It’s a new year…

and I’ve taken the first couple of weeks to get myself in order.

At this time of the year we cut back hours at the shop…so I have a little more time for other things.

I have gotten myself a good start at my eating habits and getting back into the habit of consistently riding (trainer for now). I plugged myself into My Fitness Pal, and for some reason I am easily able to follow and log my food and exercise into it. I don’t know…it just works. I’ve now realized just how much brainless food I had stuffed down my pie hole! I’m also not hungry. And with the help of my “bookshelf” installed onto my trainer bike, I’m cruising along!

Current read: Omar Bradley:General at War, by Jim DeFelice.

New Product

We started carrying Nebo flashlights at the shop. I’d had some experience with them at the hiking store where I used to work. My boss decided to bring in their Redline Bike Headlight. And each of us has taken one home to try out. I’ll do some testing and shoot some pics of the light and it’s output later. So far, while playing around inside a dark room, it’s brighter than any others that I have. We’ll see!

Catch ya down the road…

Ruckus

Just found this site. It’s all about carbon fiber repairs and such. Ruckus.

I have been riding…

a lot this past week. Tomorrow I have my first on the bike training for the Cades Cove bike patrol. 5am will come a bit soon! And then a second session on Wednesday morning, which is the first day of the bike/hike only closure of the loop for the summer.

I hope to remember to take a pic or two and post it/them. But, I don’t guarantee it that early!

Bottles

I’ve continued using all three of my new to me water bottles. The Clean Bottle, Gel-Bot and Purist.

So far, I have to say I dig the Purist the most. I love the huge nozzle and the fact that it never tastes like plastic. If they come out with an insulated one, that would be the best. I have one I use for my daily water and one I use to put Hammer Recoverite in. Once in awhile I put one of those drink single serving pouches in the water one. After a quick rinse, it doesn’t seem to keep the taste of whatever was in it.

The Clean Bottle. At first I wasn’t sure if I’d like it due to it not being as squeezable as my Camelback bottles (insulated and not). So far, this doesn’t seem to be a problem. It’s a bit more of a standard flow nozzle. No leaking what-so-ever. Even the top and bottom lids do not seem to leak. It is amazingly easy to clean and it dries quickly. And it’s easy to get a sponge into it. I usually mix some Hammer HEED in it. I think I really need to put something super sugary in it, leave it in for awhile and see how clean it is in the end. that may be my next test. Any ideas for such a liquid?

The Gel-Bot. What can I say? I’ve been using this one for on the bike water and Hammer gel in the insert. I thought it would be weird to use, but I really like the gel bit. One thing I had to get used to was squeezing the bottom section of the bottle only. The small upper section contains the gel insert, so if I squeeze to get water, not much comes out. Now, to get the gel out, you close the nozzle and suck on it. I do rinse it out after I’ve used all the gel, which is for me about 2-3 rides, and it hasn’t clogged. Some gel residue did reside in it, but the water blew most of it out. The only drawback…the nozzle leaked the water portion once when I was trying to get the water out. The next time it didn’t, so that may have been user error.

I’ll post another update on the bottles later into the summer. Have a good one and ride your bike!

Nifty handlebar coming down the pipe

A Thomson, to be exact.

P.S. No on is paying me or compensating me for this. Just wanted to try out some newer bottles. Though I wouldn’t be upset if it ever happened! However, I can get free product from Hammer if you decide to buy from this link.

I’ve encountered my first department store 29er…

and it looks like the above photo.

After work I rode my bike down the bike path to Patriot Park in Pigeon Forge. It was my first ride since getting over the crud of last week. I tried out my Clean Bottle for the first time on the bike. My main concern was flow through the valve and squeezability of the bottle. Flow is pretty good, but now I have one of the new Purist bottles with the giant nozzle. It’s comparable to a standard Specialized water bottle, in my opinion.  Squeezing the bottle wasn’t too bad either. Again, I’d have to rate it in the middle of the road category. But these are first impressions for me. It’ll really matter in the heat of the summer when I’m dying for a drink and my frustration level goes up. As far as the cleaning, well it is easy. We’ll see how long the seals last. I’ll pop back to it from time to time here.

Yes, the Clean Bottle was a freebie. Sent to our shop to see if we want to purchase and sell.

What’s new on the Crosstrail?

Yes, a kickstand. Getting it ready for use on bike patrol in Cades Cove this summer.

Out and About in Sevier County

Now for what I see as a typical view of the area I work and play. Mt LeConte is in the background with the Dollywood parking lot in front. Aren’t the mountains beautiful?!

I’m beat. Off to bed early, as I get back to swimming in the morning.

Blog Vacation is finally over!!

It would seem that I took a long blog vacation. I didn’t set out to do that. But it’s been a nice break.

I’ve been able to refocus myself.

As my dedicated, fine readers know, I have reorganized my riding goals. I might include English Mountain as a goal once I see how next season goes. Haven’t figured out where to fit it in.

I will probably be working even less over the winter. What can I say, it’s the area. Which means I will have more time for my other project. Trying to get all my ducks in a row with my cohort to get it up and running by the end of January. More on that at a later date.

So, I’m back at it for real! I will plan on a once a week post for now. Unless something comes up. As you see to the left I have a twitter account. And I’m on there a lot.

With today being the day of resetting our clocks, it reminds me of a recent re-discovery of the power of the Princeton Tech Apex Pro.

Some friends and I have been riding after work and it’s pretty much dark most of the ride. Two of us (I being one) have had close calls on the bike path with turning vehicles. It crosses several roads along the way. It made me think that if I had my helmet light on it would give me the advantage of being able to shine a light in the vehicles direction and get the driver’s attention before I get smushed. I don’t want to blind anyone, nor would I advocate it, but I’d rather not get hit!

My set-up before the Apex.

Front light..Planet Bike Blaze 2.0…believe me, it’s bright!

Rear light…Planet Bike Superflash…also known as the Espresso Rear Blinky.

Other…Alien red LED blinker on my helmet (P.S. Topeak-please put longer velcro in to use on helmets)…I just like aliens!

The Apex is a light that I could use all by itself for the front. It’s just that bright (realize that you can dim it or have it flash). In conjunction with my handlebar mounted Blaze, using the low power setting is plenty of light.

I’ve also added my Fibre Flare for side visibilty to go along with the fact that I never took my wheel reflectors off (My Specialized Crosstrail Sport).

Overkill, you say? Remember that I do live in a tourist town in the South. No one is paying attention!

I leave you with this cool video from Iceman Cometh.

Until next time…get your butt on your bike! I am.

(No, I don’t get paid for these product plugs. I just use ’em!)

The rediscovery of the insulated bottle.

I have been using the old insulated bottle again due to the heatwave of this summer. I figure, anything helps. Well, Camelback introduced a newer 25 oz one recently.

I like the bigger size. I also like the cap/valve better than other bottles.

There may be one showing up on the next order I make at the shop:)