Wind-Blox Blog

Wind-Blox Blog

Spandex? Required? May 27 2015, 0 Comments

I was recently asked "why is it that Americans think they need to look like they're in the Tour de France before they can ride across town?"  Obviously it is not possible to answer for a nation or even all the riders within the country, but still there seemed to be validity to the question.  People on bikes wear spandex. Some people wear a whole lot of spandex, and there are some reasons to wear spandex. There are also days when a person might even wish others didn't wear so much spandex!  In the questioner's mind my attendance at InterBike  seems to have qualified me to answer.  

There were so many amazing products presented. Specialties within sub-groups embedded in micro-cultures emerged, and all of them with marketing strategies and target audiences.  Lots of spandex.  And it makes sense.  These produces add ease of movement, identification with a culture, and a feeling of fitness.  I have a list of new favorite spandex bike skirts, never-wear jerseys and must-have caps.

Even recreational riders like me own spandex.  Not quite as much as some riders, but more than I had years ago.  I dream of riding a century, cyclocross, or charity tour.  It would be fun to own a fat bike, cargo bike, tandem or e-bike.  I love watching tall bikes roam my city and helping with a bike rodeo was a highlight of my summer.  As a recreational rider, all I need is a bike, two good legs and my favorite helmet (of course, with wind-blox).  One of my bike heros, Elly Blue, wrote about choosing your first bike.  Her bold statement--it doesn't matter what kind of bike you get.  This applies even more to gear; just a bike, legs and helmet are needed!

Taking in the beauty of being atop a bike, feeling the strength in one's own legs, enjoying the ride...none of these require spandex.  All of these can bring joy and fitness.

 


Fit Matters May 17 2015, 0 Comments

Fit is important for proper functioning of Wind-Blox.  

First, attach the blox

  • Open the velcro attachment
  • Place Blox on the strap that will be in front of your ear
  • Close the velcro so that the flap will face backwards

Second, check your helmet straps:

  • The side straps should form a Y just below your earlobe
  • The chin strap should be snug against the chin so that when you open your mouth very wide you feel the helmet pull down a little bit

With the helmet in position on your head, adjust the length of the rear straps, then the length of the front straps, to locate the Y fitting where the straps come together just under your ear

 

Third, adjust your Blox:

  • Check your Blox to make sure that they rest against your cheek
  • Slide your Blox along the strap so that the length of the Blox is aligned to your ear

Last, compare your fit with this picture:

 

another great resource is this step-by-step featuring Giro helmets

 

 


Helmet Library April 30 2015, 0 Comments

Our company has a helmet library...a large helmet library and it is growing.  

 

We've got Bells, Berns, Giros and Nutcases.  

Now that we've been to InterBike we're dreaming of the new metroride line Nutcase is selling soon, Kasks, Cratonis and anything by Vittoria.  

Oh, and a helmet with a tiara wouldn't hurt our feelings either

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Bike and Scooter Fun Night August 19 2014, 0 Comments

Our community is having a bike and scooter fun night and we're getting it set.  We've not done one of these before and our main goals are to keep it fun and simple.  After reading all the pinterest-pretty suggestions and the intricate ideas, here's what we're doing instead:

It will be a fun night (as compared to a safety skills training)

There will be a special parking area and helmet table

     Helmets will be judged for fit, decorations available for those who would like to get fancy and prizes awarded

A large parking lot will be divided into thirds

Slow course (bikes only)

     During the timed slow course riders must follow a chalk line that is sometimes a bit curvy.  They may not put their feet down or the timer stops.  Each rider will be given their time at the end.

Obstacle course

     Riders go around obstacles trying for accuracy and speed.  Any touch of an obstacle causes a rider to re-start

Race

     Separate heats will be available for bikes and scooters.  This will be timed, or may end up as a race against a good-humored adult.

Bike Wash

     At the end of the evening, a bike wash (also known as a sprinkler you can ride under) will be available to enjoy!