The calorie question solved?
06 Nov 2009, written by gcampbell 4 CommentsI recently noticed a blog Mollie started the day after we got back that speaks to some lingering questions I have about bike touring, caloric intake, and weight loss. Mollie writes:
I’ve been back for less than 24 hours and the most frequently asked question I have had is: So are you, like, really buff now? Followed by: So did you lose tons of weight. I haven’t measured my quads or weighed myself but I’m going to guess “No” on both accounts. I did, however, accumulate a gorgeous patchwork of bruises on my right leg from banging myself on my bike, falling off my bike, and walking into things. I also may have developed a low-grade addiction to oversized salty Virginia peanuts.
I would also have to admit that, no, I’m not any thinner (I was kind of hoping to get those skinny, svelte biking arms, but we only put in seven days of riding, so, I can’t be too disappointed), nor am I significantly stronger (though I went on an easy 5-mile run a couple days after our trip and felt like I could have kept on going and going and going).
Admittedly, we ate a lot of really good food. But then, when I think back, we didn’t eat that much, especially during the day, when we subsisted primarily on cookies, crackers, and Virginia peanuts. I don’t love the idea of counting calories; when you’re exercising all day long, I feel like you should be able to eat what you want and not feel guilty about it. At the same time, I do wonder: Is my bike computer telling the truth? Did I really burn an extra 3,000 calories a day? And if so, why aren’t I at least a few pounds lighter?
In going back through some emails I flagged for the trip–and then promptly forgot about–I found an UrbanDaddy email on the Fitbit, which is described as “a Nintendo Wii for your pocket.” The basic idea is that it’ll track all your movements (steps taken, miles traveled, sleep time, and so on) and tell you exactly how many calories you burned on any given day. Wonder if it works for biking?
Gearing up at Breakaway Bikes
20 Oct 2009, written by gcampbell 1 CommentsWe wandered into Philadelphia’s Breakaway Bikes and ended up chatting up owner Joe Wentzell. Check out our footage here:
Hanging with the Bilenky Crew
17 Oct 2009, written by gcampbell 1 CommentsStephen Bilenky and company star in our short video. They’re naturals!
Bilenky Cycle Works
17 Oct 2009, written by gcampbell 1 Comments
A few months back, we reached out to the Philadelphia-based Bilenky Cycle Works after reading about them in Bicycling magazine. We had our eye on their steel frame Midlands Touring bike, designed for long rides and heavy loads. In all honesty, we had low expectations. But Stephen Bilenky completely surprised us…
Lauren Moffatt’s Ultimate Travel Jacket
16 Oct 2009, written by molliechen 2 CommentsWe were already fans of designer Lauren Moffatt’s vintage-inspired dresses and well-cut jackets, but when we found out she had lived on a sailboat in the Hudson for six years, well we knew we had found a soul mate. She totally gets it: clothes should be fun and beautiful but also easy and versatile. Right before heading off on our two-week adventure we made a trip to her Manhattan studio to check out some of her Fall 2009 collection. She is generously letting us test-drive two of her fantastic “Too Good to Be True” bomber jackets – the thick felt will keep us warm and the bright plaid lining makes us happy. Check out this clip of Lauren talking about her designs.
We heart Lululemon
10 Oct 2009, written by gcampbell 0 CommentsAbout a month ago (though it seems like much longer), I got the chance to meet up with Lululemon PR exec Nathalie Balfour. Here, she shares with me what the brand is all about (besides making your butt look good).
Garmin’s first day out
08 Oct 2009, written by molliechen 6 CommentsA couple weeks ago, Rob and I did an 82-mi loop in New Jersey and (briefly) Pennsylvania. I had brought along my loaner Garmin Edge 705 but, in my early morning haze, neglected to attach the cadence sensors. I also kept forgetting to turn it off and on. So the map is a little off (for one thing it says 75 miles, not the full 82 – I want credit for that distance!) but it’s still pretty amazing. Check it out. I’m excited to play with it on future rides.
Alert! Alert! Blue Bicycle Alert!
05 Oct 2009, written by molliechen 0 Comments.jpg&h=&w=480&zc=1)
Today is a big day at Bikes and Biscuits. Stephen Bilenky and his wonderful crew at Bilenky Cycle Works have graciously offered to lend us custom-built touring bikes for our trip and they’re nearly ready (see Geraldine’s sweet retro ride above).
Cycling chic
27 Sep 2009, written by gcampbell 0 CommentsFor those of us who are not looking to win any races, biking is become more fashionable. Take the spate of retro-cool bikes on the market (not to mention the fact that Hermes, Gucci, and Chanel have recently come out with bicycles).
Photo opp
23 Sep 2009, written by gcampbell 0 Comments
It's cranberry
This trip is all about slow travel, but in terms of technology, we’re looking for the best, the fatest, the latest. We’ve secured a couple of high tech gadgets that we’re pretty wild about–notably the Flip Ultra HD and the Garmin Edge 705. Here, some additional cameras (still and video) we have our sights set on (and check our recent post Notes on Technology).
I read about this new waterproof camera from Fuji in Continental’s Gadget section en route from Houston to Amsterdam. I love the color (hot pink!) and the fact that you can shoot pictures and videos in the rain (or underwater). I’m also a fan of the blog mode, which resizes images for easy uploading to social networking sites. We’re also coveting Kodak’s Zi8 Pocket Video Camera, which lets you take up to ten hours of HD 1080p video. We also love that it comes in raspberry!