My Review of Breakaway Jacket

Originally submitted at Ibexwear

Everyone has two sides. Front and back, to be specific. This light, fast jacket has breathable Climawool® Lite in front, dense wool blend in back. A jacket that recognizes the essential humanity in us all. It's pretty deep. Innovative "dual-construction" Climawool® Lite/kni...

Breakaway Jacket

A great jacket for bicycle commuting

By Doryman from Seattle, WA on 10/13/2011

 

5out of 5

Sizing: Feels true to size

Sleeve Length: Feels true to length

Pros: Warm, Lightweight, Great Color, Comfortable

Best Uses: Bicycle Commuting

Was this a gift?: No

I bought a previous version of the breakaway in a color that is no longer offered. (Mustard) And it's been a great bicycling jacket. Then when the Vim jacket came out I bought one and put it away because I've noticed that Ibex doesn't always keep a good design around forever with bicycling coats. The Vim has pockets on the front, (bad for bicycling but I never put anything in there anyway) the Breakaway has one on the chest for my ID & a few $$, and one in the back to stash my battery for my helmet light, or my balaclava when it gets warm enough to switch to just a hat.

Now of course they have the new breakaway which is even better for bicyclists because of the reflective arm bands. The only thing nicer from the Vim coat was Velcro tabs for the wrists vs elastic. With the tabs you can adjust the air flow up your arms as the day warms up.

Also the windproof front handles Seattle Mist/light rain fine. You can skip the extra rain jacket unless it's pouring.

(legalese)

My Review of Showers Pass Club Convertible Bike Pants - Men's

Originally submitted at REI

A commuter's best friend, these Showers Pass Club Convertible pants seal out the weather. They're also breathable and can be converted to knickers when the ride home turns warm.

Showers Pass Club Convertible Bike Pants - Men's

Pertty good rain pants for commuters

By Doryman from Seattle, WA on 10/12/2011

 

3out of 5

Waist: Feels true to size

Length: Feels true to length

Pros: Dries Quickly, Breathable, Warm, Comfortable

Cons: Zippers on pockets poke, Chafes

Best Uses: Road Biking, Commuting, Wet Weather

Describe Yourself: Avid Cyclist

Was this a gift?: No

I bought these pants to use for commuting here in Seattle. The first thing I noticed after taking a short ride was that the zipper pulls poked me in the fold of material at the waist when I bend over on the drops. The solution is for Showers pass to turn the zippers around so that when they are closed the pulls are at the bottom. Until they do that, I've elected to keep the pants but open the pocket about 2 inches so that the zipper pull is down a bit farther.

I've ridden in these pants for only about a week, but it's fall so I've had all kinds of weather. Warm/wet (high 60's) they are a bit warm, so unless its pouring I'm not bothering. I did try riding with the legs zipped off in "mist", but my socks were soaked by the time I got to work (water rolled down my leg into my neoprene booties) and I was still too hot. Then next day the temperature dropped to the 50's and it hailed, poured, blew sideways and I rode for about a 1/2hr in that mess. I was damp inside of the pants from my own sweat (I have hills on my route) but way less wet than I would have been without them. The legs are long enough to go over the top of my booties so no water ran in that way.

I've got a air horn air bottle mounted on the top bar and the bit of reflective tape on the pants just below the knee hit it on each stroke which was a bit irritating. These pants are a bit baggy on the lower leg. They are heavier than carrying a plain coated pants so when I think it only "might rain" they will get left home.

I have the Showers Pass Roadie pants as well, and they are not as waterproof as these, but then those breath better too.

I gave these 3 stars, for 1) installing the zippers upside down, 2) being too baggy around the lower leg. (I ride for 16 miles/1.5 hrs c/ rolling hills on my way to work) But recognize I have yet to find the "perfect" rain gear for bicycling.

(legalese)

Mt Biking in Bend Oregon

On the side roads heading to the Mt. Biking Area in Bend. Strangely enough most folks DRIVE to go riding! The shop where we rented these bikes looked at us as if we were nuts, but it was only 2 miles, a nice 15 minute warmup ride if you ask me. (my Beautiful wife)

Me coming through the trees.
As you can see it's open forest and the area we went was nice and gradual trails. Easy stuff which is good because I'm a beginner Mt. Biker and have no desire to crash and burn.

All in all it was a great day out. Although my wife did fall when we returned. The disk brakes she had were sticky and she locked up the front wheel and did an end-over. I think those brakes were "crap" but the shop claimed of course that while touchy they were within spec. Whose stupid spec I don't know but it seemed to me like they could have been less sticky and worked just as well. Fortunately my wife isn't holding it against me, and so we are looking at Mt. Biking up here in Seattle. Unfortunately the bike shops which seem to rent bikes are no where near the Mt. Bike trails. Oh well. I'll figure something out. I have a rack and all.

Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities

I just finished reading Pedaling Revolution: How Cyclists Are Changing American Cities and I highly recommend it for people who want to understand the bicycle advocacy culture. It was written in 2007/8 published in 2009 and it's still 99% relevant given that these sort of things change very slowly.

The big thing I find on line is that there is a lot of fear by people who have invested a big part of their ego in their car. And why not? Car ad's make it seem like you will be sexier, more appealing if you buy "this car." When the truth of the matter is that if you exercise more you'll be healthier and that will give you the body that others admire. It make may also make you a "sanctimonious jerk", because you'll tell others that they too could be healthier if they rode as well, wishing for them the same health benefits. But they won't see it that way. They see that they just spent $30,000 on something that's no longer cool. So they'll defend that choice until gasoline rises to $7/gal and they can't afford to drive everywhere anymore. Oh well. Change is coming there is no stopping the rise in energy costs.

Bicycles are changing the cities. And also the big change I'm seeing is not only are young folks riding to work, but women are riding. This is a group that traditionally would not ride because of perceived safety issues. Therefore either their perception of the safety has changed or it really is safer. I tend to think that the latter is true. The long process of building out bicycling trails, and safe routes through the cities is finally paying off. At least in cities where they have made the effort. NYC, Portland, Seattle, Minneapolis. And it's spreading because dollar/person it's a very inexpensive way to fund mobility. With the economic crisis we are living through cities are looking to maximize the dollars they have and bicycling is looking better and better.

So see you out there! And don't forget to wave, we're having fun and still getting around the city.

Tour de France Video from '66

Vive le tour! from Bear Thunder on Vimeo.

Be sure to expand the viewer to full screen. It's totally worth your time to watch.

Check out those cool wool jerseys!
You can buy a reproduction of the Weils one from Vintage Velos

Team Gino Bartali!

I always wanted to join a bicycle racing team, and now I've found one that is just my style.

It's an Italian wine company and the only requirement is that you wear the jersey and take a photo of yourself next to your town name! I think you get to drink their wine as well, but I don't know where to find it here in the USA. But still, "non sono un acquailo"!

Sight lines to avoid accidents

Here's a great link to an article on sight lines and how to avoid getting hit while riding in traffic.

Sight Lines @ Dave's bike blog

Be safe! They can't see you out there riding even though you can see them.