Reverse Gear Blog

Lucinda tested REVERSE Gear in both Costa Rica and Martha’s Vineyard and has given it a “thumbs up” for cycling, kayaking and general sports. To see what she says about us,  go to:  http://www.guidedcycling.com/ and click on LINKS in the menu or read what she has to say here…

ReverseGear: Moisture wicking apparel that works with you, even in the jungles of Costa Rica! (Click this link for their website)
Designed as specialized cycling clothing for recumbent cyclists but also perfect for running and any other activities causing you to perspire such as running, kayaking, etc… Our company owner, Lucinda, personally tested a deep blush/black colored shorts [Corkwood] & top set [Sassafras Sleeveless]…not only on the Atlantic Ocean Island of Martha’s Vineyard but in the intense heat and rugged jungles of Costa Rica for several weeks.

Her comments about Reverse Gear products are as follows: For those that care about how they look (no matter how well the garment works) Reverse Gear has done a great job! I received so many compliments on my sports outfit (I wore while cycling, kayaking and even hiking in extreme heat) that I had been giving a test try (with a very open mind…as I own many brands of sports wear). And, it’s not just an attractive package with no substance! The quick drying material is very soft, comfortable and is geared toward keeping sweat from ruining your day. It keeps you dry, the material does not cause any irritation to my skin and does not seem to produce an odor while doing so as some other materials in sports wear do. With the top…I especially like the mesh-like panels that run down the sides which definitely helps to keep perspiration and excess build up of heat in the arm-pit area to a minimum. The placement of the zipper in the front is nice and flat and none of the seams cause any discomfort. Of course, the highlighted feature of the top for cyclists are the zippered pockets - so no more losing anything out of your pockets. The only thing that I would change would be the elastic at the bottom, which was not much of a bother but more my personal preference….and from what I understand they are redesigning without the elastic within the next year. As for the bottoms…it is a joy to find bottoms without the often added padding! They are also designed to make your rear end look as good as the material feels next to your skin! Many kudos to the folks at Reverse Gear for doing such a fantastic job with all the attention and design features they put into their apparel! I recommend you contact them today and place an order! Check out their website at: www.reversegearclothing.com

I know that we are about to ride more than 8500 km and that I should be training to get my mind and body ready for the Blind Guy Biking.  But since I am not athletically-inclined, I can find a zillion reasons for not doing it - “it” being the dreaded “training” word. And here are some recent ones:

1. On Thursday, we were putting new bookcases in the office so I convinced myself that all of the heavy-lifting of boxes of files would qualify as weight training that day. (It does - right?)
2. On Friday, I took my trike in for a tune-up. Doing a long training ride right after to make sure it was well-tuned would have been a good idea. But I thought it was a better idea to go shopping for some new fuchsia gloves and socks to match my fuchsia and black REVERSE Gear warm weather outfit (jersey, camisole and shorts) and red gloves and socks to go with my new RG jersey. And so I convinced myself that the short, fast ride from Urbane Cycle to MEC was “sprint training”.
3. On Saturday, it was raining.  Len said that I will need to ride even if it is raining on the trip, so it is good for me to ”train” in the rain.  My response: “Exactly - so why would I subject myself to it now when I don’t have to”.  So I stayed inside and worked on the route and maps instead.
4. On Sunday, it was cold. Since I have previously been in the Rockies in early June and know it can snow there at that time of year, I felt that I should prepare myself for it, but…  then again maybe it won’t snow this year so I won’t need to train for “cold weather”.  Besides, I rode to the St. Lawrence Market all winter so I already know I can do “cold”!!!
5. On Monday, I had two excuses - my grand-daughter and my music.  I think taking my grand-daughter to the swimming pool is a good substitute for cycling.   I was using my legs as I flutter-boarded across the pool.  Tomorrow when I get around to really “training” those leg muscles, they should be nice and supple (I hope). 
6. This afternoon, I am loading my new iPod.  While it may not be training, it is an essential part of the preparationfor the trip.  I cannot imagine being out there for 3 months without all of my jazz and country favourites.  Not to mention my classical music to go to sleep to.   Hmm, maybe after pedaling for 5-7 hours a day I may not have much trouble falling asleep - just maybe?

Well stay posted to hear more about our “training”, I do intend to start sometime before we leave next week…

Guess I might have to learn to “zip my mouth” about Len not using the specially designed zippers on his Reverse Gear. Can you believe that I did exactly the same thing today? A case of the “kettle calling the pot black” - I think.

I was so lucky that I did not lose anything. After having a coffee with a friend, I unlocked the trike and put the keys in the side pocket of the RG vest. But three blocks later I was lucky - to catch my key ring with all my bike lock and house keys about to slide from my pocket and on to the street. Wow that was a lucky catch.

So I need to remember to zip the pockets on my vest and jerseys before I start to cycle. After all that’s why I had the idea in the first place - to keep the valuable stuff from falling out, especially in the recumbent position.

I promised myself to never leave the pockets un-zipped again!!! And to keep my mouth zipped if Len makes the same mistake more than once. But hopefully we have both learned the importance of zippers when cycling.

We went to the Toronto International Bike Show on March 13, sponsored by Shimano, Pizza Pizza and Pedal magazine.

It felt like spring that day so it seemed like a good idea to replace our Shimano cycling sandals which have served us well for more than ten years. However we decided to try something different - the Keen commuter cycle sandals. I think the concept of a closed toe is good idea on the tricycle. I also liked the adjustability of the bungee cord style closure so I can adjust as the day gets hotter and my feet swell. Ahhhhh - dreaming of summer days when that will happen again!

Well it isn’t summer yet so I tested them in the apartment all weekend. They were very comfortable and I am now ready for some serious test-riding - so bring on summer!

It’s been a cold and windy winter in Toronto and lots of snow too. Last year we had  a record amount of snow. This year it may have been less but it has come in big dumps. So at the end of February we are still experiencing -20C and still wearing the gloves - every day. And I am getting tired of being all bundled up!

In fact this year I found the Saturday morning trip to the market sooooooo cold that we went shopping at Mountain Equipment Co-op (a great place to get gear) on our way home a few weeks ago for face protection. I bought Bolle ski goggles for my eyes and a neoprene face mask with a cut-out for breathing. They actually work quite well to keep me warm.

Now I just need to find something to keep feet warmer so that I don’t come home with my childhood frostbite reactivated (as has happened several times this year).

While the arctic weather gave me a chance to test our winter gear, including my new Woolybutts, I am so looking forward to spring.

How many days did that groundhog say we had to wait?

Last week Len had a disappointing experience. He went out to the market on the trike on a Saturday morning while I was busy with some other errands. When he returned, he pulled his wallet out of his side pocket on his Reverse Gear Carabeen vest and used his access card to open the automatic door of our condo garage. When I arrived home he informed me that his wallet had disappeared. We both traced the path from door to parking spot several times with no luck.

He immediately cancelled all credit and bank cards. On Monday he went to get a new driver’s licence and health card. On Tuesday, someone knocked on the door with his wallet in hand. They had found it under their car. He was grateful to have it back in spite of the fact that he had already replaced the major cards and it had no cash in it. At least he had not yet bought a replacement wallet.

The disappointment was that the cash had probably been removed by someone inside our own building, who then threw it under a car.

The other disappointment was that he had not used the zipper on his vest as it had been intended. When we designed Reverse Gear we said that we manufactured the vest and jerseys with zippers - for “added protection of valuables”. But they have to be used to be worth the extra ‘cost’. So unfortunately it was a costly lesson.

The next time Len goes out wearing Reverse Gear - he will be all zipped up!