Saucony has a line called the SAUCONY ORIGINAL SHOES.  This category will remind you of the shoes your crazy uncle used to run his first marathon.  I tested the SAUCONY JAZZ ORIGINAL.  With a totally classic look these shoes are ideal for any casual outing.  This shoe is comfortable for walking and you can definitely run in it.  I walked the Outdoor Retailer show in this shoe for 3 days with no problems. With a classic tread and thick sole you will feel transported to a time when shoes were thicker and bulkier.  This shoe is not built to ventilate and run through the desert with the lightest material.  This shoe is a full shoe with a thick tongue and a thick sole. This is a great city living shoe. The SAUCONY JAZZ ORIGINAL comes with black and white broad laces. The other color variations provide different lace colors so you can choose to be bold or just blend. This is the ideal active lifestyle shoe.

www.saucony.com/originals

Have you ever wondered how many bicycle tubes you have used in your lifetime? More than 30 million tubes are manufactured worldwide daily. After all the fun where does all this used waste go? I used the tubes from my bikes to make sling shots when I was a child. I always feel a bit guilty throwing the tubes away. I feel like I need to be using them for something. Three companies have chosen to put these tubes back in full use in several aspects of our lives. 

Alchemy Goods makes an incredible array of bags from used bicycle inner tubes. The bag that we tested is the Pike. I thought at first that the tubes would rub or catch on my jacket or t-shirts. The tubes go through a very comprehensive non-toxic cleaning. The bag looks and feels very durable. The straps are made from used seat-belts with a quick release strap gauge to secure the perfect fit or get the bag off quickly. The pull on the zipper is made from a tube valve stem. This bag looks so good. Every time I have used it someone has asked about it.  Inside there is a canvas liner, a key clip and a separator to create 2 main compartments. The outside has 2 reflective strips which make it perfect for bike commuters. 

Alchemy Goods makes belts, bags of every size, and also does custom used banner bags all out of up-cycled products.  To alleviate the guilt you feel right now for all the tubes you have thrown away check out their site: http://www.alchemygoods.com/pike.html

Cycle Dog is a company that makes leashes, collars etc. for man's best friend. These collars are great because they are half colored material and half used tubes. My dog looks so good with his new collar. This collar is unique because it has a bottle opener and a miniature seat belt clip to quickly and easily remove the collar.  The tube is the part that is on the dog's fur. I noticed that this is great for walking with a leash because the collar can sit looser than other collars because the tube grips the fur just slightly. The multiple colors, choices, and sizes are very nice. These collars are very durable.  My dog was slipping through a door and ripped off his ID tags but, the collar stayed on. Cycle Dog is in the process of releasing some great dog toys including; chew toys, balls, dishes, discs most of which are made with recycled tubes. For more information go to:www.cycledog.com

SANUK is a great sandal company that makes fantastic lifestyle slippers for everyday wear. They have a sandal, called That's What She Said, that has straps made of bicycle tubes and a comfy bed made from yoga mats. This is a great recovery sandal. This product is vegetarian and vegan. For more information, check out:www.sanuk.com/thats-what-she-said  

If you are feeling guilty about the many tubes you use in your cycling obsession, take a moment to check out these 3 great companies to help guilt slip away.   

THE GRID from Trigger Point by GELDER

If you have used a foam roller before you understand how useful it can be for stretching and loosening tight muscles. The GRID is a foam roller like no other. Coming in at 13 inches long and 5 inches in diameter it is the multi sport athletes essential travel partner. The roller has foam around a hard plastic cylinder. This foam is very durable and the cylinder gives the roller the density to be able to release the most stubborn muscles.

I like that the GRID has a hollow center so I can fit other items inside it for travel. The traditional foam roller is used mostly for legs. TPtherapy.com shows full body uses for this revolutionary foam roller. The applications for this tool are very broad.  This is a product that will keep your body training better recovering better and of course feeling better.

The GRID was not my first intro to Trigger Point. I saw my friend playing with a ball that looked like a tennis ball wrapped in a colorful stripped sock. Then he showed me how to use it. Rolling it under my feet and using it in my calves was amazing, I had to have one. So, at the INTERBIKE show I purchased a few of these TPtherapy balls. They are great and I travel with them in my car. I can put them between my back and the seat or under my legs. The most stubborn muscle can be loosened by this ball. These are a fantastic way to keep muscles from becoming stiff.

The founder of Trigger Point is Cassidy Phillips. I had the opportunity for him to show me how some parts of his system work. The TP massage ball does wonders and can be used in an extra sleeve that joins 2 balls together. There are several products and great educational videos and materials for the end user. Healthy biomechanics is the goal of the TPtherapy product line. To see all of the line goto www.tptherapy.com .