December 2009
26 posts
“Vanderhurd Holiday Party!”
1 tag
Our friends at Vanderhurd of big packages fame:
were nice enough to invite us to their Vanderhurd Holiday Party. They made the most delicious alcohol-heavy drink that i have ever tasted! I mean super delicioso and strong, strong enough for Heather to have questionable skills on her bike once she left!
Even though we were totally grimy from a hard day of cycling around in the nasty slush they...
Review: NAU Urbane Jacket
“Is it cold enough for you?” “How are you riding in this weather?!”
People were asking me questions like this all the time last week when the temperature was in the 20s and low 30s.
If you have the right gear, riding through the winter can be great. I stayed warm wearing my Urbane Jacket ($265) from Nau.
This is the first jacket I’ve had that I can bike in and...
WatchI got to be part of a piece by Bob Bikel and Hannah Yi from CNN about the Bamboo Bike Studio and me messengering on the bamboo frame. They were really awesome to work with and the piece came out nice. It will be showing on Christmas day at 1 EST and December 26th at 3 EST. Mess Kollective: the only messenger coop using bamboo frames.
Justin
1 tag
Review: NAU Rebound Jacket
A lot of people throw in the towel around this time of year. But, with clean,crisp air and hibernating pedestrians, this can be a really nice time to ride.
The trick is being able to control your body temperature. Clothing is the key making this weather actually enjoyable.
First trick: dress evenly. If you have a big jacket on but your hands, toes and nose are cold you’ll end up with a...
“on tuesday dec. 15th, the mess kollective was a happy participant at the nau nyc...”
1 tag
1 tag
Lunch Spot: B&H
B & H, on 2nd Ave between St. Mark’s and 7th street, is one of my favorite places to go for lunch. They have fantastic soups that are perfect for this weather. I love the hot borscht and in summer their cold cucumber is the best. You can get a bowl of soup for $4.50 with thick slabs of fresh challah bread.
-Heather
1 tag
Review: EMS Rain Pants
Finding inexpensive rain gear that actually works is difficult, especially when you’re using it to bike in. Anyone that’s biked will know intimately the problem of crotch blow-out, when the seat of your pants just can’t hold up anymore to the constant friction against your saddle and you get a nice big hole in your pants.
I’ve had these pants for a little over a year...
1 tag
Review: NAU Courier Windshirt
I found out about NAU about a year ago and I had high expectations. Their clothes look good, they are functional and they use sustainable materials and methods. You can read about NAU more in this article in The Huffington Post. The right clothing makes a huge difference when messengering. It’s a challenge to not look like a weekend warrior and still be comfortable while while sprinting...
1 tag
Review: R.E.Load Hip Pouch
I’ve used this hip pouch every day that I’ve ridden for the last two and a half years and its still in great shape. It’s completely waterproof and I can keep my cell phone, iPod, and manifest inside without worrying that they’re going to get wet.
It has a U-Lock holster in the back which is nice for having your lock immediately accessible.
My pouch closes with...
“Most thermal underwear is not meant to be sexy, but i feel like, why not?”
1 tag
Uniqlo Thermals
My most hated season is here — winter. Since work doesn’t stop just because i don’t like winter, the key for me is survival.
I have cycled through 15 winters but it wasn’t until last year that i stumbled upon Uniqlo’s wonderful world of sexy thermals. Most thermal underwear is not meant to be sexy, but i feel like, why not? How am i expected to wear it if it’s...
1 tag
Mess Kollective Reviews
Hello everyone,
The members of Mess Kollective are going to post reviews everyday for a month to let people know what gear we use and why. We rely on our gear and we have learned which gear will hold up to the abuse of riding daily in the streets of New York. It’s our way of helping people get the stuff they need to survive and even enjoy all the nastiness that is riding in all four...
1 tag
Review: Bell Volt Helmet
Wise choice to talk about safety first Heather. You have convinced me to review my helmet. I have had many helmets but I’ve never had a Catlike. They are comfy though.
I think the most important thing one should do when buying a helmet is to try them on. Different brands have different shapes and within different brands the models have slightly different shapes. People have very...
1 tag
Review: Catlike Helmet
photo by Kevin Dillard
This is the most comfortable helmet I have ever worn. Because its so comfortable, I wear it all the time, even when I’m just walking down the street. Hey, you can never be too careful.
Catlike helmets aren’t sold in the U.S. because they don’t pass U.S. safety tests. I’m told that this is because the test has a portion that simulates a cyclist...