Mountain Views News, Combined Edition Saturday, June 17, 2017

MVNews this week:  Page A:8

WHAT TO DO WITH CREMATED ASHES? 
Mountain Views-News Saturday, June 17, 2017 8 THE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGSTHE GOOD LIFE 
SENIOR HAPPENINGS
BEST BICYCLES FOR AGING BABY BOOMERS 


Dear Savvy Senior,
My husband and I are interested in getting acouple of bicycles for leisurely exercise and fun, andwould like to get your recommendation. We’re bothapproaching 60 and are a little overweight, and it’sbeen a while since we rode. 

Easy Riders 

Dear Easy,

If you’re interested in leisurely, recreational 
riding for fitness and fun, a great option is a“comfort bike,” which is very popular among babyboomers. Here’s what you should know about thisoption, along with some tips to help you shop andchoose. 

Comfort Bikes 

A comfort bike is a style of bicycle that’s easyon an aging body because it lets you ride in amore comfortable upright position. These bikeshave high handlebars so you don’t have to hunchover, which eases lower-back strain and reduces 
pressure on the wrists and hands. They also comewith wide tires for a smooth ride, offer fewer 
gears, and have soft, wide seats to eliminate saddle 
soreness. 

Most comfort bikes also come with shock-
absorbing forks and seat posts for additionalcomfort. And some offer unique design featureslike an ultra low step-over bar that makes gettingon and off easy for people with limited flexibility(like the Biria Easy Boarding at Biria.com), or the“flat-foot” design offered by many manufacturerswhere the pedals are moved forward, away fromthe seat. This allows you to get a full-leg extensionwhen you pedal, but keeps the seat in a lowerposition so when you’re stopped, you can put yourfeet down flat on the ground while seated, which isa great safety feature for older riders.

Most major manufacturers including Electra,
Sun, Raleigh, GT, Giant, and Trek all make a lineof comfort bikes that costs between $300 and $800 
or more depending on its features. 

Shopping Tips 


To find a quality comfort bike, your best option isto find a good bike shop in your area. Bikes frombig box stores, like Walmart and Target, are mass-
market bikes that may be less expensive, but thequality isn’t as good and they’re typically seven toeight pounds heaver. They also come in only onesize, so you’re not likely to get a great fit.

Before you buy any bike, be sure you take it fora test ride first to ensure that the seat and fit of 
the bike is comfortable, the brakes and shifters 
are easy to use, the gears can go low enough forclimbing hills, and the frame and suspensionadequately smooth the bumps. 

Recumbent Bikes 

If the comfort bikes don’t meet your needs, 
another popular style among older riders is arecumbent bike. These are the low-to-the-ground,
stretched-out frame bikes with La-Z-Boy style 
seats that allow you to recline with your legs 
positioned in front of you.

Recumbent bikes are very comfy, easy on theback, arms and shoulders, and aerodynamic whichmake them ideal for long rides. The disadvantages,
because they are low-to-the-ground, they can beharder to balance and maneuver, and are more 
difficult for other vehicles to see. 

If you worry about falling or want more stabilitywhen you ride consider a three-wheel recumbenttrike. See SunSeeker.bike and TerraTrike.com for 
a nice variety, but be aware that recumbent bikesare more expensive, typically ranging between$1,000 and $2,500. 

Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O.
Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.
org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Todayshow and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. 

HAPPY BIRTHDAY! …June Birthdays* 


Joanne Thrane, Nellie Haynes, Dorothy McKay, Theresa Daley, Donna Doss, Mary 
Carney, Carol Handley, Marilyn McKernan, Pat Fujiwara, John Shier, Beth Smith-
Kellock, Ann Disbrow, Joan Ellison, Anne Montgomery, Trini Ornelas, Martha 
Spriggs, Pat Starkey, Kathleen Coyne, Suzanne Decker, Jacque Persing, Jeanne Peterson 
and Grace Sanders 

* To add your name to this distinguished list, please call the paper at 626.355.2737. 
YEAR of birth not required 
................................................................... 


ACTIVITIES: Unless listed differently, all activities are at the Hart 
Park House (Senior Center) 222 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre 

Hawaiian & Polynesian Dance Class: Every Tuesday morning from 10a.m.
to 11a.m. Join instructor Barbara Dempsey as she leads you in the art of Hula. 
Bingo: Every Tuesday beginning at 1:00p.m. Cards are only $0.25 each! Everyone is welcome to join.
May be canceled if less than five people. 

Free Blood Pressure Testing: 2nd Tuesday of the month from 11a.m. to 12p.m. No appt. is necessary. 

Brain Games: Thursdays, 10:30a.m. to 11:30a.m., improve your memory and strengthen your 
brain. Activities facilitated by Senior Volunteers. 

Free Legal Consultation: Wednesdays from 10:30a.m. to Noon. Attorney Lem Makupson isavailable for legal consultation. He specializes in Family Law, Wills, Trusts, Estates, and Injury.
Appointments are required by calling 626-355-7394. 

Senior Club: Meets every Saturday at the Hart Park House Senior Center. Brown Bag Lunch at 
11:30a.m. 

Tax Assistance: Every Wednesday beginning on February 1st through April 12th from 1:00p.m.
to 2:00p.m. - Don Brunner is available for income tax consultation. Appointments are required by 
calling 626-355-7394. 

Chair Yoga: Mondays and Wednesdays from 11:00 to 11:45a.m. with Paul Hagen. 3rd Monday of eachmonth, a variety of balance exercises are practiced. All ability levels are encouraged and welcomed! 

*A suggested donation of $5 at one of the classes is requested, but is not required. 

Case Management: Case Management services are provided by the YWCA and provide assistance in 
a variety of areas. Appointments are required and can be scheduled by calling the Hart Park HouseOffice at 626-355-7394. 

Birthday Celebrations: Every 2nd Thursday of the month at the Hart Park House, share some freebirthday cake provided by the Sierra Madre Civic Club. 

Game Day: Every Thursday starting at 12:00p.m. Come join this group of Seniors in a poker game. 
Other games are offered to all. Please note time change. 

Free Strength Training Class: Every Friday from 12:45p.m. to 1:30p.m. with Lisa Brandley. Thisenergetic class utilizes light weights for low impact resistance training. All class materials are provided. 

Stress, Resilience, Positivity: Finding Balance - by The Kensington Sierra Madre Four Tuesdays,
March 7 - 28th from 2:00 - 4:00p.m. Register by calling 213-821-6919 or 213-821-6908. 

SEASONAL FUN AT THE SENIOR CENTER 

Thursday, May 25th from 10:30a.m. – 11:30a.m. at the Hart Park House! 

Just in time for spring! Join us in making a silk flowers planter. All supplies will be provided. Let’s getcreative... Please call the Hart Park House, 626-355-7394, to make your reservations. 
Invite your friends and family for some arts and crafts fun and take home your planters for the season 

YOUR AD 
COULD BE HERE! 
Call Patricia: 
626-818-2698 
Today! 
Mountain Views News 80 W Sierra Madre Blvd. No. 327 Sierra Madre, Ca. 91024 Office: 626.355.2737 Fax: 626.609.3285 Email: editor@mtnviewsnews.com Website: www.mtnviewsnews.com