Obama says the weather won't be clear until Saturday for riding.
Putting Angelina's face on it still doesn't help.
11.24.2009
Weather's not looking good
Ugh.
Obama says the weather won't be clear until Saturday for riding.
Putting Angelina's face on it still doesn't help.
Obama says the weather won't be clear until Saturday for riding.
Putting Angelina's face on it still doesn't help.
11.23.2009
Short Week
Since this week is short for work due to Thanksgiving, there are some rides planned.
However, there's another Nor'easter looming just to the South of us.
Ugh.
Here's a link to some Thanksgiving Wallpapers for your 'puter.
However, there's another Nor'easter looming just to the South of us.
Ugh.
Here's a link to some Thanksgiving Wallpapers for your 'puter.
11.19.2009
Philadelphia Council Considers Bike Registration
KYW Newsradio reports that after two pedestrian deaths in Philadelphia due to collisions with cyclists, Philadelphia City Council is considering bicycle registration.
Yikes.
Read more here.
[via UrbanVelo.org via kyw1060.com]
Yikes.
Read more here.
[via UrbanVelo.org via kyw1060.com]
11.18.2009
New Winter Stuff Review
I recently got some new PearlIzumi Winter items.
First, I got the new Barrier MTB Shoe Cover.
A considerable upgrade from the Gator brand bootie I've been using the last several seasons.
Sure these look like any other neoprene shoe cover, but you'd be wrong.
There are several design features that really make these covers stand out from the rest, and the careful attention to DETAIL is key.
First of all, they are for mountain biking. You can tell they were designed for water crossings and snow by the shiny "carbon" toe area covered in Polyurethane for water protection.
The upper is traditional 3mm neoprene, but an added fleece lining is a nice touch.
Again, details.
The cut is more anatomical, and fits really well over my PearlIzumi P.R.O. MTB shoes. The bottom of the covers have a tough rubber bottom, with a bridge/tab that goes across the front of the toe-cleats on the sole.
Details.
The best thing I like about these shoes covers, the Velcro closure. No more zippers! I don't know how many times I've broken zippers on the Gators.
Keep in mind that the Velcro used is no sissy closure either. It's the heavy-duty stuff, with plenty of adjustability for people with skinny ankles to "cankles" and still have room for tights underneath.
Bottom line, these coves are the new benchmark for shoe cover design. If you don't have the scratch to buy dedicated winter riding shoes, these are the next best thing.
Next up, the AmFIB® Tight.
Now I should first point out that these are "general" tights that can be used for activities other than cycling, such as running, hiking, or just as a heavy base layer under jeans. The reason I mention this, they DO NOT have a chamois in them. I knew this when I ordered them (I like to wear cycling shorts underneath), but it may surprise others. If you want a tight with a chamois, check the P.I. website and look for tights with the word "cycling" in the title.
As far as the construction, again, details are the key. A thick, fleece lined layer, and even a (possibly) handy little internal pocket for car keys. Nice zippered legs, and some reflective stuff too.
Not too much else to say, except they are a good value, and warm.
Finally, the Barrier Glove.
I think I have a serious problem. I have SO many sets of gloves, seven in fact.
Seven.
(Maybe I should do a separate post about all seven gloves.)
I don't know why, but it seems like I am always on the look out for the right glove depending on different riding conditions.
So now I have the Barrier Glove added to my collection making this my fourth cold weather glove in my collection.
Yeah, fourth.
Let me be right up front, these gloves are thick.
Heck, I kinda feel like I'm wearing 5-fingered boxing gloves. Some might say they are glorified ski gloves. I could see that.
But, they are full of details that a cold weather cyclist needs. A large snot wipe area on the thumb and back of the hand. Velcro closure on the wrist too keep out cold air, and a nice Pittards leather palm.
The only real drawback of these gloves, due to their thickness/bulkiness, they may make shifting a mountain shifter (example SRAM X.0) difficult. However, I've yet to try them on my mountain bikes, they are fine for shifting on my road bike.
These are the thickest gloves I own, but by far the warmest of my 4 winter gloves.
I like all this stuff, and I think it'll serve me well over the fall and winter months through mountain bike rides, road rides in rural PA, and commutes to/from the office.
First, I got the new Barrier MTB Shoe Cover.
A considerable upgrade from the Gator brand bootie I've been using the last several seasons.
Sure these look like any other neoprene shoe cover, but you'd be wrong.
There are several design features that really make these covers stand out from the rest, and the careful attention to DETAIL is key.
First of all, they are for mountain biking. You can tell they were designed for water crossings and snow by the shiny "carbon" toe area covered in Polyurethane for water protection.
The upper is traditional 3mm neoprene, but an added fleece lining is a nice touch.
Again, details.
The cut is more anatomical, and fits really well over my PearlIzumi P.R.O. MTB shoes. The bottom of the covers have a tough rubber bottom, with a bridge/tab that goes across the front of the toe-cleats on the sole.
Details.
The best thing I like about these shoes covers, the Velcro closure. No more zippers! I don't know how many times I've broken zippers on the Gators.
Keep in mind that the Velcro used is no sissy closure either. It's the heavy-duty stuff, with plenty of adjustability for people with skinny ankles to "cankles" and still have room for tights underneath.
Bottom line, these coves are the new benchmark for shoe cover design. If you don't have the scratch to buy dedicated winter riding shoes, these are the next best thing.
Next up, the AmFIB® Tight.
Now I should first point out that these are "general" tights that can be used for activities other than cycling, such as running, hiking, or just as a heavy base layer under jeans. The reason I mention this, they DO NOT have a chamois in them. I knew this when I ordered them (I like to wear cycling shorts underneath), but it may surprise others. If you want a tight with a chamois, check the P.I. website and look for tights with the word "cycling" in the title.
As far as the construction, again, details are the key. A thick, fleece lined layer, and even a (possibly) handy little internal pocket for car keys. Nice zippered legs, and some reflective stuff too.
Not too much else to say, except they are a good value, and warm.
Finally, the Barrier Glove.
I think I have a serious problem. I have SO many sets of gloves, seven in fact.
Seven.
(Maybe I should do a separate post about all seven gloves.)
I don't know why, but it seems like I am always on the look out for the right glove depending on different riding conditions.
So now I have the Barrier Glove added to my collection making this my fourth cold weather glove in my collection.
Yeah, fourth.
Let me be right up front, these gloves are thick.
Heck, I kinda feel like I'm wearing 5-fingered boxing gloves. Some might say they are glorified ski gloves. I could see that.
But, they are full of details that a cold weather cyclist needs. A large snot wipe area on the thumb and back of the hand. Velcro closure on the wrist too keep out cold air, and a nice Pittards leather palm.
The only real drawback of these gloves, due to their thickness/bulkiness, they may make shifting a mountain shifter (example SRAM X.0) difficult. However, I've yet to try them on my mountain bikes, they are fine for shifting on my road bike.
These are the thickest gloves I own, but by far the warmest of my 4 winter gloves.
I like all this stuff, and I think it'll serve me well over the fall and winter months through mountain bike rides, road rides in rural PA, and commutes to/from the office.
11.16.2009
Ride to the Choo-Choo
After the Nor'easter moved out late on Saturday, Sunday's forecast was looking good for a ride. I thought it might be a bit muddy after several days of rain to hit the trails, so Ted and I rode up to the Strasburg Railroad and Museum.
We left early and made our way through some serious headwinds.
I had made a cue sheet of the turns, but in rural PA, there aren't enough street signs, so sometimes it's a guess on where you're at.
We missed a couple of turns, and ended up in Intercourse, PA. (Yes, it's a real place.)
Since we were a little too far North and East, we made our way back to the R.R. with a little extra mileage, around 11:00, and took some quick pictures.
Ted got a new phone, so it was a chance to try out the camera.
On the way back, we were supposed to go a different route, but again, due to poor signage and some missed turns, we ended up going back the same way we came. It's a good thing I had my Palm Pre with me for some kind of mapping, but it wasn't as good as "the brick".
I got to take some photos of the Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge.
After all the missed turns and slight detours from the original course, we ended up with 59.5 miles on the day.
Overall, I thought it was a very good ride, even though the mileage was little more than we both wanted, and since the last ride I did was last Sunday's Frederick ride, I was pretty tired by the time I got home.
I think I may make a drive of my original course, and bring "the brick" with me instead of using the GPS on my Palm Pre, before trying the ride again.
We left early and made our way through some serious headwinds.
I had made a cue sheet of the turns, but in rural PA, there aren't enough street signs, so sometimes it's a guess on where you're at.
We missed a couple of turns, and ended up in Intercourse, PA. (Yes, it's a real place.)
Since we were a little too far North and East, we made our way back to the R.R. with a little extra mileage, around 11:00, and took some quick pictures.
Ted got a new phone, so it was a chance to try out the camera.
On the way back, we were supposed to go a different route, but again, due to poor signage and some missed turns, we ended up going back the same way we came. It's a good thing I had my Palm Pre with me for some kind of mapping, but it wasn't as good as "the brick".
I got to take some photos of the Mercer's Mill Covered Bridge.
After all the missed turns and slight detours from the original course, we ended up with 59.5 miles on the day.
Overall, I thought it was a very good ride, even though the mileage was little more than we both wanted, and since the last ride I did was last Sunday's Frederick ride, I was pretty tired by the time I got home.
I think I may make a drive of my original course, and bring "the brick" with me instead of using the GPS on my Palm Pre, before trying the ride again.
11.13.2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Posts
