Rapha was having a sale over the weekend on their women’s line, and I decided it was high time to stop lurking and put my money down on something pretty and functional. I don’t have a lightweight jacket, so I went for the stowaway wind jacket. Lightweight, windproof, water resistant, and stylish – it sounded great. The thing that has always had me resistant to their stylish siren song is the price; everything seems so outrageously expensive, and far too much for my pocketbook. With the sale the jacket was $130 (full price is $260), and I still had a hard time clicking that purchase button. However, I compared this jacket with other brands’ similar jackets, and at this half price rate it seemed a comparable amount. And as previously stated, their stuff is so pretty!

So anyway I bought it, paid the $20 shipping, and it arrived at my house Thursday morning. I was excited.

After opening the package and basking in the glow of the reflective Rapha name for a minute, I began to wonder why they hell this jacket is $260. Here below lies the reasons why:

• Made in China – I’m not saying that I know anything about manufacturing in different parts of the world, but I can imagine manufacturing clothing in China is cheap and does not necessarily guaranteeing quality. (I also didn’t take this tag off before I wore it and the sticker got stuck in my hair. not cool, but I guess also not their fault.)
• 100% nylon – I’m under the impression this is not an expensive or profound fabric.
• Nothing particularly impressive about the make – no complicated seams, the reflective piping down the arms are sewn on similarly to what you would see on any cheap track jacket.
• It doesn’t fit particularly well – I will  now be very candid: I am 5’7″, weight 135, and have a very petite chest area. I ordered a small because I consider myself a small size; I’m not extra small – I’m tallish, not a waif. The measurements indicated that in some ways I would fit in an extra small, but I thought it would be pretty tight and too short. So anyway, with the small there’s a big weird bulge in the chest when it’s  zipped up, shoulders are boxy, and the arms are much more bunchy than I anticipated. I kind of don’t get it…cyclists are usually more petite so why would I be a x-small? My impression is that Rapha is still a men’s clothing line that is trying to expand their market to women, without really knowing how women are built.

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Is this really worth TWICE the price of other similar jackets on the market? If style is the only thing it’s got going for it, I really don’t think so. Now I must admit that I’m not the person that’s out buying Louis Vuitton or some other crazy brand, so maybe Rapha just isn’t marketed toward me, but I think my points still stand. If you’re going to sell a lightweight glorified windbreaker, it better fucking impress me. This one does not.

After my less than positive experience with the Planet Bike light, I decided to try the Blackburn Flea light. I did a little test in the restroom of my LBS to see how the brightness compared to the Planet Bike Blaze 2W.  I always have a little trouble with this, but it seemed pretty freaking bright, so I decided to give it a try, with assurances that I could exchange it should I find it unsatisfactory. In many ways it is similar to the Blaze with 3 settings; normal, bright and flashing.

The first thing I noticed is that it lights the periphery more than the direct beam of the Blaze.  This took a bit of getting used to, but I find that I like it better as a part of my commute is a long winding downhill that is streetlight-less.  Instead of only seeing directly in front of me, I could see the branches just off to the side and the squirrels contemplating making a run for it.  I could also see my actual bike better, which I had never realized that I couldn’t really see.

Another feature that I was excited about is the fact that it is charged on a USB port. This means no more batteries!  I hate batteries, as they cost $$ and are wasteful, esp when there are so many other ways to charge things (one day soon I will have a hub dynamo).  I simply plus the charger into the USB port, attach the light and it charges.  You know it is charging when it emits a low blinking light and it gets bright when fully charged.  One complaint is that you don’t really have much of a warning when it needs charging; just goes dimmer and then is dark.  This happened once on the aforementioned downhill and it was scary.  However, with 3 hours runtime, I have only had to charge it 3 times since putting it on a month ago.

It is also easy to attach, with only velcro, but strong velcro indeed.  I haven’t ridden in a downpour to know if the velcro will unstick when wet. I have, though, changed the light from one bike to another with little problem.  Which I really like since I really don’t want to have to buy 2 lights!

All in all, I would recommend this light to anyone who wants something inexpensive and bright.

Embrocation Cycling Journal Volume 4. That bloody knee, how I love the feelings it evokes…the very spirit of racing, cycling and all things sexy and dirt covered. Everything about this little publication is well done (not surprising considering Jeremy Dunn is one of the Rapha fellas; chicken and egg conundrum, does Rapha pick the classy ones or do you become that way during a Gentleman’s race one day??).  The photos, writing, features…I read and reread it, slowly turning each page so as not to miss anything. It was everything you imagine cycling to be as a kid…european, pretty, gritty, sexy and bad ass.  Hell, even the ad’s are clean.  My favorite feature was the Tour of California, as told by 3 teams. Or was it the Belgium diary?  Or perhaps the…oh just get it yourself and read it.  You won’t regret it.  Pick up a tshirt while you are there, they are pretty sick looking.

*side note: that bloody knee print is for sale.  My order should be going in tomorrow.  Yes, waking up to dirty bloody knees is how I roll. What?!

Coming soon to a Bike Skirt near you: thoughts on Rouleur, Cog magazine, Boneshaker Almanac and Women’s Cycling Magazine.    Whoever says print is dead is not checking out the cycling ‘rags, clearly.  I plan to single-handedly change that.

Copenhagen Cyclery

While in Chicago, Dottie was kind enough to take me to Dutch Bike Chicago and Copenhagen Cyclery.

I’ll take one of each, please.

We have no Dutch bike shops in Alabama, and I am not sure we even have anywhere that sells Dutch bikes here.  So I was really excited to get to see and ride these wonders on two wheels.  I was not disappointed…at all. Despite the rainy, cold day I had a wonderful time.

Tiffany's makes bike racks?!

First stop was Copenhagen Cyclery where we met up with Braxton and Ashley (also from Al), who were in town simply to test ride a Velorbis.  Phil at Copenhagen was friendly and knowledgeable.   We all took turns test riding the Scrap Deluxe and it was so comfortable and surprisingly fast and nimble.  I will be honest…I was never sure that a Dutch bike was my style, as I like speed and agility.  I was proven wrong on this bike.  The balloon tires were cushy but fast and wow was it pretty!  While not riding or admiring, I was listening to Phil rave about Chicago and the great people and neighborhoods.  I picked up a great handmade wool cycling cap, Dottie got a seat rain cover and we all fell in love with the bikes.  They did not have a Leikier in stock, but I am intrigued by the design and concept. After spending about 2 hours in the shop, we moved along to our next Dutch bike stop…

Copenhagen Cyclery

Ashley and Braxton test riding

Dutch Bike Chicago. As soon as we walked in the greeted Dottie with a “Hey there, what will you be test riding today?” It was awesome.  We pretty much rode every bike in the shop.  My personal favorite was the Workcycles FR8.  Rode smoothly, quickly (do you sense a theme with me?) and could carry anything.  They had one with 3 kids seats on it!  It was hard to leave this one behind.  I also test rode a Bakfiet, Gazelle Toer Populair, and a Gazelle Chamonix Pure.

Dutch Bike Chicago

The Chamonix Pure was really interesting, as it is a more “modern”, light and quick take on the Dutch bike.  Aluminum, with adjustable handlebars that can go from low, mustache like state to a more upright classic Dutch bike placement.  It was a pleasant ride, a bit bumpier than the others, but much quicker.  I think that if I were to try to “go Dutch” in Birmingham, this may be the choice for me.

Workcycles FR8

alternative to the mini van?

For a more thorough review of the Gazelles, check out Dottie’s write up on Let’s Go Ride a Bike.

adjustable handlebars

I had a great time and everyone was kind and willing to answer questions, raise the seats and let me take them all out for a test ride.  Braxton ended up ordering himself a Scrap Deluxe and I have been dreaming about that bike and the FR8 since I returned home. I was taken with how utilitarian yet beautiful they all were.  Here you see pretty bikes…that don’t carry much.  To see bikes used as child carriers, grocery getters, beer holders and the like was refreshing.

Who needs a car?!

Who knows; maybe a Dutch bike is in my future.

Thanks to everyone at Dutch Bike Chicago and Phil at Copenhagen Cyclery.  You guys made my trip enjoyable and memorable.  If you are in the area (hell, even if you aren’t) go by and check out these shops and bikes.  You won’t regret it and will come back looking at bikes in a whole new light.

As many of our long time readers know, I have had a problem finding a bag that gets everything I need, dry and comfortably, to work and play. Banjo Brothers, a friend of both Bici and Bike Skirt, sent a Commuter Backpack as a prize for the Flirty Thirty race.  I didn’t win it, but was intrigued.  Could this be the solution I was looking for?

Messenger bags are wonderful, but I need 2 straps.  I have a long, thin neck and have always had issues with it.  I was also in a car accident in college that gave me soft tissue damage that won’t go away.  None of my bikes have the capabilities for panniers (although I am looking into getting that fixed with a local bike builder), so a backpack is the only way to go for me.

After multiple emails (they were so helpful) to determine which size would work best for me, one arrived at my doorstep.  One look and I knew I would never use my old LLBean bag again.  This thing is classy looking, complete with reflective features that look good even off the bike.  Bells and whistles, but not so many that it is bordering on ridiculous.  Pockets for pens, pencils, cell phone, bike lock keys and a larger pocked for other random things (in my case; wallet, lipstick, bike repair stuffs). There is also a side pocket just right for a U lock that is easily accessible when the pack is on.  This has been the most surprisingly handy pocket so far.

Roomy?…oh my.  I got the medium with 1500 cubic inches of space. I packed it out to see how much it could carry.  Here is what I loaded it down with:

work day: 2 moleskin notebooks, full change of clothes, shoes, sunglasses case, large make up case, lock

work +play day: change of clothes, makeup case, 6 pack of beer, bottle of wine, triscuits, lock

Grocery day: a full weeks worth of groceries.  pork tenderloin, grapes, pop tarts, 1/2 gallon of milk, 2 cans of veggies, jar of spaghetti sauce and dry pasta, lock

conference day: laptop, rainjacket, t shirt, 2 notebooks, 2 magazines, lock

I waited to post this review until I had ridden in a good downpour with it.  On said day, I also got a flat in the storm, so the waterproof claim was definitely tested.  I arrived soaking wet, with everything in the bag bone dry.  I had a few items in the outer pockets that were damp, but anything in the large waterproof liner was dry.

The straps do distribute the weight evenly though I do use the waist strap as well.  The bag itself is not light, something I had to get used to.  When fully loaded, it is a heavy thing to hoist on.  I also find that if I put it low on my back, it pulls a bit on my neck.  I am still tweaking the correct strap length.  The u lock pocket makes for an uneven weight distribution that takes some strap adjustment necessary in order to keep it from falling one way or the other.

All in all, I would recommend this bag to anyone needing a good, sturdy backpack.  If you just want to carry around a notebook and repair kit, this is a bit much.  For the serious commuter however, it has everything you need.  The price is reasonable for all the amenities at $79.99.  Oh, and the folks running the company are good people who care about your comfort and happiness.  When I tweeted that my back hurt, I got a message asking if I wanted to trade or how they could help.  That is rare and welcome.

Bike Love!

When you order one, tell ‘em Bike Skirt sent you…

Goes with everything

One thing is never unpredictable…Summers. They are always hot. Without fail. Spring seems to come quickly, bringing 75 degree days with it. Lovely, right? Not if you are a bike commuter who has to work in a building with no showers. Like myself, for instance, who has a 10 mile commute over a mountain and through a neighborhood of rolling hills. In the winter I would arrive hot, but nothing a quick swipe with a baby wipe and a paper towel couldn’t take of.

This week I got a glimpse of riding in the sun and heat and it wasn’t pretty. Baby wipes are wonderful, but they don’t do much if you are really gross, plus they leave you a little greasy feeling and smelling like a changing table.

Enter Action Wipes. I had read about these and wondered what they were like. I bugged (ok-asked once) my Local Bike Shop and they ordered some. Score! Even funnier is that after they ordered them, I won some online. Sweet!!

Let me tell you, I love them. L-O-V-E. They are large enough to use everywhere (tip: top to bottom, starting with your face), don’t leave you greasy and smell great. They have Tea Tree oil, Frankincense and Eucalyptus in them and you leave smelling fresh, not cloyingly sweet or annoyingly perfumed.

Another great thing: you can rinse them and reuse them. I wash them and use them to wipe off the grunge on my bike after a muddy ride. I also have one that I use as a dishrag. You simply wash them and reuse.

They are a little bit more expensive than baby wipes ($9.50 for 15 pack, $3.50 for 5 pack), but worth every single penny. If you live in Birmingham, you can pick these up at Homewood Cycles (thanks Kenny!). Anywhere else, ask your local bike shop or get them online.

As the weather heats up, don’t be the guy or girl who rides her bike to work, but is stinky and gross all day. that is no way to spread the commuting love!

More warm weather tips to come. Stay Tuned!!