total seen monthly circulation: + 7 1 , 7 3 6 , 1 1 1

J U N E 2 0 1 4 B R A N D E D I T O R I A L PRESS CONTACT: Cassie Abelcassie@smithoptics.com | 208.727.6593

total seen circulation year to date: + 1 7 7, 9 1 2 , 0 6 1

ABOUT SMITH: Based in Sun Valley, Idaho, Smith Optics, Inc. was founded in 1965 with the creation of the first goggle featuring a sealed thermal lens and breathable vent foam. Today, Smith is known for its diverse line of sunglasses, snow, and motorsports goggles, snow helmets, prescription eyewear, and ballistic eye protection. Smith’s devotion to authenticity, innovation, performance and style has made Smith the choice of outdoor athletes and enthusiasts worldwide. For more information, check out www.smithoptics.com

*Please note that a pitch does not guarantee that the above mentioned product will appear in print.

1. WIRED.com - ChromaPop - 12,102,110

2. FastCompany.com - Forefront - 14,907,344

3. Shape.com - Approach - 3,710,747

4. Gizmodo - Forefront IDEA Award - 16,474,077

5. Mountain Magazine - ChromaPop - 375,000

6. Florida Sport Fishing - Great Days - 60,000

7. Outside - Tenet, Forefront, ChromaPop, Overdrive - 675,000

8. Salt Water Sportsman - Dockside with CP - 138,000

9. On The Water - ChromaPop - 26,927

10. Hatch - Dockside with ChromaPop - 23,000

11. Cabela’s Journal - ChromaPop - 120,000

12. VCPN - I/O Recon, Great Days -

13. 20/20 - I/OS, Decoder, ChromaPop - 49,524

14. Bike Rumor - Overtake, Asana - 3,000,000

15. PinkBike - Overtake - 1,847,054

16. Outside.com - Overtake - 1,011,777

17. Triathlete.com - Overtake - 854,411

18. BRAIN - Overtake - 29,788

19. Velo - Overtake - 468,600

20. Peleton - Overtake - 147,227

21. Shop Eat Surf - Overtake - 459,532

1. Shape.com - Lowdown with ChromaPop

2. Shape.com - Audible with ChromaPop

3. WIRED - Chief with ChromaPop

4. Men’s Health - V2 Max

5. Snowboarder - I/OX Goggle

6.Snowboard - I/O 7 Goggle

7. Freeskier - Various Winter Products

8. Marie Claire - I/O 7 Goggle

9. Supercompressor - PivLock Overdrive

10. Vogue - Various Winter Products & Sunglasses

11. SELF - Archive Collection

12. SELF - Asana

13. Bicycling - PivLock V2 Max

14. ESPN.com - Forefront

15. Maxim - Forefront

16. Men’s Journal - Dockside with Bronze

17. Field & Stream - Dockside with ChromaPop Bronze

18. CBS Watch Magazine - Asana

19. USA Today - ChromaPop

20. WellRoundedNY.com - Lowdown Slim

21. Outdoor Life - Dockside with ChromaPop

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$6.95

JUNE 2014Vol.41 No.5

CrossersCrossersCrossersthe Early

BICYCLING ACROSS TURKEY IN 1891

12

PROFILE: CHARLES SIPLE

32

A TALE OF THE TRACE

42

A publication of ADVENTURE CYCLING ASSOCIATION

CrossersCrossersB E F O R E T H E B I C YC L E B O O M 22

5756 ADVENTURE CYCLIST june 2014 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG

Geared Up

GEARED UP READY FOR RIDING SEASONby MIKE DEME, ALEX STRICKLAND, AND ALISON RILEY

zip magic bullets. The Florida-based company’s subtle style and high-quality materials provide a more wallet-friend-ly, domestic answer to Rapha’s high-style cyclewear and it’s European coffee shop flair.

The Maastricht is a lightweight poly mesh designed to provide the “protec-tion of long sleeves but the comfort of short sleeves.” A tough needle to thread, but the Maastricht proved itself to be a go-to jersey alone or as a base layer de-pending on temperatures from the low 30s all the way up into the mid-70s (the max a Montana spring was willing to serve up for testing). The fit is athletic but not racy and the two rear pockets were smartly sized to accommodate another layer or shell. Plus, a zippered smartphone pocket made retrieving a

phone for a picture quick and contor-tion-less.

The heavier weight Edam comes with the same subdued styling — even in the eye-catching “royal orange” ver-sion — but mixes in merino wool with polyester to help manage moisture, odor, and temperature. I wore the Edam alone and with both short and long-sleeved jerseys under it and found the fit to be perfect in any application. Plus, the thicker fabric and slightly roomier cut than it’s lighter weight cousin made for a look that worked well sidled up the bar with little more than the reflec-tive stripe and pockets to give away its intended purpose.

All Road Holland jerseys feature thoughtful features like reflective pip-ing and the aforementioned zippered

being introduced at Interbike last year, the helmet has received rave reviews for its design and safety features.

First off, it doesn’t look like anything else on the market, throwing a decid-edly Storm Trooper-y vibe — especially in white. But that initially odd look is quickly forgotten when it becomes clear that the unusual gaps and divisions on the helmet’s shell provide venting like none other. That’s thanks to a technology Smith calls Koroyd, which looks like so many plastic drinking straws carefully packed into tight rows. Those polymer tubes allow for excel-lent breathability since they’re mostly hollow, but also, according to Smith, provide a unique method of energy absorption in the event of a crash.

Coverage is excellent as the Forefront takes its cues from the new wave of “all-mountain”-style lids that extend lower on the back of riders’ heads than more traditional mountain or road helmets. That extra protec-tion comes at little cost to comfort or breathability and could be a differ-ence-maker in a singletrack tumble.

Reviewing a helmet’s fit is never easy since a certain type of head shape can effectively take an entire manufactur-er out of the running (for instance, I can’t find a comfortable Bell helmet to save my life, but sister brand Giro fits quite well). But with that said, the Smith Forefront is quite simply the most comfortable helmet I’ve ever put on. Period. The company’s VaporFit ratcheting adjustment system is similar to most other major manufacturers and was trouble-free out of the box. My one quibble is that the chin strap around my ears has been difficult to dial in. Whether that’s due to the position of the strap where it’s attached to the hel-met, user error, or Dumbo-esque ears I don’t know, but it’s been only a minor annoyance. The helmet’s minimal pad-ding inside is well-placed and features X-Static antimicrobial fibers to keep odor at bay. I also found the horizontal-ly oriented front pad to be effective at

limiting sweat dripping down into my eyes during hot rides.

The helmet features an adjustable and removable visor and goggle reten-tion system with enduro racers in mind, but for the cyclotourist a thoughtful addition is a mount built into the top of the helmet for a light or POV camera to record your trip. –AS

OUTDOOR RESEARCH DRY DOWN BACKPACKER’S KIT ($59, outdoorresearch.com/en/backpackers-kit-dry-synth.html, 855-967-8197)

When traveling by bike, I’m more comfortable if I know I’ve got the ability to keep some of my gear dry, especially my sleeping bag, mini pillow, and lightweight synthetic jacket. Two of the pieces in the OR Backpacker’s Kit will keep these items out of the rain. Both offer 10 liters of waterproof storage capacity and roll-top closures, but one is a compression sack (21.5 x 7 inches) so you can stuff all of the items I just mentioned into one sack. So what would you need the other one (17 x 7 inches) for? Beats me. That’s up to you, but it’s nice to know that you can line a non-waterproof pannier with it in case you decide you’d like to keep some other items dry as well. The third piece OR calls a ditty sack and it’s 11.25 x 4.75 inches, mesh, and can potentially act as a drier on hot days or simply to store like items together.

If you’re in need of some lightweight dry bags, this kit from OR is a very good value. –MD

BUSHNELL SOLARWRAP MINI ($90, bushnell.com/all-products/outdoor-technology/powersync/solarwrap-mini, 800-423-3537)

These days, many traveling cyclists need backup power for their personal devices, be it a handheld computer, GPS unit, or any other device that makes staying on the road or trail more efficient and effective. Carrying the SolarWrap Mini is as close as there is to

ROAD HOLLAND EDAM AND MAASTRICHT JERSEYS ($150/$130, roadholland.com)

There aren’t a lot of pieces that are worth throwing in the bag any day of the year in Montana’s “if you don’t like it, wait five minutes” weather. But after a few months with two long sleeve jerseys from U.S. manufacturer Road Holland, I might’ve found a pair of full-

smartphone pocket while managing to retain a certain je ne sais quois that doesn’t scream “cyclist” when transi-tioning from saddle to office chair or barstool. Plus, everything is made in the U.S. and while quickly growing, the company’s small size means you’re like-ly to receive top notch customer service from one of the owners themselves should the need arise. –AS

SMITH OPTICS FOREFRONT HELMET ($200, smithoptics.com, 888-206-2995)

For a company that had never ventured into bike helmets before, the Forefront helmet from Smith Optics is a bit like hitting a home run the first time you ever saw a baseball. With a shelf full of awards already amassed since

5958 ADVENTURE CYCLIST june 2014 ADVENTURECYCLING.ORG

a no brainer. It weighs only 3.4 oz. and can be charged via a USB micro port or by unrolling it and letting it absorb and convert sunlight into usable power.

When rolled up, the USB ports on both ends are covered by plastic end caps and the unit uses Velcro to stay wrapped. Once unrolled, the dimen-sions of its flexible solar panel are 4.3 x 18.25 inches and, depending on the angle of the sun, you can hang it or lay it flat to collect solar energy. Via USB it will reach a full charge in about 4 hours and about 10 hours when collecting solar energy. When the SolarWrap Mini is fully charged, it will charge a smart-phone once, an MP3 player twice, and a small camera about 2.5 times. If you think you might want a bit more power than that, Bushnell offers SolarBooks and SolarWraps with higher capacities. –MD

SMITH OPTICS PIVLOCK OVERDRIVE ($199, smithoptics.com, 888-206-2995)

Smith’s latest high-end cycling sun-glasses may not look all that different from other wrap-around shades on the market, but a few thoughtful features make the Pivlock Overdrives a great option for long days on the road or trail.

The Pivlock line has been known for the relative ease of swapping out its in-terchangeable lenses, a feature that on many glasses demands surgeon-steady hands with a strongman grip — not easy on a rainy day or when tired and cov-ered in mud. The Overdrives continue Smith’s tradition of making a lens swap simple, requiring only a quick un-latching of one of the arms to free the existing lens and then snapping shut to securely mount the next. It’s incredibly intuitive and easy to do in any condi-tions.

From a fit perspective, a two-position nose piece helps dial in comfort and rubberized ear pieces kept the glasses secure even when sweaty. Smith claims the frame shape also makes the glasses more compatible with a variety of hel-mets and hats. Not something I noticed, but nor did I have compatibility issues with a variety of helmets. Multiple lens options cover a wide spectrum of light conditions — and desired level of flash — and range from a simple polarized

gray to mirrored red or green for the more visually adventurous. –AS

RUDY PROJECT AIRSTORM HELMET ($175, e-rudy.com/en/products/filter/category/helmets)

Rudy’s latest helmet is designed for those who value comfort and a lid that’s super light weight. It comes in two sizes: small/medium and large; and is available in four color schemes: Fluo-Black Matte, White Matte, Black-White Matte, and White-Red Shiny. For those who care about visibility, the Fluo-Black Matte is a real attention getter. If you don’t like wearing vibrantly colored clothes, you might consider this color scheme. I’ve definitely noticed drivers giving me a double take while I’ve been wearing this version.

Other nice features of the Airstorm are an included visor, a bug net that also acts as a cushion and allows for excellent airflow through the helmet’s 21 vents, an adjustable head ring, which provides for an extremely snug fit, ad-justable wide straps with a chin cush-ion, and additional padding to fine tune the fit. In addition, at 10.4 oz. (11.8 oz. with the visor) it’s a darn good-looking helmet. –MD

SPORTRX NIKE SHOW X2 (starting at $156, sportrx.com/nike-show-x2.html, 800-831-5817)

It seems like it happened overnight. One day, I could easily read what was displayed on my computer screen or read something I was holding in my hand, and then next, I couldn’t. Many of you have probably had a similar ex-perience. Seems the human eye hasn’t adapted quickly enough to keep up with increased human lifespans. I don’t mind wearing eyeglasses (in my case they’re trifocals) but I do find it inconvenient in many situations, one of which is when cycling while needing to read my cyclometer’s display. So far, I’m not in-terested in contact lenses or corrective surgery, so eyeglasses it is.

At Interbike last year, I was ap-proached by a couple of guys who claimed they could make a pair of pre-scription glasses that would make my problems go away, so I took them up on their offer. I sent them my prescription and a few weeks later I was wearing a

pair of SportRX Nike Show eyeglasses. I found my regular trifocals a bit disori-enting at first and it took a bit of time to get used to them, and the SportRX Nike Show eyeglasses were no different. When wearing them, I need to move my head more and my eyeballs less to find the right focal point and the outer portions of the lenses are a bit blurry. All in all, however, wearing them is a heck of a lot better than not wearing them, and once I’ve had them on for about 5 minutes, I don’t really notice their idiosyncrasies. For this reason, I put them on at least 5 minutes before I begin to ride.

The Nike Show glasses are photo-chromic. The semi-rimless frames pro-vide a wide and unobstructed field of vision with a comfortable and secure fit. Other features include a durable nylon frame, adjustable temples with rubber grip texture, and adjustable ventilated nose pads.

If, like me, your vision has degener-ated, you should consider getting a pair of SportRX eyeglasses to make your riding experience as good as it can be. –MD

CATEYE HL-EL1000RC VOLT1200 ($200, cateye.com/en/products/detail/HL-EL1000RC, 800-522-8393)

With the Volt1200, CatEye is not messing around. This is a light that can brighten the dark side of the moon. Offering 1,200 lumens through 2 su-per-bright LEDs, it features 5 modes: dynamic, normal, all-night, hyper constant, and flashing. Its Lithium-ion rechargeable battery can be replaced if it wears out and, whether mounted to your handlebar or helmet, the Volt1200 will light up just about any road or trail you’ll encounter.

The Volt1200 charges via USB micro (cord included) from your computer or any standard USB charging block.

It’s a bit on the large side at 112 x 58.9 x 43.8 mm, weighs in at 214 grams, and offers run times of 2 hours in dy-namic mode, 5 hours in normal mode, 14 hours in hyper constant mode, 17 hours in all-night mode, and more than 100 hours in flashing mode. The 3.6V-6200mAh Li-ion rechargeable battery recharges in 14 hours and will reach an 80 percent charged state in

10 hours. The Volt1200 will recharge about 300 times until the rated capac-ity drops to 70 percent. It also features a low battery indicator and a lighting mode memory function, meaning it remembers which mode it was in when you turned it off. –MD

VELO ORANGE CAMPEUR RACKS (Campeur Front: $200, Campeur Rear: $150, Grand Cru Handlebar Bag: $200, velo-orange.com, 443-949-8115)

When the big box of Velo Orange racks arrived at the Adventure Cycling office the day before my weeklong bike tour in the Canadian Gulf Islands, I must say, I was a bit intimidated. With so many mounting options, leather

washers, and extra struts, I wasn’t sure that one evening and six beers would be enough to properly unite these much-anticipated, shiny silver racks with my Surly Cross Check. The racks seemed so touring specific, what if my cross bike’s geometry and its measly mid-fork eyelets weren’t committed enough to the task of touring to handle such heavy duty, fully loaded elegance? But my god, they were beautiful. And the handsome Grand Cru Front Han-dlebar Bag, made in Maryland, that they’d included in the shipment was a huge motivator to get the front rack installed so I could try out the rack’s in-tegrated decaleur system (bag quick-re-lease). I was absolutely determined to

sport stylish, elegant, shiny touring racks that would do my randonneur idols proud on my bike tour. So with one beer down, bleary eyed determina-tion, and installation instruction print outs from VO’s website, I went to task. 

Sorting through the mystery bits of washers and screws and weird rods like a drunken surgeon, I parsed out cantile-ver brake mounts — yes! The cross bike was a go. I scanned beyond the parts list to the first instruction on the print out: “position the rack level with eyelet ...” and then, “it is best to get a new hacksaw blade ...” Wha? You see, Velo Orange takes their commitment to clas-sic, custom aesthetic seriously, which can make installation of their fenders

For full review, visit: http://www.bikerumor.com/2014/06/24/smith-adds-overtake-road-xc-helmet-and-more-updates-pivlock-full-coverage-sunglasses/

TWO OTTERS

BONJOUR SANTA CRUZ MTB FEST

A Tale of From the Campgrounds to the Pits

Israel’s Chosen Trails

We Mean It This Time…

FROM THE HOLY LAND

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024

WHEN DREW ROHDE CALLS ME AT WORK, it’s usually to make fun of how french i am or because he wants to ride.

however, this time it was different. decline’s editor and resident wookie impersonator told me to take a week off work and go to israel. the country’s ministry of tourism sponsored a trip to ride bikes for eight days, and i was to drop the autocad drawings at work and hop on a plane to the middle east. honestly, i did have doubts about safety, and israel wasn’t on my top ten riding or vacation destinations. there was turmoil in neighboring syria and egypt and i didn’t know what to expect. as westerners, we seem to hear about the bad shit that happens in the middle east, but i wasn’t going to let the media influence my decision to ride my bike half way across the world.

At the airport, security was pretty intense as I was interrogated before I even got my boarding pass. I was called for further pre-boarding inspection in a hallway where passengers would soon pass on their way to the plane. While agents searched my backpack, other passengers had strollers inspected and wrapped up for transport. As I waited to board, a random lady came up and handed me a small child. Before I could even respond, she disappeared.

Israel’s Chosen TrailsI looked down at this baby boy who gazed at me in his PJ’s. I stared back and stammered, “Uhhhhh bonjourno? I’m Ryan. Do you speak English?” I was off to a good start. We landed in Tel Aviv, Israel’s largest metropolitan area with 3.5 million people. Located on the Mediterranean coast, it was like other dense coastal cities – bikes and scooters buzzed around, while people ran and strolled down the boardwalk. The scene resembled the California coast. It’s a bit underdeveloped in some areas, but new construction and remodeling were under way to keep up with its growing population. The alleys of Carmel Market offered our fi rst taste of the culture with fresh fruit/veggies, beers, and some local food. On the shores of the Mediterranean, restaurants, cafes, and bars line the boardwalk. The deep fried caulifl ower seemed a popular dish and with good reason – it blew my taste buds away. Later that night, I met with a local and rode bikes to a bar, learning that a lot of the younger crowd from London and other European cities migrated to Tel Aviv because of the normally sunny weather, the urban culture and probably the deep fried caulifl ower. Nimi Cohen with Mountain Goat was our main tour guide and he coordinated rides in different locations to expose us to the varied terrain throughout Israel. The country

is roughly the same size as Massachusetts, and within an hour or two from Tel Aviv, we accessed a broad spectrum of sceneries and types of dirt. At each area, we met with a local guide who provided not only the background on the trails we’d be riding, but the surrounding region’s history as well.

TREES IN ISRAEL? We left the next morning and headed two hours northeast to the Galilee Mountains. As we drove the highway out of Tel Aviv, I couldn’t help but stare out the windows. It was my fi rst day in Israel. I was stoked to ride and tried to soak it all in. We drove in and out of small cities surrounded by grassy plains, until we arrived at the trailhead in an Arabic village. The fi rst things I noticed were the trees – not the landscape that came to mind when I initially envisioned riding in Israel. Moisture from the Mediterranean supplies the north with rain while the south suffers and dries up like my ass in the Dead Sea. We dropped into the Zippori Forest and I immediately got a buzz as we fl owed through the woods, chasing one another while popping off little rocks and roots. We re-grouped and high fi ves went around as Nimi Cohen said, “Welcome to Israel guys!” Our guide also mentioned we were close to the Jordan River where, depending on which ancient book you read, Jesus was baptized. This

By Ryan “Frenchie” Gagnon; Photos by Alon Ron

Frenchie spares the cows & milks some singletrack instead.

fi rst ride was so far from my initial expectations and far from everything the news highlighted about the country. That morning, we rode miles of single track in and out of small forests in the rolling hills surrounded by small neighborhoods. Valleys and trails divided two different cultures. On one side was a Jewish neighborhood with modern suburban architecture and red shingle roofs. The other was an Arabic neighborhood with square, multi-level, concrete apartments – two different cultures, with years of military and politician tension, so close. On the trail in the middle, the rift in the population became a distant thought. The cracked dirt was hard packed, so the rolling speed was fast and the traction prime for hitting all those sweeping berms. We traversed the valleys on our way to a bike shop for a couple beers. The Off Road Bike Center (www.4x4bike.co.il) was smack in the middle of the 55-mile trail network. Shop owners Brailovsky Dror and his wife do it right – stop by for a beer, some bike maintenance, or an espresso then go back out for some fun singletrack loops. After our stop, we headed to Carmel Mountain for a 30-minute shuttle-accessed descent, which the guides promised would be a bit wild. We dropped into a shady, overgrown singletrack that was completely different terrain than the morning ride. The half hour decent along a loose, rocky trail reminded me of Tunnel Trail in Santa Barbara, California. The old hiking route put up a fi ght as we mashed our bikes on the chunky, granite rock while getting pelted by overgrown bushes. Minutes from the end of this chundery ride, our German journalist-friend crashed face fi rst in a rock garden and split his nose and mouth wide open. It looked like someone took a cheese grader to his mug. Luckily for him, we traveled with a

FEAT

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6

Don’t let the smile fool you, the Dead Sea wreaks havoc on Frenchies’ Monkey-Butt

medic the entire trip, so he got bandaged up real fast, and the riding continued. To the southeast of Tel Aviv, in the Adolam-Kanim Judean hills, the trails were dry and hard-packed and rolled through bright green weeds with yellow fl owers and tall shrubs. The riding had little elevation gain but we rallied down rolling hills with spread out rock gardens. The terrain also resembled some of the trails in Southern California, and the dirt felt very familiar. We were introduced to a KKL Ranger (Isreal’s equivalent to a US Forest Ranger) who explained how as a passionate mountain biker himself, he infl uenced trail legalization in the Adolam-Kanim area. After a few hours of chasing each other, the follow truck met us for a couple beers, coffee and fresh tortillas to be dipped in olive oil. We hopped on our bikes to hit a few more runs before our post ride brewery tour. The trail leading to the shuttle was fl at-out, high-speed rocks and as we trained in and out of the trees, we dropped into a vineyard. The area was 7,000 miles from Napa, but felt just like the famous wine country back home. We stopped at the Srigim Brewery for a tour and award winning beers. The brewery is packed on the weekends as everyone comes for a tasty post ride drink. We sampled some delicious beers and had a sausage before heading to the next riding spot. When we arrived at Canada Park, we found extensive, fl owing singletrack. The shuttle trails wound through pockets of forests with views of the historic Highway One’s route to Jerusalem. The park sat on the lands of three Palestinian West Bank villages. During the shuttle, we passed Hasmonea Fort and Crusader Fortress. In the valley below, the Hasmoneans and the Seleucid Army battled from 167 to 165 BCE. On the descent, cows fed on the tall green weeds and blooming yellow fl owers. Canada Park was one of best zones on the entire trip as we rode embedded rocky trails, hit berms and drops and swooped through the tall grass on more fun trails. After another day of riding, we packed up and headed south to Jerusalem for the night. The history of Jerusalem is extensive. It has been destroyed twice, and attacked 52 times for myriad religious and cultural reasons – this was the center of it all. We hooked up with Amir Rockman of Bike Jerusalem Tours for an after hours trip through the Old City. The city has weeks of sightseeing opportunities, but we only had three hours and our bikes to take everything in. We approached the 40-foot walls surrounding the Old City that date back to the 1st century, then entered through the Damascus Gate. I rode down the narrow alleys inside the tall limestone walls of the vacant marketplace. There were far less people at night compared with the day when the marketplace is open and folks pack against the walls like sardines in a tin can. Jerusalem was so densely populated, but as we rode our bikes around the old city I felt safe. I manualed down the narrow Via Dolorosa street and later found out this was the path Jesus walked as he carried his cross on the way

to the crucifi xion.

030

Behold! The dangerous Israeli sand scorpion, found in the Samar Desert.THE DESERT

Now let’s get this straight – the desert riding in Israel is not what it seems, and I never saw Aladdin fl ying on his magic carpet. Each ride had different terrain, whether in the northern forests or southern deserts. The further south of Jerusalem you travel, you’re less likely to see trees, and you’ve got a higher chance of seeing camels racing across the desert. The area sees little rainfall, but when a violent storm rolls in, the erosion and fl ooding is massive, resulting in some gnarly terrain. This was good, because, we had mountain bikes. The Prat Wadi is a huge valley in the Judean Desert in the West Bank. It sits near Jerusalem, Jericho and the Dead Sea. The Prat Wadi Valley provided one badass singletrack. The trail contained several aqueducts which carried spring water to some churches. One minute I chased friends down a dusty, cliff-side trail, then wrapped around a hillside where a Christian monastery popped out of nowhere. The singletrack and aqueduct system ended at the St. George Monastery, currently a Greek Orthodox Church, which was built in the 5th Century A.D. The Prat Wadi ride was like a mountain bike tour of history and our next ride along the Sugar Route had the same National Geographic experience. The Sugar Route in the Judean desert, which used to be heavily traveled by camels carrying spices and sugar from the Dead Sea to Jerusalem, now makes for one of the most famous trails in Israel. With the long length of the Sugar Route, there were plenty of steep, technical offshoots to link up to the main trail. It was rocky, chunky, dusty, and fast with plenty of alternate sections to get loose! The Sugar Route starts at 2,000ft above sea level and ends 1,100 below sea level. After the ride, we headed to the hotel to take a dip in the Dead Sea. I had quite the monkey-butt after three days of pedaling and jumping into the Sea of Salt was a BIG mistake. Staying in just long enough to get a photo, I screamed and cussed every swear word I knew as I jumped out. I walked to my room with my head down – everything burned. I waddled like a penguin up to my room and even cried a little on the elevator. I found the bedit soothing and some lotion helped me recover and prepare for the next day’s journey. Samar Desert Adventure Tours hosted us on their man-made trails at The Sands of Samar. These lines were works of art. The amount of time and sweat put into the trails we rode was incredible. Any other person would simply give up on the fi rst corner with the challenging nature of the terrain. Builders used a hydraulic jack in some areas to move boulders the size of a VW bug. They spent hours in the middle of the desert moving huge rocks to properly build just one berm. Saving the best trail for the last day, we dropped into a rowdy 30-minute singletrack in the Raham Valley. It was the fi rst hiking trail legalized for mountain bikes in the country, and it traversed across rocky ridges and

dropped down steep, fast chutes. The route dumped us into a canyon with jagged,

032

Arabah, Israel’s Moab. Epic riding in another southwest, halfway around the globe.

magma-carved walls 80-million-years old. The magma canyon made for a gnarly ride out with a hike-a-bike section where we handed bikes to one another down waterfalls. We ended at Bike Hotel Samar, a bike friendly hotel in the Negev Desert with incredible home cooked meals and a paved pump track. It was the perfect end to such an unexpected trip. As I boarded the fl ight to head home, it amazed me how a cross-cultural passion for mountain biking broadened my views on Israel and brought me to such a historically rich corner of the world. The country offered a wide spectrum of terrain and types of riding that I had no idea existed. Every day, the riding, the food, and the amount of history expanded my connection with the country. In six days, we only managed to sample the very beginning of all the riding Israel has to offer, and only saw a fraction of the historical and cultural gems in the region. During the initial planning, Drew addressed my apprehension with this sales pitch. “The riding could be badass or it could be lame, but either way, you will come out of this trip with memories you will never forget.” That guy nailed it. We may not always remember every mile of trail we’ve ridden, but when we put ourselves outside the comfort zone and experience truly unique cultures full of history, good riding is just a bonus.

Ryan “Frenchie” Gagnon is one of our main test riders, and despite multiple traumatic events to the dome, we entrusted him to link together a few cohesive words summarizing his trip. We’d like to thank him for stepping up. Here are Ryan’s shout outs: ‘I have to say a huge THANK YOU to everyone who made this trip happen–Israel Ministry of Tourism, DECLINE, Bonk Breaker for sending delicious treats for the long rides, Royal Racing, Smith Optics, Nimi Cohen and the Mountain Goat crew, Samar Desert Adventures and crew, and my old man for passing his passion for two wheels down to me and letting me take work off!’

034

SMITH Forefront

SMITH’S ADDITION TO THEIR ALREADY impressive line up comes at a timewhen riders are looking for more

options to protect their cranial cavities.The Forefront helmet introduces a new,recyclable aerocore technology, which features Koroyd. Coming from an eyewearcompany, the helmet is compatible with manytypes of sunglasses and goggles, and also has integrated light or camera mounts. Oh, and it comes in ten different colors.

We fi rst got our Forefront after Interbike last yearand have been riding with it since. While we do value our trail rep and always love to give ourreaders the truth, we’ve yet to sacrifi ce ourselves into the ground to test the claimed 30-percentreduction in energy transmission. We’ll have to take the scientists’ word on that for now. The honeycomb material used in Smith’s helmets is the German-made Koroyd. The material is made from a polymer, which reportedly absorbs more energy in an impactcompared to other commonly used helmet materials when tested to international standards.

One of the fi rst things we noticed afterinspecting the unique honeycombed materialis the comfort. The X-Static performance liningand adjustable fi t system really make this helmetfeel more like a hat. The ventilation is good and

the retention system works well at keeping the helmet in place on the head – right where it’s supposed to be. We also liked the integrated options to run lights or cameras to minimize hillbilly, aftermarket rigging. Many full-coverage trail or “enduro” helmets do a great job of covering the head but make wearing certain glasses all but impossible. We never had any issues running our favorite glasses or goggles with the Forefront. This helmet even comes with an optional goggle retention strap.

OVERALLThe Smith Forefront is a great all-around trail helmet that gives riders comfortable, color-coordinated protection for their grape. While a slightly larger visor may improve the aesthetics and sun protection, we were very pleased with the performance of this helmet. Just ask Frenchie. Smith has delivered a quality lid with drafty ventilation, top-shelf safety and enough colors to make a fashionista scream.

Price: $220; Contact: smithoptics.com

Editor’s note: After completing this review, we were lucky enough to come across the wonderful

picture of Ryan Gagnon personally testing the safety of the Smith Forefront in the Israeli desert.

You can see the picture on page 32. He’s still alive, so we guess it works!

Text and Photos By Drew RohdeText and Photos By Drew Rohdeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeees Drew RohdRohdt y Dreos By Drew Rohd

094

SMITH PIVLOCK OVERDRIVEUnlike the original Pivlocks, the Overdrive pulls double duty as both performance oriented and lifestyle eyewear. The frame surrounds the entire lens and comes in nine color variations. Each Overdrive has two additional sets of lenses for fi ne tuning light fi ltration regardless of the conditions.

Price: $199.99; Contact: smithoptics.com

INTREPID APPAREL RECON JERSEY AND DH SHORTBorn from the soggy climate across the pond, the UK based Intrepid Apparel

offers up a heavy duty DH kit also meant to manage ride born moisture. The hefty 600D Oxford material on the shorts has reinforced knees and seams

while the polyester construction provides quicker drying for the DH Recon shorts. The Recon jersey is lighter weight and Cool Dry fabric and fl at lock

seams make for a dryer and more comfortable day on the hill.

Price: Recon Jersey $50, Recon Shorts $85; Contact: intrepidapparel.co.uk

LEATT ENDURO KNEE GUARDUse of the E-Word not withstanding, the latest padding from Leatt offers a 19-ounce per pair, protective knee guard for aggressive trail riding and all-mountain mashing. The pads are CE certifi ed for both impacts and abrasions as the knee and upper shin hard shell is ready to defend against the sharpest of patella-hungry rocks. A stretchy neoprene sleeve, paired with two silicon straps, hold the pads in place.

Price: $89; Contact: leatt.com

CHROME INDUSTRIES BLCKCHRM SOTNIK BAGThe BLCKCHRM Sotnik bag is a no-bullshit, heavy-duty mini duffl e made right here in the USA. The bag features a weatherproof outer shell and then a military-grade, tarpaulin waterproof, welded liner for the most hydrophobic of interiors. Two compartments allow for separation of wet and dry contents within the 45-65 liter bag. Sure it might be 280 bucks, but this Chico, CA-built product is guaranteed for life, and if something brutalizes the materials or workmanship of this stout sack, the warranty will be the least of your worries.

Price: $280; Contact: chromeindustries.com

134

For the full review, please visit: http://enduromag.com.au/site/bike-news/presscamp-2014-smith-optics-introduces-the-new-overtake-roadxc-helmet/

For the full article, please visit:http://www.fastcolabs.com/3031869/�nally-a-materials-science-revolution-in-helmet-design

For full review, visit: http://lavamagazine.com/unconventional-wisdom-smith-debuts-overtake-aero-road-helmet/

For the full review, visit: http://reviews.mtbr.com/review-smith-forefront-helmet

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Summer ShortsSuit up for summer with the new tactical shorts from AFTCO, which combine the latest high-tech fabrics with a modern, comfortable design to meet serious fi shing demands. New AFTECH technologies include AFLEX two-way stretch, stain protection with AFGURAD zone defense and DWR (Durable Water Resistant) fi nish, AFBLOCK to eliminate 98 percent of UV rays, and a Cordura-reinforced utility pocket to keep pliers or other tools handy. T e two-way stretch fabric ensures a great fi t. Available in a sublimated camo print in green or blue. $62; aftco.com

Summer Shorts

Cool It!As summer heats up, long days on the water don’t have to be an endurance test. Under Armour’s ISO Chill shirts are designed to keep you com-fortable when high temperature and humidity are running neck and neck. T e innovative ISO Chill apparel, made with a blend of 91 percent nylon and 9 percent elastane, off ers a naturally cool sensation against the skin. In addition, the fabric delivers sun protection, moisture wicking to further cool you by transporting perspiration through the fabric, and high-tech ventilation pan-els in a stain-resistant, quick-drying anti-microbial fabric. T e cut is purposely fi tted loose so air can move easily around the upper body. ISO Chill styles include ¼-zip, graphic short sleeve and graphic long sleeve. $44.99 to $59.99; ua.com

include AFLEX two-way stretch, stain protection with AFGURAD zone defense and DWR (Durable Water Resistant) fi nish, AFBLOCK to eliminate 98 percent of UV rays, and a Cordura-reinforced utility pocket to keep pliers or other tools handy. T e two-way stretch fabric ensures a great fi t. Available in a sublimated camo print in green or blue. $62; aftco.com

Cool It!As summer heats up, long days on the water don’t have to be an endurance test. Under Armour’sISO Chill shirts are designed to keep you com-fortable when high temperature and humidity are running neck and neck. T e innovative ISO

Clear ColorT e new Dockside sunglasses from Smith Optics feature a frame design specifi cally for fi shing. T e large fi t stays secure on the water, and is available with ChromaPop, a new fi lm-free polarization technology, engineered to optimize color and increase visual clarity. With ChromaPop lens technology, the brain imme-diately recognizes true vibrant color, with increased depth and detail of objects, with reduced eye fatigue. ChromaPop lenses are available in six proprietary tints: ChromaPop Polarchromic Ignitor, ChromaPop Polar Brown, ChromaPop Polar Gray Green, ChromaPop Polar Platinum, and now, ChromaPop Polar Blue Mirror and ChromaPop Polar Bronze Mirror. $209; smithoptics.com

through the fabric, and high-tech ventilation pan-els in a stain-resistant, quick-drying anti-microbial fabric. T e cut is purposely fi tted loose so air can

POP COLORS

SLS0714_FTR5_Gear NEWEST.indd 68 6/6/14 2:21 PM

ISSUE 1426JUNE 30, 2014

The Weekly Digital Magazine for the Sporting Goods Industry

WOMEN DOMINATE AT

RETAIL

Gotham Gets

In Gear

eaturing gifts, gear and fashion for ski, bike, golf, run, hike, travel and healthy lifestyle, the brand lineup included Adidas Golf, Ice-

bug, Ashworth, Smith Optics, Bogs, Helly Hansen, Bushnell, Specialized, Teva, REI, Lululemon, Bogs, Coppertone, Mountain Khakis, Dublin Dog and Eagle Creek. Here are a few of the highlights:

Teva showcased the Wander Series, designed with the fit and feel of a sneaker in mind, but with casual styling intended for everyday wear. The Mosaic webbed pattern on the heel is one of the key details. Inspired by one of Teva’s heritage webbed designs from the 90s, the Mosaic look will be featured in the Wander Series and the Originals Collection. Three styles for both men and women include the Wander Chukka, $60; Wander Lace, $50; and Wander Slip-on, $50.

By Thomas J. Ryan

Teva Wander Fundamentals Low Lace

At the sixth annual Gotham Gets In Gear media event held in NYC on June 4, twenty brands from the outdoor, fitness, travel and lifestyle industries came to Manhattan to highlight the best in products for 2014/15.

F

8 SGBWeekly.com | JUNE 30, 2014

PRODuCT FOCuS

JUNE 30, 2014 | SGBWeekly.com 9

Also from Adidas, the Adicross Gripmore, $150, is built on its proprietary Gripmore technol-ogy. Unlike traditional spiked golf shoes that require receptacles to house cleats on the sole, Grip-

more cleats are directly injected onto lightweight mesh matting inclusive of hundreds of microspikes for more traction and stability.

Launching this fall, the iXtreme for iPhone 5, $120 is a rugged, mount-able, and waterproof case. It features and integrated mounting system and inter-changeable lenses. The bombproof Outer Impact Case includes the one-finger-re-lease X-Clip Multi-Point Mounting Sys-tem and heavy duty, low-profile latches. Sound transparent waterproof and dust proof portals mean you can also use your iPhone as a phone while it's in the case. A removable, vibration-dampen-ing inner shock liner surrounds and seals the phone while providing ac-cess to controls and ports. The case is compatible with all GoPro mounts.

Smith Optics introduced the Forefront, $220, a bike helmet created to provide all-mountain protection with road-race weight. Aerocore construction allows for ventilated protection, reduced weight, and reduced vol-ume. With up to 30 percent improvement over standard EPS impact properties, the patented tubular core structure of the Koroyd material

combines with EPS to create a system of materials designed to surpass cur-rent standards at low and high speeds. Weighing 330g, the Forefront hel-met features Smith’s new VaporFit adjustable fit system, integrated camera and light mounting area, and an additional helmet goggle retention strap.

Three adult helmet sizes are avail-able to accommodate a variety of fits while 10 progressive color op-tions offer a range of style choices.

Mountain Khakis showcased its expanding women’s range. The Christi Fleece Lined Shirt, $100, has a feminine flair with a modern plaid exterior and fur fleece lining. It can be worn as a shirt or jacket.

Dublin Dog, a sister company of Mountain Khakis, also owned by Freedom Group, showcased its Koa Collar Collection for dogs featuring a state of the art finish-ing process that fully encapsulates the product in a medical-grade

urethane that makes it impenetrable to dirt, moisture and odor causing bacteria. A highly-technical printing process allows for dramatic, intricate and even life-like imag-ing. The Salt Water Series features the Mahi Mahi, the Blue Marlin and the Salmon. The collection retails for $28 (medium) and $30 (large). ■

Helly Hansen Supreme Jacket

Helly Hansen unveiled the Supreme Jacket, $900. All three layers of the jacket - including the waterproof breathable Helly Tech Pro-fessional outer fabrics, Pri-maLoft insulation, and soft liner fabrics - are full-stretch for freedom of movement. New PrimaLoft Gold insula-tion down blend provides the benefits of synthetic insula-tion with the warmth of high-grade, 90/10 goose down. A new, lower profile H2Flow technology provides out-standing temperature regula-

tion in a slim silhouette, making the jacket invaluable in a multitude of winter conditions. Other refined details include laser-cut ventilation for continuous air flow, a zip-away stretch powder skirt, a detachable helmet-compatible hood, soft wrist gaiters, and Recco Advanced Rescue system reflectors.

From Bogs, the Tumalo Boot, $130, is 100 percent waterproof and constructed with nubuck leather to withstand toughe trail conditions. It is lined with EverDry to absorb and evaporate sweat and Bogs Max–Wick to wick moisture. Its lugged outsole make it an excellent choice for variable terrain and it is comfort rated to –13˚F/-25˚C.

Eagle Creek is extending its packable solutions line with the Creek Specter Compression Cubes, $38, lightweight with more compression to keep clothes and accessories organized. The Specter Compression Cubes zip down to half their expanded size and are reusable, washable, stain and spill resistant and semi-translucent for discreet contents visibility. The brand also showcased the multi-tasker Specter Starter Set, $56, which combines the Specter Folder Medium, Cube and Half Cube.

Adidas Golf featured a new apparel collection called Climachill, $75 to $80. Delivering a cooling sensation on contact with the skin, small aluminum dots are strategically lo-cated inside the back neck, one of the warmest areas on the body. The Climachill fabric construction uses woven titanium fibers that maximize surface contact with skin. Extremely light, Climachill fabric acts like an open mesh to increase air permeabil-ity, drawing heat away from the body for moisture management.

Bogs Tumalo Boot

Eagle Creek Creek Specter Compression Cubes

Adidas Golf Climachil

Adidas Adicross Gripmore

iXtreme case

Smith Optics

orefront

Dublin Dog

Mountain Khakis Christi Fleece Lined Shirt

For the full review, visit:http://triathlete-europe.competitor.com/2014/06/30/�rst-look-smith-overtake-aero-helmet?utm_medium=whats-hot

For the full review, visit: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/guide/Glasses,87/Smith/Pivlock-Overdrive,14807

For the full review, visit: http://www.vitalmtb.com/product/feature/Smith-Expands-Helmet-Lineup-and-Adds-MIPS-to-the-Equation-for-2015,263