fancy heart rate monitor gadgets?

[newbiechick]

I am a newbie, but my husband is an avid, experienced cyclist. I'm thinking about getting him a good cycling "gadget" for his bday. I'm thinking about a heart rate monitor that also has GPS and other bells and whistles. He has a Garmin PDA, so if there's a product that might work with that, that MIGHT be a plus. I am NOT a gadget geek so I don't know much about any of this. Any suggestions?

Shelley/newbiechick

[LBTC]

HI, newbie!

DH and I both love gadgets, and got each other the garmin 301 last christmas. They are great fun. Here's what you can see with one:

Teresa's ride:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=716435

John's ride:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=716509

and garmin has a new model out that is meant to be more specific to cycling (this one is primarily for running, but has a cycling feature)

and here's a great place to buy gps products:
http://www.prairie.mb.ca/

Check it out and good luck on your purchase!
~T~

[kelownagirl]

HI, newbie!

DH and I both love gadgets, and got each other the garmin 301 last christmas. They are great fun. Here's what you can see with one:

Teresa's ride:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=716435

John's ride:

http://trail.motionbased.com/trail/episode/view.mb?episodePk.pkValue=716509

and garmin has a new model out that is meant to be more specific to cycling (this one is primarily for running, but has a cycling feature)

and here's a great place to buy gps products:
http://www.prairie.mb.ca/

Check it out and good luck on your purchase!
~T~

Hey Teresa,

Where are you from? I'm in Kelowna...

barb

[LBTC]

Hi, Barb!

I am now in Vernon! We moved into our house last Wednesday! And, hey, we thought it was supposed to be dry here, but the storm that just went through was anything but dry!!

What kind of riding do you like to do? We've had a very busy and chaotic spring so I'm in terrible shape and have barely been on my bike at all....but I'm really looking forward to riding lots, exploring the area, and shedding the stress pounds!!

Cheers!
~T~

[kelownagirl]

Hi, Barb!

I am now in Vernon! We moved into our house last Wednesday! And, hey, we thought it was supposed to be dry here, but the storm that just went through was anything but dry!!

What kind of riding do you like to do? We've had a very busy and chaotic spring so I'm in terrible shape and have barely been on my bike at all....but I'm really looking forward to riding lots, exploring the area, and shedding the stress pounds!!

Cheers!
~T~

Ha, I was out riding in that storm. I actually wasn't too bad here, just some rain and thunder. I was a little worried about being out alone with the thunder but oh well... Was wishing I had fenders again - those slicks on my bike create quite a rooster tail front and back...

I am still figuring out what I like. I started riding about 2 1/2 months ago - hadn't ridden much at all since I was in my teens (I'm 46 now). It started as way to do cardio when I let my gym pass lapse but now I'm completely obsessed. I've managed to lose 10 lbs but have 10 more to go. I am in MUCH better shape than I was a few months ago so I guess that's the important thing. Anyway - I have a MTB with semi-slicks and have mostly been riding on the road so I am now in the market for a road bike. I live in the upper Mission so the MTB trails are right out my back door. DH is an avid MTBiker so I imagine I will continue doing that as well. I suck at MTbiking so far though :p I think I have a need for speed...

I rode to Oyama and back on Saturday - my longest ride ever. Next goal is to Vernon and back. If we went from Orchard Park, it would be about a metric century. Might try next wekeend, or else wait until school is out. (I'm a teacher).

What kind of riding do you do? Where were you before Vernon?

Nice to "meet" you,

barb

[LBTC]

Hey, Barb! Way to go, girl!! That riding thing is addictive....most definitely!

My heart is in MTBiking. I love being in the trees and have a blast! And, yes, at my peak, I can be fast doing that....not this year tho' :eek: I also have a road bike which is meant mostly for training. HOwever, the roads, and the riding community, here are so much more road-biking friendly, that I suspect I'll do more of it! Up in Williams Lake, there is less riding season, and the roads are terrible! Not to mention the drivers who don't have a clue!

If we make enough progress on the unpacking and organizing this week, we might even get to ride those bikes! yay! I have new pedals for my road bike that I haven't even tried!!

When you ride to Vernon, do you plan to stop for a visit and look around, or turn right back around and go back? If you've got the time or inclination, it would be nice to meet you in person! Always grreat getting to know other riders in the neighbourhood!

Cheers!
~T~

[kelownagirl]

Hey, Barb! Way to go, girl!! That riding thing is addictive....most definitely!

My heart is in MTBiking. I love being in the trees and have a blast! And, yes, at my peak, I can be fast doing that....not this year tho' :eek: I also have a road bike which is meant mostly for training. HOwever, the roads, and the riding community, here are so much more road-biking friendly, that I suspect I'll do more of it! Up in Williams Lake, there is less riding season, and the roads are terrible! Not to mention the drivers who don't have a clue!

If we make enough progress on the unpacking and organizing this week, we might even get to ride those bikes! yay! I have new pedals for my road bike that I haven't even tried!!

When you ride to Vernon, do you plan to stop for a visit and look around, or turn right back around and go back? If you've got the time or inclination, it would be nice to meet you in person! Always grreat getting to know other riders in the neighbourhood!

Cheers!
~T~

We were talking about whether we should stop to eat or something. It will be my longest, hardest ride by far when I do it and I am very afraid that if I stop, I won't be able to get moving again - something about age and fitness level I think? I think we'll take some food with us and stop in a park for 10-15 minutes before we turn around and head home. I find that when I'm on my bike, I feel like I can go forever, but once I stop, I can barely walk up the stairs - aack!

However, it IS cool to meet someone close by on this forum isn't it? I'm sure we can meet in real life at some point.

Good luck getting back to MTBiking - I'm in awe of you all. I guess you will be spending some time up at Silver Star? Erik and I were in Rossland, the MTBike capital of Canada, a few weeks ago. I still have bruises and scabs on my calves... :rolleyes:

barb

[caligurl]

hubby and i both have the edge 305 (heart rate and cadence version).... i gripe about it... but all in all i like it! (the calorie count is TOTALLY USELESS!!!!)

[newbiechick]

Thanks LBTC & caligurl for the recommendations. I'll definitely check them out. My husband won't splurge for these things himself, but I know he'd love one if he had it.

Shelley/newbiechick