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
Can You Hear Me Now? April 25 2015, 0 Comments
Annoying wind noise is enough to keep some people off their bikes. One of our early customers wrote us shortly after receiving his order of Wind-Blox to let us know how helpful the Blox had been for his tinnitus. He stated that quieting the wind-noise helped calm the tinnitus, adding less noise made a huge difference for him. Since that time we have heard this from many customers.
Hyperacusis is another hearing problem that is aided with use of our wind blocking devices. With hyperacusis there is a heightened awareness of sound, and those with hyperacusis sometimes choose to limit their activities to those which produce little sound. This often excludes the joy of biking, due to wind noise. Now customers are able to rejoin their love of bike riding and often send their friends our way, too.
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!
The Vee August 05 2014, 0 Comments
This past weekend some of the Wind-Blox team were out of town and borrowed bikes and helmets. When they donned the headgear it was surprising to see how others before them had worn these helmets. The straps were very loose and the 'vee' where the front and back strap from each side met to create the chin strap was actually near the chin of each rider. Obviously these helmets needed adjustments if they were to be useful for promoting safety!
As the Blox team adjusted their borrowed helmets, they realized that the 'vee' could be something that customers might not consider when attaching Blox to their helmets. For best use of Blox, the 'vee' should be close to the rider's earlobe and the chin strap should be snug.
Happy riding!
Rewarding Bike Safety May 29 2014, 0 Comments
Rewarding positive behavior is a great parenting technique, Jean Julson in Osseo Wisconsin, has taken this to the streets. She offered treats to kids wearing bike helmets and was so successful that the local police department and some nearby businesses have joined her. Now the young people of Osseo have more than reminders to be safe--they've got reinforcement.
Here's a fit method: 2x2x2
With the helmet on your head, the very edge or rim of your helmet when you look up past your eyebrows.
2 finger widths above your eyebrow.
The straps on the side of the helmet by the ears should meet and form a “V” right under each ear lobe.
To check, form a “V” with 2 fingers around the ear.
Once the side straps are adjusted in a “V” buckle them. The straps should be snug but not too tight.
Adjust until you can put no more than 2 fingers between the strap and your chin.