Electra Camera Mount Test

I have wanted a camera mount for my bike for a while.  I have essentially the top of the line (well, at the time I bought it) point-and-shoot camera. It's a Nikon Coolpix P5100, which shoots up to 12.1 megapixels and can go fully manual. It also shoots excellent video.

I did not want to go with a full camera and mount system like GoPro just yet because of the investment in my Nikon. So, I decided to try the Electra Handlebar Camera Mount. My local bike shop carries Electra and Electra accessories, but does not stock this particular item, so I had to special order it and buy it sight unseen.

My initial reaction upon receiving it is that this is a pretty sturdy mount. It is not light, so there are obviously better options if weight is important to you. However, this mount gives you a lot of bang for the buck as it is priced just shy of $40.

You mount it to your handlebars with a fairly sturdy collar mount that comes apart in two pieces. Electra even provides you a hex wrench for this purpose and rubber shims, which my handlebars did not require the use of. If you have a tripod for your camera, you know how to operate this mount. It is essentially a tripod mount with twist handle to make adjustment easier. The twisting handle also folds up to become flush with the mount, an added bonus.

In short, success. The mount is very sturdy and on my limited road tests so far, the only vibration is from the bike itself. This is something to consider if you want a handlebar as opposed to helmet mount. The video is only going to be as smooth as the road you are riding on. My purpose for shooting video is mainly to have something to watch when I'm on the trainer this winter. For that purpose the Electra Handlebar Camera Mount is perfect. I'd give it four out of four stars.

Here is some video I shot on my first test run. Not the most exciting, I'll admit, but exactly what I'm looking for. And what's up with that guy jogging in middle of the road?

Back on the Bike

Back on the bike after a week off. Really felt it when I started, but got going good after about a mile. I had to cut the ride short because it started pissing down rain after three miles. I could have gone longer and feel guilty about only doing three miles, but it was a good start to what I hope is a week of riding building up to an event ride I am planning on doing in two weeks.

Specialized Allez walkaround

This is a quick walk around my new Specialized Allez road bike. 

A difficult week off the bike

I am changing careers and the past two weeks I have been doing a clinical experience at a long-term care facility for a nursing assistant certificate, which is the first step toward applying for the RN program I am hoping to enter.

This has not left much time for riding. It seems the only time I can ride is when it is 100-plus degrees in the afternoon. It is just too hot. The last time I was on the bike was last Sunday, and that was a ride I had to abandon because of lightning.

I take my state certification exam tomorrow and I am off all next week. I am hoping to ride every day and build up to at least a ten-mile ride the following weekend in anticipation of the Sunflowers to Roses ride in the middle of next month.

In the short amount of time I have been back into riding, I have become addicted. I just don't feel right this week. I have felt a little bit of panic creeping back in at times. Heck, I can't even go two days in a row without riding before I miss it.

The New Bike

This is my new bike - The Specialized Allez. It's an Allez double, which is a pretty basic bike, but I can grow along with it and I don't think I'll outgrow it for a long time. I can upgrade components on this and later upgrade the frameset to a Tarmac or maybe a Roubaix. Note the red sticker on the top tube reminding me to register at Specialized's web site.

Specialized Riders Club - Specialized Bicycle Components

Specialized Riders Club - Specialized Bicycle Components

I would not have known about this Web site if I had not registered like my bike (okay, the sticker on the top tube) told me to do. It's great. Specialized has great branding and this site links to its You Tube and Twitter feeds.

I know it shouldn't matter, but let's face it - branding is important. I guess the choice for most riders in the U.S. is between Trek and Specialized. Trek just does not have the sex appeal of Specialized.

Pride

It was really hot today. At 8 p.m. when I went out the temperature said 92, but with the humidity the feels-like index was well over 100.

I went out anyway. I decided to ramble around the park and I did six miles despite the heat. Not the fastest ride, but who cares.

It was also threatening rain, which was another reason to just ramble around the park. To think - eight months ago I could not get out of bed very easily.

Today is a good day.

A New Seat for the Townie (Again)

I caved and bought a new seat for the Townie today. It is great. My feet hurt a bit, but my backside felt great. It feels like a new bike.

I am working toward doing eight miles this weekend, and with this seat I feel I can do it. Comfort is so important. Serfas makes some great stuff.

I am going to treat myself to a test ride on Friday, which is my birthday. Jason at BikeSource is going to hook me up to test out a few bikes. My feeling is that I'm not ready for a road bike right now, but we'll see. You never know until you test ride them. I will never ride a bike again without riding it first.

For my needs, a Sirrus might be the most versatile option. I could buy a cheap one and build it up. They also have a good deal on last year's Allez, so I might ride that one too. I could upgrade that bike as time goes along and it would be okay for touring. It's not suited for the trail, though, but even that is doable.

Difficult Workout

Actually experienced a blood sugar increase during today's workout, which is rare. I know the reason, though. I carbed up on a donut before. You have to allow yourself these little pleasures in life. Still, I was only about 170 after the ride, so I don't feel too guilty.

I definitively need to work up to a longer ride. I was not feeling it this morning. I turned around at Nativity for a five-mile ride from Leawood Park. I don't know if it is me or the bike, but I really felt it in my legs and ass today. Probably the bike.

Work to do this week

My goal for this week is to build up to a longer, eight mile ride. I know this might not seem like a lot, but it's a huge step for me as I recover from my illness and years of being out of shape.

My plan is to ride Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday. I will shot for one more mile each day - six, seven and finally eight miles.

I have to say. I think this is the limit of what I can do on this bike. I think if I did ten miles on it I would probably lose both legs. Okay, that's a bit dramatic, but my point is this bike is just not comfortable for that long a ride.

I find that I get a second and even third wind on the bike. I tend to huff and puff right out of the box, but then feel great. I wish it wasn't so hot, though. I would love a cool ride in Minneapolis right about now. Not in the cards, though.

I have come a long way in the past month. I can do five miles without a putting a foot down, and that's an accomplishment in its own right. I feel great.

I-Lan Park

I tried a new route today. I rode up from Leawood South Park (119th and Roe) to I-Lan Park off Nall. I think I-Lan is a sister city to Leawood.

Anyway, my starting blood sugar was really high for some reason. It was right at 300. I was only going to do about three miles, but I felt good and rode four miles. The result was that I brought my blood sugar down a full 100 points. I might have had a bad reading at the 300.

My feet hurt again. I find that when I am not pedaling I stand on my right foot (on the pedal) and that makes my right foot hurt. It goes away after I get off the bike, but it is annoying.

I am ready for a new bike, I think.

Trip to the Bike Shop

I went to Bike Source and talked with Jason today. I am conflicted to say the least.

He suggested the Specialized Tricross. This would be a good tourer and would work right along with my goal to do the Biking Across Kansas Ride. You can fit this bike with a nice rear and front rack from Specialized. It has wider tires, but has the geometry of a road bike.

The Secteur is strictly a road bike. The Sirrus is strictly a bike path bike. The Tricross would do road, path and Katy Trail rides, though changing out the tires might be required. The cost for the base model of the Tricross is in line with a decent Secteur build.

One can do a lot on this bike, but I don't have the money right now. This bike plus perhaps a road bike and mountain bike will get you just about anywhere.

I still love those cruisers though. Anyway, I won't know until I ride some bikes, which will be very soon.

Short ride after a long day

Seems like I always get a reward for coming out here. I had a long day in class today and it's hot. This is becoming a lifestyle.

My reward today was another doe. Or maybe it was the same one. She was drinking from the creek as I crossed the bridge.

My feet hurt. It might just be the bike geometry.

Doing the Minimum

For me right now my minimum is five miles every other day. I want to work up to five miles every day, then expand on that. I kind of look at it as a price I must pay for being diabetic. I should probably walk the dog once a day too. If I can do a five miler after breakfast and a nice walk after dinner or before bed, I think I'm doing pretty well. When I'm walking the dog I can smoke one of those little cigars I'm fond of as well.

Eventually I want to work in gym workouts three times a week and longer weekend rides.

My schedule this fall is a bit uncertain. I know I will be going to school, mostly in the evening, but I'll also be working part-time at least. It's going to be very important to work in my exercise. I simply have to do this to combat my diabetes. I have seen the benefits in my blood sugars. This is not a luxury. It is a lifestyle I must live.

My hardest battle ahead will be shifting to a lower fat, low carb diet that is nutritious. Right now I get buy limiting my carbs for the most part, but I still eat like crap. I have allowed myself to take a pass on this issue as I get other areas of my life in line, but this is something I need to do sooner, rather than later.

Ick

I put a new seat on the Townie. It was a cheap road bike seat I got from that bike shop I don't like that shall remain nameless.

I did my routine five miles. I was still a bit sleepy when I started the ride and never really got better. I do feel a sense of accomplish getting the ride in.

The seat is not so good. You need to be forward on the perineum for a seat like this. My feet went a bit numb. Must be pressing down on something back there. A little bit of sciatic nerve pain too. Perhaps if I angle the seat forward a bit, but that might just exacerbate the circulation problems.

Nice day though.

A Rewarding Ride

It's been really hot, so I got up early this morning to get a ride in. My plan was to ride four or five miles. My routine workout.

I really wasn't feeling it, but I got on the bike and just did it. At the turn around point I started feeling better. I always (well, usually) do.

On the ride back a doe crossed my path about ten yards ahead then paused there and let me pass close enough to touch her. I felt this was a little reward from nature or God or whatever for persevering. Some days you know you are just living right.

I see this as a sign that I am on the right track. I was really sick over the winter with the gall stones/pancreatitis. I see this as a sign that everything will be okay. I will beat the diabetes and be around for my kids.

Bicycling is the one sport I've done my whole life. Some of my fondest memories are bike rides with dad and a neighbor down the street. I want this for my children as well. I want them to be healthy and to have those great memories.

Bicycle Magazines

I started picking up some bicycle magazines. Some are better than others, but right now they all provide me with the cycle porn I so strongly desire.

The two magazines I like the most are Velo News (which has rebranded itself as Velo) and Bicycle Times, which is kind of a commuter/cruiser or alt bike culture magazine. It's put out by the DirtRag people, which is another great magazine.

Bicycling is okay. It's a magazine that tries to be all things to all riders, which has its obvious problems, but that's okay. I understand their issue. It does have some pretty good reviews of bikes, etc., and it's the kind of magazine you want around for the ads.

Bike is a pretty good mountain bike magazine. Mountain Bike Action is kind of the Velo News of moutain biking. I good mag in its own right.

Bike also produces a magazine called Paved, which as far as I know you can't subscribe to right now. It's for road bikes. Not bad.

Peleton is a great magazine. Racing, history of cycling, etc.

What is lacking is a good touring magazine. At least I have not found one. I think the Adventure Cycling Association might have one.

So far I have subscribed to Velo News, Bicycle Times and Bicycling. I think Peleton will be next and I might join the ACA to get their magazine. I suppose the mountain bike mags will be next. I have forgone my motorcycle magazine subscriptions in favor of cycling. It must be official - I'm hooked. I love Back Street Choppers. I'll have to pick that one up to satisfy my motorcycle porn urges.