite of the lack of fitness and dexterity, a good time was definitely had. It lifts the spirits to get some sunshine and get active.
Nathan Harrison on the Log Skinny
It looks like Carson City bicycle commuters will get off easy the remainder of December too. With only the cold to deal with, what is typically one of the hardest months for bicycle commuting has been a snap. Where is the snow and ice? Where are the blizzards? Maybe next month…
We had fantastic weather this Nevada Day weekend, and it was a great time to get out on the bike (isn’t it always though?). On Friday, I got to explore the new C-Hill trail. Later that day, I got the bikes all polished up for the Nevada Day Parade!
Lining up with the Grand Marshal
My family and I had the honor of riding up front with the Grand Marshal in Saturday’s Nevada Day Parade. This year’s theme was “The Great Outdoors”, and we represented mountain biking. Along with us were some anglers, hikers, backpackers, and a few kids representing the various ball sports.
The parade begins
Even though we were near the front, there was still a good deal of horse manure to navigate through. I chose to steer clear of it, while my son saw it as an obstacle course, choosing instead to weave in and out of the green road apples, not unlike an asteroid scene out of Star Wars. While it looked fun, the possibility of sliding out and crashing in a fresh batch of meadow muffins in front of hundreds of onlookers didn’t seem worth the risk to me. Luckily he rode the whole parade route with no mishaps.
Nevada Day Parade – photo by Bethany Drysdale
We saw a few familiar faces along the parade route, but for the most part, it was sensory overload. Between the hundreds of parade goers shouting from the sidelines, the bellowing of the vuvuzelas, the hullabaloo of horns and drums from the Carson High marching band that we closely trailed, I had tunnel vision. So if I missed your wave, my apologies. It was over too quick, but we did have a lot of fun. Thank you to Joy Evans from the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau for the invite to be part of the parade!
Video Shoot – Climbing Ash Canyon Road
Later in the day after the parade, we joined a few other mountain bikers for the filming of an upcoming mountain bike promotional video that will eventually appear on the Carson City Convention and Visitors Bureau’s website, www.visitcarsoncity.com.
Video Shoot – Descending Ash Canyon Road
Around a dozen mountain bikers of all ages gathered up in Ash Canyon. Before we got riding though, we shot some hiking video. The videographer wanted my wife and our two dogs to be the hikers, but then suggested that more people be included in the scene. My son and I joined in, me in all my cycling gear, minus helmet and gloves. I’m not sure how it will turn out, but I suspect it will look a little odd. I’m glad I wasn’t wearing tights.
Video Shoot – Singletrack
The videographer got some good footage of us riding on Ash Canyon Road, but we all insisted that we get some video of singletrack riding as well. If you want people from afar to come ride here, a simple fire road may not be all that enticing. Luckily we were right at a trail junction, so it was just a short climb up the embankment for the next filming. We all climbed up a series of switchbacks, regrouped, and then descended for the camera. It should look pretty cool. When I find out when the video has been edited and posted, I’ll let you know.
Video Shoot – Finishing Up
It’s great to see that Carson City is really behind the mountain biking and other outdoor activities this area has to offer. If we want people to visit Carson City, stay, and spend money here, we need to offer more than just dark smokey casinos.
I didn’t make it to the other bicycle events this weekend. Did you? How were they?
Back on July 14th, I had the opportunity to guide a cycling photoshoot of Lake Tahoe for German magazine, RoadBike (http://www.roadbike.de/). They were in the area to explore and take photos for a story on Lake Tahoe as a bicycle travel destination. When the Nevada Commission on Tourism presented me with the idea of being the guide for this, I wasn’t sure what to say. Although I do love road bikes, I don’t have the time to ride them as much as I’d like with all the mountain biking I do. I don’t have much in the way of roadie looking clothes, and I don’t shave my legs either. I mulled it over. I’ve led many a friend up into the surrounding mountains, and all have returned alive and mostly undamaged. I like to take photos, I love bicycles, and I’ve lived in the area my whole life, so I figured why not me? I decided to take the job.
The Germans were smaller than I had imagined
I arrived up at the Mont Bleu Hotel Casino at Stateline on what was shaping up to be a fine morning. I was supposed to call upon my arrival, so I got my phone out and punched in that long international number. “I’m sorry, but you’re not allowed to dial this number from this line.” Great! Prompt German efficiency was about to meet lackadaisical Carson City bumpkin. I rode around the parking lot for a bit, hoping I’d catch someone’s eye, but then thankfully my phone rang, and they were just around the corner in front of the casino.
Björn Hänssler takes the higher ground
When I pulled around front, I found writer for the magazine Felix Krakow, and freelance photographer Björn Hänssler waiting patiently for me. Thankfully they were distracted by one of the many large bike sculptures erected for the Lake Tahoe Tour of California stage (that almost happened). As Felix was climbing up onto the giant bike for some silly photos, the nervousness melted away, and I knew it was going to be a fun day. And in addition to me being the guide for the day, I was to appear in almost all of the photos.
Felix Krakow says he’s OK with Emerald Bay
After we made our introductions, I was surprised to hear how well these two Germans spoke English. They spoke better English than many Americans I hear on a daily basis. I think I was expecting to hear thick accents as well, something similar to what you might hear in an Indiana Jones movie. The accents were very subtle though. Someone from Alabama or New England would have been more noticeable. I heard plenty of German throughout the day though, and usually when Björn wanted Felix to know exactly how he wanted the next shot to go. Things just sound more authoritative in German.
Björn gets some photos of the latest Specialized wheels
The east side of the Lake was still mostly in the morning shadows, so we loaded up the van, and headed around the south side of the lake to Emerald Bay. We didn’t ride from place to place, but we did get a fair deal of riding in at each location. We spent a lot of time riding up the climbs and and bombing down the corners around Emerald Bay, each time Björn having us try something different.
I feel that I take some pretty decent photos, but I wouldn’t go as far as to title myself a photographer. Björn was a pro. He had some really good ideas, and was not a bit afraid to get into a good position to shoot, no matter how dangerous it was. “Maybe I could climb that tree…”, he’d say, and many a cliff was scaled to get a good position above the bikes that included panoramic scenes of Lake Tahoe. Sitting on the shoulder as giant RVs skimmed me was far less scary than watching him climb the loose rocky shale to dig his heels in on a precipice above the road. Sometimes I couldn’t even watch.
Mount Rose Summit
After getting great shots at Emerald Bay, we drove north to the area around Kaspian Campground, just south of Tahoe City. The road and bike path come very close to the road here, and in the case of the bike path, just inches. Before hitting the bike path, we spent some time on a private dock. Björn wanted some shots of Felix and I relaxing and taking a break from our grueling trek around the lake, including soaking our tired bare feet in the water. A guy had just got done telling us that the water was 10 degrees cooler than it normally is this time of year due to the extended snow. The water was freezing! Felix and I were just about in tears by the time Björn was done taking all his shots. I have a new respect for models now. It’s not as easy as you may think.
A touching moment
Next we got several shots on the bike path where it brushes the shore of the lake. Björn had Felix and I racing up the path, and each time we were supposed to get closer together and further to the right. I was sure we were going to lock bars and go flying over the rock embankment, but we finally got it right!
It was approaching noon, and it was time to take a break. We were starving, but more importantly, the light wasn’t ideal for photography. This was funny to me, because high noon is when I take most of my cycling pictures. Not by choice really, but it’s when I usually get a break to ride. We drove through Tahoe City, and Felix finally picked Rosie’s Cafe. His bike senses must have been tingling, because inside we found the restaurant decorated with all sorts of old bikes! We had a good lunch, but were actually still at work. Björn wanted to get photos of us enjoying some Sierra NV Pale Ale and eating large portions of American fare.
Sorry folks, park’s closed. Moose out front shoulda told ya.
After lunch, the sun was in the right position again, and the next stop was the Mount Rose Summit for some mountain shots. As we rode back and forth across the summit for photos, I wondered if passersby thought I was heroic for scaling the 8,900 foot high mountain pass on my bicycle. In reality though, I still had a full water bottle, and not a drop of sweat on my brow. Our little secret. We hit a couple more spots for photos on the way down. Björn drove the van, while Felix and I got to descend on our bikes. There was a bit of a headwind, but we still managed speeds close to 40 mph for a fun descent.
Late afternoon shimmering water
The Germans were interested in visiting the Ponderosa Ranch, the movie set from the old TV series Bonanza. This surprised me, because the show officially ended in 1973, and the ranch has been closed as a tourist destination for so long that I almost forgot about it. The show must have really made a world-wide impact! We hiked down to the entrance, but were stopped when we got to the end of the parking lot. Cameras, double rows of fencing, and spiked gates surrounded the mock town. Whatever is left in there, they don’t want you looking at it. We moved on to the Sand Harbor area instead for the next series of photographs. This was the most dangerous spot for photos, since the traffic is fairly fast, and the road is twisty which prevented the motorists from seeing us until the very last second. This area will be a lot nicer when the Stateline to Stateline off-highway bikeway is completed sometime in the future.
Björn and Felix reviewing the Cave Rock photos
We finished off our photoshoot with some pictures at Cave Rock. Thankfully Björn was not insistent that Felix and I ride the tunnels. We instead rode on the south side of the massive rock, using it as a backdrop. We finally loaded the van one last time and returned to the Mont Bleu where we parted ways. The Germans had a long day ahead of them on Friday, first driving to San Francisco, then flying non-stop back to Hamburg.
In the end I think we got some great photos for the magazine that will really show off our beautiful area and encourage international cycling tourism. The article will be in the magazine later this year, or possibly as late as next year. It was also great to meet these two guys, and it’s my hope they come out again soon for some more riding. Maybe even a mountain bike tour of Lake Tahoe!
Happy Friday, everyone! Here’s a great post I read over on the Surly Bikes Blog that I’d like to share. This piece is a good reminder not to get hung up on all the marketing from the industry, the idiosyncrasies of a particular group of cyclists, or simply worrying if you’re doing the right thing. Bottom line: Bikes are fun! Yep, that one you’re riding.
Some answers to just about any bike forum post I’ve ever read – originally posted by Skip Bernet on the Surly Blog.
If you think your bike looks good, it does.
If you like the way your bike rides, it’s an awesome bike.
You don’t need to spend a million dollars to have a great bike, but if you do spend a million dollars and know what you want you’ll probably also have a great bike.
Yes, you can tour on your bike – whatever it is.
Yes, you can race on your bike – whatever it is.
Yes, you can commute on your bike – whatever it is.
26” wheels or 29” or 650b or 700c or 24” or 20” or whatever – yes, that wheel size is rad and you’ll probably get where you’re going.
Disc brakes, cantis, v-brakes, and road calipers all do a great job of stopping a bike when they’re working and adjusted.
No paint job makes everyone happy.
Yes, you can put a rack on that. Get some p-clamps if there are no mounts.
Steel is a great material for making bike frames – so is aluminum, carbon fiber, and titanium.
You can have your saddle at whatever angle makes you happy.
Your handlebars can be lower than your saddle, even with your saddle, or higher than your saddle. Whichever way you like it is right.
Being shuttled up a downhill run does not make you a weak person, nor does choosing not to fly off of a 10 foot drop.
Bike frames made overseas can be super cool. Bike frames made in the USA can be super cool.
Hey, tattooed and pierced long shorts wearin flat brim hat red bull drinkin white Oakley sportin rad person on your full suspension big hit bike – nice work out there.
Hey, little round glasses pocket protector collared shirt skid lid rear view mirror sandal wearing schwalbe marathon running pletscher two-leg kickstand tourist – good job.
Hey, shaved leg skinny as hell super duper tan line heart rate monitor checking power tap train in the basement all winter super loud lycra kit million dollar wheels racer – keep it up.
The more you ride your bike, the less your ass will hurt.
The following short answers are good answers, but not the only ones for the question asked – 29”, Brooks, lugged, disc brake, steel, Campagnolo, helmet, custom, Rohloff, NJS, carbon, 31.8, clipless, porteur.
No bike does everything perfectly. In fact, no bike does anything until someone gets on it to ride.
Sometimes, recumbent bikes are ok.
Your bikeshop is not trying to screw you. They’re trying to stay open.
Buying things off of the internet is great, except when it sucks.
Some people know more about bikes than you do. Other people know less.
Maybe the person you waved at while you were out riding didn’t see you wave at them.
It sucks to be harassed by assholes in cars while you’re on a bike. It also sucks to drive behind assholes on bikes.
Did you build that yourself? Awesome. Did you buy that? Cool.
Wheelies are the best trick ever invented. That’s just a fact.
Which is better, riding long miles, or hanging out under a bridge doing tricks? Yes.
Yes, you can break your collar bone riding a bike like that.
Stopping at stop signs is probably a good idea.
Driving with your bikes on top of your car to get to a dirt trail isn’t ideal, but for most people it’s necessary.
If your bike has couplers, or if you have a spendy bike case, or if you pay a shop to pack your bike, or if you have a folding bike, shipping a bike is still a pain in the ass for everyone involved.
That dent in your frame is probably ok, but maybe it’s not. You should get it looked at.
Touch up paint always looks like shit. Often it looks worse than the scratch.
A pristine bike free of dirt, scratches, and wear marks makes me sort of sad.
A bike that’s been chained to the same tree for three years caked with rust and missing parts makes me sad too.
Bikes purchased at Wal-mart, Target, Costco, or K-mart are generally not the best bang for your buck.
Toe overlap is not the end of the world, unless you crash and die – then it is.
Sometimes parts break. Sometimes you crash. Sometimes it’s your fault.
Yes, you can buy a bike without riding it first. It would be nice to ride it first, but it’s not a deal breaker not to.
Ownership of a truing stand does not a wheel builder make.
32 spokes, 48 spokes, 24 spokes, three spokes? Sure.
Single speed bikes are rad. Bikes with derailleurs and cassettes are sexy. Belt drive internal gear bikes work great too.
Columbus, TruTemper, Reynolds, Ishiwata, or no brand? I’d ride it.
Tubeless tires are pretty cool. So are tubes.
The moral of RAGBRAI is that families and drunken boobs can have fun on the same route, just maybe at different times of day.
Riding by yourself kicks ass. You might also try riding with a group.
Really fast people are frustrating, but they make you faster. When you get faster, you might frustrate someone else.
Stopping can be as much fun as riding.
Lots of people worked their asses off to build whatever you’re riding on. You should thank them.
February started off pleasant enough. The riding was great, and the groundhog assured us that Spring was just around the corner. But then winter returned in a big way, piling up snow to depths we hadn’t seen all winter, and left me questioning our faith in leaving weather predictions to rodents. And to top it off, I caught a nasty bug that kept me in bed for several days with a fever. I’ve barely been on a bike the last couple weeks, and my mountain bike has been nothing more than a high-priced laundry rack.
A pleasant beginning to February
I recently moved to the downtown area, closer to work, putting me dead center of most of the places I need to go. During this foul weather, walking has become the preferred method of transportation for round trips less than a mile. It hasn’t been worth the hassle of the extra cold weather gear for these quick trips. The ice bike has still come in handy though when I need get somewhere further in a reasonable amount of time, and getting the utility bike out for neighborhood spins on the sunny days has helped me keep my sanity.
Snowy Main Street
I recently read a 1993 statistic that says that over 40% of American’s car trips are for shopping, social or recreational purposes, and that the commute to work itself only constitutes a quarter of all trips by car. These numbers are most likely worse now, 18 years later, as we’ve continued to build the places we need to go further away from town, increasing our dependency on motor vehicles. With these numbers in mind, I’ve been thinking a lot lately of how I can decrease my reliance on my car. Simply commuting by bike no longer seems enough, so I’d like to incorporate the bicycle as much as I can into the other areas of my life. Gas is once again getting expensive, and it seems that every time I use my aging vehicle, something breaks or falls apart. I’d rather spend my money elsewhere, lose the frustration of driving, and have some fun and adventure.
A cold and downtrodden Kit Carson
One of the roadblocks to a car-free life is simply the fear of the unknown. We get comfortable in our habits, and don’t always like to face the challenge of relearning how to do things. I’ve been getting more familiar with the downtown area. Learning where useful services are. Locating bike racks. Finding bus stops and figuring out where the buses go. I learned that I can replace my once a week driving trip to the shopping center south of town with a bus trip for only $2. With the gas prices the way they are, this almost seems free. Additionally, the downtown bus stops have bike racks, and the buses also have bicycle carriers. Using multi-modal transportation can really help you extend your car-free distances.
Running errands and enjoying the sun
March looks like it will warm up some, and I’m looking forward to getting out for recreational riding again. My spirits have suffered greatly from being off the mountain bike trails for so long. I’m also excited to explore new ways of doing things, using the bike more in my life, and sharing my experiences with others.
What has your February been like? Has anyone got some decent riding in?
Here is some exciting news I found over onCarsonNOW.org. What a great addition to May’s Bike Month celebration!
Organizers of the the 2011 Amgen Tour of California, the largest cycling event in North America, announced today the Stage 1 and Stage 2 race routes for Lake Tahoe.
Lake Tahoe’s first-ever involvement in the race as the official Overall Start is Sunday, May 15 and begins at South Lake Tahoe at 6,300 feet, the highest start elevation in the six-year history of the competition. Stage 1 wraps up in North Lake Tahoe at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort, with the Stage 2 Start taking place nearby at Squaw Valley USA on Monday, May 16.
Cyclists will begin at MontBleu Resort Casino & Spa on the California/Nevada border in South Lake Tahoe. The peloton will loop past Edgewood Tahoe Golf Course around Heavenly Village, past the starting line again and onto Lake Tahoe Boulevard (Highway 50) through the casino corridor then clockwise around the 72-mile perimeter of Lake Tahoe.
Riders will gain 700 feet in elevation as they wind up switchbacks on the West Shore. Upon reaching the top of scenic Emerald Bay, one of the most photographed places in the world and the first of three King of the Mountain finishes, they will descend 500 feet while exceeding speeds of 40 miles per hour until the flats of Homewood, home to Lake Tahoe’s oldest marina. Athletes will cruise along the historic West Shore, making their way to North Lake Tahoe and the heart of downtown Tahoe City and then onto Kings Beach.
Cyclists will leave the California side of the lake and enter Nevada, the first out-of-state course for the Tour, and pass through Incline Village. The group will skirt by spectacular Sand Harbor State Park and the legendary Thunderbird Lodge along the East Shore at lake level before a long and steady 1,000-foot ascent to Spooner Summit at an elevation of 7,150 feet.
Speeds here will increase to 45 miles per hour as they descend back toward the lake and through the tunnel at Cave Rock. Racers will then pass Zephyr Cove Resort, returning to Stateline, Nevada, the scene of the overall start.
After crossing the state line and back into California at South Shore, the peloton returns to Emerald Bay with its remarkable views and the second King of the Mountain finish. Here some riders may gain separation from the pack before their second descent onto the West Shore.
After passing Tahoe City for a second time, there’s a short ascent to Dollar Point before turning left up Brockway Summit (Highway 267) at North Lake Tahoe to 7,000 feet and one last chance for the climbers to dictate the race outcome with the third and final King of the Mountain finish. After cresting the summit, the lead group plunges down a rapid descent into a hard left turn onto Northstar Drive, where both sprinters and climbers will set-up for a high-speed blast to the finish line at Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort.
The spectator-packed finish line is also home to the Amgen Tour of California Lifestyle Festival, which features a health and fitness expo, cancer awareness education, cycling gear, family activities, bike safety, food and entertainment. Northstar-at-Tahoe Resort will also host a Break Away from Cancer Walk on Sunday, May 15.
Upon completing Stage 1, competitors will have ridden a lap-and-a-half around Lake Tahoe, the largest alpine lake in the country, conquering 119 miles and three mountains passes in approximately five hours and a total elevation gain of 5,500 feet.
North Lake Tahoe will host the Stage 2 Start of the 2011 Amgen Tour of California at Squaw Valley USA, home of the 1960 Winter Olympics, the following morning, Monday, May 16. The action starts directly under the historic Olympic rings at the center of the Village at Squaw Valley with riders peddling the cobbled corridors before turning onto Squaw Valley Road and then descending to the Olympic Flame entrance and a left-hand turn onto Highway 89.
The peloton will follow the picturesque Truckee River corridor as they make their way on Highway 89 toward Truckee and through the two roundabouts near the Interstate 80 overpass. Riders will then turn left onto historic Donner Pass Road before riding the ramp over Interstate 80 and past Donner Memorial State Park, home to the infamous Donner Party.
The pack will continue along the northern shoreline of Donner Lake as they make their approach to the steeps of Old Highway 40 on their way to Donner Summit and the day’s first King of the Mountain finish. With some of the best views of the approaching riders and Donner Lake far below, this spot is sure to jammed-packed with enthusiastic spectators.
From there, athletes speed pass Sugar Bowl Ski Resort, Donner Ranch Ski Resort and Soda Springs Ski Resort and descend into California’s Gold Country via Highway 20 and the finish line for Stage 2 at the Sacramento State Capitol.
“Lake Tahoe is pulling out all the stops to provide cyclists and spectators with an unforgettable experience,” said Tourism Director Andy Chapman of the North Lake Tahoe Resort Association. “This is our golden opportunity to make our mark on the cycling community, and businesses and organizations are eager to welcome the thousands of visitors who will be traveling to the lake, many for the first-time ever.”
“Hosting the overall start in South Shore will not only provide economic impact this year and beyond, but it will also further brand Lake Tahoe as a ‘must ride’ biking destination,” said Carol Chaplin, executive director of the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority.
Beginning with the inaugural race in 2006, the Amgen Tour of Californiaquickly became the most successful race in the United States with economic benefits to the state, global recognition and the level of competition. The race also set records in attendance for a single sporting event in California, as well as any cycling event ever held on U.S. soil, with more than 2 million spectators in previous years.
The North Lake Tahoe Resort Association and the Lake Tahoe Visitors Authority are spearheading promotional and sponsorship efforts for the Lake Tahoe Stage 1 Start, Stage 1 Finish and Stage 2 Start, and serve on the Amgen Tour of California Lake Tahoe Local Organizing Committee. Stage 1 of the race is presented by Michelob Ultra, and Stage 2 is presented by the California Travel & Tourism Commission (CTTC).
In previous years, the race has drawn some of the world’s most recognizable and respected riders, such as top Tour de France competitors, world champions and Olympic medalists including Lance Armstrong, Tom Boonen, Oscar Freire, Paolo Bettini, Fabian Cancellara, Carlos Sastre, Ivan Basso, George Hincapie, Mark Cavendish and Andy Schleck.
The 2011 Amgen Tour of California will cover 800 miles and visit 15 Host Cities for official stage starts and finishes, while other cities along the route also will have the opportunity to witness the excitement of elite professional cycling.
Stages for the 2011 Amgen Tour of California include:
Stage 1: Sunday, May 15 – South Lake Tahoe to North Lake Tahoe-Northstar at Tahoe Resort
Stage 2: Monday, May 16 – North Lake Tahoe-Squaw Valley USA to Sacramento
Stage 3: Tuesday, May 17 – Auburn to Modesto
Stage 4: Wednesday, May 18 – Livermore to San Jose
Stage 5: Thursday, May 19 – Seaside toPaso Robles
Stage 6: Friday, May 20 – Solvang Individual Time Trial
Stage 7: Saturday, May 21 – Claremont to Mt. Baldy
Stage 8: Sunday, May 22 – Santa Clarita to Thousand Oaks
For best viewing points, where to catch the riders up close, a complete list of events (including the Tahoe 10-Day Countdown leading up to the race) and lodging accommodations, click to www.TahoeAmgenTourofCalifornia, follow us on Twitter and Facebook. For details about the Tour, visit www.amgentourofcalifornia.com.
We cyclists are a healthy bunch. Still, seasonal allergies or even asthma can keep us from riding to our full potential. With these warmer than average temperatures and springtime just around the corner, the clean crisp air of winter may soon be gone.
Spring is just around the corner…
My brother recently wrote an interesting article over on his site, Thrive Natural Family Medicine. It’s not about cycling specifically, but it does offer some helpful, natural advice for dealing with allergies and asthma. Here’s an excerpt from the post:
What Can a Groundhog Tell Us About Asthma?
February 2, is Groundhog day. Since the 18th century this furry fella has ventured out of his burrow to help predict if winter will last another six weeks or if spring will come early. While there is no validity to the prediction, the truth is that in many parts of the world, spring has been coming earlier. NPR recently reported that spring comes a few days earlier than it did a few decades ago. A few days does not seem like much, but when you look at the effects on the ecosystem, it is profound. Similarly, if you suffer from asthma or allergies, it can be a serious problem.
Last year many cities reported record or near record pollen counts. If you suffer from asthma or allergies, you know that this translates into having to use more medication. Over 80% of those with asthma have allergies to airborne substances, so obviously pollen should be on their radar. So what can you do if you suffer from asthma and allergies and want to add something more natural to your arsenal? Adding quercetin to your diet may help.
Continue reading this article over on Thrive to learn more about quercetin, and how it could help you breathe better this spring! Full article here:
