Let’s not call this a product review. I will also refrain from denoting it as a “Dirtbag Digression” despite there being some aroma of dirtbaggery. Nonetheless, I plan to talk about a few simple products I use on the regular, but first some dirt to clean outta your earholes.
Power Trip: Nightmare Logic Sometime in the last fifteen to twenty years I became delighted with the conflagration of newer thrash metal bands. While thrash metal as a genre never really went away (does any genre ever go away?) its heyday was certainly in the mid to late 80s with the crowning of the big four. Slayer was always my personal favorite as their sound on “Reign in Blood” jettisoned the most of the annoying metal trappings (onanistic solos, songs that dragged on) for a succinct and blistering hardcore punk sound. Much of that stuff had run its course by the early 90s, but a new group of torchbearers arrived at the dawn of the new millennium. I must shout out Municipal Waste of course b/c well, they fucking rule and are from RVA. My other fav is Power Trip. Their entire catalog is wildly impressive, but their second album (final one before the untimely demise of their badass singer Riley Gale, RIP) is devasting start to finish. Whereas Municipal Waste is hilarious and cynical, Power Trip has more of darker vaguely Discharge vibe. Additionally, PT’s rhythmic work is like no other bands doing thrash. Now if their lead guitarist Blake Ibanez actually played Ibanez guitars I’d be even more blown away. Sorry, guitar nerd joke. He’s a Jackson guy!
En Love/Rabbit: S/T If Power Trip noted above is not surly and grinding enough for you then you are in for a nasty treat from this split release from these Columbus, OH and NYC sickos. In the way back, esteemed Seattle punk thrashers The Accüsed called their musical style splatter rock as a nod to their favorite horror movie genre. I was not a huge fan back then, but at least appreciated their fury, hilarity and chaotic style. This e.p. from the bands En Love and Rabbit firmly lands them as spiritual descendants. Am I a weirdo because I like having this stuff pop up in a playlist as a palate cleanser between other more polished or cleaner acts? Don’t answer that.
What’s in your pant leg? Sometime in the early-00s carrying a phone with you on rides became de rigueur. I suppose this was because the damn things became more useful than for just making evening calls on and/or playing Snake and Dope Wars. Aaaah, those heady pre-smartphone salad days. When smartphones hit in the late 00’s, it was on as having an actual Tricorder in your pocket was irresistible. My cynicism aside, being able to call for help was a plus and when all the mapping stuff arrived it was even better. The thing was as these devices got more complex, they also initially were more sensitive to any sort of damage from impacts or more commonly moisture contamination. This of course included the sweat we soak in on every ride. I personally used Ziplock baggies originally and I see many still doing this. However, I thought there had to be a better way to not just keep the moisture prohibited but protect from impacts too. Now obviously you can simply toss your phone in your hydration pack or whatever deal you are portaging gear around with and no worries. However, I carry only the bare minimum on my local rides and eschew packs (body and bike) as much as possible.
To wit: my gear is managed on my person in my riding shorts/pants pockets, in my in-frame storage and my threaded EDC tool. The latter two are things I always have, but do not mess with as much like tools, a pump, patches, zip ties, emergency snacks, a tube, plug kit, etc. The stuff I do get after in my pockets includes my id card, snacks, keys, meds and phone. The phone is the clincher here as the other stuff would be fine, but I have had phones get moisture contaminated or straight up broken sitting in my pockets. To combat this, I began using assorted phone wallets from Topeak, Banjo Bros and Soul Run, but my latest is the Muc-Off Rainproof Essentials Case. This easily fits an iPhone 16, and it has interior folds where I keep a laminated emergency card, an eyeglass wipe and sometimes a hydration additive. There is a smaller inner zipper pouch you could likely stash some keys or coins too. It is also padded and zips close. It keeps everything safe and dry and is just the right momma bear sized. The pink zipper pull came apart, but I subbed a zip-tie so no worries. It feels like a deal at $25 considering how well it works, and its features. Four outta five Dio fingers.
(Not) Another Dirtbag Digression
Camelbak Podium Steel: Alright, so I bought one of these recently. I originally saw them at AJ’s in Flo Rida (that song in “Tropic Thunder” ruled!) where the shop bros raved about them. I’m not sure why I bought it as $35 is expensive for a damn water bottle and considering I have too many water bottles already it seemed an ill-informed choice. However, I’ve mentioned my take on wearing hydration packs. I thought the little 18oz steel bottle might actually fit on my one bike that otherwise will only clear the 22oz Specialized bottles due to its piggyback shock reservoir getting in the way. Those Speshy bottles are fine, but I wanted something that would stay cold which those do not. #firstworldproblems I certainly cannot file this under a dirtbag digression. The Podium Steel’s cost is relative since you can get the Titanium one that is $100 if you want nothing to do with the plebians. The bottle is unique in that you do not squeeze it and instead the spout is just open. I’ve had some spill out when things got bumpy as well as when I went to shake up my hydration mix additive and forgot to close the latch spout which is like the plastic podium models, but more substantial. It keeps whatever you put in it rather cold like a Yeti tumbler and unlike their Podium Chill plastic ones it takes a long time for ice to melt. So, if you put a bunch of ice in thinking it will melt down you will be disappointed. The best things about it are that it looks cool (so metal!), and your libation stays rather cold in it. Otherwise, I’d say stick with a more basic plastic insulated bottle. If they fit.
Thanks again for reading. Do return for more cycling frippery and general nonsense forthcoming.