A Gear Check Out Ride

[Veronica]

Last week I bought a new Camelback. I tried on several and really liked how the Magic felt on. It's a WSD and I really liked that it was much shorter. I had been using a Rocket, which I really like, but it's not good for carrying much more than water. I need something to put more stuff in for our tours.

I also just got a new top from Patagonia that I wanted to try specifically with the Camelback. Most of my sleeveless jerseys are actually spaghetti strapped which I think would be uncomfortable under a Camelback. I love them for road riding, but...

So I just got back from an 18 mile ride, 12 of which was off road. I took the Multi-use path to Black Diamond Mines, once I got there, I rode out to and up Oil Can - average grade 10.7%. Oil Can is an out and back, 1.2 miles of sustained climb. It's always really windy at the top - pleasant on a warm day. At the top I ate a granola bar from the Camelback. I've never had a problem with the yogurt on them melting before. I think the cause of the melting is the climb is exposed and the sun was behind me all the way out. So, I'm going to try freezing my bars and putting them in with the bladder if they'll fit.

I did not zip down the Oil Can descent. It's one of the more out of the way trails, not a good place to have an accident. I then rode further down the valley to The Wall. I think I have successfully climbed the Wall 4 times, maybe 5. It's .8 of a mile long, average grade 12.6% I was thrilled that today was one of those successful days! The Wall culminates at the summit of the Ridge Trail.

I did zip down the Ridge Trail. This is the ride Thom and I have been doing all winter and spring as an out and back. It's a descent I know really well. You can see it in the movie on our website. It's the one the walkers and joggers tend to use. Although today I did not see anyone, except in the distance.

I then rode back home on the road, a section I love on Fluffy. Good pavement, wide sweeping corners, a small hill that's just long enough to make you get out of the saddle to stay in a tall gear. Short enough that it's exhilerating to do that. It was fun on my mountain bike too, although not as fast.

So the only downsides to the Magic are it doesn't have the hook on the shoulder straps for sticking the mouthpiece in and it doesn't have the the insulated cover on the straw. Those are two things that the Rocket has, which I really liked. It felt good on and did not distract or bother me either climbing or desending.

The Patagonia jersey wicks well and feels comfortable under the Camelback straps. It doesn't have pockets, but since getting a Bento box, I've been reluctant to use my pockets anyway when road riding. And if you have a Camelback, what do you need pockets for?

V.

[SadieKate]

Ah, you're no fun. It's much better to find out the problems when you're a thousand miles from home and away from civilization.

[CorsairMac]

So the only downsides to the Magic are it doesn't have the hook on the shoulder straps for sticking the mouthpiece in and it doesn't have the the insulated cover on the straw. Those are two things that the Rocket has, which I really liked. It felt good on and did not distract or bother me either climbing or desending.

The Patagonia jersey wicks well and feels comfortable under the Camelback straps. It doesn't have pockets, but since getting a Bento box, I've been reluctant to use my pockets anyway when road riding. And if you have a Camelback, what do you need pockets for?

V.

Can you transfer those things from your Rocket pack?? or at least change out the mouthpiece tube??

[Veronica]

Maybe, but Thom is probably going to carry the Rocket while we're touring. I can live without the insulating sleeve - if I have to, but the hook was darn convenient.

V.

[wabisabi]

hmm, sometimes you can buy the Camelback pieces separately...

[newfsmith]

If you go to an office supply store (like Staples) they will have a section of things for coping with ID badges. Look for one of the retractable ones with a little plastic strip and a snap to attach to the ID badge. The little plastic strip is just the right size to fit around a Camelback hose. The hard part is clipping the belt clip on the neck of your jersey. When you find the right place for you you can reach up, grab the hose, stick it in your mouth, and when you are through, just spit it out. The leash pulls it back to the same place. I no longer turn the valve off between drinks because it is held upright. I think I paid $6 for two leashes.

[yellow]

hmm, sometimes you can buy the Camelback pieces separately...

Yep. You can buy a "winter kit" that comes with the insulated tube and insulated cover on the mouthpiece. Take the mouthpiece cover off and you have it. They're pretty cheap...about $15-20 I think.

[yellow]

The Patagonia jersey wicks well and feels comfortable under the Camelback straps. It doesn't have pockets, but since getting a Bento box, I've been reluctant to use my pockets anyway when road riding. And if you have a Camelback, what do you need pockets for?

V.

Which Pattagucci did you get? The Arius? I love the strider...I have three of them I think. I have the Arius too but like the fit of the Strider better.

Edit: Oooh oooh! I just saw that they have the old Strider in the "web specials" section. This is the one that I have. It's not UPF-rated like the new one.

[Veronica]

I got the seamless, sleeveless t. I ordered another one today and a short sleeve one as well from teh web specials page.

V.