Safety First!

So, I feel it is important for all people to know the cycling laws of the state they live in, not only for their own safety but for the safety of others. I don't care if you ride a bike or not, that's not what this post is about, it's just simply making everyone (operators of motor vehicles & cyclists alike.) aware of the laws, so everyone can live a little safer. Here are Missouri's state laws for cyclists:

For Motorists:

• Motorcyclists and bicyclists change speed and lane position when encountering bad road conditions, such as manhole covers, diagonal railroad tracks, road debris or in strong winds. Be ready to react.
• When you are passing, give motorcycles a full lane width. If possible, give a full lane to bicycles and mopeds, too. Do not squeeze past these road users. The bicycle is generally a slower moving vehicle and this may require you to slow down. Wait for a clear stretch of road before passing a cyclist in a lane too narrow to share.
• If you are following a bicyclist and need to make a right turn, you must yield to the cyclist. It is often safer to slow down and remain behind the cyclist until you are able to turn.
• Cyclists often travel at surprisingly fast speeds. If you need to make a left turn, yield to oncoming bicyclists unless you are absolutely sure you can make the turn before the cyclist reaches the intersection.
• Motorcyclists and bicyclists change speed and lane position when encountering bad road conditions, such as manhole covers, diagonal railroad tracks, road debris or in strong winds. Be ready to react.
• Check for passing bicyclists before opening your car door into a traffic lane or bicycle lane.
• A bicycle lane is a portion of a roadway designated by striping for use by bicycles. You may cross a bicycle lane when turning or when entering or leaving the roadway. You must yield to bicyclists in a bicycle lane.For Bicyclists:
  On public streets and highways, you have the same rights and responsibilities as a motor vehicle operator. Always ride with traffic, never against it. When operating at less than the posted speed or traffic flow, generally ride as near to the right side of the roadway as safe. The right edge of the road often has hazards like ditches, gutters, sand, gravel shoulders, and so on. Leave space between yourself and these hazards as needed for safety.
  You may move more toward the middle or left of the lane or roadway, as appropriate:
  • when making a left turn,
  • when avoiding hazards,
  • when the lane is too narrow to share with another vehicle, and
  • when there is a right-turn-only lane and you are going straight.
  Always check traffic and signal before changing lanes or changing your position within a lane. On a one-way street, bicyclists may also choose to ride as far left as is safe.
  The law does not allow you to ride a moped on any part of the federal interstate highway system.
  Safety Tips for Moped and Bicycle Riders:
1. The law does not require you to wear a helmet. However, wearing a safety-certified helmet can prevent serious head injuries or death.
2. Be sure your bike is in safe condition and has all the equipment required by law.
3. Make sure motorists see you. Wear bright colored clothes and stay out of a vehicle’s blind spots. Use proper lights and reflectors when riding after dark.
4. Make sure you signal before you slow down, change lanes or turn. Before merging, changing lanes or turning, scan behind and in front to ensure that it is safe to make this maneuver. Do so in plenty of time and in cooperation with other drivers who will be affected by your move. If it is not safe, continue on a straight course and scan repeatedly and only move once it is safe. In conditions of heavy traffic, less proficient bicyclists may find it easier to wait near the curb for a safe gap to appear.
5. Be careful when passing to the left of a parked or moving vehicle. You should leave 3 to 4 feet of clearance to avoid suddenly opened car doors or allow for a vehicle to swerve.
6. Be extra careful at intersections. Do not assume your right-of-way when there is a vehicle approaching. Be aware that motor vehicle drivers may not see you approaching the intersection, or may believe that you are moving at a slower speed than you are.
7. Keep a steady line and be predictable as a courtesy to other traffic and to increase your personal safety
8. 1. For teen and adult bicyclists, studies show that riding on the street with traffic, not against it (following the same traffic rules that other vehicles do), is far safer than riding on the sidewalk. However, Missouri law prohibits cyclists from riding on the sidewalk in a business district

For more information on Missouri's cyclists laws please go to the following page : http://mobikefed.org/statutes

Something Sweet...

Pancake puffs, nothing is better for breakfast or a late night snack. I've been making this quick and easy recipe since college & have been craving these for the past few weeks.I've been meaning to get around to making these simply sweet & delicious pancake puffs, and just hadn't found the time. But, this morning after waking up dreaming of these, I decided all excuses aside.

What you will  need:
-1 medium mixing bowl
-1 cup measuring cup
-Pancake Mix
-Filling of your choice ( I used nutella, peanut butter, & strawberry jam. But in the past I have added already browned breakfast sausage before too. Really you can fill these with anything.)
-1 mini muffin pan
-nonstick spray

First make you pancake batter as usual. To save yourself some time you might also want to preheat your oven to 350 degrees. (that way you can just make em & bake em.)

Then Spray your mini muffin pan with non-stick cooking spray.

Next fill your mini muffin pan about half way with the pancake batter.

Then comes the filling! I put about a tsp. worth of filling in each of the muffin cups. 

(nutella is the furthest row, then peanut butter, then the jam.)

Quick tip: [Try to keep your filling in the center as best as you can, otherwise it tends to fall out of the sides.]

After the filling is put in cover the tops with the remaining pancake batter. Try not to over fill them, otherwise they tend to turn out "not so pretty". 

Pop these puppies into the oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes or until the tops are a nice golden brown.

I always check mine with a fork before taking them out of the oven just because with any kind of filling the centers might take a little longer to cook all of the way through. (mine aren't that golden, but I was too impatiently hungry for them haha.)

Just pop the pancake puffs out of the muffin pan with a spoon & serve with either a side of syrup or a la mode. 

(I apologize for the dark photo) The center of the strawberry filled pancake puff. Bon A Petit!