Tag: cyclilng

A Star is Born

StarlightStarlight Appeal has introduced a new line of cycling clothing designed for adventure racing. The custom clothes maker’s Starlight Adventure Line is available for custom orders but will also be offered as part of its retail line. These are designed to meet the needs of adventure racers and have no rear pockets – making it easier to wear a hydration pack or backpack, while the jerseys will feature a small gel pocket on the side panels to provide easy access.

The lineup is made of lightweight SPF 50 Coolmax with Lycra mesh side panels and full hidden zippers, and these feature relaxed sleeve openings. The jerseys are also available in a summer-weight long -sleeved version. The shorts are available in cycling and tri versions and have flat pockets on the side panels to store gels or a compass, and these feature a laser cut silicon-infused Lycra power band for extra comfort. The Adventure Line has no order minimums, and current production time is six weeks.

Starlight Apparel Official Website

The Zambulance Makes a Difference

ZambulanceAt Interbike last year we heard about the Zambulance, a bicycle ambulance, developed by ZamBikes. The developers of this bike believe it can make a difference in the developing world. The president and co-founder, Dustin McBride recently shared a story on how much of a difference this can be.

A Letter From the Director:
I don’t cry often. And when I cry, it’s usually because of a tragic loss of a loved one or some other serious pain that is ‘close to home’. Last week I visited some villages in Kamuli, central Uganda to check on Zambulances that we’ve distributed in partnership with Plan Uganda a few months ago. We visited many patients and the stories were touching, powerful, and some very hard to hear.

One story we experienced was about a woman, Susan, who was pregnant with twins. She gave birth to the first twin at home in the village but because of complications was struggling to deliver the second baby. The Zambulance was able to transport her to the hospital where she had a C-section and safely gave birth to the second twin. In a way, the story seems beautiful and victorious. But the story doesn’t end there. Susan has mental disabilities and is HIV+. We assume she was raped since the dad is in hiding and Susan can’t identify him. Because of her mental state, her healthy, beautiful twins were sent to an orphanage in another town. Continue reading The Zambulance Makes a Difference

Recumbent Concept 1

Something is in the air, and while it isn’t quite spring we think it must be something as we’ve seen a few recumbent ideas of late. The first one that sprang up is the City Speeder, a recumbent bicycle that has commuting in mind. It features a streamline body that promises to make for a fast moving but comfortable ride. There is even room for a backpack, suitcase or a child seat.

City Speeder Official Website

Weekend Reading List (02.02.2013): Is X the Danger Zone, 2013 Ski Preview, Fixtation Guru, USADA Truth or Consequences

Is X the Danger Zone

 

From Men’s Fitness: Are the X Games Too Dangerous?
The death of 25-year-old snowmobiler Caeleb Moore has us wondering: Is the extreme sports competition stupidly unsafe? Continue reading Weekend Reading List (02.02.2013): Is X the Danger Zone, 2013 Ski Preview, Fixtation Guru, USADA Truth or Consequences

Betty Shows Her Snakey Side

We said last week we expected to hear great things about Betty Designs, and we’re already getting a peek at the new spring 2013 line up, which includes the snakeskin women’s cycling kit that will be available in Turquoise/Red Hot Coral and Pink/Olive. This striking looking jersey does look ready to strike!

Betty Designs Official Website

Heated Dutch Treat for Riders

The Dutch love their bicycles, and they don’t stop riding for much. Because many residents don’t own cars they depend on the bikes to get them where they need to go all year round. That means riding in the rain, which we’ve seen firsthand and it didn’t look like fun. But it also means they need to ride in the winter, and that can be dangerous.

But some groups in the Netherlands are looking to solve the problem with heated bike paths. The Dutch Cyclists Union are exploring options to install underground pipes on their pavements to allow bike paths and roads that are used by cyclists to be usable all year. This would make the roads and paths snow free, which could reduce accidents. Continue reading Heated Dutch Treat for Riders

It Takes 2×2

Here is an interesting dilemma – how do motorcyclists transport their bikes? 2X2 Cycles Motorcycle Bicycle Rack is the answer, turning a motorcycle into a quasi-four wheel vehicle.

Inventor, cyclist and motorbike rider Garrett Blake created the device as a way to transport his bicycle, and he previously created a system for golf clubs as well.. It is a brake light-equipped steel rack that mounts on the rear of the motorcycle. The 2X2 Cycles Motorcycle Bicycle Rack reportedly works with Honda, BMW, Kawasaki, KTM, Harley Davidson, Suzuki, Yamaha, Triumph, Aprilia, and Ducati motorcycles. We’re still not sure how the rider can bring along shoes, helmets and cycling equipment, but this certainly solves the part of transporting the bicycle. Continue reading It Takes 2×2

Happy Trailers to You

While gasoline prices have stabilized in the last month as the peak summer travel is now past us, bicycle cargo trailers are still increasing as riders look to bring along more stuff with them. And while bicycle commuting has also reportedly fallen this year, there is no denying that bike cargo trailer use is increasing.

“In today’s economic climate, people have started to realize that it just makes economic sense to ride a bike when possible, instead of spending money on gas and car maintenance,” say the experts at Bicycletrailers.com. “People want to save money – while also doing something that is good for the environment.” Continue reading Happy Trailers to You

Interbike 2011: Darn Tough Vermont Heads to Vegas

From Vermont to Vegas, with the heat, the casinos and the sights we hope that the team from New England survives this week, but as their name suggests they aren’t just tough. In fact, they’re Darn Tough Vermont, and this is the company that offers an unconditional lifetime guarantee that means “no time limits, no restrictions, no tiny type.”

The company is making this its Interbike debut, and showing its Vermont-made, lifetime-guaranteed Merino wool and Coolmax socks. The company takes part in providing the highest density knitting (1441 stitches per square inch), and that is paired with fine-gauge Merino wool yarn (21.5 micron) to create a sock that “simply refuses to quit.”

The company doesn’t quit on its friends either. Last week, in response to the devastation that has affected Vermont communities in the wake of Hurricane Irene, which included Darn Tough Vermont’s own hometown of Northfield, the company pledged to make an initial donation of 2,000 pairs of socks to those in need across the state.

“Everyone is giving what they can during this challenging time for our state,” said Ric Cabot, owner of Darn Tough Vermont. “While food and water take precedent, a new pair of socks can go a long way for a family who has lost many necessities, or for someone who is standing all day in damp, humid conditions trying to rebuild their community. I know it’s just socks, but it’s what we do.”

This isn’t only darn tough, but it is a darn nice thing to do!

Darn Tough Vermont Official Website

Wind Tunnel Testing Not Just Full of Hot Air

Wind tunnels have long been a key research tool used in aerodynamic research, and is a way to study the effects of air moving past solid objects.  Among the most common uses has been for airplanes, although the first wind tunnels actually date back to the 18th century – long before man believed it possible to achieve flight. But without a wind tunnel the Wright brothers probably couldn’t have developed their first aeroplane.

Today computer models have begun to replicate much of what a wind tunnel can do, but despite this fact wind tunnels remain relevant tools for testing. This is notable in the fitness world with bicycles. In fact, according to some developers wind tunnel testing is actually becoming more and more important. Canadian bicycle manufacturer Cervélo has released its latest findings from tunnel testing of its latest line of bikes.

The company reportedly has 14 years of wind tunnel experience, and called in JT Lyons of Slowtwitch.com to watch, document and input all of the testing procedures, which the company has since published online. According to these findings the Cervélo P4 is the fastest bike available – with or without its proprietary areo bottle. The study is interesting, and despite being somewhat detailed, certainly isn’t long winded in the least.

Slowtwich.com: P4 in the Tunnel