REI dividend time!

Retail therapy. Gotta love it. Even for bike stuff... or maybe especially for bike stuff.

I needed some more polypro socks and another under helmet cap - well, "need" might be a strong word, but of the things I lacked, quick-drying, snug socks were one and extra under helmet caps was another. Everything else I generally have lots of.

Here's what I got today...

Several pairs of socks which included the P-40 Warhawk design, the Jolly Roger, and the chain designs.


A Session (Full Sail brewing's Red Stripe-emulating stubby bottle offshoot) Lager cap.


Oh, yeah. Best part: I used my REI dividend and the 20% discount coupon to save some coin. I think I paid $5 out of pocket.

product review: GloGlov

To enhance my visibility to drivers while doing low light bicycle commuting, this past fall I bought a pair of reflective gloves manufactured by the GLO GLOV company. Also, it seemed most of my cycling jackets did not have a lot of reflectivity or visibility to motorists when I was signaling to make a turn.

I purchased the regular "original" version, designed more for traffic cops or construction flaggers, and it cost me about $20 for the pair. [I'd figured if these were bright enough for cop to direct traffic with, they'd be suited for me making my intentions known to drivers]. I found them at a shop which specializes in police and medic uniforms and gear. A friend who rides motorcycles also told me he has a pair of these when he's out riding in similar low light conditions.

Me sporting the Glo Glovs before a ride...


As the manufacturers' web site details, these gloves are "USA-made retro-reflective glove for multiple uses." The product has shown it is "breathable and lightweight" and it does "stretch... for wearing over most gloves". That's the biggest issue to get around for me. The style I bought has a big stop sign in the palm which can hamper your ability to grasp handlebars or braking/shifting controls and this might be even more pronounced if the wearer's hands are smaller. However, the enhanced visibility offered by the reflective material surpasses the potential bulkiness of the palm. Worst case, someone could in theory remove the palm reflective piece.

The Glo Glov people must have had similar comments from other cyclists, as they have a different product with a padded palm and no reflective piece on the palm. It's the Sport Glo Glov. It is described as a "specially designed USA-made cycling glove for outdoor sports with an added sure-grip palm." With short fingers, it is designed to fit over a thinner cycling glove if necessary. At sbout $23, I likely would have bought this product instead of the original Glo Glov, had I known it was available.

Note: I am not sponsored by or otherwise affiliated with the manufacturers or marketers of this product.

Added note 3-3-10: from the manufacturer of GloGlov "the Original GloGlov has the triangle palm and not the Stop Sign, which is for police,etc traffic control. I wasn't aware of it slipping if they are worn over other gloves. The reflective is not only sewn on but is strongly adhesived to the material, like you said it would be better to use the Sport for serious riding."

a cautionary note

I like my socks to match what I'm wearing, typically, when I'm dressed in my business casual work clothes. I change at work from cycling attire (I bring my work clothes once a week to have on-hand so I needn't ride to work with them wadded up in panniers or risk getting them wet/dirty/etc.).

I usually change in the restroom on our floor rather than the workout fitness room locker room, a habit I adopted during the year the locker room was closed for remodeling. In the morning, since my ride is under 3 miles and generally down hill, I don't need to re-shower in the AM... at least no coworker's have complained about it.

As I change in a bathroom stall, I usually hang my clothes over the top of the door and set items like socks to the side, propping them up on the top of the TP holder, for example. Well, this morning things did not go so well. Like a tired or distracted first baseman missing what should have been an easy out, I bobbled the rolled-up socks and they landed with a *sploosh* into the toilet.

My first thought was to somehow save them and dry them out, however, the thought of having wet socks perched on my desk, staring at me soggily, only further irritated me. So I opted to trash them and instead wear socks that don't match what I'm wearing.

Funny considering on the ride in I was thinking "it's such a really great day for riding" buzzing down the road with happy, positive thoughts in my head, unaware of the sock drama about to unfold minutes later.

waiting game

I ordered a hiviz yellow jacket from E-Bay at the end of October. Still has not arrived. Grrr.

I could use it too since the Daylight Savings Time has changed - plus it is typically very rainy.