Health& FITNESS Ride Santa Bike Week Womensafely find during strength, calmCruz in martial art Local folks of all ages will go on two wheels next week to celebrate cycling
By Michelle Camerlingo Press-Banner
Press-Banner Laurel Jacobson of Scotts
Valley her tae kwon May wears 10 through 16 is Santa do second-degree black belt Cruz Bike Week, and the cinched around her waist with California gusto: SheHighway can spar,Patrol break urges motorists through boards and and bicyclists pose in the to share theforms road. with ease. art’s many CHP officers will concenA mother of three grown trate patrols during Bike children, Jacobson has trained Week enforce the rules of in theto Korean martial art for the Officers will also nineroad. years. “I never imagined I would educate both four-wheeled be doing this, especially later and two-wheeled travelers in life,” said Jackson, who is in about the necessity of sharing training the road.to test for third-level black belt rank. Below are a few tips from Jacobson, who has dark the CHP. hair and bright eyes, said thatthose testing for the different For on four wheels degrees of black belt brings n Be careful when entering about a focus that is very the designated bicycle lane for intense, yetBicyclists calming. Despite right turns. in this the fact that she could problane have the right-of-way, ably beat up most people if and cars entering the bike she cared to, she exudes a lane are acalm. common cause of Zen-like accidents between motorists “You walk differently, feel and bicyclists. differently,” Jacobson said. “It’s amazing, you can n Take care because while passreally feel the full-throated ing or following bicyclists on power of roads. yourself.” two-lane Many of the At a recent meeting of scenic bicycle routes in Santa Scotts Valley Tae Kwon Do Cruz County are fairlyclass, naracademy’s all-female row, with two lanes and limthe empowerment Jacobson ited visibility around corners. gets from the martial art was The bicyclist established obvious. The has women moved right-of-way the roadway together in aon fluid-like dance, and is allowed to poses ride inand the flowing through lane if no bicycle lane exists. Drivers should be patient and wait for clear visibility before passing. Do not follow a bicyclist too closely, as the rider could fall on the roadway, leaving a motorist too little space to stop in time.
For those on two wheels n Bicyclists are held to the same rules of the road as drivers. This includes respecting stop signs, traveling in the same direction as traffic, not riding on sidewalks and following intoxication laws. Bicyclists who fail to follow these laws endanger themselves, pedestrians and motorists alike.
SHOW OF STRENGTH: Laurel Jacobson, a second-degree black belt instructor at the academy, will test for her third-degree black belt in December, along with her daughter Alexis. She began studying the martial art nine years ago.
Press-Banner file photo
You walk differently, feel n Be“cautious when mergSaturday, May 15: Rail and differently. It’slane amazingTrail ... .”Day ing out of the bicycle
and into the roadway. Starting at 9 a.m., families —Riders Laurel Jacobson, must look behind them to can take their bikes to the second-degree black belt make sure the road it is clear Santa Cruz Train Depot Park, and use proper hand sig119 Center St., and take the nals. Those traveling on four train to Felton for aand communivariety of levels is great forms at the instruction of wheels will not expect cyclists ty ride back down Highway 9 for new beginners.” owner Matt Salisbury. suddenly be in their lane to Santa Cruz.also A CHP Salisbury ownsescort Valley “Theretohas been a huge and might not be able to take provide safety. A helmet Tae Kwon Do in Ben Lomond boom of females at the acad- will evasive action. said. “Now and has taught the martial emy,” Salisbury and tickets are required, withart since 1996. there’s actually more women a cost of $10 for adults and $5 n Don’t forget a helmet. Jacobson admitted that than men. Our all-female for children. Bicycle helmets are a proven she initially trained in the class can accommodate a way to save lives in the event Saturday, May 15: Scotts of a crash, and bicyclists Valley Grand Prix who are younger than 18 This cycling race will must, by law, wear a helmet begin at 4900 Scotts Valley at all times. Drive. See professional cyclists compete starting at Bike Week in Santa Cruz 3 p.m., and participate in a Tuesday, May 11: Commuter children’s ride on the track Offer good through 11.30.09 Race in Watsonville beginning at 7:20 p.m. This commute-hour comOn will all Nordic Tuesday, May 18: Amgen petition test whichNaturals form of transportation gets folks to Tour of California Locals can watch profeswork first. sional cyclists, including Thursday, May 13: Bike Lance Armstrong, ride in to Work Day and Bike to Bonny Doon and down to the School Day Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk Join thousands of cyclists Open 7 days 9:30-6 M-Sat, 11:00-6:00 Sundays by way of Empire Grade. who will ride their bikes to Hill Road 335-5633 6239 Graham Alland week: school and work.Between There’sMama Mia’s LongsBike to Worship Bike or walk to your place free breakfast at many sites throughout the county. of worship any day this week.
SAVE
Lucjan Szewczyk/ Press-Banner
sport because of her daughter Alexis, who started classes at the academy in 1999. “She’s a second-degree black belt also and started training a year before me,” Jacobson said with evident pride. Both mother and daughter
will test for their third-degree belts in December. A picture on the academy’s wall shows both of Jacobson’s daughters donning white sparring outfits in a full-color TAE KWON DO, CONTINUED ON PAGE 17
20%
Ultimate Omega & Cod Liver Oil Products Felton Nutrition
Press-Banner file photo
’round and ’round: Above, Scotts Valley High School teacher Jamie Tuckey cycles up Summit Road during the 2008 Mountain Charlie Challenge. Residents are invited to bike to work or school during Santa Cruz Bike Week, May 10 to 16, and a number of bike-related activities are planned throughout the county.