Customizing comfort on your ride

This is the factory grips that came with my bike. They are decent, but could be better. 

I believe the easiest way to customize your comfort on your bike, whether it is your road bike or mountain bike, it to focus on the three points at which your body makes contact with the bike. I’m talking about your hands (handlebars), butt (seat) or your feet (pedals).   With your hands you can customize your handlebar grips, the bars themselves or maybe even the wrap you put on them. You can also change up for your hands, gloves. Some with more cushion in certain parts of the glove, finger less, full finger, etc. When it comes to your butt or your seat, you can choose gel seats or a seat that allows only for your sit bones to make contact with it. There is also the option of the padding you wear in your shorts. A gel pad, a thicker chamois, etc.  For feet you have a few options there too. Shoes, pedals and lets not forget the socks. Thicker socks, no show, moisture wicking, etc. The three contact points on the bike can be totally customized for your comfort. In speaking of comfort, I recently swapped my grips on my mountain bike. I have been riding with the stock grips for the past eight months. They seem to be missing cushion. I switch back and forth using gloves to not using gloves. A major bonus in using gloves while out on the desert mountain bike trails is protection if I fall. Not just scrapping along the rough rocky ground but possibly falling into a cactus. In switching the grips, I did some research, wanting a good cushion but a better thicker grip. I went with the ESI Chunky grips. Super easy to install, using a little bit of rubbing alcohol to help them slide on the bars, installed the end plugs. Took no more than five minutes. No Allen wrenches needed or any tools.  Took my first ride on them last week and I am very impressed with their feel.  They may not be fore everyone, but they are worth a try. So when it comes to customizing your comfort on your ride, think about the three points in which you make contact with you bike and start from there. 

Easy to install in minutes and feel great out on the trails. 

Putting two recovery sandals to the test Oofos vs. Telic

Telic  vs. Oofos 

 I have not been paid to say any of this, and both these sandals I purchased…… or got for a gift from a family member. 

Both claim to be recovery sandals, but which one is better.  

Having worn both of them after running, swimming and cycling. Walking around the house, around the pool and all around, I have my favorite putting these toe to toe. 

Wearing a good set of supportive footwear can reduce stress on your feet, legs and go up the body into the back. 

Both sandals fit with the strap going between the big and second toe. 

They both do a great job in letting your feet stretch out after being inside a running shoe or standing on your feet for a long period of time. 

But let’s take a look at each one separately.

The Telic has a deep heal cup and contoured bottom, a rocker styled textured sole and textured footbed. They are light. There is an arch support, but lacks in solidness. 

The Oofos also have a deep heal cup, but I have found the heal cup to be a bit deeper than Telic’s.  It too has a contoured rocker style sole, with some texture, but has bigger groves. They also have a textured footbed.  They too are light. The arch support is very good. Although the Telic’s felt good when slipping them on, these tend to be more inviting to your feet. 

After wearing both of them I find the clear winner is the Oofos.  They just offer better support and have a more cushiony comfy feeling.  Get yourself a pair of these very comfortable sandals. 

Heated seat cushions

I wanted to try these heated seat cushions out, well because the rental car we had a few weeks ago had heated seats.  These seats felt great in the colder climates we where visiting, not to mention felt great on warming up my glutes and hamstrings while riding in the car.  So these seat cushions can be used in a car that does not already have them as a cars built in features.  They simply plug into the 12 volt accessory plug (aka cigarette lighter). I am so glad I got them and would highly recommend them to others whose vehicles do not already have them factory installed.  The heated seat makes for a more enjoyable ride in the colder winter months. These heaters have an option for for a low or high setting.  Just remember if you don’t turn them off or unplug the cord, you could walk out to a dead battery. 

You can find them online here

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B075QCNZ2K

Tiny Changes Make A Big Difference

Larry DeMik, at Two Wheel Jones Gilbert, makes an adjustment to my seat height and saddle position while being fit with the Retul Bike Fit System.

Tiny changes make big differences and here is how it goes. Wanting to be more comfortable on my bike yet be more energy efficient I was recently fitted on my road by at Two Wheel Jones in Gilbert. The store offers a Retul fitting in their Velocraft bike fit studio. The fitting first started off with the replacement of my shoe’s cleats. They were moved after some visual measurements were made by Larry DeMik, who also happens to be the bike shop owner. Next, I hopped on the bike, while it was set up in a trainer.  Eight markers were attached to the right side of my body with Velcro dots holding them in place. They were placed on my wrist, elbow, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, heel and toe. These markers, turn the body into a stick figure in the computer program being used. Each sensor reflects back an inferred light allowing for the 3D effect. Each sensor was giving real-time data to the computer as Larry would not only watch on the camera recording the movement but capture numbers showing the different degrees of movement of the different body parts.  The next adjustment was to my seat height, as Larry could read from the data being collected, my knee was moving in a lateral position. To fix this issue he ended up raising my seat to remove some of the movement. Data being looked at included 

ankeling pattern  

knee extension and flection 

knee forward to foot 

hip angle 

back angle 

reach

After adjusting my seat, I pedaled with one leg at a time.  Of course during this I found out my right leg is more dominant.  When pedaling with my left leg only, I found my pedaling to be pretty choppy.  Walking away I got homework to work on one legged pedaling drills. I also need to work on not riding on my tippy toes, and while my feet are in my cycling shoes, try and pull my toes up while pedaling. Although the computer program is giving information as a guide, it is really up the the fitter, Larry in this case, to determine if the adjustment is necessary and if so at what degree or level to make the adjustment. After dialing in my seat height and adjusting it a little more forward, he dropped my handlebars by 5mm.  As with anything new, the adjustments will take a little time to get use to but when increasing comfort and efficiency everyone should be fit. 

currexSole insole

I have used and loved and have come to depend on these currexSoles to support and cushion my feet while both running and walking. 

Needing and wanting to increase the comfort and performance of my running shoes I have replaced the liner inside with a currexSole insole, the RunPro with high profile to be exact. The majority of shoe manufactures simply just put a liner inside, as much of what they have designed is the outer shoe. Everyone’s foot, from the bottom, to the arch to the top is all different. First off, using the proper size to fit the inside of your shoe is a must.  The toe end of the insole can be trimmed with a scissors if needed. I have found the best way to measure this is to use the liner that came in the shoe to give a good estimate of how much, if any needs to be trimmed for the currexSole insole to fit properly. The currexSole insoles are designed with dynamic arch technology, shock absorption as well as heel fit and moisture/odor control. They are not stiff like other insoles on the market.  Much research and development go into currexSole insoles. 

currexSoles

TOGS (Thumb Over Grip System)

TOGS come with their own 2.5mm hex wrench and are right and left specific. Easy to install and add comfort on long mountain bike rides. 

What are TOGS?  TOGS stands for Thumb Over Grip System. They are made of a hard thermoplastic.  They attach to your handlebar for your thumb to grip as you ride, resting your hand like playing a piano.  The grip is used for keeping your hands on the bar and not accidentally bumped off while riding. Why would a rider want to use these?  The grips offer a different positioning for your hands which is comfortable after riding for a long period of time.  You still have access to your brakes, yet downshifting gears is not accessible when your hand is in this position. They are easily installed with the 2.5mm hex key provided and snap over the handlebar before using the hex bolt to keep them in place. Adjustments need to be made for other accessories such as brakes and gear shifters, lights, bells, etc., near the handlebar grip to accommodate the TOGS. TOGS are right and left hand specific.  I like to vary my hand position while riding for long periods of time and using the TOGS keeps my hands from getting bumped off. On long climbs I find them very useful. I would recommend TOGS to fellow mountain bike riders. 

to find out more visit them at http://togs.com/

Relaj Shape Water Bottle

The Relaj Shape 

 (the LeakLock prevents unwanted spills)

 

                                                                                                              (bottom removes for cleaning)

 (fully disassembles for cleaning) 

I have been using the Relaj Shape water bottle for about  a month now and am super impressed with it's comfort and features.  First of all its ergonomic shape fits in my hand as well as my bike bottle cage, riding in my Orange Mud Hydra Quiver and even fits nicely in my cars cup holder. Its textured outer feel can still be wet, due to condensation, yet won't easily slip out of your hand.  What many bottles miss is a valve that stops them from leaking if accidentally tipped. With the Relaj there is a LeakLock Valve that prevents this from happening.  Another aspect in which a lot of bottles miss is the ability to be fully disassembled for cleaning.  The Relaj fully disassembles for cleaning to get all those hard to reach areas where germs can hide. Both the top and bottom can be screwed off and the tapered flexible spout can be removed. The bottle and pieces can be placed on either the top or bottom rack of the dishwasher to be cleaned, or can simply be washed by hand. The bottle is BPA Free. (BPA is a chemical used in the production of plastics and epoxy resins) 

The bottle was designed to use by tipping the bottle up to drink from, instead of the cyclists head, therefore keeping your eyes on where you are going. The squeezable bottle allows for a lot of fluid to be consumed within a short period of time. 

The Relaj holds 23 ounces of fluid. 

There is an optional re freezable stick that can be screwed into the bottom base, but the Relaj bottles I use do not have these. 

The bottle is very sleek and very function-able for all cyclists and those who enjoy the outdoors.

Check out the Relaj Shape in action!

Relaj Shape

SOLE Footbeds a cure for "hot feet"

 I use SOLE footbeds to replace, literally, "the liners" shoe companies put inside their shoes. The liners in both running shoes and everyday walking shoes really provide no support I have found.  However, replacing them with SOLE footbeds provides the comfort and support your foot needs.  I replace even my cycling shoes (both road and mountain bike) with SOLE footbeds.  I used to suffer from what cyclist call "hot foot".  It was a burning pain in the ball of my foot moving towards my toes. To me it occurred on long rides or rides with a lot of climbing. The burning is really not heat but rather pressure on nerves in the foot that create a burning like sensation. Dumping or squirting water on your feet will not put the "fire" out. The sensation is caused from wearing too tight of shoe. Here are a few tips of how you can remedy the "hot foot" burning pain.
    1. Use a Thin Sport SOLE custom footbeds and/or thinner socks such as the Lightweight Sport SOLE sock.  This will give your foot more room to swell with out restriction. 
    2. Adjust your shoe straps. Keep the straps closest to your toes (near the bottom of the shoe) the loosest for more room.
    3. Sometimes re-focusing the pressure helps.  Do this by moving your cleats to the rear by as much as 8 mm which sometimes means drilling new holes in the bottom of your cycling shoe. You will want to lower your saddle about the same distance you have moved the cleat back. 
    4. With shoes coming from European manufacturers, sometimes the toe box runs small.  Look for a pair with a wide toe box and a stiff sole.

Hot workouts in the heat.

Last week I pretty much moved my workouts indoors on the rollers.  With night time low temperatures not really dipping below 90 degrees, any kind of outdoor activity has been rough.  Set of the rollers and a small fan in front of them to keep some kind of airflow going around me.  I was able to beat the sun rising and start a morning ride Saturday at 5:30 am.  I only got in about 40 miles before running low on fluids.  I felt very strong on the bike and before heading out made a small comfort adjustment on my saddle height.  My training has me keeping my heart rate right near 80% of my maximum heart rate, using the Miowatch Quest, the readout and alarm on the watch keep me in check.
I started doing some rehab work on my IT band on my right leg, and look to attend a free clinic at a local bike shop to help me speed up the rehab and get my right hip feeling better after long rides and runs.  Just the exercises I have started doing are starting to help and I am looking forward to what will learn at the clinic.  

SOLE Sport Flips

So here is the low down on the SOLE Sport Flips.  Other sandals or flip flops may be comfortable for the first 20 minutes or so of wearing, but the SOLE Sport Flips are just what your feet and body are craving for.  I have enjoyed these arch supportive flip flops after long training rides or runs.  They contour to your foot, normally after wearing them for a few days. With the arch support and the contoured foot bed, you'll be walking around this summer in comfort.  I really like them after my feet have been cramped up in cycling shoes or just getting more air to my feet after running. Because the SOLE Sport Flips are molded then to your feet, don't let others wear them.  The contour of the foot bed can help alleviate pain from plantar fasciitis.