Ride+Mas Schwag
Date: Jan 27 Sun
Mileage: 28 (Bleriot)
January mileage: 244
Year to date: 244
While the temps aren't quite balmy just yet, with the sun shining and the mercury rising above freezing, I had a pleasant albeit windy ride today on the Bleriot. Sitting here at home I find that I'm a little more taxed than usual for some reason, but it was a nice ride and certainly nice to get slightly more mileage in than my usual shorter commutes. With temps at around 32F for most of the ride I had the wardrobe perfectly dialed in.
Head: skullcap, helmet
Hands: Manzella gloves
Feet: RBW stripey socks, Targhees
legs: wool underwear, REI exercise pants
torso: zipper wool, Gore-tex jacket
I was comfy throughout even with my wool top being a little damp at the end. Today ends my holiday Schwag review. In all I got moderate orders from 4 locations. Here are my purchess and stars for review purposes. Some things I haven't used yet, so I'll withhold rating.
RBW
I also recently purchased a Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle. After reading recent articles about plastic leeching I bought a 27oz-er with a cool loop top. I really like it so far and used it today on the ride. I can see the surface getting beat to hell, but who cares? I may even cover with outside with some type of clever twine/leather/cloth tape thing to keep it from rattling and to preserve the exterior.
Grip Kings, shiny style. I like them so far.
Keen Targhees II sitting atop Grip Kings.
27oz. Klean Kanteen inside very fetching Nitto cage. I like the peeking out Mr. Bleriot too.
"Lady Boots". Two cold trips and great performance for $6.34. I'm pretty proud of myself, to be honest.
Oops. I was moving stuff around in the garage one day and Z's snowboard fell from the rafters. I didn't know what it had landed on. Now I do, off the front fender of the Bleriot. I could be bothered, but really I consider it the wear-n-tear of life. I just don't mind, for some reason.
These remaining pics are from today's ride. I did the standard Massie Ave./Rudy Ln./Lime Kiln route towards River Rd. This time I took a few spins through Glenview, the original Big $ neighborhood of Louisville. I assume that newer money has moved to other areas of the county, but I've stated on this blog that I have a soft spot for big houses with even bigger yards. I figure is somebody is going to save some trees from cramped subdivisions it might as well be the Old $$ folks to do so.
Big House with Big Yard
The quaint Glenview Post Office, with winter patriotic bunting up.
Glenview's main drag coming up from River Rd. and the river. This would be known as an allee, in French terms.
Mileage: 28 (Bleriot)
January mileage: 244
Year to date: 244
While the temps aren't quite balmy just yet, with the sun shining and the mercury rising above freezing, I had a pleasant albeit windy ride today on the Bleriot. Sitting here at home I find that I'm a little more taxed than usual for some reason, but it was a nice ride and certainly nice to get slightly more mileage in than my usual shorter commutes. With temps at around 32F for most of the ride I had the wardrobe perfectly dialed in.
Head: skullcap, helmet
Hands: Manzella gloves
Feet: RBW stripey socks, Targhees
legs: wool underwear, REI exercise pants
torso: zipper wool, Gore-tex jacket
I was comfy throughout even with my wool top being a little damp at the end. Today ends my holiday Schwag review. In all I got moderate orders from 4 locations. Here are my purchess and stars for review purposes. Some things I haven't used yet, so I'll withhold rating.
RBW
- twine- N/A
- soap-***- Just used it yesterday. My top smelled good and I think the container will last a good while. Is it "newly oiled and rejuvenated"? Beats me.
- Grip King pedals-****- I experienced a little weird foot pain on the first day, but since then they've been great. Smooth, light, supportive, aesthetically pleasing. Worthy high marks.
- wool beanie-****- more high marks, even though I've misplaced it here somewhere in the house. It's surprisingly soft for 100% wool, and that earns the extra star.
- Striped wool socks-****- The combo of these and the Targhees have made for my winter riding preference. They're warm and soft enough. The long-term is to whether they hold up. Let's hope they do. I would rather go out at 30F in these socks and shoes than in cycling shoes and shoe covers 99/100 times.
- Targhees II-***-I haven't mentioned these much, but these were a gift while visiting Detroit. I've had very good luck with Keen "school" shoes and sandals and I've wanted more of a hiker for a while. I was inspired to buy this pair as much from Kent Peterson as much as anything. Not long ago he wrote a nice entry, as always, about his wardrobe for the dampish Northwest. He mentioned using Targhees and wool and it lighted the fire for me to try the same b/c the sandals are what I wore for summer riding quite a bit. I only give them 3 stars b/c the last is a bit narrower from the others Keens I have, so they're comfy enough, but not great. I honestly don't know how they'll do on a 6-mile hike, but we'll find out at some point.
- "Lady Boots"-***1/2- These are the surprise purchases from the winter. Officially listed as Side Zip Ankle Boot, I found them on sale at Target. Let's be clear that I wasn't on the prowl for women's shoes. I thought they were mens, size 11. I was buying up to allow me to fit a thick sock in this "fur"-lined winter boots. I ought to give them an even higher mark, in fact I just changed them to a 31/2 star, mostly because I bought them for the fantastic price of $6.34. I've been telling people of what a fantastic deal they were. I've used them twice for cold commutes and they performed admirably. No, they won't go on club rides, but I don't really do club rides, so that's taken care of.
I also recently purchased a Klean Kanteen stainless steel water bottle. After reading recent articles about plastic leeching I bought a 27oz-er with a cool loop top. I really like it so far and used it today on the ride. I can see the surface getting beat to hell, but who cares? I may even cover with outside with some type of clever twine/leather/cloth tape thing to keep it from rattling and to preserve the exterior.
Grip Kings, shiny style. I like them so far.
Keen Targhees II sitting atop Grip Kings.
27oz. Klean Kanteen inside very fetching Nitto cage. I like the peeking out Mr. Bleriot too.
"Lady Boots". Two cold trips and great performance for $6.34. I'm pretty proud of myself, to be honest.
Oops. I was moving stuff around in the garage one day and Z's snowboard fell from the rafters. I didn't know what it had landed on. Now I do, off the front fender of the Bleriot. I could be bothered, but really I consider it the wear-n-tear of life. I just don't mind, for some reason.These remaining pics are from today's ride. I did the standard Massie Ave./Rudy Ln./Lime Kiln route towards River Rd. This time I took a few spins through Glenview, the original Big $ neighborhood of Louisville. I assume that newer money has moved to other areas of the county, but I've stated on this blog that I have a soft spot for big houses with even bigger yards. I figure is somebody is going to save some trees from cramped subdivisions it might as well be the Old $$ folks to do so.
Big House with Big Yard
The quaint Glenview Post Office, with winter patriotic bunting up.
Glenview's main drag coming up from River Rd. and the river. This would be known as an allee, in French terms.
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