Video: 80 Years Old and Still Cycling!

Here's a great little personal documentary about an 80 year old cyclists who fell in love with bikes as a child, and continues to ride to this day. It is an inspiring short film that is very well put together. I hope I'm still riding when I get to his age. As we head into the weekend, lets all get out and go for a ride!

Portrait of my grandfather : 80 and still cycling from Florent Piovesan on Vimeo.

Sugoi Releases "Green Machine" Peter Sagan Signature Jersey

The Tour de France may be a month and a half away just yet, but its never too early to start thinking about the greatest cycling event on the planet. Especially as the AMGEN Tour of California is going on right now, with some of the best cyclists in the world tuning up for the big events that lie ahead.

Amongst them is the brash young sprinter Peter Sagan, who has captured a big international following over the past few years thanks to his incredible bursts of speed, well-rounded cycling skill set, and often over-the-top antics on the bike. That unique combination has already won him back-to-back Green Jerseys at Le Tour, and he'll be looking to earn a third sprinter's title on the roads in France in July.

Last week, in preparation for the cycling season ahead, Sugoi launched a signature Peter Sagan jersey that fans are sure to love. Riding with the "Green Machine" of Team Cannondale, Sagan has earned himself the nicknames the "Tourminator," which is well represented on the jersey. It not only sports the team's traditional colors, but gives us a glimpse of the Tourminator character that is often displayed on Sagan's bike when he is competing. The new jersey is on sale at the Tour of California right now, and should be appearing in stores across North America in June with a $100 price tag.

Right now, the Tour of California is led by Bradley Wiggins, who is rounding back into form quite nicely after an injury kept him out of the Tour de France last year. The sprinters are led by William Routely, of Optum Pro Cycling. Sagan's arch-rival Mark Cavendish lurks in second place with the same point total. Sagan is 9 points off the lead in 8th place at the moment, but with plenty of points to still be earned out on the course.

While I enjoy following the Tour of California, it just reminds me of what is to come. The Tour de France is one of my favorite events each year, and I'm looking forward to its return soon.

Video: Adorable 5-Year Old is a Better Bike Rider Than You

Prepare to have your ego crushed by a five-year old. Felix, the boy in this video, is quite the rider for his age, or just about any other for that matter. The video starts off with shots of him simply riding his bike, but things get serious around the 50-second mark when he starts to pull off some impressive tricks that I wouldn't try. The kid is absolutely fearless. In a few more years, he's going to be tearing up the track. Fun stuff to put a smile on your face today.

Felix Biking from howie.tv on Vimeo.

Video: As the Crow Flies - A Cycling Adventure through Wales

Here's an excellent little film about a pair of cyclists, who built two "adventure bikes" designed for riding on and off road, to take on a 53-mile ride that goes "as the crow flies" from a mid-point in Wales, to the coast. It looks like a wonderful little ride, and a great way to explore the countryside. Truly wonderful stuff. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.

As The Crow Flies from howies on Vimeo.

Gear Closet: FlipBelt and Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

As you can probably imagine, I see a great deal of unique and interesting pieces of gear come across my desk, some of it good, some of it disappointing. I'm fortunate that a lot of those items are often from high profile companies, who create excellent products for use in our outdoor pursuits. But sometimes you seem interesting items from smaller companies who are making innovative and interesting pieces of gear that fill a niche, but just haven't been seen by a larger audience just yet. I have two such products today, that I think could come in handy for the outdoor athlete, particularly as we move on into the warmer months of the year.

The FlipBelt
We'll start with a product called the FlipBelt, which is one of those items that is so simple in design, you'll wonder why you didn't come up with it first. Boiled down to it's most basic element, the FlipBelt is an elastic tube that fits around the waist of runners, cyclists, and other athletes, providing them with storage for all of the small items they like to carry with them on a workout, which comes in pretty handy considering most of my workout gear has gone fairly minimal in design, and doesn't leave a lot of room for carry extra items.

Made from moisture wicking, breathing materials, the FlipBelt is comfortable to wear, stays securely in place while you run, and actually looks like it belongs on a runner's body. It is available in eight different colors, so you can choose one that best fits your wardrobe, or makes you more visible to traffic. I went with basic black, which fits in nicely with my running gear.

The FlipBelt is actually tubular in design, with a snug fit that is designed to keep all of your small items, such as keys, an ID, cash, a smartphone, etc.,  securely in place. Four strategically placed slits in the fabric grant access to the interior of the tube, so you can place your items inside. One of the pockets even has a key clip, to add an extra sense of security.


While I didn't really see the need to wear the FlipBelt while riding my bikes, after all my cycling jerseys have ample pockets, I did find it was a nice piece of gear to have while running. After wearing the belt for a short time, it actually felt very natural, and I soon forgot I even had it on. Meanwhile, the three-inch cloth tube was easily holding my 5th generation iPod Touch, a set of keys, my drivers license, and a few dollars in cash.

The FlipBelt actually performed exactly as advertised. Not only did it safely carry my small items while running, it didn't add much in the way of bulk, nor did it generate much excess heat. It has been quite warm already where I live, so I've already been running without a shirt. Thankfully, the FlipBelt's ability to breathe and wick moisture, proved to be up to the task as well.

With a price tag of $28.99, the FlipBelt isn't a very expensive accessory for yourself, or the runner in your life. It is comfortable, useful, and versatile, three things that come in handy while out on a long run. This is a handy product that you'll be glad you have in your gear closet for when you really need it.

Kenu Highline iPhone Safety Leash

For most of us, a smartphone is an indispensable piece of gear that we rarely leave home without these days. But sometimes it can be dangerous to try to use our phones while also taking part in our favorite outdoor activities, such as mountain biking, skiing, or trail running. The combination of moving over uneven ground, while operating our sleek, impossibly thin, devices – often with sweaty hands – can be a recipe for disaster. More than a few of us have probably dropped our iPhones under just those circumstances, probably while trying to take a photo of something amazing.

But iPhone accessory company Kenu has come up with a simple, but elegant solution, for protecting our expensive smartphones while still being active in the outdoors. They've created a the Highline Safety Leash to prevent untimely drops that could render our phones severely damaged, or even non-functional. Built specifically with Apple's smartphone in mind, the Highline features a specially designed clip that fits into the Lightning connector port on the iPhone 5 and 5S, or the 30-pin connector port on older iPhones. Once locked into place, the other end of the Highline can than be quickly and easily attached to the zipper on your jacket, a clasp on your backpack, or just about any other secure spot. That way, when you take your phone out to use it, you always have the safety leash to make sure it doesn't fall to its death.

In between the two ends is a tough bungee cord reinforced with kevlar wire and stainless steel clips. This helps to ensure that once the Safety Leash is locked into place, your device isn't going anywhere, thus allowing us to use our devices without worry that they will be dropped, lost, or stolen.

The iPhone Safety Leash is another product that works exactly as advertised. It is easy to set-up, very convenient, and provides a nice piece of mind that your gadget is well protected while traveling. The 30-pin version that I tested is available for just $19.95, while the version that is available for newer iPhones with the lightning connector is $34.95, and includes a thin protective case as well. Both prices are a fair amount for a system that will take the worry out of using your smartphone while on the go, whether that is hiking in the Appalachian Mountains, trail running in Colorado, or simply driving to the local market. You'll feel more secure knowing you have a safety leash on your favorite electronic device.

Lance Armstrong Is Naming Names

It has been awhile since we've heard anything new about Lance Armstrong, and the doping scandal that brought dow the 7-time Tour de France champion. But earlier this week, some details of Armstrong's deposition from a lawsuit that was brought against him from an insurance company seeking repayment for bonuses paid out during his TdF winning streak were revealed. In that testimony, which took place back in November, Lance revealed the names of those who supplied him with performance enhancing drugs, or at least knew about their use.

Most of the names will probably come as no surprise to cycling fans. For instance, Armstrong says that team director Johan Bruyneel "participated in or assisted with" the use of PEDs for him and the rest of the squad. This is the first time that Bruyneel has been named outright by Lance, who says that  the Johan knew about the use of drugs through "conversations and other acts" throughout their time together.

The report also points the finger at those who were involved with administering Armstrong's blood transfusions, which aided in increasing oxygen levels in his blood for better performance. Four names came up as part of that conversation. They include trainer Pepe Marti, Dr. Pedro Celaya, Dr. Luis del Moral, and the infamous Dr. Michele Ferrari, who was part of a large program for doling out performance enhancing drugs to athletes on a massive scale.

Others who were singled out for delivering PED's to the cyclist include team soigneur Emma O'Reilly, as well as bike mechanics Julien de Vriese and Philippe Maire. It was also revealed in the testimony that team manager Mark Gorski and Armstrong's personal coach Chris Carmichael knew about his use of performance enhancing drugs as far back as 1995.

Expedition 1000 Update: Crossing The Atacama Desert By Wind And Pedal Power

British adventurer Dave Cornthwaite has set off on the next stage of his Expedition 1000 project, which consists of 25 separate journeys of 1000 miles (1600 km) or more, without the use of motorized transportation. In the past, he has skateboarded across Australia, stand-up paddle boarded down the Mississippi River, and swam for over a thousand miles on the Missouri River. This time out, Dave, along with his traveling companions Ned Aufenhast, and Jamie Fulbrook, will be traveling across the Atacama Desert by Whike.

Is you'll see at the link above, a Whike is essentially a recumbent bike with a wind sail added to it. This allows the rider to both pedal and sail down the road. It looks like a fun ride, although I have never had any experience with one.

Dave, Ned and Jamie set out from Santiago, the capital of Chile, yesterday and have started traveling north to the Atacama. You'll be able to follow their progress on Dave's Facebook page and on Twitter.  Since they have just gotten underway, and intend to cover at least 1000 miles, they should be out on the road for some time. The Atacama provides plenty of great photo opportunities as well, so I expect we should see some great images and video from their journey.

The video below will give you a look at the Whike and more info on what Dave and company are up to in South America.


Welcome to Whike Atacama from davecornthwaite on Vimeo.

Adventure Tech: Garmin Fenix 2 GPS Watch

The battle for your wrist is about to get a lot more interesting.

In March, Garmin will be shipping the much anticipated Fenix 2 GPS fitness and adventure watch. This latest entry into what is becoming quite a crowded market, takes all of the great features from the original Fenix and amps them up a notch, giving outdoor enthusiasts everything they could hope for in a training timepiece – and then some.

Like is predecessor, the Fenix 2 is ruggedized for the outdoors, including being waterproof down to 50 meters. As you would expect, it comes with an altimeter, barometer, a 3-axis compass and built in GPS tracking for navigation. That includes 10,000 track points and 1000 way points. It has sun and moon charts built in, a hunting and fishing calendar, dual timezones, and a host of of time keeping options. It also features ANT+ integration to connect with heart rate monitors and other devices as well.

But, the Fenix 2 brings some interesting new features to the table as well. For starters, it has onboard Bluetooth functionality that allows it to be paired with a smartphone for tracking data. A new Ski-Board mode is designed to specifically track movements both horizontally and vertically, while an improved battery will offer up to 50 hours of use in GPS mode, and five weeks while being used as a standard watch. Improved swim and bike modes make it a better option for triathletes as well, while still managing to bring more options to the table for runners too. If that wasn't enough, the Fenix 2 will even serve as a remote control for Garmin's VIRB action camera.


Perhaps most importantly of all, Garmin has made the watch's interface far more intuitive to use. The original Fenix could be a bit confusing at times, but this time the OS has been tweaked to make everything more accessible. This really helps when all you want to do is get moving, rather than standing around waiting to get your watch in the right mode.

When it ships next month, the Fenix 2 will carry a price tag of $399 for the standard model and $449 with a heart rate monitor. Those are the same price points that the original Fenix launched at as well. At the moment, it looks like a very promising new entry into the GPS watch category, and I'm looking forward to hearing more about how well it performs.

This news comes at the height of my frustration with my Suunto Ambit, one of the main competitors to the Fenix. Last week, after charging my Ambit I put it on and set off for a trail run. When I went to start my GPS tracking, the face was completely blank, although touching the buttons emitted a beep as it would when it was functioning normally. After returning from the run, I plugged it into my computer, where it was immediately recognized, but still there was nothing appearing on the screen.

I dropped Suunto a tech support know to inquire as to how I should proceed, and I was informed that I'd have to drain the battery, then let it charge for five hours straight to correct the problem. I'll have to take their word for it, because now that the battery if fully charged, I'll need to wait a month before it is drained again. In GPS mode, I could drain it very quickly but I can't access that without being able to see the screen. So, my $500 GPS watch is essentially useless for the next month until the battery drains on its own, and then I have to hope that recharging it will get the screen working again. To say that I am not pleased to be able to use my watch for the next several weeks is an understatement. Perhaps the Fenix 2 will be a viable option for a replacement.

Video: Extreme Sports In 4K

The video below captures some of our favorite outdoor activities in stunning fashion. There are segments of kayaking, mountain biking, paragliding and more. Better yet, the entire video was captured using a Sony video camera that captures it all in the emerging 4K format, which offers far higher resolutions than HD. Beautiful stuff.

4K from Image Impossible on Vimeo.

2014 World Cycle Race Gets Underway March 1 In London, Join The Peloton!

March 1 will mark the launch of the 2014 edition of the World Cycle Race, which as the name implies is a bicycle race around the planet. The event covers more than 18,000 miles (28,968 km), with participants racing with no set course in either an easterly or westerly direction. It is a nonstop race, with the clock constantly running, that is a true test of skill, endurance and adventure.

This year, the race will get underway from Greenwich, London in the U.K. at noon. At the moment, there are five riders slated to compete in the WCR, each of whom will of course be at the starting line when the gun goes off. But prior to the start of the round-the-world race, there will be a ceremonial start  that will let cycling fans in London get in on the fun.

At 9:30 AM on March 1, riders are encouraged to gather at Marble Arch to form a peloton that will escort the racers across town to their official start at Greenwich Park. This pre-launch ride will begin promptly at 10:00 AM, giving everyone ample time to safely reach the starting point before the WCR officially gets underway.

The first World Cycle Race took place back in 2012, with Brit Mike Hall claiming victory. That race was supported by Brooks England. Now, our friends over at The Adventurists have joined in and are helping to organize the event too. I'm told that they hope to grow it over time, with more riders taking part and creating a larger awareness of the WCR with the general public. You can find out more at WorldCycleRace.com.

Good luck to all of the riders. I wish I were in London to be able to see you off!

Gear Closet: Tigra Bike Console Power Plus Smartphone Mount

Over the past few years, our smartphones have become central to just about every aspect of our lives. They help keep us in contact with friends and family, they keep us connected to the web and social media, and they even provide plenty of entertainment on the go. These high tech gadgets have also become integral to our workout routines, offering us ways to map our running and cycling routes, tracking our performance over time, and sharing our results with others. In short, they can be wonderful tools for a wide variety of activities.

Cyclists in general have embraced the use of smartphones, tapping into a wide variety of apps that give realtime information about a variety of performance features. In fact, a good smartphone with the right software, can completely replace the traditional cycling computer, putting far more information at your fingertips, on a much larger screen that is easy to read while on the go. A good handlebar mount is essential however, and when it comes to holding your expensive electronic device in place, you certainly don't want to choose one that is subpar. Enter the Bike Console Power Plus from Tigra. It is protective case that packs a lot of features into a well built package.

The Bike Console comes with everything you need to quickly and securely fasten it to the handlebars of your bike. It only takes a couple of minutes to get the mount into place, and the sturdy, well built case then locks into place with a snap. Once there, it keeps your smartphone close at hand, making it easy to interact with, even while riding. The mount even allows the cyclist to rotate the case 360º, allowing apps to switch between portrait and landscape modes for more versatility.


The case itself is durable and solid, providing plenty of protection for the device inside. The flexible screen cover allows the user to still interact with his or her phone using its traditional touch interface. That allows you to launch your favorite apps,  interact with the music player, answer phone calls, and read text messages or emails. Tigra says that the screen protector provides up to 90% sensitivity when using the touch screen on the phone, which translated to no noticeable difference when using the case with my iPhone 4S. The case also provides easy access to your phone's Home and Sleep buttons, and is built to allow use of the camera as well.

When sealed up tight, the case becomes both water and shock proof, providing even more protection for the smartphone inside. Should you find you're caught in an unexpected rainstorm during a ride, your phone will remain very safe inside this case. It will also prevent damage from being dropped, and the double locks that seal it tight will ensure that it won't accidentally spring open, sending the device skipping across the sidewalk.

As is, the bike console is a great way to safely attach your smartphone to your bike. But, this particular version of the case actually has yet another great feature for cyclists. It includes a built-in 1100 mAh battery, which can add 50% to the life span of your phone. That may not sound like it is particularly a lot, but means that you can go on a long ride, use your phone along the way, and still get back home with a decent charge in place. Besides, if you're using GPS to track your progress, that service can put a real hit on your overall battery life.

With apps like Map My Ride and Cycle Tracker Pro at your fingertips, navigating your routes or tracking your performance on the bike is now more fun and interesting than ever. The Bike Console Power Plus smartphone mount make it simple to use those apps (not to mention thousands of others) putting all the functionality of your smartphone right at your finger tips. It also provides plenty of extra protection for your expensive gadget while riding, which is never a bad thing. The fact that it brings more battery life along for the ride as well, is just icing on the cake.

The Bike Console Power Plus carries a price tag of $89.99, which strikes me as a relative bargain for everything that it delivers to cyclists. If you're looking for a durable, versatile smartphone mount for your cycling adventures, than I'd whole heartedly recommend this product. It is an excellent way to extend the use of your smartphone while on a ride.

Gear Closet: Light & Motion GoBe+ 700 Spotlight

When it comes to creating headlamps and other high performance lights for use in the outdoors, it is really tough to top the products that Light & Motion puts out. The company creates bright, durable and efficient headlamps and cycling lights, often incorporating unique elements into their design that really sets them apart from the competition. But their new GoBe line of lights raises the bar even higher, delivering a bright, powerful light that can be used in almost any environment. Recently I was fortunate enough to test out the GoBe+ 700 spot, their new flagship product that delivers performance unlike anything you've likely seen before.

Unlike most of the other lights I've tested from Light & Motion, all of which were headlamps, the GoBe is closer in shape to a traditional flashlight. But to call it a "flashlight" greatly undersells exactly what this product can do. For starters, it is bright. Very bright. On its highest setting, it is capable of putting out as much as 700 lumens. How's that for bright? It's medium setting is still good for 325 lumens, while low and extended modes are 100 and  50 lumens respectively. There is also an SOS mode if you need to signal for help, which is also at 100 lumens.

The GoBe uses a rechargeable battery to power its lamp and naturally its burn time varies greatly depending on which mode you're in. On its highest setting, it can only run for about 1.5 hours while in extended mode it will light up the area for a full 24. A handy light integrated into the handle gives the user visual cues as to how much charge remains. When the light GoBe does run low on juice, it is recharged via USB on a computer or a wall adapter using its own proprietary USB cable.


L&M sees their GoBe lights as part of a larger system. With that in mind, they have built several mounting options for use in a variety of activities. The model I tested came with a bike mount that firmly held the light in place on my handlebars and illuminated the trail quite nicely as a result. Other mounts include a photo ball, a video locline, and a YS mount. Additionally, there are six different light heads available, which can be swapped out on the GoBe to extend its functionally further. Some of those include one head that provides a wider focus of light and another designed for search and rescue operations. Between all of these mounts and detachable heads, the versatility of this light really shines through. Pun fully intended.

The GoBe has also been designed to be rugged enough to take with you on all your adventures and it feels like it could survive just about anything. It also happens to make an excellent light for divers, as the system is rated to go down as deep as 120 meters (393 feet). That's an impressive depth for any light to function, let alone one that is as bright as this one.

Light & Motion ships the GoBe+ 700 with the flashlight body, head and body splash caps, a USB charging cable, handle bar mount, lanyard and more. All in all, it's an impressive package, with everything you'd need to use the light on just about any expedition. They also shipped me the Search Head, which focuses the standard beam down from a 60º spread, to a very tight 8º. This turns the light into a narrow, intense beam that makes the GoBe seem like a completely different product.

As with L&M's other products, this type of performance doesn't come cheap. The model I tested carries a price tag of $299, which is a pretty hefty cost to say the least. But this product isn't meant for someone just looking for a spare light to have around the home. It is for the active adventurer who needs a powerful, high performance light for a variety of activities. This is a light that you can mount on your bike, take on a hike, or on a dive deep under the ocean. It is unbelievably bright and versatile, which is everything you could ask for out of a product likes this one. For the person that meets that description, this is a light that is worth every penny.

Video: Peak To Peak On New Zealand's North And South Islands

Last November I wrote a piece about an ambitious human-powered expedition called Peak to Peak 2013. It featured two adventurers, Kiwi Grant Rawlinson and Aussie Alan Silva, who were attempting to climb the highest mountain on both the North and South Islands, while also traveling between those two peaks completely under their own power. Grand and Alan started the expedition with a successful summit of Mt Ruapehu on the North island and then hiked, paddled, and cycled their way to Mt Cook (aka Aoraki) on the South Island. It was quite the adventure all around and the video below chronicles their journey nicely. The amazing New Zealand landscapes certainly don't hurt either!

Video: Team MTN Qhubeka: An African Bicycle Dream (Episode 3)

Over the course of the year we have seen a series of great videos that have followed the progress of the new MTN-Qhubeka Pro Continental Cycling Team, the first all-African cycling squad to compete on an international level. The team continues to make solid strides in its first year of development and in the third episode – which you'll find below – we get footage from the Tour of Rwanda, which the riders recently competed in. The team has done so well in this first year of existence, that they are in the running to receive an invitation to the Giro d'Italia next year. If that happens, they'll become the first African registered team to ride in a Grand Tour. That would be a big step forward for the sport in Africa.

If you like this video, check out Episode 1 and Episode 2 as well.

Video: KUOTA - A Passion For Cycling

The video below is essentially a commercial for Kuota bikes, but it might as well be an endorsement of why we love to ride as well. It is beautifully shot and manages to capture the spirit of a great ride in just two-and-a-half minutes. It definitely makes me want to get out on my bike today, which is fortunately possible with the nice weather we're having here in Austin. I hope it inspires you some too. Enjoy!

KUOTA | Kom 2014 from Valerio Musilli on Vimeo.

Video: Road Bike Party 2 - Insane Stunts On A Road Bike

Martyn Ashton was capable of accomplishing some pretty crazy things on a road bike. I say "was" because during the making of the video below he managed to break his back and is now paralyzed. He did have some help from friends completing the film though, so we can all marvel at the stunts he was once capable of. And for those like me who like to lust after expensive bikes, Martyn is riding a Colnago C59 Italia. Price tag? A cool $24,500.

Video: Insane Cyclist Rides Bike Down Mountain Road - Backwards!

And now something from the "completely insane" category. Here's a video of a man riding his bike backwards down a road in Trollstigen, Norway. The road is 4.5 km (2.8 miles) in length and features a 10% grade. At times, the rider reached speeds in excess of 80 km/h (50 mph), which seems frightening when you're riding a bike the proper way. Don't try this at home kids.

Kapp To Cape Cyclists Complete 18,000 KM Ride In 102 Days

Way back in August I wrote a post about Reza Reza Pakravan and Steven Pawley, two long distance cyclists who were embarking on an epic ride from Nordkapp, Norway to Cape Town, South Africa. Their plan was to cover the 18,000 km (11,184 miles) distance between those two cities in just 100 days. Yesterday they completed that ride and they missed their target goal by just two days.

Reza and Steven faced all kinds of challenges as they rode through 14 different countries on their journey across Europe and Africa. Along the way they faced nasty winds, surprisingly bad weather and unexpected illness. The latter of those challenges was what ultimate prevented them from completing the ride in the expected 100 days. Despite all of the difficulties they had to overcome on their ride, the duo still only missed their scheduled arrival by two days. That is pretty impressive considering the number of miles they had to ride in such a relatively short time.

The video below was shot following their arrival in Cape Town yesterday. Not only did that mark the end of the expedition, Reza and Steven also announced that they had raised £20,000 ($32,375) for Azafady, a nonprofit that is working to build schools in Madagascar.

Congratulations to Reza and Steven on completing their incredible ride. In order to reach Cape Town yesterday, they had to average 176.5 km (110 miles) for 102 days straight. Those are impressive numbers indeed.

Peak To Peak 2013: Climbing The Highest Peak On New Zealand's North And South Islands

It looks like December is shaping up to be quite a month for unique expeditions and adventures. Take for example the recently announced Peak 2 Peak 2013 expedition which is set to get underway on December 1. This impressive undertaking will send Kiwi Grant Rawlinson and Aussie Alan Silva on a human-powered odyssey across New Zealand that will have them climbing, paddling and cycling their way across both the North and South Islands.

The journey will begin with the two men first attempting to climb Mt. Ruapeahu (2797 meters/9177 ft), the tallest peak on the North Island. After that, they'll paddle 240 km (150 miles) down the Whanganui River before proceeding 60 km (37 miles) across the Cook Strait. Arriving on the South Island, they'll next get on their bikes for a 900 km (560 miles) ride to the foot of Mt. Cook, the tallest mountain on the island at 3754 meters (12,316 ft). They'll wrap up their journey with a climb to the summit, thus complete their Peak to Peak aspirations.

Grant and Alan will make this journey completely unsupported and on a small budget. They were both drawn to this unique challenge because of its grassroots nature and the fact that it could inspire others to undertake their own adventures that don't require a large time commitment or cost a lot of money.

Both of these men are experienced mountaineers, each with a successful summit of Everest under their belts. Alan climbed the world's tallest peak from the South Side back in 1998 while regular readers of this blog followed Grant's successful climb from the North Side back in 2012. That experience will come in handy as they push themselves to the limit on this particular expedition as well.

To follow along with the team's progress, visit Grant's website at axeoneverest.com. They'll get underway in just a couple of week. Good luck guys!

Gear Closet: Chrome Merino Cobra Pullover

Each year the outdoor industry invests millions of dollar chasing the Holy Grail of technical fabrics for use in a variety of gear. The top companies are constantly developing and refining lightweight, durable materials that are breathable, moisture wicking and odor fighting as they try to one up the competition in performance. It turns out however that nature has already provided us with the perfect material in the form of merino wool, which not only has all of those great qualities and more.

A number of great apparel companies already offer wonderful products made from merino wool and I've personally used plenty of them over the years. I am continually impressed with how well the material performs, particularly in active pursuits in cooler weather. Thats why I was eager to put the Merino Cobra Pullover from Chrome to the test. This great looking garment was created with cyclists in mind but it is so well designed that it can be used for a variety of outdoor sports, including trail running, hiking, mountain biking or even snow sports.

The Cobra Pullover is built to be form fitting without restricting motion in any way. It is clear that Chrome put a lot of thought into its design, making it a great option for outdoor athletes. For instance,  the high-quality neck zipper slides down far enough to allow you to pull on this extra layer without even needing to take off your helmet. It also comes with a high neck collar that can be flipped up to help ward off a cool wind. Thumb loops pull the extra long sleeves down over the hand, providing some much appreciated warmth when the temperature starts to drop, while a longer torso keeps warm air trapped close to the body.

As you would expect, the Cobra Pullover benefits greatly from Chrome's version of merino wool. The fabrics so an excellent job of wicking away moisture, helping to keep the wearer warm when out for a ride or a long run. But its ability to breathe allows heat to vent away from the body as well, keeping us cooler when we start to overheat. Temperature regulation is one of the benefits of merino and this pullover does a great job in that regard. The garment also happens to be odor resistant, which means you can go straight from the trail to a restaurant without fear of sending your friends running for the door. Travelers will love that feature as well, as it comes in incredibly handy on extended active trips.


Other nice touches include a large, zippered passthrough pocket along the back that provides ample storage and a smaller key pocket on the right arm just above the wrist. That pocket has an integrated fabric loop that you can attach your keys to, making it even more difficult to lose them.

The Cobra Pullover is one of those rare pieces of gear that looks as good as it performs. Chrome has put a lot of thought into the design and it shows. This is definitely an article of clothing that you won't mind wearing out and about around town, which isn't always the case with performance wear. This pullover has classic good looks going for it and when you put it on, you'll be right at home on the bike, trail, coffee shop or just about anywhere else you may go.

For a piece of clothing made from merino wool, the Cobra Pullover is actually priced quite affordably. Chrome sells it for $140, which is very competitive when compared to similar products from competitors. This is a warm, durable, well built active wear that is versatile enough to be used in a wide variety of activities. I really like what Chrome has brought to the table and think that it will be a favorite with cyclists and other outdoor enthusiasts alike. With the holidays just around the corner, it would also make a great gift for the gear hound on your list.