Volume 124 Issue 114
kansan.com
Friday, March 9, 2012
PLAY
Start Cycling now, or 30 years from now There's no late starts in cycling,a sport you can perform with age //SARA SNEATH
CONTRIBUTED PRODUCER
Craig Weinag riding in the front of a bicycle pack.
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
Four months after his 50th birthday, Craig Weinaug's doctor told him he could no longer walk for exercise. The news came when Weinaug had problems with his left knee, his good knee. The right side of Weinaug's body is partially paralyzed. Yet, he would walk the five and a half miles to work at the Douglas County Courthouse at least once a week. Weinaug's doctor said bicycling was a low-impact alternative to walking; it placed less stress on the joints.
That was 10 years ago. At the age of 60, Weinaug, the Douglas County Administrator, now rides his bicycle almost every day to work. His bicycle has been slightly altered for his body: both breaks are on the left handle, because Weinaug only has 10 percent grip in his right hand, and his right pedal is different than his left. He says people recognize him from a distance, because his right foot hangs off the pedal at an outward angle. He will go days without touching his car and has put 106,000 miles on his bicycle. Weinaug says the morning routine changes his outlook.
"There is a joke around the courthouse that if you need something from the County Administrator you better make
sure it is a day he road his bike to work," Weinaug says.
The age at which a cyclist reaches his
or her peak and begins to decline in ability is later than high-impact sports, like running. The University of Cape Town's department of human biology conducted a study of South Africa's
25 and 64 years old.
Bill Anderson is in his 40s and races for 360 Racing, a competitive cycling
"I'd much rather bike. You get some place. You're outdoors, and you're whizzing by all this great scenery."
-Carol Shankel
premier endurance cycling and running events and found that the rate of decline in running speed occurred on average at 32 years, while the decline in cycling occurred on average at 55 years.
Whether it is doctor recommended or a reignited childhood love, the interest in cycling among older adults in on the rise. A three-year research project by the U.S. Department of Transportation released last year found that cycling levels have increased in the U.S.Most of the growth in cycling has been among men between
team based in Overland Park. Anderson says he has cycled since he was a child, even attempting to make it his occupation in his 20s. While Anderson was at his fastest in his 20s, he says it is common for cyclists to be in their mid-30s before they reach their potential. In addition to competing, Anderson says he wakes up at 5 a.m. every week day to ride his bike to work. On his morning ride, Anderson has the sleeping town all to himself, but on the ride home he is forced to share his concentration and the road with vehicle
traffic.
Carol Shankel is proof that women are taking part in the action too. Shankel, who is more than 50, rides 2,000 to 2,700 miles a year. She says she road as a kid, but became an enthusiast about seven years ago. Shankel always wanted to make cycling her hobby, but didn't have the time in her younger years. She's always been active, exercising at the gym and walking.
"I'd much rather bike. You get some place. You're outdoors, and you're whizzing by all this great scenery," Shankel says.
Shankel says she enjoys the health benefits of cycling. It gives you really great legs, she says. Shankel has also seen improvements in her speed and ability.
"I go up hills a lot faster, and I always go down them as fast as I can," she says.
On rides with the Lawrence Bicycle Club, Shankel has ridden with young kids to men and women in their 70s. She says if you put in the time on the bicycle you will see improvements, no matter your age.
Sarah Anderson started cycling training four months ago and has already improved her speed and endurance. Anderson, a senior from Blue Springs, Mo., says she mountain biked with her father when she was younger. It wasn't about speed or ability, she says. It was about enjoying nature and spending time with her father. In high school, she stopped biking to focus on her studies. In the fall, Anderson went on her first social ride with KU Cycling, a sports club for students who enjoy non-competitive or competitive cycling. The pace was slow enough that she had time to enjoy the scenery and the company of the other riders. The camaraderie and playfulness of the group gave her the feeling of liberation she had mountain biking as a kid. Last weekend, Anderson attended her first race.
Anderson fell in the first corner of the first lap of the race. Then, she got back up and finished. She says she was nervous, but her teammates were very supportive. Skinned-kneed and smiling, Anderson says she will continue to cycle for as long it stays fun.
crease
Source: Student Senate Finance Committee
uted by Senate
the reserve, so
see any fees for
committee also
e Senate assist
People of KU
ubiting $1,631
ing costs. The
oy International
and is specifi-
c international
count for over
ited by Max Lush
any specific incident
"We're just trying to be proactive," he said. "We want to make it safer than it was in 2008."
He said that the University student community, and the rest of Lawrence, have maintained order well in that past and no significant issues have come up during past NCAA tournaments.
Brandon Graham, bought Jefferson Restaurant, 743 Massachusetts St., in May, 2011, and bought Papa Keno's Pizzeria, 1035 Massachusetts St., in January. He said he doesn't know what operating those businesses during the tournament will be like, but he doesn't expect crowds to be a problem.
"I give the public the benefit of the doubt," Graham said.
He said the ordinance shouldn't affect bars because people are already prohibited from leaving drinking establishments with open containers. And, Graham said, Papa Keno's uses plastic cups
tain order.
"It's a no-brainer public safety issue," he said.
Squire said along with broken glass causing injuries, glass can be used as a dangerous projectile. He said plastic containers are much less likely to cause injury or property damage.
Squire, who assists the city in planning for NCAA tournament crowds, said the police would have a significant presence downtown during the Final Four weekend. Squire said he couldn't give specifics about how the police and city plan to deal with a large crowd, but did say a number public safety and sanitation were considered.
"With that many people, plus alcohol, bad things can happen," he said. "We want eliminate as many things as possible."
Edited by lan Cummings
CLASSIFIEDS 11
CROSSWORD 4
CRYPTOQUIPS 4
OPINION 5
SPORTS 12
SUDOKU 4
Index
LUKE RANKER
lranker@kansan.com
Free State High School will host the local Kansas Republican Presidential Caucus Saturday.
University assistant professor of political Science Michael Lynch said the Kansas caucus is more important in this election than in past elections, because the Presidential candidate has usually been determined before the Kansas caucus is held.
According to a fact sheet provided by University of Kansas College Republicans' president Ashley Moretti, students who are 18 years or older by March 10 registered as a Republican before Feb. 17 can vote at Free State High School on Saturday, as long as they live in the same congressional district as the University. If students don't live in the same congressional district as the University, they can still vote in a provisional ballot at the local site. Voters should bring a valid ID, which will prove state residency.
I contents, unless stated otherwise, © 2012 The University Daily Kansan
KANSAS CAUCUS FORMS OF VALID ID:
- A Kansas Driver's License or no-driver's identification card
- A concealed carry of handgun or weapon license
- A US Passport
- An employee of identification document issued by a government employer
Source: Kansas Federation of College Republicans
- A public assistance identification card issued by a government office
- A student identification card issued by an accredited postsecondary institution of education in the state of Kansas
Don't forget
Presidential candidates Newt Gingrich, Mitt Romney, Ron Paul and Rick Santorum will appear on the ballot.
Burdett Loomis, a University professor in political science, said he predicted Rick Santorum will probably be favored in the Kansas Caucus, because he has a strong support from social conservatives.
"The general rule is that strongest supporters are the ones that come out," Loomis said.
Lynch said caucuses last longer than regular primaries, because voters have the opportunity to hear
speeches supporting each candidate on the ballot before they cast their votes. He said Evangelical Christians and other very conservative Republicans are more likely to vote during a caucus, because they are more willing to take the extra time. Lynch said this demographic of voters supported Mike Huckabee in the 2008 election and will most likely support Santorum this year.
Loomis said Kansas' role in the presidential election is greater during the GOP primaries, because Kansas is a traditionally Republican state.
He said students who want to vote in Saturday's caucus should expect to spend more time at the polls than they would during other elections.
"Presidential politics will leave the state after Saturday" he said.
Loomis said Mitt Romney, who took a lead over other candidates on Super Tuesday, has a strong chance of wining the GOP nomination, but Santorum is not far behind.
"If Santorum wins Kansas and couple other states, he can argue it's not over," he said.
Lynch also said voters who arrive at 10 a.m. will have to listen to about 30 minutes of speeches before voting. Speeches will repeat through out the voting period, and voters should expect the high school to be crowded, as there is only one caucus site in Lawrence.
"You aren't just showing up and voting." Lynch said.
Edited by Corinne Westeman
Tabling and organization visits for Student Senate elections will begin Monday.
Today's Weather
Brisk winds and sunny 5-10mph
Already feels like Spring Break
C