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. 

Parateck Cycling Tights

These Parateck cycling compression tights/cycling pants with silicone pad are very comfortable.  The leg portions of the tights are thin but should be warm enough for some winter riding outdoors. There are two zippers at the bottom of each leg allowing for easy entry and can be closed to keep air flow from coming in. Behind the knee, there is a breathable mesh type of fabric. There is a small zippered pocket in the back of the pants for maybe your keys or a gel, but its not very big. There are reflective strips on the sides of the leg that could be useful in low light and night time to alert traffic you are on the road too. The gel pad in the crotch is nice and thick, yet not too thick. The shorts are made of 82 percent nylon and 18 percent spandex. I have used them for both road and mountain bike riding. When ordering, I would agree and strongly recommend ordering one size bigger than you typically wear.  The stitching is very well done. With all my cycling and compression gear, I recommend only hand washing and letting them hang to dry to extend the lifetime.  

Order them online here amazon.com/gp/product/B074SGF8KZ 

Note: I was giving a discount for my opinion and review. 

Farm to Feet ------- Damascus LW Elite Hiker

Farm to Feet make a very nice sock.  I was sent the Damascus LW Elite Hiker sock in which my feet being size 13 the X-Large was the right fit.  The sock is designed very well. First off they are 100 percent made in the USA including all these fibers of 57 percent Merino Wool, 40 percent Nylon and 3 percent LYCRA Spandex they have great cushion and wicking properties. Reinforced toe and heel and top of the foot ventilation make they super comfortable.  The sock measures about 11 inches from the tip of the heel up to the top of the compression calf.  They can be stretched or pulled up higher if wanting.  I love the seamless toe as I often have trouble with my toe nails and running.  Although these are a hiking sock, they give great comfort and support for the running I have done wearing them. I have also worn them while just walking around on vacation.  I would highly recommend anyone looking for a great comfortable fitting hiking/running/walking sock to give Farm to Feet a look into. 

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

Keep Sweat from Dripping in Your Eyes this Summer!

The Sweat Buster replaces your old pad(s) and sits right under the lip of the helmet.

Before removing the old pads to install the Sweat Buster

Everything you need for installation comes with the kit. 

Four small Velcro circles hold the Sweat Buster in place. 

Summer is just around the corner.  Here in Arizona it means hotter temperatures, even when the sun is not up.  Sweat is not normally a problem, as it tents to dry pretty fast as you move through the air. Until you are forced to stop at a red light, then it's like a fire hose filled with water drips down my face. To stop sweat from dripping down my face or down my sunglasses I have installed the super awesome Sweat Buster from TraxFactory.com.  Getting sweat in your eyes makes it pretty difficult to keep your eyes on the trail or road. Installing the Sweat Buster is super easy to swap out your old bike helmet pads, inside, and replace them with the Sweat Buster. The 10 and 1/2 inch super absorbent microfiber pad will do the trick. The pad hides just inside the lip of your bike helmet and is held in place with four small Velcro circles. Being stuck only with Velcro, the pad can be removed and washed anytime. The pad is small enough not to interfere with the air vents in the front of your helmet so the vents on the front of your helmet will still be keeping you cool while moving through the air. Every so often I throw the pad in the laundry with my cycling gear, which I don't use fabric softener with, as it takes wicking properties away from the microfiber pad, and lessens the life of your Spandex gear. I am not a fan of wearing a cap or anything else under my helmet when I ride, so the Sweat Buster is the perfect answer for soaking up sweat before it ends up on my sunglasses. 

SWEAT BUSTER from TraxFactory 

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

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.