Garmin GPS vs. Speed/Cadence sensor

Garmin Speed/Cadence SensorMy trusty Garmin GSC 10 Speed/Cadence sensor gave up on me the other day. I think this may be the original sensor that came with my Garmin Edge 500, and I know for a fact that my Edge 500 is the single oldest piece of cycling gear that I still own. I have data on Garmin Connect going back to August 21, 1999. Therefore I am not entirely sad nor upset that my sensor went out. It has served me well for a very long time. It has survived more bikes then I can remember, inadvertently tracked a couple of Amtrak Capitol Corridor trips, managed to NOT be on any of the bikes that got stolen, and held it together through more than a few crashes.

What did surprise me however was what seems to be a change in my overall average speeds since the GSC went out of service. That change, of course, was down. Keep reading →

Cycling heads-up display

Cycling heads-up display from GarminGarmin has unveiled what is essentially a cycling heads-up display: the Garmin Varia Vision. Come on – you know you want to call this thing the “Garmin Glass.

The device is designed to display GPS data and other alerts right on the lenses where it is visible to the cyclist. Keep reading →

Garmin buys power meter startup MetriGear

More than a few of us have been waiting for sometime, watching the press releases from MetriGear.  The company has been working for some time on a power meter embedded right into the spindles of pedals.  This would potentially provide a whole slew of benefits, including not only separate readings for each leg, but also potentially different readings for different parts of your pedal stroke.  The market release of their product – called Vector – has been delayed a number of times.

Keep reading →

Heading into the winter with 90 degrees

Well – I thought winter was on its way. But the last couple of days have put me into a tail spin.  In the 90s this weekend.  I’d also taken a couple of days off from the bike (yes – that does indeed mean my #15mpd slipped.)  The result – I actually felt better and stronger than I can recall feeling recently.  What gives?  The season winds down and I seem to be peaking?  Well, at least I can say I reaching peak performance just in time for Worlds.

Except, of course, I don’t actually race.  *Sigh*

Keep reading →

Cyclist shopping spree

I had an opportunity to act out my true Fredness and go shopping.  My list of desirables included:

  • Garmin 500
  • Sidi Genius 5 Carbon Pro Mega
  • Speedplay Zero Pedals
  • Cateye Reflex Auto Tail Light (for Old Blue, my commuter)

For various reasons which I will discuss below, the list ended up getting modified by the end:

  • Garmin 500
  • Sidi Zephyr Carbon Mega
  • Cateye Reflex Auto Tail Light (for Old Blue, my commuter)
  • Cheapy Cateye Velo 5 cycling computer – also for Old Blue
  • The opportunity to continue to use my Look Keo pedals

Keep reading →

Garmin-Transition Tour de France roster set

Garmin-Transitions announced their 2010 Tour de France roster.

  • Julian Dean
  • Tyler Farrar
  • Ryder Hesjedal
  • Robbie Hunter
  • Martijn Maaskant
  • David Millar
  • Johan Van Summeren
  • Christian Vande Velde
  • David Zabriskie

Tyler Farrar provides a welcome set of sprinting credentials in a field that is becoming thin on short-distance speed freaks.  The absence of Tom Boonen (QuickStep) and Heinrich Haussler (Cervelo) were announced earlier this week – both due to injuries.