The Werx - Issue #1 - August 13, 2023

Hello! Thank you for being part of the bambū werx family. Cynthia and I really do appreciate the support you've shown us over the past two years! In an effort to stay in touch, we plan to begin publishing this monthly newsletter called "The Werx." Nothing fancy, just some thoughts on things you might find interesting about sustainability, endurance sports, and friends/family who are working to make the world a better place. We hope you enjoy these little updates. Please don't hesitate to reach out with suggestions on content you'd like us to cover. And if for whatever reason you prefer not to receive these newsletters... just let us know, as we hate junk mail too! Yours in good health, Larry & Cyn ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ As you may have guessed, we love bamboo! In fact, many believe bamboo to be nature's most sustainable plant product. Here are some interesting tidbits you may not know about bamboo: Bamboo is the fastest growing plant on earth; some species can grow nearly 4 feet in under 24 hours! Bamboo plays a crucial part in reducing carbon levels in the atmosphere. A stand of bamboo releases 35% more oxygen than a comparably sized grove of trees. Bamboo requires very little water and zero pesticide to thrive. Cultivating bamboo greatly reduces soil erosion, as the plant's sum of stem flow rate and canopy intercept equate to >25% (oaks average ~ 22%). Bamboo is used throughout the world for construction, food, and clothing. It can be harvested in 3-5 years (10-12 for soft woods), is extremely strong (tensile strength of 28,000 psi versus 23,000 psi for mild steel), and yields 6:1 times more biomass than cotton. When properly processed, bamboo fabric is naturally antimicrobial and hypoallergenic. So, clothing made with bamboo won't ever stink or cause skin irritation. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- For those of us who cycle, the "ghost bike" has become all too familiar an image. Invariably, we all know of someone who's been killed or severely injured while cycling on the road. Most recently, we were saddened to learn that 17-year old Magnus White died after being struck by an automobile while on a training ride in Boulder, CO. Among our own family members, Mark Evans, Stacy Kushin Blanket, and Elliot Bach have all narrowly survived cycling accidents involving motorists. We share these stories not for shock value, but rather to encourage you to be smart about when, how, and where you cycle. Over three cyclists per day die as a result of accidents with automobiles (in the US alone), so please keep the following in mind: Use lights and reflectors on your bike. The extra ounces won't slow you down that much, and we promise: what you sacrifice in looking cool pales in comparison to the downtime of injury. Whenever feasible, substitute a trainer ride for that spin on the road. Yes, it can be boring and yes, we all prefer the outdoor air. But when pressed for time (and already distracted), we vote for the safety of Zwift'ing in one's garage, basement, or pain cave. Ride in groups whenever possible and always ride single file. Pelotons are simply easier for auto drivers to see... and when riding in tight quarters, require drivers to actually slow down and pay attention before passing. Lastly, cycle defensively. Be smart and keep your eyes peeled for motorists who may not know bicycle laws, don't care, or are otherwise distracted. Common sense says it's far better to be alive than right when it comes to the law. To get involved with building better relationships between cyclists and motorists, please contact our good friend Triny at ItCouldBeMe. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ Meet our athlete of the month, José LLavona. José is a 49-year old competitive triathlete from Virginia Beach, VA. Racing with Team Zoot, José is enjoying his 7th year in triathlon, which he first undertook while wrapping up a 27-year career in the US armed forces (Navy). José has raced everything from Sprint distance triathlons to IRONMAN to XTERRA, enjoying the sport for the discipline it requires and the camaraderie it fosters. We at bambū werx appreciate José for his consistently positive approach to training and competing. Quick to pass a compliment or drop an encouraging word to his fellow athletes, José's goal is to identify and help those new to the sport by helping them avoid beginner pitfalls and get more efficient in time/energy/money expended. We love José's personal mantra, "If I can at least partially help another succeed, then I myself am whole." Keep up the good work, José... we appreciate you! ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------ If you've made it this far... thank you! As novice copywriters, we hope our first newsletter didn't bore you too greatly and look forward to hearing back with any suggestions re: future content. In closing each month, we plan to give our little mascot, Annie, a place to offer up some encouragement to you as a friends, family, and supporters. For August 2023, Annie says: Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, I'm possible!

The Werx - Issue #1 - August 13, 2023

Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, I'm possible!

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Nothing is impossible; the word itself says, I'm possible!