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

Back to School: Healthy Snacks & Fitness for Kids

Going Back to School means kids (and YOU) eating and drinking fresh! Fresh fruit, water and Rainbow Light Gummy Power Sours Multivitamins help support proper nutrition.

Now until September 15th, the Kids Back to School Campaign is promoting healthy lunch and snack choices. Really we all should be making them but our young people are being left at the gate, so to speak. Keep in mind that another problem is that an estimated 65% of Americans are chronically dehydrated! Adding fresh, juicy fruits and vegetables to our diet will add to our daily water intake.

NatureBox
This is a monthly subscription that delivers delicious, theme based snacks to your door. This Back to School Box for August includes a nice sampling of very fresh dried fruits, nuts and crunchy noshes. If your favorite student is off to college, you can arrange to have their NatureBox delivered to their dorm or college post office. I can remember getting "C.A.R.E. packages" on campus, but they were never like this and most certainly not every month.

PHOTO: NatureBox Back to School assortment. Need some ideas for those lunches and snacks? NatureBox gives you five each month.

NatureBox has something for everyone's tastes. I especially like the Santa Fe Corn Stix with their bold tomato, green pepper and onion flavors. The Cherry-Berry Bonanza and Sweet Blueberry Almonds were also extremely good. NatureBox includes approximately 20 servings of five individual, nutritionist-approved snacks and...

• Snacks are carefully sourced by local growers/independent food producers
• The NatureBox snacks can be incorporated in recipes and other ideas for healthy eats. Their blog has a ton of ideas: NatureBox Blog
• Starting at just $19.95 per month purchase a box for as many months as you like and can pause or cancel anytime.
• Gluten-free and vegan-friendly snacks available too
• Use the Coupon Code "SHARE 10" to get a sweet discount on your first order!

Bike to School
Now's the time to check to see if your child's campus has a "Bike to School" incentive or even bicycle racks in place. Estimates show 2 out of 3 boys get the recommended amount of exercise each day but only 1 in 3 girls do! There is a very easy way to make sure your child gets a regular amount of exercise during the school week. Simply stop driving them everywhere and let them walk or use their bicycles to get around. 

Check to see if your child's school has a Bike to School Program.

The Nutrition and Exercise Connection
I think we all know that when we eat right, we have the energy to WANT to be active. The same is true for children. While it is great to improve their nutritional status, they also need to be more active. When they are more active, their appetites are going to increase to the point that hunger may make them want to try new, healthier meal options. 
This is your chance to positively impact your child's future success in nearly every aspect of their lives. Start by having them take a part in preparing their school lunches the night before. Store it in a insulated tote and it's ready to grab in the AM. Put the lunch tote on their bicycle and you have a winning combination going, (literally)!
 

Reusable lunch-ware and insulated drink container all fit easily in this thermal lunch tote and on a bicycle. 
Below is a Back to School Special going on now from DontGetHit.com on reflectivewear & bicycle lights  for the kids!

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

Bike to School-Back to School

Taking the NYC Bike Path: Students can take advantage of the early fall weather to bicycle to school.

While it's officially the end of summer, September also marks when school is back in session.  We often get a few weeks of warm weather that many call Indian Summer that makes bicycling to school quite appealing.  If your child's school or college campus has bicycle racks you're in!  Even so, here are a few essentials for your child's bike to school commute:

Detour's Sodo Front Bag - Schwinn Solitaire

Check List of Bicycle to School Gear:

Easy to work lock with key or combination

Cool bicycle helmet (let THEM pick it out)

LED Head & Tail Lights for the Bicycle

Detachable Front Bag and or Panniers for Books & Lunch

A Comfortable Bicycle (Schwinn Hybrids are hot now)

A Bell or Horn

Thermal Water Bottle (Polar Bottle comes in lots of designs)

Pants clip to cinch up the right leg if there's no chain guard 


Ride in With Your Child
Depending on many factors: distance, bicycle lane accessibility, morning traffic and your child's age, you may choose to ride along with them to school.  This is a great time to get in some early morning exercise for yourself while setting an example of fitness for your child.  Trust me, they take note of this!  If you get out there, they will too.  Teach your young-un to do a brief check over of tires, brakes, etc. and hit the road.

Basil Panniers are sturdy and hold a lot for school

Your child may like a neon colored lid like this Lazer Helium.

Healthier Lifestyle Choices
Childhood obesity is on the rise and for the first time we are seeing even pre-teens with adult onset or Type II diabetes.  You may not be able to change everyone else but you can change how you and your family live.  Top off this healthy life style by packing them a super lunch.  Bicycling burns serious calories and you may find your child to be very appreciative of nutritious menus without much whining.  Cycling has that effect on picky eaters.

Be sure to pack a healthy lunch & snacks...your child will need it!

Check with your local school system as some have received special materials or grants to assist children in bicycling to school.  If your child or you are in college, look for help at the student center or commuter center which may have special programs to assist your ride in and around campus.  I road a bicycle when I attended college and put off getting a car until well after I was no longer on campus.  I had only $200 in student loans which I immediately paid off without much difficulty.