For Immediate Release
Contact: Tamara Flanders (518) 429-6615
tamaraflanders@yourbodyawake.com

REXFORD WOMAN TEACHES HOW TO “DRIVE” YOUR BIKE

Vehicular Cycling Teaches Bicyclers to Share Road with Cars

REXFORD, NY (7-14-09) — A bicycle safety instructor is teaching Capital Region cyclists how to “drive” their bikes.

“Every time I’m out on the road I see people making dangerous choices,” said Tamara Flanders, a cycling instructor who is certified by the League of American Cyclists. “Some mis-educated people behind the wheel don’t respect the right of cyclists to be on the road. On the other hand, some mis-educated bike riders don’t follow proper road etiquette and make car drivers nervous or upset.”

Flanders is working to make shared roadways safer for bicycles and cars by teaching “vehicular cycling,” the practice of driving bicycles on roads in a manner that is visible, predictable, and in accordance with traffic law.

“Cycling is safest when the bicycle is treated the same as other vehicles,” Flanders said. “When you follow all the traffic laws, you are ‘driving’ your bike. This ensures your visibility and safety from the cars around you.”

Now that summer is here, and more people are using bicycle transportation to avoid high gas prices, Flanders said it’s crucial that cyclists and car drivers do everything in their power to avoid crashes.

“Knowing how to properly share the road can prevent nearly all of the car-bicycle crashes that happen,” Flanders said.

Flanders will be teaching a variety of safe cycling courses this summer, including a cycling coaching program titled “Couch Potato to 25 Miles.” This program will teach novice cycling skills, as well as vehicular cycling, while helping beginning cyclists build their skills and endurance to comfortably cycle 25 miles. Couch Potato to 25 miles is scheduled to start at the end of July 2009 and will utilize many of the beautiful sections of Mohawk-Hudson Bike-Hike Trail and select roadways in the Niskayuna and Schenectady areas.

Flanders also offers one-on-one bicycle coaching. During each session, she rides with her individual student, teaching him or her how to navigate roads safely and effectively on a bike.

In addition to teaching bicycle safety classes, Flanders is a holistic health counselor.

“Riding your bike safely is a great way to improve your health, raise your self esteem, and have a great time,” she said

For information and to register for programs, visit: http://yourbodyawake.com/id4.html .

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For Immediate Release
Contact: Dave Flood 518-462-1617

JACKSON, 50th, PUT ALBANY “MOTOWN” BAND IN HIGH DEMAND

Solid Smoke Gears Up To Record Original “Motown” Record

ALBANY, N.Y. (07-01-09) — The recent death of Michael Jackson is fueling more demand for local “Motown” band, Solid Smoke.

“This year is the 50th anniversary of Motown Records, so we’re already very busy,” said Dave Flood, manager of Solid Smoke. “With the passing of Michael Jackson, we’re getting even more calls. People love that Motown sound and they want to hear it now more than ever. Everybody loves to dance.”

Founded 11 years ago by the late Larry Lewis, Solid Smoke is a four-piece Motown-style band, featuring: Decky Lawson, 34, on vocals; Mike Wooten, 51, on the guitar and synthesizer; Myron Thomas, 55, on the drums; and James Scott, 41, on bass guitar and vocals.

“I grew up listening to that Motown stuff,” said Scott. “I also grew up singing Gospel.”

Scott, who directs the Gospel choir at Albany’s Mount Olive Missionary Baptist Church, says Gospel music and Motown have a lot in common. Musically, Motown blends R&B with pop styles. But Motown can also draw from the vocal stylings of Gospel.

For now, Solid Smoke plays crowd-pleasing songs by Motown artists like James Brown, The Temptations, and Earth, Wind & Fire. But the band plans to record an album of original music by the end of this year.

“It will have the Motown feel. It will have a blues feel. It will also have a gospel feeling,” Scott said of the band’s planned upcoming
album.

Flood, who has managed the band for the last 11 years, has high hopes for the upcoming album and is already making plans with a local music
venue for the album release party.

“Many great musicians have played in this band,” Flood said. “This is the most gifted group of musicians so far. You’ve gotta go to New York to find musicians this good.”

UPCOMING SOLID SMOKE SHOWS:

July 16, Pittsfield, “3rd Thursdays”, 5 p.m.
July 19, Scotia, Freedom Park, 7 p.m.
July 25, Amsterdam, Riverlink Park, 7 p.m.
Aug. 3,10,17,24,29,31, Saratoga Springs, The Parting Glass, 9:30 p.m.

For information, call Dave Flood at 518-462-1617
or visit: http://www.myspace.com/solidsmokefunk

Click Here for High Resolution Photo of Solid Smoke.

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