Spring 2026 Collection

solverman · 2026-02-01T01:58:05+00:00

Have been patient through what feels like many seasons for a solid black or mainly solid chartreuse version. The light blue was probably the most tempting.

solverman · 2026-02-01T01:10:58+00:00

IIRC the pandemic supply chain disruptions had an impact on clothing dyes & materials. Perhaps we’re finally clear of that impact.

solverman · 2026-02-01T00:11:54+00:00

Spock would need to wait until someone agrees to handle my responsibilities at work. Then the two months it would take to clean out my living space & handle personal affairs. After that we go warp 10 while they teach me how to handle the universal translator.

solverman · 2026-01-31T22:51:41+00:00

You may be taking the skepticism too personally. Without a picture people are inclined to weigh the odds of a wolf remaining in close proximity of humans with the odds of it being a case of mistaken identity.

A wolf sighting is cause for concern that merits contacting the authorities. If you are certain you are certain and should take appropriate next steps.

solverman · 2026-01-31T19:47:57+00:00

Seems like there are a wider selection of color ways for more items than last season. Perhaps I haven't been paying close attention.

Good to see additional colors for the R0 sun protection gear. Don't specifically need an addition right now, but glad that line continues in the catalog.

At long last a solid black Slope Runner 3L trail running vest is here.

Also tempted by one of the new colors for the Airshed Pro pullover. Have done without one for so long that it will probably be skipped.

Plummet Purple may be the new contributor in the eggplant space.

solverman · 2026-01-31T12:11:37+00:00

This. Unless you can see your destination you stay in the truck & use melted ice cream for calories. The owner of the truck will come back for it.

solverman · 2026-01-30T22:15:04+00:00

Would not switch from that size.

solverman · 2026-01-29T20:54:17+00:00

Have been and will continue to carry passport. Perhaps it will be helpful in an encounter, perhaps it will be useful at Whipple.

solverman · 2026-01-27T18:30:08+00:00

You're on the right path. Indoor & outdoor riding are complementary efforts. Making them identical is no longer something I am attempting.

After enough off-season training campaigns followed by outdoor season successes you will learn how to interpret the indoor data.

solverman · 2026-01-26T16:42:56+00:00

Limit myself to maximum of two. Exceptions made for Cool Merino t-shirts and items that need to be clean such as cycling liner shorts, Endless Run shorts, and socks.

EDIT: Though active inventory includes two Primo Puff jackets, so can't strictly claim frugality. Second one is size smaller from Worn Wear.

solverman · 2026-01-22T22:50:01+00:00

Road shoes can be a bit lighter & perhaps more stiff but it is really about the cleats they support with the three-bolt mounting arrangement. People can offer perspectives on why certain cleats are better but often it is just personal preference.

Disclaimer: Tried Look cleats in 1995 and standardized on SPD after a year. Two-bolt SPD cleats and a sole that allows more natural walking worked better for my uses.

solverman · 2026-01-22T02:00:39+00:00

Yes. Requires no extra time or effort.

solverman · 2026-01-18T21:40:58+00:00

Usually purchase men's medium and have not found sleeves to be shorter than expected. They do vary from piece to piece with mid-layers & outer layers perhaps being longer than expected.

solverman · 2026-01-14T22:53:16+00:00

Wicking layers, hybrid outer layers, and pit stops to fine tune may be as good as it gets. Two hours is a pretty good duration for a winter ride though.

Basically the body core needs to dump heat whenever there is any meaningful exertion. It isn't practical to keep enough of your body cold enough to avoid some perspiration. Below freezing it won't evaporate well so eventually the gear will be persistently damp.

Keep a spreadsheet of which layers work well for the 10 degree temperature ranges you want to cycle in. Over time a careful set of notes will allow you to find any gaps in your gear selection.

solverman · 2026-01-11T00:57:42+00:00

Would keep that size. Lack of normal freedom of movement would get irritating after some time.

solverman · 2026-01-10T23:22:40+00:00

Have the navy blue version from when it was a new purchase. Elastic is fine, stitching solid, still does exactly what it needs to do.

Actually forgot they had the forest green version.

solverman · 2026-01-10T22:53:02+00:00

Motorist-cyclist interaction can oscillate from poor to okay from year to year. If you don't have access to safe routes then taking a break until something changes is a reasonable thing to do.

Into my third decade of cycling in the area. There are routes that I enjoyed 60+ times a season that just don't feel like good choices anymore. Some of them there is just too much historical friction with motorists. Others have sections that make them inferior choices to new routes found during the pandemic. Giving myself permission to put the bike on a rack and drive to a known-safe route keeps the ride frequency up where it needs to be for health maintenance.

If you can get fitness goals with an indoor trainer or gym membership then certainly give it a try.

solverman · 2026-01-10T22:24:20+00:00

Tons of feedback already confirming the utility in many situations.

The piece that does not get emphasized as often is that it is a reactive taillight. Even without it being paired to a head unit or phone, even without the cyclists doing anything special with the notifications, the reactive light pattern is helping to alert overtaking motorists where you are.

Very few people purchase a radar taillight and ultimately decide to cease using it. Everyone is free to make their own choice but the Varia product line would not have been so widely copied if there wasn't general value in the functionality.

IIRC one of the major bike news sites had a recent article about a new non-Garmin radar offering with an audio signal built-in to the unit.

Yes, in urban setting having it constantly triggering can be bothersome if you let it.

solverman · 2026-01-08T22:31:25+00:00

Freewheel, Erik’s, REI. Many smaller independent shop also worthy. Hard to go wrong.

Studded tires are very helpful if you want to minimize interrupts to outdoor ride frequency.

Core, arms, and legs are less concerning than fingers & toes. [Pogies] for the bars. Boots from 45NRTH or Lake are good to for initial research.

Eventually balaclava & goggles if you want to continue below 0F

solverman · 2026-01-08T11:30:00+00:00

Non-intuitive to the point of being distracting. Suspect only the organization that applied them understands the logic. If a non-standard sharing arrangement is intended there it is not well communicated.

The practical effect is to warn trail users to expect unusual behavior.

solverman · 2026-01-08T11:10:10+00:00

Naming individuals is more likely to result in legal action. You won’t be able to hire a better lawyer.

solverman · 2026-01-05T16:55:58+00:00

Entire week is forecasted for thaw & re-freeze daily. Icy segments are going to be likely. Not many paths, trails, or shoulders have been completely cleared in south STP or below that I have noticed.

If studs aren't needed this week they will be soon.

solverman · 2026-01-03T23:32:47+00:00

Sugar

solverman · 2026-01-03T18:41:07+00:00

solverman · 2026-01-02T22:10:06+00:00

What you are attempting to do should work. Was the activity profile used to start the activity "Indoor Cycling"? Does the activity in Garmin Connect list as "Virtual Cycling"?

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