User:TammaraHalsey37
After many years of not being able to ride a bike on my own safely — meaning not at all — I was introduced to a tandem cycling program for those of us who are blind or vision impaired.probikekit.co.uk We, the ‘stokers’, pedal on the back seats of bicycles built for two, while trained and 20/20-sighted ‘captains’ pedal on the front ones. And they can’t get ride of me. The group — InTandem —�[https://Thea.com/Men-Shoes-Size-44-5-10/ �offers fun] weekly rides in the park and cool group rides to interesting destinations around NYC. We also join in large biking and cycling events throghout New York and New Jersey, including the TD Five Boro Bike Tour, Bike New York’s annual 40-mile extravaganza through NYC’s five boroughs. The route traverses many diverse neighborhoods and includes major bridges and expressways that typically prohibit cyclists. It’s the kind of event you want to be a part of.
Although it’s just days since Punxsutawney Phil saw his shadow (or maybe not this year?), 32,000 people have already snatched up the tickets for theMay 6, 2018 event. But InTandem’s Five Boro Bike Tour Team has a few slots left! Anyone who is blind of vision impaired can sign up as a stoker — no captain required. Fully-sighted folks can sign up as a captain (you’ll need to successfully complete a tandem safety training) or solo rider. The 5BBT is InTandem’s annual Signature Event. All funds raised support free year-round cycling programs for those of us who would otherwise be forced to sit on the sidelines. InTandem’s Five Boro Bike Tour Team members receive team-only trainings, tips and events to ensure everyone is ready to ride and has great fundraising success! Join today and I’ll see you (well, sort of….) pedaling through the amazing streets of NYC! Thank you for reading this Oh Fabled One post! Click "Follow" and recommend posts!
These are very comfortable low-bulk mitts that give a natural feel of the handlebar while providing just enough cushioning. The back is highly breathable and the price beats many for value. The design is very simple and the fit is spot on. The palm has a little bit of gel under a grippy surface and it's perforated for a little added breathability. These lightweight summer mitts put in a fabulous performance. They offer superb grip and they back this up with great construction and a perfect fit. And while the price is high, they're still cheaper than some - and they're worth every penny. It's the grip that'll impress you most, provided by the very supple kangaroo leather palms. Even in wet conditions, these are incredible.
The Showers Pass Ultralight Wind Jacket ticks every box for staying warm while dodging showers in the shoulder seasons. Light, trim-fitting, tiny when packed and budget-friendly, it's hard to see how it could be improved on. The Elite Wind Fabric is highly breathable while blocking wind, and the durable water-repellent finish sheds light rain and drizzle. The build quality is top-notch. This is one of the best waterproof jackets on the market. Made right here in the UK, in Manchester, the Lusso Aqua Extreme Repel Jacket V2 keeps serious rain out without creating that boil in the bag sensation found with many others on the market. A huge amount of reflective detailing makes this jacket perfect for night rides too. The Windtex Storm Shield fabric comes with a waterproof membrane that's surprisingly breathable.
A long tail keeps you well covered and there's load of reflective detailing to help get you noticed. The idea behind Shakedry is to have maximum breathability and waterproofness with minimum weight. Gore achieves this by getting rid of the outer textile layer, which can become wetted out, leaving behind what is effectively a technical membrane bonded to the lining. It weighs a featherweight 127g in a size medium and is one of the most weatherproof truly packable jackets out there. In heavy rain beading is superb, while moist air is allowed to escape with ease. The wrists have an elasticated section to them, so they stop draughts and water sneaking in. This jacket has a slimish cut with minimal flapping, and the long back provides good coverage.
The back features a single zipped pocket protected by a storm flap, and the jacket folds away into it for easy storage in a jersey pocket. As an all-in-one winter jacket, the Castelli Alpha RoS is hard to beat. The Italian brand really means it when it calls it the 'Rain or Shine' (RoS - geddit?) jacket, and there's plenty of insulation for when the mercury falls. It has a two-piece construction - a technical outer layer made from Gore Windstopper 150 fabric, bonded to a fleece inner lining that covers the core. This is a superb cold weather solution.
Worn over the top of just a summer mesh baselayer, it can easily handle 3-5°C. You can unzip the outer fabric to get a little extra cooling inside, or you can partially or fully unzip the inner lining. The collar is tall and articulated with a fleece backing, the sleeves long and cuffs slim to create a seal from the wind, and a dropped tail for additional protection. That tail is elasticated and figure-hugging too, with a tacky Castelli-branded gripper underneath to ensure it sticks in place over your bibs. The Endura Pro SL II is a warm, very slim-fitting and extremely protective winter jacket that is built to last — and an absolute godsend on horrible winter days. A redesign of the original Endura Pro SL, it features an excellent high collar, intelligent use of panels and a sleek yet stretchy fit that will never slow you down.
The panels under the arms and down the sides of the torso are finely perforated for breathability and very stretchy, while everything else - three rear pockets included - is a heavier solid fabric that's fully windproof.urbanoutfitters.com Pick the jacket up and it feels almost wetsuit-like, especially around the chest, but once on its well-shaped stretch fit feels as much like a thick jersey as a jacket. Buy this and you still need a waterproof jacket, but what you gain is impressive versatility and good breathability that'll keep you happy through more than just winter. Galibier's Mistral foul weather jacket will cover off nearly all of your winter rides if you like to work up a sweat. It's windproof, waterproof, breathable, close fitting and exceptional value.
The fit is for road riding: tight sleeves, short front, dropped back. It's excellent on the bike, with very little flapping even at high downhill speeds, and plenty of length in the arms. The Mistral has a three-layer membrane with a waterproof rating of 8,000mm and a breathability rating of 10,000gr/m2/day. It's also treated with a Durable Water Repellent (DWR) coating to help it shed water. The material is an excellent windblock too. It's not especially thick but with a good baselayer it is warm enough for temperatures below freezing. If it warms up later in the ride then the Mistral is okay if you get a bit sweaty, doing a decent job of not getting too clammy.
The Kalf Club Men's Thermal Jersey isn't thick or heavy — in fact it barely feels any heavier than most summer tops — but boy is it ever warm, even with the thinnest of layers beneath it. It is created from an 80% polyamide, 20% elastane mix, with a brushed fleece effect on the inside to create a 'Roubaix' fabric, keeping you warm and cosy thanks to some impressive thermal properties. There aren't any windproof panels so if the breeze is carrying a nip you'll feel it a little, but at all other times the Kalf keeps you toasty. The thinness of the material lends itself to being part of a layering system. For the really cold or windy days you could easily go baselayer, Kalf Club, softshell or windproof jacket without adding much bulk to your upper body.
The Castelli Perfetto Light 2 is an exceptionally good short-sleeve jersey that offers windproofing and water resistance in a lightweight package. It's a lot like Castelli's genre-defining Gabba but slightly dialled back; a little less hardcore, a little less warm and a bit more breathable. The Perfetto Light uses a Gore Windstopper fabric, but whereas the Gabba uses Windstopper X-Lite Plus, it's Windstopper 150 for the Perfetto Light. Although not as stretchy lengthwise, Windstopper 150 is very stretchy across its width and is also about 25 per cent lighter. The fabric has been updated with an improved water repellent finish. This Windstopper 150 is used for the front panels, the collar, the yoke and the tops of the arms.
The Windstopper 150 just doesn't let cold air through but it does allow sweaty vapour to get out well, and the Nano Light Pro fabric is as breathable as a pair of Roubaix tights, say, or thick bib shorts. The Aeron Lab Raceline Short Sleeve Jersey is a no-nonsense piece of race kit with top-end fabrics, a slim fit and impressive performance in summer temperatures. Even though this Lab Raceline jersey will set you back £110 it's still impressive value for money when you consider what you are getting. There's a mixture of fabrics involved to get the desired fit and performance, notably the mesh panels at the sides, the top of the arms and shoulders.
It's said to disrupt airflow and improve aerodynamics. The rest of the main body uses a soft, less stretchy fabric to keep everything in shape and it's very breathable too. This jersey certainly keeps you cool as the breeze passes over you. The Aeron Lab has a "second skin fit" and it is put together well. All the stitching is tidy while the seams are flat and unobtrusive so you can get away without wearing a baselayer should you want. The Lusso Windtex Stealth over boots offer a large working temperature range across a myriad of different weather conditions. Windtex is a bit of a wonder material, especially for something that doesn't have a whole lot of bulk behind it. The outside has a smooth feel to it, almost like a softshell material but with a lot more movement and flex.
Even on days with an icy wind blowing, your feet will remain warm thanks to the fleecy backing that traps bodyheat around the shoe. Staying dry isn't an issue either thanks to Windtex's waterproof qualities, backed up by the main seam that runs up through the centre of the overshoe being taped. Water just beads off the surface, and it takes quite a drenching before it is overwhelmed. I'd say that if you are riding with a decent set of mudguards on wet roads to keep the spray down, you'll be dry on all but the longest of rides. Scott's Road RC Ultimate shoes are super-comfy yet have a supremely stiff sole.
They are very expensive, but they're a seriously good investment if you want some of the best racing shoes money can buy. The inclusion of Carbitex fabric strips (basically thin bits of carbon to wrap your foot securely) adds extra stiffness in the upper and makes for a closer fit so no power is lost. To counteract this, it's layered over flexible soft mesh which gives the weightless, 'second skin' type feeling. These feel secure without any pressure points, and even though they're stiff enough for the most demanding of racers, you're getting proper all-day comfort here. Waterproof and toasty warm, Fizik Artica R5 cycling shoes make riding in the winter a much more pleasurable experience. These are basically double layer shoes.
The outers are a waterproof membrane which is impenetrable to rain and road spray; nothing is getting through, whatever the weather. Even the zip is waterproof. Fizik has avoided putting any vents in the sole of the R5s, so no water can get in here, and once the cleats are fitted no moisture can get past the screws either. The inner part of the shoe is a snug fit, similar to that of a summer race shoe. Your foot is secured by a quick lace system similar to that seen on off-road running shoes. You just pull the cord tight before dragging the toggle down to secure the system. It spreads the load evenly so you don't get any hot spots, and retention is just as secure as any Boa system you might find on the market.
The Lusso Carbon Bib Shorts are a UK-made classic: highly comfortable, cool and stylish. They're hard to go past for the money. Construction is of a high quality with flatlocking seams on the front of the thigh and pad, and normal stitching elsewhere. The major update for the latest version of these shorts is the triple-density pad, from Italian brand Elastic Interface, owned by Cytec. The pad is designed for long-distance rides, the perineal cutout removing pressure where you don't want it, the triple-density foam providing it where you do. The pad is comfortable while the fit, leg placement, straps and fabric all work perfectly.
Sportful's Fiandre NoRain Pro Bib Shorts are excellent when you're cycling in cold and damp weather, with superb comfort backed up by impressive fit and durability. They are a good three-season, possibly four-season, choice for UK cyclists. Wear them on their own or pair with knee or leg warmers and you have a versatile and solid bib short. The fit is perfect. The generous leg length provides coverage and warmth, and the soft lining adds a luxurious feeling. The TC Pro padded insert is one of the best on the market. Underneath the soft dimpled surface is a multi-density closed-cell urethane foam. The edges are seamless to minimise irritation. It really is impressively comfortable.
These dhb Aeron Lab Raceline bib shorts are phenomenal and even with a £130 price tag they knock the spots off others that cost much, much more. The fit is close throughout but these shorts never feel restrictive. The outside of each leg is made from a lightweight mesh which gives them a huge amount of stretch so you get a supportive fit without it being overly compressive. It is quite see-through though so if you're modest they might not be for you. The rest of the material is a heavier knit which resists any abrasion from the saddle. The Lab shorts use Elastic Interface's Road Performance Pad. It is thin but very comfortable with no bunching of the material or any pressure points after hours in the saddle.
As the name suggests, DexShell's Ultra Thin socks are refreshingly thin, feeling very much like a typical winter weight sock while proving to be robustly waterproof and breathable. The good news is that the DexShells are genuinely waterproof, the Porelle membrane remaining an effective barrier even after a few washes. These socks are impressively breathable and the internal bamboo-based fabric layer is soft, the whole sock moulding to the curves of your foot and ankle. The Lusso Full Monty Warm Up Tights are a great investment if you're competing in the winter. The thermal stretchy fabric does an excellent job of keeping the legs warm before the start. They're also easy to whip off in seconds and put on again after the racing is done, without the need to remove your shoes.
Lusso has made these tights from a thermal material that is super-stretchy, with a water repellent finish so they don't soak up muddy water. The full-length zippers attach at the waist and zip all the way down to the ankle. On the bike, these feel just like thermal tights with no discomfort from the zipper touching the skin. These are Castelli's best-selling tights and it's not hard to see why. They're almost the perfect cold weather winter bib tights. These are outstanding performers, and worthy of place in any keen winter cyclist's wardrobe. The performance-orientated cut has been engineered to support your muscles, and a thermal inner layer to the fabric provides insulation against cold winter air while allowing excess moisture to escape thanks to its hollow fibre construction.
The fabric's outer layer offers wind resistance and support to the muscles. The Sorpasso 2s use Castelli's excellent Progetto 2 Air chamois. It's brilliant over long rides, with graded pressure zones and a good size without feeling overly bulky. The ankles are finished with low-profile textured grippers embossed onto thin cuffs, which are backed by a zip that reaches up to the calf to help you get in and out of them. The Orro Cycling Gilet is made from three technical fabrics, and it will help keep your torso warm and mostly dry on autumn and spring rides. The front is made from Flier fabric, which is clever stuff. It's wind resistant and offers reasonable protection from water. It's also quite stretchy widthwise, helping deliver a close fit which isn't constrictive. The back is a very airy mesh while the side panels add some elasticity to the overall fit. The gilet will pack down to fit easily in a jersey pocket when not in use.
This drop-bar, wide-tire, disc-braking, pannier-toting, and aptly named ripper of a bike makes long-range trips on mixed surfaces in all kinds of weather practical and fun. Default handling is stable, but you can unsheathe an edge by slouching into the drops for high-speed hammering or railing rolly or squirmy sections off-road. Giro’s latest and best road helmet, the Aether, delivers all the claimed benefits of MIPS, which reduces rotational forces on the brain in some impacts, without the drawbacks—the system can squeak, snag hair, and impair fit. The Aether uses a proprietary version of MIPS, called MIPS Spherical: two helmet shells that can rotate against one another in an impact to dissipate force. The Aether fits and feels like a regular helmet and might be the best-ventilated option you can buy. Bontrager’s original Flare/Ion combo introduced cyclists to the benefits of daytime lights.
This version is smaller, weighs less, and is better sealed against the elements—a crucial upgrade. Even in bright light, they can be seen from more than a mile away. Garmin or Bontrager device. A simple strap makes slapping these onto any bike a snap, and the small size will please those who hate clutter on their bar or seatpost. We all know how well Gore-Tex keeps the wet out. But making the magic material durable enough to work for cycling gear used to require a protective outer shell that made it bulkier and could reduce breathability, leaving you soggy from all the sweat.
This jacket solves that with a new Gore-Tex fabric called Shakedry, which is strong enough to stand alone without getting shredded. That makes the C7 Shakedry lighter, better fitting, and more breathable than any other waterproof jacket we tried. You can roll it up to fit in a jersey pocket without it looking like you have a foot-long hoagie stuffed in there. And you can wear it on warmer days without turning into a sweaty mess. It finally does what Gore-Tex has always promised us—delivers a dry, comfortable ride in awful weather. This new Trance is the Cardi B of bikes: small with massive attitude.
In the bike’s case, the suspension has only 115mm of rear travel. But thanks to a long reach and slack head angle, it can be ridden like it has 160mm—and you still get the snappiness of an XC bike. Giant didn’t break ground here—Evil, Kona, and others make burly short-travel 29ers—but it did double down. The world’s largest bike maker adopted the geometry for its most popular bike and is making it available through its massive dealer network. This isn’t a flicker of things to come; it’s a bonfire to convention. SRAM’s Eagle 1x12 drivetrain is so good that its popularity pretty much killed the front derailleur.
garneau.comMy web blog - Sundaycyclist.com