Our Boys at Seat Time mixed it up this week with a bar episode! Sponsored by VB, check them out!
Stay up to date with Vita Brevis Clothing's blog!
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Wednesday, April 27, 2011
Alpinestars B2 Bionic Knee Brace Review...
I'm usually a nut when it comes to product research. But when it came to this brace, there was no real world review of it yet to ease my mind. I'd seen it at the Parts Unlimited Dealer Expo on Supercross weekend and got curious. The features seemed solid, carbon fiber always trumps reasonable judgment, and my poor EVS web sounds like the tin man when I walk. Blinded by the bling and re-assured by the going price on eBay, I took the plunge and ordered one up. Worst case scenario, I sell it for the same I spent on it and try another brace. Best case scenario: love it, keep it, and try my hardest to wear it out. That said, after 30 minutes with it on and set up I need to say this: sorry eBayers, it's here to stay!
My knee brace back story...
Several years ago, I messed up on a mx track and snapped my Tib/ Fib. Took a full year to repair the bones, then found out that the ACL and MCL were both ripped beyond repair also. Docs opted to graft new bits from my patella tendon, take the rod and screws out of my tibia, and send me on my way for another full year of recovery. I hustled my ass off to heal up, went to physical therapy a LOT, and spent so much time on a spin bike that my blood still boils when I see those demonic machines.
When the time finally came to jump back on the bike, the last thing I wanted was a sequel to that whole leg debacle. It was then that I shopped out some braces, found the EVS Web, and never looked back. I was very pleased with it, but now that there are more braces on the market and the EVS reads like a timeline of destruction from the last five years, it's time to move forward. Enter the B2.
This thing looks great and is LIGHT! The UPS guy even commented on the weight of the box when he delivered it. I ordered the right leg, size large. Astars has a sizing chart on their site that was pretty helpful. For reference, I wear the large in the Web also. Another cool point comes from the included leg sleeve, hyper-extension stops, and the manual. For your basic chunk of armor, this thing is packed with features!
What I absolutely LOVE about the B2 so far...
- Did I mention how light it is?
- The snap system. Just set it up right once with the velcro on the straps, and then use the snap in feature from there on for the same fit every time!
- Flexy bits at the top and bottom lets the brace wrap to your leg and hold
- Hinge width adjustment! Gets that perfect fit at the actual knee joint!
- Skinnier profile, so my boots will fit better and have a better shot at keeping the debris out!
- I can use it off the bike. The patella guard is removable, and this thing is light enough to run, mountain bike, or even work out in.
Conclusion: Badassery and awesomeness can sometimes leave you with injuries you have to protect against. This thing does the job, keeps me confident in my knee, and feels great. Fit and feel is better than any other braces I've used, it's mega-adjustable for different conditions, and the price point is good. I'm absolutely sold and impressed. Get the right size, dial in the fit, and rock'n'roll! I can't wait to ride in it and really see the difference in feel/ weight. It fits snug from top to bottom, doesn't move, and finally lets me feel like my leg isn't about to explode. I'll report back after I'm on the bike and let you know how it holds up in the real test.
My knee brace back story...
Several years ago, I messed up on a mx track and snapped my Tib/ Fib. Took a full year to repair the bones, then found out that the ACL and MCL were both ripped beyond repair also. Docs opted to graft new bits from my patella tendon, take the rod and screws out of my tibia, and send me on my way for another full year of recovery. I hustled my ass off to heal up, went to physical therapy a LOT, and spent so much time on a spin bike that my blood still boils when I see those demonic machines.
When the time finally came to jump back on the bike, the last thing I wanted was a sequel to that whole leg debacle. It was then that I shopped out some braces, found the EVS Web, and never looked back. I was very pleased with it, but now that there are more braces on the market and the EVS reads like a timeline of destruction from the last five years, it's time to move forward. Enter the B2.
This thing looks great and is LIGHT! The UPS guy even commented on the weight of the box when he delivered it. I ordered the right leg, size large. Astars has a sizing chart on their site that was pretty helpful. For reference, I wear the large in the Web also. Another cool point comes from the included leg sleeve, hyper-extension stops, and the manual. For your basic chunk of armor, this thing is packed with features!
What I absolutely LOVE about the B2 so far...
- Did I mention how light it is?
- The snap system. Just set it up right once with the velcro on the straps, and then use the snap in feature from there on for the same fit every time!
- Flexy bits at the top and bottom lets the brace wrap to your leg and hold
- Hinge width adjustment! Gets that perfect fit at the actual knee joint!
- Skinnier profile, so my boots will fit better and have a better shot at keeping the debris out!
- I can use it off the bike. The patella guard is removable, and this thing is light enough to run, mountain bike, or even work out in.
Conclusion: Badassery and awesomeness can sometimes leave you with injuries you have to protect against. This thing does the job, keeps me confident in my knee, and feels great. Fit and feel is better than any other braces I've used, it's mega-adjustable for different conditions, and the price point is good. I'm absolutely sold and impressed. Get the right size, dial in the fit, and rock'n'roll! I can't wait to ride in it and really see the difference in feel/ weight. It fits snug from top to bottom, doesn't move, and finally lets me feel like my leg isn't about to explode. I'll report back after I'm on the bike and let you know how it holds up in the real test.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Episode 15 is Up!
It's that time again! Every week, my boys over at Seat Time sit down, drink a beer, and tell us what's going on in the off road world. Here at Vita Brevis Clothing, we like that kind of stuff, so we sponsor their show. Check it out- Episode 15: "Official Word"
Seat Time Episode 15 : Official Word from woodybepierced on Vimeo.
First Night Session...
Tuesday night was the night! My helmet lights finally came in last week, and I hadn't had the chance to really set them up and try a lap around Mullet Mountain yet. (Mullet Mountain is my trail here at the compound- business in the front, party in the back!) Tuesday night was coming together nicely as my to-do list was light, I was feeling strong again after the beat down from the Red River Enduro and my MTB ride, and the one and only Bob Ross was on the property! With Jesse, Chris, and Candice's help/ supervision, it was time to test it all out!
Lighting Equipment:
- Trail Tech X2 Halogen Headlight for the bike
- Trail Tech Dual LED Helmet Light Kit
My review of the lights is great. The X2 is nothing to take to Baja, but at a price point under $100, it exceeded my expectations. It has two bulbs, kind of a spot & flood combo. I can cruise around problem free, but these are more for auxiliary/ backup while I rely on the helmet lights. The X2 was easy to wire and includes everything you need. I really like the fact that you don't need to upgrade the stator to run it. That was the biggest turnoff for the larger race lights and HID's.
The helmet lights were a HUGE surprise. I've been digging around for more info on the Dual LED's, but couldn't find much real world experience. I finally decided to just take the plunge and give them a try. The price was good, and if they work I'm in fat city. If not, eBay them and take the HID plunge. And I'm very glad I did. I think they'll be perfect for the night riding/ racing that I'm looking to do. I chose this setup mostly for battery life. I was afraid to try the higher output lights and then burn through too batteries in one night. At $100 per battery, this isn't an option! The LED's have three settings, and should be able to run both lights for about 3 hours on the highest setting. This way, I should only need 3 total batteries for an entire night, which I'm comfortable with. The kit came with one, and I can steadily order the other two as the money is available. It's a lot less of a sucker punch to spend one bill at a time than several!
All that aside, the color of the lights is bright, clear, and crisp. The weight isn't enough to be concerned with, and their "toughness factor" is there. I don't feel like I run the risk of tearing them up. The throw isn't very far. I found myself really outrunning this setup somewhere on the upper end of third and into fourth gear on my 300. Luckily, my night rides will be in tighter woods where this isn't a problem. The kit included everything you need, as well as the wire to connect the lights directly to the battery. I'm going to set this up as a precaution, just in case it becomes necessary.
Riding with the lights:
The helmet lights completely trump the headlight. Once they're on, the headlight doesn't really matter. I opted with the jaw mount and a "boob" focus where both spots are side by side like a nice pair. I may try running them high/ low at some point just to see what it's like.
I was nervous about this first run since I'd never run lights before. My plan all along was to get used to them on the mtb, then graduate to the slower pit bike, then steadily try slow slow laps on the big bike. Nope. Straight on the 300 and full pace by the second corner! My trail is tight and has awkward corners that can be pretty tricky. It's a potent mix of tight woods with quick run outs, hard turns, and then more woods with creek crossings, rocks, etc. It blew me away how comfortable the riding really was. The helmet lights were amazing and gave me so much confidence. I could see the ground, through the turns, and the low branches just fine. It was only the high speed sections that left me wanting more light!
The only problem I can really foresee is the same as any other ride: eating it. Point fixation is much more intense, so you have to really pay attention and look where you want to go. I came out of the creek, tangled up the front end on a tree, and went over the bars pretty good. It took one of the helmet mounts right off. I'll be doing something about this soon. The mounts are strong, but I definitely want some safeguards (and probably extra mounts) for race day.
Overall, I love it. I can only imagine what kind of output the HID's and race lights can do. But for me, this setup should work great!
Lighting Equipment:
- Trail Tech X2 Halogen Headlight for the bike
- Trail Tech Dual LED Helmet Light Kit
My review of the lights is great. The X2 is nothing to take to Baja, but at a price point under $100, it exceeded my expectations. It has two bulbs, kind of a spot & flood combo. I can cruise around problem free, but these are more for auxiliary/ backup while I rely on the helmet lights. The X2 was easy to wire and includes everything you need. I really like the fact that you don't need to upgrade the stator to run it. That was the biggest turnoff for the larger race lights and HID's.
The helmet lights were a HUGE surprise. I've been digging around for more info on the Dual LED's, but couldn't find much real world experience. I finally decided to just take the plunge and give them a try. The price was good, and if they work I'm in fat city. If not, eBay them and take the HID plunge. And I'm very glad I did. I think they'll be perfect for the night riding/ racing that I'm looking to do. I chose this setup mostly for battery life. I was afraid to try the higher output lights and then burn through too batteries in one night. At $100 per battery, this isn't an option! The LED's have three settings, and should be able to run both lights for about 3 hours on the highest setting. This way, I should only need 3 total batteries for an entire night, which I'm comfortable with. The kit came with one, and I can steadily order the other two as the money is available. It's a lot less of a sucker punch to spend one bill at a time than several!
All that aside, the color of the lights is bright, clear, and crisp. The weight isn't enough to be concerned with, and their "toughness factor" is there. I don't feel like I run the risk of tearing them up. The throw isn't very far. I found myself really outrunning this setup somewhere on the upper end of third and into fourth gear on my 300. Luckily, my night rides will be in tighter woods where this isn't a problem. The kit included everything you need, as well as the wire to connect the lights directly to the battery. I'm going to set this up as a precaution, just in case it becomes necessary.
Riding with the lights:
The helmet lights completely trump the headlight. Once they're on, the headlight doesn't really matter. I opted with the jaw mount and a "boob" focus where both spots are side by side like a nice pair. I may try running them high/ low at some point just to see what it's like.
I was nervous about this first run since I'd never run lights before. My plan all along was to get used to them on the mtb, then graduate to the slower pit bike, then steadily try slow slow laps on the big bike. Nope. Straight on the 300 and full pace by the second corner! My trail is tight and has awkward corners that can be pretty tricky. It's a potent mix of tight woods with quick run outs, hard turns, and then more woods with creek crossings, rocks, etc. It blew me away how comfortable the riding really was. The helmet lights were amazing and gave me so much confidence. I could see the ground, through the turns, and the low branches just fine. It was only the high speed sections that left me wanting more light!
The only problem I can really foresee is the same as any other ride: eating it. Point fixation is much more intense, so you have to really pay attention and look where you want to go. I came out of the creek, tangled up the front end on a tree, and went over the bars pretty good. It took one of the helmet mounts right off. I'll be doing something about this soon. The mounts are strong, but I definitely want some safeguards (and probably extra mounts) for race day.
Overall, I love it. I can only imagine what kind of output the HID's and race lights can do. But for me, this setup should work great!
Monday, April 18, 2011
Race Update- TRIC Enduro
Yesterday was the TRIC (Trail Riders in Christ)/ RRDR (Red River Dirt Riders) Enduro in Muenster, TX. I love this place, it's by far my favorite riding spot! It's got great terrain, TONS of trails, and a section where quads aren't allowed. Not to mention that it's only 40 minutes from my house! And in North Texas terms, 40 minutes is basically around the corner.
Loved the course they mapped out for the race. It was way more technical than most people expected, but I really prefer that over the fast open stuff. Really enjoyed the 12 and 12.5 mile sections and the "grind" factor they offer.
Started the weekend off on the sidelines for Candice's Warrior Dash. She did great and represented VB Racing like the queen should- Covered in mud and hustling all the way through! Was great to hang out with some of the other VB crew out there too. Plenty of racers and beer drinkers to make me feel right in my element. Great job to all of you who did it, and I'm especially proud of my racer girl!
From there, we loaded up the car, got home, jumped in the Gnar Vee, and split west for the enduro. Cracker Barrel was excellent as always, and it was great as always to spend a pre-race evening with my team. The What !f screening was great. The projector worked well, sound was good, and the flick itself was amazing. Sunday morning was gorgeous with perfect temperatures, and there was a little moisture in the dirt. It was only my second ride on the 300, and I got to try out the new Moose Sahara gear also.
I'm bonding really well with the new bike, and not missing that extra weight the 4 stroke carried at all! Absolutely no mechanical issues, and it feels like a beast in the rocks (especially with the new tall seat). "Scratchillac" style is how I ride- I rarely ever stand up. Like I said before, the course was excellent. Was nice to get in that tight stuff and find a rhythm.
Woody must have been feeling like a boss all day- came away with third overall! Kiwi was on my row and finished strong with 5th in his class. I put together a good ride and left with 3rd. Very happy with my ride and looking forward to more!
Note the busted handguards and bent bars. Had to opt with the ghost ride approach on a climb in the last section. Got me to the finish though!
Other worthy notes:
HUGE thanks to all you guys and gals that came over for the What !f screening- what a great flick and good way to spend an evening out there! Mr. Troy Green is the Wheelie King, and big thanks to TRIC and RRDR for an amazing event!
For thos that haven't seen the trailer, here it is. Great Off-road video with an even better soundtrack! It's on my wish list!
Loved the course they mapped out for the race. It was way more technical than most people expected, but I really prefer that over the fast open stuff. Really enjoyed the 12 and 12.5 mile sections and the "grind" factor they offer.
Started the weekend off on the sidelines for Candice's Warrior Dash. She did great and represented VB Racing like the queen should- Covered in mud and hustling all the way through! Was great to hang out with some of the other VB crew out there too. Plenty of racers and beer drinkers to make me feel right in my element. Great job to all of you who did it, and I'm especially proud of my racer girl!
From there, we loaded up the car, got home, jumped in the Gnar Vee, and split west for the enduro. Cracker Barrel was excellent as always, and it was great as always to spend a pre-race evening with my team. The What !f screening was great. The projector worked well, sound was good, and the flick itself was amazing. Sunday morning was gorgeous with perfect temperatures, and there was a little moisture in the dirt. It was only my second ride on the 300, and I got to try out the new Moose Sahara gear also.
I'm bonding really well with the new bike, and not missing that extra weight the 4 stroke carried at all! Absolutely no mechanical issues, and it feels like a beast in the rocks (especially with the new tall seat). "Scratchillac" style is how I ride- I rarely ever stand up. Like I said before, the course was excellent. Was nice to get in that tight stuff and find a rhythm.
Woody must have been feeling like a boss all day- came away with third overall! Kiwi was on my row and finished strong with 5th in his class. I put together a good ride and left with 3rd. Very happy with my ride and looking forward to more!
Note the busted handguards and bent bars. Had to opt with the ghost ride approach on a climb in the last section. Got me to the finish though!
Other worthy notes:
HUGE thanks to all you guys and gals that came over for the What !f screening- what a great flick and good way to spend an evening out there! Mr. Troy Green is the Wheelie King, and big thanks to TRIC and RRDR for an amazing event!
For thos that haven't seen the trailer, here it is. Great Off-road video with an even better soundtrack! It's on my wish list!
Wednesday, April 13, 2011
VB featured in Episode 13.5 of Seat Time!
Huge props to the guys at Seat Time! We appreciate the support this season, and had a blast putting together the Beastly Moto Adventure Weekend! Check out the intro clip for yours truly intro'ing the episode, and catch up on all the other great material Seat Time Has to offer!
Follow Seat Time at http://seattime.com or on Facebook!
Seat Time Episode 13.5 : Lonestar from woodybepierced on Vimeo.
Follow Seat Time at http://seattime.com or on Facebook!
Monday, April 11, 2011
Vita Brevis Clothing on Facebook!
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Vita-Brevis-Clothing/161719900534748
Jump over to FB and add us to your Likes to stay in touch!
Jump over to FB and add us to your Likes to stay in touch!
5 Months Out...
I'm proud to announce my BIG project for 2011!!! The Tejas Motorsports Texas Xtreme 24 hr Challenge takes place September 10 & 11, 2011.
http://tejasmotorsportsxtremeteam24hrchallenge.com/
This race is going to be an absolute ass-whoopingly awesome test of man and machine that I personally have been obsessed with all year. They've got a 24 mile loop of various East Texas terrain (read: sand, whoops, tight trees, and random gullies you'd never expect to run up on). The race will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and go straight for 24 hours. All kinds of terrain, all kinds of weird possibilities, and a nice heavy dose of night racing! The format will be 3 racers to 1 bike, 3 racers with 3 separate bikes, and the class I've entered: Ironman. 1 person, 1 bike, 24 hours of sheer bad-assery until I'm snivelling and crying in a cramped up ball of pain buried deep in the sand of East Texas.
I'm jacked on the idea of this race. It's right up my alley, and I am having a blast preparing for this beastly event. I pre-registered back in January, and I never pre-register for races! I wanted to commit myself to this treachery early enough to have a chance at getting ready.
I'll be steadily monitoring progress through this site, and keeping you guys up to date on the preparation for this race, as well as our TSCEC (Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit) series that I'm racing.
In case you haven't made the connection yet, Vita Brevis Clothing has deep roots in the off-road racing community. I LOVE dirt biking, as well as most of the people involved. We share similar ideas and mindset, so VB has spread like a wild fire through racing all over the southwest. This blog is a great place for updates, stories, and the basic shenanigans that go along with our crew and the good times we have!
http://tejasmotorsportsxtremeteam24hrchallenge.com/
This race is going to be an absolute ass-whoopingly awesome test of man and machine that I personally have been obsessed with all year. They've got a 24 mile loop of various East Texas terrain (read: sand, whoops, tight trees, and random gullies you'd never expect to run up on). The race will begin at 10 a.m. Saturday and go straight for 24 hours. All kinds of terrain, all kinds of weird possibilities, and a nice heavy dose of night racing! The format will be 3 racers to 1 bike, 3 racers with 3 separate bikes, and the class I've entered: Ironman. 1 person, 1 bike, 24 hours of sheer bad-assery until I'm snivelling and crying in a cramped up ball of pain buried deep in the sand of East Texas.
I'm jacked on the idea of this race. It's right up my alley, and I am having a blast preparing for this beastly event. I pre-registered back in January, and I never pre-register for races! I wanted to commit myself to this treachery early enough to have a chance at getting ready.
I'll be steadily monitoring progress through this site, and keeping you guys up to date on the preparation for this race, as well as our TSCEC (Texas State Championship Enduro Circuit) series that I'm racing.
In case you haven't made the connection yet, Vita Brevis Clothing has deep roots in the off-road racing community. I LOVE dirt biking, as well as most of the people involved. We share similar ideas and mindset, so VB has spread like a wild fire through racing all over the southwest. This blog is a great place for updates, stories, and the basic shenanigans that go along with our crew and the good times we have!
New Blog Site!
Welcome to Vita Brevis Clothing's Blogger site! I'm pumped to get on here and use some of the features available through this site to keep everyone up to date and informed on the happenings in the world of VB! Check out our homepage at www.vitabrevisclothing.com for all kinds of info, pics, and of course the gear page! Pick up some shirts, decals, and start spreading the word on what Vita Brevis is all about!
To roll back and check out all the old Blog Posts, you'll have to dig through the original setup at http://www.vitabrevisclothing.com/VBracing/blog.html
To roll back and check out all the old Blog Posts, you'll have to dig through the original setup at http://www.vitabrevisclothing.com/VBracing/blog.html
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