44 - Wednesdas, Jabs 30. 1986 - North Shore News TOUR THE HISTORIC HOME Hycroft House reveals its secrets HYCROFT HOUSE will be reveal: ing its secrets this sumuier. For most people, the closest they get tO Hyerott, one of Shaughnessay’s great houses, is dur- ing the Christmas fair when some of the rooms are open to the public. For the rest of the year, the 19a9 mansion is the preserse of the members of Vancouver University myths broken BICYCLING CAN be a conve- Nient, inexpensive and enjoyable way to get around town if you know how to do it safely and assertively. Yet many cyclists do not feel comfortable in city traffic with cars, trucks and buses rushing past On narrow streets and bridges ac- cording to the Bicycling Associa- tion of British Columbia (BABC). The cycling behavior of many people is governed by their reac- tion to imagined hazards, says BABC. This behavior often leads to accidents rather than to their prevention. Too often, cyclists have their own solutions to traffic situations and too often, those solutions are based on myth rather than fact. One of the most common bicycle myths is that cyclists should ride their bicycles as close to the curb as possible because most accidents involve a cyclist being hit from behind. The iuth js that less than four per cent of urban car and bicycle accidents involve cars overtaking. COMMON ACCIDENT Riding too far to the right is often a contributing factor in driveway and intersection colli- sions, which are the most common types of accidents. Another myth is that cyclists are safer on residential streets because they are quiet. BABC says that a large percent- age of car and bike collisions occur on quiet streets because of uncon- trolled intersections and blind cor- ners, and less careful riding. Many cyclists want more bike paths because they consider them safer to ride on. In fact, bike paths are often badly maintained, and are often shared by people under- taking other forms of recreational activities such as skateboarding or jogging. Accident research dita is very clear on one point — the skill of the cyclist is the most significant factor in accident prevention. CYCLING COURSES Traditionally, cyclists have at- tained high levels of skill only after several years of cycling experience. Qualified instructors using film, classroom discussion, and on-road instruction, can teach effective cycling skills in just a few weeks. The courses presently being of- fered by BABC include fitting the bicycle to the rider, the best lane position for all types of road design and traffic conditions, communicating with other road users, legal rights and respon- sibilities, how to prevent common accidents, emergency avoidance manoeuvres, wet weather and night time strategies, principles of effective cycling and some basic maintenance. For further information, contace— Danelle Laidlaw, 687-3333, local 221 on Tuesdays through to Thursdays. Women's Club This veer oan honer of Van- couver’s centenmiad, the club has opened the house to che public on sundays. The 38-minute four of the house which was built by maynate, later senator and sometime general Alexander Ductcan MeRae. will be given by memocrs in) bdwardian dress. fhe tour will take Chrough the main rooms as well as into fooms such as the senator's bathroom with its up-to-the: minute P9OY plumbing soll intact. When Heyerott was built, Van- couser had cnly been a ats tor 23 years. Howeser, Hycroft, its residents and guests hardly lacked — tor anything, The house boasted 30 VISEIOES Pe ae Watning Health and Welfare Canada advises that danger to health increases with amount smoked - avord inhahng Average per cigarette -- Sportsman Natural Regular and King Size “Tar” !amg Nic | Img Natural Light Regular and King Sie “Tar” Img fic 0 Gm: rooms, 1X bathrooms, On the surrounding grounds, the MecRae’s had then own swimming pool, gymnasium, bowlmny alley, Squash and tennis courts with an adjoming lounge, stables. and hothouses — ali gone now except for the pool, When the University Women's Club acquired the house which had most recendy been used as a hospi- falling into serious disrepair. The efforts of the members (0 renovate and restore the house were recognized in 1974 when the house was designated a heritage property by the city. Tours at 1:30 p.m. Light teas are also available. Admission is $3 for adults, $2 for children five to 12 years old. For more information call: 731-4661. tal it was AMATIM AL SLENL OF CHOICE CANADIAN TOBACTOS