Maybe "Newlysporty" now...And a question about sunglasses...

[notsportygirl]

I went on my second long bike ride yesterday, in preparation for the ride next Sunday (I was temporarily terrified when I found out Saturday that the woman I was supposed to ride with rode 55 last year, not the 35 that my BF told me...he got quite a glare for that). So, I insisted that we had to do an extra long ride this week-end so I would know whether I would be hating life next Sunday, or not...And guess what? I rode 45 miles!!!! I never would have thought I could do something like that, much less enjoy it. What was really amazing is that we ended our long ride with my usual circuit around the park (with the killer -- for me -- hill), and I experienced the proverbial "second wind" for the first time in my life. I used my newly-found tactic to get me up the hill...I find someone semi-sporty near me who I decide I have to pass and not let overtake me, and somehow it seems to shift me into an instinctive drive...and unbeknownst to them...use them to motivate me up the hill (I'm sure they're just having a leisurely, restful ride...but it helps me, at any rate). Otherwise, it's hard for me to care how fast I get up it, and I just focus on how bad I feel. I also happened to leave my BF far behind, and he was duly impressed. And NOW I understand that whole endorphine rush thing...I felt so powerful.

My thumb joints are a little sore, but much better since they adjusted my bike. I have been taking advair, and took a preventative puff of my regular inhaler. I don't know which did it, but my asthma was fine until that one bad hill at the end...and then it wasn't as bad as it has been.

So, one thing that bothered me on the long ride was the glare. I have cheapo sunglasses, because I have a tendancy to sit on or lose them...so they're just the $10 kind you can get on the street. I tried on my BF's, and saw that they do cut glare without making things dark and hard to see (which is why I usually hate sunglasses). I guess I'll have to spring for some real sunglasses now. The thing is, I searched a little online, and couldn't find anything for less than $80 or so. That seems like a lot for sunglasses to me. Does anyone out there know a brand that does what's important, fits well on women, but won't cost me an arm and a leg (especially since I'm now riding enough that I have to invest in another pair of shorts)? It seems to be one of those areas where there are a lot of gimmicks that salespeople can try to convince me are essential. Any advice would be great.

[RoadRaven]

I have wrap aropund (that is sunglasses with sides) dark galsses that are supposed to reduce the glare by 60%.
I hate riding without glasses - because of the glare, and because the wind makes my eyes water

We just gave my eldest son pro-race glasses for his birthday, not cheap but they come with 4 different sets of lenses you can use for varying conditions... lens for dark conditions that do not reduce the light, medium and hire galre lenses that reduce most of UV as well, and lenses for dappled light (eg riding through a wooded area). He thinks they are marvellous

[BIKEAWAY]

I never had good sunglasses either until I really started riding this year.
I also bought some great Smiths that are built around the eye (no gap). Last week I ran into a large grasshopper and it went straight for my eyes and pooff it flew off.
The glare difference is amazing and I would really recommend some good sunglasses. I went for the middle of the road and they cost about $80.00. I take them off as soon as I get back and put them back in the case. If I stop on the bike, they dont come out of my hand....
My problem now is that now that I am use to them, I really would love a good pair for walking and driving.. That is really when I think I would lose them so I am using cheapies for now.
With all the sun warnings though I wonder if the cheapies are a good idea anymore..

[annie]

Hey Newlysporty!

Firstly, congrats on your newfound feeling of competitiveness! Sounds like you have discovered something in yourself that was always there - it just took a bike to let it free!

As for the sunglasses - A good pair will be a huge improvement. Not only will it keep the glare under control, but will protect your eyes better, also. I've tried expensive Smith glasses. I've had Oakley's. They either didn't fit quite right, or else I lost them. I now have a pair from Performance, I think the model name is Athena. Made for smaller faces. They come with three different lenses, for changing light conditions. They fit me well. The lenses are simple to change out. I've worn them all this season with no problems. And they only cost $29.99, on sale. Will they hold up as well as more expensive glasses? I don't know yet..... but I could afford to buy them every few years, and still be under the cost of some of the pricey ones. Plus - who wants to wear the same ones forever?? I, at least, like a new look occasionally.

Have fun out there! Good luck on your ride!

annie

[deb922]

Road Raven, could you give a link for the glasses that you bought for your son. I wear contacts and I have to wear some type of glasses. When it's sunny out my Oakleys are great but when it's cloudy, I need a pair that are less dark.

Thanks.

[singletrackmind]

I use Smith Frontline Max because that's what fits my face and I had good performance and wear from a pair of Smith Moabs that were wrecked in a crash. They have 3 sets of lenses for varying light conditions. I did have problems with the nosepieces wearing out after a year but I emailed Smith and they fixed the problem, sending me 4 new pairs, free of charge. The FM's were $130 bucks but when I thought about how long the Moabs lasted (7 years of HARD wear) I decided that wasn't too bad a price for the protection I needed.

Congrats on your ride! It's amazing what a person can accomplish with a few personal goals and shutting out our inner doubting Thomas.

[RoadRaven]

Road Raven, could you give a link for the glasses that you bought for your son. I wear contacts and I have to wear some type of glasses. When it's sunny out my Oakleys are great but when it's cloudy, I need a pair that are less dark.

Thanks.

Go to this site and look under sunglasses - heaps to choose from... some have 3 sets of lenses, some have five...
A lot of these also have little vents to help prevent the glasses from fogging up
We have bought heaps from this place and never had any problems
http://www.probikekit.com/


This is an NZ site we buy from quite often - these two pairs of sunglasses have 3 sets of lenses each
http://www.reikercycles.co.nz/frames.php


Torpedo 7 also have a pair of sunglasses with 3 lenses - again, another place we buy from over the net without hassles
http://www.torpedo7.co.nz/

[caligurl]

i wear oakleys when i ride.... oakleys when i drive... i love their clear optics.... i love how the half jackets block the wind when i ride....

[Dogmama]

i wear oakleys when i ride.... oakleys when i drive... i love their clear optics.... i love how the half jackets block the wind when i ride....

Ditto. Oakleys. Here's my reasoning: Cycling can be a dangerous sport and even more so if you can't see where you're going (glare) or what you're about to run into (poor optics.) I'd rather spend a few $$ on glasses than pay my deductible at the emergency room.

My last pair of Oakleys lasted over 10 years.

[Grog]

What really scares me is when the sun is going down and I'm riding on a tree-bordered alley so it's alternatively sunny (orangy light) and dark (like every sun/darkness episode lasts half a second). Any idea what color/type of glasses would work best for that hour of the day??

[notsportygirl]

That's what bothered me the most. We were riding by the water, so there was some high glare, and I put my cheepo glasses on. Then we'd move into the shade and I couldn't see a d*** thing. I just bought some Native glasses at Paragon (the apparently across the board overpriced sports shop) for $100, but I don't know if I'll keep them. They have "polarized" lenses, that the people swear are essential for cutting glare. Is that really necessary, do you think? I found Tifori Quam glasses for about $30 online. I'm a little wary about buying a pair I can't try on first, but other than that, will I really notice the difference with the "polarized lenses". The Tifori glasses have alternate lenses that you can change. Will I really need that?

[CorsairMac]

carp - I can't remember who now: Specialized??...Anyhoo, someone is now making a sunglasses with transition lenses for just those type of situations. Could even be Oakleys.............they're pretty pricey tho.

[bcipam]

What really scares me is when the sun is going down and I'm riding on a tree-bordered alley so it's alternatively sunny (orangy light) and dark (like every sun/darkness episode lasts half a second). Any idea what color/type of glasses would work best for that hour of the day??

Amber/brown or yellow works great in alternative light.

[moo bean]

I love my Oakleys. They're prescription, so they cost me a veritable fortune, but they're so very good.