Those who can’t start the day without a cup of coffee likely know that camping is truly getting away from it – and that could mean caffeine headaches and a slow start to the morning. Of course you can brew up some coffee on the campfire, but if be sure to do it right with the Poler & Stumptown Camp Coffee set, which includes a travel kit with two mugs, an AeroPress Kit, Porlex JP-30 grinder, bag and even 12 ounces of Holler Mountain that will help you start the day.
Tag: coffee
Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks
Starbucks, Peet’s, The Brewing Market, or any number of mom and pop coffee shops around America, on any given weekend morning this is the select meeting spot for friends and family to start their day. Whether the activities involve a hike, skiing, a bike ride, or just relaxing, that shop not only acts as the meeting point, but also supplies a caffeinated beverage to kickstart the day. While waiting for that little pick-me-up to be prepared by the barista, have you ever browsed the mugs and other coffee related items sold by those shops? Flip any of those mugs or cups over and read the bottom – “Made in China” will probably be printed there. The argument could be made that it really doesn’t matter, but to a handful of people in East Liverpool, Ohio, it does. Continue reading Made in America: American Mug & Stein Mugs at Starbucks
Interbike 2011: Kinetic Exhibitors
At Interbike this year, we at KineticShift.com couldn’t help but notice all the exhibitors with “Kinetic” in the name.
Kinetic by Kurt makes indoor trainers for your bike so you can keep pedaling through the winter. Kinetic’s Rock and Roll model takes some of the tedium out of the stationary bike conundrum by allowing for the bike to move or rock from side to side. It’s set up like any other trainer that connects to your rear wheel. Where the Rock and Roll differs, however, is that most trainers keep your bike stationary and unmovable. The Rock and Roll rocks your bike from side to side as you pedal. A Turntable Riser Ring holds your front wheel and lets you turn the bike as if you’re steering around a curve.
Since both wheels remain on the bike, expect your tires to get a certain amount of wear from a season on the trainer. More accurately, expect your tires to get a wear spot or bald spot from where the front tire sits, and the rear tire will get wear from friction where the tire rubs on the trainer. Because of this Kinetic by Kurt recommends using Trainer Tires. These indoor trainer tires are from Kinetic by Kenda.
Video after the jump: Continue reading Interbike 2011: Kinetic Exhibitors
Study: Sports Drinks Can’t Touch Tea, Coffee and Low-Fat Milk
Personal story – I love iced tea, and nothing beats several glasses of chilled iced tea following a long bike ride in the summer. I’ll power up with water during the ride, but when I’m back in the kitchen I’m all about the tea. Various friends have commented that I shouldn’t hit the tea following a ride – that it has too much caffeine and sugar. The irony is that some of these friends say this whilst guzzling a sports drink.
Now I feel somewhat vindicated following a recent study from the experts at the Institute of Food Technology, which found that sports drinks and enhanced waters can’t replace tea, coffee and low-fat milk for nutrition and workout recovery.
This is because tea has antioxidants, coffee has polyphenols and milk of course has both protein and vitamin D. Now of course the best advice is to eat some fruits and veggies after a workout too. But as for a post-workout drink, you actually can’t go bad with tea or coffee.
The irony has been that while I’m an active guy, and a self-professed fitness junkie, some colleagues have said, “but you drink so much tea.” The strange twist is that new findings suggest tea can boost immunity – which could explain why I’m rarely sick – and aid weight loss for physically active individuals. I’m pretty lean, so that could explain it.
All this means is that I’ll keep brewing the tea and have an ample supply for that post-ride beverage.
[Via EmaxHealth: Nutrition and workout recovery best from tea, coffee and milk]