New Gear I've been digging

This weekend on the GLGA I finally got to try out some new gear on a long gravel grinder, which is more like saying, it's the first time I've really tried some of it... heh :). When I started out, I dug real reviews of stuff from real folks, espescially bigger folks, so when I find something that works I like to give my spiel on it. Here goes!

Bontrager RL MTB Shoe:

Let me summarize this real quick - the GLGA was the first really long ride with clipless shoes/pedals, and it's also the first really long ride that I've not had foot numbness or pain on. In fact, my feet were downright dang comfy the whole ride, and afterwards, something that I couldn't say was entirely true last year when I was still on my sneakers and platforms kick. I have big, wide feet that are next to impossible to find comfy shoes for, but these things fit me as good, or maybe even better, than my work shoes - which I bought at an actual shoe shop, and weren't what we call cheap (I got sick of hurting feet all day). I like these shoes so much that I'm wanting to pick up another pair, just in case Bontrager got a wild hair and decided to discontinue them. Maybe two more pairs.

I'm only partially kidding.

Next: Aerotech Designs Jersey

Disclosure: Aerotech Designs sent me this jersey and a pair of shorts as a thank you for allowing them to use my previous review of my favorite shorts ever on their website. Which was awesome, and worked out well because I've been wanting try a jersey for some time.. but anyway, here's the deal - for $35 bones, this is a pretty dang good piece of clothing. I've been using it a couple times a week since I got it, and about the only sign of wear is the reflective strip across the butt/pockets, which is coming off thanks to washing.. or probably forgetting to not-dry. The fit is excellent, and the pockets are awesome, I really appreciated having them on the GLGA for the cue sheet and nutrition. Most of all, it was comfy for the entire ride.

My only gripe? I wish the fabric was a "smooth" type, like Under Armor shirts. So next year I'll probably go the route of a "smoother" fabric, but I'll pick another one or two of these up. Oh, and I wish they came in black.

Planet Bike Blaze 1W CREE headlamp:

Last year I found the limits of my cheapo Bell Luxeon-based LED headlamp. It was OK, but not even good and certainly not great. With winter coming a little while ago I figured it was time for a new headlamp, so I picked this up. Now has been the first chance I've really had to use it.. and...

It's awesome. Seriously.

I got into light geeking a couple years ago, and I have a nice little stock of a couple really nice SureFires, Innova (tacticals), and some Streamlights. So I judge lights on that level, which bike lights - unless you spend a ton - haven't been able to compete with. Until now.

This light is awesome, simply awesome. When I bought the LHT I picked up a Planet Bike Superflash taillamp, and that thing is killer, this is no exception. Way to go Planet bike, this thing has awesome throw, spill, runs on AA's, and is cheap. You can't go wrong. Want more light? Get two. This winter is going to be SOOO much easier with this light.

Yeah, I'm about to review socks: Twin Six Argyle sock:

Here's the deal: I wouldn't review something like, you know, socks unless I thought they were really good, and had a impact on my comfort on the bike. Well, they are really dang good, and they are really comfortable on the bike. I didn't buy them because of that, I bought them because I was at Cycle Works picking up some spare tubes, saw 'em and had a little laugh at the geekiness factor. I'd been meaning to try out some wool cycling socks, and I dig the good stuff Twin Six does for the cancer fight - so I grabbed 'em. And I'm glad I did.

Just like my Smartwool socks that I use for hiking/winter cycling, they're immensely comfortable while also keeping the feet from getting that "clammy" sweaty feeling. Sock Guy socks seem to do a great job in both, but after 4 or 5 hours they start to feel kind of damp. I don't like that feeling. These, at no point, got to there - and I sweat a LOT.

So I was comfortable, and stylin'. I'd like to drop some more pounds so I can sport the matching jersey next season. Yes, I'm totally serious.

That's all I've got for today, folks. Lookin' forward to a nice spin home.. awe yeah!