See all of our Project 24.2 posts here!

After a number of years essentially ‘winging it’ when it came to training for 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo, it hadn’t really occurred to me to engage a coach.  Much like bike fit, if -like me- you’ve been riding and even racing for over 20 years, you just kind of know how to train, right?

A trick question, obviously.  When my race partner Alex suggested talking to Tom Jones at JBV Coaching, I was intrigued- and a bit worried.  After all, I ride because cycling is fun.  And training -actually training- didn’t sound like much fun at all.  Our first meeting with Tom put most of my fears to rest- in addition to an impressive resume as a coach, racer, physicist, and mechanic, Tom is also a nice guy. While we won’t give away any of his trade secrets, go beyond the fold to find out what we’ve learned so far…

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We have discovered that VeloPress is in the process of converting an array of their new and bestselling titles to eBook format for such popular devices as Kindle, Nook, Apple iBook, Kobo, and others. VeloPress offers a wide selection of cycling books pertaining to training, exercise, nutrition, biography, and history. They also offer books on triathlon, running, and winter sports.

For example, VeloPress is now offering their recently-published (and quite interesting) “Team 7-Eleven” Kindle version on Amazon for $13.49. Watch Bikerumor for a review of this book in coming days.

To see highlights of what they’re offering and to get the link to the full list of titles currently and soon-to-be available, click more…

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Look’s Keo Power pedal-based power measurement system is finally shipping.

After teasing it in late summer 2010, then showing it at Interbike that year and in a more final form factor last year, the Keo Power pedals and associated transmitters developed in partnership with Polar are finally ready to show how much power you’re layin’ down.

The Keo Power system’s pedals use axles with eight strain gauges per spindle to measure deflection and determine how much force you’re applying. Having so many gauges per pedal brings accuracy up to +/- 2%, and another sensor captures cadence. All of this information moves from the pedal to the transmitter, which attaches to the spindle on the inside of the crank arm, then beams it wirelessly to a compatible Polar computer (CS500, CS600 or CS600X).

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See all of our Project 24.2 posts here!

There are certain things that we do as we get older that aren’t necessarily cool or exciting.  Grownup stuff, like telling people who aren’t your mom where you’re going riding and when you expect to be back.  Like packing enough water and food for a ride.  Like keeping your insurance current.  Road ID fall squarely into that category.  As important as carrying a some form of ID, if things go horribly wrong most identification doesn’t really doesn’t contain all of the information that emergency responders want- or need.

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Trek has just added the new team bike paint scheme for Radio Shack Nissan Trek Bikes to the Project One custom offerings.

PRESS RELEASE: Trek Bicycle has made the new RADIOSHACK NISSAN TREK team paint scheme, emblazoned upon the team’s 2012 Trek Madone 6.9 SSL and Speed Concept 9.9 available to cyclists across the globe through the company’s Project One custom bike program.  The new scheme, available for order now at all authorized Trek Project One retailers, was unveiled at the team’s launch in Esch-Sur-Alzette, Luxembourg.  Crafted by Trek’s internal Design Studio, the new team’s ride is available now on Madone 6 series and Speed Concept 9-series ordered through Project One.  The Madone 6.9 SSL above is the Radio Shack Nissan Trek Bikes team edition and runs $11,686.48 as shown.

Jump Over to see the Team Speed Concept bike…

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• Wired‘s Autopia blog is reporting that Pleasanton, CA, has installed radar at traffic intersections to help trigger green lights when cyclists are present. It can differentiate between cars and bicycles, too, letting it adjust the timing of traffic lights accordingly. Video above shows it in action, read more here.
• Western Spirit just launched their US Pro Tour cycling trip. Running from August 19 to 26, you’ll follow the US Pro Tour from stage to stage with great food, access to expo and VIP areas and nice accommodations. Oh, and there should be some pretty good road riding, too!
• CycleFilm is offering a free download of their Cycling Survival Guide, a 40-minute video to help you prep for Gran Fondo and Sportive riding. Just email them here for the download link.
• Want one of the custom, limited edition Krautstache x Twin Six race t-shirts from the 2012 Southern Cross? Better register by January 14 to guarantee you’ll have one stuffed in your race packet. Oh, and we’ll be there, too and may just have some goodies to toss out after the race.
• Indiana has apparently joined the ranks of states implementing a 3 Feet to Pass law. Thanks to a change in language, the new law clarifies the infraction and specifies not only the distance required between vehicle and cyclists but also that the passing vehicle is allowed to enter the opposite lane as is necessary and safe. Looks good to us!
• Starving artist? Submit your design for the 2012 Amgen Tour of California Most Courageous Rider Jersey and you could win a trip to the race. Details here, and not only will you get to scavenge the VIP tents for food, but you’ll have deluxe accommodations at each stage and more!

Too good to be true?

The folks who brought us the slick iBike power meters- which combine wind speed measurements with accelerometer outputs to determine the forces a rider is overcoming while riding- have just introduced their POWERHOUSE cycling computer.  The idea is a slick one- to combine iBike’s proprietary sensors and power deduction calculations with the display, battery, computing power, and memory of an iPhone or iPod Touch.  Taking advantage of the iPhone/iPod’s processing power, iBike have teamed up with coach Hunter Allen to develop a number of 4-6 week “fitness plans” targeted at specific goals (including “iSlim”, “Weekend Warrior,” and -yes- “Brazilian Butt”).  These plans are claimed to adapt to the rider’s progress to maximize workout benefit.

If it works as promised, at $269, that’s a lot of information and direction for not a lot of -wait for it- booty.  Click through for more images and the full release…

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See all of our Project 24.2 posts here!
Every year, I tell myself that I’ll write down my favorite clothing combinations for different temperature ranges and conditions (road, dirt, light, and dark)- and every year I fail.  This means that November and December can be uncomfortably cold or hot at times- but that I spend a lot of time thinking about my cool-weather wardrobe.

Provided by Pearl iZumi as part of our Project 24.2 series of reviews, the P.R.O. Softshell 180 jacket is a close-cut jacket that marries wind- and water-resistant P.R.O. Softshell fabric in wind-facing areas with large Direct Vent underarm and back panels for breathablity.  Given Pearl’s “perfect for drier riding conditions” claim and our recent spell of near-arctic weather, the P.R.O. Softshell has been getting quite a few on- and off-road workouts lately.  Go below the fold to find out how it’s doing so far…

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The 60beat system is a nifty little device that plugs into one’s smart phone allowing an athlete to use their iPhone or Android phone as a HR (Heart Rate) monitor. First you’ll need to download one of 20 iPhone and two Android apps that capture or display HR data, turn on the 60beat receiver, put on your HR strap and get to work. I used an iPhone 4 and the HR monitor strap that accompanies the 60beat, but you can use  any compatible HR monitor strap if you prefer.

I had a few questions when setting up the apps I chose to use, so I sent a message to customer service and received very timely replies. One question I had was if  any of the available Apps  allow for HR data storage? They replied that Runtastic and Logyourrun both have websites that allow for storage and are the most popular but other Apps do allow for storage. These two Apps are similar to the Strava App where you have to log in to their website and customize each ride. The App I downloaded, “Heart Rate”, does not allow for storage which was a bummer but quickly remedied by downloading Logyourrun.

Another feature that was a nice addition is the “pass through” feature in that the 60beat is designed so that even though the transceiver is plugged into the headphone jack, the 60beat itself has a  headphone jack  so you can listen to tunes.

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See all of our Project 24.2 posts here!
With New Mexico suddenly plunged into bitter cold, 88mph winds, and snow, it’s time to think about 24 hour racing!  That’s right, Epic Rides’ 24 Hours in the Old Pueblo is only 10 weeks away and if we don’t start thinking about training, it’s going to be a very long day in the saddle.  As with last year’s Project 24 series of reviews, we’ve assembled everything we’ll need to ensure that any shortcomings on the race course… will be the riders’ fault.

Team Evil Gazebo has reunited- and this time we’ve got something worth defending.  Racing ace and Bikerumor contributor Alex will be carrying much of my dead weight while I try to make it to the transition tent on time.  Over the next three months or so, we’ll be keeping you current with regular updates on how the training is going and with our reviews of the bikes, gear, food, and accessories we’re using.  Hit the jump to find out what we’ll be racing!

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Strava has updated its iPhone app with improvements on virtually every front.

You can now log in using Facebook Connect or via email, and you have improved access to your account settings, making it easier to change your profile or controls from the phone.

Location initialization is said to be faster, and pausing and starting your rides are easier. Post activity, you can pull up a more detailed map of the complete ride and change it from ride to ski, run, etc., then name the activity. All changes immediately sync to your Strava account.

Since Strava takes things to a competitive, social level, it only makes sense the updated app will let you pull complete or year to date performance data, proving definitively who’s done more miles for the year without having to get on the computer.

It syncs your recent activities across all devices rather than just the iPhone it was recorded on, letting you peruse your effort on a larger iPad or monitor.

The app/update is free on iTunes, get it here.

Looking for a gift idea for that cycling in your life who has everything? Look no further…

They’re probably stuffing their phone, ID and cash into a ziplock sandwich bag, before it goes into the jersey pocket. While one has to appreciate the effectiveness and low cost of a baggie, it’s not doing justice to the amount of money already spent on the phone, cycling clothes and bike…

So Capo has created a Phone Pouch. It is made of a similar water resistant fabric to a wind/rain jacket, with a water tight zipper, and retails for $20.

I’ve used one for a couple rides, and it’s nice. Obviously better looking than a baggie and a little easier to open while wearing full finger gloves. It is also thin enough to sort of see your phone’s screen through and I was able to answer my phone via the touch screen while it was still inside.