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Active Expert: Jim Kaese : September 2008

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Now that Lance is prepared to ride in next year's 2009 Tour of California, this burgeoning stage race just became a BIG, BIG event. Coverage will not be limited to niche cycling mags, California newspapers and local television newscrews. We expect to see an influx of national and international media, the daytime talkshows and many other news outlets covering the event and tracking Armstrong's daily progress (along with the leaders). How great for American cycling!

San Diegans, especially, should be extremely excited to be hosting the ToC's final stage--a grueling climb up Mt. Palomar, a descent down and a finish in Escondido. (The Tour has yet to have a stage in California's cycling mecca of San Diego).

Cycling fans wishing to enjoy a special experience and contribute to the success of the race should apply for one of 4,500 volunteer positions available for the February 2009 event. AEG has posted availabilities on the Tour of California website. This race is going to be special and volunteering could proivde a unique, up close and personal experience to boot!

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I'm working on my next article and thought I would write a "teaser" with this blog. Here's the first of several "little known facts" or "helpful hints" for airplane travel:

1. The Safest Seats on an Airplane

In July 2007, Popular Mechanics analyzed and examined crash data from every commercial jet crash in the U.S. since 1971 that had both fatalities and survivors (20 in total). They scoured NTSB (National Transportation and Safety Board) files for hundreds of hours to arrive at the following conclusion:

"The farther back you sit, the better your odds of survival. Passengers near the tail of a plane are about 40 percent more likely to survive a crash than those in the first few rows up front."

"In 11 of the 20 crashes, rear passengers clearly fared better. Only five accidents favored those sitting forward. Three were tossups, with no particular survival pattern. In one case, seat positions could not be determined."

Whenever I fly Southwest or other airlines with open seating, I always head to the rear of the airplane because I've found I'm more likely to have an empty middle seat next to me (I prefer windows). Now, I have another incentive to skip the first 15 rows.

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Disclaimer: Sorry for the self-serving blog post, but knowing about this deal between Athletic-Minded Traveler and Hyatt will help millions of traveling runners/joggers.

Guests of Hyatt hotels throughout North America will be able to run outdoors along a custom route designed by yours truly and the rest of the AMT team.

As part of its StayFit@Hyatt program, colorful 2-8 mile route maps with written directions are now available via the hotels' concierges, fitness centers and front desks. Now all of you runners out there have absolutely NO excuse to skip the morning jog.

Look for online maps on each individual Hyatt site to soon be available as well.

See the full press release below:

HYATT HOTELS & RESORTS TEAMS WITH ATHLETIC-MINDED TRAVELER® TO ADD CUSTOMIZED RUN ROUTES TO ITS STAYFIT@HYATT PROGRAM

Joggers and walkers enjoy fresh air with confidence thanks to palm-size route maps

CHICAGO (September 9, 2008) - Athletic-Minded Traveler® today announced that Hyatt Hotels & Resorts' North American properties will provide jogging and fitness-walking guests with palm-size route cards designed by Athletic-Minded Traveler®, a leading healthy-travel and lifestyle media firm. Hyatt is the first major hospitality company to partner with Athletic-Minded Traveler and will feature the maps as part of the StayFit@Hyatt program at participating Hyatt Regency and Grand Hyatt properties.

Enhancing the dynamic selection of StayFit@Hyatt workout programs that cater to fitness-conscious business and leisure travelers, these easy-to-carry cards will provide runners and walkers of all levels with essential information to help them follow healthy pursuits while away from home. The Athletic-Minded Traveler maps offer detailed directions on one side (beginning at each property's front door) and a colorful map with mileage markers on the other (routes range from 2 to 8 miles). The unique tools encourage runners to head outdoors by answering the vital questions "Where?" and "How far?"

"Our staff of active-lifestyle experts is extremely proud to provide Hyatt guests with individually-researched route maps," says Jim Kaese, Co-Founder of San Diego-based Athletic-Minded Traveler, LLC. "Because jogging and walking are the most popular endurance activities for North Americans (e.g., even the frequent running population - 100+ days/year - is estimated at an impressive 16 million, according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association) runners will always be the largest group of Hyatt guests in search of a quality fitness experience. By offering this resource, Hyatt conveys to the running and fitness-walking communities that it understands their plight of identifying legitimate routes while staying in unfamiliar destinations and aspires to accommodate their healthy lifestyle choices."

"This new service from Athletic-Minded Traveler adds a valuable component to our StayFit@Hyatt program," said Gordon Tareta, Vice President of Spa Operations for Global Hyatt Corporation. "Every participating property has been assessed by Athletic-Minded Traveler staff which is made up of fitness-conscious individuals who share our guests' interest in
living a healthy lifestyle. Athletic-Minded Traveler shares Hyatt's dedication to providing uncompromising service and is an ideal partner."


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According to the Wall Street Journal, the three major airline carriers-American, United, and Delta-hold the highest "lost luggage" rate. United's mishandled baggage rate during the past 10 years is 29% higher than the best rated airline, Continental.

Delayed flights causing missed connections are the primary reason for luggage blunders. And as the on-time performance of the nation's carriers sprials down, mishandled baggage rates spike up. Here are the mishandled-bag rates per 1,000 passengers:

United - 5.49
American - 5.30
Delta - 5.00
US Airways - 4.89
Northwest - 4.74
Alaska - 4.58
Southwest - 4.48
Continental - 4.25

One reason that these rates might improve...higher checked-luggage fees. As airlines have added fees for bag checking, passengers are checking less. Presumably, this smaller quantity of luggage should translate into better luggage service, but only time will tell...

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