Shaking Out A Month Of Cobb Webs

After about a month out of the saddle, I made a point of hitting the pavement yesterday. Most of February was crammed with work or time with my amazing other half. I had spent ten days straight working a mix of my new job and my coffee shop time, so I was ready for some stress relief. The soggy roads would not stop me. My fall spinning sessions were full of traveling a 30 mile stretch out to the Rockaways and Jacob Riis park, but I think Ive come to love the stop and go of working my way towards Bayside and around to College Point. I wanted to see how Little Neck Bay had frozen over. You don't see frozen fucking bays in Florida. 

The weather was decent. These days, 40 degrees on a bike ride feels good. Under Armor, Thermal Top, The Hundreds Anorak, and Thermals under jeans is plenty for that weather. Ive tried a few methods of wrapping my feet since I've been riding in my standard vans. This day was sandwich bags. The ride was great. I was a little weak at first, but my legs stretched out and I felt amazing. Socks with sandwich bags with more socks on top seemed to work pretty well. My feet felt cozy, but the layers were not too thick to cut of circulation. Unfortunately, the sandwich bags were no match for the slush snow I found in Crocheron Park. My feet were damp from walking my bike through and snapping some pictures, but nothing too terrible. I made my way along Little Neck Bay and out towards College Point. One of the great things about cruising the five boroughs on a bike is the pace at which you can take things in. In this case, I saw a meat market that has been in business 91 years. I noticed the store front as I stopped to tie my shoes before the turn onto College Point Blvd. What Bacon lover could miss the massive sign consuming the store front window. The announcement of house smoked slab bacon cut to order was almost more than I could stand. A return trip to taste these wonders will be required, but yesterday was not the time to stop. I made my way down my usual path on College Point Blvd and to my cut through near the Flushings Home Depot. After quick stop in the Depot for an a snake, I went to cut through Corona Park. Unfortunately, my usual cut through was proper snowed over. I thought I would find a bastion of hope after a mild snow trek, but I was wrong. Slush and puddle plagued the mile and a half through the park. By the end, my feet were soaked and returning home was not an option. While the end was not ideal, the ride was nice. It felt good to be back on the road and let my legs loose. 

Fi'zi:k ICS Saddle PA:K

MSRP: 20 Euros ($22.76)

Amazon Price (2/22/15): $23.86

Manufacturer Details:

·         Water Resistant Bag

·         Integrated Clip System

                Last March, I decided it was time to step up my saddle game and move from a used Specialized saddle from a friend’s bike to a Fi’zi:k Arione Versus. This review is not about the saddle, but about the saddle bag I decided to try with it.

Fi’zi:k saddles are made with an ICS or Integrated Clip System. Fi’zi:k offers a few accessories that clip into the system including, two rear light options and two saddle bag options. With my push towards more miles last year it became apparent that I needed to have a number of items on me at all times for various situations that my occur during longer rides. Adding a saddle bag to my ride made complete sense and the ICS seemed like a good option to check out.

When I first took to Amazon (Love my Prime account), I checked out some the strap on options (that’s what she said). While there were plenty of nice options, I had already set my sites on a Fi’zi:k saddle, and in turn, the PA:K. I was nervous at first. The Amazon reviews were not very positive for the ICS Saddle PA:K. There were many tales of bags being lost due to clips popping out. I decided that I would give it a shot since the price point, along with my income at that time, made it reasonable to take the chance. In the end taking the chance has been worth it.

My first Fi’zi:k ICS Saddle PA:K made it well over 700 miles with me. My loss of that first bag was not due to a failure in the ICS clip, but in my own misjudgment of a space between vehicles and subsequent bouncing between the trailer of a Semi and the hood a van. Unfortunately, the plastic at the hinge gave way to my weight on the bike against the van hood. The ICS clip easily took on many other unfortunate obstacles. One of my main mashing grounds back in Duval, the Baldwin Trail, included a gnarly railroad track crossing that I often hit at an average of 18 mph. Tooling around Jacksonville would often lead to other track crossings as well as rough pavement sections. Not once did the clip fail me. The same held true here in New York. Massive pot holes, railroad crossings, and other unforeseen bumps and divots never caused a loss in bad. Once clipped in, this bag holds true.

The bag boasts a number of other great features including space, water resistance, and straps for other purposes. During all my miles, including a rather nasty storm, I never noticed a thing inside the bag becoming wet or even remotely damp. In the same respect, the ICS and using this bag deters me from using my Ass Saver’s fender. I would have to pick up a more permanent fender for rear end protection while riding with this bag. While the bag may not be large, it has plenty of room for my necessities. Currently, my bag includes a Park Tools AWS-11 Folding Hex Key set, a pair of Pedros Tire Levers, spare 700c tube, CO2 cartridge and inflation valve, Albuterol Inhaler, spare light batteries, antacid pills, and an Amex Charge card. If I needed much more and I might as well have on my Burro Bag Messenger bag. Lastly, there are two side loops and a rear loop for either additional retention, or I supposed if you needed to strap some other item to the bag. I, for one, have used the rear strap to hang the bag on my carabineer when I have made stops during leisure rides where it was not smart to leave the bag clipped into my saddle.

Over all, I have been extremely pleased with my Fi’zi:k ICS Saddle PA:K. It keep my necessities safely stowed, dry, and has had no clip failures. I know had I not smacked that van, I would still have my original a year and another 500 miles later.  I would recommend the bag to anyone with or interested in the Fi’zi:k Saddle lineup.

Follow me and my cycling adventures on IG @bear.pope.fix and check back here for tales of the 5 Boroughs Pavement.

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Serfas TCPG Bicycle Floor Pump Review

MSRP: $35.00

Amazon Price (2/20/15): $26.72

Manufacturer Details:

·         Simple Valve Head fits Presta and Schrader Valves

·         Alloy Barrel with sturdy nylon base and handle

·         Easy to read gauge

·         Includes Ball and Accessory Inflators

·         160 PSI Capacity

This time last year, I found my enthusiasm for cycling pick up. Recently single, I was looking for something to pass the time and putting in more miles on my Bianchi fixed gear convert was an easy choice. I quickly found release and enjoyment in the increase road time. I also gained more knowledge in the wear and tear aspect of our wonderful pastime. Tires and tubes quickly gave way to the abuse I put them through. It was no surprise that my Schwinn Walmart special floor pump gave way to all those tube refills.  

                I found myself scrolling the pages of Amazon looking for something to quickly replace my floor pump. With no pump in hand, I knew my rides would come to a screeching halt. I was not on a budget, but did not want to blow my load on a floor pump. I could find plenty of other parts to handle that job with. After looking over a variety of pumps, I settled on the Serfas TCPG.

                My purchase of the TCPG was based on a number of reasons, including the price, the valve head, and immediate availability. With options available on Amazon ranging from $2.50 for an old school foot pump to well over $100 for various Topeak all metal models. At the time of order, the pump ran me $30.26. For what I felt I would receive, the extra 5 dollars over my Schwinn 5-in-1 floor pump seemed well worth it. The next aspect that really peaked my interest was the Simple valve pump head. The valve head is made to fit both Presta and Schrader valves without changing out any valve head pieces. Lastly, with my Amazon Prime account, the floor pump was available with 2 day free shipping. Might as well take advantage of fast free shipping and get back to the pavement.

                Now, Im the real reason we are here, or why I feel good about my choice of pump. The main reason I am loving this pump is the valve head. It’s so easy to use with a Presta valve, and amazing to know that if I have to service a Schrader valve, I won’t have to fiddle with the valve head to swap. Changing the valve head back and forth on my Schwinn pump was not only a pain in the ass, but lead the pump’s final demise. The only downside I have seen with this pump head is when working with shorter Presta valve stems (42mm). This may have more to do with the slight V styling of my H Plus Son Archetype rims, but with little room to grab the valve, I have had the pump valve head come off when trying to pump. My 60mm valve stem does not seem to have the same issue. The pump has a decent handle length to hold on to with a light rubber grip. Sweaty hands aren’t coming off this pump, but I would expect no less from any reasonable floor pump. The base is of a decent width to keep the pumper’s feet on and even includes rubber pegs to help keep the pump securely under one’s feet. If the waffle sole of my Vans were not so worn, I would expect it to fit nicely fit inside. The metal tube and over all construction suggest that the pump should last for quite some time. The pressure gauge includes a swivel arrow to easily see what ideal pressure you are pumping for. The tube length seems standard, but could be a bit longer.

                Over all, Im very pleased with the pump. It handles my basic needs and was reasonably priced. If this lower end Serfas model is any indication of the quality of their higher end pumps, then I would expect wonderful things from each additional Benjamin a buyer is willing to spend on the other Serfas offerings.  Thanks for checking out my first review. More good things to come. 

Follow me and my cycling adventures on IG @bear.pope.fix and check back here for tales of the 5 Boroughs Pavement.

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Getting started.

Ive been in Queens for over a month now. Got a number of rides around Queens, Brooklyn, and Manhattan behind me. Lots to see. Weather is finally changing. Feeling good about most everything with riding here. It's becoming more comfortable. Need to invest in some better lights so I can ride at night. The roads here are a death trap of another kind. Pot holes, cracks, fishers, sand, and so much more terrorize the smooth pavement I long for. Met some local riders. Done two rides with them. Gonna go out with another guy tomorrow. Winter is coming. Got to get prepped for that experience.