While riding yesterday I was thinking of some cycling related things I have or wouldn't mind having to make the long ride that much better. So rather than a left nut of the week I thought I'd do a holiday gift guide instead.
Pull the wool over your eyes.I'll admit to having some sort of merino wool fetish so it's off to Earth Wind & Rider for one of their
Epic Express Jerseys. It's a jersey that would be great to wear for cool weather riding, or just every day stylin around. One thing about it that especially appeals to me is that it doesn't follow the spandex spaceman from planet bikeracer look. Made in the USA of 100% Australian Merino Wool of course.
It's winter, you're gonna need a cap.Walz Caps out of California manufactures a proper cycling cap for this time of year, meaning it covers your ears. This one is the
Wool Ear Flap model. They also offer embroidery services so you can go custom. I'd go custom of course.
Woolie Boolie!If you find a better sock for riding let me know, because I think the
Woolie Boolie by DeFeet is the very best. The guys and gals down in North Carolina truly make a world-class product. Tom Boonen calls them "
Really Sexy Socks!" TLR agrees Tomeke.
Pearl Izumi Gloves.Cold hands suck when riding this time of year. Pearl Izumi fixes all that with their
Zephrr Shell glove, and if you want more warmth, insert the
Ultra-Liner thin gloves.
Geek Rider.Garmin might have a few higher end models with a few more features, but price-wise I think the
Edge 500 hits the sweet spot. Besides, next year when the
Metrigear Vector hits the bike shop near you it's gonna be over the top.
The Rider.Tim Krabbe's book
The Rider is pure gold. I just finished it for a second time the other day. Short enough to read in one sitting. Some of Krabbe's writing in this book is so funny especially for anyone who's ever trained long miles or raced for any length of time. Beg for it, borrow it, or steal it if you have to.
Read it!
Yeah Indoor Training Sucks.Thanks to
Global Ride DVD's you can sit on your stinkin trainer and ride some of the most beautiful roads you'll ever see.
Artsy Fartsy on a Budget.We might not all have Lance's Live$trong money to collect real art, but when you're hammering away on that trainer you can always take a look over at your 2010
Cycling through History calendar to see when all the races you're going to win next year are. As an added bonus, each month's image will be suitable for framing later.
After Ride Refreshments.The Folks over at
New Belgium Brewing make a beer to honor cyclists. Oh there are others out there, but since this is one I haven't tasted yet it's on my list of beers to have. I can't think of a better way to end a ride than a cold beer. You can keep your post-ride electrolyte replenishment mumbo jumbo.
Well there you have it. They are all
almost worth a left nut as far as I'm concerned. Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
When the Ravens game is on the riding around Baltimore is great! I had the roads all to myself. Even better was getting home just in time to watch the Steelers win the game, 23-20.
I think that sometimes a road is built solely for the nice view. Maybe some bike races are built for the same reason.
Merry Christmas from my family here at TLR to you and yours. Hope your 2010 is your best year of riding yet.
The Girls and I watched Polar Express tonight. It's become sort of a Christmas tradition. You just have to BELIEVE or that bell will stop ringing. The above pic doesn't have a thing to do with the Polar Express but it's my blog and I'll post whatever I want. :)
The weather people are predicting up to a foot of snow for my area starting tonight. I sure hope they are wrong and we end up with a dusting or less. 
The wind was howling and it was freezing cold out there this evening, but at least the sun was shining. My phone had a tough time with the light so my bike has pretty much disappeared into the pic here. Anyway, it was good to get a ride in. 
I'm going to make a prediction right now. Cadel Evans will win the 2010 Giro d'Italia.
After I posted that RadioShack jersey yesterday I remembered the design I did for BPB last year. It was a fun project. Ben and the people at Hincapie were a joy to work with.
I saw the pic of Lance in his new RadioShack kit and thought it would be fun to take a stab at the jersey on my own. I was thinking something black/white/red and very graphic, sorta like Cervelo Test Team does. Never got around to the shorts, but black with a thick white stripe on the sides would be the idea.
Since it's a snowy day here in Maryland the girls and I headed over to the bookstore for a bit. Dad heads straight for the bike magazines and Daughters head straight for Pokemon. I saw at least a half dozen books I'd like to read while there.
I don't watch tv much so I'm finding Season 1 of The Sons of Anarchy a lot of fun while spinning on the trainer. Did an hour with episode 2 and some of 3. I pedal faster whenever a Harley is on screen.
I just missed a really nice sunset but took a quick pic during today's ride anyway. It was crazy windy out there but I felt pretty strong. Legs felt great. 32 miles.
"You're better than you think you are, you can do more than you think you can."
