Esbit Alcohol Stove & Cookset With Heat Exchanger

If you’re shopping for a compact camping stove for the first time, the fuel choices can be a bit overwhelming. Each type has some pros and cons. We like the gas canisters for car camping, but spare gas is bulky, and may not be readily available when traveling. Solid fuel is safe to store and transport, but doesn’t pack a lot of energy, and may also be difficult to find. Multi-fuel stoves that can burn compressed gas or gasoline and other liquids are very flexible, but not quite “plug and play”, and require some extra maintenance as well. Wood burning stoves, whether commercial or homemade, are inexpensive and handy, but maintaining a steady temperature is problematic. Alcohol stoves manage to balance everything, as fuel is cheap and readily available, the stoves are light and not terribly bulky,  and they allow you to vary temperature with few moving parts. Until now, the only real downside was that alcohol as a fuel wasn’t terribly efficient. The Esbit Alcohol Cookset with Heat Exchanger solved that last issue quite nicely.

Heat Exhanger

By attaching a heat exchanger to the bottom of their 950ml pot, Esbit has cut boil times by about 30%, which means meals are ready sooner (after a good hike, that’s a huge deal), while using less fuel. Reduced consumption means you don’t have to pack as much fuel either. Packed inside is a burner made entirely from brass, with a lid containing a thick rubber O-ring, for leak-proof storage. There’s also a handy temperature control device for the burner that allows you to boil, simmer, or snuff out the flame completely. Everything nests inside the pot, which has folding handles so it all fits inside the included mesh storage bag, making for a 10.9 ounce package about 4.9″ x 4.9″. The pot, stand, and lid are all hard anodized aluminum, which greatly improves strength, creating a durable cookset that should last for years.

Brass Burner

Using the stove is simple. Once you’ve added some alcohol, place it in the stand and light it. For boiling water, leave it as-is. To reduce the heat, just vary the opening on the temperature control device. Esbit has smartly stamped both ounce and milliliter markings inside the pot, directly below a tiny indentation in the rim, which forms a spout for easy pouring. Because it’s on the uppermost part of the pot, and the lid has a thick edge, no heat escapes. This assists in faster heating, and lowers fuel requirements for simmering.

We loaned it out to one of our guest contributors (and fearless testers) for a two day trip, and asked him to provide feedback upon his return. Not surprising, comments centered around the improved efficiency over his old alcohol stove, and that it was about half the size, weight, and price of the compressed gas model he sometimes uses. Although neither of us had any complaints, we both agreed that the tiny plastic handle on the lid was not so easy to grasp with large hands. The consensus was that this would be a great stove for a new camper as well as a seasoned veteran. Inexpensive, light, easy to use, and you can buy fuel in every grocery store, drug store, or hardware store across the US, and probably just as easily overseas. Find it at industrialrev.com

- Brian

Timbuk2 Aviator Travel Pack – Available May 15th at  www.timbuk2.com and www.eBags.com
Stylish urban carry-on travel bag converts from a suitcase to a backpack with stowaway padded straps and removable hip belt

Available in Black Ballistic Nylon; and Carbon Ballistic Nylon/Textured Carbon Ripstop Nylon

Timbuk2 20″ Aviator Travel Pack

Size: 20”

Retail Price: $179

Aviator Travel Pack design features include:

• Laptop pocket fits up to 17″ Macbook Pro
• Top organizer compartment keeps toiletries at the ready and organizes packing
• Full-zip front opening to main compartment for easy packing and access
• Two external zip pockets for smartphone, wallet, passport and boarding pass
• External compression straps for cinching down or wrangling a bursting bag
• Zip through top pocket for full access to main compartment when needed
• Rain shedding pack cover included in dedicated pocket
• Reinforced handles on all sides for quick grab from the turnstile

Timbuk2 Aviator Wheeled Pack – AVAILABLE MAY 15 ON WWW.TIMBUK2.COM AND WWW.EBAGS.COM

A smart travel bag that converts from a rolling suitcase to a backpack with stowaway padded straps and removable hip belt.

Available in Black Ballistic Nylon; and Carbon Ballistic Nylon/Textured Carbon Ripstop Nylon

Timbuk2 25″ Aviator Wheeled Pack

Size: 25”

Retail Price: $249

Aviator Wheeled Pack design features include:

• Large panel loader main compartment with external compression straps
• Expandable top compartment with secure zipper construction offers easy access to necessities and organizes packing
• Secondary external stash pockets on the top flap, side wall and main flap
• Lightweight design with grab handles on all sides for easy portability
• Bike-inspired comfort handle system and skateboard wheels
• Smooth rolling wheels and an extending handle for the heaviest of loads and easiest of airport maneuverability
• Reinforced handles on all sides for quick grab from the turnstile
• Padded, ventilated back panel

ECCO MIND in black

Founded in Denmark in 1963, ECCO is now the world’s 2nd largest manufacturer of casual footwear. With their Scandinavian roots comes a design ethos that favors clean, simple lines, and attention to detail. To celebrate their 50th anniversary last month, chief designer Niki Tæstensen created the MIND, a modern shoe that evokes ECCO’s past while reminding us that they’re poised to take on the future.

ECCO MIND in Cocoa Brown

After making 350 million pairs of shoes, you can be assured that ECCO knows a thing or two about how to do it right. Owning their own factories and tanneries allows them to minimize their environmental impact, but also gives them unparalleled quality control of the entire production process, especially with their leathers. One look at the camel nubuck upper of the MIND, and you’ll understand why ECCO’s tanneries are the suppliers to other industries that want to utilize the finest leathers available. Luxuriously soft, they offer the comfort of a well worn shoe from day one. This comfort extends to the flexible sole that allows your foot to move naturally. Between them lies a 2mm foam footbed topped with leather that is perforated from the ball of the foot forward, allowing for moisture control, and breathability. High contrast stitching is an attractive design feature, but must be done right, as if it’s just the slightest bit uneven, it will stand out. All the stitching on the MIND was pleasantly uniform, no doubt in part due to the fact that 210 ECCO employees handle each pair before you try them on.

ECCO MIND ladies Shadow White

As expected, walking in them is something of an indulgence. The day they arrived, I had ridden my motorcycle to work, and welcomed the opportunity to exchange my hard-soled boots for soft and supple shoes. It’s certainly understandable that they would be more soothing to my feet, but in the following days, I put them on around 5:30AM, and didn’t remove them until after midnight. Despite long hours and quite a bit of walking, my feet still felt fresh, without any aches. One observation I find very interesting is that the first two people to ask about them were a flight attendant and a hotel employee, both of whom spend most of their workday on their feet. Apparently, those in the know recognize a shoe that looks as comfortable as it feels. Speaking of looks, the ECCO MIND is available in special anniversary colors – Black, Medieval (an awesome blue), Cocoa Brown, and Earth Brown in men’s sizes 9/9.5-12/12.5, or EU 40-46. Ladies sizes are 5/5.5-10/10.5, which is EU 36-41. They lose the brown options, but gain Fuchsia and Shadow White. All of them include a pair of cream colored laces, in addition the yellow/orange shown.

ECCO MIND ladies Fuchsia

Watching the videos produced for their 50th anniversary celebration, I couldn’t help but feel that a good part of their success comes from the company culture itself. Still family-owned, ECCO considers their 20,000 worldwide employees as part of the family. That seems to extend across all job classes, resulting in pride of workmanship simply not found in other brands. And a glimpse into the workspace of the designers reveals a clean and modern office with sharp angles and natural materials that both contrasts and exists in harmony with nature. Looking across the Danish countryside through those huge windows must be relaxing and inspiring. It’s no surprise that their footwear reflects the same characteristics, and is surely one of the reasons they’ve been so popular with outdoors enthusiasts as well as fashion-conscious consumers that live active lifestyles. ecco.com

- Brian

Quivver

When I volunteered to review a new product called a ‘Quivver’, I wasn’t sure what to expect.  Advertised to ‘protect your money, mobile and keys so you can focus on the journey’, Quivvers are essentially small, smart organizers designed to be worn either over the shoulder or as a fanny pack.  Quivvers provide a clean, minimalist means of keeping your important items on your person and immediately to hand.

I am finding that the more I use mine, the more I like it.  It offers room for the basics without being large enough to become a purse.  Using it, I’ve been able to go out in public with my pants pockets empty for the first time in years.  I hadn’t realized how attuned I am to the feeling of my wallet in my back pocket and mass of keys, gum, and the rest the front, until it was all gone.  The sensation is still a bit strange, but I like it.

Quivvers offer three zippered pockets with options for externally attaching additional gear.  The pockets are arranged two on one side in what I’d estimate as a 60/40 split opposite a larger, see-through pocket on the other.  All are secured with smooth, easy-pulling zippers.

Clear pocket

I like the triangular, synthetic zipper pulls.  They are unobtrusive but stylish while offering better grip than traditional pulls, especially for sweat-slick fingers.  Almost more importantly, the synthetic material seems to stop the pulls from clanking or jingling with movement.  Such repetitive noises are an absolute deal-breaker for me, and haven’t been a problem.

As for  the pockets themselves, the clear one is perfect for a phone, allowing for touch-screen use and quick status checks without the necessity of either removing the phone from the pocket, or the Quivver from my shoulder.  For more extended use, I do un-sling the Quivver, but leave the phone in place within.

Keys, cards and the rest go in the other two pockets.  More bulky items like water bottles or sunglasses can be attached externally in a few ways: a flexible, triangular attachment-point and S-clip on one side, or a plastic loop on the other.  The loop doesn’t look particularly robust, but has proven solid so far.

Loaded Quivver with attached sunglasses and 1L H2O bottle

The shoulder strap is adjustable via an elastic cord which runs through the middle and is secured with a press-lock ball.  This is also how the Quivver  converts from over-the-shoulder to fanny pack use.  I’m not a fanny pack person, so I haven’t used it that way past confirming that it works as advertised.  One potential fanny pack issue was the elastic cord, which makes a pretty large loop when the strap is cinched down around my ~34” waist.  The loop was easy enough to tuck under the strap, but might still pose a snagging hazard.

The design is minimal and very simple, but it’s clear that a lot of thought and attention to detail went into making it that way.  The product looks finished.  Its parts each have a purpose, with nothing wasted.  Materials and build quality appear solid, and as well thought-through as the design.  I see every reason to expect this thing to last through years of daily use and abuse.

Though I’ve worn and been happy with my Quivver on a few walks, my exercise of choice is bicycling.  As much as I love getting out for a ride, toting my wallet, keys, etc. has always been a hassle.  They fit easily enough into my handlebar bag, but that means extra steps when  I want to leave the bike, even for a minute: the bag has to be removed, shoulder strap clipped on, then slung.  Reverse to hit the road again.  It’s a small thing, but the extra time and hassle is a pain, as is fishing items out and replacing them.

Quivver plays well with hydration systems

With my things stored in the Quivver, the difference is startling.  Since my important items are already on me, I have only to lock my bike and walk away.  Bathroom breaks and quick runs into stores are faster and easier.  When I need an item, it’s right there in front of me.  Tug a zipper and grab.  No digging, no shifting, no forgetting where I put something.  I appreciate that convenience a lot.

Though I was mainly interested in testing the Quivver for its cycling and hiking potential, they are meant to be worn daily.  I gave that a try, and have been impressed with the results.  I like that when I want to get out on my bike or go for a hike, I don’t need to transfer the contents of my pockets from one set of clothes to another.  I just drop the Quivver, change clothes and re-sling it.

Better yet, I’ve found it’s faster and easier to retrieve and replace items stored in the Quivver than it is to access the same items when stored in my wallet or pockets.  Just tug a zipper and grab.  No fumbling or digging.  The added convenience  at drive-up ATMs, in particular, surprised me.  Hassle reduction rules!

I’m happy on the comfort front, too.  My review Quivver has proven to be quite comfortable worn over a variety of clothing, from cycling jerseys to collared and t-shirts.  While it does shift a bit with activity, the movement is minimal and has not been a problem for me so far.

I’ve also found that the Quivver and my Camelbak are just as comfortable when worn together as they are separately.  That sounds silly given that even a small Camelbak can easily hold everything the Quivver does and more – but at the cost of having to remove the Camelbak to hunt through its pockets anytime something is needed.  For whatever reason, I hate that.  The Quivver keeps my important items immediately accessible for the win.

That’s 3 sets of keys, cash, gum, pocket knife, ID and other cards, 2 spare phone batteries, phone

The down-side is that space is fairly limited: the Quivver cannot hold my bi-fold wallet, for example.  It handles the contents, just not the wallet itself.  A tri-fold design might fit, but if it did, I think it would be very tight.  Space runs out quickly.

That’s okay, though.  Quivvers are not intended to be packed with everything you own.  That is what purses, backpacks and similar items are for.  Quivvers are intended to keep your really important items right where they need to be: on your person and immediately available.  Carrying a wallet within the Quivver would actually make the contents less accessible.

Wearing a Quivver is a bit odd at first, but it grows on you.  The functionality is really impressive.  I expected it to be good for active use, but I’m still surprised at how much I like it day-to-day.  I find it’s simply more convenient than the alternatives.

My tester came with military-style digital camouflage, but they are also available in a variety of other patterns and solid colors.  At $40-45, I like the value.  They are machine-washable and should be hung up to dry.

I have a feeling I might already have lost this one to my wife if not for its camo pattern.  She is very interested in trying a more ‘girly’ color scheme for herself.  I see more Quivvers in our near future.

Visit http://www.quivvers.com/ for more information, or to make an order.

- Matt

Spring yard work. Once it’s on, it’s easy to forget you’re wearing a Quivver

Solio Xcellerator + Hub

Solar energy continues to increase in popularity, and it’s not hard to see why. It’s practically free – you only have to pay for the panel to harness the sunlight and convert it into usable energy, and today’s panels are durable and long-lasting. Even more important, it can be used to power many things and poses very little threat to the environment, unlike its competitors which produce carbon dioxide emissions.

Solio is the brand name from a company called Better Energy Systems Inc.  They’re based in Oakland, California but have teams in the UK and Kenya. They’re a great company that strives to provide clean energy to everyone, no matter what their geography or financial standing is. I was granted the privilege of testing  their Solio Xcellerator and Hub.  It’s a simple device; it comes packaged in a tablet sized box containing an 8.5 by 5.5 solar panel, the battery pack (hub) and a versatile USB to micro USB cable. The hub has both a micro USB slot (used for charging the hub) and a USB slot (for charging your phone or other electronic device).

The Xcellerator can charge the Hub in 4-6 hours on a sunny day and 4.5 hours from a USB port. If you’re familiar with charging a battery via solar energy, you’d recognize what a feat that is. Other solar chargers that I’ve owned take twice the time to charge with the solar panel as they do with a USB port. But Solio uses high efficiency solar cells.  There’s even has a kickstand on the back of the Xcellerator to position your panel perfectly to catch the most sunlight.  Even more great news; The Xcellerator can charge your Hub even when it’s cloudy!  It will just take a little longer (about 8 hours). Although I didn’t go out of my way to test the durability, both pieces appear to be well made, and should hold up to rough handling while camping.

Solio Xcellerator solar panel

Many solar charger manufacturers tell you to plug the solar panel directly into your expensive device; Solio always puts a smart battery between the sun and your electronics. There are so many reasons Solio promotes that. For one, the battery in your phone is not built to take the high heat of solar charging. And connecting your device to a solar charger exposes them to large surges and drops in voltage which may ruin the battery life of your phone.  For me personally, I have a hard enough time keeping my phone alive with the regular battery, and would be in a whole heap of trouble if I destroyed its lifespan!

Using the Solio Xcellerator and Hub is simple. Simply Charge the Hub (plug the micro USB into the Hub and the other end into the Xcellerator or a USB port), then charge your device. Fully charged, the Hub can charge popular smartphones in about 90 minutes! That is about how long it takes to charge my phone from empty to full with a wall charger.  If you’re ever wondering how charged your Hub is, simply press the button located on the top. It flashes slowly 1-5 times to indicate the battery level. It lights up red when it’s charging and flashes green when it’s outputting to your electronic device. I was able to recharge my phone twice from the Hub before it needed to be charged itself.

To purchase the Solio Xcellerator, or view their other charging solutions, visit solio.com. It’s well worth $100 because of what it will save you in panic and frustrations. You’ll never again worry about being cut off from the world due to your phone dying and I’m grateful that I won’t find myself in that situation any more.

-Heather

Coast HL27 headlamp

What makes the HL27 such a multipurpose winner? The step-less zoom and light control give it the flexibility for all sorts of lighting jobs. On its lowest setting, the HL27 puts out a single lumen, which will illuminate objects up to a mere five meters away. That’s barely enough light to read a map, but will help preserve your night vision. Run time at that level is 99 hours and 30 minutes. Crank the power all the way up, and you’ve got 309 lumens of light, good for up to 122 meters. At that output, run time drops substantially, down to three hours, 45 minutes. My experience is that neither end of the spectrum is used a lot, so real world run times can be anywhere from ten to twenty hours. Not bad for a trio of AA batteries, which Coast includes with every light. But output alone isn’t the only measurement that matters. Coast uses a carefully designed lens, called a Pure Beam Focusing Optic. Twist the bezel around the lens counter-clockwise, and you’ll get their Ultra-View Flood Beam, which is an even, wide angle light. Rotating in the other direction changes the pattern to their Bulls-Eye Spot Beam, which is a very tight, bright beam, surrounded by a halo, so you can still see objects outside of the light’s focus point.

Coast HL27 headlamp

Coast designers placed a hinge on the bottom of the lamp unit that allows it to be pointed downwards, great for when you’re hiking at night and need to keep your hands free. The strap is adjustable, and wide enough that it grips well and provides an even amount of pressure. The battery pack mounts directly to the headband, but since the entire unit only weighs 4.4 ounces, it’s not uncomfortably heavy. A nice touch is the wire routing through the headband, which prevents snags. Since this was the first headlamp I’ve tested that includes a detachable strap that goes from front to back, I went out and bought a hard hat to test the mounting system. My 3M lid isn’t quite the same as a proper search and rescue helmet, but worked well for testing purposes (It’s actually the same one Coast uses in the photo on their website). On the hard hat, the extra weight was hardly noticeable.

With my old house, a headlamp is a necessity for certain projects. We’ve got plenty of dark nooks and crannies, including the crawl space in the attic, a narrow closet for  the sump pump in the basement, plus a pretty dark room with the furnace, water heater, and my beloved fiber modem. Let’s hope it doesn’t get much use there. What I really appreciate is being able to walk my dogs on local trails without having to carry a flashlight in my hands at all times. Not sure if I’ll get mistaken for “Tim the Toolman” Taylor with my headlamp on, but it’s convenient. And I really like the “one tool for many jobs” concept, since I have neither the budget nor motivation to own a bunch of specialized gear. If there was a way to fit this light to my MTB helmet, that would be even better. And really, I’ll keep the hard hat as part of my zombie apocalypse rig.

There are other lights that are more outdoor-oriented, but they’re mostly a bit pricier, and don’t appear as durable. They also lack Coast’s lifetime guarantee against defects in materials and workmanship. If you’re looking for a quality headlamp that can handle more than one task, check out coastportland.com

- Brian

eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible

As the weather continues to warm up and school lets out, more and more of us will be hitting the road for work and pleasure. If your next multi-day trip away doesn’t involve a tent and sleeping bag, the Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible from eBags should probably be on your shopping list. Why? Quite simply, it’s an incredibly versatile piece of luggage that does far more than you would expect, especially at a price point below $100.

Mesh lid, divider, and tie down straps

Overall (fully expanded), the bag is 22″ x 14″ x 9″, for a total capacity of of 3651 cubic inches, with a weight under four pounds. But it’s as though it was designed by the same people that do the interiors of motor homes – not a single inch of that space is wasted, and it will take you a while to discover all the different storage options. The main compartment has a handy divider that attaches with small buckles. Use it to keep clothing items separate, and prevent shifting while on the go. Each side also has a tie-down with two different height settings, so you can can pack in layers. I used them on the low setting to keep my pants in place, with shirts packed on top, so I arrived with wrinkle-free clothing. On the way back, I used the high setting, and snugged everything down to keep my bag (now packed with dirty clothes and some gifts) as small as possible.

Plenty of storage in front flap

Inside the lid is a generous mesh compartment with a zipper that allows you to fully open it, so you can lay items in there, rather than stuff them in. Pockets are everywhere. A zippered pouch snaps inside, for small items you want to pack in the main compartment without getting lost. There’s a top compartment that holds the shoulder strap, with extra room for items you might want easy access to. A small zippered pocket on the side contains a drawstring pouch for your water bottle or similar item, and has a window for your ID tag. The front has another nicely sized compartment for more easy-access items, plus a short strap with a clasp for securing your keys. Two zippered pockets that would accommodate larger paperbacks are complemented by a smaller mesh pocket, a phone/MP3 player pocket, and a narrow pocket for a pen or stylus. On the very outside of the front is a nearly hidden zippered pocket for travel documents.

Stowable backpack straps

There’s more. A zipper on the back opens to reveal the backpack straps. Like the shoulder strap, they’re out of the way when not needed. Right above that is another zipper, which leads to the laptop compartment. An ingenious “Laptop Sling” will accommodate laptops and netbooks up to 11.75″ wide, and 10-19″ long. The adjustable sling allows you to get the perfect fit, then just buckle/unbuckle as needed. Other features include four external compression straps, lockable zippers (most with pull tabs too), and three handles for easy carrying and safe lifting from any angle.

Laptops ride safely between your clothing and padded back

Packing for a business trip, my wife at first had doubts that I could fit in my laptop and four days worth of clothing, but it turned out I had room to spare. And then some. Lilliputian toiletries down the middle, socks and underwear filling in the gaps on the sides, I could probably squeeze a week’s worth of vacation clothes in, after expanding it via the extra zipper. The commuter flight I took had a $25 bag fee each way, so the Weekender Convertible would pay for itself after two trips. Walking through the airport, I wore it like a backpack. Waiting to board, I stowed the backpack straps and carried it like a briefcase onto the plane. My only complaint was that the shoulder strap could have used a bit more grip, as it had a tendency to slide off my shoulder. Like the backpack straps, it made up for that with sufficient padding for extended use.

This is one of those reviews that truly caught me off guard. This bag is an awesome combination of capacity and convenience. Everything appears well thought out, and the materials and construction look like they’ll stand up to plenty of miles. Even for car trips, we’ll probably replace our well-worn duffel bags with the eBags Mother Lode TLS Weekender Convertible bags. We can each choose our own color, and thanks to the stowable backpack straps, I won’t get stuck carrying them all. eBags.com

- Brian

New Belgium & peopleforbikes.org

PeopleForBikes is a non-profit organization that is on a mission to unite millions of voices to improve the future of bicycling in America and get more people on bikes, more often. With strength in numbers, PeopleForBikes aims to pave the way for a safer, more accessible country for bikes.

“It feels great to be partnering with a brand who cares for the future of bicycling as much as we do,” said Kate Powlison, marketing manager at PeopleForBikes. “On our quest to unite millions of bicyclists, we hope to become one voice stronger, one New Belgium beer at a time. Cheers to National Bike Month!”

Alternatively powered, and 100% employee owned, New Belgium’s goal is to maintain an environmentally, socially and economically conscious business by aligning their business practices with nature and its inhabitants. They have helped bike-related non-profits raise over $2 million by selling beer at the Tour de Fat Bicycle Carnival throughout the U.S. Learn more about the company’s sustainable initiatives on their sustainability page.

“New Belgium is honored to help spread the good word of the bicycle and encourage folks to sign the pledge,” said Michael Craft, Senator of Tour de Fat Non-Profit Relations. “Much like beer, bicycles make people smile and smiling is something we could all use a bit more of these days. Our brewery is so rooted in bicycles, it just makes good sense to use our craft to encourage advocacy.”

To learn more about what PeopleForBikes is doing to make America a better place for bikes, visit www.peopleforbikes.org. Join the movement by signing the “I am for bikes…” pledge.

To learn more about New Belgium Brewing Company, visit www.newbelgium.com.

About PeopleForBikes:
PeopleForBikes is a movement to unite millions of people to transform America through bicycling. They are currently leading the Green Lane Project, which is an effort that focuses on building physically protected and inviting bike facilities in communities across the U.S. Join the movement to improve the future of bicycling at www.peopleforbikes.org.

About New Belgium Brewing Company:
New Belgium Brewing, makers of Fat Tire Amber Ale and a host of Belgian-inspired beers, is recognized as one of Outside Magazine’s Best Places to Work and one of the Wall Street Journal’s Best Small Businesses. The 100 percent employee owned brewery is a Platinum-level Bicycle Friendly Business as designated by the League of American Bicyclists, and one of World Blu’s most democratic U.S. businesses. In addition to Fat Tire, New Belgium brews eight year round beers; Ranger IPA, Rampant Imperial IPA, Shift Pale Lager, Sunshine Wheat, 1554 Black Ale, Blue Paddle Pilsener, Abbey Belgian Ale and Trippel. Learn more at www.newbelgium.com.

- Brian

All-in-one sunscreens protect, moisturize and cater to varying skin types and needs

Irvine, CA – Control Corrective Skincare Systems heats up the sun care market with several “triple action” sunscreens that provide full-spectrum sun protection while also moisturizing and treating specific skin conditions, replacing as many as three products with one powerful solution.

Control Corrective Skin Care

Just in time for spring and summer, the company offers Oil Free Sunscreen SPF 30, ideal for all skin types; Intensive Skin Lightening Cream SPF 30,  for those with pigmentation issues; Aroma Matte Day Cream SPF 30, for oily skin types; and Botanical Soothing Cream SPF 30, for sensitive and inflamed skin.

“While there are plenty of sunscreens on the market, most of them serve only one purpose – to protect from the sun,” said Ellen Clark, president of Control Corrective Skincare Systems. “Today’s busy, multi-tasking woman (or man) will reap more value in terms of time and money from a three-in-one sun care product that also serves as a daily moisturizer and is customized to her particular skin condition, whether aging, acne or rosacea prone skin.

The multi-purpose sunscreens offer protection from both UVA and UVB radiation, and are safe for sensitive skin or those with hyperpigmentation. Retail products sizes are as follows (Professional sizes are also available):

·         Oil-Free Sunscreen, SPF 30 – Great for all skin types, this unscented, non comedogenic product is oil-free, yet works double duty as a lightweight daily moisturizer.  It is available in a 2.5 ounce bottle; Suggested Retail: $28.

·         Intensive Skin Lightening Cream SPF 30 – A powerful multi-tasker, this calming botanical-based cream protects and lightens skin for a fairer more event texture and tone, ideal for blotchy, irritated or sensitive skin. It is available in a 2.5 ounce bottle; Suggested Retail: $48.

·         Aroma Matte Day Cream SPF 30 – The lightweight, zinc based cream is absorbable and non greasy, great for all skin types. Japanese green tea plus multi-vitamins including Vitamin C inhibit aging and free radical damage. It is available in a 2.5 ounce bottle; Suggested Retail: $36.

·         Botanical Soothing Cream SPF 30 – This calming sunscreen and moisturizer all-in-one cream soothes sun damaged and sensitive skin. Aloe Vera, Vitamin E and Vitamin A join forces to neutralize redness and non-irritating microfine zinc oxide provides full spectrum sunscreen protection. It is available in a 2.5 ounce bottle; Suggested Retail: $48.

Control Corrective Skincare Systems products are available through skincare professionals nationwide, or by contacting the company at (866) 290-4290; info@Controlcorrective.com

Sufferlandria Flag

However, with spring’s arrival, I was already past the point in the year that I could make excuses and stay inside.  Recently, I and my teammate were provisionally accepted to race The 508 in October.  The provisions?  We each have to do a minimum of one 250 mile or longer sanctioned ride before August.

Luckily, not riding because of crap weather can be replaced by one of two new options from The Sufferfest; the totally new Blender, or a revamped and renewed version of one that has become a favorite of mine over this past winter – Revolver.

The Saturday after I got the email about The 508 was cold and rainy, but I still wanted to get in a long day in the saddle.   I decided to do a double with Blender followed by Revolver.  This definitely gave me more than enough of a workout and was easily as hard or harder than a 4+ hour ride on the road would have been.

Blender: This One’s Got It All

Blender is the longest offering ever from The Sufferfest.  It is also the first collaboration with Coach Neal Henderson of the Boulder Institute for Sports Medicine.  In terms of nothing new, the video quality of Blender is top-notch, the music perfectly matched, and the philosophy of building you up by beating you down still permeates.

Did I mention Blender is long?  1 hour, 44 minutes and 27 seconds long to be exact.  Even though some intervals seem to never stop and you will be counting down the seconds by the end of the workout, you will be surprised at the total lack of boredom that can be achieved with a well-structured trainer workout such as this.  Especially considering that you have spent nearly 2 hours on the trainer by the end.

Alex, Suffering

You want to be sure you have an appetite for self-destruction (and some comfortable bibs) before starting Blender. Blender will soften you up, find your weakness and exploit it.  Do you consider yourself good with explosive power but hate sustained intervals?  You will hurt both early and late in this workout.  Do you like putting your head down and settling into TT mode but hate short burst efforts?  You’re in for a lot of agony.  Do you feel good in the peloton or on breakaways at race-pace, but hate all out sprints?  You’ll have plenty of reasons for an increased prejudice by time you finish.  Is your name Jens Voigt?  Well… you probably won’t get past the warm-up before overheating your trainer and popping a tire.

Blender is wonderful endurance work.  The efforts don’t usually feel insanely difficult and it feels like you generally have power to spare, but by the end of the workout, you’re definitely tapping into reserves to get you through it.  Plus, you get the added benefit of some quite effective endurance work in a lot less time than on the road by eliminating the usual interruptions of traffic, stop lights/signs, and terrain.

Even though Blender brings the pain and pours it on for a long time, it is quickly becoming one of my favorite Sufferfest vids and will definitely be a staple of my 508 training.  Blender is designed to increase your endurance, but don’t expect any long, slow miles.  The minions would flog you for such an insult.

Revolover 2013:  A New Face on an Old Foe

After a brief break to refill my bottles, I jumped back on the bike to try out the revamped Revolver.

Before this past winter, Revolver was the ‘Fest that I dreaded (ok, hated) the most.  The old-school Revolver is 49 minutes, most of which is 1 minute full-on, 1 minute rest intervals.  It’s beyond brutal.  But it also fits nicely into a lunch break which, when combined with an unusual-for-me wussitude for the cold, is why I have really began to appreciate it.

The new Revolver is about 45 minutes and keeps the same basic structure.  It still grinds you into the ground then tells you to go harder.  It still makes your legs and lungs scream.  It still makes you swear time stands still during some of the intervals while wondering how one minute can last so long.  It still gets you on and off the bike in less than an hour, yet leaves no doubt that you’ve got a proper workout in that short time.

It also keeps a similar soundtrack with a lot of the same songs and again uses track, ‘cross, and road racing footage; but overall it’s more polished and more mature.  The video footage is new, crisp and clean.  The on-screen instructions clearer. However, I must say I found myself somewhat missing the old.  It felt like meeting an old college buddy years down the road. He’s now in a suit and wants to talk about his family while sipping a glass of wine.  He’s still the same guy deep down, but you’d rather be with the version of him in shorts and a tee, hanging out at a dive bar, pounding PBRs, and checking out all the girls that come in.

Don’t get me wrong.  I still love the new Revolver as much as one can love something that causes so much pain.  I like that it is 4 minutes shorter, especially for lunchtime workouts.  The on-screen prompts are greatly improved and much easier to see and understand.

Revolver should be a staple in any ‘Fest collection.  No other Sufferfest is going to get you faster quicker.  Or is it quicker faster?  Faster faster?  Quicker quicker?  You’ll hate Mr. Sufferfest for what he’s doing to you during the workout, but you’ll love the results you get.

Overall, you really can’t go wrong with either of these videos, and I recommend you get both.  You’d be fully covered whether you’re pressed for time and need the shortest Sufferfest workout there is, and you’d have the longest one they offer for days you’re just itching to spend an hour and forty-five minutes on the trainer.  You don’t think you’ll ever get that itch?  Try Blender once before concluding that.

These and all other Sufferfest videos are available for download from the Sufferfest site.  They are large files so be prepared for long download times.  You won’t find better indoor training videos at any price, but with the most expensive video still being just $13.99, you might even feel guilty you paid so little.

Oh, and if you’re curious to see what 2.5 hours of suffering on the rollers looks like in 60 seconds, take a look at the video below

–Alex

The most recognizable watersport brand celebrates its co-founders’ 85th birthday and 60 years of innovation, growth and fun in the sun.

Redondo Beach, Calif.  — Body Glove, the original surf and dive industry pioneer and creator of the first commercially viable wetsuit, is commemorating its 60-year anniversary. The family-owned and operated business is excited to honor its history with co-founder Bob Meistrell and the group of athletes and business partners that have been so vital to their business.

“We had three goals when we were small boys: own a submarine; go deep-sea diving; and treasure-hunting. Somehow we managed all three,” Bob Meistrell said. “Sixty years later, there are 3 generations of Meistrells diving, surfing and continuing our legacy of innovation, value and service at Body Glove.”

Identical twin brothers Bill and Bob grew the Body Glove brand alongside the surfing boom of the 50s to become one of the most recognizable action sports brands in the market today. In 1953 they designed the first neoprene wetsuit, which blazed a new path for generations of surfers and divers to follow. When asked what makes it so special, Bill always responded, “Because it fits like a glove.” Sixty years later, Body Glove has expanded its product line to be an industry leader in watersport apparel, accessories, SUP and body boards, diving equipment, waterproof mobile gear and much more.

Bill and Bob are two of the only three watermen named to both the Surfers Hall of Fame and the Divers Hall of Fame. If water is the essence of life, these fun-loving innovators lived it to the fullest. They started diving as kids in their Missouri farm’s pond using an oilcan for a helmet and a bicycle pump and a hose for air. The twins were practically inseparable on land and in the water until Bill’s death in 2006. Now their children and grandchildren work together to continue their legacy of innovation, value and service.

Body Glove will be celebrating its 60-year anniversary with a party to commemorate this momentous occasion. The 60th Year Celebration will be held in their founding location, Redondo Beach, with their closest friends and business partners who have helped the brand get to where it is today.

For more information about Body Glove and its 60-years of innovation see their timeline HERE

For more information on Body Glove go to www.bodyglove.com and for daily updates visit www.facebook.com/bodyglove

About Body Glove:
Founded in 1953, Body Glove is a leading, worldwide watersports brand specializing in wetsuits, swimwear, clothing, footwear, accessories, and technology accessories. The company sponsors one of the most respected surf and wakeboard teams in the industry with such powerhouse names as pro surfers Jamie O’Brien, Cheyne Magnusson, Anthony Walsh, Alex Gray and Holly Beck and wake boarders Rusty Malinoski, Harley Clifford, Bob Soven and Jeff McKee. Body Glove and Jean-Michel Cousteau and his Ocean Futures Society have formed a legendary alliance to help preserve and protect the ocean while providing ocean and diving geared equipment to water enthusiasts around the globe. Some of the proceeds from the sale of those products go directly to Ocean Futures Society. Through Reef Check, SIMA’s environmental fund, Heal the Bay, and the Surfrider Foundation, Body Glove also works to preserve the purity of the waters it loves. Body Glove products are sold in the U.S. by a network of independent retailers. Body Glove is also sold in approximately 50 countries internationally.

*Note that he’s even offered a discount code for members of the Twospoke.com forums.

- Brian

Stem CAPtain Compass 3.0

Q. We met at Interbike 2008. At the time, wasn’t StemCAPtain more of a hobby?

A. Yep, more or less. It didn’t really turn into a full-time gig until we re-located  to Grand Junction about two years ago. I was then finally able to quit my day job as an engineer.

Q. Things have changed a bit since then, haven’t they?

A. Yeah, they definitely have. It’s been really exciting seeing it go from selling a couple of units on eBay a month, to now having full worldwide distribution and our own online store.

Q. How did StemCAPtain come about? Was there an epiphany, that light bulb going off, or was it one of those sketches on a napkin while knocking down some cold ones?

A. Well a little of both actually. My friend and co-founder Graeson Lewis and I were big time into riding at the time. Mountain biking was such a passion, I think it is natural to think about things like what could be a cool new product. We were always more into the freeride, all mountain riding style, and you wouldn’t find a cycle computer on our bikes. Equally important, neither of us owned a watch. But we both had girlfriends, and to stay out of trouble, it was good not to get home too late sometimes. Or waste time and get home too early for that matter! And having to constantly pull out your phone to check the time is a drag. Graeson knew that I had a product development background in the medical device industry. One night after a weekly poker game with some other riding buddies in Boulder, CO, hanging out in the garage drinking brews, Graeson was like “what if you could make a stem cap with a clock in it”? The topic was rehashed a few times over the next few months. Finally we got a design idea that looks doable sketched out over some sandwiches at Snarf’s on Pearl St. Then I can clearly remember making that initial first purchase, about $25 for a foot of aluminum round stock, and a few other items from McMaster Carr. It was really painful at the time, cash was really tight. But once you break that initial barrier, it gets easier. You can’t be afraid to invest in an idea that you really believe in. Fortunately, StemCAPtain was simple enough that it didn’t take a huge investment to get going. We have never had any outside investors. In fact I don’t  think we have ever been in more than a couple thousand in the red. Just growing slowly and reinvesting has been the philosophy. One of the reasons I wanted to get out of the corporate world was so I could be my own boss. I’ve always thought having investors just puts you right back in the position of having to answer to someone else. We like to have that creative freedom that can only come from truly being our own.

Stem CAPtain Enduro 32mm clock

Q.  I’ve seen plenty of evolution in the product line. Any ideas that never made it to production?

A. There is a saying that goes something to the tune of “ideas are cheap”. Yeah man, we’ve had plenty of them. Some good ones that we maybe haven’t pursued because they were too expensive and or risky. Others that maybe sound good at first, but then started to be ridiculous after a while. One of the funniest and coolest ones I’ve heard in a while is a magic 8 ball StemCAPtain, with things like “go for it!” and “trust your gut” or whatever that would come up. We just might pursue that one. We have decided to stay out of the digital realm for now. Analog is our thing. Simple and classic.

Q. Does customer feedback play a big role in which products you create or improve?

A. Absolutely. We love hearing from our customers and get great ideas for new products and improvements all the time. The new StemCAPtain Enduro32 is a prime example. Set screw attachment, smaller diameter. This came directly out of testing and customer feedback.

Q. Each base is made in Colorado, where the final assembly takes place. Do you do the machine work and assembly, or do you have a crew for that?

A. We have a small machine shop we have been working with since we started in 2007 in Boulder called JDECM. JD is an awesome dude and does great work. He machined our first prototypes, and does our production work today. We do all the assembly and some of the post CNC work in house. Laser etching. We work with a local anodizer in town. Right now we only have myself and one employee. We hope to keep expanding and I can see having 2-3 employees in addition to myself a few years down the road.

Q. That’s great to see a contribution made to the local economy. Small or large, we need to keep some wages and tax dollars local.

A. Right on, we’re proud to do our small part.

Q. What’s your current favorite product, or the one you’re most proud of, either due to design or execution?

A. The new Compass 3.0 and the Enduro32. Both an evolution from the previous generation. Also, that bottle opener is pretty sweet and comes in handy.

Q. Are you going to accept custom work? Would you do a one-off, or limited run, if the terms were agreeable?

A. Definitely, we have done some custom engraving for shops, magazines and the like. We can also custom engrave for customers on a one-off basis.

Stem CAPtain bottle opener

Q.  Have you gotten into many shops, or are most orders placed through your site?

A. We are in quite a few shops. Our first was Full Cycle in downtown Boulder. I remember walking in and just being a complete nervous wreck and asking to talk to the owner or manager. I never have been the best salesman or liked it very much. When the owner Kaj came out, I had some shaky hands and sweaty palms when I showed him what would become our first retail StemCAPtains. I almost ran through the streets wanting to tell everyone about it when he said he said, “pretty cool, I will take 30″. We now have distribution with QBP and J&B importers, as well as a few international distributors. Sales are pretty equal between direct internet orders and shops/distributors.

Q. Going forward, what does the future hold for StemCAPtain? Any sneak previews?

A. We want to keep going with the original stem cap theme. You might already know we now offer a motion activated valve stem cap led light. But we also want to expand out of the stem cap realm. We are currently working on a design for a handy component that I think could shake up the market a bit. We will keep you posted. Posted is a hint to what it might be as well.

Q.  Thanks for taking the time to chat again. Anything you’d like to add?

A. Thanks for thinking of us and it’s been great keeping in touch. I also have a promo code set up for your guys on our website – www.stemcaptain.com. You can use “twospoke” for 15% off. All the best and hope to see you on the trail!

Now available for sale on the Polar Bottle website are four new bottles supporting a variety of non-profits, including Chile-based conservation group Conservacion Patagonica, Boulder-based rocking climbing advocacy organization the Access Fund, international relief group Global Bike and Colorado bike racing advocates The Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado.

“We chose these four organizations because their missions align with some of the issues that are most important to both our company and the rest of the outdoor and sports industries,” said Polar Bottle President Judy Amabile. “We feel privileged to work with them.”

Specifically, Amabile explained, Conservacion Patagonica and the Access Fund were chosen because of their conservation and sustainability efforts. Global Bike — which provides bicycles to communities in developing nations — and the Bicycle Racing Association of Colorado, in turn, were selected because of their commitment to promoting cycling both locally and abroad.

Polar Bottles for charity

The Polar Bottle Benefit Bottle Line, launched in 2012 to further the company’s advocacy and charity initiatives, includes more than a dozen bottles supporting a range of local, national and international non-profits and advocacy groups. For every $14.99 bottle sold, Polar Bottle donates $5 to the corresponding charity.

The patented Polar Bottle water bottle features an insulating layer between two walls of plastic, so it keeps liquids cool twice as long as other water bottles. The Made in America bottle fits standard bike water bottle cages and features a convenient, removable carrying strap. All Polar Bottle products are, and always have been, BPA-free and Phthalate-free.

Motorex Dry Lube

Under the partnership, MOTOREX will supply Pivot Cycles with lubrication and clean and care products for its test fleet of mountain bikes –  26-inchers, 650b models and 29′ers. The Pivot demo fleet makes appearances at dozens of important mountain bike events throughout the country, including Sea Otter and Interbike’s OutdoorDemo.

“This is a case of two high-quality, well-respected brands working together,” explained Mahlich. “Both brands are considered ‘best in class’ with top performance.”

Pivot Cycles is a company driven to perfection by building the highest performance bicycles and paying painstaking attention to every last detail. That philosophy is a perfect match for MOTOREX and its line‑up of lubricants.

MOTOREX maintains a strong presence throughout professional bike racing, domestic and international. In additional to the alliance with Pivot Cycles, MOTOREX lubes, greases, and cleaners are used by top factory cycling teams worldwide – including the KHS Factory MTB team, the ShoAir MTB team and the Yeti Pro MTB team. MOTOREX also supports domestic pro road cycling teams Optum Health Pro Cycling presented by Kelly Benefits Strategies.

For more information on MOTOREX bicycle products, visit www.motorexbicycle.com.