Specialized Lithia Gel Seat Update

Hi there!  I wrote before about the Specialized Lithia Comp Gel ladies' saddle that I bought as an upgrade to the standard seat when I purchased my Specialized Jett.  At the time, I was somewhat unsure about paying the extra money to upgrade the quite nice saddle that comes standard with the Specialized Jett.  However, the Lithia Comp Gel seat did seem more comfortable in the bike shop, so I decided to go for it.  Now, after using it for about 6 months, I have to say that I could not be more pleased with my decision.  Previous to this upgrade, I had always had a sore backside after cycling even with various gel saddle pads added to the seat.  (Apparently, the use of soft and squishy extra padding on one's bicycle seat can actually make things worse–something I did not know until being educated by my bike shop when buying my Specialized Jett and Lithia Comp Gel seat.) 

Specialized Lithia

I am happy to say that my backside comfort has improved dramatically.  By using the Lithia Comp Gel seat and making a conscious effort to sit correctly on the bike seat–on my 'sit bones'–my biking comfort has been greatly increased.  And as I'm sure you'll agree–comfort is a key part of extending the length of your bike ride and increasing your overall enjoyment of the sport.

Hybrid Bicycle: Meet the Half Bicycle – Half Motorcycle – the PiCycle

Hybrid Bicycle 

Well folks, the 21st century has another hybrid vehicle = this time a hybrid bicycle.  The PiCycle is available for all of you who would like to have the convenience of not having to spin pedals for 25-30 miles while at the same time having the assurance that at any point during the ride you could turn off the electric drive and start pedaling to meet your exercise goals.

This actually sounds very good – being able to get your exercise or hurry up to that appointment if you think you are late…

So the bicycle we are talking about here is the PiCycle – seen from a photo of the product from their Web site:

PiCycle

So for all of you who want to feel good about your eco-agenda, and/or still want a good/fast mode of transportation, the PiCycles may be a thing for you.

 

Calendar of Events

Well folks, the Calendar of Events that I am building based on aggregating events from various organizations and sources, will be incomplete if I do not take care of the imminent coming of the Daylight Savings Time related "Spring Forward" event.

So on March 10th all of us in the US will have to adjust our watches with 1 hour ahead.  Once you have taken care of that — please take a look at the events calendar on this site — See the Menu item….

Please feel free to drop me a line as to what events you would like to see covered.

Bicycle Helmets – The Beginners Guide to Biking

Bicycle Helmets 

Bicycle helmets are an extremely important part of the overall equipment needed to both keep you safe and secure on the road or on a mountain bike trail.  When you are on the road — yes! you are also a vehicle and carry the same rights and responsibilities as any other vehicle.  As such you need to be familiar with your local state and municiple laws as they pertain to the use of helmets.   

Currently in the US, 21 states have instituted helmet laws (per the Insurance Institute for Highway Safety www.iihs.org).   Here is a view on that:

(source: http://www.iihs.org/laws/mapbicyclehelmets.aspx)

Here you can find the table of the US States and applicable bicycle helmet laws;

Now, having said all this, let's also look at the more practical sde of things — bicycle helmets provide safety.  Here is the reason why we say that — i.e. just look at the statistics also from iihs.org:

Bicylist deaths by helmet use, 1994-2011
Year No helmet use Helmet use Unknown Total
Number % Number % Number % Number %
1994 776 97 19 2 1 0 796 100
1995 783 95 34 4 11 1 828 100
1996 731 96 27 4 3 0 761 100
1997 785 97 23 3 3 0 811 100
1998 741 98 16 2 0 0 757 100
1999 698 93 42 6 10 1 750 100
2000 622 90 50 7 17 2 689 100
2001 616 84 60 8 53 7 729 100
2002 589 89 54 8 20 3 663 100
2003 535 85 58 9 33 5 626 100
2004 602 83 87 12 33 5 722 100
2005 676 86 77 10 31 4 784 100
2006 730 95 37 5 2 0 769 100
2007 646 92 50 7 3 0 699 100
2008 654 91 59 8 3 0 716 100
2009 573 91 52 8 3 0 628 100
2010 429 70 94 15 93 15 616 100
2011 450 67 100 15 125 19 675 100

 (Source: http://www.iihs.org/research/fatality.aspx?topicName=Bicycles)

So now that you are very convinced that a bicycle helmet is a necessary and a good thing to have, let's look how to select one.  The criteria / steps involved are the following:

1) Start with choosing a helmet that fits snugly.  You may be able to use adjustments that many helmets come with to loosen up the frame that makes the helmet fit.  Many helmets come with a small wheel in the frame that loosens up or make it tighter in fit.  The point being the helmet should not rock sideways or back and forth on your head

2) the edge of the helment should be about 2 fingers from the top of your eyebrows; This way it will provide protection for your forehead;

3) Adjust the straps — as stated earlier when you strap the helmet it should fit flat on your head, you should feel the helmet pulling tightly in your head when you open your mouth with the straps clipped.  You should not be able to fit more than 2 finger (next to each other) between your chin and the straps 

And of course you can always look for help in making the helmet purchase from your local bicycle shop!

Happy riding!