This week we’ll celebrate the Fourth of July and that will mean picnics, barbeques and fireworks. There are also plenty of runs and rides around the country, so get out there and put in some miles. Below is just a partial list of events we heard about, and feel free to comment with more! Continue reading Run and Ride the Fourth
Category: Cycling
Weekend Reading List (06.29.2013): Lance Comes Clean (Again), Popular Cycling, Summer Food, Helmet History
Lance Comes Clean (Again)
From USA Today/AP: Lance Armstrong: ‘Impossible’ to win Tour de France without doping
The dirty past of the Tour de France came back Friday to haunt the 100th edition of cycling’s showcase race, with Lance Armstrong telling a newspaper he couldn’t have won without doping. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (06.29.2013): Lance Comes Clean (Again), Popular Cycling, Summer Food, Helmet History
Tour de France Preview: The Gear
The 100th Tour de France is set to start this weekend, and we’ve heard about a slew of new bikes, attire and other products that will make their respective debut on the road. Continue reading Tour de France Preview: The Gear
Regular Cycling is More Than Just Fun; It is Beneficial to Your Health!
Cycling has become more popular since the success of the British team at the 2012 Olympics in London. Sir Bradley Wiggins won last year’s Tour de France as well, adding to the sport’s recognition in the media. A survey by Sport England in 2012 found that uptake of cycling had been increasing over the previous five years, even before the Olympics.
There is no doubt that cycling is fun, but it also has many health benefits. However, preparation is essential. Cyclists should obtain the right bike and some helpful sports equipment like helmets before they embark on any significant journey. Selecting an appropriate bicycle will help prevent potential injuries, so using a racing bike on a dirt track is probably not a good idea. Helmets and other protective gear can minimize the impact of any fall or collision. Whether cycling in a city or the countryside, there are many interesting places to cycle in the UK for people to choose from, although many of the longer routes may require extra planning. Continue reading Regular Cycling is More Than Just Fun; It is Beneficial to Your Health!
Super Mount
While the debate still rages on whether it is a good idea to mount anything to a bicycle helmet the folks at Bell have introduced the Super helmet, which features a removable camera mount that works with GoPro style cameras, as well as offering an eyewear management system that works with goggles or sports glasses, an integrated breakaway camera mount and advanced ventilation.
Bell’s SpeedDial fit system was designed specifically for helmets with lower rear coverage while the “Overbrow Ventilation” includes 25 vents and four intake ports on the helmet brow. Super indeed!
The Flying Bike – ET Not Required
The first – and perhaps most important – question that comes to mind when considering the Paravelo, the world’s first flying bicycle, is why would anyone need to design a flying bike? However, apparently some 60 backers are pledging money on Kickstarter to see this thing… well, take flight. It apparently works with a parachute so it actually glides as much as flies, but it does use a large fan to power its forward motion.
It travels at 15mph on land, so not exactly a speed demon, but reportedly 25mph in the air. It reminds us a bit like the flying contraption that Barney invented on TV’s The Flintstones. Compare the Paravelo to Barney’s creation after the jump
Recon Takes Off Like a Jet
Recon Instruments have made a name for themselves in the world of heads-up displays (HUD) snow sports, but this year the company is looking to hit the road with the Recon Jet Pilot Edition. This special line of eyewear is designed for cyclists and triathletes, offering critical information including heart rate, cadence and power output and put it right in view. This can be supplied by third party devices through wireless connectivity via ANT+ and Bluetooth.
It also offers a comprehensive suite of on-board sensors and delivers a full portfolio of precision performance stats and data such as speed, pace, distance, time, vertical ascent and more.
The glasses include a 1 GHz dual core processor, dedicated graphics, Wi-Fi, ANT+, Bluetooth, GPS, HD camera, and a comprehensive suite of sensors making it a standalone computing solution, comparable in capability to a tablet or smartphone. The components of the HUD are distributed evenly across the eyewear, but add just 14grams to each side of the sunglasses. The display can be controlled by a precision optical touch-pad that supports multiple gesture controls and facilitates its use in all weather conditions, even with gloves on. Continue reading Recon Takes Off Like a Jet
Spy Girl
Many things in life are unisex – but in fitness that means a men’s model that women can wear too. Spy Optics saw it another way and introduced the Libra, which is specifically styled and scaled to fit the feminine face. These feature a smaller wraparound frame with subtle sculptural curves, while still constructed from lightweight, durable Grillamid. These feature 7-Base Victory lenses that offer 100 percent UV protection, along with Spy’s Scoop ventilation system and Hytrel rubber nose pads.
The Libra is available now in four colors.
Camelback Gets Streamlined
It is said that a camel is a horse designed by committee, but it clearly didn’t take a committee to redesign the Camelback Podium Bottles, which are now easier to use and clean. This is notable in the improved Jet Valve and better aero features. The bottle offers a sleeker shape and should be ready to ride next season.
Camelback Official Website
[Via BikeRumor: CAMELBAK STREAMLINES PODIUM BOTTLES WHILE EASING CLEANING]
Action Wipes to the Rescue this Summer
Last fall at Interbike Action Wipes really saved us. Not only were the bins of the full body wipes a welcome site outside of the port-o-potties during demo days, the oversized wipes were welcome for other uses during the show.
When we got back to our hotel after a long day of riding bikes in the desert, we were in desperate need of a shower. That was when we discovered there was no hot water in the hotel. The layers of sweat, desert dust and maybe a little bike grease made the thought of going to bed and showering in the morning impossible. We didn’t even want to venture out to dinner before cleaning up. Then we remembered we had tucked a few Action Wipes in our gear bag. Smart thinking. Continue reading Action Wipes to the Rescue this Summer
For Whom the Bell Rolls
Bells have been on bikes for years, but Dutch Design is looking to introduce The Bell. The Amsterdam-based company is taking its concept to Kickstarter and is now raising funds for what could be the last bell you’ll ever need. This one features high quality materials that can endure the weather as well as the harsh UV rays from the sun.
The 100 percent Dutch made The Bell is also designed to be heard and thus can alert people – because that’s the purpose of having a bell in the first place! Video after the jump
Light Helmet
Being seen at night is key to riding on the roads, and the QitaWear Ultra High Visibility Bike Helmet, which is being developed via an Indiegogo project might be hard to miss. The developers are actually looking to produce two helmet models, including the QS-1 sports style bike helmet, and the QB-1 bicycle style helmet. Each is designed to be fully customizable with a variety of color lighting to ensure that his helmet will be seen in the dark. Continue reading Light Helmet
Handle on Things
There is so much stuff to bring while cycling and even with three pockets in the jersey there is also more to carry. The Handleband could solve that problem as this universal bike mount can hold phones and even open bottles post-ride. The Handleband is now being developed by Daniel Haarburger of Boulder, Colorado via a Kickstarter project.
This simple band attaches easily to a bike and removes just as easily. It should work with almost any handset and any bike. And as noted the metal latch doubles as a bottle opener! Video after the jump