December 31, 2007
Best Gloves : The Cyclocross Edition
Our discussion of the best gloves for cold riding continues... this time with a special cyclocross edition. Back in 2005, we put out the call for riders to write in with their recommendations for the very best gloves for riding in rain AND cold.
In my opinion, this is one of the greatest gear challenges, and it's what we here in the Pacific Northwest face for many months (in a row) of the year. The responses (31 of them) were overwhelming, informative and road-tested by real riders. So good was the info, in fact, that I bought the gloves that had the most favorable review - and I have never looked back (Pearl Izumi Amfibs).
So on to the cyclocross glove recommendations:
A rider recently wrote in to the OBRA e-mail list with this query:
I'm wondering-- any of you have a pair of Ironclad's cold conditions gloves? Which version do you have? How do you like them? I'm looking for something that'll work for the cold and wet 'cross races next season. I've got a pair of the Wrenchworks Impact gloves and really like them-- I'd like to get some of their cold conditions gloves but would like some opinions on what works best in cold, wet, muddy cyclocross conditions.
And here's what some people said:
I have a pair of the Gore Tex Tundra. I have not ridden with them but I have been skiing with them and they work very well.
I've got a pair of the Wrenchworks Impact I have a pair of sixsixone Storm Plus gloves that are excellent in cold wet weather. You have to be careful on the sizing though - the seem to run small. I have small hands and the Large fits me perfectly.
So what is your recommendation?
Comments (4) | Posted by orbike at 6:15 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
December 24, 2007
Best of 2007
Competitor NW just recently published their list of the best of 2007 - as chosen by readers. Check it out, do you agree? What were your favorite rides and events? Topping the list are Oregon favorites Reach the Beach (an ORbike member event), Mt. Bike Oregon (another ORbike member event) and the Portland Marathon.
[ Read the list ]
Comments (13) | Posted by orbike at 3:23 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
December 20, 2007
Jury Nominations
Filmed by Bike, the festival of bike-themed movie shorts, is looking for jury members to work on selecting films for the 2008 festival. Jury members are typically bike and film enthusiasts from Oregon and Washington.
The deadline for jury nominations is January 1. You've got just enough time to think of who would make an awesome jury member, or to convince your friends to
nominate you!
[ More info ]
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 12:10 AM | Permalink | TrackBack
December 7, 2007
Syncline Non-Motorized Trail System
On December 12, 2007, 6:00 p.m., the Columbia River Gorge National Scenic Area, USDA Forest Service, will continue the public participation process for planning a trail system in the Coyote Wall (Syncline) and Catherine Creek area. It will be the second of a series of three meetings to collaboratively to formalize a trail system in the area.
Area Manager Dan Harkenrider says "The purpose of these collaborative meetings is to develop a proposed trail system (non-motorized) that would recognize and address current uses, respect private property, provide a variety of recreation experiences, protect adjacent sensitive resources and be sustainable (minimize resource damage)."
The meetings will be held at the Pioneer Center, 501 NE Washington St., White Salmon, WA. The Forest Service has acquired several thousand acres of land since 1987 in the Burdoin Mountain, Coyote Wall and Catherine Creek areas. The area has become a very popular destination for recreational users, particularly mountain bikers and hikers. Numerous user trails and routes have developed over the past several years. The trails are located on a mix of public and private lands with some trails showing visible signs of erosion and impacts to adjacent natural and cultural_resources.
The proposed system would then be analyzed through the National Environmental_Protection Act (NEPA) process. For more information please contact Stan Hinatsu at 541-308-1708 or by email shinatsu@fs.fed.us.
Comments (1) | Posted by orbike at 11:55 PM | Permalink | TrackBack
December 4, 2007
Elves Hard at Work
Things are looking really good at the Community Cycling Center where volunteers and staff are hard at work readying bikes for kids for the holidays. On November 29, sixteen Bike Gallery employees had a record-breaking night - they refurbished 31 bikes in one night. On average, a volunteer group finishes about 15!
With the support of over 1,500 volunteer hours so far, CCC is well on their way to the goal of preparing 550 bikes: they have 495. And they're inching ever closer to their $46,000 fundraising goal: to date they have raised $28,941.
You can help! There's still time to volunteer, donate a bike or donate your $ to make a difference. Fore more information, see their website.
This article is part of ORbike's ongoing coverage of the Community Cycling Center's Holiday Bike Drive.
Comments (0) | Posted by orbike at 1:25 AM | Permalink | TrackBack