Archive for the ‘Cycling Gear’ Category
The Jimi Wallet is great to throw in your bicycle bag when you are off on a ride. It is manufactured in the U.S. and made from100% recycled plastic that is water resistant. It is available in a variety of great translucent colors and folds open using a simple clasp mechanism.
At 4 1/4″ tall and 2 5/8″ wide, the Jimi Wallet is slim enough to fit in your back jersey pocket. It does a great job of storing the essential items you’ll need while riding. The compact size does force you to be discerning about what you carry. Maybe some cash, a credit card and a driver’s license.
For less than $14, you get a compact, well designed product that enables you to carry only what you need in a minimum of space.
Tomorrow is Bike-to-Work Day. Grab your bicycle gear
, jump on your wheels and you’ll reap rewards! Biking is a great way to improve cardiovascular health and an efficient way to burn calories. If you weigh 120-175 pounds and bike at an average rate of 10 mph, you will burn 430-480 calories per hour. If you weigh 200-250 pounds and bike at 10 mph, you will burn 600-720 calories per hour. The faster you ride the more calories you’ll burn.
When cycling it is a good idea to wear sunglasses. They protect your eyes from wind, dirt, debris and the sun while riding. Your front wheel or another cyclist’s rear wheel 
can shoot glass or dirt at your face. In addition to protecting eyes from wind, dirt, dust and a laundry list of projectiles, sunglasses are the best way to ensure that you won’t suffer from cataracts and other eye ailments caused by UV radiation. Keep the perspiration out of your glasses with a thin headband around your forehead that you wear under your cycling helmet.
What you eat can influence your cycling performance. The right eating plan can make you feel your best, give you energy and fuel your body more efficiently. The best eating plan is one that includes low-fat, fiber-rich carbohydrates and lean protein. Get your fill of carbohydrates through fruits, vegetables, beans, and whole grain breads, rice and pasta. Complex carbohydrates will be broken down slowly, providing a steady source of energy. Avoid foods that are high in sugar and refined flours, as they only provide energy for a short period of time. Round out your diet with lean protein, such as grilled chicken, eggs and low-fat dairy.
Re-hydrating is also crucial when you cycle. You need to make a conscious effort to drink fluids before, during and after cycling to stay hydrated. It is important to drink lots of fluids even if you don’t feel thirsty. Water or sports drinks, like Gatorade, can be stored in water bottles on the bike. Consider consuming a sports drink if the weather is extremely hot or if you are riding longer than one hour.
Part 1 of 2 (Check Monday for Part 2)
Cycling isn’t just about exercise. You can also use a bike to perform errands, get to work or just to enjoy the outdoors.
Below is a list of key accessories you should consider buying to ensure safety and enjoyment of your riding experience if you are a beginning cyclist. Some of these are more relevant if you are a cyclist who is riding for fun and fitness while others are more relevant if you ride short distances on a regular basis to perform errands or to get to work.
Proper Saddle
Finding a comfortable saddle can be one of the most difficult tasks for beginning riders. Saddle choice is matter of personal preference and experience, and what works for one person often doesn’t work for another person even though they have the same build and the same riding style. You may go though two or three saddles over the course of several months before you find the perfect one.
Helmet
Bicycle helmets have been shown to significantly reduce the risk of head injury. When buying a helmet, first and foremost, make sure it fits. If possible buy a helmet that is light in color to help with visibility.
Bag
Everyone needs to carry things with them on their bike (phone, tube patch kit, basic tool kit, wallet, etc.). The type of riding you do, utility or fun/fitness, will determine the type of cycling bag you will want.
Sunglasses
Glasses protect your eyes from the sun, wind, bugs and road debris. No need to say more.
Lighting
Busy schedules often mean cycling at odd hours. Lights are a must if you are riding at dawn, dusk or night. In addition to using lights, dress in light-colored, reflective clothing.
Lock
If your bike is going to be out of your sight, it’s best to lock it up. Always lock your frame up to something, never just the wheels because wheels can be easily removed. Both combination and keyed locks are readily available.
Part 1 of 2 (Check Monday for Part 2)
Cycling is a fun activity that goes a long way in ensuring your overall fitness. Many fitness experts feel cycling is one of the best forms of exercise available. Cycling offers nume
rous health benefits but the benefits of cycling go beyond health issues. Read on:
- Builds Strength – The human body is covered with hundreds of muscles. The body needs strong muscles in order to sustain health and fitness. Cycling builds muscle strength in a holistic manner since multiple parts of the body are involved in cycling.
- Increases Muscle Tone – Regular cycling strengthens leg muscles. A few miles of cycling per day assure trimmer and toned muscles. You will gradually begin to see shaping, toning and firming of your legs, thighs and pelvis region.
- Improves Stamina – Cycling is a good way to build stamina. It enables you to carry out your day-to-day activities more effectively.
- Helps Weight Loss – Cycling is one of the most effective ways to shed unwanted pounds. Steady cycling burns approximately 300 calories per hour. Cycling boosts your metabolism so you’ll continue to burn calories long after you’ve finished your ride.
- Promotes a Healthy Heart – Essentially an aerobic exercise, cycling gives your heart, blood vessels and lungs a workout, thus reducing the risk of heart attack, high blood pressure and other heart related problems.
- Decreases Risk of Cancer - A physically inactive person is more prone to diseases than one who is active and fit. Cycling reduces the risk of cancer by keeping you active.
- Reduces Stress – Cycling keeps an individual relaxed due to its rhythmic movement. The pleasure and satisfaction attained while cycling eases stress and anxiety.
The best part of cycling is that you’ll enjoy yourself so much you’ll forget that it is ensuring your overall fitness. Make sure you have the clothing and gear that promotes a safer and more comfortable ride.
Check out the new fun, colorful Krieg saddle bags. You’re sure to find a bag you can’t live without!
Bike bags don’t need to be boring and black. Krieg is a small company that makes unique bags for every personality. They bring personality to what had been a strictly functional product and offer a wide range of fabric styles. Your saddle bag can match your bike or your personality. With the selection of fabrics offered, we think you’ll find a bike bag that will be perfect for you or for a gift.
Halo Headbands are technically designed to keep sweat and sunscreen out of your eyes and off your glasses while training, working out, racing, or just working hard. They are made of Dryline® fabric which is unique, dual component fabric featuring polyester inside and nylon outside. This unique combination creates a push-pull moisture transport design drawing perspiration from the skin to the fabric surface where it evaporates. In addition to the technical fabric is their patented Sweat Block Technology; a watertight, non-slip seal built into the front of each Halo Headband to direct sweat away from your eyes.
Specifically designed for bikers to be worn under their helmet, the Halo II Headband is thin and lightweight. It also works well for running, tennis, soccer, and all outdoor sports where you sweat. Halo has also introduced a Super Wide Headband due to customer requests for an even wider headband that covers the entire forehead.
There are three key components for a comfortable ride: A saddle that fits you, a good pair of cycling shorts and chamois butter.
Bicycling shorts have a piece of padding called a chamois with the purpose of increasing comfort for extended periods of time in the saddle. In the past this pad was actually made from chamois cloth (a type of leather) and chamois butter was used to condition the leather so it wouldn’t get stiff. Today most chamois pads are made of synthetic materials, so technically you don’t need chamois butter since a synthetic chamois will remain soft and pliable. However, lubricating body parts that contact the chamois reduces friction between your skin and the chamois which will prevent chafing on long rides. Overall it enhances the comfort of your ride.
Chamois Butt’r, a non-greasy skin lubricant, is the number one choice for riders challenged with chafing in sensitive are
as and it is great for extended riding. The lotion can be applied directly to the skin, or it can be slathered on the pad of your shorts to prevent uncomfortable friction. It washes off your skin and washes out of clothing easily with soap and water. Check it out! It comes in an 8 oz. tube or a handy ½ oz. packet you can stash in your bike bag.
Jimi wallet is a really handy, colorful and stylish way to carry your essentials. It’s compact, water resistant, and translucent. It holds just the essentials: five cards and a few bills. Jimi wallet fits in your front or back jersey pocket, but you can also carry it the slimmest of bags or around your neck on a lanyard. Students say that they love it at school because it’s translucent, hangs on a lanyard and is great for showing ID.
Already a hit with the cycling, motorbike and snow sport community, Jimi™ wallet’s a smart urban accessory and it’s great in the great outdoors.
To top it all, the Jimi Wallet is manufactured in the US from 100% recycled materials. It is great for self-use but also makes a great cycling gift.