Saturday, March 31, 2012

Another Gear sale, nearly complete kit...

Last time I had a gear sale it was for quite a few items.  I sold some, but still have others.  This is a sale to try and get a nearly complete kit (without tent or water system) to a new ready and eager person who wants to get started in backpacking for a great price.


Do you have a friend, or a person you know that wants to get into backpacking?  Well today is a great day to read this post.  Here are the details of what I am trying to get done for some lucky person.

*Osprey Aether 70 Small/Medium pack - mens green
*1 Large Osprey packcover for rain or bad weather


 *Thermarest self inflating mattress with stuff sack
(Thermarest 3/4 self inflating mattress I bought in 1998.  I have used this on many trips and to Europe for 7 months in 2007.  I had a few punctures... but I honestly consider myself a thermarest patch expert.  This pad is in total working order.)

*Coleman dual aluminum cookset
*Lexan fork and lexan spoon
*MiniBullDesigns Elite stove

*NorthFace Cats Meow sleeping bag, bought in 1998 and well taken care of.  Stuff sack and storage back provided.

*2 pair of Smith sunglasses in protective case with interchangeable lenses

I firmly believe that this setup is well worth more, but I would like to see $200 shipped, out the door.  Or at least make me an offer.

Friday, March 30, 2012

Osprey Packs clinic @ Performance Bike shop

Last night was a really great time.  I work at Performance Bike San Antonio on a part time basis.  So when I was asked to visit for a clinic for Osprey's new line of cycling hydration packs, I jumped on it.  I mean, I got paid to learn about Osprey gear, then they brought in pizza, and lastly we had a quiz and won some AWESOME gear to boot!!!  Patrick from Osprey was such an awesome guy and he showed us all the INs and OUTs of the new gear.  Osprey really leads the way in innovative technology, and I am thoroughly impressed with the new ideas that they have shown me.  First I will show you the best gear I got, which was a reservoir.  A few were left, and I asked if I could use one to test out the key features that really make this reservoir awesome. Here is a pic I took of the 2L/70oz reservoir; and they key features listed on their website.
Hydration Reservoir

Available for seperate purchase is our 2L/70 oz. HydraForm™ Reservoir
  • Built to pharmaceutical biocompatibility specifications to assure taste and odor free hydration
  • Contains AquaGuard™ anti-microbial formula to prevent bacteria and mold
  • BPA and PVC free
     The next few items, we won in a question and answer session that was well worth paying attention when Patrick was talking.  I won 2 pair of socks, a TOOL bag (which I absolutely dig!), lip balm/cycling salve, and an awesome HAT!

Here is the tool kit, with my multi-tool, 3 CO2 cartridges, 3 tire levers, 2 SRAM chain masterlinks, and the tube of course, won't fit in there, but goes along with this kit.
 A great time was had by all the attendees, and I really want to say thanks to Osprey for being so AWESOME!

Tuesday, March 27, 2012

Fasting, how it works, and a bit of science.

My cousin Chris and I have been going back and forth scouring for information that helps us understand how fasting works, and what benefits it might offer.  Chris emailed me the links to the following blog posts from Mark's Daily Apple.  Please read with caution and know that not everyone can work with this type of change or diet.  I know that I am very excited about this and I hope you find it useful.

The one thing more than all about these posts, is that it FEELS RIGHT, it is very INLINE WITH MY BODY, and he says so many things that I am ALREADY DOING NOW.  I hope this enlightens anyone looking for answers, and by all means, comment, comment, comment.


Intermittent Fasting - A Primer ( Part 1 ) page




Tomorrow I will post about the Part 2 of Mark's previous article on the post before this one.

Cheers!

Saturday, March 24, 2012

Tossing around the idea of fasting...

As stated in the previous post, I want to open the idea of fasting.  I am searching the net and finding so many resources on this subject.  One that I found super easy to read, came from Marks Daily Apple.  Please take a few minutes to read this and maybe it will help in the pursuit of a permanent life long solution to diet and exercise.    I am looking for a new way to live, not a fad to follow for a month.  Nothing in my lifetime has rung a bell like fasting.  It makes such sense and the science is totally there to back things up.  The only problem?  Doubters.  People who think that the logic says, "If you are hungry, then you should definitely eat."  More often than not, over eat.  If there is one weakness from being out on the trail for months at a time, it is food.

Please do not take any of my posts out of context and DO NOT expect that I am going to stop eating for a week, or longer without ramping up SLOWLY, and with complete caution.  As stated by Steve Hendricks, he basically says fasting is like working out.  And he tells you that if you have not worked out in a while, that it might hurt a bit to get started again.  This I believe to be 100% true.  So please, take caution and a really hard look before starting something as drastic as changing your diet or intake of food.

Why Fast? Part 1 – Weight Loss

Would love to hear any comments that any readers have.

Thursday, March 22, 2012

Expanding coverage topics and discussions

     It has recently occured to me that various subjects about diet, exercise, and overall health are becoming pertinent to my life.  I wonder if they have relevance to your life.  I also know that there are so many articles and websites out there, it is impossible to see things from all sides.  With that said, I am posting this short bit because I am going to make posts that relate to what I am thinking & doing in relevance to the previously stated diet, exercise, and overall health.  All in all, my goal is to open the dialogue to the subjects, and then extrapolate them into a usable tranference to hiking and biking.  All the while, trying to improve on everyday living.

     Since returning from the trail I have spent a lot of time thinking about the life I live and how I go about doing that.  Why I make choices and re-analyzing the choices that I have made in the past.  This introspection has brought so many subjects to the forefront, that I feel the only way to clearly determine what works best for me, is to communicate and share with others facing these same issues.  By far my biggest motivator is my cousin Chris.  He holds such high standards for himself, that it begs the lesser standards of others.  It really makes you assess whether or not you can live without, or live within, any given specific subject.  For example, driving a vehicle is a perfect comparison.  I drove to Dallas (for work) this week, and it is 290 miles from San Antonio.  I drove @ 55 mph for nearly 6 hours.  However, I reached a personal record for gas mileage in my new hybrid.  For that trip I reached an average of 84 miles to the gallon.  What this example brings to the table is the idea of self control.  Like my cousin Chris, who exerts amazing self control over food, I did the same with the speed limit.  The transference here, is a simple mental reprogramming to achieve undeniably AMAZING results.  What if this applied to exercise, or overall health.  Once this example is taken into consideration, this easily translates to the subject that we are going to first start exploring, FASTing.  The idea of not eating has never entered my frame of mind until this week.  I heard a gentlemen get interviewed on NPR, and he had written an article about fasting.  I cannot view this article, as I do not subscribe to Harper's magazine.  However, I can bring this to the web, and see what we can all collaborate on within this subject.  Not to many people are commenting on my page or the things that I have posted.  Maybe because what I have previously posted may not warrant comments; and that is fine.  But I would like to see more involvement.  Especially with those who are interested in expanding their horizons.

    So in line with saving the in-depth subject matter for the articles themselves, let's wrap up this bulletin and start thinking of things that could be reviewed.  Not just gear, but rather various subjects that relate to real savings in life and in your wallet.  As always, thank you for stopping and taking the time to read.  Please feel free to leave any relevant comments, or discussions you think might be relevant.

Wednesday, March 21, 2012

REI dividends - What did you buy?

I went to REI today to use up the dividends that I accrued for last year.  I bought a new cookpot.  I did not buy the stove, but the COOKPOT only.



What did you buy with your dividend?

Tax Day Giveaway - http://www.TRAILGROOVE.com

Trail Designs Ti-Tri Sidewinder Stove System Bundle

Please stop by http://www.TRAILGROOVE.com and be sure to follow the steps to qualify to win the cook system.  Oh and while you are there, but SURE to check out the newest published magazine that they are offering at absolutely no charge.  I mean 65 pages of awesomeness.  Especially if you like Camping/Hiking!!!

Good LUCK!!!

Sunday, March 11, 2012

Hike, Bike, Dale changes to a top level domain!

http://www.hikebikedale.com


Just decided today that I wanted to make sure that I had a domain that reflected the name Hike, Bike, Dale!  Rather than just the blogspot alone.  It is simple, easy to remember, and not hard to spell at any point.  I hope the readers out there, new and old, are paying attention to things going on here.  There has been quite a delay in postings since the return from the trip and getting back to work.  But exciting things are coming here really soon.

First thing to drop a hint on today is that we are going to have a 10 item giveaway to readers.  So, if you see this stay tuned the giveaway should be a real hoot!

Wallace - Supa Chef

Saturday, March 10, 2012

1st Generation of stuff sacks made!

I have admitted that I am testing out my skills as a sewing artist.  So here is the lastest and 1st generation of stuff sacks that I have made.  This came out pretty nice.  Short of deciding on key factors about design before we go into production, this is going to end up great!  Such a fun experience within itself.  I feel that I am very creative in my thinking, just digging it.

 In this picture from the bottom of the stuff sack, you can see marker patterns, and the sleeve where you put your fingers to pull things OUT of the stuff sack.  Since it was my first time, I just used a marker.
 Better shot of the finger sleeve.
 Top of the stuff sack with cordage laced through the top.
Inside is my 12 oz Medium MontBell Alpine Light Down Jacket.  The stuff sack feels nice and strong.

Enjoy!

Thursday, March 8, 2012

TrailGroove.com - New site that you MUST check out!

I have a friend who helped me along the way in understanding backpacking.  I recently heard that he has a new site about equipment, weight, and all those things that make backpacking fun.  So I am linking to the new MAGAZINE that they have released.  I encourage you to sign up and participate, as this is going to be a place to get creative ideas to work together to solve problems and questions.

WEBSITE ONLY - http://www.trailgroove.com/content.php

FIRST EDITION BACKPACKING MAGAZINE - http://www.trailgroove.com/issue1.html

Thanks,

Wallace - Supa Chef