One cannot ever have enough backpacks

So I like backpacks, and have a few different ones and each one has a little bit different purpose.  Like I have a small one that's a messenger bag for throwing a water bottle, magazines and maybe some food.  When I was biking into work though it was tough because to get a bag to fits all that you need (which is quite a bit) while not being bulky on your back so you look like a turtle.  The other thing that sucks when you have a messenger bag and it's just sliding around on your back (which is why they invented that cross strap to prevent that).  So this week Shimano threw their hat into the ring with a new range of bags that covers everything from mountain biking to commuting to a bag that will hold a hydration pack.

So here is where all the fancy marketing talk comes into play from the boys at Shimano, hopefully what they say will happen does happen because they talk a good game.  The idea behind all of their bags is that it's lightweight, it fits to your body well and there's no flappy stuff.  They call this ACCU3D technology, essentially what that means each part of the backpack is meant to mold to your back.  Anybody who has run with a backpack will know that what kills you is the fact that you've got something that's bouncing around on your back more than anything.

These are the blurbs describing each one directly from Shimano themselves

The ROKKO daypack is the ultimate all-rounder. Able to handle weekend rides in the hills as well as weekday jaunts in the city. This lightweight 12l daypack is hydration system ready and Shimano branded reservoirs will be separately available. 

The TSUKINIST collection – a blend of tsukin (Japanese for commuting) and cyclist- is designed to meet the bicycle commuter’s specific needs. These spacious bags (20l and 30l) with a breathable back panel are packed with smart features such as a separate padded laptop section, a Smartphone pocket on the shoulder strap and a bright colored rain cover

The OSAKA messenger bag is the perfect partner for any urban ride. Named after the metropolis that SHIMANO calls home, OSAKA messenger bags embody the lively, modern vibe of the city. The 25l and 35l messenger bags provide a streamlined and stable fit and feature a unique quick adjust system, a deluxe organizer panel and a padded laptop compartment.

The bag that I'm most excited for is the Osaka as well as the Tsukinst, mostly because I'm a huge fan of bags that have a million and one different compartmetns for throwing your crap into.  the Tsukinst is really good with that, so much so that you can even throw a pair of shoes into there

The Osaka is no different, still has those pockets as well as a padded area for your laptop

The other thing that's similar across the entire range of these bags it he material that they use to make it is a little bit stretchy, it is waterproof but lacking taped seems so water could still get through (on that note I wonder if you can manually tape seams).  They also have compression straps on the Tsukinst to make sure you can get it to fit snugly against you, while the Osaka has tabs for you to pull and adjust it.

The straps are still padded, and you even get a nice cross strap to prevent your bag from flailing about.

How much will this set me (you) back?
The Osaka will be available in 25L (~$125) and 35L (~$155) versions while the Tuskinst comes in two different sizes: 20L (~$125) and 30L (~$155)

I can't wait to see these bags on the market and may just have to get one for myself, they look gorgeous on or off the bike

~Cheers

An appropriate time for coke

So I don't really drink pop anymore, it's got a ton of sugar, and really the only thing that I can think of when I look at it is the obscene amount of sugar that's in there.  I remember when I was younger and playing badminton, we had a nutritionist that would come in year after year and tell us about how we should eat, why we shouldn't do certain things, but the biggest thing I ever took away from that was just how much sugar was in there.  You don't really realize how much sugar is in there until you just measure out in plain white sugar, then you kind of have a holy crap moment.  However with that being said and coke being awful for your body besides sugar, there does seem to be one really good time to have coke.

That time would be when you are completely zonked on a ride/run/athletic activity of some sort.  The amount of sugar, caffeine and fizzyness lets it hit your system in an instant which is great to get you back out on the road, make sure you eat some actual food with it so that you won't just get a huge sugar rush and then just crash. Another way to help with this is to make a half and half mixture so that you dilute the sugar but still allow enough to hit your system to keep you going.

All of that however is really irrelevant if you actually remember to bring food on your ride (unlike what Brian and I did on yesterday's ride).  If you make sure you eat enough than you will never bonk and let's be honest that is much better than having to dump a crap ton of sugar in your body in a short amount of time, so be nice to your stomach, eat properly, don't drink coke unless you need to, your body will thank you.

Hope you guys are having an awesome week, happy riding/running/swimming.

~Cheers

It's been a while

So I know it's been a while since I last wrote on here (well really either Jess or I wrote on here) but we've been kinda busy with a crush of midterms that seems to have come quite a bit earlier than usual this year.  The worst thing is that I don't think it'll end any earlier, yay for classes that have two midterms.

So whats new with the two of us?

Well the major plan for training has started and it's been easing into it for her.  I've been trying to get my body up to fitness for probably the past 4 or so months.  Swimming is unbelievably hard, I have no idea how I actually was a reasonable swimmer as a kid because honestly it feels like some days I'm just a lead anvil in the pool.  Cycling is back on track after being without my bike for something like 2 months.  Trust me it's an awful feeling but I'm just glad that in the end they made everything right and I finally have my new bike.  Running has actually been non-existent, it's the thing that I'm worried least about but I really should get back into the habit of running more, just to make sure I still remember what it feels like to suffer out there on my feet. 

What do I have planned for the blog?

Well at the top of my list is a review for TrainerRoad, because it's going to be a HUGE factor in getting me ready for the first race of the year which is coming up in a little bit under 3 weeks.  What I can say is there should be more details coming up on that very soon. 

I've also got a pair of Vibrams that I picked up over New Years that I've been meaning to write a post about but really just haven't gotten around to it

Lastly I'm going to show you some pictures of my bike...... (hopefully before it has to go through another replacement, because I've honestly been trying to do this since the first bike I've had and it's really not work because I am now on....... number 3.

~Cheers