Reverse Gear Blog

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!