Bike Month Essentials: Detours Madison Rack Trunk Bag

Detours Madison Rack Bag - bike commuter ready.

May has a lot of bicycle related events, namely Bike to Work Week and today is Bike to Work Day. I'm always up for the next best bag for my commuter bike so the Madison by Detours really caught my eye. One of the repeating features that I like about the Detours line in general are the quick release clips on the bottom of their bags. It makes taking the bag with you a snap (literally).

Detours D2R has the same quick release clips as the Madison.

What this means is a worry-free, secure ride for the rear bag. I always take my D2R bag inside with me because it is so simple to get on and off the bicycle. I have a Blackburn Rack with a center shelf and the clips adjust for a perfect fit. If you are cycling or commuting in an urban area, this is a very important point to consider. Also the D2R rear bag has a bit more travel-ready room and separators for tools, a medical kit, food, and an extra water bottle holder/

The diagonal strap system of the Madison.

Strap One On
The diagonal strap is easy to wear and has a comfy adjustable shoulder pad. The carry straps stow inside the slip pouches during your ride and pop out easily. The Madison therefore looks great both on and off your bicycle!

Madison comes with Blinkie loops on both ends.

Madison Features
One of things I've come to expect from Detours bags is their attention to detail. I really like that the Madison has light loops for your favorite blinkie, (I've got my Portland Design Works DangerZone clipped in), so it is a full on, road ready bicycle bag. So important if you are routinely riding in traffic.

Other Madison Rack Trunk Bag Features Include:
4 Adjustable quick release buckles
Reflective Details
Lots of interior organization & key fob
Exterior slip pockets
Removable, padded shoulder strap
Side compression straps
Rain cover in secret zip pocket under the bag

Rain cover tucks secretly away under the bag

The Detours Madison Rack Trunk Bag would make a great gift for any commuter who uses their bicycle to travel to work or to play. It's quick release straps allow for a quick on and off the rack execution while looking amazingly chic during your ride. Like most Detours bicycle bags, the Madison has a built in rain cover that stows away in a secret pouch under the bag. Genius! Personally, I think the bag itself can take a spritz or two but for a downpour you'd want the extra visibility of their day glow rain cover. Thanks to their clip and stow system, the rain cap is always with the bag. Just the right size, I can tell this is going to become one of my favorite rack trunk bags for Bike Month.

Check out more essential gear and Bike Month bags for your ride at Detours.us

Bike Month: CitiBike and GLC's Guilden Carry All

Right: GLC's Guilden Carry All designed for the Capitol Bike Share Program in Washington D.C.

Spring 2013 NYC Bike Share Program: One of the pure joys I have as a fitness author and blog editor is the opportunity to meet some real movers and shakers. I'm talking about people who walk the walk (or ride the ride) and are making a difference with innovative designs and ideas. Two intrepid entrepreneurs who fit this description are two former college roommates, Debra Zusin and Mariana R. Chambers of Give Love Cycle. They've designed both the small and large Guilden Carry All with cyclists like us in mind.

Guilden Carry All on my Nishiki (Blackburn Rear Rack)

This May, the NYC Bike Share (CitiBike) Program has finally launched after several stalls, projected starts and then delays. As someone who often travels into NYC for business and pleasure, I was quite excited about this program since the Bike Path is often my main transportation route around the city. 
Previously, I would bring my own alloy folding bicycle on the train. Problem is, carrying it up the stairs from the train platform (sometimes the escalator is not working) at Penn Station is a bit much, especially during rush hour.

Riding our Green Zone Foldy downtown at Chelsea Piers, NYC.

As for carry on luggage you can see in the photo above, the standard issue Trek Trunk most cyclists use. I'm not knocking this bag but it is not very comfortable (or stylish) to carry even though it comes with a shoulder strap. Taking it on and off the bicycle is also a bit of a pain. The Guilden Carry All secures easily by means of built in strap clips and loops. So two things which are made for each other can solve my NYC transportation issues: CitiBike + GLC's Guilden Carry All.

GLC's Guilden Carry All with reflective piping, is made to fit CitiBike Baskets

I really think this is a much better solution to getting around the city but it's made that much easier when you have the right "luggage" on board. The small Guilden Carry All was made to fit the CitiBike, bike share bicycles' front basket with ease. The reflective piping all around gives you extra visibility when the sun goes down. So it's a win-win situation. Roomy enough to accommodate your helmet, extra clothing and other items. One of my pet peeves is when people tell me they drove to the gym to take a spinning class. I'm thinking "Wow, what a waste!"  All of that gas, energy and time. How about just getting some exercise and fresh air while doing your errands or commuting to work? A bag like this would be a great gift for someone who has signed up for a bike share program or is thinking about commuting by bicycle. Really this bag fits on any rear rack or Dutchy style handle bars.

I'm hoping that the bike share program expands to many other cities but right now I am LOVING this bag on my own bicycle.  While it is ready for the CitiBike transfer, it also looks amazing on your arm. Now when I head into the city, my Guilden Carry All is ready for the trip!

GLC's Guilden Small Carry All in Bone

Fall Bike Commuter Essentials

Jackson Long Coat by Carve Designs is fully lined & made of 100% boiled wool.  Eye wear by Rudy Project.

Walk it.  Bike it. Love it! Get into it with XTreme XTraining's Fall Bike Commuter Essentials.  Here's our music video take on how to choose the proper gear and dress stylishly for cooler temps. Our motto is to get dressed once in the morning, put on your hiking shoes and or hop on your bike and be ready for anything the day brings.  Dressing in layers also assures extra warmth & comfort.  We chose these specific wool pieces because they allow for athletic movement and wicking of moisture.  New to XTreme XTraining this season is Ahnu Footwear with their Monte Vista Hiking Boots featured in Terry Bicycle's Fall 2011 Catalog. We are also excited about Carve Designs of California's "west coast represent" (now put your hands up), with key pieces for walking and/or cycling.  Of course we adore our rugged and beautiful COSA by Basil Baskets from the Netherlands. Check out CatEye's NEW INOU GPS Video Camera that overlays your bike commute videos and still photos over a Google Map to share with other commuters via social networks.  It can also record road incidents and conditions to report or avoid for safer traveling. Consider fall your second spring and get out there!  Song: Time to Roll

INOU GPS Video Cam by CatEye

 







Actual footage shot with the CatEye INOU GPS Video Cam with handlebar mount!

NYC Bike Path Video Preview: Bike Chic

  Intro to our New York City Bike Path Video - August 2011 release scheduled.

Lumpkin Cycle Works One Off Faux Alligator Panniers

While shooting on location this summer, we noticed some very slick bicycles and accessories on the New York City Bike Path.  We road from Penn Station down the 9th Avenue Bike Lane to Chelsea Piers and saw all sorts of panniers, baskets and messenger bags.  Still we saw none like these bicycle bags.  Perhaps it's because these are one of a kind?

These gorgeous Faux Alligator Panniers are made in the USA by Lumpkin Cycle Works. If you want New York City style, look no further.  These have enough capacity to hold a full day of shopping on 5th Ave. or bushels of groceries from the Chelsea markets.  We like the two sets of straps which allow us to attach our Portland Design Works Danger Zone Tail Lights.  These panniers are also angled back to help prevent "kicking" during your pedal strokes.  The closures snap so no need to do/undo the buckles and an inner drawstring helps keep cargo from shifting during your ride.  You would look perfectly fly rolling through Midtown with these on your fixed gear!

The designer behind Lumpkin Cycle Works

Meet the Designer & Purveyor of Lumpkin Cycle Works

Carlossee (Carlos-say), is a fashion designer and avid cyclist whose studio is located in Detroit, Michigan.  If necessity is the mother of invention, who better to design fashionable yet functional cycle equipment than someone who bikes?  This is what makes "Lumpkins" so exceptionally unique.  Classic lines, sumptuous fabrics and a sense of daring pretty much sum up this line of cycle bags and panniers.

Mr. Lumpkin's artistry brings haute couture fashion to cyclists who use their bikes for much more than just recreation.  Carlossee is famous for arriving at black tie affairs on bicycle, (and tux), fully equipped with his signature panniers.  He is changing the image of the bike commuter while opening new and exciting options for urban cycling.  We could see that his impeccable fashion sense fits right in with NYC Bike Chic and are pleased to include his work in our video project.

Lumpkin Cycle Works bags are the "Birkin" of  bicycle panniers.