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SpokEasy

equipment

Haul Away

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Haul Away You can haul away with the Instep Quick-N-EZ trailer; whether you’re transporting children or a load of groceries. Quick-N-EZ can carry up to 80 pounds; and can be converted to a stroller or a jogger. There’s a canopy to protect your young passengers from weather or flying bugs. Five-point harness secure the child/ren for greater safety. The frame can fold; and the wheels can be easily removed for easier storage. Color: Teal; Orange; or Green. Cost varies according to color; but all are under $340.00. I got to haul away yesterday. For the first time since before my hand surgery in January, I took my trailer to the salvage store. I could really feel the added weight; and it sure made me feel out of shape! To my great disappointment, the grab-bag bins were as bare as Mother Hubbard‘s cupboard. I hope it’s different next week! Otherwise, I found all that I wanted: almond milk; medium-sharp cheddar cheese, and so on. I was glad to be home from the salvage store before 10:00 am, when a heat advisory went into effect. Even so, I walked to the drug store (just a few blocks) for something; and discovered their store-brand chocolate whey protein powder on sale; four dollars off the usual price. I got some to keep; I know I’ll use it for recovery drinks! It’ll be a hot ride tomorrow; mid-80s by 8:00 am! All I can do during such a ride is to haul away.

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KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Feature for June 25 A KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer comes in handy after your child outgrows trailers or over-the-wheel carriers. Your youngster can ride along with you; without worries that the little one will get lost, or be left behind. It has a sturdy, alloy steel frame; and attaches easily to most bicycles that have a seat post. The KaZAM Co-Pilot Bike Trailer has its own saddle; pedals; and handlebars, too. Easy to detach from your bicycle when not needed. Safety flag for improves visibility. Comes with a one-year manufacturer’s warranty. Weight: 29 pounds; can be used by riders up to 75 pounds. Color: Green. $325.63  

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Ever Play a Kazoo

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Ever Play a Kazoo? Did you ever play a kazoo? It’s an odd “horn” — you hum into it, instead of blowing it. I couldn’t help thinking of it when I came across the Kazoo Bicycle Trailercycle. This particular trailer lets a child four to ten years old; and up to 85 pounds, ride along behind you. It tracks very well; and helps the child get the hang of balancing. Frame is lightweight aluminum; and uses Burley‘s patented hitch system. Wheel is 20 inches in diameter; saddle and handlebars can be adjusted to fit the rider. Safety flag included. $379.95 I’m sure that, at some point, a young kid will become impatient with being hauled around in a trailer. But if your young child wants to ride with you, how will s/he keep up? With a product such as this one, you can keep pedaling even after the child tires; and with no worries that you’ll be separated from the child. Maybe this will even be good practice for a future tandem rider? Did you ever play a kazoo? This is one way to do it!    

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Put Friction to Use

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Put Friction to Use Put friction to use with the Bike Friction Generator Headlight. It fits most bicycles: BMX, e-bike, and more! Set includes headlight; tail light; dynamo; and necessary tools. Spare cable, too! Lights are 12 volts/6 watts. They make a great item for a bicycle tour packing list; especially if you’ll be far from places to charge up your lights; or unable to buy batteries. $23.24 I’ve never tried a light like this one; but I can see the advantages. No buying dry batteries, the cost of which adds up fast. There aren’t any cables creating clutter in the home. You don’t have to worry about what you’ll do if you forget to charge your lights; and have a pre-dawn ride planned. Just hop on the bike and ride; and put friction to use! I remember reading that using this type of light does slow your speed slightly; perhaps by one mile per hour. As long as you aren’t racing, that might not matter. A concern of mine is that cable. Will the Bike Friction Generator Headlight short out in heavy rain? I had that problem with my earliest bicycle computers; and it drove me crazy. Shorting cables might be a problem if I ride this afternoon. There’s a chance of T-storms; and it isn’t fun to get caught out on a bicycle when the lightning starts to fire up. But maybe I’ll skip the ride today; I think I actually need the break.

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Hee Haw

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Hee Haw? Hee Haw was the name of a TV show way back when. Anyway, I found myself thinking “hee haw” yesterday, when I tried out my new Camel-Bak Mule. I couldn’t figure out how to manage the drinking tube; so I guess I have to find a YouTube (no pun intended) that can show me what to do! My old Camel-Bak didn’t have any such complications as magnetic tube holders; and if it hadn’t developed a split in the shell’s fabric, I would have kept on using it. Aside from that split, it still had plenty of wear left in it. Why this model of Camel-Bak is called “mule”, I don’t know; unless it’s because the pockets can hold enough stuff to fell a mule. That would be great for a long ride, if you don’t mind the load on your back. I’m not back to a full load of water just yet; but I’ve begun to pack along the tube of Chamois Butt’r. I’m tying to extend my Sunday ride by a mile or so each week; and while I’m at it, I need to work back towards my full load (3 liters of water; Chamois Butt’r; toilet paper; and cable lock!) Gosh, I feel like a pack mule now. Hee haw! Yesterday I did 22.7 miles; and I think next Sunday I’ll aim for 25 miles. That’s still a long way from RAGBRAI‘s average of 65 miles per day; so it’s a good thing I’m not aiming for this year’s ride!  

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Activ Life Wheel Lights

4 Comments / BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment, Uncategorized /

Activ Life Wheel Lights These Activ Life Wheel Lights would have come in handy yesterday! Ordinarily, stuff like this is too gaudy for my taste; but when it’s raining, visibility is extra-critical. These wheel-mounted lights have LED illumination that’s easily visible from any angle. Suitable for riders of any age; and they come in a pack of two. Manufacturer’s lifetime warranty. $26.99 I’ve seen bicycles equipped with such lights; and they certainly are eye-catching. Maybe I’d want some Activ Life Wheel Lights if I did a big ride, such as RAGBRAI; but then, as far as I can see, RAGBRAI riders don’t ride in the dark. I don’t ride in the dark much, now that I’m retired; except at full-moon time. This month I missed it, because yesterday morning it was overcast. Today was more than overcast — it rained like crazy for a while!

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Noonday Sun

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Noonday Sun I was out in the noonday sun again, just like that mad dog. But if you want to take your pooch along on a bicycle ride at any time of day, this Bike Tow Leash helps keep your pet safe. This leash is designed to prevent tangling and tipping; and can be used on most bicycles; mobility scooters; and tadpole-style adult tricycles. The Bike Tow Leash is suitable for dogs weighing 10-185 pounds; and has a 5-star rating from the American Pet Association. Made for left-hand-side usage; and is easy to install. $186.00 While this product might seem expensive, I’m sure it’s worth it. I don’t have a dog; but if I did, I think I would want one of these leashes. Sometimes I see people riding a bicycle one-handed, while hanging onto a standard leash with the other hand. What’s going to happen if the rider suddenly HAS to use both hands? That might mean a nasty crash; or having “Rover” end up under the wheels of a car. Or even both! My noonday sun expedition was a hike to the drug store. I rode over 14 miles this morning; and my legs were rather tired. And sometimes I simply don’t feel like having to lock up a bicycle. It’s about 84 degrees; and starting to cloud up a bit. Maybe I ought to go for another ride, because there’s chance for severe T-storms tomorrow. On the other hand, we’ve got an air quality alert in effect. It’s level “Orange”; so I would probably be OK as far as air quality goes. Ultra-violet rays, however, are another story; and sometimes I get tired of slathering on  sunblock!  

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Next Winter

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Next Winter Next Winter?! Why am I already thinking about that when May is only just begun? It doesn’t hurt to plan ahead! I, for one, don’t want to be frantically scrambling to find Winter gear when it’s freezing outside. These GripGrab leg warmers sound like a good choice for a chilly morning; or for a chilly afternoon, for that matter. Fleece lining keeps your leg muscles warm; yet these warmers are breathable to help prevent overheating. That sounds good for those long rides when your legs do start to feel too hot; but it’s still too cold to take your leg warmers off! GripGrab leg warmers are machine washable; and their spandex composition allows them to stretch in any direction. In other words, they move with you! Silicone grips at the top prevent slipping. Sizes Small; Medium; and Large. $47.99-57.99 I must confess that I’m glad to be able to pack away leg warmers, arm warmers, etc. for a while. I get tired of having all those things draped from anywhere that I can drape them; and incidentally, during Winter I have full-finger gloves of three different weights to deal with!  But I have only one pair of each kind; and as I hand wash them, I can’t wring them out as thoroughly as I would like. That means that the gloves might not be dry enough for the next ride; so I don’t wash them often enough. We know what happens to our noses during cold-weather rides; so you can guess the condition of those gloves after a few months! Next Winter will be here in no time; so it’s not too soon to think about it. A pair of cozy, new leg warmers might be exactly what I need!

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light up her ride

BACK ISSUES, bicycling, equipment /

Light Up Her Ride Light up her ride with the Schwinn Girl’s Lighted Basket! The motion-activated flowers require no batteries; and the adjustable velcro straps make installation and removal quick and easy. If I had done much cycling as a kid, I bet I would have loved to have one of these baskets. Now, though, it certainly won’t fit a load of groceries! With the end of school approaching, it’s time to be gearing up for Summer fun. This Schwinn basket can let your child carry a picnic lunch to the park; or take a favorite toy to a friend’s house for play. It can light up her ride; and perhaps her spirits, too. But — this is a girl’s basket. What about the boy who wants a bicycle basket; but thinks a basket decorated with flowers is sissy? Not to worry; the boys needn’t miss out! The ANZOME Kids Bike Basket is an alternative. It’s made of sturdy, impact-resistant, rust-resistant metal mesh; and fits most children’s bicycles and tricycles. Velcro straps make taking it on/off the handlebars quick and easy. The handle lets this basket be easily carried off the bike. The ANZOME is roughly the same size as the Schwinn basket; and is available in four colors: Black; Pink; Royal Blue; and White. As this basket is plain, you can decorate it your way: flowers, if you like; or perhaps attach your youngster’s favorite action figures. So there’s a bicycle basket for everyone — kids and adults alike!

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