UltraRob's Adventures

Congratulations to Nathaniel for winning the Action Wipes giveaway I announced on my Action Wipes review. Martha Van Inwegen threw in a special gift set on twitter yesterday. If you didn't win, you can get 15% off Action Wipes with coupon code ultra.

Sounds like Nathaniel will get good use out of the Action Wipes. Below is the comment he used to enter.

I train everyday swimming, running, or biking with most days doing at least two workouts. In order to fit them all in I need to do one in the morning before work and then one after work. I also have a baby due real soon so my time allowed for showers and self cleaning will be drastically shortened to non existent. New baby = no sleep and not much time to train. Being able to use action wipes after I work out would really help me save on time and energy. Plus I won't be getting all of those weird looks that I get now when I go into the office right after working out. I've heard many good things about them just haven't had the chance to try them out yet. I've got plenty of baby wipes stocked up but those stink bad and leave your skin feeling gross.

Nathaniel just send me an email (on in right side bar or on About page) with your address.

Selle Italia Slr T1 Saddle Price: $149.99

Selle Italia NT1 Gel Saddle Price: $72.85

Selle SMP Strike Pro Saddle Price: $239.99

Labels: gear review, outdoors

Update 4/5/09: Martha from Action Wipes wants to add some romance to the giveway (Details below). She is adding a special gift set for the winner so a big thanks to her.

Adventures in the outdoors are sure to leave you dirty and not smelling so fresh. I've done 2 week long backpacking trips so I'm quite tolerant of not being the cleanest. Still after a long, hard bike ride or other adventure, I hate the feeling of salt and other crud caked on my face.

Last fall before the 24 Hours of Moab, Martha from Life Elements sent me some Action Wipes. I got them on a hot day and there was a strong smell of Eucalyptus so I had my doubts about them. I don't like scents because I'm allergic to most of them and they trigger my asthma. Fortunately I'm not allergic to Eucalyptus.

I wasn't racing this time but I was out on the course taking photos of the 24 Hours of Moab racers. During the early part of the race, there was a dust storm. As you can see from the photo above, I made good use of the Action Wipes. I've been using them since then including last week when I was mountain biking in Moab and sleeping in the back of my van.

I was concerned that I'd smell like the Eucalyptus and tea tree oils. Turns out I can barely smell them right after using an Action Wipe. They leave me feeling nice and clean and smelling much better. Even better they don't use artificial scents that bother my allergies and asthma unlike most baby wipes.

Action Wipes feel almost like using a cloth but baby wipes feel slimy to me. Action Wipes are large and strong enough to wipe off most of my body if I'm not too disgusting. They are more convenient and feel better than using cold water and a cloth except that cold water can feel good on a hot day.

If you're looking for a convenient way to clean up after your adventures, Action Wipes is your answer. Use coupon code ultra to receive 15% off your order of Action Wipes.

I'm giving away a 5 pack of Action Wipes this week. Tell me in the comments below why I should give them to you. Enter by this Sunday night (April 5th) and I'll post a winner Monday morning. Good luck!

Action Wipes Likes

• All natural and easy on skin
• Come in a zip-lock bag for convenience
• Large size
• Can be washed and reused making them friendly on the environment

Action Wipes Dislikes

• Dry out quickly in desert air
• Cost more than baby wipes but then you get a much better wipe

Smart Wipes Cue Care Wipes 20 count Price: $14.95

Repel Mosquito Wipes Regular Price: $6.30 $5.69 on sale

No Rinse Bathing Wipes Price: $3.75

Labels: gear review, outdoors

The downloadable bike computer I've used in the past would create a new ride if I stopped recording and then restarted. I figured the Garmin Edge 705 would work the same way. I have found out that this is not the case. In fact turning the unit off and back on does not create a new ride.

When I connect it to the computer with the USB cable, it shows that it is saving history. I want to save all of my rides but I don't want to connect it to the computer after each ride.

After searching around, I found that pressing the lap button for a couple seconds saves the current ride and resets the miles, vertical feet, etc. A little box pops up that says resetting data and counts down 3..2..1.

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, gear review, GPS, mountain biking

I found my first Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool during the middle of the night when I was racing the 24 Hours of Moab solo. I don't normally stop for dropped gear on the trail during a race. I didn't even see the multi tool. It was inside a sock and I had a need for the sock.

I had a couple other multi-tools so finding the Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool was no big deal. Then I realized it had a chain tool. I had been carrying both a multi tool and a chain tool. I didn't always remember the chain tool and had broken a chain when I didn't have a tool.

It was easier to keep track of one tool and the Crank Brothers tool became the tool I carried on rides. Somehow I ended up losing the one I had found. I liked it so much that rather than switching back to one of my other multi-tools, I bought a new Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool.

Crank Brothers also makes a Multi 19 tool that has the same tools except it has 2 sizes of flat and Phillips screwdrivers instead of one of each. There have been a few times I could have used a different sized screwdriver but not often.

Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool Likes

• It has a tool to fix almost every mechanical on the trail or road
• It folds fairly flat and compact so is comfortable in a jersey pocket or easy to slip in a seat bag
• Well made and durable

Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool Dislikes

• The chain tool is tricky to get lined up right and doesn't have good leverage. Still you can get the chain fixed and not have to walk.

Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool Specs

• Weight: 168 grams
• Dimensions: 4.3 x 8.9 inches
• Tool material: 6051 High Tensile Steel
• Frame material: 6061-T6 Aluminum
• 8/9/10 Speed Chain Tool
• 1/2/3/4 Spoke Wrenches
• 2, 2.5, 3, 4, 5, 6, 8 Hex Wrenches
• 1 Phillips and 1 Flat-head Screwdriver
• 8mm and 10mm Wrenches
• t-25 Torx Wrench

Crank Brothers Multi 5 Tool Regular Price: $11.99 $7.99 on sale

Crank Brothers Multi 10 Tool Regular Price: $18.00 $16.99 on sale

Crank Brothers Multi 17 Tool Regular Price: $24.99 $19.99 on sale

Labels: cycling, gear, gear review, mountain biking

A few weeks ago I purchased the Garmin Edge 705. Since then I've been using it on my mountain bike. I haven't set it up on my road bike but neither have I ridden my road bike the last few weeks.

The Edge 705 comes in 3 different bundles. The Edge 705 basic bundle includes GPS and heart rate. The next Edge 705 bundle adds cadence and wheel sensor. The deluxe Edge 705 bundle also comes with street maps.

I got the Edge 705 package that includes the cadence and speed sensor but without the street maps. The street maps that come in the bundle are on the microSD card. I decided to get the MapSource DVD version of the City Navigator so I can also use it on my computer. In addition I got the detailed 24k topo maps for Colorado and Utah on a microSD card.

So far I've used it mainly as a bike computer and heart rate monitor. Not having a separate heart rate monitor is very nice. The GPS adds nice functionality to the cyclocomputer such as not needing to figure out the wheel size. Also the barometric altimeter adjusts itself automatically. I've had a altimeter cycle computer since 2002 and I was always trying to figure out the elevation before riding when I was traveling.

The only thing I've done so far with the GPS is download my tracks. Having the route is cool but I think some of the other GPS features will be even cooler. The Edge 705 lets you set a waypoint and use the GPS map and the 705's turn-by-turn directions to find your way back. You can save any ride in your history file and compete with yourself later by calling it up from the history file. You can show up to a group ride with a route and share it wirelessly with other Garmin units.

Look for a more detailed Garmin Edge 705 review in a month or two when I've had more time to explore it's features. I'll also be trying it with some of the available GPS software and websites. So far I've just barely used the Garmin Training Center and TopoFusion. Here's a list of GPS sites that I'll potentially try out.

With my limited use of the Edge 705, here are some of my likes and dislikes.

Garmin Edge 705 Likes

• It can display up to 8 pieces of information at once. I'm currently displaying ride time, speed, distance, time of day, elevation, heart rate, total ascent and cadence. Even with that much information, I can see it easily.
• The Edge 705 was very easy to install and start using. The heart rate monitor and speed/cadence sensor need to be paired but that's done at the factory if you buy them in a bundle. The GPS unit detected mine within a couple seconds of turning it on.
• The heart rate monitor strap is more comfortable than the Polar T61 strap I'm used to. My guess from wearing it on my first ride was that the Garmin one was narrower. I compared the 2 and the Garmin strap is actually slightly wider in spots. The difference is it's much more flexible and softer than the Polar one.
• The heart rate has picked up reliably without any wild fluctuations.

Garmin Edge 705 Dislikes

• I have the auto-pause feature turned on and it thinks I'm stopped when I'm not. At first I thought maybe the wheel sensor wasn't close enough but I adjusted it and that doesn't seem to be the problem. It seems the Edge tries anticipating my stops. When I brake hard coming into a corner or before going over a drop, it seems to decide I'm going to stop. It's not a big deal because it resumes immediately but the beep it makes gets annoying.
• The Garmin Trainer Center isn't included on the disk in the box. The only thing on it is documentation. I would like to see software shipped in the box and then have easy update functionality for it.
• The Edge requires USB drivers to be installed. The documentation says the drivers are on the disk but I couldn't find them. The drivers do get installed with Training Center but I first tried using it with TopoFusion. The Garmin USB drivers can also be downloaded from the Garmin website.
• When I'm riding technical sections, I worry I'll crash and destroy the Edge 705. I think I need a rollbar cage over it to give me peace of mind.

Related Link: Garmin Edge 705 Tip - Save Last Ride and Reset

Edge 705 Specs from the Garmin Website

Physical & Performance:
Unit dimensions, WxHxD:	2" x 4.3" x 1" (5.1 x 10.9 x 2.5 cm)
Display size, WxH:	1.37" x 1.71" (3.48 x 4.36 cm); 2.2" diag (5.6 cm)
Display resolution, WxH:	176 x 220 pixels
Weight:	3.7 oz (104.9 g)
Battery:	rechargeable li-polymer
Battery life:	15 hours, typical
Water resistant:	yes (IPX7)
GPS-enabled:	yes
High-sensitivity receiver:	yes
RoHS version available:	yes
Maps & Memory:
Basemap:	yes
Ability to add maps:	yes
Accepts data cards:	microSD™ card (not included)
Lap history:	1000 laps
Waypoints/favorites/locations:	100
Routes:	Limited by memory space available
Features:
Heart rate monitor:	yes
Bike speed/cadence sensor:	yes (some versions)
Foot pod:	no
Automatic sync (automatically transfers data to your computer):	no
Garmin Connect™ compatible (online community where you analyze, categorize and share data):	yes
Garmin Training Center® software compatible:	yes
Virtual Partner® (train against a digital person):	yes
Courses (compete against previous workouts):	yes
Auto Pause® (pauses and resumes timer based on speed):	yes
Auto Lap® (automatically starts a new lap):	yes
Auto Scroll (cycles through data pages during workout):	no
Multi-sport (changes sport mode with a press of a button):	no
Advanced workouts (create custom, goal-oriented workouts):	yes
Simple workouts (input time, distance and calorie goals):	yes
Pace alert (triggers alarm if you vary from preset pace):	yes
Time/distance alert (triggers alarm when you reach goal):	yes
Interval training (set up exercise and rest intervals):	yes
Customizable screen(s):	yes
Barometric altimeter:	yes
Unit-to-unit transfer (shares data wirelessly with similar units):	yes
Power meter compatible (displays power data from compatible 3rd party ANT+™-enabled power meters):	yes
Sport watch:	no
Additional: Operating temperature:	-15°C to +50°C

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 Deluxe GPS Altitude Heart Rate Cadence Price: $397.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 HR GPS Altitude Heart Rate Price: $347.95

Garmin Edge 305 Edge 305 CAD GPS Altitude Cadence Price: $329.95

Labels: cycling, gear review, GPS, mountain biking