Rice County Public Health Talks Biking on AM Minnesota 5-6-2016

I wish I had more time to go out on the trails and bike more. It really is one of my favorite activities for a variety of reasons. It gets me out with nature and alone with my thoughts.

Working in radio, I typically don't bring a radio along or any music. I love hearing the birds sing, although admittedly I hear a lot of big semis along the road next to me.

My course is virtually always heading west along Highway 60 to Morristown or Elysian depending on how much time I have.

The Rice County Board of Commissioners have proclaimed May 2016 as Bike Month in Rice County.

Anyone who has made the trip to Lanesboro knows how much a community can benefit from having a bike-friendly area to enjoy riding.

I know bicycling is a sport, but I purely ride my bike for leisure. I might kick it into a high gear at points along the trail to up my heart rate a bit, but that's it.

You might recall last year the Faribault City Council discussed the possibility of placing some bike lanes along roads in town and I believe decided they would re-visit the issue another time.

On Friday, May 6, Rice County Public Health SHIP Coordinator Josh Ramaker will be in studio to talk more about the benefits of biking not only for exercise, but as an environmentally friendly way to get around.

May 4 was Bike to School Day, May 16-20 is Bike to Work Week and May 20 is Bike to Work Day.

I don't have grandchildren, but it seems to me it would be a great activity to do with your grandkids.

By the way, SHIP stands for Statewide Health Improvement Program -- an effort to decrease obesity rates in the state and reduce the number of people who use commercial tobacco or are exposed to secondhand smoke.

We will talk about a number of activities being held this month in Rice County, from bike rodeos and carnivals to bike maintenance workshops and safety events.

I hope you will join us at 9:30AM Friday, May 6, on KDHL, or watch the program on our YouTube channel.