Torch, a new cycling helmet

FTLOBs reader Nathan Wills sent over a helmet he's been developing which integrates front and rear lights into the helmet itself. You can check out more about the Torch, including a video of the design in action in the pouring rain, on his Kickstarter page (where all funds raised will go towards tooling, initial production, packaging, and domestic shipping to backers).

I'm not sure of the overall weight of the helmet but like the idea of gaining visibility from the sides and since its an all-in-one product --  you won't have to worry about forgetting your lights at home!

day glo galore

Neon, acid, electric, day glo... LOVE it! It is no news that bright/high visibility apparel and accessories make sense out on the streets/bike paths -- particularity at dusk and dawn. But not long ago it was pretty freakin difficult to find screaming yellow aside from cycling jackets. I for one am thrilled that fashion has put it back on the map. With temps in the 70s this week in NYC and everyone shedding layers and out and about, its been quite evident that super high visibility IS in fashion!

above:
little neon dress from H&M

below:
Never Too Late watch / JCrew colorblock stripe tee / Loeffer Randell sandals in 'acid vachetta leather' / Marc by Marc Jacob belt

bike friendly knits via the Lower East Side

FTLOB reader Ileana Montalvo starting riding a bike in NYC last year (!) and has shared two great knitting projects for winter riding... an extra long cowl + calorimetry headbands. You can find the patterns and details about the yarns she used on her blog: www.loisaidanest.com 

Thanks for sharing, Ileana!

mild winter wardrobe adjustments

This being the warmest winter cycling weather in recent memory, I've only had to dip into my real hardcore gear for (very small) handful of days! Since December I've found myself relying on a these accessories to keep from over heating yet stay warm enough on my daily commutes. Its pretty much all about micro adjustments...

♥ armwarmers i.e. socks for your arms
I love theses by DeFeet, they never slide down your arm and they easily fit under most clothing + made using CoolMax® Eco Made™, a materials derived from recycled plastic bottles

♥ fleece vest
So versatile - I've been wearing one on top of a long sleeve but when it gets really cold I like keeping one in my commuter bag as a backup layer. Mine is ancient and from Mountain Equipment Co-op -- if I were to buy a new one I'd look for one that had a longer back panel

♥ headband 
The moment its below 60° I wear one by Pearl Izumi. I find it to be essential + it helps to protect your eardrums when the wind is strong

+ just in case the temperature does drop dramatically by the time I leave work in the evening, I like to keep these readily available in my commuter bag:

♥ windproof jacket
Which you can throw on top as an extra buffer - but so compact can remove and stick it in your bag the moment your warmed up enough

♥ extra pair of wool socks
Hiking liners are great since they are thin for layering. I haven't even touched on those rare snowy NYC days but these are also super helpful to have around in case of slush/rain. (I ♥ Smartwool)

image sources from above: DeFeet arm coverings / Pearl Izumi MicroSensor headband (the same version I have) /  retro Patagonia fleece / SmartWool hiking liners

lovely bike friendly knit gifts

Thanks to a very sweet and crafty friend, this holiday I received this wonderful set... a knit cable headband (perfect under my bike helmet) and crochet cotton washcloth accompanied with lavender face + body wipes (to use once I arrive to the office). What perfect gifts for cyclist!

♥ Merci, Evelyne ♥

shoe covers to the rescue

Last night's rainfall had me pulling out my wind/water proof Louis Garneau shoe covers... though designed to fit over cycling shoes, I'm continually amazed how well they work on top of just about any shoe in my closet!

They've been so versatile that I've been keeping them tucked away in my bag -- along with my gloves and tool/patch kit.

i heart my winter commute: a guide

Check out my post Sucking It Up in Winter on Commute By Bike... and BRING ON winter!

A note to those you may be intimidated and feel they have to get all geared out to cycle through it all... you shouldn't! Try different things out on short trips to see what works for you. And while I personally opt to wear mostly "performance" apparel/gear in cold climate, you def. can get along without. When I started commuting year-round as a university student I just had a pair of ski gloves, waterproof rain jacket, army surplus rain pants, and wore plastic bags on over socks in my shoes. Really.

And for those of you who have a system down, it would be great to hear about it!

tuft love - DARGELOS' new reflective tassel

DARGELOS (my awesome sister) recently added the sweetest accessory to their inventory... reflective Tufts which come in Antique Brass, Gunmetal or Rhodium hardware! They measure 3" in length and would make any zipper pull - be it on your jacket, sweatshirt, bag or purse - that much more special ♥

flyin'

While I don't sport much clothing that one may consider adventurous or daring... I do love dreaming. So when seeing this clog from Anthro (mighty reminiscent of Jeremy Scott's collaboration with Adidas last year) I couldn't help imagining cycling in them! They even have an ankle strap so they won't fly off. 

Thanks, Rosie ♥

scenes from the Brooklyn Bike Jumble

Yesterdays Jumble proved to be fun as always! DARGELOS was there with a nice new bright orange version of their belt/pouch (which I missed out on photographing). Some snap shots from the day...

found it hard to pass on this vintage saddlebag

 

Taliah Lempert's beautiful silkscreen (love that pattern with bike) / collection for Fishs Eddy / and a selection of her limited edition Japanese textiles

 Cleverhood the new Rhode Island-based outerwear brand was on hand with a waterproof cape prototype - including nice reflective detailing on a woven version above

NYC's very own Flying Pigeon distributor

image via DARGELOS

some other spottings...

until the next Jumble... Spring 2012

glow in the dark jeans, yes, you read correctly

How amazing would it be to be spotted riding at night in these Glow In the Dark Jeans! Spotted on Cool Hunting, Naked & Famous Denim uses only the most unique and rare denim fabrics from Japan - and they really went all out with these newly launched line. You can check them out in person at Barneys New York and Barneys COOP nationwide, and here's a bit more about them...

The jeans work because we apply a phosphorescent coating to the fabric in Japan. This coating is baked into the fabric and will absorb light and slowly release that light with an emanating green glow, just like those Glow in the Dark stickers we had on our ceiling as a kid. Just charge them up in the light (can be natural sunlight or artificial bulb light) and then shut the lights and watch ‘em glow! The jeans will also glow intensely under UV light (aka Blacklight), so if you wear the jeans in a club with a blacklight, your pants will appear neon green!

 

SO BRIGHT - Cambridge Satchel Co.'s S/S 2011 Collection

bag images via Cambridge Satchel Company

Loving this florescent trend in fashion... and what do you know the Cambridge Satchel Company now makes their traditional British school satchels in BRIGHT 'Fluro' colours! How nice would one of these be in your bike basket - or on your back! And if you worried about converting pounds to dollars, JCrew is carrying a selection in their CREWCUT section.

Hasn't been this easy to shop to be this highly visible since the '80s!

via Refinery29

via SHEfinds

NON (overtly) GIRLY spandex for women by Twin Six

images via realcyclist.com

If your a women who's ever shopped for cycling apparel you know how difficult it is to find jerseys (and cycling shorts) that aren't outwardly feminine in pattern and colour scheme. And while I LOVE my floral patterns, as well pink, I'm always eying the men's selection which tends to be way more sporty, serious, and comes in way better colour schemes. So... was greatly relieved to see Minneapolis-based Twin Six's current selection for women.  I hadn't been on their site in at least a year and was happy to see they continue to do an awesome job at cranking out cool cycling clothes + gear with a twist of cute.

Oh, and a little rant on the abundance of reputable news sources publishing articles these days about the current and growing cycling culture which negatively use the description of "spandex-clad riders". It irks me every time.  As if every cyclist in spandex is racing and reckless as commonly portrayed -- it's a stereo type that saddens me. If your riding 30, 50, or 120 miles in a given day and have to cross through the city to get to the park or outer boroughs, you surely would favor spandex and padded cycling bibs. While you likely won't don your spandex for an urban commute - "spandex-clad riders" should be included in the family of urban cycling along with families with cargo bikes ♥

Levi's shows their bike love

The good old American blue jean co. is rolling out a bike friendly line this week! Spotted on Refinery 29, these 'Commuter Skinnies' comes with a utility waist band designed to store your bike lock' (above) complete with Cordarounds Bike To Work Pants-esk detailing...

via CRAVE

BAGGU goes NEON

via Baggu.com

Who couldn't use an extra splash of neon / day glo?! Just love how your visibility increases exponentially! American Apparel has been making this great Nylon Cordura Backpack in Hunter Orange for years and I always love spotting one from a block away (really!) So, I was also really excited to see BAGGU (the makers of those reusable grocery bags in loads of colour/pattern options) just came out with their lightweight ripstop nylon daypack that folds into its own pocket... in NEON! Either on your back or in your bike basket - these little guys will POP!

via America Apparel

winter booties

The freezing temps in NYC this week got me digging in my closet for my winter booties. I love these -- water proof + wind proof shoe covers with reflective detailing. I used to just use them with my SIDI road bike shoes -- and then one day it dawned on me that they already had the heel cut out AND fit perrrfectly over my favorite heels I wear riding to work!

This version by Sugoi has high-visibility yellow grip material on the heel + toe along with reflective piping on the zippers...