Reverse Gear Blog

Rev Hans in Howard MI wearing his Reverse Gear jersey

Rev Johannes Myors of the Pedal Prayers Ministry has now stopped cycling until spring. He and his recumbent made it to Savanna IL on November 23rd where he will work for the next six months. This was after travelling 8,559.68 miles (13,695.49 KM) since he started his 2010 journey on March 15th. An impressive accomplishment and some of those miles were done wearing Reverse Gear. We are proud to have been a clothing sponsor for Rev Hans, pictured here on one of his rides.

In February, 2010 just before he started this journey, we received an email requesting us to be a sponsor of his ride.  Because “The Cycling Rev” rides a ‘bent, he had seen Reverse Gear in the list of sponsors on Bentrider Online. He had also heard about us from the editor of The Recumbent Blog. This is what he had to say…

Len and Judi,
I am hoping that you might be able to help me…

Since February of 1993, I’ve been cycling around the United States with my ministry called “Pedal Prayers”. Even though I am an ordained minister, I consider myself as a Missionary Servant Evangelist. I am more of a “hands-on evangelist” than a “speaking evangelist”.

I have made 16 coast-to-coast crossings of the United States and have been in every state except for Alaska and Hawaii. I also cycled through three provinces of your country (BC, Ontario, Quebec). As of August 31, 2009, I’ve ridden over 196,000 miles (296,000 KM) in 3,350 days of touring. Along with performing ministry, I have been helping out after natural disasters (earthquakes, floods, hurricanes, and tornadoes) and promoting social action.

I have worked alongside the American Red Cross, FEMA, and the Salvation Army giving comfort to those affected and also helping to rebuild people’s lives through Habitat for Humanity, UMCOR, and other religious organizations.

I’m on my seventh bicycle. The last three have been short-wheelbase recumbents.

I am starting out on my next trip, which would be my 20th mission trip since February 1993, some time between March 15th and March 20th. …
… I am hoping that your company might be willing to donate a couple of your products and join me in my journey as I share the LORD’s compassion to who ever I meet along the way.

Thank you very much.

In HIS Draft, Rev Hans, “The Cycling Rev”

We hope the Rev Johannes Myors had a successful year and that he looked “presentable” in his Reverse Gear  jerseys when he showed up on his recumbent cycle at some of the churches and ministries that he visisted. We also hope that he was comfortable as he pedaled his 2010 journey.
For more information about the Pedal Prayers Ministry – go to: http://www.pedalprayers.org

We love to see what other people think of our Reverse Gear clothing line.  This is a review of the Baobab. This jersey has been improved with lower necklines and wider shoulders and renamed the Boab. But what 1lesscar.com says below is still valid…

The new reengineered Boab replaced the original Baobab

When the fine folks who run Reverse Gear sent the pants, they also sent this jersey.  In case you didn’t read the pants review, Reverse Gear Clothing is designed for and by recumbent riders, but I thought the pants were great for most riders, and I think this jersey would work for most riders too.

Being made primarily for recumbent riders, gone are the standard triple rear pockets, and instead, there are two pockets on the front that also have zippers! I wish the pockets were a little deeper, but they’re probably perfect for a lot of female riders for sure.

It’s a warm, comfortable jersey made of Quick-Dry: 100% polyester high-performance lightweight fabric with a waffle pattern promoting air flow. Excellent wicking properties, and comes in a variety of colors- if you ride recumbent, or are looking for a different breed of jersey, this is totally worth checking out!

Other features include:
* Short Raglan sleeve
* Slightly tapered fit
* Straight bottom
* 11″ zip front
* Two front zip pockets
This review was first published at: http://www.1lesscar.com/reviews/rgj.html

Since the weather  is getting cool – or downright cold – in many places, we know it’s time that you are thinking about getting long pants for riding. We designed Moonah with this kind of weather in mind. The front panels on thighs and calves are made of weather-resistant panels to keep you warmer. And the back panel is also of the same weather resistant fabric because we know that when you are riding recumbent, especially on a trike or low-racer, you get cold and spray coming off the road. That makes them different from other pants on the market. Protection for your legs in both the front and the back.

So we thought we would share a few reviews so you could see what someone else has to say about our Moonah pants.

Moonah will keep you warm & dry in all sorts of weather and if worn over RG Ironbark shorts, they come off easily if it warms up

Reverse Gear’s clothing is designed by and for recumbent riders, but I think that they look decent for most types of riding as well. Take their Moonah Men’s Over-Pants – these work great for riding around town and getting to wherever you have to go.

Temperature-wise it’s been either a little below or above 40 degrees lately. While these pants are snug fitting, they were warm enough that i didn’t need any under layer, although they do provide room for it. I’ve also worn them with padded biking shorts underneath as well. These pants zip at the ankles to a little below the knee to ease getting them on/off. They have an elastic belt built-in to keep them up.

The Moonah pants are made out of Lycra and Drytech. The front is made of Drytech (a durable stretch fabric- smooth outer/soft under, wicks moisture), and the backside is made of Lycra with Drytech in the rear for extra durability.

They’ve kept me comfy and warm on many chilly days, and i’m sure they will for many rides to come. These pants seem to fit well, and being tapered there’s no need to roll up your pant leg. Two zippered hand pockets to keep some valuables.
My only complaint: Men and Women alike both have to drop ‘em when nature calls. No front zipper. But it’s a minor complaint and hasn’t hindered me yet.
This review was first published at: http://www.1lesscar.com/reviews/rgpants.html

This is what one of our customers had to say about Moonah:

“Awesome pants!!   I haven’t worn any other tights since.  I like the way the both keep you warm and still breathe.  No clammy legs! ”

REVERSE GEAR has hit the trails and highways for a second year. This year we are heading west…
We escaped Canada before the snow came and arrived in Kansas at the end of October. We specifically went to visit the RANS factory there. We had met Randy Schlitter at Interbike 2009 and wanted to stop by since this was our first time in Kansas. While there we also visited a few recumbent bicycle shops to show them the REVERSE GEAR product line of recumbent jerseys and shorts:

• Capp’s Bike Shop in Topeka
• Big Poppi Bikes in Manhattan

After a week, the temperatures were dropping again so we headed further south to Texas.
We have created a plan for the next four months that includes visits to bike shops, rallies and cycle trails in Texas, Arizona, New Mexico, California, Oregon and Washington.

Our complete itinerary is on the “find us” page and will be updated regularly as we move on.
We hope to see you on the road, Judi & Len

New "Jazzed about Triking" unisex jersey

If you own a tricycle – this is the jersey for you. Reverse Gear has introduced its first “Collector Art” jersey this month – with an original “little red tricycle” painting we commissioned from artist Vergie Banks of Lafayette LA.

Vergie Banks is a renowned international artist who shares the soulful culture of south Louisiana through Zyde-Cajun musicians jamming, or her trademark Creole girl pedaling a tricycle with gusto down a country lane.  More of her work can be seen at www.littleredtricycle.com 

We hope you will enjoy her passion in what we call “wearable art”. In the future, we will be seeking other artists to feature. If you know of any please contact us directly at Reverse Gear.

“Jazzed about Triking” is the first in our new series of an artistic sublimated unisex line. Reverse Gear can also create custom jerseys similar to these for your team or shop.

This jersey will make an ideal Christmas gift for yourself or someone special on your list. Order now   before they sell-out  and get free shipping (a limited time offer).

Reverse Gear has created a new website Adaptive Sportwear - to make its extensive line of sports apparel available to anyone participating in adaptive sports, such as handcycling or wheelchair sports. 

Reverse Gear clothing, which was originally designed for people who ride recumbent cycles, is suitable for any activity done in a  sitting  position. The jerseys have straight bottoms so you are not sitting on a tail. Jerseys also have zippered pockets on the front or sides that keep your valuables safe while riding. Most pockets are large enough to carry food, cell-phones, small cameras, credit cards or money. (Judi carries all of these while riding, and sometimes a small tape recorder too.)

We continue to improve the fit and functionality of the Reverse Gear line as well to appeal to our diverse range of riders, including our wounded warriors. For example, the new Boab fits a little looser in the neckline and shoulders. We discovered from riding in our own gear and from customers’ feedback that in the sitting position your clothes slide up at the neck so we have improved on the fit. You will see more of these innovations in future designs as well.

We are excited about introducing the first Reverse Gear “Collector” jersey this month – starting with an original “little red tricycle” painting.

“Jazzed about triking” is the first in our new series of an artistic sublimated unisex line. This sublimated jersey was inspired by the art work of Vergie Banks of Lafayette LA. Her work can be seen at www.littleredtricycle.com  We first saw one of her designs on a Zydeco jersey that someone was wearing at the Catrike rally. We contacted the artist

Jazzed about my little red tricycle - an original painting by Vergie Banks, Lafayette, LA

and commissioned this first original work of art just for the recumbent jazz lovers out there. (The original art, shown here, is one of many available for purchase directly from Vergie.)

This is what one website says about her: “A Lafayette native and renowned artist, Vergie Banks doesn’t just revel in the culture of south Louisiana, she shares it with others and helps them appreciate the unique lifestyle enjoyed in this vibrant corner of the world. Looking at her work of Zyde-Cajun musicians jamming, of jazz flowing from brass instruments, or her trademark Creole girl pedaling a tricycle with gusto down a country lane, it’s easy to see the connection with the passionate, colorful Louisiana lifestyle that reflects the soul.”

We hope you will enjoy her passion in what we call “wearable art”. In the future, we will be seeking other artists to feature.

This latest jersey in the extensive RG product line will make a great Thanksgiving or Christmas present for that special him or her on your list. Be the first to get yours before they sell-out. You can pre-order now at:   www.reversegearinc.com and get free shipping on your pre-order.

Reverse Gear can also create custom jerseys similar to these for your team or shop.

The 2010 U.S. Handcycling Season Finale – which takes place in Greenville, SC — includes a U.S. Handcycling Series Time Trial on Saturday, September 18, and the Roger C. Peace Hospital-Rehabilitation U.S. Handcycling Criteirum Championships, presented by Paralyzed Veterans Racing, on Sunday, September 19, 2010.

Please let us know of any recumbent-cycling events in your area too and we will post them on our blog.

Reverse Gear will be providing “winning yellow” jerseys to the winners of the 11th annual World Human Powered Speed Championships being held in Battle Mountain, Nevada during the week of September 13 – 18, 2010. Cyclists from around the world will gather to ride 200 meters on SR305.  This road was newly refinished in 2009, with a smooth surface specially prepared for human powered cycle racing by the Nevada Department of Transportation. Wouldn’t we all love to have a road surface like that to ride on? If you read our blog entry on PEI you will understand why we are envious. ;o)

Please let us know of any recumbent-cycling events in your area too and we will post them on our blog.

We found Prince Edward Island (PEI) to be one of the most relaxing places to ride. We rode for four consecutive days on parts of the Confederation Trail, on highways and in Charlottetown. We saw no recumbents while we were there but other people  told us there was one other spotted during those four days. If you are planning a trip to PEI, take your bicycles for sure.

We had only five days in PEI so we decided to do a small sample of the trail on our recumbent tricycles and this is what we saw…

Day 1 – The day started rather ghostly but got better! As we started cycling on the Confederation Trail (see below for more details on this trail) from the old rail station in Kensington, Len realized that he forgot his video camera and went back. Judi kept going but a few minutes into the ride she found the Haunted Mansion on the right side of the trail and stopped to take photos. In the meantime, Len zoomed right by. She chased as fast as her little legs could go but he thought she was in front of him so he he also was pedalling as fast as he could, increasing the distance between us. She didn’t see him again until he stopped at the water in Summerside an hour later wondering where she was. Most of this part of the route goes through potato farms so you often only get a view of potato plants for miles on either side of you.

Good news – we found each other in time for lunch. In the city centre, we proceeded along the waterfront until we found Arsenault’s Fish Mart at Holman’s Wharf, where we bought 18 Malpeque oysters. From there we went on to find a

Len shucks oysters in PEI

bottle of cold white wine, a lemon and some glasses. Added to the pitas and dip that we brought with us, you have the “perfect” lunch – beside the fisherman’s village at Spinnaker’s Landing – with a local busker providing music.

After lunch we went another 20 minutes to the west side of town before Judi decided it was time to turn around so that she could return to Kensington before 4 pm to buy a pair of sea-glass earrings at the Art Cooperative. We made it back to the station by 3:55pm. There are some great stores, art galleries, and a pub at the station – worth a visit, either before you go or when you get back (as long as it is before 4 pm). Next we rushed to Mary’s Bakehouse (just two blocks away off Victoria Street) to get some home-made date squares. We needed a sugar-fix after 3 hours on the trikes. Back in the car we enjoyed the ride along the coast through Malpeque and Cavendish to our RV park at Brackley Beach. This was our fist 17 km of PEI’s Confederation Trail, but actually it was 34 km because we did it in both directions.

Day 2 – We drove the coastal route to ride part of the eastern Confederation Trail, stopping for coffee at the Shipwreck Cafe in the fishing village of Naufrage. We arrived at Harmony Junction at noon. We missed the parking lot the first time because there is no signage. It is on the northwest of the trail so you have to watch for the trail crossing on the road and don’t go too fast or too far.

We started on the path and had lunch at the first picnic table we found (generally 2 km apart so we didn’t have to go too far). It was a good thing we brought our own lunch and some trail mix for snacking as there are no amenities on this section until the end.

Our excitement for the day was the crossing of a red sand road

Little Red Trike gets stuck in red sand of PEI

 where Judi’s trike got stuck. For 1.5 hours we saw no-one and just had a relaxing ride until we arrived at the very end of the Confederation Trail – which had been the end of the track for PEI. The trail was quite different from yesterday. It was more wooded (both coniferous and deciduous trees) creating a canopy which meant for a cooler ride in the heat of the noon-day sun. Along the edge of the path was a mix of wildflowers which attracted many butterflies. We cycled a similar distance of 16km (or 32 km both ways) but we encountered fewer crossings – road and private driveways. The path itself was two gravelly ruts with grass in the middle, which slowed the trikes down considerably but would be perfectly fine for a two-wheeler.

After eating an ice-cream at the train museum now located at the old Elmira train station, we headed back to Harmony Junction. But the path back was slow – it seemed uphill and into the wind. Len said “ice cream is bad for cycling” but Judi doesn’t believe him. She thinks her legs were just really tired of pedalling on the rough surface.

After cycling, we hopped back in the car and raced to the Colville Bay Oyster Shop in nearby Souris to get some top quality cultivated oysters “that have a distinctive aqua-green shell and meat that is plump, briny and clean tasting – like distilled ocean”. Our next stop was the Myriad View Artisan Distillery to see if we could get some locally-made vodka to splash on the oysters. Before leaving this area we also visited Basinhead Beach and East Point Lighthouse on the eastern tip of PEI.

If we had more time we would love to complete the other 240 km. of this trail, but at the rate we were going it would likely take more than 5 days to do it.

Day 3 – Rather than do another section of the Confederation Trail, we wanted to test the roads in PEI. Since Judi’s favourite pastime besides cycling is walking beaches, we decided to do both of her favourite activities. After a late brunch, we headed north for Brackley Beach. We rode 5 km on a local side road and then on Highway 15 to the PEI Provincial Park.

All of the roads in PEI are two-lanes with no shoulders. Albeit short, this was a challenging ride as there is no room for a trike to move off the road and stay stable in many places. We rode with one wheel on the white line and sometimes it was the outside one with the other two trying to maneuver grass or gravel off the road. All of the cars gave us a wide berth, crossing the mid-line to do so. It was only 5 km to the park today but we can imagine that it could be harrowing to ride trikes, and even bikes, on some of PEI’s busier roads, and most certainly at night if you don’t know where you are.

LRT prefers paved trail at Brackley Beach

From the park entrance to the wharf, we cycled another 5 km, on a beautiful new paved trail. The trail looks onto the Brackley Marsh, is very flat, and is straight as an arrow. We only saw a dozen cyclists using it, which must be due to the fact that it is so new that people haven’t realized what a blessing it is yet. At the wharf, Len sat on his trike and read a book, while Judi did her other favourite activity – walking the beach for an hour taking photos.

The 10 km ride back to the RV Park was mostly uphill but we also had the wind on our back – for a change – so it went quickly. Judi noted that today’s cycling was 2/3 the distance done in previous days, but our average speed was at least 3 kmh faster. Besides the rolling hills, we attribute the increase in speed to the fact that it was on paved surfaces. We look forward to the day when so many people are using the Confederation Trail that the province decides to pave it too.

Day 4 – We always try to cycle in cities too. Being seasoned cycle-commuters in Toronto, it’s fun to compare how cycle traffic moves through other populated areas. We heard that Peakes Quay in Charlottetown had Sunday concerts in the summer so that was the destination for our last day of PEI cycling. We parked the car in downtown and went exploring. We started at Victoria Park and went past the Governor General’s home and discovered that the boulevard along the water was closed to car traffic and open to cyclists, walkers and the tourist-choice of vehicle – horse and buggy. We also cycled down to the waterfront

LRT checks out COWS ice-cream at Peakes Quay

 and along the paved boardwalk at Peakes Quay and took in an afternoon concert while eating COWS ice-cream. Charlottetown is charming on a Sunday afternoon with very little traffic. It is not without a few hills to make you remember the you have gears. Getting around is easy although many of their streets are one-way in the centre of the city.

About Confederation Trail
The Confederation Trail is the old railway line that ran from tip-to-tip on the island for 274 km / 170 mi. When the government removed the rail tracks they converted the line to a bicycle and walking trail. It is mostly packed gravel and in some places it is still the two rail lines with grass in the middle and along the edges, so do not expect to go as fast as you would on a paved trail. The trail is well marked with distance postings every kilometre. Picnic tables or benches are frequent. Parking lots and facilities are scattered across the province.

The Confederation Trail and its surroundings are well-described in a booklet availbale at all of the information centres. It is suggested that you can travel the full distance in 5 days. Some do it in a single day. or you can  do portions as we did. The issue is really only how you will get to and from the trail with your bike of course. If you can arrange drop off and pick-ups for the entire route or on a daily basis it works well. If you are driving yourself then you may be forced to do double that distance in order to do the whole trail.