So good there's a waiting list.

The nights are longer and for those who bike it's time to see and be seen.

Bike lighting systems have two equally important purposes. One is to be seen, red lights in back, white light in front. Once I saw a rider with the reverse order. Maybe he'd never seen a car.

Drivers heading at you or behind you should read "that's a bike".

Cyclists more than drivers need to see the ground. Potholes, train tracks, broken glass, oil .... can ruin your ride. Any bike light will make you visible. Only the best will let you see.

But we often forget side visibility. It's not enough that drivers straight ahead and right behind see you. Without side visibility drivers turning, entering or exiting driveways, at an intersection may miss you till it's too late.

That's why we're both considering this:

http://rockthebike.com/lights/downlowglow

Available in a variety of colors, very cool, festive and fun it will make the rider stand out.

Ok, so a power saw would be faster

I needed to creatively disassemble a desk (don't ask). And I'm too cheap to get a power saw for one job. ACE's hand saws are made in USA.

First I want to give props to my local store. ACE hardware stores are independently owned so your results may vary. I'm used to being ignored in hardware stores; short, female and not fluent in hardware, guys and gals in the orange vests run from me. Kudos to ACE for asking me what I wanted to do and pointing out a smaller model. NOT because it's small but because it won't flex when you saw.

The solid wood handle is lightly incised with a leafy decoration. It reminds me of the handsaws my Dad had. It may never have the rich tone of wood used many times over years, but it is nice to have a good hand saw. It fits well in my tiny mouse'y paw and would probably fit as well in anyone else's large hands. This is good because this may take a while.

Of course I could saw the desk and probably all my other furniture apart with a (probably imported) electric saw. But it's good to have tools well made in the USA.

Cleaning up my list of good things made here.

Visiting my brother and sister in law I'd long enjoyed the beautiful and fragrant hand crafted soaps in their home. From time to time I'd get some as gifts.

Last week at her birthday BBQ bash I finally met "the soap lady" and heard how a hobby of making handmade soaps from local, Sonoma County seasonal ingredients turned into a small business.

Each bar of soap is beautifully colored and nicely shaped. They are so pretty you may want to put the bar in a soap dish and have it sit there looking beautiful. But don't, you'll be missing half the fun. All bars lather up nicely with pleasant, natural fragrances. No imitation sorta like flowers, "herbal essences" from polyhydrophiloxydendromixmia capsules. Just real ingredients, real soap.

I especially liked the flowers blend with sprigs of dried local lavender in a clear bar.

If you're in the neighborhood drop by or order online.

These soaps are made only twice a year so order early from

http://www.swanhavensoap.com/

Re-made in USA

Remember orthopedic oxfords? I never had the homely brown or black shoes doctors would make kids wear to fix what ailed your feet.

Remember Birkinstocks and the amazing lowered heel technology? We love Birks but maybe that's another review for another blog.

Introducing the amazing healing power of the Chaco sandal.

They are great for any sport especially in water, surf or sand, have a huge variety of colors and styles. You might like the endless customization; like a tight heel and room over the instep or vice versa, adjust to your liking. Your feet are different. Keep both feet and therefore you, happy.

Chaco's saved my foot. I have a broken toe. I should manipulate the toe every 2 hours to increase and maintain range of motion. Or I can just wear Chaco sandals and walk.

I'm lazy, they look good and are comfortable. I'll take the sandals.

Made in USA reviews started with a casual bet with my Mom. I described my idea to review products made here that we love. She correctly surmised that we'd find many that are leaving.

Yes, Chaco sandals are now like most athletic gear we need imported.

But they are re-made here. Straps worn? Send it back. Sole worn? Send it back. Stepped in a pile of ostrich dung, slipped and broke a strap? Clean the shoe thoroughly and send it back. Complete policy here and of course home page to shoe shop:

https://www.chacousa.com/US/en-US/Secure/Static/Repair.mvc.aspx

They are the lugged steel bike of shoes. Nearly endlessly repairable. And yes, sending chocolate along with your sandals helps speed the process along or at least keep the Chaco elves contented.

Here they are. Introducing the wonderful folks who re-make your Chaco right here in the good ol' USA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=Lb4dFnhzM2g

A rack on every bike for the chicken in every pot

Don't be a plastic bag toting salmon! Not that there's anything wrong with salmon. If you are a salmon don't hang grocery bags off your handle bars. We're only teasing cyclists who ride the wrong way (aka salmon) because we worry about you so. Those plastic shopping bags could get caught in the spokes or break and you'd waste the liter bottles of Mountain Dew and bags of Doritos.

Here's a better idea and it's made in the US of A.

Ride your bike, be fabulous, get a rack, equip it with a basket. The rack itself is imported but check out the folding basket pictured in our profile.

http://waldsports.qbsoft.com/index.cfm

Paniers (bags/packs meant to clip on a bike rack) are great but you can only use them if you have the bag itself. Want to pick up Theo organic chocolate or bags of dog chow on the way home and don't have the Ortleib bag? You're out of luck. And Theo chocolate will melt in your jersey pocket.

I test rode to the farm market. Folded flat to the side when not in use I could barely sense it there. I expected to hear rattles at least over potholes, the rail road track but it was quiet. K easily found the sweet spot on the bike mounting the rack far enough back that I don't hit my heel pedaling but not off the back of the rack. It balances well.

The rack assembled easily with readily available tools; hex wrench and a screw driver, a little time and patience, a gin and tonic.

The basket folds out quickly. A simple spring loaded clip at the top keeps it flat against the side of your bike when not in use. Just squeeze the basket further closed and it easily releases upwards, the basket opens up, fold the bottom down and there's a built in catch. All I needed was the shopping bag or could have just tossed in the bags of vegies and fruits.

Before I had this system I could pick up items that would fit in my pack or bag. But anything that could smoosh like fresh cherries and strawberries, fresh baked scones and even eggs were off limits. So I shopped till I dropped, watched the World Cup at the coffee shop, tossed the bags in the basket, tuck the straps in and take off.

How's the balance now with a bag full of groceries on my left? I experimented with a dirt path by the road. I'm a diehard road cyclist who rides an old mountain bike for errands, commutes. Generally I'm a wimp about off-road or even unpaved paths. A little gravel, some big tree roots and it was fine. I did not even notice the extra weight.

How's the balance with 2 gallons of Dexcool coolant? Also great. During a recent bout with car problems I rode to the local auto supply store to pick up coolant just in case I needed it to limp to the mechanic. Employees at the store thought I'd fall over sideways with the load. Off I sped balancing easily.

However if you plan to tour or will be using this for frequent shopping or larger, bulkier load get two baskets. The cost, weight and time to install is small. It would give you the chance to balance loads.

One possible extra benefit is visibility. The Wald basket can be mounted either on the right or left or both. Now that I have one I see a lot of my fellow Wald'ers have them on the right. Is that because most people are right handed? But we felt that set up on the left makes me seem "bigger" even though it only extends about 2" further than my pedal.

The increased visibility to drivers and maybe giving me a little more room is worth it.

I promised you good socks.

I tried my first significant foot event and got silver dollar sized blisters. See this post http://madeinusareviews.blogspot.com/2010/04/and-were-walking.html

Since that painful day I've been looking for the right socks. The Wright sock is made in USA, it is the first double layer sock I've found.

http://www.wrightsock.com/

Ultra thin layer inside wicks moisture. Thicker layer outside. The two layers slide on each other instead of your foot. Your foot stays dry and friction free.

My fave shoe guys/gals at Fleet Feet said they might stop carrying these and called the technology outdated. Hey, who cares as long as it works. We're a retro family, we like lugged steel bikes and wool. So I gave it a try.

The inner layer is so smooth, felt like nylons putting it on. I feared it might bunch up but it stayed where it's supposed to be. Outer layer did the job of wicking. My one complaint is I like a bit of support in the toe from a sock, reinforcement or slightly thicker.

But I have a broken big toe so you, gentle reader might not miss that. Most of my socks have a bit of reinforcement there and I felt the lack of it. A couple long walks and I was sore on both attempts. But I'm going to give these socks another try on a longer distance and maybe at the track. To avoid blisters on a foot event my feet must stay dry and friction free.

Remind me I was going to talk about socks ...

One problems with a blog by two people one of whom (me) may have some kind of adult ADD is I get distracted easily. One inspiration for this site was the news of Toyota closing a local manufacturing plant. This caused the loss of thousands of jobs, local of course but also suppliers, small plants near and far who made the parts, tools, even cafe's and "roach coaches" where workers got lunch.

While committees formed to ponder what to do with the plant: turn it into a stadium, tear up the pavement and build a park, a roller rink ... seems Toyota had another idea and maybe all along.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2010/05/21/MNGP1DI8OL.DTL

I'll leave it to you gentle reader to debate; is an electric car that may run on coal power greener than dino-fuel? Will the jobs that come back be union? Does it matter or not to you?

I'm sure ex-NUMI workers and new hires will be glad.

Finding the missing socks

If you ride a bike you know the angst of bike fit; endless search for the magic shorts/seat/seatpost setback combination. Ok, maybe you don't. I thought I know a lot about bike fit and K knows much more. She's a pro, part of what she does is fit people to their ride.

But shoes? I wear a size 7.5 sensible shoe and whichever socks I can find a matching pair of. That's it.

Fleetfeet, Santa Rosa matched me, my gait, my funky gimpy knees, posture to a great pair of (imported) runners for my first half-marathon. They showed me how to lace them. Who knew that would modify shoes for my broken toe? Ok, everyone knew.

I moved my insoles (imported) from bike shoes to the runners, they suggested socks (lovely, comfortable and imported).

Shoes, insoles and socks onboard or on foot I increased my miles and hours walked, and walked, and walked more .... everything felt fine. On the day of the race about mile 9 blisters developed. By mile 13.1 they were the size of a half dollar. Ouch.

Women glow, we don't sweat. Yeah right. I sweat. Once warmed up I'm quickly drenched. In the dojo I don't throw people, they slide off me. This made each athletic endeavor a search for wicking fabrics and in the right layering combos. I know what works for me on a short ride to work or a long distance bike ride. Sweaty feet had never been a problem.

Now I had a problem.

I will now wax poetic about socks.

Body by chocolate.

I'm a local'varian where possible and favor Fair Trade products. K has slipped me the Folger's coffee and it's fine but I prefer Fair Trade and swear I can taste the difference. There are fair trade organics I eat with the sense of "I will eat this Fair Trade Organic product that others may live".

And there's this chocolate:

https://www.theochocolate.com

Theo repurposed a factory in the quirky Fremont district of Seattle. You don't need the address, go to Seattle, head for our funky Fremont district, then follow your nose. 

At Theo's you find a cozy store full of dark wood, comfy chairs and chocolate. On cold rainy days the fireplace is going and you may be served hot chocolate. On any day a well informed staff answers questions and hands you samples till your head spins and your wallet opens for more.

There are single origin chocolates from Ghana to Madagascar, dark chocolates to milk chocolate. Some of my favorites are the spicy ones like chili chocolate. This is no Mars bar. Theo's is chocolate you will pair with the right wine, ale, local cheeses and fresh fruit or slowly savor alone. There are imaginative seasonal concoctions like cherry and pink peppercorn for Valentines day. That one was heavenly. We watch for that each year. 

This blog is going to the dogs .... and cats.

On her last checkup the vet wondered why Mae had lost weight. Well she always was a bit on the chubby side to that's a good thing. She also was my half-marathon training partner as each walk got a little longer, a little brisker. All that work deserves a reward.

Here's a small company on the east coast with a great selection of kritter gear. Mae is very strong. She walks very well on her loose leash but if she sees a squirrel it's off to the races. I need a strong collar with a reliable snap. She's also deceptively hard to "fit" as evidenced a shelf of spare collars that are a little tight, a little too big .... what on earth do I think I'll do with those? Maybe knit another dog out of the spare fur she sheds.

Bean is the gentle soul of a dog but he does pull a bit on his leash. So both need a strong yet comfortable collar.

After the practical side it's all beauty. It was very hard to pick a pattern and tempting to splurge on holiday themed collars, one for each day. Finally I picked a pattern that compliments the fur, the order was prompt and so fur so good.

http://www.crittergear.com/retail.htm

And we're walking ...

We recently completed a half marathon. When I say completed it was more like survived. And when I say we K did just fine, singing to me and volunteers, kidding that we were leading the runners when really we were the very last of the walkers.

The walkers passed us, the gals doing the half marathon while hula hooping passed us, then briefly we were alone till the first runners passed. Dang, the lead runners are fast. We cheered the first woman racer who had breath enough to say "thanks" as she hung with the front of the pack of guys.

Then the middle of the pack runners, followed by the slower but still doing it runners, the back of that pack and finally us .... or I should say me with K keeping me company. We arrived at the end to see the finish line being deflated and carted away. I handed my chip to a volunteer who said he'd turn it in. I hope he did or they may still be looking for that lost participant.

I'm very proud we did the event, my first "foot event". Now I know more how to train and equip. Our plan is a few shorter events and revisit the long distance later on.

Equipment: if you train it may seem you sign some pact to buy imports. Good gear made here in the good ol' USA is hard to find. Our goal will be to point out some good stuff. And if there's something we've missed please let us know.

Diamond Gusset Jeans

www.gussetclothing.com Made in the USA.

Allow me to wax rhapsodic...
Remember your first pair of Gramicci pants? (yeah, the black ones 20 years ago that you wore until they fell to bits) Remember how you could get on your bike and ride PAIN FREE for hours?

Now, imagine a pair of *good* jeans like that!

Diamond Gusset did it long ago, and apparently they've been beloved by motorcycle folks for years. There are even Diamond Gusset jeans with kevlar reinforcement for motorcyclists.

I've had experience with 3 different cuts of these jeans so far, and I have nothing but good stuff to say.

First off: their customer service is superb. I ordered my first batch and received them within a few days. Had to return a pair (I misjudged my size) and received the exchange WITHIN THE SAME WEEK!!! Very fast, and no errors, and another new return slip in case the replacement didn't fit right either. That is cool, very cool.

Sizing and Inseams: Diamond Gusset has a crazy-huge array of sizes and a tremendous range of inseams available within each size. If you need something special, say a 33 1/2 inch inseam rather than the proffered 33 or 34 inch inseams, all you have to do is specify it on your order and they will get it for you. Our son is a tall skinny teenager who likes the slightly baggy look but doesn't want his pants falling off or his ankles sticking out. Diamond Gusset had skinny-waist long-inseam options galore. He is happy with his jeans. (29W 34L and baggy enough for his fashion sense, and no binding in the sensitive zones)

Cuts: Our son wears the men's regular fit pre-washed. He likes the dark denim and the fact that he can wear them without a belt. They don't bind on him, which is a big deal for guys. (not being a guy myself, I wouldn't know, but I'll take his word for it.) I wear the women's regular fit. At first I ordered the relaxed fit, but the rise was way too high for me. (how often does that happen for tall-long-torsoed-high-waisted me? Never. How exciting is that?!?) Now I have the regular fit. They are delightful! The waistband sits perfectly below my belly button. No issues with the waist gapping in the back. The rear pockets cup my heinie, giving that firm perky-buns look. (contrasted with the pockets way too high that just make my butt look huge, or the pockets way too low that make it look like I'm wearing maternity pants)

Fit: For a cyclist with cyclist buns and thighs, these jeans are a godsend. (and for a slightly chubby cyclist who gained 20 lbs since the last triathlon, they are still a godsend.) The gusset gives you room right where regular jeans will cut into you. The "look at these wrinkles in the folds of my groin and the wad of fabric in my crotch" thing just doesn't happen here. (I know this one first hand. Ewww.) These jeans are true to size. No size inflation ego-pampering here. If you are a 14, suck it up and order a damm 14. You will love them! (I want to think I am a 12. No, sugar, that aforementioned 20 lbs puts me squarely in a 14. 14 is good. Order the size Diamond gusset! That evil "seams meeting each other" lump? Non-existent with the Diamond Gusset jeans.

My next pair of jeans (after I lose these nasty 20 lbs) will be another pair of Diamond Gussets.

I think I'll buy my wife a pair, too.

Your dog's job can be creating jobs.

We know that your dog's a genius, now unleash that canine creativity with a Kong. Squeeky toys are great, our dogs have a major squeeky toy jones. Both love Kongs and we love what Kongs do for dogs giving them mental exercise as well as exercising chewing which all dogs need. Mae puts her classic shaped Kong on a raised planter or her bed just to watch it drop off and bounce and wobble unpredictably. Endless fun! Bean loves his spaceship shaped Kong especially with its "portholes" filled with cheese or tasty snacks. Kongs can be filled with a variety of treats, from healthy dog snacks to even frozen treats like beef stock (I have not tried that).

http://www.kongcompany.com

Reign Vermont Mini Messenger Bag

Gorgeous. Sexy. Sophisticated. Fun. Functional.

Ok, enough about me, let's talk about the bag! This is definitely a mini sized messenger. Perfect for those in-between "messenger bag" and "big Mommy-purse" needs. It will easily hold 2 sketchbooks, 3 file folders, 1 emergency kit, cell phone, ipod, 2 packs of microwave popcorn, bandana, wool hat, engagement calendar, several pens and pencils, work ID, address book, set of travel chopsticks, and checkbook wallet.

I decided not to put the bike tire pump and tire irons in at this time, but they would have fit with no problem. So would a sandwich sized tupperware container and a can of V-8.

The pockets are well thought out: zippered pockets where you need them and slip-pockets where you need them. They are all padded, so no worries that the ipod will be brutalized by the engagement calendar (revenge of the out-moded organizational items!) during your commute. There is a cleverly pleated and tiny elastic cinch top pocket on one edge of the bag that is advertised as a cell phone pocket, but it would also work quite well as a pocket for a mini umbrella. Thanks to the pleats, it lies smoothly when empty.

The stitching, seam taping, and edge taping are impeccable. Even the anchored end of the key clip is tucked neatly into a seam tape. Sleek and elegant!

Self expression is awaiting your wildest whim, with an insanely amazing selection of upholstery quality fabrics to choose from. (The embroidered ultrasuede is luscious.) Among the fabric selections are some that are quite feminine without looking juvenile. And there are some that are wonderfully wild, some that are sedately serene, and some that just make me melt.

If you are a petite chick, you will like the way this mini messenger holds everything you need yet doesn't make you look like an awkward British schoolboy lugging his humungous satchel around the village.

www.reignvermont.com