GIVEAWAY: Saris Bike Rack

The Bike Rack:
The Saris Solo is a quick and easy way to transport a single bike.  Need to drop off your bike at the bike shop?  Brink your child's bike to a friend's house for a playdate?  This is a minimalist way to handle the transportation of single bikes and when you're done, just pop it into the trunk or closet.
Features:

• Low cost, easy installation, convenient size
• Ratcheting hold-down straps secure bike
• Built with 100% recyclable, non-rusting materials.
• Carries one bike up to 35 lbs.

The Giveaway:  
Head on over to Greenwala and leave a comment for a chance to win.

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Detours Boogie Bag: Organization for Cycling Adventures and Beyond

Traveling to go for a ride?  Detours makes the perfect bag for your cycling gear, the Boogie Bag.  Organization makes your outings more enjoyable.  When everything is easy to get to, you spend your time playing, not scrambing around trying to find your stuff.

This bag holds a ton.  It will keep your helmets, bike tools, jackets, shoes, locks, extra clothes, meals, drinks--there's even a separate insulated bag that comes with it to keep your drinks or food cold.  They thought of every single thing with this bag, the design is flawless.

This bag is made for cycling, but is perfect for camping as well. And I mean perfect.  That rubber bottom makes it extra rugged in the elements, there are a ton of pockets for little lanterns, camp kitchen supplies, etc.

The Boogie is so sturdy you might be tempted to overload it--the bag can take it, but you still have to carry it, so watch out for weight.  It's sitting on my floor at the moment with heavy camp kitchen supplies and the Boogie doesn't skip a beat.  In addition to the padded adjustable shoulder strap and side straps, there are grab handles on either end, customizing it to the way you like to carry your bag and making it as comfortable and convenient as possible.  I love the see-through top compartment for easy access to the stuff you need to get to fast, like maps, flashlights, first aid kit.  The abundance of outer and inner pockets and enlarged zipper pulls are fantastic. 

I don't climb, but suspect it would be great for that too.  For kids that are in some sort of sport, this would be wonderful for parents to keep it all together.  At 20 x 15 x 11 inches, it will fit in an overhead bin on planes, so it would work well for air travel too. 

Aesthetically, the Boogie is great looking.  The burgundy is a rich, deep garnet that is pleasing to the eye and the detailed top stitching almost fools you into thinking it's all looks, but then the bag gets you with its brains.  Incredibly well thought out, wonderful bag, I want one in every color to color code my gear.

If you are involved in any activity that requires gear, you need this bag.  One of my favorites ever.  Find it HERE.

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Thule Modernized RACEWAY Bike Rack

Thule's new trunk mount bike rack, the RACEWAY, is a huge departure from traditional trunk racks.  This is a much more sophisticated version of the older mounts with features previously found only in hitch mounts.  Using only four retractable cables (other trunk mounted racks typically use six straps), the rack is very straightforward and its aerodynamic shape gives it a sleek modern look. 

Installing the rack is very easy, it comes out of the box ready to use.  The Thule exclusive FitDial allows you to customize the rack to your car with predetermined settings.  Just find the cooresponding number appropriate for your car, and strap it on, ratcheting the cables tight with the beefy knob on the side.

There are no loose straps to blow around, everything is nice and streamlined.  There is a locking cable to keep the bikes secure and there's also a secondary lock to keep the rack from being taken off the vehicle.  Thule's No Sway Cage keeps bikes from rubbing up against each other or from touching the car.  The arms fold down when not in use and the whole rack folds flat when you need to store it. 

The Raceway is a versatile rack designed to fit a wide variety of cars from hatchbacks, to sedans and minivans.  The narrow arms of the carrier will fit most frames including odd and child size frames.  Remember to get an adapter if you are transporting a women's bike that doesn't have that cross bar since it will need that for leverage.  I would not hesitate to use this rack on a very expensive car as the generous rubber padding on either end provide stability as well as protecting the surface from scratches.  The Raceway does not rattle around, it's a very sturdy premium rack.  It comes in two and three bike versions, and you can find it HERE.

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First Ascent Sirocco Jacket

 
First Ascent's Sirocco Jacket is meant for climbing, but I think it's great for cycling as well.  It's ultra--and I mean mega ultra light and folds up into it's own little pouch.  The bright colors and reflector details are great for visibility and the elasticized hem will keep the wind out.

This fits perfectly in a small bike bag or pack and if you find yourself in a rain shower or a situation where you wish you were more visible to cars, there it will be.  This would be nice for Summer hiking and traveling as well.  Find it HERE.

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BERN Bike Helmets

Believe it or not, I just started wearing bike helmets last year.  It had been a few years since I'd had a bike and it just wasn't part of my thinking back then.  Now as a mother, it's all about safety, and I wouldn't consider riding my bike without one.  It's not a big deal and there are some good options, though not that many that suit my personality.  Some of them are a little too...what's the word...sporty.  To the point of looking like you need a racing shirt and neon leggings to match.  Or that you look a little alien-esqe.   I don't dress like that when I ride my bike, in fact, I'd like to look at least a little bit fashionable while being safe.

Bern seems to get this.   Looks and function combine to create comfortable and attractive protection for your melon.  They're more low profile and there is something a little post punk about them, they're sassy.  I love the visor which keeps out sun and rain and this helmet covers more of my head than the Giro helmet I have, which makes me feel safer.

Look at these cool designs.  You can't go wrong with this basic black Berkley Helmet and that shiny finish gives it edge, it's really pretty in person.   If you want more of a pattern, they have that too.  The little black and turquoise flowers against the matte gray is interesting and feminine without getting too flashy or too girly.  And finally, if you want something more sporty, the Bomber helmet is nice without looking like you're training for a triathlon. These helmets, while they would function great for a variety of sports, look more urban, more city commuter-ish.  They're more accessible, more versatile than a lot of helmets out there.

The visors come out, and Bern has a trademark Zip Mold which you can use to customize your fit.  The helmets are lined not with Styrofoam but with injected liquid foam which provides a superior strength to weight ratio making them lighter and safer.  This is a very comfortable helmet.

I'm super impressed with Bern.  Check out these awesome helmets HERE and if you need a little push, REI is having their 20% off coupon this week, and they have them there as well.

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CB2 Oliver Bicycle Dishes: Citrusy Summer Fun

Look at these cool appetizer plates from CB2.  I love this little Oliver character and the fruit and veggies that often accompany him, like this cute bike dish with lime wheels.  They're meant for adults, but they're great for kids, my son thinks they're funny and loves them.  They're made of fairly durable porcelain are so much better than melamine (ie plastic) plates you see for kids.  They're the right size for peanut butter and jelly sandwiches, or snacks like crackers and fruit.

They would be so fun for a cocktail party and Summer eating outside on the patio.  They just make me smile and I like the way they manage to celebrate riding your bike, fruit and the season all at once.  Find them Here.

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Po Campo Armitage Satchel Bike Rack Tote

Spring is here!  That means the bike comes out of the bike shed, gets dusted off, tuned up, and off we go on new adventures.  This year I had some wonderful inspiration to get going.  Look at this super cool Armitage Satchel from Po Campo.

This is where function and design meet for a blissful union, and in an area that sorely needs it.  Making riding your bike beautiful and artful--yes!  This bag is just as lovely in person as it is in the pictures.  It's the perfect weight and feels substantial without adding unnecessary heft to your bike.  It attaches with very little effort and stays on, you can watch a very good demo video to see how easy it is and also how much it can hold here. 

I love the chunky silver hardware, and I especially like the big modern circles that serve to hold your strap in place over the rack.  There are reflector strips on both ends, not too noticeable for when you're using the bag for non-bike related things, which serve to strap in the tote.  I think they look cool and they help to make you stand out in traffic.  There's space for your blinkie as well. 

The outer material is a fade and water resistant material.  I haven't had it out in the rain yet, and that's just a matter of time, but I feel secure because there is a lining on the inside which looks sure to keep my stuff dry even if the outside is exposed to a heavy rain. 

There's an outer pocket perfect for your phone, a zippered inner pocket, and a detachable adjustable shoulder strap. There are loops to attach keys or additional blinkies.

This bag also easily attaches to a stroller (boy do I wish I'd had this five years ago), and holds a yoga mat, making it an incredibly versatile piece. 

Po Campo is the brainchild of two women who had a vision to blend fashion with function.  Emily and Maria own Po Campo and I love that they had a unique idea and saw it through.  They are big on community and I am big on supporting women run businesses.     I can't wait to see what they come up with next.  Find them HERE.

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PLANET BIKE Protege 09 Bike Computer

I can't believe I've been riding my bike all this time without a computer!  Recently I've been using this Planet Bike Protege computer and what a difference.  Biking is more fun when I'm keeping track of my distance and it also makes me want to push a little harder.  It's also nice to have the time right there in front of me as it's easy to lose track of time when I'm out in nature enjoying myself.  The screen is anti-glare, and the readout is in big enough numbers that I can easily read it at a glance.

Readout features:

• Current speed
• Speed comparator
• Ride time
• Trip distance
• Dual odometer (for two wheel sizes)
• Average speed
• Maximum speed
• Clock
• Temperature

I installed it myself with no problems, set up was straightforward, just follow the directions.  It might take a couple of tries to get the magnet and the sensor to line up, but it will.  After installation, just push up on the bottom of the device, the readout will display, and off you go.

Planet Bike gives back.  A generous 25% of their profits go toward promoting and facilitating the use of bikes as transportation.  Their products add to the ease, safety and sheer fun of cycling while benefiting the environment at the same time.  I love the win-win philosophy--healthy people, healthy planet.  Find it HERE.  

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PORTLAND DESIGN WORKS Awesome Radbot-Spaceship Headlight Set for Your Bike

Though my five year old son and I ride mostly on trails, there are some busy streets we need to take and cross to get to the trail opening.  A blinkie is a great idea for riding anywhere around cars.  This is obvious for commuters, but I think it's a good safety feature for kids or adults riding with kids, even if you're mostly on trails.

Portland Design Works has a great light set in the Radbot 500-Spaceship Set, which is "built to withstand rain and meteor showers to keep you safe from blastoff to touchdown in all conditions."  The light set makes me feel more secure crossing busy streets--sometimes people have a hard time stopping at the crosswalks and the light really helps to get their attention.  It's very well made and solid, I've taken it on bumpy trails clipped to my trunk and everything has stayed on just fine.  It's also done great in the rain.

The Spaceship Headlight takes two AA batteries and has two modes, solid and flashing light.  We don't ride at night, so I can't say how it does for lighting the way, but it really adds to your visibility, particularly in flash mode.  I love the cool blue light on the top.

The blinkie takes three AAA batteries and consists of a 0.5 watt Japanese LED and has three modes--solid light, pulse, and pulse with flashes.  The built in reflector is another safety feature and conforms to regional requirements to have a tail reflector.  You have to press and hold down the button to get it to turn on, so it won't accidentally turn on and run down your batteries.  The set comes with several attachments and hardware to mount it virtually anywhere you like.  Mounting couldn't be easier.

For Halloween, I'm going to clip the blinkie on to my son's costume during trick or treating to make him more visible both to cars and to me.  On a holiday note, I think this would make a wonderful Christmas present, the packaging makes a great presentation and this would work well under the tree or in the stocking.

Portland Design Works' website is wonderful--very organized, easy to shop, and visually appealing.  I love their product selection and the demo videos. They have a modern and fun look, but the products are serious.  Find the light set and other cool bike accessories HERE.

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