New Toy

When my new toy gets muddy I just take it in the shower, rinse it off and it is ready to go. This thing is stain resistant as all get out. Look for a review in the next Grand Traverse Mountain Bike Association e-mag. (http://gtmtba.com/)

Rainy Sunday Mtn Bike Ride

 Despite Sunday's rain I took to a loop that is just up the road from my apartment, Marshall Park. It is not very long, but it gives you enough time to get out of the house and do something that you like without having to travel a great distance.

 There is a decent change in elevation and nothing too technical for a beginner like me!

 This winter I look forward to snowshoeing out here. Since I have only seen one other person on the trail I think that it will be a good place to get some deep winter solitude without running into other people.

-J

The Holiday List

Are you looking of the right gift for that person on your list who kind of has everything? Or the person that does outdoorsy things? Those type of people hard to buy for, I should know.

Fear not gift givers, I have a solution; I will amass a list for you to peruse and select the perfect gift that that type of person. The monetary range varies so you will be able to find just what you are looking for.

Let's start with some gear: I suggest a pair of snowshoes if you live in a snowy clime. They are a great way to get out and see things that most other people don't get to. Trails are difficult to walk in when the powder is up to your knee, strap some of these on and that will be no problem. One of the best things about snowshoes is that there is little to no learning curve: open the present, strap them on and start exploring. Great gift to keep families active during the winter. This is the pair that I have, and I really enjoy them:



A good jacket: You cannot go wrong when you get someone a jacket. I prefer versatility and function, that is why I that buying a combo jacket is the best way to go. I am talking about a shell and some sort of fleece/ vest that zips inside. This one is a good place to start looking:  

Jackets like this are great because they offer the perfect solution to whatever mother nature decides to throw at you.

Base layer, base layer, base layer: There are many brands that make an equal amount of claims about the superiority of their base layering. However, I prefer a base layer that has a bit of a compression factor to it. I feel that the compression feature makes me feel like I am performing better. It rarely bunches up and feels like it wicks moisture very well.

The first set that I got were Under Armour, and I still use them. Great produce and fairly easy to find in the run-of-the-mill sports shop: 

Gloves/ Mittens: Let's lump these together because you are looking for the same qualities in either. Gloves are a great gift because, like socks, everyone could always use another pair.

You want gloves that are waterproof and well insulated without inhibiting the mobility of the hands. (I am picturing the younger brother from Christmas Story)

This is a nice pair of heavy-duty gloves: 

                                Waterproof and insulated without being too bulky.

                              Good pair of waterproof softshells: more dexterity, less insulation.

Here we have a great pair of mittens, nothing fancy to look at, but they will definitely keep your fingers warm:

Hats: I personally prefer a headband, it helps to keep your body temp from getting too high while doing things. For activities that don't require a lot of movement something like this is just perfect:

Great concept, nice protection around the ears and a thin layer to keep the top of the head protected from the elements.

Goggles: The type of activities that your gift receiver does will have a great bearing on what kind of goggles they will like.

For the avid skier/ snowboarder a nice high-end pair with wide panoramic lenses are the best.


For the snowshoer/ cross-country skier/ hiker: 




Daybag: Everyone on your shopping list could use a daybag. Photographers, hikers, students, bikers, anyone. When looking for a daybag, I suggest a capacity of 35 liters or less, stretchy, mesh side pockets to carry drinks, wide array of compartments and pockets, a chest strap and a bright color for visibility.

A few suitable pics: 

Stove: A light, backpacking style stove is a nice addition to any collection. They are great to make a nice cup of coffee or tea when you need a break, or to heat up some ramen.

Cup: A stove will not do you too much good without something to heat the water in. A simple aluminum cup will do the trick. If you can find one with a looped handle that is best as you can hang it off your pack to cool when you are done.

Well, this should get you started thinking about the kinds of things to buy the outdoorsy type. Of course, if they are into something specific like biking, climbing, kayaking or some other sport where components are hard to gauge and choose, it may be just at nice to get them a gift card or cash to pick out their own stuff.

Have a happy holiday season!

-J

A man, A plan, Some cans.

So this newly acquired fondness for two-wheelin' is a great way to experience Ann Arbor at a slower pace, and also to see things that are barely visible to the person whizzing by in their car.

What do I experience you might ask? Both the good and the bad really; I get to see small wildlife contemplating whether to bolt across the road, and the remnants left by careless people who feel the need to discard their garbage wherever they feel fit.

While in Ann Arbor I don't see too much regular trash, I have become increasingly aware of large amounts of pop and beer cans that are strewn along the road. This has prompted me to take a proactive step toward cleaning things up and also putting a small dent in my grocery bill.

This week I found this little gem on sale:

It is a waste receptacle, the kind that you put behind your car seat. It is perfect: waterproof lining, washable, secures nicely and have a magnetic closure mechanism.

I simply strap it like so to my bike:

It straps on over my Topeak just perfectly. So far in the past few days I have found a little over $3 worth of cans. I carry an extra shopping sack to store the excess cans in.

People of Ann Arbor: keep throwing bottles out of your window, and thank you for the free food!

-J

New Favorite Dirt Road.

Sometimes something as simple as a quiet dirt road can revive a tired mind. Before heading out to get subs this evening I peeked at googlemaps and found what looked like a short cut. I took mental notes on the names and sequence of turns and set off.

I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the short cut was a mile section of dirt road. Here is a video of the return trip. (I am really working on a better way to strap the camera down)

Cyclo-commuting Day 2

Well after my little popping incident yesterday I remain determined to bike to class everyday.

My 3.2 miles to school day was pretty uneventful, a little warm, but the traffic was pretty calm and the back streets were relatively free of anyone.

While on our 3:00 break I noticed wet pavement outside and dark clouds on the horizon, so I thought that I was certain to get stuck in some rain. However the return trip was as dry as the trip there.

I did notice that my rear tire is a little low again, I am up in the air over whether I should call on REI again, or take it somewhere else. For the meantime, it appears to be holding air, so we are good for now.

Going to have to invest in a portable air pump, that is for certain.

Have a happy weekend. Look for my first beer review soon! First up is Oberon from Bell's Brewery. If you have any suggestions for me to try out let me know!

-J

Adventures in cyclo-commuting Day 1

Due to rising fuel prices, various environmental issues and a concern for my health I have decided to begin biking to school and on other random errands around town.

I have a minor arsenal: a mountain bike and a road bike.

The mountain bike I have had for about a year, however the road bike I recently acquired from craigslist.

I took the road bike out yesterday for my first real road ride, about 14 miles. It was such a welcomed feeling, moving through and amongst traffic with greater agility and speed than a mountain bike.

Today I took the roadster to school on day one of cyclo-commuting, however, just as I rounded the corner to the school my rear tire popped and I was forced to walk the final few hundred yards; MAJOR BUMMER. Thank gosh for REI, they hooked me up with a new tube and threw it on in a jiff! (Some day I will learn the mechanics of biking, however, now I am focusing on learning the intricacies of contract and tort law!)

So tomorrow, be ready roads, because here I come!

-J

(pics of the bikes coming tomorrow)