Reason to celebrate: new bike goodies.
Reason number 1 to ride: lost my job so I have a lot of free time now.
Reason number 2 to ride: new toys.
Reason number 3 to ride: It was 67 degrees in Colorado Springs today.
Reason number 4 to ride: you don’t need a reason to ride, you sick fuck.
I didn’t stay out long because of other obligations today (ya know, the dog ain’t gonna wash itself), but I’m glad I rode. Trails were soupy, but it felt awesome to have the sun on my back. Short sleeves and shorts today…nice. Three days ago I was bundled up and riding through snow and ice (also tons of fun), but then yesterday I rode the rollers (far less fun). I took Caveman’s advice and stopped riding in place. I think I’ll apply that to other areas of my life, too.
When I lived in Maine, winter was always followed by mud season, which lasted until mid-summer or so. This was real mud…you rode until your hubs were below the surface, then you made your best effort to not sink into the soup where the black flies and mosquitoes were making babies. Colorado doesn’t have that kind of mud…Arizona doesn’t have mud at all, unless you count the entry-level pottery class Sedona turns into after a rain. Today’s soup was close, though. Pretty good mud.
The Gunnar Cockpound held its own today, I must say. Was actually comfortable on it for once, and nothing broke. I did have a chronically leaky rear tire, but even that’s bearable on a day like today. Sometimes the ride is just perfect. Today, the ride was just damn perfect.
As for the Giro helmet: I have a huge dome. Seriously. It’s big…mostly empty, but big. And I’ve got a ridiculous amount of hair to shove into a helmet on top of that. Giro helmets are the only helmets that have ever fit me well, and this was no exception. On top of that, this Atmos helmet is light as hell. I’ve had farts that weight more. I’m digging it. Let’s see if it can withstand my sloppy riding style and penchant for slamming into trees with my head down.
On that note, I’m off to work on the motorcycle. As I sand away at the gas tank, it’s nice to remember the chill people in Flagstaff who helped me out when I needed it. Bryce over at AZ Bikes was good enough to introduce me to the world of motorcycles…even basically taught me how to ride. When I read some of the comments posted here on DC, I remember that not all the locals there were rabid. Most were downright accepting…more than accepting: gracious and giving. Every moment I spend on a bike or working on the motorcycle is one more moment that I remember good people, not those who choose to be exclusive and petty.
It’s a good world. I’ve got a good feeling about 2012…
It’s coming time for a helmet so thanks for the quickie review. How’s the airflow when climbing?
That would depend entirely on how fast you climb, I’m guessing.
I dig it. Lots of ventilation, lots of space for my big dome. Comfy, easily adjustable. I’d recommend it, though I’ve only got a few rides on it.
Some climb faster than others… Me not so much anymore so good ventilation at less than zero miles an hour is a good thing.
My dome without hair is frigg’in huge. There is a pile of cycling caps next to the sewing machine waiting to be up-sized for said big dome.
Any other helmets you might recommend.
I’ve been running the herein mentioned Giro Atmos for a few seasons and I really dig it, the coolest (as in cool air over my sweaty head) helmet I’ve ever worn.
I really don’t care much for helments. Nothing up there worth saving anyway.
I know Big S is not very popular in these parts lately, but I have both a Prevail and a Propero II. Both fit great and are well ventilated. The Prevail is really nice and very adjustable, but the Propero is only a small step down (the straps are mounted differently, it’s slightly heavier, and slightly harder to adjust) and half the cost. Giro’s never really fit me (which is strange because Bell did and they’ve been the same company for a while now.)
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Thanks, buddy.
Stay away from Flagstafftown.
man Rabid Lokel, you sound like a child molester.
Really ??
Rabid Lokel….you need to grow the fuck up.
FatBob also.
Really ??
Thanks Jefe, fit and function first then morals. My last helmet purchase was some twenty years ago so a few new things to look into.
Daisy, if you like the fit of Giro helmets, you might consider a Trek helmet, too. They apparently use the same molds for their helmets, and the Trek version might be less expensive. Can’t guarantee that, though. Just heard rumors and such.
Helmets should be replaced every 4-5 years, whether they have been crashed or not. Safety standards improve and the polystyrene degrades. If a helmet has been crashed or shows any substantial damage, it should be replaced. They are designed to take one hard impact.