JulyAug2026

Greetings all! I hope you are well! As the summer is upon us, may we all try to find time to enjoy the great outdoors! The past couple months brought a number of opportunities for bike rides, and too, the 31st Purple Pumpers had a fabulous yet challenging year on the MS 150 with many hills and headwinds, yet all did well! Thanks to all who spoored team members! Please note, we will have a number of other bike ride opportunities this summer and Fall (see below).

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The Purple Pumpers would like to thank all who rode and/or sponsored the team on our 28th MS 150. We had a good year and raised over $8,000 this year bringing our total through the years to over $237,000! This takes on special meaning as we now have two long time members who are now living with MS. If you are interested in joining some of our bike rides or one of our future teams, please let me know! See below for fun photos.

Fun photo at the finish- through many hills, valley and high winds, folks prevailed! Good job Purple Pumpers!

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SOCIAL UPDATE

We plan to have a few more rides this summer, the next on Saturday July 25th. We will likely have another breakfast, and rides in July, August, September and if possible, October.

Blessings!

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Health and Fitness Information

1. Remember when biking to wear your helmet, stay hydrated and wear sunscreen! Often I see people riding with their bike seats way too low which can cause undue stress on the knees. In the extended position your knee should only have a very slight bend.

2. In perusing an old Experience Life magazine, it has some wonderful information. For those with low back pain, the magazine suggested:

(a) Don't sleep on your stomach because it puts more strain on your low back, (b) When sitting keep feet planted on floor and knees bent, extending the legs out in front too far can put strain on the low back, (c) Remember to take frequent breaks, especially if you are at a computer, sitting, or driving for extended periods of time, and (d) When rising from a sitting position, use your hips and legs for support to get to the standing position.

3. Experience Life magazine cited a Journal of the American Medical Association study from the University of Copenhagen that looked at the effects of inactivity. The study found that reducing activity for only two weeks resulted in significantly higher levels of glucose and fat in the bloodstreams of the participants. Such effects can lead to a multitude of medical risks including that of diabetes and heart disease. Many of us travel during the summer, in doing so, try to find ways to remain active.

4. Omega 3 fatty acids are essential in the diet to help reduce inflammation and too protect against heart disease. Fatty fish such as salmon and tuna along with canola oil, walnuts, flaxseed, and green leafy vegetables are all good sources of Omega 3.

5. According to the Society for Neuroscience, nearly 2/3 of ailments presenting in doctors offices are often stress related. Many diseases of meaning such as heart attacks, GI problems, and mental health concerns have direct ties to stress. In our busy lives, let us find time for plenty of rest, good nutrition, sleep, exercise... and take time for yourself to do the things you enjoy with the people you love!

6. Often people for convenience go ahead and eat fruits and vegetables without washing them. Remember to wash, and often scrub them in order to remove not only dirt but possible pesticides. The CDC also reminds people not to use the same cutting boards for fruits and vegetables that you do with meat, particularly when using wood based cutting boards.

7. According to a report from Harvard Health, it is important to warm up prior to exercise. A proper warm up gets the blood pumping, puts the joints through range of motion, and prepares the joints for movement. The warm up type is usually 5-15 minutes and is dependent upon the type of exercise you will be doing. For cardio activities, often a warm up that takes the body through motions similar to what you will be doing is helpful. Remember to contact your health professional prior to starting a new vigorous activity.

*The above information is for educational purposes only and not meant to replace the advice of your physician or health professional.
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Sharing some beauty from a recent delightful trip Dan and I had to New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia).

Photos of New River Gorge National Park (West Virginia) - The vast beauty extends over 114 square miles in the Appalachian mountains

This photograph in Babcock State Park of the Grist Mill, is at the most popular spot for photos in WV.

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