Sometimes you are just lucky

We all get bombarded with contest entry forms, right? Sometimes I take the bait, probably too often, and once in a blue moon, I hit the jackpot. Back in March or so, I entered the "Adventure Through Bike" giveaway - sponsored by Club Ride Apparel and others. I had no illusion of winning. Hell, I'd only heard of one of the brands in the giveaway. I'm not a cyclist, let alone an Adventure cyclist as if that would've made a difference in a random draw contest. Anyway, on May 6, that all changed. I got the following email:

Jai,

   Congratulations you are the winner of our giveaway! In order to confirm your winning we will need a vial of your blood, a cat scan, and one of your old shoes to prove it is you. Haha, just kidding! Please provide us with your ship to address so we can get everything headed your way! You have 48 hours to respond to this email or the next person in line will receive the prizes. Again, congrats and let us know!

Sent from my iPad

 

I'd hit the jackpot. Of course, it could've been spam, but the joke seemed too real and clubrideapparel.com was a real company. I searched my email and found the entry. It was real. At that point, I knew I had a choice to make. Would I actually use this gear? I mean, I have a perfectly good bike that I barely ride. Why would I take this gear? Why would I possibly take gear from somebody who is a serious cyclist or bikepacker (a word I have only recently learned)? In the end, I decided that it was a random draw, so why not me. If it ended up being gear I wouldn't use, I could gift my cyclist friends, and besides, Tara was having trouble finding a new bike (quarantine bike-itis was causing a shortage). She could have the hybrid. So, I claimed the prize.

I was immediately pulled into a group of retailers/manufacturers who embody so many of the things that I love about patronizing independent businesses and in niche markets. Cameron from Club Ride was the point person. He contacted the other companies before the night was done. Each contact greeted me with the same enthusiasm he had shown. Each person told me how excited they were that I had won and how much fun I was gonna have. There was no boasting just enthusiasm for the sport and the gear. They made me want to be a part of their world. Zach (Niner Bikes) had this beautiful bike to me in less than a week. When I asked him about a piece that looked bent he responded within minutes to explain what the part was and tell me that the replacement was on its way. Kasey helped me figure out the best way to get my prescription lenses into the Zeal Sunglasses. Dillon shipped from Lezyne as soon as I sent my address. Rebecca, representing Blackburn, confidently helped me deal with a backlogged order. Also, I have to include the guys at MOAB Bikes (5 Points location) for helping with assembly, set up, and conversation about my bike during quarantine.

On to the swag:

Club Ride Apparel

I am a sucker for unexpected touches, especially integrated elements. CR Apparel seems to appreciate the same. I ordered shorts + a liner, a couple of shirts, and hats. Practically every item had one of those unexpected touches. The shorts were the first thing I checked out. They fit really well, even with my Santa-shaped body. The velcro waist-pulls and belt loops make them fully adjustable. The two hand pockets are deep enough to keep my phone in place even on bumpy rides. Two smaller, zippered pockets haven't been necessary but they are great for keys or snacks. I love the stretch panels in the crotch and lower back, they add a layer of comfort and sweat control in two very key areas. All of the material feels durable without being stiff. I won't hesitate to add the shorts to my standard wardrobe. The liner is incredible. Most bike shorts I've worn have had integrated chamois, so I have to say, it is a huge bonus to have a separate pair. The chamois itself is really comfortable. They make a huge difference in comfort. The liner rides high enough in the back so that I don't have to make adjustments while riding. Earlier I was talking about unexpected touches, right? Well, these liners have loops sewn at the hips and the shorts have corresponding strips that snap creating a chain link between liner & shorts. As far as I know, this might be the industry standard, but the use of a loop and a snap really impressed me. 

The t-shirt is bamboo/cotton and is super soft. In another unexpected twist, the side seam isn't directly under the arm, making the front panel of the shirt larger than the back panel. It probably helps with flexibility and sweat, but I'm not sure. I like it because it's different. The riding shirt is a very nice button-up shirt. The collar stands firm, the fit is casual, and the fabric is really comfortable with jersey-like side panels in a darker shade. The use of snaps is smart; they allow for one-handed adjustments while riding. The chest pocket is flat and zippered giving you a secure pocket that looks really slick. This is a very comfortable shirt that I won't hesitate to use for everyday wear. That said, I'm way more of a t-shirt guy, but I've never had a shirt handle sweat the way this one does. I went out on a typically hot day (90+) and about three-quarters of the way through the ride, I realized that although I was sweating as much as usual my shirt was essentially dry and I didn't feel overheated. When I got to the end of the ride, my body was drenched but within 10 or so minutes the shirt was dry to the touch on the outside and almost the same on the inside. Incredible! This shirt has two integrated design elements that are absolutely brilliant; a small zippered rear pocket, just in case you forgot that this is a biking jersey and a why-doesn't-everybody-do-this eyeglass wipe at the bottom of the shirt placket. I need every shirt manufacturer to put this little strip of cloth on their button-front shirts NOW.

Leznye (rhymes with design)

As an amateur smart-tech nerd, I was very excited about this. The last bike computer I used had a sensor on the front wheel and no GPS. So on paper, this looked very cool, with its GPS and its Bluetooth/smartphone integration. The housing on Mega XL GPS is solid without feeling heavy. The mount (sold separately) is nicely machined aluminum. Then there is this whole Bluetooth lighting situation, which killed me. It is so cool to be able to control the lights from an app AND/or the GPS unit. You turn on the GPS, it asks which bike you are using (if you keep data for more than one bike) and if you have lights integrated. If you say yes, it turns the lights on. BAM! It has taken me a few tries to get the hang of the Mega XL riding functions and screens but it is fully customizable. Now that I have the screens set the way I want them, I am beginning to really dig how this thing works. The lights are beasts - solidly built and super bright. You can set 4 different front/rear, beam/strobe combos, scroll through them, and change them on the phone app or the GPS. Each component (GPS & lights) charges quickly via USB. I want to ride in the dark just to get a chance to use the lighting. 

Blackburn

These are tough-as-nails, smartly designed bags made for the road. They are more bag than I need at the moment, but I know what I'm looking at, and these are quality bags. They are strong & waterproof. They hold the promise for long rides & off-road treks. I am using the frame bag. It fits snuggly and has done everything I have needed so far. It has a large compartment with a false bottom for larger items. It has a tie-down for a spout on a hydration bladder. It has a small outside pocket that is perfect for quick-grab items or small necessities. There are velcro straps and lashing loops on each side of the bag. Be aware that this bag fills the entire frame making water cage/bottle combos awkward, if not, useless. Of course, if you prefer a hydration bladder this is a moot point. My only complaint is, I think, bike specific. The rear tire sits really close to the seat tube and the velcro straps on that side of the bag can be difficult to wrap. Obviously, I can cut the straps or keep the bag in place but for my current set up, it's awkward.

Zeal Optics

Can I just say, plant-based sunglasses! Yes, the lenses & frames on the ACE sunglasses are plant-based and only come in a very funky purple, my favorite color. I can't wear them yet (I'm waiting on a new prescription) but what I have seen is that colors pop when looking through these lenses. I cannot wait to wear them. What makes these glasses really special is the thoughtful & innovative use of artisanal craft and the forward-thinking eco-manufacturing. Italian-designed sunglasses made out of cotton, that's badass!

Niner Bikes

Where do I start? I've had a Trek hybrid for almost 20 years. I bought it to commute to work, which I did for a couple of years. Then I got a new job and a new place to live. I enjoyed my bike but I was never a biker. I didn't compete, I didn't trail ride. I was a very casual bike rider. For the last decade, I've barely been a casual rider. My odd work schedule and 2 kids have put limits on my energy and interest in riding but the Air9 makes me feel like a kid again. Over the years, I've lost confidence in my riding ability. Between the thinner wheels on the Trek and the lack of use, I have become skittish in turns and on unstable terrain. That confidence is returning with every ride I take on my new Niner Bike. I'm learning how it responds and really enjoying my rides. I have fewer qualms about rough and muddy terrain. Turns are getting faster and gravel is less scary. I am having fun, just like everybody said I would.

From the moment I opened the box, I knew I was gonna like the bike. The silver and blue paint, the trapezoidal shapes, the weight, and the encouraging "pedal damnit" printed right on the top bar... I knew this was a good bike. I thought I could handle assembly, but then I saw the disc brakes and was reminded how long it had been since I had assembled a bike. Hard pass on self-assembly. After a week at MOAB, my bike was ready to ride, and so was I. I went straight to the trail that I love the most - Shelby Bottoms... no chamois, no helmet, just me and the bike. Shelby Bottoms is my favorite for so many reasons. It is close to my home, it is filled with multitudes of animals and plants, and the trail is flat and familiar. This was gonna be my first end to end ride (8 miles) in a decade; I was excited. I was also excited to see how different the disc brakes and the 1x12 drivetrain would be. Obviously, in some respects, all bikes are the same but the front suspension took me off guard. It responded very quickly to my fat ass. The 1x12 is new to me. My Trek is a 3x8 (24-speed) which, on occasion, I've thought was overkill. The first thing I noticed was the efficiency of the gears. The shifting was smooth and the differences between gears were significant. My 8-mile ride was tough (out of shape biker coming through!) and my butt was sore but I enjoyed every minute. As I mentioned earlier, the most exciting aspects are the sturdiness and agility of this bike. There's an overgrown trail I've jumped on a couple times and it is so much fun maneuvering the puddles and divets. Never would I have considered doing this with the hybrid, it feels too fragile. On the other hand, the Air9 feels responsive and grounded. The drivetrain allows me to gear down and start moving with the slightest effort. This bike feels like it can take anything I throw at it and I am happy to keep trying.

I am going to put this gear to the best use I can. It might not be a trek across Mexico but it will be something more than what I have been doing. I'm gonna take some chances with this gear. To the folks behind this gear - Niner Bikes, Club Ride, Lezyne, Blackburn, & Zeal Optics, thanks for putting together an extraordinary prize package. Thanks for making outstanding gear. Thanks for bringing your enthusiasm for the sport to each customer interaction. I plan to enjoy every minute and confidently display your logos.

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