This video by Dr. Greger reviews some fascinating research on the influence of advertising on food choices. We like to think that we make rational choices, but it's amazing how easily that can be influenced. I loved the experiment about background instrumental music in stores. If it is French music, people are much more likely … Continue reading Food Choices Are Often Not Rational- the Role of Advertising →

A recent fascinating video by Dr. Greger describes the role of food marketing in the steady increase in food consumption in the US since around 1980, that has led to a significant average gain in weight. I was interested to see the importance of a speech made by Jack Welch, then CEO of General Electric, … Continue reading Marketing and Overconsumption of Food →

The excess calorie consumption that has contributed to the rise in obesity directly correlates to the rise in consumption of poor quality foods like junk food and fast food containing sugars and other refined carbs, and fast foods. Low-carb advocates argue its the bad carbs while others say its the fats, but in truth consumption … Continue reading A Major Contributor to Obesity: Junk Food →

I rode most of the way up to Henry Coe State Park on my bike, and also checked out poppies both near my house and further afield. Henry Coe is the largest state park in northern California at 8700 acres (350 square km) (the second largest in the state behind Anza-Borrego dessert state park) . … Continue reading The Road to Henry Coe Park, and Poppies →

Sorry, this one's a little technical, but it's also a funny instance of me making a silly mistake (then recovering from it). I did a minor upgrade to my bike that has electric assist: I changed the front chainring from 46 teeth to 52 teeth, because I sometimes felt my top gear was not high … Continue reading Bouncing Back From a Bike Malfunction →

On Saturday I knew I a storm was coming later in the day, so I got my workout in before. I rode my bike to Harvey Bear County Park and went for a hike there. Looking back (Northwest) towards Morgan Hill on the way: Covid19 warning at the park. People seemed to be doing a … Continue reading Snuck in a hike at Harvey Bear Before the Storm →

The current pandemic and responses to it have caused many people financial hardship, and I by no means want to minimize that, my heart goes out to them, as well as to those who have suffered from the virus. But others that are doing ok financially are unhappy about being stuck at home. There are … Continue reading Coping with Covid19 and “Lockdown” →

As I'm sure has happened in many places, our County Public Health Department has urged "sheltering in place" beginning March 17. In response my cycling club has cancelled all rides until April 7th, at which point we'll reassess. That meant my ride on Tuesday was cancelled, which is what I had planned to turn into … Continue reading Solo Metric Century While "Sheltering in Place" →

We are fortunate to have the world corporate headquarters of Specialized Bicycle Components here in Morgan Hill. They have a really nice museum you can drop in and see anytime, but it's even better to arrange a formal tour with them. We were guided by Bob Friedrich, one of their product managers, who was gracious, … Continue reading Tour of Specialized Headquarters →

Recently another blogger, Manav Gaba, criticized my site, saying it was not credible in comparison to a site by professional dieticians in Canada. (that looks like an excellent site, by the way). Some of his criticism I found a bit unjust, for example he stated my posts on nutrition were not as well-referenced as theirs. … Continue reading Should Amateurs Blog About Nutrition? →