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SpokEasy

equipment

New Bike

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New Bike? I don’t need a new bike if I’m considering tackling RAGBRAI, do I? The Tommaso Sentiero shown above sounds like a good choice per se. It has a wide range of gears; and pre-drilled holes for attaching bottle cages and racks. It’s also equipped with disc brakes for good stopping power in all weathers. The wide tires help with stability. This bike’s capacity for racks makes it good for commuting and touring. That’s a plus for RAGBRAI, as long as I don’t overload the panniers! I’ll want to keep things like a jacket and Chamois Butt’r handy; and it would be nice if I could do it without having a load on my back all day, every day! The Tommaso Sentiero comes in sizes for riders from 5’2″ to 5’11”. And there’s the first catch for me: I’m barely five feet tall. Another catch is that the Small size weighs 25.9 pounds; and that’s several pounds heavier than the road bike I already have. RAGBRAI has hills; therefore getting a heavier bike seems crazy, even if it could be adjusted to a proper fit for me. Speaking of fit, if you’re between sizes: go down a size if you want a more upright riding position. Going up a size provides a more aggressive, racing-type position. Getting back to bicycle weight: my road bike has only two chain rings; and this bike has three. The Tommaso would give me a 30-tooth small ring, while my current road bike’s small ring has 34 teeth. Would the smaller ring help with climbing; and offset this bicycle’s greater weight? A new bike would, of course, require considerable expense. And like most people, I have limited space; so having a third bicycle might cramp me too much. But there’s plenty of time before RAGBRAI 2024. I don’t have to make my bicycle choice immediately. If I do go for this one it’ll set me back  $844.99

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Already Thinking of Heat

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Already Thinking of Heat! I’m already thinking of heat; and for hot rides, this Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter is a product that I’d like to try. My hand still can’t tolerate rides over about 10 miles; but when I can do 40-mile rides again, I’ll be out in the heat! On top of that, I’m considering RAGBRAI 2024. The week-long event means averaging about 65-66 miles per day; and to do that comfortably distance-wise, I need to get comfortable with riding 40-50 miles per day. And that’s before taking terrain into account! RAGBRAI is actually pretty hilly. So of course I’m already thinking of heat; and a cooling neck gaiter is probably not being a “sissy”; it’s just common sense. I don’t want to collapse from heat exhaustion! The Mission Cooling Neck Gaiter is 100% polyester; and machine washable. Dimebsions: 21 x 10 inches,.

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Rock It

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Rock It! Let’s rock it; and burn up the road on our next ride! But to do that, the drivetrain has to be in good condition; and Rock N Roll lube is a big help. This lube is self-cleaning; and I like that. Before I started using this product, I had jars of dirty, oily water sitting around. In fact, they’re still sitting around! The only toxic waste drop-off I know of is halfway across town; and last I knew, they’re open for only a few hours on Saturdays. Convenient, huh? I need to get this stuff out and lube both my bicycles’ chains. Thanks to hand surgery, the bikes have been unused for nearly ten weeks; but now I’m starting to ride again. A lube job would be a good idea. Maybe I can’t rock it yet. I have to work back up to it; and that won’t happen overnight. But this lube will keep that drivetrain running smoothly!

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Brook No Time Out

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Brook No Time Out? If you’ll brook no time out of the saddle, perhaps the Brooks England B17 Saddle is just what you need!  This saddle, made in England, has been around for more than a century; so it must be good. Its leather covering breaks in with regular use; and molds itself to fit your unique contours. I knew only one person who used a Brooks; and he said he liked it. This saddle comes in various sizes and colors; and a leather-care kit is included. Two-year warranty against manufacture/materials defects. Weighs 1.98 lbs. $97.99 The Brooks B17 Short Honey is designed for women riders. Leather cover molds over time to fit  you. Like the Brooks England B17 shown above, it’s been on the market for more than 100 years. Two-year warranty against manufacturer/materials defects. Weighs 2.1 lbs. Product of England. $94.88 To keep your Brooks saddle in top condition, this saddle dressing is great. It keeps the leather soft and pliable; and ready for your next ride. You’ll brook no time out of the saddle! $19.75

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Picnic Time

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Picnic Time! It sure feel like picnic time around here. March has barely begun; yet we’re getting afternoon temperatures in the 80s! If it’s picnic time for you, this Carhartt Lunch Cooler is a handy item to have. It’s insulated to keep lunch or a six-pack cool; and the top compartment can hold smaller items (how about M&Ms for dessert?)  The zip-shut front compartment holds utensils and napkins. I don’t know that I’d want to eat al fresco this afternoon, though. There’s a chance of T-storms; and it’s already  drizzling on and off. The wind isn’t very strong at the moment; but starting at 9 pm there’s a wind advisory. It’s in effect until noon tomorrow. I’ll have a breezy walk to my occupational therapy appointment! Getting back to the lunch cooler, I used a similar item to carry my lunch to work for years. It could just fit into a pannier; with room to stuff in a poncho if rain were predicted. This cooler is good to take along when grocery shopping on hot days; I can keep things like yogurt and hummus from getting too warm on the way home. Incidentally, I’m getting anxious to make a trip to the salvage store. But I’d better be careful about stocking up on canned goods, lest salvage store woes catch up to me again.    

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mask up y’all

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Mask Up Y’all! Mask up, y’all! Yes, I know. Mardi Gras is over; but as far as I know, the threat of COVID is not. I think it makes sense to continue using masks while out and about. I’m not alone in that thinking. Every day I still see people wearing masks; and I’m especially glad to have one when a little kid in the store is coughing all over the place! These face coverings are  useful if you are sensitive to fragrances; tobacco smoke; and the many other fumes that are almost impossible to avoid. I keep several with me at all times. Sure, I get tired of wearing the things; and they feel rather smothery in hot weather. But that’s better than getting sick; or choking on “smelly stuff”. So mask up, y’all!

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got wet boots

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Got Wet Boots? Got wet boots? This DX Boot Dryer might be exactly what you need. DX Boot Dryer can handle up to four items at a time; and dries them in an hour or two. Takes care of gloves and stocking caps, too! More than once, during rainy spells, I’ve wished I had one of these. When I get home with sopping wet shoes, the best I can do is stuff them with wadded newspaper; and change the paper every few hours. Even then, the shoes are still damp the next day. I remember my brother-in-law had one of these when he worked for USPS. He had a delivery route; and of course was out in all kinds of weather.  So if you’ve got wet boots, this appliance can save you the discomfort of going out again in damp footwear.

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Quite a Bundle

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Quite a Bundle You get quite a bundle with the Garmin Rally RK 100 product.  The Garmin Edge 830 cyclecomputer can use either the standard, on-the-handlebar mount; or the out-front mount. You can monitor speed; heart rate; and cadence.  The RK 100 pedals are easy to switch from bike to bike; and USB cables allow charge-up from a home electric outlet; or in your car. Battery life of 120 hours per charge. Software updates and data uploads are easy with Edge cyclecomputer compatibility. You can upgrade to a dual sensing system at any time. Tether keeps the readout unit from hitting the ground if your grip slips. Cleaning cloth included. This is quite a bundle!  Made in Taiwan.  $1172.98

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Always Be True

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Always Be True? Always be true with the TS-4.2 Truing Stand! This item, from Park Tool, lets you true your bicycle’s wheels yourself. It can accommodate wheels up to 29 inches, even with the tire still on. This includes fat tires! TS-4.2 is professional grade; sturdy; and versatile. It earns a 4.6-star rating from consumers. With this piece of equipment, you can be sure that your wheels are, well, always be true. Many times I wish I could do more towards the maintenance and repair of my own bikes. I often wish I could get into long-distance cycling in a big way; and being able to tend to my bicycles’ wheels would be a major asset! So would knowing how to take care of other repairs. Unfortunately, I barely know how to change a tube; and arthritis in my hands is no help. $479.95

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CamelBak Mule

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CamelBak Mule This CamelBak Mule hydration system is great for long rides; hikes; and other outdoor activities. It can hold up to 100 oz (~3 liters) of fluid; and its pockets can hold your cell phone; snacks; and other small items. The chest strap is adjustable to most users; and the harness is of breathable material. Channel down the CamelBak Mule’s back helps keep your own back a bit cooler! Comes in several colors: $100.01 (black) $97.99 (Gibralter navy) $109.15 (kelp/black) $86.48 (racing red/black) I’m still recuperating from hand surgery; so I haven’t been able to use one of these for almost a month. When I can finally do so again, I hope it won’t be heavy enough to fell a mule!    

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