Cycling Zombies
After the 2005 Giro D’Italia, photographer Timm Kolln captured some very telling images showing cyclists expressions immediately after they finished the race.
via The Piton
Add comment September 16th, 2008
Archive for September, 2008
Tarpeez
I have had a truck of some sort for about 8 years. My first truck had a hard cover, or a tonneau cover. I liked it, however it was a permanent fixture on the truck and really couldn’t be removed. So when I needed to move things like sofas or any large pieces of furniture it was a problem. It was good though when I wanted to keep weather off stuff I had in the back.
I was recently given a product called Tarpeez to test out and it is pretty darn slick. It is a perfect product for those of us who go out camping or keep a lot of gear in the back but want to keep the sun, wind and rain off of it. Tarpeez is a expandable tarp that can fit over different bed types. It comes in short bed (5′x5′), standard bed (5′x6.5′), and long bed (5′x8′). The system uses bungees to connect the back, sides, and front to parts of the truck bed. Tarpeez takes less than a minute to connect and is very sturdy. It also does a good job of keeping things inside the truck bed. Since it is a tarp it can easily disconnect and then fold neatly to fit under seats in the cab of the truck.
Tarpeez is a great product and at around $50 it is affordable as well.
Add comment September 15th, 2008
Gear Review - Guyot Designs TapGuard (out in November 08)
A few weeks ago I listed several new products out on the market that could make your camping experiences even more cushy. Here is one coming out in November that could improve the taste of your water.
Guyot Designs TapGuard
This nifty little product will be out on the market just before Thanksgiving at REI stores. Then they will be distributed widely to other outdoor retailers after November 28th. The Tapguard won’t protect you from nasty stuff like Giardia. It is a water filter with a different purpose. The TapGuard aims to help people enjoy a better tasting tap water. Thus reducing the amount of bottled water we buy.
Here’s how it works.
- Pop a charcoal filter into your Tapguard (it will come with 2 filter cartridges).
- Slide the Tapguard into the mouth of your favorite Nalgene, Camelback, or other wide mouthed water bottle.
- Drink slowly, the water moves through the filter and removes chlorine and other chemicals in our tap water that make it taste like crap.
I tested the product for Guyot and like it. Here are the pros and cons as I see it.
Pros
- Clean tasting water. It really did make the water taste better, more like bottled water. It takes some of the tangy taste out of the tap water.
- Keep thousands of plastic bottles out of landfills.
- Save money on bottled water if you are a bottled water buyer.
- Will remove the iodine or chlorine taste from filtered water. Those of us who have used iodine or chlorine tablets to clean our backcountry water know what it tastes like. Anything that removes that taste is okay in my book.
Cons
- You have to drink very slowly. No gulping here. So if you’re parched after alot of activity you may want to just drink the tap water straight (you can drink it from the other side straight).
- The early design allows some water to spill through the “drinking it straight” opening on the other side and onto your face. But Guyot assures that this has been corrected in the version going to market in November.
Verdict
Definitely worth a try. At the price these are going to sell at, it’s worth it to save some money on bottled water if you drink it, worth getting rid of the iodine taste from treated water, and worth the environmental savings as well. Will be selling for $14.95
Add comment September 15th, 2008
Gear Review - Energizer Headlamps
Most of us associate Energizer with the pink bunny playing the bass drum. They make batteries that last, that’s the impression we have of them. But if you know a bit more about Energizer you might know they also make other things that use batteries. Like headlamps.
I’ve had the opportunity to test and review several headlamps from Energizer and the first thing I noticed about their line-up is the variety. They have several different headlamp power levels, as well as a multitude of styles. They an be found at outdoor shops all over, as well as online and in major retail outlets. The sub-brand is The Trailfinder Series which has color schemes and design features that lend themselves to the outdoor audience… us.
Here is a quick run-down of some of the models they carry and their specs…
6 LED Headlight
- The 6 LED version has a 50 hour life on AAA Energizer Max batteries
- Four lighting modes: spot, flood, spot/flood, night vision
- Night vision is a red light that allows the eyes to adjust to low light levels. In testing we found this was a great setting to use while just milling about camp. It allowed you to see things you were doing with your hands, while having a conversation with others and not blinding them.
- Packed with 3 Energizer® MAX® AAA batteries. Which is a nice perk. Not having to buy the batteries separately is a great way to grab and go at the store.
- Retails for just over $20.
1 Watt LED Headlight
- 1 Watt Spot (1 bright white LED) with 11 hour run time. This is a very bright light that is ideal for camp chores that need attention to detail (cleaning dishes, cooking, repairs, guitar playing, cooler reorganizing, snipe hunting, etc.
- Flood Light (2 white LEDs) with 50 hour run time. The flood light worked well in testing and it is almost standard on headlamps today to at least have two settings.
- Night Vision (2 red LEDs) with 75 hour run time. See above for advantages of the red night vision light.
- Packed with 3 Energizer® MAX® AAA batteries
- Retails for around $30.
3 LED Headlight
- Runs up to 50 hours on 1 set of Energizer® MAX® batteries
- Two lighting modes: 2 white LEDs for spot light, 1 red LED for night vision
- Packed with 3 Energizer® MAX® AAA batteries
- Another great light that would be an excellent starter light with good battery life.
- Sells for about 20 bucks.
e2 Lithium Headlight
This was our favorite of the Engergizer line-up by far. The e2 is a powerful headlamp that compares well with the high end Princeton Tec and Petzl healdamps. It comes with an interchangeable battery pack that can use AAA or AAA batteries. The lithium batteries are said to last longer than standards, and they work well in subfreezing temperatures. So if ever go out in winter you should probably check this one out. The most impressive feature by far though was the brightest boost flood setting which emits a huge circle of light on the ground that actually makes you feel like you’re using a flood light. We haven’t tested how long this would actually last in the field on this setting. My guess is this feature shouldn’t be used alot if you want the batteries to have a long life. But, it definitely impresses your camp mates. Everyone eewwwwed and ahhhed when I would blind them with that light. It also boasts weatherproofness. This model comes with batteries as well, and you can pick this one up for around $50.
1 comment September 12th, 2008
Armstong Returns to Cycling - World Doesn’t Care
Really Lance…. Really? (yeah I’m predicting an SNL skit about ole Lance)
Purely my personal thoughts on this… but a few rules I try to live by.
- Don’t eat yellow snow.
- Definitely don’t eat brown snow.
- Wear clean underwear.
- Shop with coupons.
- And, go out on top if you can…
I don’t know if this will do anything for the already crushed sport of professional cycling. But at least he’s getting back in it to raise awareness for Cancer…. or to raise awareness for his ego and prove that he can win it without doping allegations… the verdict is still out on that. Either way, the bottom line is that more people will know how tough and deadly cancer can be, so that’s a good thing.
I’ll do my part to help you real quick Lancers. A few quick facts about how to prevent cancer.
- not using tobacco products
- choosing foods with less fat and eating more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains
- exercising regularly and maintaining a lean weight
- avoiding the harmful rays of the sun, using sunscreen, and wearing clothing that protects the skin
- talking with a doctor about the possible benefits of drugs proven to reduce the risk of certain cancers
- don’t riddle your body with foreign chemicals to help you win cycling races
1 comment September 11th, 2008
Training for a Sprint Triathlon
I recently attended a local sprint triathlon. Which got me thinking about the training I’ve done for the races I’ve taken part in. Triathlons are races that combine swimming, cycling, and running. There are transitions between each event where racers can change any clothing or grab a quick drink or bite. A race can be run by an individual or a relay team. A relay is when a different person might do the swim, and tag off so the next person can do the ride, and so forth.
Sprint Triathlons are shorter distance races. These are ideal for beginners or people who want to become faster or are better at shorter distances. The sprint tri usually only takes a few hours to complete.
There is also another version of triathlons called “Off-Road Triathlons” These races can use the swim portion or a kayaking or canoeing section. They may keep the swim however. They take the road cycling portion of the race and use a mountain bike course instead. And the run is normally off road and on a trail system. These can be fun for those who enjoy the more outdoorsy lifestyle or if you have access to a boat to paddle or ride a mountain bike already.
Why?
Some people decide to run a sprint tri as a goal to get in shape. Others may be an excellent runner, but want to diversify themselves as athletes. Whatever your reason, define your goal before you get started. This will give you a focus while you are training and help you stay on target.
When?
Sprint Tris happen all over the country and throughout the entire year. You will obviously see more of them during the warmer months. There are a few places you can find sprint triathlon calendars and schedules.
Getting Started
The toughest thing about getting started is setting your mind to it. Mentally committing to the race and knowing that you will need to train almost every day for several months. Being in good running, riding, or swimming shape will be a huge advantage and can give you a jump on the training schedule. Family support or support from roommates or friends can also be a huge help. Joining a group of people who train regularly is also a huge help.
Training
If you google “sprint triathlon training” you’re going to get bombarded with training regimens that are as varied as you could imagine. 8-16 weeks is a typical training timeframe, but the most important thing is to listen to your body. If you are a strong runner, who swims regularly, then you should focus on biking and keep up your regular running and swimming schedule. This rings true for the other sports. If you are already biking regularly, then keep it up. But add swimming and running to your weekly schedule. Taking rest days are important as well. Your body will need to recuperate from all the new muscle activity. Here are a few training regimens that you could consider.
The Swim/Paddle
The swim usually comes first in a sprint tri. Often the swim will be in a pool, but it can be in a lake, river, ocean, or any body of water available for the race. Races incorporating paddling usually happen on a river, lake or ocean and can be a variety of lengths. Ensuring that you can swim or paddle the distance required, and doing this regularly before the race is key.
The Ride
Getting a good bike can make a huge difference. Just getting out there and trying it with any old bike is fine, but keep in mind that you don’t want to be several miles out on the course and have trouble. Staying clear of other cyclists is important too. If you’ve never competed in a race before you don’t want to end your first one in a crash or cause a pile up. Give the other riders a few bike lengths in case something happens. You can really cover some ground on a bike, so training should be fun. You can explore parts of your town you don’t normally go in a car, or ride new trails to get experience on multiple terrain.
Make sure and ride hills. There will most likely be hills on the course, and you want to know how to pace yourself for those climbs.
The Run
Running is the most basic of sports. Throw some shoes on and take off, right? Not quite.
Running is something any healthy person can do. Running efficiently is somewhat of a science. One of the most important parts of running distance is pace. Get into a steady pace, and keep it. Don’t get excited when you get passed and try to keep up with a faster runner. Don’t worry about others at all in fact. Keep your pace, and if you have strength at the end of the race, sprint the last section.
Don’t forget shoes as well. Buy a decent pair of running shoes. Go to an athletic, running, or outdoor store and have a rep fit you for a good pair of running shoes. There are all sorts of shoes for different types of feet and different running styles.
Final Tips
Have fun. Most importantly don’t take yourself too seriously the first time out of the gate. If a friend pops in town one weekend and you miss your run and bike one day… so what. Keep up your regualar training and you’ll be fine. Also, don’t get invovled in the adrenaline of race day. Don’t try to run, ride, or swim faster than your pace. And never get so competitive that you would be willing to spoil the race for someone else. The first race, and many of your first races should simply be about finishing and feeling accomplished. Winning can come later if you decide to get serious about it. Just have fun with it at first though and you’ll just be proud to tell people; “I ran a triathlon.”
4 comments September 9th, 2008
The Tin Shed
Patagonia recently launched a site called The Tin Shed if you want to do a little daydreaming about outdoor adventures to come. Many outdoor gear companies have professional athletes they take care of. In exchange the athletes travel the world exploring and pushing the limits of their sport. The payoff for the company is a site like The Tin Shed. Patagonia’s marketing team sees the value in spreading the word on their products by stimulating their customers sense of adventure. It’s a great strategy on their part that has been paying off for years. And you and I get to enjoy all the cool stories that come out of it.
So as soon as the boss shuts the door this morning, or when you get home, take a minute to check the site out. It’s a great way to see for yourself that there are still places on this blue planet of ours to be explored.
Add comment September 8th, 2008
Wanderlust - Follow Along on the Greatest Adventures
I just read about this over at The Adventure Blog and it looked like something you guys would want to check out. Good Magazine has released a web page called Wanderlust. It maps out historys greatest journeys so you can see where they went and what they visited.
For me it was really interesting seeing the map and the routes each explorer and traveler took. Be careful though, it might stir something in you. Next thing you know you’ll be mapping out your own adventure, or planning to take one of these routes. I hope so. 
1 comment September 5th, 2008
Cool Camping Stuff You Want
For more than just eating, this two-piece utensil set provides you with a spork for stabbing that delicious food as well as a spatula for cooking it. The serrated edge on the spatula comes in mighty handy when you need to cut a piece of meat or a tough veggie. These utensils also boast being carbon negative through the C-minus program Guyot has. So you can feel good while eating that quesadilla at camp.
Survival Kit in a Can by Coghlans
This sardine can doesn’t contain any stinky sea creatures. Instead it has everything you need in an emergency.
Bridgedale X-Hale Multisport Sock
This sock has a venting system that wraps 360 degrees around to keep your foot ventilated and reduce sweating. Ideal for hiking, cycling, running, or cross-training; this can be your go-to sock for just camping, or whatever you’re into. And for just $14.95
Sight Grid Signal Mirror
This is a new product for Coghlans. They’ve had a signal mirror for quite some time but this is just a update to the design. It has a sight grid so you can aim at exactly what you want to send a reflection to. This a a great piece of surivival gear that will cost you $10, but could save your life.
2 comments September 4th, 2008
Weird Gear 6: $1 Tire Patch
I’d heard of this working, but having never seen it, I wasn’t a believer. This weekend I was MADE a believer when 20 miles into a 35 mile epic, a buddy tore a nice gash in his tire. I was ready to expose this Sasquatch in the Freezer scam, once and for all. Surprisingly, it worked great.
When you replace your tube, fold a bill into thirds, and place between sidewall and tube. Any denomination works, we actually used a $20…. which reminds me I need to get that back from him.
It held up great. We rode the last 15 rocky miles with no problems. I’ve learned my lesson. Now I won’t leave for a ride without a $1 folded up in my spare tube.
4 comments September 3rd, 2008
