Look’s popular Keo 2 Max pedals have typically been available in any color you could want – provided it was black or white white. But unlike Henry Ford the French company decided to really give the people want they want, and this includes the pedals in green, gray and red. So it might not be any color you could want but it still provides a bit of option beyond vanilla white.
Cycling jackets don’t have to feature team branding or other colorful designs. REI’s house brand Novara has introduced the Dutchtown, a jacket designed to provide protection when riding in some wind and rain. It features a Polyester fabric with a durable water repellent finish that resists water to keep you warm and dry on those wet spring days.
The jacket offers roll-down cuffs with reflective trim to help keep you visible in low light, while two front pockets and one inside zippered pocket will let you stash whatever you need to carry. The Dutchtown jacket even features a media port so you can also keep your music player stashed inside and out of the elements.
We’ve seen a movement towards cycling attire that isn’t so aimed at the hardcore rider – however some of it is for the truly “uptight cyclist.” Phil Siegert’s line of cycling attire isn’t so uptight, but it is for the Upright Cyclist – which is now the name of his business.
His line of clothing is for those who don’t want to change what they are wearing to go for a ride, so whether it is for commute to work, a leisurely weekend trip around town or a journey to the store, Upright Cyclist can have you covered. The company, which just launched last month, introduced five pieces that include shorts, pants and three jackets and each is meant to handle riding around town, while still looking good off the bike.
Even as spring heats things up as we head to summer there are those cool mornings or early evenings when arm warmers can come in handy. For those times the Stantovelo Protective Arm Warmers could be a good option to consider as these offer the ability to keep the arms warm, but also provide some reflective properties, which can come in handy in the early morning or evening. The Protective Arm Warmers are designed to be used when a rider is recovering from road rash as well. Hence these are truly protective in more ways than one.
Stantovelo Official Website
[Via BikeRadar: Stantovelo arm warmers offer road rash protection]
When the company name is Lightweight you know that the products won’t be heavy weights, but the German bicycle component maker has introduced the Edelhelfer (German for “Precious Helper” or “Super Domestique”) water bottle cage that tips the scales at just 18 grams. The carbon fiber cage has the look of the company’s distinctive aero carbon spokes, and even comes with lightweight alloy screws to further cut down on weight. At a reported 65 euros the heaviest thing about this one might be the price.
Cycling apparel maker Sidi has partnered with Castelli this season with a new line of men’s and women’s cycling attire that offers a bit of flare and a whole lot of fashion. This new lineup pairs nicely with the Sidi road shoes, and is inspired by some of the greats of Italian cycling, including the Pippo, named for Flippo Pozzato; an Ivan Basso design and even one for Dino Signori, the founder of Sidi.
Sidi Official Website
[Via Bike Rumor: SIDI EXPANDS CLOTHING LINE, WITH NEW SIDI BY CASTELLI TECHNICAL WEAR]
This is Bike to Work Week, and today the League of American Bicyclists announced its latest round of Bicycle Friendly Communities (BFC), including a new Platinum-level community.
Fort Collins, Colo., moved from Gold to Platinum this round, joining the ranks of Portland, Ore.; Boulder, Colo.; and Davis, Calif., as the country’s very best for bicycling. Read the rest of this entry »
Assos has introduced a new pattern of cycling jersey that offers a fit between the brand’s SS.Uno and SS.Mille fits. Designed for athletes and those with larger body types the PerformanceFit jersey utilizes new fabric designed by the Assos Textile Lab.
The Type 151 fabric has less volume and is thus designed to react quickly to body temperatures, when riders perspire a lot the jersey reacts by speeding up the moisture transfer, and when riders cool it slows the evaporation process.
With a UV protection rating of 50+ this one will be good for a ride on a bright sunny day as well. It features zippered safety pockets with an inside opening for earphone cords, rear reflective visibility stripes and a covered full front zipper.
From Motherboard: In 1897, a Bicycle Superhighway Was the Future of California Transit
In 1897, a wealthy American businessman named Horace Dobbins began construction on a private, for-profit bicycle superhighway that would stretch from Pasadena to downtown Los Angeles. It may seem like a preposterous notion now—everyone knows Angelenos don’t get out of their cars—but at the time, amidst the height of a pre-automobile worldwide cycling boom, the idea attracted the attention of some hugely powerful players. And it almost got built. Read the rest of this entry »
This month marks the 10th Anniversary of the Ride of Silence:
On Wednesday, May 15, 2013, at 7:00 PM, the Ride of Silence (now celebrating its ten-year anniversary) will begin in North America and continue to roll across the globe. Cyclists will take to the roads in a slow, silent procession to honor cyclists who have been killed or injured while cycling on public roadways. Although cyclists have a legal right to Share the Road with motorists, the motoring public often isn’t aware of these rights, and sometimes not aware of the cyclists themselves. The Ride of Silence is a free ride that asks its cyclists to ride no faster than 12 mph, wear helmets, follow the rules of the road, and remain silent during the ride. There are no sponsors and no registration fees. The ride, always held on the 3rd Wednesday of May, during National Bike Month, aims to raise the awareness of motorists, police and city officials that cyclists have a legal right to the public roadways. The ride is also a chance to show respect for, and honor, in funeral procession style, the lives of those who have been killed or injured.
Chris Phelan organized the first Ride Of Silence in Dallas in 2003 after endurance cyclist Larry Schwartz was killed by a passing bus mirror on an empty road. Since its inception, the ride now includes 318 listed locations worldwide.
The League of American Bicyclists released its 2013 ranking of Bicycle Friendly States last week to coincide with the kickoff of National Bike Month.
Washington continues to lead the list as the No. 1 state, but Illinois and Arizona made it into the top 10 in 2013, and Delaware moved from the tenth spot to the fifth spot. Colorado moved from fourth to second on the list; Oregon moved from fifth to third.
“We are encouraged to see significant progress in top states like Washington, Delaware, Colorado and Oregon,” said Andy Clarke, president of the League of American Bicyclists. “But as the scores clearly highlight, there’s much work to be done in critical areas like infrastructure and planning in every state.”
The top 10 bike friendly states are, in order from first to tenth: Washington, Colorado, Oregon, Minnesota, Delaware, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Wisconsin, Illinois and Arizona.
While many companies offer up inspiring names for their bicycles, Paul Budnitz takes a more simple approach with names like Model No. 1 and No. 2. This isn’t to say that his bikes are super plain. In fact his lineup of handmade bikes, which are made in Vermont, are sleek, simple and minimalist yet solid enough for serious riding.
Budnitz offers up a variety of steel, aluminum and even titanium bikes that ride well and look good.
Want a cycle helmet that makes a statement? Look no further than the KAWS Limited-Edition bike helmet, which is being offered by the New Museum Store and Safe Street Funds to promote bicycle safety. Limited to just 500 helmets, these are produced by renowned artist KAWS for Bern Watts.
