Now This is a Camper!
I caught this Volvo over at Bring A Trailer. This is definitely a go anywhere camper.
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Stanley
Easter break was an opportunity to get away from the grind of city life and get back to nature and the simple joys of camping. The trip took us up the coast as far north as Eureka with stops in Big Sur, Fort Bragg, Shasta, Sonoma, and back south again. It was a grand tour of the California coastline. It was also the opportunity to test out some new Stanley products that were sent my way. They consisted of the Two Pot Prep and Cook Set, the eCycle Nesting Food Containers, the Clip Grip Mug, and the One Hand Vacuum Mug. All four were used thoroughly on the trip, and all four passed the rigors of camping with flying colors. The Two Pot Prep and Cook Set is my favorite, providing two sizable pots for cooking, a folding nylon spatula and ladle, a cutting board, and two bowls. All these items nest in the pots for ease of storage in a backpack, or in my case, the cabinet of the VW camper van. The simple design and solid construction are perfect for the rough demands of the outdoors. I also like the One Hand Vacuum Mug, and am really impressed with how long the coffee stayed hot; not just warm, but truly hot. The mug is amazing, and like the pots, rugged and built to last. Outfitting the camper is a bit of an obsession for me, and I would be quite happy to fill it with products from Stanley.
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Feedback Sports App
For someone with an obsessive compulsive personality like mine, the new app from Feedback Sports is perfect for keeping track of my bicycles, their measurements, and the components I’ve installed. There is the option to keep maintenance records for each bicycle, as well as a field for parts that have been replaced. There is also the option to date all the records for an accurate service and build history. I had the chance to try the free app a bit this evening, and I am certain I will continue to use it to keep track of my two wheeled quiver. The Feedback Sports App is an obvious record keeping solution for the avid cyclist.
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Argonaut Cycles @ Aether NY
Cool event featuring two very cool companies – Aether Apparel and Argonaut Cycles this Friday, the 25th of April.
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Scott Addict SL
A highlight at Sea Otter. The Scott Addict SL.
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Gone Camping (with a little biking thrown in for good measure)
Last year our spring break vacation took us on a tour of the southwest. This year we decided to stick to California, and go up as far as Eureka. We’d never been north of Fort Bragg, so the decision was made to explore further afield. One highlight of this route is the Avenue of the Giants. This park is one of the most beautiful places I’ve seen – giant redwoods and streams, beautiful campgrounds, and more than one tree to drive through.
On the way up Highway 1, we came across several bicyclists touring up and down the coast. At the Manchester State beach campground, we met a couple who started their journey in San Diego, and are on their way to Seattle. It definitely strikes me as a romantic journey, albeit a difficult one.
We are headed back south now, probably camping somewhere in Calistoga, and then back down to Big Sur. I’m hoping to get a good ride in from Big Sur south to Nacimiento Road. I’ve always wanted to ride up the only east west road out of the central coast and into the Salinas Valley.
Oh, and seeing how this post was meant to be a write-up on Sea Otter, I suppose I should mention the event was excellent. It’s been some time since I last attended, and it has grown in those years. It’s basically a giant bicycle race for every discipline, mixed with a vendor area similar in style to Interbike. I was there for a day, saw some amazing products and racing, met up with some great people, and then continued on the spring break trip. I’ll report back soon in more detail on some of the new products I spied.
For now, Happy Easter, and Happy Blood Red Moon.
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Garmin Edge 1000
Today Garmin released the new Edge 1000 cycling computer. This is the top of the line offering from Garmin, and as a user of their older Edge 800, I think the 1000 might warrant the upgrade. It has a host of new features including Bluetooth connectivity. This allows the Garmin to communicate with your smartphone for live tracking as well as showing incoming calls and texts. I know lately there has been a backlash to using cycling computers, but I do really enjoy looking at where I’ve gone, as well as the degree of difficulty of the ride. I do not believe the Garmin is the dictator of the ride, rather it is there to better inform you. I find it a useful and fun tool, and I’m sure this new version will only up the ante.
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Masi from Breaking Away
And here is a shot of the Masi from Breaking Away. More to follow, but tomorrow, Sunday the 6th, everyone will have the chance to see this important piece of film history. Just come out to CicLAvia, and make sure you hit the western end of the event at Fairfax and Wilshire, where the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures will present the bike as well as stills from the film. Best of all, Dennis Christopher, aka Dave Stoller, will be on hand for photo opportunities, and maybe even a story or two about the film.
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Breaking Away
This week has been amazing, as I’ve had the privilege of preparing for the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures event at the western anchor of this Sunday’s CicLAvia. To mark the occasion, the Academy Museum will present giant movie stills from the film Breaking Away. In addition, the Masi bicycle from the film will be on display, on loan from the film’s lead actor Dennis Christopher, who will also be on hand for photo opportunities. To prepare for the event, I was able to meet Dennis Christopher, and pick up the bike from its secret location in Los Angeles. Talking with Dennis, and seeing and handling the bike, was magical. Breaking Away was a pivotal film for me, one that easily sits atop my list of favorite films. Being able to connect with some of the history behind it is something I will not forget. I’m having a hard time concentrating at work, as I would prefer to stare at the Masi, and admire all its gorgeous details. The beautifully designed lugs and the top of the line Campagnolo gruppo are wonderful to look at. The stories Dennis shared with me were also amazing. The best part of all this is that anyone attending CicLAvia will be able to do the same. The Masi will be on display all day, and Dennis should be on hand for a few hours starting at about 1pm. I expect there will be a pilgrimage of sorts, and I hope everyone will come out for the day and enjoy looking back into a great bit of film history.
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Acre Supply via PinkBike
There is a great article over at PinkBike featuring Acre Supply. It makes me want to go mountain biking in a really big way. The riding looks epic, and the Acre Supply goods are worth their weight in gold.
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