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THE INVISIBLE HELMET

Posted by bikeahead in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

Many people don’t wear bicycle helmets for various reasons. The most popular excuse for non-helmet cyclists is comfort, claiming that the helmet is heavy and sweaty. Then there are the vain ones who simply don’t like the look of it. I for one, would not risk my life for beauty and comfort, But to all those out there who would, there is now a solution: the Invisible Bike Helmet.

7 years ago, 2 young ambitious female entrepreneurs set out on a seemingly impossible mission to design an invisible helmet. They did not give up, despite deterrence from many cynics, thus bringing to the market the greatest cycling invention yet.

The Hovding, as it is called, wears as a collar around the cyclist’s neck. In the event of an accident, special sensors detect abnormal movement in the rider’s neck, causing the airbag inside of the collar to pop up around the head. The airbag inflates in .1 seconds, providing maximum protection against head impact.

It’s not cheap for a helmet. But if it’s money or life, I would choose life.

In a Bind: Frame Mounted Air Pumps

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

You’ve probably heard the story about a hundred times about how a buddy of yours or an acquaintance of a friend of a friend popped a tire and was stuck, miles from anywhere, without a bicycle pump. While this should definitely be something you carry with you at all times it doesn’t necessarily have to stay in your pack where you can either forget it or take it out for lack of room.

Why not clip this essential bike accessory to the frame of your bike where it won’t be in the way or forgotten. Bike Ahead sells many different kind of frame mounted bike pumps. You’re going to want something that is both small and powerful. This might seem an impossible feat until you find out about that Lezyne Air Drive. This tiny little pump can put out 90 PSI in your tires by just a few short hand pumped actions. You’ll be back on the road and ready to get yourself home in no time. No need to give your buddies the sob story about how you had to carry your bike 10 miles in the dark uphill both ways to get home because you forgot your air pump. You’ll be set with one of these frame mounted beauties.

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Toddler PREbikes

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

When kids start to learn how to ride a bike, many adults purchase them a tricycle, a toddler bike, or a bicycle with training wheels. Did you know there was another option? There is! Strider PREbike balance bikes are great for learning the balance and coordination that are needed for when you start riding that first “big kid” bike.

These bikes have no pedals but are in essence scooters that you sit on. This will develop the muscles, the muscle memory, and the stability that are all required for riding a real bicycle with no need for a third wheel or a set of training wheels.

These great bikes are perfect for kids 1-5 up to fifty pounds. Imagine a bike that can grow with a kid for 5 years! A tricycle might be grown out of in mere months while this bike will stick around long after. It’s a super light weight bike coming in at only seven pounds. That’s only about a third of the weight of regular bicycles of comparable size.

Watch your child scoot around with this bike and learn how to balance themselves, stop, and turn on their own time and with far less spills than traditional bikes. These are perfect for those little ones just starting out.

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Things to Carry in Your Pack

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

Whether you’re out for a long ride across the Appalachian Trail or just setting out to the grocery store a few blocks away, having a few essential bike accessories in your bike pack can really save you a headache during your trip.

Be sure that you have your water bottle. That’s incredibly important. Always keep hydrated and make sure that your water is clean. If you’re concerned about the water, buy a bottle that has an integrated filter. You’re also going to want to have some protein bars and other snacks with you when you ride.

Other bike accessories you might want are a chain tool, a wrench or two, and definitely a flat head and phillips head screwdriver. Don’t worry, you don’t have to carry a veritable toolbox with you. Bike ahead sells multi tools that are small and can carry easily in your backpack.

Obviously you’re going to want to keep a small pump and an extra bike tire tube in your pack in case of a flat. Here’s a tip though. To pop the tire off the rim of your bicycle, carry a butter knife around with you. It’s a small but effective tool that will save you possibly a headache on your ride.

Hydrating on Summer Bike Rides

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

We’ve discussed in the past how important some bike accessories are. Unarguably the most important of these is a helmet, but when the weather turns warm during the summer months one of the most important bike accessories to have with you at all times is a water bottle.

It’s so incredibly important to stay hydrated in the summer even when you’re not exercising. When you are riding, it’s even more important to have water with you at all times. This can help you avoid heat stroke, dehydration, and other heat and sun related health issues.

One of the most trusted names in water container and delivery systems is CamelBak. These bottles and bags have climbed mountains, biked miles and miles of trails, and kept thousands of adventurers properly hydrated. Now you can get a water bottle cage for your bike and also a great Camalbak bottle! The model pictured here is actually equipped with a filtration system inside the straw so you can have clean water anywhere you go!

If you’re out on a really long and arduous day you’re going to want to drink two liters of water. Especially if you’re biking at a higher altitude. That means four of these .6L water bottles for you!

 

Baby Carriers

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

Just because you became a parent doesn’t mean that you have to give up your cycling habits. All you need are some great bike supplies for your new little one. The first thing you should buy, before you even think of anything else, is the safety gear. One of the most important bike accessories for anyone of any age is a helmet. Make sure your child has a proper fitting bike helmet. You might also want to get them knee pads, wrist guards, and elbow pads as well. This will keep your child well protected while you’re riding.

Speaking of riding, how are they getting there? There are many different ways to get your child from point a to point b. The first option of course is to strap them to your back with a pack. This is the best option for young, tiny children. This gives you great control over their movements and the balance on your bike. Other options include bike trailers (perfect for toddlers and those just too small for their own bikes) and also bike seats.

Do some research on all of your options and make sure that you’re comfortable with the baby carrier you choose before putting your child in it.

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Scooters for Kids

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

There’s nothing more amazingly fun to a kid than zooming around on a great scooter. Unless of course that scooter is brightly colored and looks flashy. Then it’s easier to make “zooming” sounds as you whiz by your parents and other pedestrians on the sidewalk or in the park. These fantastically brightly decorated scooters from Bike Ahead are perfect for a summer of moving fast and carefree.

Just because it’s not a bike doesn’t mean you can go without bicycle accessories for your scooter. Arguably the most important of these bike accessories is a helmet. You can still crash on a scooter and you don’t want any bad accidents to put you out of commission. You might also want to add some fun features like bells, or baskets. Maybe there isn’t enough color for you! Think about handlebar grips. Go ahead, totally trick out your scooter. It’s a thing of pride for a kid!

You may find that zooming around on the scooter is so much fun that you don’t want to leave it as you grow. Thankfully they make adult sizes too so you can keep on scooting well into your adulthood! Make sure you take care though, and don’t run anyone over. Enjoy the summer!

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Bikes and Cars Living in Harmony

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

Los Angeles is not exactly known for it’s great traffic reports. Sitting bumper to bumper in LA is pretty normal and people take it into account in their morning commute. However, even LA is becoming more and more bicycle friendly. Recently the traffic in LA was stopped not for an accident or a pileup but for thousands of bikes to cross through the city.

With the growth of bikes extending past just food/messenger delivery and into people who are using bikes to commute and for actual work, it seems that motor vehicles and bicycles are starting to share the space. Bike shops that were once small little mom and pop stores are expanding. The sale of bike accessories, things like bike helmets and onguard bicycle locks, have skyrocketed and races and long distance rides through metropolis areas have greatly increased.

Possibly the most exciting news for bikes and cars living in harmony is the attitude of police officers and traffic officials. Previously they have been known to cite cyclists for any small infraction and place the blame on the cyclist for any and all accidents involving a vehicle. Now police escorts ride with the cyclists through the cities on their long rides and have cracked down on cars riding in bike lanes.

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Biking Wardrobe

Posted by KristinG in BikeAhead - (0 Comments)

As I was riding the ferry from my home on Staten Island to Manhattan, I sat next to the bike racks. I noticed a definite trend in wardrobe as the cyclists lined up their bikes in the small rack on the front of the boat.

Most cyclists have bike accessories like helmets but they have other similarities. Most of them had their right pant leg either rolled up or tucked into their socks. This is so that they don’t have a problem with their pants getting caught in their bike chains.

Another part of the bicycle wardrobe that seems to be almost universal is the bike gloves. You can get these at most bike supply stores. Their uses are several fold. The pair pictured here are made with a special material to absorb any perspiration you might work up from a heavy ride workout. They are also padded so that your hands don’t go numb from being on the handle bars and absorbing all of the shock from the bumps and divots in the road. The thumb construction is ergonomic so that you don’t hurt the muscles and tendons in your hand.

If you’re ever biking in New York City and ride the ferry, make sure you wear the “uniform” which includes the rolled up pants, helmet, and biking gloves!

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Eating Right Before a Bike Race

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There’s no doubt that before a big race you’ve already trained for months, fretted over what bike accessories you need, and checked your bike endlessly for any problems with the gears, the breaks, or the tires. What you may not have thought about is your diet leading up to and on the day of the race.

It’s a good idea to eat things with a lot of carbohydrates. Carbs are the most accessible form of calories that your body can consume. The carbs are then stored in your muscles and your liver as glycogen. The reason for eating a lot of carbs is that your body is going to need to feed off of the stores of glycogen in your body to power you through your long ride. When you “hit the wall” in a race, it’s your body running out of these energy pockets and starting to find energy elsewhere. Obviously your body doesn’t like doing this and makes you hurt for it.

On the day before and day of a race eat foods high in carbohydrates and not protein. During a race, protein is not as easily converted to energy as carbohydrates. Maybe the most important bicycle accessory you can have on your person during a race is an energy bar high in carbohydrates!