Hi all I thought I would share a list of my riding gear as some maybe what others are interested in.

1) Aerotech bib shorts or short (sometimes with cargo shorts over them)
2) Jersey or wicking shirt (Key makes a long sleeved pocket T shirt for under $20.00 each)
3) riding shoes with cleats to help get power/momentum off of the up stroke when pedling
4) Geigerrig 710 which is a small backpack with a 2 liter water bladder that is pressurised so you don't have to suck and suck to get water. I throw my wallet and keys in this and fill it so I can hydrate on my ride.
5) Mio Go heart rate monitor that I pair with the bike computer
6) Cateye Stealth 50 bike computer with GPS. This tracks cadence, distance, time, miles per hour, and heart rate.

I usually wear a helmet and always wear gloves and eye protection.

Thanks for the list. My question is about your pedals and shoes. I don't have toeclips or anything yet. Do you like the clip less pedals? Are they easy to get in and out of? What brand? Do you recommend them for an essentially brand new rider?

thanks
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Same sort of questions will b following .. I know I want to go clipless just don't know where to start as there are so many choices out there.

I have Louis Garneau shoes (touring, mountain bike) as they were 50% off at the bike store and only ran me $40.00. I use the SPD style cleats and have road pedals on the road bike, and platform pedals on the mountain bike.

Yes they are easy to get out of, just pivot your heel outward until the cleat releases and lift up. Yes you have to pre-plan getting your feet off the pedal as if you are going down due to a crash occurring you will probably go down, but that isn't any different than using the old fashioned "rat trap" style toe clips. The riding shoes have a more rigid sole which helps in the transfer of power to the pedal, and also keeps the foot from flexing as much which allows for a more comfortable ride (especially when using road pedals).

I wanted shoes that if I were to stop for coffee, or a snack that I could walk normally in without feeling unstable as the old style road shoes had your foot at an angle when walking much like wearing a high heel.

The Cateye Stealth 50 is kind of interesting, it is about half the price of a Garmin Edge 500.

Also looking at the Aerotech stuff too, I keep forcing myself to hold off til next season, if I buy it now it will only really fit for a month or two :-).

I use the SPD MTB pedals, I have M520 and M530 both, both work well, the 530 will stay on the hybrid the M520 will go on my new road bike coming the first week of October :-). I have specialized Tahoe MTB shoes, they have served me well so far.

Bill

I personally also use Louis Garneau shoes. I use the skinny road shoe with the cleats up fron that put your foot at a weird angle as mentioned. I walked three miles in them when i got a flat that could not be fixed on the spot. Aside from your foot being tilted up a bit i was perfectly fine. They are nice and stiff with plenty of ventilation. They also have holes for different types of cleats so you could use them with different pedal systems. I bought a pair that were a little more expensive because i liked the ratcheting strap as well as the regular velcro strap. Lets you adjust your shoe while riding. For pedals i got Look Keo Classic 2. Easily adjustable and comfortable. I like the style more than the mountain bike pedals personally. These are really only for road bikes however. I am new to them and found no issue getting in and out. As was stated, just plan when you are getting in and out, and you're gold

If you're new, skip the clipless pedals for a while and just enjoy your bike. You can get toe cages (not really straps... 10Wheels uses them and if you see him, ping him for the specifics) or those power straps if you want to get an assist with the upward pedaling.

It's really easy to overly complicate bike riding too early and kill your enjoyment.

VO Deep Half Clips

How accurate and comfortable is the Mio Go

I have big wrists and the Large is a little snug. as to accuracy I don't have anything to compare it to, but it seems to be on par with the resting heart rate when I go for my quarterly diabetic checkups.

I don't have an issue wearing it for hours at a time.

I guess I really mean how consistent is the connection. If you keep records of your rides are there dead spots. I read some complaints that it was dropping connections periodically.

I haven't had it drop connection from the bike computer or my cell phone if I am running the cell phone app. When I down load the bike computer it has all the heart rate information without any dead spots.

Also the monitor has an led light that changes color so you have an idea what range of beats per minute you are in. Light blue resting, then darker blue, then green then red for when you are really working.

I like those

Nice and inexpensive too.

Does Nikon make a Tilt Shift lens? Seems like you should change your handle to Canon Shooter and get busy with a T/S.

OP you carry supplies to deal with a flat tire, correct?

yes spare tube, tire spoons, small pump.

LOL...you took the words right out of my wife's mouth.

NEVAH!..I've got WAY too much time and money invested in gear. Nikon doesn't do T/S but I've played around with a Lens Baby.

Pfft. Live with crooked buildings then.