The OutPost http://blog.outdoorzy.com Outdoor News and Gear Reviews from the Edge Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:37:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 Trek 1.5 (2010) http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/02/trek-1-5-2010/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/02/trek-1-5-2010/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 11:37:00 +0000 Emile http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4052

This summer I wanted a new challenge so I started doing some sprint triathlons. I swam in high school so swimming 400 meters wasn't a huge obstacle for me to overcome. I also took up running some 5ks in the past few years and after some training to get back into shape, the running part didn't really have me worried either.

My main concern was the biking portion. For my first race I used an 8 year old Trek mountain bike that I've had since college. Total miles on that thing had to be less than 50. I started with that, trained with it, and used it in my first race. It was fine, however I didn't get passed on the swimming portion or the running portion. In fact in my age group and division I was first in both those legs of the race. However I was dead last in the biking part. I must have been passed at least 30 times during the 13 miles on the bike. After that I knew I needed to get a road bike.

When researching road bikes I was really looking for something that would fit my height (6'5"). Let me tell you, there isn't much out there. However I did find that Trek made some 62" and 64" frame road bikes. My mountain bike was a Trek and I had no problems out of it, so why mess with a good thing.

I wanted to try to keep the purchase under $1000. Trek does offer some lower end road bikes in the 1.x series that are closer to the $600-$800 range, however many of the components are lower end as well. I found the Trek 1.5 to have a good mix of value, weight, and components.

The shifters and derailleurs are Shimano Tiagra. It is nice to have all the components be of the same level. The other 1.x versions (1.1 and 1.2) use a combination of Tiagra and Sora levels. The 1.5 also uses the shifters that are connected to the brake assembly. This means that, when riding, you can push the brakes to the center of the bike to shift up. There is a smaller shifter on the inside of the brakes, that when pressed to the center will shift the bike down. This is VERY VERY comfortable and quick when riding. From any angle of your hold on the handlebars you can be shifting. This is a HUGE plus.

The bike is very light thanks to the carbon fiber fork and seat post.

My only suggestion, if you were going to use it for triathlons, would be to go ahead and get it fixed with some aero bars, so that you can lean on those when riding. I also might suggest getting a more comfortable seat. Both these things would add weight, and if you are looking to 100% win out your race, you may not want to do it. I am just happy to finish with a good time, so I might as well try to be comfortable while doing it.

The new 1.5 models are now available. Check them out on the TREK website.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/02/trek-1-5-2010/feed/ 0 127 Hours - Movie Trailer http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/01/127-hours-movie-trailer/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/01/127-hours-movie-trailer/#comments Wed, 01 Sep 2010 12:00:00 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4044 Aron Ralston became stuck between a rock and a hard place while canyoneering in Utah. He subsequently had to make some tough decisions. This looks interesting to me, but I'm wondering how they're making this incident into a 2 hour movie. Here's the trailer...


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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/09/01/127-hours-movie-trailer/feed/ 0 Ridiculous/Awesome Tiny Apartment http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/30/ridiculousawesome-tiny-apartment/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/30/ridiculousawesome-tiny-apartment/#comments Mon, 30 Aug 2010 11:00:36 +0000 Emile http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4037 This post doesn't need to be long. You just need to go and check out the pictures from this 182 sq foot apartment in Seattle. I always question are 1800 - 2200 sqft homes really needed. If this guy can do this with 182 sq feet, I would love to see what he could do with 700 sq feet.

via tinyhouseblog.com (from Seattle Times)

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/30/ridiculousawesome-tiny-apartment/feed/ 1 What Do You Learn in Three Years of World Travel? http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/27/what-do-you-learn-in-three-years-of-world-travel/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/27/what-do-you-learn-in-three-years-of-world-travel/#comments Fri, 27 Aug 2010 11:24:40 +0000 Emile http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4032 Gary Arndt has been traveling around the world since 2007 and he has learned a thing or two.

"On March 13, 2007, I handed over the keys to my house, put my possessions in storage and headed out to travel around the world with nothing but a backpack, my laptop and a camera.
Three and a half years and 70 countries later, I've gotten the equivalent of a Ph.D in general knowledge about the people and places of Planet Earth."

A few of the ones I liked were these:

2. The media lies: Horrible stories about places make good news, but it doesn't necessarily mean it is the truth.

8. You don't need a lot of stuff: The kitchen sink doesn't need to go with you.

17. English is becoming universal: Which is good to know if you are nervous about language barriers.

20. Everyone should travel: This is something I strongly believe in. You might as well see all those things for yourself, versus just seeing them in movies and books. You can't imagine how incredible they really are, until you are there.

Be sure to read the entire article at huffingtonpost.com. Also check out Gary's full website.

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/27/what-do-you-learn-in-three-years-of-world-travel/feed/ 0 Name a Merrell Shoe Contest http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/25/name-a-merrell-shoe-contest/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/25/name-a-merrell-shoe-contest/#comments Wed, 25 Aug 2010 11:53:33 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4023

Merrell wants YOU to Name the Next Merrell shoe! This shoe is mid height, lightweight, breathable, waterproof and will be great for everything from backpacking to camping to walking in the woods with the kids. So, what would YOU name it?!

Check out the contest here. So what WOULD you name it? Your last name, your first name, your dogs name, after a national park, after an animal (I vote for Liger).

The winner will receive (what else) a Merrell shoe named by them! Because they also make some really awesome clothing, they’ll provide you with some head to toe clothing, too.

The Deets...

Prize Eligibility: Only persons residing in United States who are at least 18 years of age can enter.

Contest Starts: August 01, 2010 @ 12:00 am (EDT)

Contest Ends: August 31, 2010 @ 11:59 pm (EDT)

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/25/name-a-merrell-shoe-contest/feed/ 0 Win a Trip for two to Climb Kilimanjaro http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/23/win-a-trip-for-two-to-climb-kilimanjaro/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/23/win-a-trip-for-two-to-climb-kilimanjaro/#comments Mon, 23 Aug 2010 12:21:42 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4016
Polarmax, in conjunction with Backpacker and Cotton Incorporated, are sending one lucky person and a guest to Tanzania. The trip includes air travel, hotel and meals, and six full days on Kilimanjaro with adventurer and Kilimanjaro expert Macon Dunnagan.
Full prize package details:
• Round trip domestic and international airfare
• Ground transportation to and from hotel
• 4 nights hotel stay and meals
• 6-day guided roundtrip trek to the Roof of Africa with expert and author Macon Dunnagan
• Polarmax technical base layer apparel featuring TransDRY wicking cotton
Anyone is invited to enter now through October 11 at the following address: http://www.polarmax.com/lodge/kilimanjaro
Trip Dates: Jan 7-17, 2011

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/23/win-a-trip-for-two-to-climb-kilimanjaro/feed/ 0 Don't feed the bears http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/20/dont-feed-the-bears/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/20/dont-feed-the-bears/#comments Fri, 20 Aug 2010 21:37:03 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4011

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/20/dont-feed-the-bears/feed/ 0 Buying a Floyd Bike for 5 Bucks http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/17/buying-a-floyd-bike-for-5-bucks/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/17/buying-a-floyd-bike-for-5-bucks/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 11:25:34 +0000 Emile http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4007 You hear of people finding art and original copies of the Declaration of Independence and flea markets and yard sales, but never anything outdoorzy related. Well this KY boy found a bike owned by Floyd Landis for only 5 bucks.

"The bicycle at a Kentucky yard sale had two flat tires, broken pedals and carried a $5 price tag. That didn't stop Greg Estes from buying the bike in hopes of flipping it for a small profit. He should get his wish, to the tune of a few thousand dollars.
It turns out the broken-down bicycle was originally owned by Floyd Landis, who rode it in a race in 2007. The bike was built especially for Landis, complete with custom pedals that look foreign to those unfamiliar with professional cycling (hence the original seller's belief that the pedals were broken). It retailed for $8,000."

I think maybe Landis was just trying to sell it since he can't work anymore. CHICK CHICK BOOM!!!! Landis doping BURN!!!!

check out the full story at yahoo

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/17/buying-a-floyd-bike-for-5-bucks/feed/ 1 Wenger Patagonia Expedition Race Video http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/14/wenger-patagonia-expedition-race-video/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/14/wenger-patagonia-expedition-race-video/#comments Sat, 14 Aug 2010 11:08:47 +0000 Jason (Wade) Heflin http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=4003 Cool video featuring one of the most intense and tough adventure races on the planet, set in Patagonia Chile. The full video is expected out soon.

via - every cool blog that is in the adventure vertical

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]]> http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/14/wenger-patagonia-expedition-race-video/feed/ 0 The North Face Trailhead iPhone App http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/12/the-north-face-trailhead-iphone-app/ http://blog.outdoorzy.com/2010/08/12/the-north-face-trailhead-iphone-app/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 11:05:09 +0000 Emile http://blog.outdoorzy.com/?p=3998 This new (FREE!!!) app from The North Face is designed to help users find the best hiking routes in their area. It isn't limited to hiking, there are other routes the app can help you find including geocaching , skiing, fly fishing, and many more.

"You can add keywords to your search, and also view user-submitted photos and tips if they’re included, which is especially useful if you’re after inspiring views. Once you’ve found a trail you’d like to explore, you can add it to your favorites (you’ll have to sign up for an Everytrails.com membership first, which you can quickly do within the app) and get driving directions to the trailhead."

via Mashable

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