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Jack's Personal Bike Links










Giordana Kit Builder
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Endless Cycles 1st Annual Swap Meet

 




EC SELLIN’ & SWAPPIN’
If you’re like us, you have all kinds of bicycle related stuff in your house, garage or storage areas, that just takes up space, is always in the way and that you will just never, ever use!  But, quite possibly, someone else just might want to add it to their collection of parts and stuff.  They may even want to buy it from you or swap it for something they have that you might want!  Whatever the case, we are offering all of you in this situation a way out!  We are offering you all the time and place to gather and to SELL, SWAP & BUY!
WHEN: SUNDAY, MARCH 11TH, 2012
WHERE: ENDLESS CYCLES LOWER PARKINGLOT
TIME: 9AM – 5PM
FEE TO SELLERS/SWAPERS: NOTHIN’, NADA, ZIP, FREE
FEE TO ATTEND TO SHOP: FREE, ZIP, NADA, NOTHIN’
WHAT CAN YOU SELL OR SWAP: BICYCLES, PARTS, ACCESSORIES, CLOTHING
WHAT SIZE SPACE DO YOU GET: UP TO A PARKING STALL’S WORTH
STUFF TO BRING: A TABLE, CHAIRS, TENT, CASH FOR CHANGE…
…AND ALL YOUR STUFF!
In addition to the swap meet,
EVERYTHING IN OUR STORE WILL BE ON SALE ONE DAY ONLY!


If you’re interested in participating in selling or swapping, just go ahead and send an email to jeff@endlesscyclesonline.com, and he will send you a waiver/signup sheet and reserve you a space! If you want to call with questions, call Jeff at 510-470-3551.  Or you can just stop by in person and take care of business! BUT, EACH PERSON WHO PLANS ON SELLIN’ OR SWAPIN’ SOMETHIN’,  MUST SIGN A WAIVER!
Free parking! Free admission! Free Food! What more could you ask for?! This is a chance for cyclists of every type to sell, swap or buy new or used bicycles, parts, accessories and clothing!
See You At The Swap!

First Time

Early Bird Criterium 2012

strava.com/rides/3727941
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Allergies

Types of Allergies: Hives & Swelling

Types of Allergies Asthma Eye Allergies Hay Fever Hives & Swelling Migraines Mold Allergy Pollen Allergy Allergy Tips Index Urticaria, commonly known as hives, is a distressing disorder affecting up to 20 percent of the population at some point in their lives. The swelling that sometimes accompanies urticaria, called angioedema, can lead to swelling of the face, hands, and feet. The rash of urticaria is usually bumpy, red, and itchy. The bumps can be the size of mosquito bites to coin-size or larger, and can group together into irregular shapes. The rash will tend to come and go within a few hours, moving from one place on the body to another. Angioedema, on the other hand, is usually not red or itchy, but tends to sting and burn, and can be described as "numbness". This swelling can be severe, and if it affects a person's ability to breathe, can be life-threatening. Both urticaria and angioedema are a result of histamine and other chemicals released from mast cells in the skin and mucous membranes. This may occur through an allergic process or one in which mast cells release chemicals without IgE being involved. Categories of Urticaria and Angioedema Cases of urticaria and angioedema can be acute, lasting less than six weeks, or chronic, lasting more than 6 weeks. The length of symptoms can often be a clue as to the cause of the symptoms. For example, the most common cause of acute urticaria and angioedema in children is viral infections. Other common causes of acute symptoms include allergies (typically foods, medications, contact with animal dander, and insect stings and bites), stress, and infections such as the common cold and strep throat. Unlike acute urticaria, only about 5-10 percent of chronic urticaria and angioedema is caused by allergies. Chronic cases are much more likely to be related to auto-immune causes than allergies. In the auto-immune form of urticaria and angioedema, a person makes antibodies against a component of their mast cells, triggering the release of histamine and causing symptoms. Other forms of chronic urticaria include the physical urticarias, in which the rash is triggered by stimuli such as heat, cold, sunlight, pressure, and vibration. It is important to note that many forms of urticaria get worse with heat (such as from hot baths, exercise or wearing too much clothing) and pressure (such as around tight waistbands from clothing). Lastly, some forms of urticaria and angioedema are related to other diseases, such as other auto-immune diseases (such as lupus and rheumatoid arthritis), certain cancers, chronic infections such as viral hepatitis, and some hereditary forms. How to Identify the Cause of Urticaria In acute forms of urticaria and angioedema, a history of the events surrounding the outbreak is the most important information that can be obtained: Was there a specific food eaten or medication taken within minutes to hours before the symptoms started? Was the person stung or bitten by an insect shortly before the rash began? Had the person been ill from an infection, or had more stress in their life recently? Unless there is information suggesting a specific cause, performing allergy testing is not usually needed for acute urticaria. In chronic cases, a physician may check various blood and urine tests, and other procedures such as x-rays to look for other causes. If a physical urticaria is suspected, special tests to mimic the physical stimulus may be performed, such as placing an ice-cube on the skin to cause a hive to form in people with cold urticaria. It is important to note that in most cases of chronic urticaria and angioedema, a specific cause is never found, and is termed "idiopathic". How Urticaria is Treated The main treatment for urticaria is with anti-histamines. These are usually given in oral forms and may need to be given in large or frequent doses to control the symptoms. Short courses of corticosteroids may be needed. If the symptoms are severe, epinephrine shots can be used for immediate, but temporary, relief. If the cause of the urticaria is known or suspected, such as a food or medication, avoidance of this trigger may resolve the symptoms. In cases of chronic idiopathic urticaria, triggers such as acute infections of any kind (such as the common cold), stress, and use of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (aspirin and ibuprofen, for example), may flare the symptoms. In most cases of chronic urticaria and angioedema, symptoms last less than a few months to a few years. Some people may experience symptoms for many years, and those who do should be seen by an allergist for an appropriate testing and treatment. Back to Help Clinic Source: Practice Parameters for Disease Management: Acute and Chronic Urticaria and Angioedema. Ann Allergy. 2000; 85: S525-44. Daniel More, MD, FACP is a board-certified allergist and clinical immunologist with a background in internal medicine. He is About.com's allergies guide. DISCLAIMER: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only, and should not be used as a substitute for personal care by a licensed physician. Please see your physician for diagnosis and treatment of any concerning symptoms or medical condition.

Biscotti

Do you like eating biscotti but find it too dry to eat?
Here is a tip to make it moist and add some flavor to it.
Slice up pieces of apple and put in a plastic bag or a container that you can seal it tight, add a few biscotti in and wait for a couple of days. The dried up biscotti will suck up the moisture from the apple and give it that apple flavor while making it moist as a brownie.

will try coconut flavor next

Yeah, sure... you can dip it in your cup of coffee and get it wet but...

My 50 mile bike ride to kick off year 2012!!!

link to BobbyG's album

DESIDERATA

-- written by Max Ehrmann in the 1920s --
Not "Found in Old St. Paul's Church"! -- see below

Go placidly amid the noise and the haste,
and remember what peace there may be in silence.

As far as possible, without surrender,
be on good terms with all persons.
Speak your truth quietly and clearly;
and listen to others,
even to the dull and the ignorant;
they too have their story.
Avoid loud and aggressive persons;
they are vexatious to the spirit.

If you compare yourself with others,
you may become vain or bitter,
for always there will be greater and lesser persons than yourself.
Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans.
Keep interested in your own career, however humble;
it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs,
for the world is full of trickery.
But let this not blind you to what virtue there is;
many persons strive for high ideals,
and everywhere life is full of heroism.
Be yourself. Especially do not feign affection.
Neither be cynical about love,
for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment,
it is as perennial as the grass.

Take kindly the counsel of the years,
gracefully surrendering the things of youth.
Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.
But do not distress yourself with dark imaginings.
Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.

Beyond a wholesome discipline,
be gentle with yourself.
You are a child of the universe
no less than the trees and the stars;
you have a right to be here.
And whether or not it is clear to you,
no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God,
whatever you conceive Him to be.
And whatever your labors and aspirations,
in the noisy confusion of life,
keep peace in your soul. 

With all its sham, drudgery, and broken dreams,
it is still a beautiful world.
Be cheerful. Strive to be happy.

Desiderata History