Photo of the day - 2: Islabikes eJanis eBike

 I finally got my review of the Islabikes eJanis written out and submitted to Cycling Weekly for publication on the website. I must say I find this e-bike quite elegant-looking, especially as the battery is discreetly built into the frame. The other thing too, is that it weighs 13.5kg, which is very light compared to other ebikes. Some ordinary mountain bikes weigh more than this e-bike. So if I ever had power failure, the bike is perfectly rideable without the motor. Of course, now that I have the motor I am going to use it. 

Review of the Islabikes e-Janis on Cycling Weekly website 

More winter treats for cycling and running

In my previous post I talked about how being seen is an important consideration for me while on outdoor pursuits in winter. Well here are a couple of things which will nicely tick that box.

Primal long-sleeved heavyweight jersey

I love this design. There were a few to choose from within this range, but for me the Kashmir Yellow one was the no-brainer. It is a subtle yellow in variegated shades without going as far as garish, and with brown Indian-style flowery motifs on the front and back - rather like Henna tattoos. Why go for the usual reds, blues and blacks when you can have something a little more exciting that will surely brighten up a dull day?

When I took the jersey out of its packaging I thought the fabric was a bit too thin for it to be described as heavyweight. But in fact the Sfero technical fabric keeps you quite warm while still being breathable. Since we are experiencing spring-like temperatures you may find you will need to pull down the zip a little as you trundle past the daffodils in December!

If like me, your measurements fall between two sizes I would suggest going for the larger option as these designs have a snug fit. You might, if you are like me, prefer to have some "wiggle" room while riding.

Although this jersey looks "fun" it takes quality seriously. The finish is slick, there is generous space in the three rear pockets, and the lack of labels on the inside plus raglan sleeves means that there is no danger of the jersey rubbing or chafing your skin as you ride. Furthermore the integrated sun protection factor 35+ is an added bonus during these sunny days.

I look forward to properly testing out the heavyweight properties of this jersey when the temperature drops - which is forecast to be on Christmas Eve - great timing!

Other colours: purple, blue; sizes: S-XXL(2X); £60.00; www.primaleurope.com



Proviz Reflect 360 women's gilet

While it might be too warm at the moment for a jacket while running, it is not too dark. Proviz have gear which is equally useful for runners as for cyclists. I particularly like this item, the Reflect 360 gilet.



As with the eponymous cycling jacket it is 100% reflective, and you will be spotted from almost 200m away as you do your marathon training at night or in the early mornings. The shiny reflective material gives a spaceman-like appearance, attracting almost as much attention as British astronaut, Tim Peake or a Star Wars character!

There is enough warmth on the trunk of the body to keep you warm if you come to a stop or slow down to walking pace. In addition, the high collar will protect your neck and chest from the cool night air which can sometimes lead to a chill. Of course the lack of sleeves means that there is no danger of overheating if you up the pace during a competitive event such as night orienteering. A perforated back helps with temperature regulation too.

I like lots of room for movement when running, and the Reflect 360 definitely has it, since the cut is not snugly tailored. Very usefully this gilet also has roomy zip-up pockets. Great, though it would have been even better to have one micro-pocket for things like keys and change to cut out the jingle-jangle sound as you bob up and down during your run. I have focused on running in this review, but this Reflect 360 is equally useful for cycling. Overall, this is a very handy piece of kit for your night-time outdoor pursuits.

Sizes: 6-16; £49.99; www.provizsports.com



Islabikes for small people

As I mentioned earlier in the year my niece is trying out the  Islabikes Cnoc 16. She is enjoying it even more than a few months ago, now that she is riding it everywhere with the pedals on (as opposed to using it as a balance bike). As the weather this December has been glorious there are still lots of opportunities for kids to get out and ride/learn to ride a bike. Islabikes produce good quality frames that are built sturdily to allow for the odd spill. This is great for if you want to save the bike and hand it down to a younger family member, plus these bikes don't lose much value on their price when selling.

Components on the Cnoc 16 are the same as those found on adult bikes, so children can get used to the workings of a bike from an early age in readiness for when they move on to a more "grown-up" bicycle. The good thing is that the Cnoc 16 is also lightweight so the littl' uns can use their energy mainly for zooming around further and faster, rather than trying to push off  and gain momentum!

Cnoc 16 - Age 4+; £249.99; www.islabikes.co.uk





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2wheel kid meets Islabikes

Still enjoying the Islabike.....

My niece, that is rather than me! She is on a Cnoc 16 which she first got to test out in the summer. Although my niece was only new to bike riding and had never ridden a two-wheeler before she quickly mastered being able to ride with no stabilisers. We took the pedals off and my niece used the Cnoc 16 as a balance bike for a couple of weeks - and she said riding it was great!

I would definitely recommend this as a way for children learning to ride a bike. That way they learn the art of balancing straight away, and you won't get the tantrums linked to removing stabilisers from a kid who has gotten used to assisted balancing!

My niece rode around the park near her house, and also in Hyde Park. She then went for a spin at Ride London in the summer and enjoyed the experience so much she wanted to graduate immediately to doing bike tricks like the big boys doing the BMX tricks demonstration!

So now we are heading in to winter there are fewer opportunities to ride than in the summer, but it hasn't stopped my niece enjoying her Islabike Cnoc16. I am sure that the quality of the bike and its components, as well as its lightness have contributed towards her positive experience. My niece is not so sporty and tends to prefer arts and crafts, but when she got the bike it suddenly gave her something new to get enthusiastic about. I hope she carries on biking. You can read my review of the Islabike Cnoc 16 on the Sportsister website.

2wheel kid meets Islabikes

I have heard of Islabikes but I have never ridden one. I guess it stands to reason as I am not a child or a small person - which is the target market for this range of bikes. A few local female cycle racers who are 5ft tall (1m 50) ride them and they have given good feedback about them.

When I was offered the chance to test one out I was obviously unable to try it out myself. Instead I found a willing volunteer - my niece.

As she is only just starting out with bike riding she is trying the Cnoc 16. I must say the bike looks pretty cool. We've got it in pink, one of her favourite colours - no surprises there for a little girl!

The first thing I noticed when I lifted the Cnoc 16 out of the box was how light it was. Some children's bikes can be quite heavy. But this was surprisingly light. It would surely be an advantage for the little girl who will have to wheel it around and ride it!

I haven't put the pedals on it yet, as right now we are using it as a pseudo balance bike. Apparently that is the more modern approach to teaching children how to ride a two-wheeler.

And the verdict so far on the Cnoc 16 from my niece? "It's great!" she says.
More updates on how she is getting on will follow.