What is "wellness" anyway?

This is something that I have had to ask myself as of late. What is "all this about" as I wake every day.

The word "wellness" is being tossed all around lately. Everything is about wellness. But what is it? Money? Fitness? Happiness in your work? Solid friendships? Helping others?

Well it is all of the above. I have found, though CrossFit, Melaleuca, and now working with Coventry Cycle Works that real wellness is a recipie that has several ingredients.

With Coventry, I get to work with recumbent bicycles. This makes me very happy. But better yet, since it is a "different" type of bike shop, we get the occasional odd request. Recently a man brought a converted handcycle for his handicapped daughter. It needs new brakes and an overall tune up. It is basically now a wheel chair that he can push and she can steer. Knowing I can help these folks makes me happy.

With CrossFit I get to see people do things they did not think possible when they first show up. When a CrossFitter PR's a lift, even by only a few pounds and even if that weight is small compared to the firebreathers - it is amazing to see the sense of accomplishment wash over them.

And with Melaleuca, I get to help people save money, get healthier greener products, and possibly start a business of their own and start the road to a better savings or even to replace their income. This third leg for me has made all my "work" I do complete and I LOVE WHAT I DO! If you are wondering about this company and how it can only ADD to your wellness - please contact me!

It does not get much better. I have been though a lot of careers where I did not have that good mix of ingredients that made me feel the "wellness" vibe.

I am getting there... YOU can get there too. It only takes that first few steps!

Courtesy of: This Ad Is From the Melaleuca Vitality for Life Magazine

New Year, New Resolutions, and TOTAL WELLNESS!

WOW. It is 2013 and as I look back on the last half of 2012 I am blindsided as to where it actually went. I have been absent from the blog for a while - other things get in the way and "real life" takes over. But a new year brings with it new opportunities and I am ready to go at it fresh!

I am dubbing 2013 as a "year of total wellness" for me. I am taking this beyond just my cycling by starting a new business that focuses on actual TOTAL wellness. Throw in coaching CrossFit and for the first time in a long while the feeling of "doing what you love" is finally arriving at my door.

My new business is an opportunity for all. If you are interested in YOUR total wellness I implore you to visit my new website:

www.lifeandhomesolutions.com/robert

Contact me if you are interested in hearing what more there is to be gained by embracing total wellness! When I say TOTAL WELLNESS I am really speaking about four aspects: Personal Wellness, Physical Wellness, Financial Wellness, and Environmental Wellness. 

• To up my game for personal wellness with this I am resolving to network more, talk to more people, commit to family time, and just have a bright outlook on life. It is time to up the game on the personal wellness aspect!

• For physical wellness the resolution is to RIDE more, CROSSFIT more and just keep a steady pace to that training. I am also hoping for a return with a vengeance to Cycle Oregon goodness. Stay tuned. 2013 here I come for physical wellness.

• Financial wellness. Who DOESN'T want this? Well, my new business is going to bring me financial wellness. I am resolving in 2013 to make it happen and will not be deterred by naysayers or party-poopers. Do you want to be a part of this and gain financial wellness? Visit my new site and get hold of me and I can help you.

• As always, I am concerned about the environment. For myself and for my children. A renewed commitment to the environment goes without saying. In 2013 I am taking it to a new level.

So, here is to a renewed commitment and promise to make 2013 the best year yet!

Downtube Folder Upgrade - DEPLOY!

OK, so a set of road bars hanging around beckon... a set of brifters and the SRAM X9 rear DR go up for sale fetching a decent amount to get new levers, etc... a rummage through the parts bin nets some tape and a stem... BOOOOM!

Upgradeitis - a bad disease to be sure for cyclists. This latest bout of upgrade fever netted a conversion to road bars for the Downtube 9FS, and it's pure awesome. With a single bar end for the rear shifting, indexes are crisp and silent friction mode is pure bliss. Multiple grip points are great over the flat bar that came off the bike.

To match with the bar ends a Shimano rear DR was in order, so on went an Alivo M430. Not a very pricey unit, but it does the job exactly as it is supposed to and is a nice build. Not sure there is a reason to go fancier in this department.

For stopping power and hoods for the 'ol hands a set of Tektro RL520's went on the front. These match up great with the Avid disc brakes and have awesome feel. For added stopping in the urban traffic a set of Tektro RL720 cross levers complete the package.

Pop in a Sprintech drop bar mirror - which is "OK" in my opinion but gets the job done relatively well, and the hands are very happy.

Bike To School? SUSPENDED!

Simply unbelievable. Seems that once again, just as you thought it was safe to ride a bike to school, stupid raises its ugly head again.

Students suspended for biking to school

In this day and age of childhood obesity - are places like this going to continue to be idiotic hypocrites?

Absolutely stunning to me.

Enjoy the (Recumbent) View!

Well, it has been a bit too long since my last post - been busy with things and moving, etc... just hectic. Now that the weather is getting better and the days are getting clearer for riding, its time to relax and just ride and enjoy the view.

The view. That is not a topic that you hear discussed much by the hardcore road bike group."I sure enjoyed the view on my ride today..." Not much. Sometimes I think the reason is that the "view" really refers to the front tire or the front 10 feet of roadway directly in front of the cyclist. To get a "better view" requires a craning upward of the neck. That can be a pain after a while, so the natural view of the front tire just comes easily given the riding position on a road bike.

On a 'bent the view is everything right in front of you - like when you go to the movies and nab that perfect seat before the crowds show up. Bam. And by everything in front I mean the horizon line, the ground, the sky overhead, ahhh.... you will not ride along on a road bike and take pause while in mid pedal to look skyward and gawk at the clouds this much is true.

Maybe this is why so many roadies are riding so fast all the time: just nothing good to look at so might as well get it over with. Not sure myself - while the rest are craning their necks to see the view I'll keep on keeping on the recumbent riding along enjoying the BEST view on the road with no neck straining required (or at least no neck straining unless the view I have starts to strain it):

:) Ride on!