Alameda Runners – Get After It!

I’ve written a couple of stories about the Shimano CM-1000 sports camera for TweakTown (here and here), but thought I should post something on Alameda Runners. Shimano used the 2014 Tour of California as a testing ground for the camera, and some unique videos have been released.

The Shimano CM-1000 will be available to consumers in early August with an expected $300 MSRP.

Content available after the jump:  Read more… »

This review is a guest review written by Miriam “Wombat” Kaufman, a personal friend, running enthusiast, and all-around neat person.  She has several stories currently in the works for Alameda Runners, so hope you enjoy.

I was excited to have the opportunity to try out the Bracketron TruRunner belt for two reasons:

1. I’ve had my current belt for almost five years and it’s just about lost all of its elasticity
2. I’m still on the hunt for the perfect no-bounce belt.

I really dislike carrying stuff while I run, and I think I’m extra sensitive to every little bounce, slosh or jingle that drives me crazy. I prefer to run minimally, free of gear that weighs me down or is distracting, but sometimes it’s not only convenient but necessary to carry my cell phone. So, when a gear company comes around saying they’ve got a new belt that stays put, I get excited. Skeptical, but excited.

Rest of the review available after the jump:  Read more… »

Ride for your health!

People tend to think of riding a bike as a way to exercise, but overlook it as a great way to explore your neighborhood and burn calories at the same time. As I flipped through the May 2014 edition of “Cycle California Magazine,” (PDF) the “Prescription for better health” column added great insight:

“Cycling can conveniently and pleasantly burn calories.  In fact daily 75 minute rides burn enough calories to lose over a pound per week.  So just riding to work may be enough to win the battle of the bulge.  Every 30 to 60 minute ride stimulates both the adrenal and thyroid glands to produce adrenaline and thyroxin.  These hormones act to increase riders’ metabolisms up to 25 percent for 15 hours after the initial exercise.  This increased basal metabolic rate causes an after-burn of calories.  Thus the weight loss process continues even when you rest.  Cycling also strengthens and develops muscle mass, so that weight loss is further induced by thermogenesis.”

I have a lot of casual biking tips to share with everyone in the future – so stay tuned and remember, have fun but stay safe out there.

(Thanks to Monique Rodriguez for the excellent photo.)

The Tour of California begins tomorrow from Sacramento, California, as some of the biggest names in cycling will blur by on Golden State roads.

Along with Peter Sagan, whose 10 stages tallies the highest in ToC history, will be joined by former Tour de France champion Bradley Wiggins and sprinting ace Mark Cavendish.

From the Team Sky website:

Sir Bradley Wiggins heads the squad this time around and he will be aiming to make his mark on the overall standings. Ian Boswell, Joe Dombrowski and Danny Pate will also be aiming to impress on home soil, with Nathan Earle, Christian Knees and Luke Rowe rounding out a talented eight-man line up.

Whether you love him or hate him, Wiggins looks to be in great shape and wants to show everyone he is on form for the 2014 Tour de France in July.

(Image courtesy of Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)

I am a fan of Team Cannondale rider Peter Sagan, one of the fastest cyclists in the European peloton.  Not only is he a talented rider, he is a popular draw among cycling fans.

To capitalize, apparel maker Sugoi has launched a custom Cannondale Peter Sagan jersey prior to the Tour of California.  The jersey should be available in the United States by June 15, with a $100 MSRP.

“I wanted a jersey that spoke to my inner drive to win, but also shows off my fun side. Working with Sugoi they quickly understood my vision, and I hope people love the jersey as much as I do,” Sagan said in a company press release.

I look forward to seeing Sagan at the 2014 Tour of California, where he will look to improve his leading 10 career stage wins in the Golden State.

I know the Alameda Runners have owned a few pieces of Sugoi gear over the years, and its products are simply incredible.  (You will pay for that quality however, so don’t get sticker shock!)

The 2014 City of Alameda Earth Day Festival is taking place this Saturday, and should be a fun time, especially for those of you with young children.

Kids will enjoy free activities, there will be Earth day games and exhibits, and stop by the farmer’s market stands! The event will take place on Saturday, April 26 at Washington Park (Central and 8th) from 10:00A.M. to 3:00P.M.

Thanks to event sponsors: City of Alameda Public Works Department, East Bay Regional Park District, Alameda Municipal Power, Alameda County Industries, Chinook Book, Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk, Pacific Coast Farmers’ Market Association, Earth Day Network, and the City of Alameda.

Take a look at the flyer (PDF) or visit this link.

The 12th Annual Every Step Counts Run event takes place on Saturday, April 26, and benefits the Stepping Stones Growth Center in San Leandro.

From a statement sent to Alameda Runners:

“As you may recall, Every Step Counts is an annual fundraiser for
Stepping Stones Growth Center, and the $30 entry fee supports a wide
range of innovative programs for the nonprofit, including vocational
training, independent living and life skills. Runners participating in
this 5K run will be entered into prize drawings, and medals will be
awarded to the top first-run finisher in each age division, male and
female. Registration includes a t-shirt, goodie bag and refreshments.”

The race will take place at the San Leandro Marina and includes a 1-mile walk or 5K run – it’s an extremely flat, fast out and back course along the San Francisco Bay Trail.

I did a review on Purist water bottles, by Specialized, a couple of years ago.  The review can be found here.  Since that review, I have used nothing but Purist and Camelback water bottles.  If I had more Purist bottles, I would use them exclusively.  Just like the last review, I was not very enthused about reviewing insulated bottles.  Every insulated bottle that I have owned was very hard to squeeze which caused a lot of frustration.  I took a Camelback insulated bottle to a triathlon to jettison at a water stop.  The bottle was so hard to squeeze, I did not get much water on that section of the race.  I was glad to be rid of the thing but the drama that I created during a race had me avoid insulated water bottles for a while.

The Purist insulated bottle is easy to squeeze!  It is so easy to squeeze that I had to examine the bottle after I tried it for the first time.  I could tell that it was insulated but I could not really feel the insulation barrier.  The volume of insulation makes the bottle one ounce smaller than the standard 24 ounce bottle but that is okay.  I filled the water bottle up with ice water at work one day and still had cold water when I got home 90 minutes later.  Every time I rode home from work with a standard bottle, my water was warm when I got home.  We had a very warm winter here with temperatures typically reaching the upper 50’s or low 60’s (14c-18c) in the afternoons.

In addition to the insulation the bottle has the standard Purist interior and cap.  I can’t say enough good things about the “Purist silicon infusion”.  I thought tea bags infused water with tea flavor.  I can’t imagine how Purist infuses silicon dioxide into or onto plastic.  It does not matter if I know how they do it, as long as it works.  My bottles are always clean.  The only time there is a left over flavor is when I don’t clean the cap properly.  The cap is advertised to pop off with a tug and a twist but that does not work for me.

What I like about the bottle:

• It is easy to squeeze
• The smooth interior that is easy to clean and does not hold odor
• The cool cap that does not let water leak out.  You squeeze the cap to open a diaphragm to let the water out.  It works great.
• The insulation works very well.  I have not tried it on a 100 degree day yet but time will tell.
• The bottles are BPA free

What I don’t like:

• The cap is hard to take apart for cleaning
• The price is too high to build up a good collection

I really like this water bottle.  The standard plastic bottles always have me wondering about the plastic leaching into the water that I drink.  I don’t get that impression from the Purist bottle.

NEW YORK – February 6, 2014 – Pyle Audio®, manufacturers of outdoor recreational sports gear and home, car and pro audio equipment, announces the Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor and Watch (PSBTHR70). Pyle’s Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor and Watch measures heart rate, average speed, distance traveled, number of steps taken, lap speeds and calorie consumption. The data can then be wirelessly transmitted via Bluetooth Smart technology to a number of third party apps on compatible iOS and Android devices including RunKeeper, MapMyRun and WahooFitness. There are many reasons why people monitor their vital signs and with Pyle’s Bluetooth device, you can get accurate data in any environment and design your very own personal fitness regimen. Additionally, the watch and heart rate monitor are water resistant protecting the devices from rain or sweat. The Bluetooth Heart Rate Monitor and Watch from Pyle Audio is available in black, green, blue or pink for $69.99 at www.PyleAudio.com.

Full release available after the jump – and a few thoughts from Mike:  Read more… »

The German-based Team NetApp-Endura will ride the 2014 Tour de France this July, after the team received confirmation of a wildcard invite.  Expect to see its riders livening up the race by going into breakaways and trying to take any advantage if the ProTour teams stop paying attention.

Here is what Ralph Denk, Team Manager of NetApp-Endura (in a blog post)

“A dream comes true. We have worked towards this news since the first day of the team’s founding.  That our wish has now become reality is overwhelming, and will put the whole team into a euphoric mood. We could not have hoped for better news shortly before our season opening.”

It’s great to see a team like NetApp-Endura, which was founded in 2010, work their way up to a Tour wildcard invite.  Czech rider Leopold Konig picked up stage wins in the Tour of California and Vuelta a Espana in 2013 while Czech teammate Jan Barta won the country’s road race and time trial championships.

Best of luck in your quest to get to Paris!