News

July 15th, 2024

One of my favorite leisure activities is mountain biking. It’s great exercise, and a good opportunity to get out and commune with nature. This industry can be very stressful, and I’ve found that time spent in the woods on my bike reduces my stress levels, improves my mood, and helps me be more focused. ­­

There’s a concept known as “forest bathing” that originated in Japan in the 1980s. It’s a therapeutic practice that involves spending time in nature to connect with it through your senses, with the goal of improving your physical and mental health and well-being. Turns out I’ve been forest bathing for years and didn’t even know it!  I always called it dirt church. Just like regular church, mountain biking affords me the opportunity to connect with a community and my own spirituality. Time spent in the great outdoors gives me a sense of awe and a connection to something greater than myself. 

We’re fortunate to live in the Laurel Highlands region of Pennsylvania, where the Allegheny Mountains (part of the Appalachian Mountain range) afford many opportunities for outdoor recreation, including mountain biking. There are also some very good trails to explore in many of the Pittsburgh city parks. There are several hundred miles of trails that can be accessed within an hour of my home. 

My friend Ashley owns Flat Tire, the local bike shop in Greensburg, and she’s done a remarkable job building a community around cycling. She hosts several group rides every week at various locations, and after the ride folks tend to stick around for fellowship (and beer). I’ve made a lot of good friends through my association with the bike shop. It’s also a savvy business move on her part, because the more you ride your bike the more things break, and guess who gets to fix it?!?

This year, Ashley asked if the Tuscano Agency would be willing to sponsor their youth cycling team to provide scholarships for underprivileged kids, and we were happy to help. The Laurel Highlands Composite Team is part of NICA, the National Interscholastic Cycling Association. NICA’s mission is to build strong minds, bodies, character, and communities through cycling with the values of fun, inclusivity, equity, respect, and community. The Tuscano Agency is proud to support that mission. Please follow our social media channels where we’ll be sharing updates on the team’s activities. 

And now, I have a confession to make. Last year, I broke down and bought an electric mountain bike. I was always a purist (snob) on the subject of e-bikes, I didn’t consider them to be “real” mountain bikes…until I tried one! They’re a lot of fun, and they allow you to cover way more ground in the same amount of time. Also, Class 1 e-bikes only provide pedal assist, meaning you must pedal to make the motor work, so it’s still good exercise. E-bikes have been popular in Europe for years, and they’re starting to take off in the U.S. In fact, I’d be willing to wager that many of your clients enjoy e-bikes, and our Personal Lines team can help secure coverage for them! Please give us a call if you’re interested in learning more.

Speaking of Personal Lines, the team wanted me to let you know that they have another option for your collector car needs. This is an A+ rated carrier that’s writing all kinds of antique, classic, and collectible cars and trucks (including semi-trucks). They offer broad coverage and fast turnaround on quote approvals and policy issuance. Please give one of our talented personal lines underwriters a call today to learn more!

As always, I’d love to hear how we’re treating you. Please call or drop me a line to let me know!

Robin

robin@tuscano.com

(C) 724-454-3516