Life In The Saddle

When I reviewed the Chrome Industries Summoner Backpack earlier this year I was impressed by the quality, durability, and attention to detail in the Boulder brand's product — it has since become my go-to travel bag. With this in mind, their range of workboots also got me interested… could the Chrome Storm 415 Workboot be the ideal waterproof and comfortable casual boot for cycling errands and adventures? This is my review…

Chrome Industries were the pioneers behind the original sling bike messenger bag. More than 20 years ago in the city of Boulder – Colorado the brand created the now famous bag out of seatbelt buckles and straps, five-bar webbing, and double-lined bombproof interiors. Their strapline now reads 'Building Indestructible Gear Since 1995' — a claim that they reliably hold true to.

Work boots need to be indestructible, and the Chrome Workboots were designed for the factory workers in the Chrome headquarters; demanding constant daily use, for those often on t…

Protecting your phone and cards when cycling is a necessity; your jersey pocket is bombarded by spray, sweat, and grit — none of those go well with electronics. The Altuvita Cycling Phone Wallet is a neat weather-proof phone wallet that is designed for cycling.

The case is a hard-shell design, which is quite different from the other soft designs that I have reviewed and used in the past. The hard case gives significantly more drop protection for the wallet's contents; the coating material is also water resistant, as is the zipper, so it provides a weather-proof and sweat-proof barrier.

Inside the Altuvita Cycling Phone Wallet you get four sleeves that can be used to house cards and paper cash. There is no zipper compartment for coins, but then perhaps few riders carry shrapnel in their pockets these days? The cards are held securely in the slots, with no risk of them slipping out when you open the wallet.

On the other side of the wallet is where the phone sits. It will accommodat…

The Italian brand Scicon is well known for their industry-leading bike bags and luggage solutions, but earlier this year they released an interesting new line of sports sunglasses; designed to offer maximum protection and clarity of vision in all cycling conditions and disciplines. The ScICON Aerotech Sunglasses have been my personal choice this summer, and I rate them highly.

Regular blog readers will recall my review of the Scicon Aerocomfort Road 3.0 Bike Bag — that innovative product revolutionised the ease of transporting a bike during air travel. The Italian innovators have not become complacent in their dominance of the bike bag market though, and in 2019 they have branched out into saddles, bib shorts, and eyewear.

The ScICON Aerotech Sunglasses are the flagship model within the new ScICON Performance range. They are inspired by a quest for adaptability and versatility; to be usable whether you are a road cyclist, mountain biker, triathlete, runner, or any other kind of sport…

Those that have ridden a road bike on the Isle of Wight will know that it is an incredible landscape to explore. The unique geology of the island has created a topographic profile that is undeniably tough, but unquestionably beautiful; from towering cliffs to wild wind-swept flats.

In this post, I have selected five of my favourite road cycling routes on the Isle of Wight — an insider's choice for the best road cycling on offer, as well as my personal recommendations for café stops and highlights.


Wight Road Route #1 – Panoramas and PotteryDifficulty – MediumDistance – 50 kilometres (31 miles)Elevation Profile – Moderate (400 metres elevation gain) We start with a fairly easy route in the West Wight — starting and finishing at the wonderful Caffe Isola in the centre of Newport; the ideal place for a pre-ride breakfast and coffee.

The route then heads out of town through the rolling hills of Bowcombe, and down to Chale Green —  a picturesque village at the southern point of the I…