eecycle Works
eecycle Works are releasing a red anodized version of the remarkable eebrake. Currently they are not showing up on the eecycleworks website, but contact them directly if you’d like to place an order.
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Nau Down Slope Jacket
Over the holiday break I was able to use the Nau Down Slope Jacket for a ski trip to Mammoth. Before getting into the details of the jacket, I must preface that clothing has come a long way from when I first started going to the mountains. The object of staying warm in the past was to put on as many layers as possible to shield from the cold. This, of course, meant you had the mobility of the Michelin Man, but at least you stayed mildly warm. Movement needed to be sacrificed for warmth. So, you pointed yourself downhill, and hoped for the best. On the plus side, if you wiped out, there was plenty of padding to absorb the fall. Now, there is a whole new school of thought based on fabrics that are designed for these conditions. One such item, the Down Slope Jacket, is made from a soft and durable twill that is combined with a waterproof, breathable laminate and fully taped seams. The twill face fabric is also treated with a DWR finish for added protection from the elements. There is an attached hood with two-way drawcord, a mini storm skirt hem with drawcord, velcro cuffs, and 650-fill goose down insulation. All these details add up to a jacket that does not restrict movement in any way, yet keeps you incredibly warm. I combined the Down Slope with another Nau product, the Down Sweater, and with a simple merino t-shirt as the base. These three items were perfect for the temperatures in Mammoth, sometimes as low as 12 degrees fahrenheit. The Down Slope Jacket is well thought out; there is no fumbling around with this jacket, as it all works the way it should. Best yet, movement is not restricted in any way. I am a fan of the new school of cold weather gear, and Nau is at the top of the game.
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Deda Elementi
At 99 grams for a 110 mm length, the Deda Elementi Superleggero is just that, very light. In fact, they claim it is the lightest available production stem. A quick look through theFairwheel Bikes online catalog reveals only one possible contender for a lighter stem. The Extralite Oversized OC Stem comes in at 87 grams for a 110 mm length, according to the Extralite website. It seems Deda may need to revise their claim, but it is still a very pretty component.
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Chair 23
Photo: Peatross/MMSA
Adventure Journal is one of the best blogs to check out on a daily basis, and this post of “The 9 Best Chairlifts” reinvigorated my desire to ski.
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Like Learning To Ride A Bike
This holiday season has been wonderful. Having two young children, I am able to enjoy the world through their eyes, and seeing them counting down the days to Christmas reminded me of the excitement the holidays bring. Excitement was also in play on a short trip to Mammoth. The kids have skied before, but on this trip, something clicked. It’s a similar reaction to taking the training wheels off the bike. The awe and wonder they experience as they realize they can do it all by themselves is a beautiful thing to watch. I was able to see it when they learned how to ride, and once again this week as they learned how to ski. Here at Velospeak, it’s about more than just being on two wheels, much more.
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
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Ciamillo Gravitas SL Road Calipers and Crankset Give Away
On January 22nd, 2013, Ciamillo Cycling will be giving away a Gravitas SL Road Caliper and Crankset combo. The crankset will be shipping shortly, and is one of the most beautiful cycling components to date. This is an opportunity to win something incredibly exclusive and stunning. To enter, please follow this link, and remember to enter “Velospeak” in the message box.
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Ciamillo Gravitas Crank
Wow! Information to follow.
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Eric Ernest Johnson @ Shelter Half
La Brea Avenue is slowly converting to a street well worth walking. The new stores and restaurants springing up on the avenue are bringing new found pedestrian life to a street dominated by automobile traffic. A+R, Garrett Leight, and Shelter Half have all sprung up on the 100 South block of La Brea. I spent a bit of time in Shelter Half looking through the varied goods they carry. Everything in the store is American made, a premise I can get behind. Mission Workshop, Commune Design, Save Khaki and a host of others are featured. Rene Holguin’s label, RTH has some beautiful pieces, as does Stormy Monday with their eclectic goods ranging from jeans to chopping blocks. A stand out are the mobiles created by Eric Ernest Johnson. There are four hanging in one row, and they are quite beautiful. I must add a bit of a disclaimer, as I’ve known Eric most of my life, and I’ve loved his art all along. More of his art can be seen at ericernestjohnson.com. Shelter Half does a great job of presenting a wonderfully eclectic selection of merchandise, and a great atmosphere in which to see them.
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BMC Granfondo GF01
The BMC Granfondo was one of my favorites bikes to ride this year, and now BMC is offering up the chance to win one, as well as a trip to either the Tour of Flanders or Paris-Roubaix. What a perfect contest. Enter here.
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Taylor Stitch Kurabo Black
San Francisco is the home to many outstanding retail establishments, and Taylor Stitch is at the top of the list. I’ve written in the past of their great shirts, but on my last trip I was able to try a pair of the Kurabo Black jeans. These jeans are made from 13 ounce Kurabo Mills (Japan) black denim. The fit on these jeans is what has made me a true believer. They are tailored, but not overly skinny like so many of today’s cuts. The jeans are perfectly comfortable with just the right amount of stretch. It is difficult to find jeans as well cut as these. I haven’t had the chance to ride in them as of yet, but I suspect for a simple commute they will be perfect. As is the case with the shirts, the jeans are made in San Francisco, CA. They are available online, but if the opportunity arises, visit their brick and mortar in San Francisco. It’s a beautifully designed store, and it’s fun being able to peruse the line in person. The sales staff is incredibly friendly, and to top it all off, there is a parklet out front.
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