Thomson Bike

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This post is not about a particular product, but more of a reminder of those in the cycling industry who deserve recognition every once in a while. Thomson has been making seat posts and stems for a long while. The first bicycle components were created in 1994-1996. Patents were obtained, and a new chapter began for L.H. Thomson. Aerospace is still a major part of the business, but the cycling side has created a steady demand for the small, but always increasing catalog of parts. There are only a handful of companies in the cycling industry that have obtained the rock solid reputation that Thomson has gained. The parts are known the world over for being the best in the business. Every bicycle I’ve put together over the years has at least one part from Thomson, and some many more. The recent Calfee build has the stem, the seatpost, and my favorite Thomson handlebars. When using these parts, I feel I have the best available, and something that will last a lifetime. I appreciate the focus of the company, and always look forward to what is coming next. Thomson will always have a top spot on the podium.



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Icebreaker

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Singing the praises of Icebreaker is something I do often. The company makes some of the finest merino wool clothing out there. Every piece I’ve been fortunate enough to try has exceeded expectations. The jackets are incredible, the base layers perfect, and now I can add a button up long sleeve shirt to the list. The Lodge Shirt is a 100% woven merino wool piece billed as a travel shirt. It seems ideal for travel, as the merino wool is a natural regulator of body temperature, and it has the added benefit of being naturally odor resistant. When navigating airports and train stations, this is a must for keeping fresh and tidy. The feel of the lightweight 200 merino wool against the skin is about as comfortable as you’ll ever encounter. This is an all day piece perfect as a first layer. The construction is simple and straightforward with two chest pockets that have button closures. The cut is relaxed, yet slim enough to be considered for a more formal setting. It is available in three different colors, all vibrant and rich. The Lodge Shirt is an exceptional piece, and easily fits within the Icebreaker mold of designing the finest merino clothing available.



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Showers Pass

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Showers Pass is making the entry into base layers, and they have released the new LS Body-Mapped Baselayer for men and women. The piece integrates with their line of excellent jackets, and will provide the right amount of venting to keep you perfectly comfortable. The material is a blend of merino wool, modal, spandex and nylon featuring four way stretch and seamless body construction. This is sure to be an excellent piece. The folks at Showers Pass are upping their game, and are now a featured brand at Nordstrom. Things are looking good for the Portland based company.



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Parker Dusseau

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Last month, Vaughn Brown of Parker Dusseau was in town, and I managed a peek at the new fall winter products from the San Francisco company. I was able to see the entire line, much of which is still in the works for a future release. One new piece that is currently live on the website is the Commuter Blazer. This jacket comes in two colors, and there are matching Commuter Chinos to pair with the coat. I was able to try on the blazer and was impressed with the fit. I tried the medium, and it was exactly right. Perfect sleeve length, slim in the body, and perfect shoulders. The material is a robust Italian cotton, nylon, and spandex blend with a DWR finish. It has a wonderful hand, and looks to be perfect for long term wear. This might be the coat to take on any journey whether on, or off the bike. I hope to be able to bring a long term report on the blazer and chinos in the future. For now, head over to Parker Dusseau and have a look at the lookbook.



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Mission Workshop Valencia

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Mission Workshop has opened its new retail location in San Francisco. It is connected to their previous location on Rondel, so in a way, it is an extension of what was, with a wonderful new storefront and entrance at 541 Valencia. I look forward to my next trip to the Bay Area to visit it in person. It will be great to see all the Mission Workshop line in one place. If you are in the San Francisco area today, stop by, say hello, and grab a cup of coffee from Bicycle Coffee.



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Strava

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As of late, I’ve been hearing of a backlash to using Strava or even a simple computer on a bike ride. Folks are saying it hampers the ride with an overwhelming assortment of unnecessary facts and figures. I agree there may be more information than is needed, but I wholeheartedly welcome both Strava and the computer. I turn on my Garmin when I start a ride, and then forget it until I finish the ride. Once in a while I might glance down to check mileage, but as a general rule, I pay little attention to it as it does its job silently in the background. But then, when I get home, it is a completely different story. Sometimes, before I even remove my helmet, I’ll run up to the computer with Garmin in hand. It quickly gets plugged in, and Strava instantly comes up on the Mac. I wait the excruciating few seconds as the computer does its magic, and then, as a huge grin spreads on my face, the screen shows me all I accomplished earlier on the bike. I absolutely love to see a map of my wanderings, my top speed, my total mileage, and if I set any PRs. I’ll sit there at my desk fully decked out in cycling kit, studying all aspects of my ride. I see nothing wrong with this. The computer did not get in the way of the ride; instead, it helps me remember my ride. It keeps it neatly catalogued where I can see it anytime I wish. This works really well for travels to unfamiliar places. I can log on anytime to see exactly where I rode in Corsica over the summer. I am quite sure without the aide of a computer, the rides there would be lost and forgotten. To drill the point home, Strava today sent an e-mail with my totals for the year to date. Wow, so cool. I love knowing how much elevation gain I’ve achieved, or how many rides I’ve gone on. Yes, I will stick with my Garmin and Strava. They are the chroniclers of my cycling life.



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Light and Motion Urban 800

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Over the years Light and Motion has produced a steady stream of rock solid lighting for cyclists, divers and hikers. I have long been a fan, and when presented with the opportunity to test the new Urban 800 Fast Charge, I admit I was a happy camper. I have tried previous generations of the Urban line, and have always been impressed with the lights. I was curious as to how Light and Motion could improve upon a seemingly perfect product, but as evidenced by the new Urban 800, the engineers at Light and Motion have been busy. The most important improvement in my opinion is the beam of light. The new Urban distributes the beam in a smooth and even pattern. There is no harsh transition from the center of the beam to the outer edges, and it seamlessly enhances the field of view. The new lens that creates this beam is brilliant; this feature alone is worth the upgrade. At 800 lumens, the light is more than bright enough for any need, and as is per usual, the light has four settings covering high, medium, low and pulsating. As the name suggests, this light charges quickly, with a mere 2.5 hour time for a full charge. This helps in situations when you realise it hasn’t been plugged in and you are faced with a dark commute home. Plug the Urban 800 into the USB port on your laptop for a little while, and you will be ready to tackle the ride home. The light is also fully waterproof to a depth of one meter for 3o minutes. This isn’t to suggest you should go for a dip on your bike, but it does mean that no matter the intensity of the rainstorm you may be stuck in, the Urban 800 will pull through without any problem. The Urban 800 is designed and assembled in California with about 50 to 80 percent of the manufacturing done in the United States. This number will grow as the company has built a new factory in Marina, California, that will be able to accommodate more in-house production. Light and Motion deserve a great deal of credit for designing and creating excellent products, all the while committing themselves to bringing back domestic manufacturing. I continue to be impressed, and more importantly, I continue to see the road in front of me.



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