Weekend Reading List (2.18.12): Rails-to-Trails, Lance Armstrong, Shimano, NHTSA

Think Bike


From: Beyond Urban Centers: Active Transportation in Rural America

A report by Rails-to-Trails Conservancy highlights cycling as an active transportation for exercise, commuting to work and running errands. Continue reading Weekend Reading List (2.18.12): Rails-to-Trails, Lance Armstrong, Shimano, NHTSA

Hike, Bike and More With X-Alp Shoes

Mountain bike shoes are good for mountain biking and not so good for hiking, while hiking or trail shoes don’t always work so well on the bike. What’s a multi-sport athlete to do? The answer is to consider the Pearl Izumi X-Alp series.

The newest model, the Seek IV WRX is a $130 mountain bike shoe that will let you clip in when you need, offering a stiff nylon plate to make sure there is adequate power transfer, while still offering padding and a bit of flexibility to be used as trail shoes. These are still hybrids so the WRX aren’t going to be better on the bike than dedicated mountain bike shoes, nor will these replace trail runners. But for those who want to be able to hike and bike with a single pair of shoes, these will do the trick very well. More photos after the jump

Hands On: Flash Shopping Site The Clymb

While some of you don’t need an introduction to flash shopping sites, I think it’s required here. Over the past few years flash shopping sites have emerged to bring the “sample sale” experience to online shoppers. They generally focus on an area of luxury goods such as fashion, home goods and home décor. Shoppers generally have to subscribe to be granted entry to the site, and get email notifications listing the sales each day. These sales, like sample sales, are for a limited time of about two or three days, and the site might host three or 12 sales from different designers or manufacturers on any given day. Continue reading Hands On: Flash Shopping Site The Clymb

USA Pro Cycling Challenge Jerseys Being Auctioned for Charity

This coming August, sandwiched between two of the three Grand Tours, is the inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge. The USA Pro Cycling Challenge is expected to be the largest spectator event in Colorado history and may possibly be one of the largest sporting events to ever take place in the United States. For seven consecutive days, 128 of the world’s top athletes will race across 518 miles through the majestic Rockies, reaching higher altitudes than they’ve ever had to endure, more than two miles in elevation. The inaugural USA Pro Cycling Challenge will take place August 22-28, 2011, starting in Colorado Springs and traveling to Salida, Crested Butte/Mt. Crested Butte, Gunnison, Aspen, Vail, Avon, Steamboat Springs, Breckenridge and Golden, ending in Denver for the finish.

Just about every cycling stage race has custom jerseys created to designate the ‘race leader’ from day to day – the USA Pro Challenge is no different. USA Pro Challenge will award jerseys daily to top athletes in various standings including the leader, sprinter and climber. In addition, the best young rider as well as the rider who tackles the course with the most tenacity and aggression will wear jerseys commemorating their accomplishments. Continue reading USA Pro Cycling Challenge Jerseys Being Auctioned for Charity

Pearl Izumi Brings Baggy Shorts for Biking

We understand that not everyone wants to wear Lycra shorts when cycling. There are times when riders don’t want the skintight shorts, but still would like the padding of cycling shorts. There are also times when longer shorts can be good too.

There have been no shortage of knicker length cycling tights, but now Peral Izumi has introduced the Launch line of baggy knicker shots. There promise to offer a little style, just enough padding and yet won’t sag while riding.

The Pearl Izumi Launch Knicker feature 4-way stretch, with plenty of pockets, as well as a datable liner with MTB 3D chamois, and adjustable interior waistband. There are snap and Velcro front closure with zip fly. Best of all these feature a longer cut that is good for those cool days around down, or just for looking cool on the trail.

Pearl Izumi Launch Knicker Official Website

Interbike 2011: Key Brands Returning

As we head into spring that means we’re at about the “half way” point to another Interbike, the the cycling industry’s annual flagship trade event. This year the show hits its 30 year mark, and is quickly selling out as exhibitors large and small lock up their space for the September 14-16 show at the Sands Expo and Convention Center in Las Vegas.

“Interbike 2011 is already shaping up to be one of our biggest shows ever,” said Show Director Andy Tompkins. “The mix of established brands that exhibit every year and companies new to the cycling industry or just new to the show provide retailers with the opportunity to see the latest offerings from every corner of the cycling world, something that can only happen at an event as broad based and well-attended as Interbike.” Continue reading Interbike 2011: Key Brands Returning

Fitness Journal: Can You Keep a Secret?

Do you participate in a sport or fitness activity regularly? Do you enjoy trying out the latest technology? Can you offer technical praise or criticism of a product? Can you keep a secret? I you answered ‘yes’ to these questions, you might be a perfect candidate to become a ‘wear tester.’

A wear tester is an individual under agreement with a manufacturer to test and evaluate a product before it arrives to market. This is a non-paid position, but can be rewarding if you enjoy testing new products and you can provide written product evaluation in a timely manner. As a bonus, you may even be allowed to keep the product after testing or evaluation by the manufacturer. The downside is you cannot tell anyone that you are participating in the program; you cannot give away, loan or sell the item; you cannot photograph the item; you cannot post pictures on a social networking site… basically the first rule of wear testing is to not talk about wear testing. Continue reading Fitness Journal: Can You Keep a Secret?